Minutes turn into hours, and hours into days_ things at Lunar Crest Pack are spiraling out of control.
As Ace, Jun, and Rey fall deeper under Rehan’s influence, Marsel and Elira have been running themselves ragged, searching day and night for a way to break whatever is happening to everyone.
They noticed on the second day that sothing was wrong_ suddenly, after drinking the so-called dicine Rehan provided, everyone started growing unnaturally attached to him.
Marsel and Elira drank it too, but for so reason, it hasn’t affected them.
Now, they are the only ones left who can figure out what’s happening, but even as they fight to uncover the truth, they cannot afford to let Rehan know they’re unaffected.
Just in case he turns them into his next targets.
They have been faking submission to buy ti, trying every ancient herb they know from their years of experience.
They have pulled Ace, Jun, and Rey aside, trying to trigger their mories, perford traditional rituals, and even attempted to communicate with the Moon Goddess_ none of it has worked.
By now, they know very well that if the other wolves realize they are against Rehan, they will imdiately turn against them.
_
"So, what’s left?" Elira demands, frustration thick in her voice. "Tonight, he’s going through with it! He already brought his pack here_ he’s rging them. Do you think we’ll be able to stop him after that?!"
"I can’t believe Ace has fallen so deep under his influence... He agrees to everything he says, and now he even believes that the Moon Goddess’s mate bond doesn’t matter_ that simply marrying through a ritual is enough. He..."
"I will not let my son marry that devil!" Elira snaps, her pulse quickening. "Even if there’s nothing binding them, the thought of my son being close to that man disgusts ! I won’t let it happen! I would rather kill him and face the Moon Goddess’s wrath than leave my son in his hands for even a single night!"
She storms out of Kieran’s study. "If there’s no other way, then I’ll confront him! And I’m goi_ "
Before she can finish, Marsel yanks her back.
"You cannot kill! No one is killing anyone!" His voice is sharp with warning. "Do you understand the weight of such an act as VeilWalkers?! Do you still rember the rules the Moon Goddess gave us herself?! Elira, there must be another way. Of course, I won’t let our son end up with that man either, but not by breaking the sacred laws of the Moon Goddess!" Marsel grips her shoulders, trying to steady her.
"Then what do you suggest we do?!" she snaps, still trembling with rage. "We’ve done everything!"
"I have a plan_ I’ve thought of sothing. But I need you to stay behind while I go find it. I don’t know how long it will take, but I need you to keep an eye on things here until I return. And don’t you dare do sothing reckless! No killing! Trust , Elira. I’ll find a solution and co back on ti, okay?"
Elira clenches her jaw, then exhales sharply. "Fine. Okay."
Marsel softens, pressing a lingering kiss to her lips before rushing out into the chaos.
_
Outside,
Rehan stands before hundreds of wolves
_ Lunar Crest and MoonLight pack.
His voice carrying over them like a spell.
They hang onto his every word, nodding as if what he’s saying makes perfect sense.
Ace stands beside him, their hands intertwined, with Jun and Rey supporting from the sides.
"Tonight, as we unite our packs into one
_ the Lunar Light Pack_ this will be the beginning of a new era," He announces proudly. "A great life in the greatest pack. And as you join in celebrating my new mate, as we beco one, I know we have yet to present ourselves to the Moon Goddess, but by binding through this ritual, we will be tied together. Then, when the mating season cos again, we can present ourselves properly. Right, my love?" He turns to Ace.
Ace looks away shyly before softly answering, "Yes."
Cheers erupt through the crowd at his response.
Rehan’s chest swells with triumph.
"Then let the preparations begin." His voice rings with satisfaction, and at once, the wolves move into action.
"Ace, I told you," Jun says, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You would find soone who loves you, cherishes you. See now? You found one_ Rehan does."
Hearing that, Rehan only smiles, his grip tightening as he promises once again that Ace is precious to him.
_
Hours pass. Marsel has not returned.
