CHAPTER 8
711 Words
The pulse of the Guardian Moon is like a drum calling my name. I can feel it in my bones. My chest gets tight as the silver light curves around me. Every breath is short and weak.
Again, the old and strong voice says, "You have a choice." *“Either accept the blood that binds you together or lose all power.” *
I see Kael, who is still partly hidden in the dark as a wolf. His gray eyes look mean and scared at the same time. They're afraid that everything we've built and who we are will fall apart if I fail.
Thorne is standing next to him, and his golden eyes are ready to strike. He moves around shakily and taps his hands on the floor as if the ground were going to betray him.
Draven doesn't say anything. His blue-black eyes are fixed on me, as if he wants to remember everything about me before things change.
"I... I don't get it!" "I cry." "What does that even mean?"
The Guardian Moon is getting stronger again, and the symbols below me are getting hotter to the point where they could burn through the floor. *“The blood of your ancestors awakens Moonbound's power. Take it or lose it forever."
I shake my head. I want to run and hide. But something old, strong, and alive inside me moves. It talks to me in a language I can't understand but can feel in my chest.
I look at Darius. He's still standing on the edge of the woods, but his eyes are filled with fear, excitement, and something that looks like desire. He wants this. He wants me.
"You shouldn't get in the way," Kael growls, and he takes a step forward, tensing up like a wolf.
"I'm not getting in the way, Alpha," Darius says with a smile as he moves closer. But as soon as she picks the wrong thing... He looks at me quickly and says, "She is mine."
I make fists. I feel like I should fight back with every nerve in my body, but my veins feel like molten silver, like the moon is running through me. I can hear the Guardian Moon whispering again.
"The blood is yours." "Claim it."
The fog lifts to let Kael's voice be heard. "Selene! Don't pay attention to him! You can have the Moon, but only if you control it and don't let him control you!"
It's hard to see through my tears as I shake my head. "I... I can't!"
Guardian Moon says, "Then it will make the choice for you."
The floor below me opens up a bit, and bright lines run up the walls like veins. The air has a lot of raw power. My heart is beating faster than it ever has.
Darius puts up his hand. In a strange way, the forest around him gets darker. His dogs' red eyes shine, and the sound of their snarls makes my heart beat faster.
I push Kael back when he comes at me. "No! I have to do this!"
I feel like everything is telling me to move forward. When I close my eyes and reach deep inside, I feel the power rise in my blood like fire.
The Guardian Moon pushes on me in a way that I can't fight. It says "Pick. Blood. Strength. Destiny."
I take a look, and they are silver and shine, reflecting the moonlight and Darius's shadow.
"I..." I say in a shaky voice, "Accept it."
The signs come to life, and I feel full of energy. Waves of light push Kael, Thorne, and Draven away, but I don't mind. I feel strong and alive.
He naturally takes a step back, his eyes wide. He didn't see this coming.
At that moment, a different voice, cooler and deeper than Darius's, comes from behind the trees.
"No one, not even Moonbound, can easily take this power."
The air gets thicker, the trees shake, and dogs howl. The Guardian Moon moves and shakes a lot.
I see a huge shadow coming down from the dark sky. It's longer than the house and wider than the trees.
I can see that other people are also watching me decide.
- Writer
