Fated by Blood and Moon

Chapter 32: The Storm Unleashed

Leo’s POV

The moment I stepped outside the pack house, I knew something was wrong. The air was heavy, thick with tension and the scent of something foreign. My wolves were already on high alert, scattered in defensive positions, eyes darting toward the borders.

Jaxon stood at the edge of the clearing, his posture rigid. As I approached, I noticed a group of scouts gathered around him, their faces pale and tight with worry.

“Alpha,” Jaxon said, his voice low and steady, but the flicker of concern in his eyes didn’t escape me. “There’s been movement at the southern border. Rogues.”

I growled softly, my fists clenching at my sides. Rogues. I had been expecting them, but not so soon. Not today.

Fenrir, what do you think? I asked, though I already knew what his answer would be.

Rogues are opportunists, Fenrir rumbled, his presence in my mind stronger now, pulsing with the promise of violence. They think we’re distracted by the coronation. They’re trying to test us.

“They won’t get far,” I said aloud, my voice firm as I turned to Jaxon. “Mobilize the warriors. Have them patrol the southern border in shifts, and prepare for an immediate defense.”

Jaxon nodded, already barking orders to the nearby wolves. My warriors were well-trained and loyal. They would hold the line, but this attack was more than just a distraction. I could feel it deep in my bones—this was only the beginning.

We need to move, now, Fenrir urged, pacing restlessly in my mind. The pack depends on us.

I was already turning toward the forest, preparing to shift when I felt a hand on my arm. I glanced back to see Maya standing there, her eyes wide with determination.

“I’m coming with you,” she said, her voice steady but leaving no room for argument.

“Maya,” I began, but she shook her head before I could say anything else.

“I’m Luna now, Leo. I won’t stay behind while my pack is in danger. Lyra and I can help.”

She’s right, Lyra added, her presence brushing against my mind. We fight together.

Fenrir growled approvingly. The Luna is strong. She fights beside us.

I hesitated for only a moment before nodding. “Fine. But stay close to me. I’m not losing you.”

Her lips quirked into a small smile, though the worry in her eyes remained. “You won’t.”

Together, we shifted, our wolves emerging with a crack of bones and a surge of power. Fenrir took control swiftly, his massive silver form towering over Lyra’s lean, graceful body. She was a powerful force, her grey and brown fur gleaming in the faint morning light as we bounded through the trees.

Stay sharp, I warned through the bond. There could be more than just rogues out there.

I’m ready, Lyra replied, her voice tinged with excitement and focus.

The forest passed by in a blur as we raced toward the southern border, the scent of rogues growing stronger with every step. My senses were heightened, every sound, every scent sharper as Fenrir guided us toward the source of the disturbance.

We broke through the treeline to find a small group of rogues lurking near the border, their eyes gleaming with malice as they caught sight of us. There were five of them—scruffy, wild, and clearly desperate.

They’re testing us, Fenrir growled, his lip curling back to reveal his sharp teeth. Let’s show them what a mistake that was.

With a snarl, Fenrir lunged forward, his powerful muscles propelling us into the fray. I barely registered Lyra’s movements beside us, but I knew she was there—fierce and relentless as she tore into one of the rogues with a savage growl.

The fight was quick, brutal, and efficient. Fenrir’s jaws closed around the throat of the rogue in front of us, snapping bone and cutting off the wolf’s snarl in an instant. I felt the warm rush of blood on my tongue, but I didn’t stop. The others wouldn’t be far behind.

More are coming, Fenrir warned as we finished off the last rogue. This was just a scouting party.

Lyra growled in agreement, her amber eyes scanning the treeline. We need to get back to the pack. Reinforcements will be coming, but we can’t let them break through.

I shifted back, Fenrir’s form retreating as I stood in the clearing, breathing heavily. Maya joined me a moment later, her body trembling slightly from the adrenaline of the fight.

“We need to warn the pack,” she said, her voice breathless but strong. “This isn’t over.”

I nodded, wiping the blood from my hands. “We need to regroup. Jaxon can handle the southern border, but we need to prepare for a larger attack.”

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Maya’s POV

The rogues had been desperate, but they hadn’t been stupid. They were testing our strength, trying to find a weak point in our defenses. But as I stood there in the aftermath of the fight, my heart racing and Lyra still humming with energy, I knew that this was only the beginning.

They’re not done yet, Lyra said, her voice filled with certainty. We’ve won this round, but they’ll be back.

I turned to Leo, who was already moving to shift again, ready to return to the pack. His face was set in grim determination, and I could see the same tension in him that I felt coursing through me.

“We’ll be ready for them,” I said, my voice steady even though my mind was racing. “They won’t catch us off guard again.”

Leo looked at me, his silver eyes glowing with intensity. “No, they won’t. We’ll protect our pack, no matter what.”

With that, we shifted once more and headed back toward the pack house. The rogues had made their move, but we weren’t going to let them win. Not today, not ever.

The storm had been unleashed, but we were ready for whatever came next.