Threads Of The Moon

Chapter 15

The moon emerged from the clouds suddenly—full, bright, powerful.

The moment its light hit Alina, her mark burst into silver fire.

Rafe cursed.

“It’s happening. The Lunar Bonding.”

“What bonding?!” Alina cried.

Kael’s voice turned reverent.

“Your soul will pick who it’s tied to. Me… or Rafe.”

Rafe stepped back, shaking his head.

“No. No, she’s not ready. She doesn’t fully remember.”

“That’s exactly why the bond must awaken now,” Kael said.

“Before the Seekers take her.”

Alina clutched her chest—

Her heart was beating in two rhythms.

One fast and frantic—Rafe’s energy.

One deep and haunting—Kael’s.

She could feel both.

Kael whispered:

“Your heart always found mine first.”

Rafe whispered:

“I never asked for you… but I always stayed.”

Their voices echoed through her mind—

Suddenly, a force dragged her upward.

Her feet lifted off the ground.

Silver light wrapped around her body like ribbons.

The forest bent outward as if bowing.

Rafe gasped.

“Alina—!”

Kael’s eyes widened in awe.

“She’s choosing…”

The ribbons of light split in two:

One reached for Rafe.

One reached for Kael.

Then—

They started pulling.

Both directions.

Her body shaking violently in midair.

“Stop! Please!” Alina cried.

Neither man could move closer—

the force pushed them back.

She screamed—

and everything went white.