Chapter 9 Battle Under the Blood Moon

The crimson glow of the Blood Moon hung heavy in the sky, bleeding its light across the dense, ancient trees of Blackmoor's sacred grove. The clearing where the ritual was to be held brimmed with unease. The air was thick with the mingling scents of earth, wildflowers, and barely restrained tension. Wolves in human form lined the perimeter, their expressions grave, eyes reflecting the eerie red tint of the night.

Aria stood just outside the main circle, her heart pounding against her ribcage like a trapped bird. She could feel the pull of the moon's energy swirling around them, ancient and restless. Every instinct screamed at her to run , not from fear, but from the ominous certainty that something terrible was about to happen.

Kade entered the circle at the center of the grove, stripped to the waist, his skin gleaming in the moonlight. The Alpha mark branded across his shoulder blade shimmered, reacting to the power in the air. His dark hair clung to his face, his expression unreadable but resolute. The gathered pack watched him in tense silence, the Council members flanking the edges, pretending to honor him while plotting his downfall.

Aria's gaze drifted to Elara, poised and beautiful as ever, her face a mask of mourning , false mourning. Aria knew now what lurked behind those icy eyes. The words she'd overheard only hours ago still echoed in her mind.

"We strike at the Blood Moon. Kade dies tonight."

She had tried to warn him. The moment Callen had caught her sneaking through the Council's private chambers, she thought her life was forfeit. But to her shock, the rogue mercenary had listened. Whatever past sins haunted Callen Mire, there was still a flicker of decency in him. Together, they had planned to turn the Council's trap against them.

But even with that knowledge, standing there now, Aria felt powerless. What could one healer and a half-trusted rogue do against a den of traitors and assassins?

The ritual began.

The Moon Priestess , veiled in white, her silver eyes shining like twin moons themselves , stepped forward, chanting ancient words in a forgotten tongue. The pack responded in kind, howling low, a chorus of voices weaving into the night air.

Aria felt it then , a sudden, sharp pull in her chest, as though invisible strings tugged at the very marrow of her bones. Her vision blurred, and the faces around her flickered, transforming into blurred shadows.

"Aria," a voice whispered within her mind.

She spun, but no one stood near.

"You cannot let him die."

A single image flashed before her: Kade, bloodied, falling to his knees beneath the blood-colored moon.

And then chaos erupted.

The first arrow flew from the trees, slicing through the air with deadly precision. It missed Kade by inches, embedding itself into the ceremonial altar behind him.

"AMBUSH!" Riven's voice bellowed.

Before anyone could react, shadows poured from the forest's edge , assassins cloaked in black, weapons gleaming crimson in the moonlight. The pack surged to defend their Alpha, but confusion and treachery split them apart. Some of the guards turned their blades on their own.

Kade shifted mid-stride, his massive wolf form gleaming obsidian under the blood-hued sky. He launched himself at the attackers, claws raking, fangs tearing through flesh.

Aria's breath caught as she watched him fight. Every movement was graceful, lethal, a creature born to rule. But even an Alpha could be overwhelmed.

Two assassins lunged from opposite sides. Kade dispatched one, but the other's blade found purchase, slashing deep along his flank. A snarl of pain erupted from him.

Aria didn't think , her healer's instincts surged forward, drowning out fear. She dashed into the fray, ignoring Riven's shouted warning, dodging grasping hands and clashing blades. She reached Kade just as another assassin leveled a crossbow at him.

Without hesitation, Aria raised her hand.

A pulse of blinding silver light burst from her palm, striking the assassin square in the chest. He flew backward as though struck by an invisible force, landing in a heap against a tree trunk.

Silence rippled across the clearing for a heartbeat as all eyes turned to her.

The Moon Priestess gasped. "The Healer's power... it awakens."

Aria's legs buckled, her head spinning. What had she done? She hadn't even known she could,

"ARIA, BEHIND YOU!" Kade roared.

Too late.

A figure lunged at her , Callen, bloodied and staggering, but eyes locked on hers in warning, not betrayal. He tackled her to the ground as a dagger whistled past, grazing his side.

"Still think you don't need protection?" he rasped, smirking through the pain.

"You, you're bleeding,"

"Not the priority."

Another howl split the night as Riven threw himself into the fight, flanked by loyal pack members. The battlefield blurred into chaos , wolves shifted mid-leap, blades clashed, cries of pain filled the air.

Aria forced herself to her feet. Kade was outnumbered, blood darkening his fur, his movements slowing.

No. Not like this.

She ran to him, dropping beside his massive form. He growled weakly, his golden eyes locking onto hers.

"Leave... it's not safe..."

"I won't," she whispered fiercely, placing her hands against his blood-soaked fur.

She didn't know the words. Didn't need to. The ancient magic flowed through her, instinctive and wild. Her palms glowed with pale light, seeping into Kade's wounds. The flesh knitted before her eyes, blood ceasing its flow.

Kade's body shuddered beneath her touch, his breathing steadier.

The assassins hesitated, shaken by the display.

From across the clearing, Elara's voice rang out, sharp and venomous. "Kill them both!"

Several rogues surged forward, blades gleaming.

And then, something within Aria snapped.

An ancient, primal force unfurled inside her chest , a roaring wave of light and power. She stood, her hair rising around her face, her eyes glowing silver-white.

"Enough!" she screamed.

A shockwave burst from her body, a ripple of shimmering energy that hurled the attackers backward as if they were no more than leaves in a storm. The very earth trembled. Trees groaned under the force. Even the moon seemed to pulse brighter.

The battlefield fell into stunned silence.

The Moon Priestess stepped forward, her gaze fixed on Aria.

"It is you," she breathed. "The bloodline lives."

Aria swayed, the immense power leaving her drained. Kade shifted back to human form, barely steady on his feet, blood and ash streaking his skin.

He reached her in two strides, catching her before she fell.

"You... saved me," he murmured, disbelief and something deeper in his voice.

"I couldn't let you die."

Their eyes met, the bond between them no longer subtle but a tangible, undeniable thread connecting their souls.

Riven approached, bruised and bloodied, his face a mixture of relief and resigned pain as he watched them.

"The traitors fled," he reported gruffly. "But they'll regroup."

Aria leaned into Kade's touch, exhaustion pulling at her.

"Then we fight again," Kade said, cradling her close. "But not tonight."

The Moon Priestess's voice cut through the aftermath.

"The old wars have stirred again, Alpha. And the blood curse tied to her line will not rest so easily."

Aria closed her eyes, knowing nothing would ever be the same.

Not for Blackmoor.

Not for her.

Not for them.