Glory_Chidubem

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting a silver glow over the dense forest. A soft breeze whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of pine and earth. It was the perfect night for a hunt.

But tonight, the hunt was not what Xavier, Alpha of the Nightshade Pack, sought.

Xavier stood at the edge of the clearing, his sharp gaze fixed on the distant horizon. The pack members were scattered around the camp, preparing for the full moon that would rise within hours. His wolf stirred restlessly beneath his skin, the pull of the moon’s power always a reminder of his duties. Yet, his thoughts were far from the pack.

For weeks, his dreams had been haunted by a pair of hauntingly familiar eyes—eyes that didn’t belong to a wolf. They belonged to a human.

Raine.

The human woman had wandered too far into the territory of the Nightshade pack. She was a stranger—unimportant. But there was something in her gaze, something that sent a jolt through Xavier’s chest. He’d felt it the moment their eyes locked.

A bond. A connection. A pull stronger than the one to his pack.

Xavier had fought it, but deep down, he knew the truth.

The ancient laws of the werewolves were clear: humans and werewolves do not mix. Such bonds were cursed, bringing destruction and war. Xavier knew better than anyone the cost of breaking the rules.

And yet, as the moon rose higher, casting its light upon the world below, Xavier could no longer ignore the way his heart raced every time he thought of Raine. It was a dangerous path to walk, but he had already taken the first step.

THE FORBIDDEN BOND

The ground stopped shaking—but the silence that followed felt heavier than before.

Raine stepped back from the sealed stone door, her fingers still tingling from the jolt.

"What was that?" Ezekiel asked, drawing his blade.

Xavier narrowed his eyes at the runes. "Something shifted. Look."

Where flame-shaped carvings had once been smooth, now a new script burned bright across the stone.

But Raine's pendant translated it in her mind.

"Born of blood, bound by fire. Speak not the name that burned the world, but the truth that saved it."

Four stone wolves emerged from the walls—lifelike and massive, circling them.

Nyra stepped closer, cautious. "Is this... a trial?"

Raine's mark throbbed. "A test. My mother said the ember is protected by wolves who no longer follow the moon."

"These are them," Ezekiel muttered.

As they watched, the wolves shifted positions—blocking all exits.

Then, the voice returned. Soft. Hollow.

"Only one can open the gate. Choose the wolf that bears the truth. Speak... and be judged."

The wolf of sacrifice bled from one eye.

The wolf of vengeance growled, teeth bared.

The wolf of loyalty bowed its head toward Xavier.

The wolf of truth stood silent, staring straight into her.

"Which do you trust?" Xavier asked gently.

"I don't know," Raine whispered. "But... I know how this feels. It's like every part of me is being weighed."

Her mark burned. The pendant pulsed.

Then she stepped forward and touched the wolf of truth.

Then—the other three wolves crumbled into ash.

Raine's voice echoed without her speaking:

"Truth saved the flame. Truth always burns last."

The stone door hissed, then slowly opened.

Beyond it—deep blue fire crackled in the center of a circular chamber.

At its heart, floating above a stone basin, was a glowing ember.

"The Last Ember," Raine whispered.

But as they stepped inside, the shadows twisted behind them.

Chapter 20