Chapter 6: The Oath Beneath the Moon
The moon hung heavy over the cliffs of Nocturn Hollow, its silver glow bleeding into the darkness like spilled truth. Selene stood at the edge of the ancient altar, the same stone slab etched with blood runes where her kind once made offerings to forgotten gods. Valerian had summoned her here—alone. A place of secrets, older than the war between vampires and omegas, older even than the binding that marked her as his fated.
She clutched her cloak around her, the fabric damp from dew and mist. Her pulse beat furiously beneath her skin, whispering her fear in every tremble of her hands. Yet when he appeared, cloaked in obsidian robes, eyes lit with unnatural gleam, her breath caught for an entirely different reason.
"You came," Valerian said, voice low and unreadable. "I wasn't sure if you would."
"You said I had no choice."
"You never did."
His words echoed with truth. Fate bound them, but now destiny offered them something darker—choice. In his hands, he held a dagger made of moonstone, glowing faintly. It was the ceremonial blade used for a blood pact.
Selene stepped forward. "What is this?"
Valerian lowered the hood of his cloak. His hair fell like ink over pale shoulders, and his expression—usually unreadable—bared something raw tonight.
"A vow. Not one of love," he said, eyes flickering. "But of survival. Of rebellion. If we're to break the curse that made me King, and freed you to be mine, we must become more than what they say we are."
He extended the blade. "Prick your finger. Join your blood with mine. Swear on the night that we will not only survive this prophecy—but change it."
Selene stared at the blade. Then at him. Her heart thundered. This was no simple promise. This was a betrayal to the Council, to her clan, to every law.
She sliced her finger. Blood welled red and rich.
Valerian did the same, their hands joining over the altar.
"Repeat after me," he said. "By blood and shadow, I bind myself to the truth yet unrevealed."
"By blood and shadow, I bind myself to the truth yet unrevealed," she echoed.
"To fate's fire, I offer my defiance."
"To fate's fire, I offer my defiance."
Their blood mingled, dripping into the grooves of the stone. The runes lit up in silver fire. Selene gasped, the energy coursing through her veins, sparking her very soul. She saw glimpses—visions.
A girl running through a burning forest. A crown made of thorns and bone. A child with Valerian's eyes, crying at dawn.
And a voice whispered, "One must die for the other to be free."
She staggered back. Valerian caught her.
"What did you see?" he asked, concern flashing across his sharp features.
She shook her head. "Nothing... or everything. I don't know."
He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "This vow has awakened something. We need to move quickly. The elders will know."
From the trees, a howl shattered the night. Not wolf. Not vampire. Something worse.
"We're not alone," Selene whispered.
Valerian's fangs gleamed as he turned toward the sound. "Then let's welcome whoever's foolish enough to follow us."
They stood back-to-back as shadows circled.
Whatever came next, Selene knew this: she was no longer just an omega. She was a part of something vast and terrible.
She was the storm in prophecys silence 💛
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