Chapter 6 The Gathering Storm

The night stretched wide and endless with the wind carrying the distant scent of pine, damp earth, and lingering blood. Selene stood at the edge of the Shadowfang stronghold, arms wrapped around herself, staring at the vast, moonlit valley below. It had been days since the battle, yet the land still bore the scars of war scorched earth, broken trees, and bloodstains that no rain could wash away.

The pack had survived, but barely. And their foe was still out there. The thought gnawed at her, a restless whisper in the back of her mind. He shouldn't have run. Magnus wasn't the type to retreat. Not unless he had a plan.

And that terrified her.

Behind her, the village was beginning to rebuild, wolves moving like ghosts in the moonlight, clearing wreckage, tending to the wounded, reinforcing their borders. There were no celebrations, no relief. Only quiet grief, exhaustion, and an unspoken truth hanging in the air. She watched their tired strides moving like they would give in to the force and break anytime.

The sound of familiar footsteps pulled her from her thoughts.

She didn't turn, she didn't have to. It was Ronan.

He came to stand beside her, his presence a solid weight against the storm in her chest. The mate bond hummed softly, warm and steady, even when everything else felt uncertain.

"You should be resting," he said, voice rough, edged with concern.

Selene let out a deep slow breath. "I can't."

Ronan exhaled through his nose, frustrated but unsurprised. He crossed his arms, golden eyes scanning the dark horizon. "Because of Magnus?"

Selene nodded. "And the prophecy." The word hung between them like a curse. She had never cared for destiny. She had spent her whole life running from it. But now, it had caught her.

And it wouldn't let go.

Ronan was silent for a long moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, thoughtful. "I spoke with Eira."

Selene turned to him sharply. "And?"

Ronan's jaw tightened. "She confirmed what I feared. The prophecy isn't just a myth. The Lunaris bloodline was meant for something... more. And Magnus believes that means you're a threat."

Her pulse quickened as she took a deep breath and inhaled the air.

Ronan shook his head. "He wants you dead because he believes your bloodline is powerful enough to destroy him. Maybe even destroy all of us." he continued.

"He's working with someone, we don't know who..." He stared at her face

Selene swallowed hard. She had always known she was different. But this? This was something else entirely. She was worried.

That explained everything. Why Magnus had been hunting her. Why he had tried to claim her. He hadn't wanted to use her power,he had wanted to eliminate her before she became a threat.

She turned back to the valley, heart pounding. Ronan shifted closer, his warmth pressing against her side.

"Magnus isn't finished," he said quietly. "We both know that. He's planning something."

Selene nodded, her hands tightening into fists. "We need answers. If we don't understand what this prophecy really means, we won't be ready for whatever he's planning."

Ronan studied her, his golden eyes searching hers. "You want to go to the ruins."

"The Moonfire Ruins are the oldest recorded history of werewolves," she said. "If the prophecy exists, that's where we'll find the truth."

Ronan exhaled, rubbing a hand over his jaw. "It's dangerous. If Magnus hasn't already tried to reach them, he will."

Selene's gaze hardened. "Then we get there first."

The silence stretched long between them, the weight of everything unspoken pressing down on her. She could feel his hesitation, his worry. She knew he hated this, hated the thought of her walking straight into danger. But he also knew she wouldn't back down.

She wanted to hold his hands and tell him she was safe and he didn't need to worry but she hesitated. He stretched his hands towards her like he could hear her thoughts and when their fingers brushed each other she felt it. The sweet electric feeling on her arms.

Finally, Ronan sighed, shaking his head. "Then we go at dawn."

Selene let out a slow breath, a flicker of relief passing through her. But it didn't bring comfort. Only the weight of what lay ahead.

Ronan's gaze softened as he studied her. He reached out again, his fingers brushing lightly against her arm. "Whatever we find there, Selene, we face it together."

She turned to look at him, feeling the steady, unwavering strength in his words.

He meant it.

She nodded, her voice quieter this time. "Together."

For a moment, the world fell away. The battle, the prophecy, the looming war-none of it mattered. Just the two of them. But deep in her chest, she knew the truth.

They were running straight toward something they might not survive.