The mansion hums with excitent, the air thick with anticipation. Everyone is waiting for the ritual master.
Rehan had brought the mysterious man who had helped him execute his plans. The reason he insisted this man to conduct the ritual himself was simple_ he wanted him to solidify the effects of his herbs.
Few minutes later, the masked man steps forward, walking straight into the heart of the ritual.
He speaks in an eerie cadence, muttering words in a low voice. Strange powders are cast into the fire, making the flas flare higher, sending thick smoke curling into the air_ straight toward the wolves.
Elira grips the edges of her cloak, her patience thinning. She has waited long enough for her husband to return.
But he hasn’t.
Now, she has lost it.
All she can think is that the only way to save her son_ save everyone_ is to kill Rehan and the mysterious man beside him.
_
After the symbolic ritual of rging the two packs and crowning Rehan as Alpha
_ officially forming the Lunar Light Pack_ the second ceremony begins. Almost imdiately, as if _ if it doesn’t happen imdiately, everything might go wrong.
The mating ritual.
This is it. The mont Rehan has been waiting for.
Elira moves into position, ready to strike. She knows no one here can match her in strength. And so, she doesn’t see the reason why she can’t stop these two n!
"And now," the masked man announces, "The mates may kiss beneath the sacred fire to seal their bond."
Rehan’s smile stretches wide.
He knows this is it.
This mysterious man had assured him that once they kissed under this fire_ once their lips touch beneath the iron container swinging above them_ the bond would be unbreakable.
Rehan sits, Ace following.
They turn toward each other, their faces re inches apart.
Their first mont of true intimacy. They have never done anything intimate with each other. The only thing that has been working between them are words.
Romantic words that has promised the great future.
Their heads tilt closer... re inches apart_
Just before their lips et_
Rehan is wrenched backward with brutal force.
Before he can register what’s happening, a crushing punch slams into his jaw, sending him crashing to the ground.
Dazed, he is hauled up again by the collar.
"I told you."
A voice_ deep, lethal, and seething with rage.
"You can never have what is mine."
Rehan barely has ti to react before another brutal punch slams into him.
"Which part of that didn’t you understand, Rehan?" Kieran snarls, his eyes ablaze with fury. "You will never have him. He belongs to _ he will always belong to . And since you dared to put your filthy hands on him, you will suffer the consequences."
The re thought of Rehan almost kissing Ace sends a new wave of unrelenting rage coursing through Kieran’s veins.
His anger controls him as he tries to control it before he does sothing he shouldn’t do.
The masked man, sensing danger, tries to flee_ but Elira is faster. She shoves him back, causing him to stumble.
By sheer misfortune, he collides into Ace.
And the mont their bodies touch_
Ace’s mark on the chest ignites.
A brilliant blue fla bursts forth, consuming the masked man instantly, reducing him to ash_ just like the witch Lila once brought, just like Lila herself.
Rehan watches in horror,
Ace collapses.
Before he can hit the ground, Kieran catches him mid-air.
Rehan sees his chance to escape_ but Marsel arrives just in ti, seizing him.
"Kieran?! You’re back!" Marsel breathes.
Rey and Jun stare, still struggling to comprehend what’s happening.
"Yes," Kieran confirms, his voice like steel. "Take him to the mansion’s prison. Ensure the highest security. I’ll deal with him later."
Marsel nods and drags Rehan away.
Elira kneels beside Kieran, her hands hovering over Ace. "Is he alright?"
"He should be," Kieran murmurs. "I’ll take him inside."
_
Inside his room, Kieran lays Ace on his the bed, then slips in beside him, wrapping his arms tightly around him.
He exhales a deep, shuddering breath, holding it before releasing it slowly.
"You little fool," he whispers near his ear. "How could you let that happen? How could you let soone else touch you?"
But Ace doesn’t hear a thing.
Kieran holds him close, feeling him, feeling his body take in the satisfaction that it has been yearning _ longing for.
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