The Luna's Second Chance

Chapter 37: Lines Drawn in Blood

**Isla’s POV **

The air was thick with tension, the heavy scent of pine and earth mixing with the anticipation that hung over the palace grounds. Isla stood at the edge of the training field, her heart pounding as she watched the preparations unfold. Warriors from across the kingdoms gathered in tight formations, the glow of magical wards shimmering in the early light. Each pack, each faction, moved with a quiet precision, readying themselves for the battle that was no longer just a distant threat but a looming reality.

This was it.

The war was coming.

Isla’s fingers twitched as she shifted her gaze to the witches working nearby. Luca stood at the head of the coven, directing them as they wove protective spells over the palace’s defenses. Even from a distance, Isla could feel the magic pulsing in the air, a sharp contrast to the raw power coursing through her veins.

Since unlocking her abilities, everything felt different. The world around her seemed more alive, more vibrant, and at the same time, more fragile. She could sense the surge of energy, the connection to the earth, to the moon, to the power that ran through her bloodline. But with that power came the weight of responsibility—responsibility not just to her pack, but to the kingdom and to Kian.

Kian.

Her twin brother’s presence lingered in the back of her mind like a shadow she couldn’t shake. Even now, as she stood surrounded by allies, she could feel the pull of their bond, could sense the turmoil raging within him. The closer they got to the inevitable confrontation, the stronger the bond seemed to grow.

And with that bond came a flood of emotions Isla wasn’t sure she could handle.

“You look like you’re a million miles away.”

Isla turned at the sound of Damian’s voice, his familiar presence grounding her amidst the chaos. He approached with a calm confidence that made her heart clench. Despite the war looming on the horizon, Damian had remained steady, his strength and determination unwavering. She admired him for that—for the way he carried the weight of the pack, of his people, without letting it crush him.

“I’m just thinking about Kian,” Isla admitted, her voice soft. “I can feel him. It’s like he’s closer than ever.”

Damian nodded, his expression serious. “You’ll face him soon. But don’t forget—you’re stronger now. You’ve unlocked your power. You can reach him.”

Isla’s stomach twisted at the thought of facing Kian. She knew she had to stop him, had to stop Malachi and the war they were about to unleash. But Kian wasn’t just another enemy. He was her brother. Her blood.

“I’m afraid of what I’ll have to do,” Isla whispered, her voice barely audible.

Damian reached out, cupping her face gently with his hand. “You’re not alone, Isla. No matter what happens, I’m with you. We’ll face Kian together.”

Isla closed her eyes, leaning into Damian’s touch as she drew strength from him. She wanted to believe that they could save Kian, that they could stop Malachi without losing everything. But deep down, she knew that the path ahead was paved in blood.

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**Kian’s POV **

The cold wind whipped through the trees as Kian stood at the edge of the clearing, watching as his outcasts prepared for the coming battle. His heart pounded with a strange mixture of anticipation and dread, the pull of the bond he shared with Isla growing stronger by the hour. He could feel her power, could sense her presence even from miles away.