Chapter 22

Chapter

Twenty-Two

A riana’s world spun as the darkness receded, her senses assaulted by a cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells. She stumbled, disoriented, as her feet touched solid ground once more. The cool, damp air of the forest hit her lungs, a stark contrast to the oppressive atmosphere of the realm she’d just left. Beside her, Maya materialized, the witch’s eyes wide with shock and concern.

As Ariana’s vision cleared, the scene before her made her heart lurch. The once-peaceful clearing where she had first met the Moonshadow pack was now a battlefield. The air crackled with dark energy, and the scent of blood and fear hung heavy in the air.

“By the goddess,” Maya whispered, her voice tight with horror.

Ariana’s gaze swept across the chaos, taking in the devastation. Part of her had hoped to be mistaken, but as she stared at pack members scattered across the ground, some writhing in pain, others completely motionless, she had made the right choice. Those still standing fought desperately against an unseen force, their movements jerky and uncoordinated as if fighting against invisible strings.

And there, at the center of it all, stood Selene. The sentinel’s silver hair whipped around her in an unnatural wind, her eyes glowed with malevolent power. Dark tendrils of magic swirled around her, reaching out to ensnare more of the pack.

Vilkas stood beside Selene, his eyes blank and pupil-less. Dark veins spread across his skin from the knife wound on his side. He moved with jerky, puppet-like motions, attacking his own pack-mates with savage ferocity.

Ariana’s heart clenched at the sight. This was worse than she had imagined, worse than what she had seen in the vision. The reality of the situation hit her like a physical blow, threatening to overwhelm her.

“Vilkas…” Maya started. “She seems to have some control over him.”

Ariana nodded. “Let us pray that when we stop Selene and get that blade from her grasp, it severs her connection to him.” It was an unknown. The blade’s power—while they had learned of it from texts—there was no real way to know how much destruction it could wield.

Drawing a deep breath, she squared her shoulders and pushed aside her shock and horror. There was no time for hesitation. Her pack needed her, and she would not let them down. The bond, it pulsed within her, connecting her to each member of the pack. She felt their pain, their fear, but also their unwavering courage. And beneath it all, steady and strong, was Colt’s presence. He wasn’t there physically, but she could feel him fighting through their connection, lending her strength.

“Maya,” Ariana said, her voice steady and filled with determination. “I need you to focus on helping the injured. Use your magic to protect them and heal who you can.”

The witch nodded, her hands already beginning to glow with healing energy. “Be careful, Ariana. Selene’s power… it’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt before.”

Ariana gave her a grim smile. “I know. But we don’t have a choice. We have to stop her.”

As Maya moved toward the nearest injured pack member, Ariana took a step forward, her gaze locked on Selene. The sentinel’s gaze snapped to her, a cruel smile twisting her lips.

“Ah, the little guardian returns,” Selene called out, her voice carrying easily across the chaos of the battlefield. “Come to watch your new family fall?”

Rage bubbled up inside Ariana. She clenched her fists, feeling the elements respond to her emotions. The air around her stirred, and the earth rumbled beneath her feet.

“This ends now, Selene,” Ariana shouted back, her voice ringing with authority. “Let them go!”

Selene’s laughter was cold and bitter. “Oh, I don’t think so. I’ve waited too long for this moment. The Moonshadow pack will pay for the sins of their ancestors.”

As if to emphasize her point, Selene flicked her wrist. Vilkas lunged forward, his claws raking across Jaxon’s chest. The pack enforcer howled in pain but remained standing, his eyes filled with anguish as he faced his controlled pack-mate.

The sight of it made Ariana’s blood boil. She experienced the pack’s pain through their bond, their desperation, and confusion. They didn’t understand why this was happening, why one of their own was being used against them.

“They’re innocent!” she cried out, taking another step forward. “Whatever happened in the past, this pack had nothing to do with it. You’re punishing them for something they didn’t do!”

For a moment, a flicker appeared in Selene’s eyes—perhaps a hint of doubt, or maybe a glimpse of the person she once was. But it was gone as quickly as it appeared, replaced by icy determination.

