Bloodmoon Rising

The Voidfang’s howl shook the cave, its red eyes glowing like embers as it forced its way through the narrow entrance. Elara’s heart slammed against her ribs, the sound drowning out Lila’s shaky breaths beside her. Dust rained down, mixing with the damp air, and the pack scrambled, their growls filling the space. Aiden stood firm, his broad frame a wall between her and the beast, but she could see the strain in his shoulders, the blood still streaking his face from earlier.

“Stay back!” he barked, his voice rough with command. He lunged at the creature, claws slashing, and the fight erupted, snarls and thuds echoing off the stone walls. Elara clutched Lila, her friend’s trembling hands gripping her arm, the marks on her skin flaring with a heat that made her gasp. She felt it again, that wild surge, her nails sharpening as her body begged to shift.

Kai stirred on the furs, groaning as he pushed himself up. “Elara…” he rasped, his eyes finding hers, filled with worry. He tried to stand, wincing, but she shook her head, her throat tight.

“Stay down,” she said, her voice cracking. She couldn’t lose him too, not after seeing him fall. His hand reached for hers, weak but warm, and she squeezed it, a silent promise she wasn’t sure she could keep.

The Voidfang swiped at Aiden, its claws grazing his side, and he grunted, staggering back. Blood soaked his shirt, dark against the fabric, and Elara’s stomach lurched. Without thinking, she stepped forward, the heat in her marks exploding into a roar in her ears. Her vision sharpened, the world tilting as fur sprouted along her arms, and a growl tore from her throat. She didn’t know how, but she charged, tackling the beast with a strength she didn’t recognize.

The impact threw them both to the ground, her claws raking its flank. It snarled, snapping at her, but she dodged, her movements instinctual. Aiden was there in an instant, pulling her back as the pack joined, their combined force driving the Voidfang out into the night. The cave fell quiet, save for heavy breathing and the drip of rain from the broken entrance.

Aiden turned to her, his chest heaving, his hand gripping her arm where the marks glowed. “You shifted,” he said, his voice a mix of awe and fear. His thumb brushed her skin, sending a shiver up her spine, and she met his gaze, dark, intense, pulling her in. For a moment, the chaos faded, and she saw the man beneath the alpha, the one who’d regretted letting her go.

“I didn’t mean to,” she whispered, her breath shaky. His hand lingered, warm and steady, and she felt her heart lean toward him, drawn by that unspoken connection. But then Kai’s cough broke the spell, and she pulled away, her cheeks flushing.

Sylvia approached, her face grim. “The bloodmoon’s close,” she said, her voice low. “Your shift proves it. The Lunar Echo awakens, and Draven will sense it. He’ll come for you.” Her eyes darted to the marks, and Elara rubbed them, the ache lingering.

“What does he want with me?” she asked, her voice rising with frustration. Lila squeezed her hand, offering silent support, but the weight of Sylvia’s words pressed down.

“Your blood,” Sylvia said simply. “It’s the key to breaking the curse, or using it to rule. You’re tied to our survival, Elara, but also our end.” She paused, her gaze softening. “Aiden’s rejection years ago was to shield you from this. He saw the prophecy.”

Elara’s head spun, memories of that festival night flooding back, Aiden’s touch, his whispered warning, the way he’d vanished. She glanced at him, seeing the guilt etched into his features, and her anger softened, replaced by a confusing warmth. “Why didn’t you tell me?” she asked, her voice barely audible.

“I thought I could stop it,” he muttered, running a hand through his hair. “I was wrong.” His eyes held hers, pleading, and she felt that pull again, stronger now, like a tide she couldn’t fight.

Kai struggled to his feet, leaning on the cave wall, his face pale. “You don’t have to decide now,” he said, his voice gentle but firm. He stepped closer, his hand brushing her shoulder, and his soft touch against Aiden’s intensity made her heart stutter. “I’ll stand by you, no matter what.”

The air thickened with tension, the brothers’ rivalry simmering just beneath the surface. Elara’s mind raced, torn between them, when a low rumble shook the ground. The pack tensed, and Sylvia’s eyes widened. “He’s here,” she whispered.

Draven’s voice boomed from outside, cold and mocking. “Come out, little sister! The bloodmoon waits!” The words sent a chill down her spine, and she felt the marks burn, a vision flashing, Draven standing over a ritual circle, her blood dripping into it. She gasped, stumbling, and Aiden caught her, his arms strong around her.

“We fight,” he said, his breath warm against her ear. His hold tightened, protective, and she leaned into him, her heart pounding with a mix of fear and something deeper. But Kai’s hand found hers, pulling her gaze to him, his eyes full of quiet strength.

“Together,” Kai added, his voice steady despite his injuries. The pack gathered, their growls rising, and Elara nodded, her resolve hardening. She didn’t know what the bloodmoon would bring, but she wouldn’t face it alone.

They stepped out into the night, the air thick with mist and the scent of blood. Draven stood at the forest’s edge, his Voidfangs flanking him, their eyes glinting. The moon hung low, a deep red stain in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the scene. Elara’s marks flared, her body trembling as the shift threatened again, and Draven’s smile widened.

“Welcome to your destiny,” he said, raising a hand. The Voidfangs charged, and chaos erupted, claws clashed, snarls filled the air, and Elara felt the ground tilt beneath her. She swung at a wolf, her claws connecting, but a sharp pain stabbed her side. She fell, blood soaking her shirt, and looked up to see Draven towering over her, a blade in hand. His laugh rang out as the world faded, and her vision darkened, a single word escaping her lips: “Aiden…”