Fading Light

Elara’s world tilted, the bloodmoon’s red glow blurring as pain seared through her side. Draven’s laugh echoed, cold and triumphant, but it faded into a dull roar as her vision darkened. “Aiden…” she whispered, her voice a fragile thread, before everything slipped away. The damp forest floor pressed against her back, rain mixing with the blood soaking her shirt, and she clung to the sound of snarls and shouts fading into silence.

She drifted, caught in a haze where voices murmured, Aiden’s rough growl, Kai’s gentle plea, Sylvia’s cryptic warnings. Then, a warmth enveloped her, strong arms lifting her, and she forced her eyes open. Aiden’s face hovered above, his jaw tight, blood streaking his cheek from a fresh cut. His eyes, dark with worry, met hers, and she felt a jolt, like her heart remembered him even as her body weakened.

“Hold on,” he said, his voice breaking. He pressed a hand to her wound, his touch firm yet trembling, and she winced, the pain sharpening. The Nightclaws surrounded them, their faces grim, but Kai pushed through, his shirt torn, his face pale from his earlier fight. He dropped to his knees beside her, his hand brushing her cheek, cool against her feverish skin.

“You’re not leaving us,” Kai murmured, his voice thick with emotion. His fingers lingered, and she managed a weak smile, the pull between them a quiet comfort amid the chaos. But Draven’s shadow loomed in her fading sight, his steel-gray eyes glinting as he retreated with the Voidfangs, their howls a taunting promise in the distance.

Sylvia knelt, her hands glowing as she pressed them to Elara’s side. A tingling warmth spread, stitching the pain into a dull ache, but her strength didn’t return. “The bloodmoon’s power is in her now,” Sylvia said, her voice low. “She’s tied to the curse more than we thought.” Her eyes flicked to Aiden, a silent warning, and he nodded, his grip on Elara tightening.

They carried her back to the cave, the pack moving with tense urgency. Inside, the air was heavy with the scent of blood and wet fur. Lila rushed to her side, tears streaking her dirt-smudged face, and gripped Elara’s hand. “You can’t die on me,” she whispered, her voice shaking. Elara squeezed back, her vision swimming, but the warmth of Lila’s touch anchored her.

Aiden sat close, his knee brushing hers, his hand never leaving her arm. “I should’ve protected you better,” he said, his voice raw with regret. His thumb traced the marks, and a shiver ran through her, the connection between them flaring despite her weakness. She turned her head, meeting his gaze, and saw the man who’d once pushed her away, now desperate to keep her close.

Kai leaned in from the other side, his hand resting on her shoulder. “We’ll figure this out,” he said, his tone soft but determined. His touch was gentle, a contrast to Aiden’s intensity, and she felt torn, her heart pulling in two directions. The marks pulsed, and a vision hit, Draven standing over a ritual circle, her blood glowing, the curse breaking in a wave of chaos. She gasped, clutching at both men, her breath ragged.

“What did you see?” Aiden asked, his voice urgent, his hand tightening on hers. Kai’s grip mirrored it, and she struggled to speak, the images fading.

“Draven… he’s not done,” she managed, her voice a whisper. “The curse… it’s changing.” Her head lolled, exhaustion pulling her under, but before she slipped away, a new sensation crept in, a presence, ancient and heavy, whispering in her mind. The spirit from her visions, stirring awake.

The cave grew quiet, the pack watching as Sylvia chanted, her hands still glowing over Elara’s wound. The air thickened, and a low hum filled the space, the bloodmoon’s light seeping through the cracks. Aiden’s face hardened, his hand brushing her hair back, a tender gesture that made her heart ache. Kai’s fingers traced her arm, his touch a silent vow, and she felt the weight of their love, their rivalry, pressing down.

Suddenly, the ground trembled, a roar echoing outside. The pack tensed, weapons drawn, and Sylvia’s chant broke off. “He’s calling the curse,” she said, her eyes wide. Elara’s marks flared, hot and insistent, and the spirit’s voice grew clearer, urging her to rise. She pushed against Aiden’s hold, her body weak but driven, and stumbled to her feet, the cave spinning around her.

“Elara, no!” Aiden shouted, reaching for her, but she pulled free, the spirit’s power surging. Her vision sharpened, the bloodmoon filling her sight, and she saw Draven at the forest edge, a ritual circle glowing with her blood. The Voidfangs gathered, their eyes fixed on her, and a howl rose, chilling her to the bone. She took a step toward the entrance, her heart pounding, and her voice echoing in a growl as the spirit took hold, her body shifting under the moon’s red gaze.