“Innocence?” Selene spat. “There is no such thing. They carry the blood of traitors and murderers. And now, they’ll pay the price.” With a wave of her hand, Selene sent another pulse of dark energy through the clearing. Pack members cried out in pain, some falling to their knees. Ariana felt their agony through the bond, and it fueled her resolve.

She raised her hands, calling upon the elements. The wind picked up around her, whipping her hair and clothes. Beneath her feet, the earth trembled, responding to her will. Fire danced at her fingertips, and the moisture in the air condensed, ready to be used at her command.

“I won’t let you do this,” Ariana declared, her voice carrying the power of her conviction. “These people are under my protection. They are my family now, and I will defend them with everything I have.”

Selene’s gaze narrowed, the glow in her eyes intensifying. “So be it, Guardian. Let’s see if you’re truly worthy of that title.”

With a snarl, Selene thrust her hand forward and sent a wave of dark energy hurtling toward Ariana. At the same moment, she commanded Vilkas to attack. The controlled shifter lunged forward with inhuman speed.

Ariana reacted. She threw up a wall of earth, deflecting Selene’s attack, while simultaneously sending a gust of wind to knock Vilkas off course. The shifter stumbled, giving Jaxon a chance to tackle him to the ground.

“Hold on, Vilkas,” Jaxon grunted, struggling to keep his friend pinned. “We’ll free you. Just hang on.”

Ariana’s heart ached at the pain in Jaxon’s voice, but she couldn’t afford to be distracted. Selene was already preparing for another attack. Dark energy swirled around her in a maelstrom of power.

Selene’s mocking laughter cut through the chaos of the battlefield. “Poor little guardian,” she taunted, her voice dripping with contempt. “Did you really think you could just waltz back here and save the day? You abandoned your trials, forsaking the very power you needed to stop me.”

How did the sentinel even know about the trials? Ariana gritted her teeth, refusing to let Selene’s words shake her resolve. She knew she had made the right choice in coming back to protect her pack. She trusted Colt and Hannah. They would come back with the knowledge needed to stop this madness.

“It’s too late,” Selene continued, gesturing with the blade. Its eerie glow seemed to pulse in time with the dark energy swirling around her. “The power of this blade is beyond anything you can comprehend. It’s already begun to unravel the very fabric of your precious pack’s bonds. Soon, there will be nothing left but chaos and despair.”

As if to emphasize her point, Selene flicked her wrist, sending another wave of dark energy rippling through the clearing. Ariana watched in horror as pack members cried out, clutching their heads in pain. Their agony felt through the bond.

“You’re wrong,” Ariana shot back, her voice steady despite the fear clawing at her heart. “The bonds of pack, of family, are stronger than any magic. We’ll stop you and heal what you’ve done.”

A cruel smile twisted Selene’s lips. “Brave words from someone who’s already failed. You couldn’t even complete your trials. What hope do you have of stopping me now?”

Ariana felt a flicker of doubt, Selene’s words striking at her deepest insecurities. She had abandoned the trials, potentially giving up the knowledge she needed to face this threat. But as she looked around at the pack members fighting to protect each other, at Maya tending to the wounded with unwavering determination, she knew she had made the right choice. She trusted Colt would prevail.

“I may not have completed the trials,” Ariana said, her voice growing stronger with each word, “but I’m exactly where I need to be. My power comes from more than just ancient tests. It comes from the bonds I’ve forged, the love I share with this pack.”

She took a step forward; the elements swirling around her in response to her resolve. “And those bonds? They’re not as fragile as you think. We’ll weather this storm together, and we’ll come out stronger for it.”

Selene’s mocking smile faltered for a moment, a flicker of uncertainty passing across her face. But rage quickly replaced it, her eyes blazing with renewed fury.

“Enough of this nonsense,” Selene snarled, raising the blade high. “Let me show you the true power of this weapon and the futility of your misplaced faith.”

As Selene prepared to unleash another devastating attack, Ariana braced herself. She felt the pack rally behind her, their collective strength flowing through the bonds they shared. Whatever came next, she knew she wouldn’t face it alone.