BLOOD AND MOONLIGHT

Chapter 22: Battle Scars

The aftermath of the battle left the camp in a haze of tension and exhaustion. Bodies of rogue werewolves littered the ground, and the stench of blood hung heavy in the air. Evelyn’s team had managed to overwhelm the rogues, but the victory felt fragile, like a thin layer of ice over deep water. She scanned the battlefield, her heart still racing from the rush of combat. The sun had dipped low, painting the sky in hues of crimson and gold, a stark contrast to the grim scene below.

Evelyn’s gaze immediately sought out Luka. She spotted him across the field, giving orders to a group of their fighters. Relief washed over her—he was still standing, still fighting. But the sense of ease was fleeting. As she watched, a flicker of movement in the shadows caught her eye.

A rogue, larger than the others and moving with a deadly purpose, was stalking toward Luka. The beast’s eyes were locked on him, its muscles coiled like a spring ready to unleash. Panic surged through Evelyn as she realized Luka hadn’t seen it. Her mind raced, the world around her narrowing to the scene unfolding before her.

“Luka!” she screamed, her voice tearing through the din of the aftermath. She broke into a sprint, her feet pounding against the blood-soaked ground as she rushed to intercept the threat. Time seemed to stretch as Evelyn pushed herself harder, every fiber of her being focused on reaching Luka before it was too late.

Luka turned at the sound of her voice, but the rogue was already on him. The beast lunged, its massive form colliding with Luka’s, sending them both crashing to the ground. Luka grunted in pain, the impact knocking the wind out of him as he grappled with the snarling creature. Claws raked across his chest, tearing through fabric and skin, and a sharp cry escaped Luka’s lips.

Evelyn’s heart twisted at the sight. She surged forward, adrenaline fueling her as she threw herself into the fray. She tackled the rogue, her blade flashing as she drove it into the beast’s side. The rogue howled, its claws flailing as it tried to dislodge her. Evelyn gritted her teeth, twisting the blade deeper until the creature’s struggles weakened and it slumped to the ground, lifeless.

Breathing hard, Evelyn turned her attention to Luka. He lay on the ground, blood seeping from the deep gashes in his chest. His breaths were shallow, his face pale with pain. Evelyn’s hands trembled as she knelt beside him, her mind struggling to process the sight of him hurt.

“Luka,” she whispered, her voice choked with fear. She pressed her hands against the wounds, trying to stem the bleeding. Luka winced but didn’t push her away, his eyes locking onto hers with a mix of pain and determination.

“I’m… I’m fine,” Luka managed, though his voice was strained and unconvincing. He tried to push himself up, but his strength gave out, and he slumped back with a groan.

Evelyn’s heart ached as she watched him struggle. She had seen Luka in countless battles, always strong, always in control. Seeing him like this, vulnerable and hurt, was a new kind of agony. She fought back the surge of panic threatening to overwhelm her, focusing instead on keeping her movements steady as she tended to his injuries.

“You’re not fine,” Evelyn said firmly, her voice trembling despite her best efforts to stay calm. “Just hold still. We’ll get you patched up.”

Luka gave a faint, wry smile, his eyes never leaving hers. “Didn’t… didn’t expect you to be the one saving my ass today,” he joked, but the attempt at humor fell flat against the pain etched in his features.

Evelyn bit her lip, her hands working swiftly to apply pressure to the wounds. “You’ve saved mine enough times,” she murmured, her voice softer now. “It’s my turn.”

Raine appeared beside them, her expression grave as she took in the scene. She knelt on Luka’s other side, quickly assessing the injuries. “We need to get him back to camp,” she said, her tone brisk but edged with concern. “These cuts are deep. We can’t treat him properly out here.”

Evelyn nodded, her throat tight as she helped Raine lift Luka to his feet. He swayed, but managed to stay upright, leaning heavily on Evelyn for support. The camp was a blur as they moved, each step a painful reminder of Luka’s injuries. Evelyn could feel his weight against her, the heat of his body tinged with the chill of shock.

Back at the camp, Evelyn and Raine laid Luka down on a makeshift cot. The medics hurried over, their hands moving with practiced efficiency as they set to work cleaning and stitching the wounds. Evelyn hovered nearby, her heart in her throat as she watched them work. Every wince, every pained sound that escaped Luka’s lips, tore at her.

The minutes dragged on, each one feeling like an eternity. Evelyn’s thoughts churned, guilt gnawing at her. She should have seen the rogue sooner, should have been faster. The what-ifs spiraled through her mind, each one more torturous than the last.

Finally, one of the medics looked up, giving her a reassuring nod. “He’ll be alright,” she said. “The wounds are serious, but he’s strong. He’ll pull through.”

Evelyn let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, a rush of relief sweeping over her. She moved closer, her fingers brushing against Luka’s hand where it rested by his side. He was still pale, his eyes closed as he lay still, but his breathing was steadier now, the immediate danger passed.

As the medics finished their work and moved away, Luka’s eyes fluttered open. He looked at Evelyn, his gaze hazy but focused. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth. “Told you I’d be fine,” he murmured, his voice a rough whisper.

Evelyn laughed softly, though her eyes stung with unshed tears. “You’re impossible,” she said, squeezing his hand gently. “You scared the hell out of me.”

Luka’s fingers tightened around hers, his grip surprisingly strong despite his injuries. “Sorry,” he said, his tone sincere despite the weak smile that lingered on his lips. “I’ll try not to make a habit of it.”

Evelyn shook her head, a mix of exasperation and affection swelling in her chest. “Just focus on getting better,” she said softly. “We still have a lot of work to do.”

Luka nodded, his eyes closing as exhaustion took over. Evelyn watched him for a moment, her hand still resting on his. She could feel the steady beat of his pulse beneath her fingers, a small but reassuring sign that he was still fighting, still there.

As Luka drifted off, Evelyn sat by his side, the camp’s bustle fading into the background. She felt the weight of their battles, both the physical and the emotional, settling on her shoulders. But as she looked at Luka, his face peaceful in sleep, Evelyn felt a renewed sense of purpose. They had come too far, fought too hard, to give up now.

Evelyn leaned back, her gaze sweeping over the camp. There was still so much to do, so many threats to face. But for now, Luka was safe, and that was enough. She squeezed his hand one last time before letting go, a silent promise lingering between them.

No matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. Evelyn knew that as long as Luka was by her side, she could find the strength to keep going. And as the sun dipped lower, casting long shadows over the camp, Evelyn allowed herself a rare moment of hope. The road ahead was uncertain, but for the first time in a long while, she felt like they might just make it.