Bound By Blood And Moonlight:

Blood and Shadows

By cute_serenity

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The air was thick with smoke and magic. Lyanna’s lungs burned as she stood shoulder to shoulder with Kieran, the weight of destiny pressing down on her like armor. Blood streaked her arms, but she barely felt it. There was no room for weakness now—not when the hunters kept coming.

A sharp howl echoed from the southern tower—Elira’s cry.

Lyanna’s heart clenched. “That’s Elira,” she breathed. “She’s in trouble.”

Kieran didn’t hesitate. “Go. I’ll hold the courtyard.”

She wanted to protest, to stay with him, but her feet were already moving. She leapt through shattered doors and over broken stone, dashing toward the sound of Elira’s voice.

As she turned a corner, a dark shape tackled her, slamming her against the wall.

“Going somewhere, mutt?” Celestia hissed, her eyes wild with fury. Her claws dug into Lyanna’s shoulders, and behind her, two other lycan females—Celestia’s loyal followers—closed in.

“I should’ve been queen!” Celestia spat. “You ruined everything.”

Lyanna bared her teeth. “No—I saved him from you.”

She twisted, using her momentum to break free, and struck Celestia hard across the jaw. The other two leapt toward her, but Lyanna’s wolf was faster. Luna surged to the surface, lending her strength, speed, precision.

One attacker went down, unconscious before she hit the floor. The second slashed at Lyanna’s side, but Luna moved her just in time, leaving only a shallow cut. She countered with a brutal kick that sent the female crashing into a pillar.

Celestia shrieked, blood dripping from her lip. “You think you’re strong because of a prophecy? You’re nothing.”

Lyanna turned her glowing white eyes on her. “I’m everything you’ll never be.”

The wall behind Celestia exploded inward as Elira stormed in, golden eyes blazing. Her royal aura filled the hallway like a tidal wave. “Back away from her,” Elira said, voice like thunder.

Celestia froze, eyes flicking between Lyanna and the Lycan Princess.

“Elira…” Lyanna whispered.

Without warning, Celestia lunged at Elira, claws raised—but Elira was faster. She struck Celestia in the chest, sending her sprawling to the floor, gasping for breath.

“You will never hurt her again,” Elira growled. “The King chose his mate. The Moon chose her.”

Guards arrived seconds later, drawn by the noise. Celestia, bleeding and defeated, was dragged away. Her screams faded down the corridor.

Lyanna stumbled slightly, breath shaky. Elira reached for her and steadied her gently. “You’re stronger than I ever imagined,” she said softly.

Lyanna managed a small smile. “You came just in time.”

Together, they turned toward the stairs. The courtyard still raged with war. But the tide was changing. The moon glowed brighter than ever above them, as if watching its child rise.

Tonight, they would fight.

Tonight, they would survive.

And soon... they would reclaim everything.