The Rejected Luna’s Secret

Chapter Thirteen: The Trap

The battle raged around Elara as she moved through the chaos, her dagger flashing in the sunlight. She could see Kael and Riven holding their own against Dain’s hunters, but they were tiring. The rogues were battered but determined, their weapons clashing against the crimson armor of their enemies. But Dain stood at the edge of the battlefield, watching, waiting. His yellow gold eyes were locked onto Elara, a cruel smile playing on his lips.

She couldn’t let this go on. Couldn’t let him win.

Lena fought beside her, her knife a blur as she cut down another hunter. Elara turned to her, her voice low but urgent. "We need to end this. Now."

Lena nodded, her breath coming in ragged gasps. "What’s the plan?"

Elara’s eyes flicked to Dain, then to the dense forest beyond the camp. "We lure him into the trees. There’s a ravine just past the ridge. If we can get him there..."

Lena’s expression darkened. "It’s a long fall."

Elara’s jaw tightened. "Exactly."

Lena didn’t hesitate. She turned to the rogues, her voice carrying over the din of battle. "Fall back to the trees! Now!"

The rogues didn’t question. They began to retreat, their movements slow and deliberate, drawing Dain’s hunters deeper into the forest. Elara and Lena stayed at the rear, their eyes locked on Dain.

He didn’t move at first, his gaze narrowing as he watched the rogues retreat. But then his smile widened, and he stepped forward, his voice a low growl. "Running already? I expected more from Kael’s mate."

Elara’s hands clenched into fists, but she didn’t rise to the bait. She turned and ran, Lena beside her, as they led Dain and his hunters into the trees.

The forest was thick here, the branches overhead blocking out the sunlight. Elara could hear the hunters behind them, their footsteps heavy, their breath ragged. She could feel Dain’s presence like a shadow at her back, his laughter echoing through the trees.

"Did you really think you could escape me, Elara?" he called, his voice mocking. "You’re carrying my future. My legacy."

Elara didn’t look back. She couldn’t. Not yet.

They reached the ridge, the ravine yawning below them, its depths hidden by the dense foliage. Lena stopped, turning to face Dain, her knife raised. "Come and get her, Dain. If you dare."

Dain’s laughter cut through the air. "Oh, I dare."

He lunged, his claws unsheathing as he charged at Lena. But Elara was ready. She stepped forward, her dagger flashing as she drove it into Dain’s side. He snarled, his hand lashing out to backhand her across the face. She stumbled, her vision swimming, but she didn’t fall.

Lena took the opening, her knife slashing across Dain’s chest. He roared in pain, his eyes flashing with fury. But he didn’t retreat. He couldn’t. Not when he was so close to what he wanted.

Elara could see the ravine behind him, the edge just a few steps away. She just needed to push him a little further.

She lunged again, her dagger aimed for his throat. Dain blocked her, his claws raking across her arm. She hissed in pain, but she didn’t stop. She couldn’t.

Lena fought beside her, their movements synchronized as they drove Dain back, step by step, toward the edge of the ravine.

Dain’s eyes flicked to the drop behind him, his smile widening. "You think this will stop me? I’ve survived worse."

Elara didn’t answer. She just kept pushing, her dagger flashing as she drove him back. She could see the moment he realized his mistake, the way his eyes widened as he felt the ground give way beneath his feet.

But it was too late.

With a final shove from Lena, Dain stumbled back, his arms windmilling as he tried to regain his balance. But there was nothing to grab onto. Nothing to stop his fall.

He plunged into the ravine, his scream echoing through the forest as he disappeared into the depths below.

Silence fell over the ridge. Elara’s breath came in ragged gasps, her body trembling with adrenaline. She turned to Lena, her voice barely above a whisper. "Is he...?"

Lena moved to the edge, peering down into the ravine. "Gone. For now."

Elara exhaled, her body sagging with relief. But it was short-lived. The battle wasn’t over yet. Dain’s hunters were still out there, and they wouldn’t stop until they had her.

She turned back to the camp, her eyes scanning the battlefield. Kael was there, his crimson eyes locked onto hers. He was covered in blood, his side still bleeding from the earlier wound. But he was alive. And he was coming for her.