The BLOOD KING'S RETURN: THE LUNAR HEIR

Chapter 14: Blood Under the Moon

The courtyard erupted into chaos.

Dust swirled violently through the air as Kael, in his massive Lycan war form, faced Magnus across the shattered stone ground. His black fur glistened under the moonlight, golden eyes blazing with fury.

A deep, threatening growl rumbled from his chest.

Magnus only smiled.

“So this is the legendary Lycan King,” he said, twirling his sword once before gripping it firmly. “I expected nothing less.”

Without warning—

Kael attacked.

The giant wolf lunged forward with terrifying speed, claws ripping through stone as he closed the distance.

But Magnus was ready.

He rolled aside at the last second—

SLASH!

His blade struck Kael’s shoulder.

The sound rang out sharply.

But the damage was minimal.

Kael roared in response, swinging a massive claw.

Magnus leapt back, landing lightly several feet away.

The rebel wolves watched in silence.

Even they could see it.

The difference in power.

Above them, on the balcony, Alina gripped the broken railing tightly.

Her glowing hands trembled as she watched.

Every time Kael was struck, something inside her twisted painfully.

“Stop… please…” she whispered.

But the battle only grew fiercer.

Kael lunged again—

Faster.

Deadlier.

His jaws snapped inches from Magnus’ head.

Magnus ducked and thrust his blade toward Kael’s chest—

But Kael struck first.

BOOM!

His massive paw slammed into Magnus, sending him crashing into a stone pillar.

The impact shattered it.

The courtyard trembled.

The royal guards erupted in cheers.

But slowly—

Magnus stood again.

Blood trailed from the corner of his mouth.

And yet…

He was smiling.

“Now this…” he said, wiping the blood away, “is a real fight.”

Above them—

The moon brightened.

The silver glow surrounding Alina spread across the balcony floor.

Symbols began to form beneath her feet.

Ancient.

Shifting.

Alive.

Alina gasped.

“What… is this?”

The air turned cold.

A whisper echoed inside her mind.

Not words—

But a presence.

A call.

It was coming from the moon.

Below, Kael suddenly froze.

He felt it too.

His golden eyes snapped upward.

“Alina…”

Magnus followed his gaze.

And when he saw the glowing symbols—

His expression changed.

For the first time—

Shock.

“That… shouldn’t be happening.”

Alina’s body lifted slightly from the ground.

The silver light wrapped around her like a living force.

Stronger than before.

Far stronger.

The energy spread across the entire courtyard.

One by one—

Wolves dropped to their knees.

Overwhelmed by the pressure.

All except Magnus.

His eyes narrowed.

“So the legends were true…”

Behind him—

A palace door creaked open.

Quiet.

Unnoticed.

A figure stepped into the courtyard.

Dressed as a royal guard.

But their eyes…

Glowed red.

Slowly, they pulled a dagger from their cloak.

Their voice was barely a whisper.

“Tonight…”

“The Moon-Bound dies.”

They moved silently.

Step by step.

Toward the balcony.

Toward Alina.

And no one had noticed.

Not yet.