Broken Moon

Blood and Breath

Chapter 9 — Blood and Breath

Pain becomes my entire world.

It comes in waves—deep, tearing, relentless—dragging me further from the arena, from Kael’s broken body, from the life I knew only hours ago. Hands grip my arms as I’m rushed through stone corridors slick with torchlight and panic.

“Careful!” the healer snaps. “Her pulse is unstable.”

I barely hear them.

My mind is locked on one thing.

Kael.

“Don’t let him die,” I whisper, though I don’t know who I’m speaking to. “Please.”

The birthing chamber is warm, carved deep into the mountain, ancient symbols etched into the walls. This place has welcomed future Alphas and Lunas for generations.

I never imagined I’d be brought here like this.

“Lay her down,” the healer orders.

They ease me onto the stone bed. The pain spikes, sharp enough to steal my breath. I cry out despite myself, fingers digging into the furs.

“You’re strong,” the healer says firmly, meeting my eyes. “But this child is early. Fear and shock triggered it.”

Fear.

Shock.

Selene.

My body arches as another contraction tears through me.

“Kael,” I gasp.

The healer hesitates.

“He’s alive,” she says finally. “Barely. The Alpha healers are with him.”

Relief crashes into me so hard it hurts worse than the pain.

“Good,” I sob. “That’s good.”

Another wave hits.

I scream this time.

Outside the chamber, raised voices echo—arguments, orders, confusion. The pack is fractured. Leaderless. Vulnerable.

Just like Selene wanted.

“She’ll return,” I whisper through clenched teeth. “She won’t stop.”

The healer’s jaw tightens. “Then you must survive this. Both of you.”

Hours blur into agony and breath and blood. I lose track of time. Lose track of myself.

All I know is that I refuse to let this child die.

I refuse to let Selene win.

“Push!” the healer commands.

I do.

With everything I have left.

A cry fills the chamber—small, sharp, alive.

For a heartbeat, the world stops.

Then the healer’s eyes widen.

“This child—” she breathes.

My heart lurches. “What? What’s wrong?”

She lifts the baby gently, reverently.

“Nothing is wrong,” she says softly. “Everything is different.”

She places the child in my arms.

Silver eyes blink up at me—too aware, too bright.

Alpha eyes.

A daughter.

Power hums faintly in the air, ancient and undeniable.

The chamber goes still.

“She carries the Alpha mark,” the healer whispers in awe. “Born of blood, battle, and bond.”

Tears blur my vision as I clutch my daughter to my chest.

“She’s perfect,” I breathe.

The doors burst open.

The Council enters—faces pale, shaken.

An Elder steps forward, eyes locked on the child.

“The pack felt it,” he says hoarsely. “Her birth.”

I lift my chin, pain and fear hardening into something sharper.

“Then you know,” I say. “The line continues.”

Murmurs ripple through the room.

The Elder exhales slowly. “Selene has fled beyond our borders. She is now declared rogue.”

Good.

But not enough.

“Kael?” I demand.

The Elder hesitates—then nods. “He lives. But he is unconscious.”

I look down at my daughter, at the faint glow beneath her skin.

“He has to wake up,” I whisper. “She needs him.”

And I need him.

I press a kiss to her forehead.

“Listen to me,” I murmur softly. “You were born into chaos. But you will not be broken by it.”

Outside, thunder rolls over the mountains.

Somewhere in the dark, Selene is running.

But for the first time since dawn—

Hope breathes.

And it has silver eyes.