Bound by the Moon

Chapter 16

The cold had seeped deep into her bones by the time Astrid awoke. Her body ached, stiff and sore from the trials she had faced and the unyielding surface she had slept on. The thin mattress offered little comfort, and the blanket that had barely shielded her from the cell's dampness now clung to her like a reminder of how far she had fallen.

As her eyes fluttered open, the dim light from the small barred window told her that it was morning. A faint sliver of pale sunlight struggled to break through the thick, oppressive atmosphere of the fortress. Astrid groaned, stretching her limbs, feeling the bruises and cuts that marked her body. The pain was a reminder of her victories, but it was also a warning: she could not afford to falter.

The first two trials had been grueling, each one designed to strip her of hope and strength. But she had survived. Barely.

Her thoughts drifted to her brother, Darius, once again. His words echoed in her mind, haunting her as they had in her dreams. He had always been the one to remind her of her purpose, to push her toward being something more than just a warrior. He believed in her strength, but it wasn't just physical. He believed in her ability to protect, to stand between the innocent and the darkness.

But who's protecting me now?

The thought stung, and she clenched her fists, fighting back the wave of despair that threatened to consume her. She had no one now. The Silverclaw Pack had abandoned her, and here, in the Bloodmoon stronghold, she was nothing more than a prisoner. A liability.

And yet, she could feel the fire inside her—a small but persistent flame that refused to die, no matter how much the trials tried to snuff it out.

The door to her cell creaked open, the sound harsh and jarring in the silence. Astrid shot up, her heart racing as she turned toward the doorway. It was a guard, tall and imposing, with cold eyes that regarded her as though she were little more than a nuisance. He said nothing, but the stern look he gave her was enough to make her understand.

Time for another trial.

Without a word, she rose from the bed, her body protesting every movement as she forced herself to stand tall. She would not give them the satisfaction of seeing her weakened by her ordeal. She wouldn't show them fear. Not now, not when her life depended on her resilience.

As she stepped forward, the guard gestured for her to follow. The corridors of the Bloodmoon stronghold were as cold and unwelcoming as ever, the stone walls looming above her, seeming to close in with each step she took. The air was thick with tension, the kind that made her skin crawl and her senses go on high alert. She had been through this twice already, but the dread never faded.

The pack was an enigma—dark, dangerous, and secretive. Lucien had told her from the beginning that trust was not given easily here, and she had seen firsthand what that meant. Every step she took within this fortress felt like a step deeper into a labyrinth of shadows, where the walls whispered threats, and the air itself seemed to pulse with an ominous energy. She was surrounded by predators, and she was the prey.

The guard led her to another chamber—this one larger than the others she had seen. The ceiling was high, the walls lined with dark wood and stone, and in the center of the room was a large stone platform. Astrid's stomach churned as she approached. She had no idea what this trial would be, but the ominous atmosphere made her skin prickle with unease.

Standing at the edge of the platform, waiting for her, was Lucien.

His expression was as cold and detached as ever, his eyes sharp and assessing as they swept over her. He gave nothing away, no hint of what this next trial would entail or what her chances of survival were. But Astrid had learned enough by now to know that this pack had no interest in offering mercy.