Tension permeated the air, and every sense was sharpened as we got ready for Darius's certain return. My pack had gathered; their expressions mixed determination with anxiety. The Moonstone's power surged through me, its energy a steady hum in my veins.
Aria watched the treeline from my side. Her presence served as a reminder of what we were fighting for and a salve for my jangled emotions. Luna and Ryder, our kids, were safely hidden, but their safety depended on how this war turned out.
I knew Darius was close as a low growl rippled through the evening. I looked at Aria; her jaw set with determination.
"Whatever happens, stay close," I said gently.
Her grip on my hand tightened as she said, "I'm not leaving your side."
Emerging from the shadows, Darius's wolves first had hostile glistening eyes. Ready to face them, I moved forward and then noticed something odd. One ran between the trees, squarely toward Aria.
"WATCH OUT!" I yelled, pushing her aside as a wolf surged at her.
The impact sent me sprawling, but I recovered fast and drove my fist into the side of the wolf. Yelped and withdrew, but more were closing in.
"Lesons!" Aria sobbed and staggered to her feet.
"I'm fine," I said, staring the advancing wolves in the eyes. "Stay behind me."
The fight started in a flurry of fur and fangs. Our pack squared Darius's forces head-on, the night filled with snarls and body collision. With the Moonstone guiding my motions, I battled with everything I possessed.
Darius materialized, staring right at me. "You're a fool, Leon," he snipped. "You believe you can keep them safe?"
"I know I can," I yelled back, charging him.
Our bodies crashed and the force of the collision sent us both tumbling. I got back on my feet fast, throwing a flurry of punches. Darius shot back, his motions lethal and erratic.
He taunted, hitting me across the face, "You're nothing without your father's power."
Driving my knee into his gut, I said, "I'm stronger than he ever was."
Darius staggered but he stayed on his feet. He laughed, a nasty, grating sound. " Leon, you will never win. Not against me."
A sharp agony burst in my side before I could reply. I dropped to find a claw buried in my flesh. I grabbed the wolf and threw it far, roaring, but damage was done.
Leon! Aria yelled and hurried to my side.
I gasped, trying to stay upright and said, "I'm okay."
Tears in her eyes, she said, "No, you're not."
Using my diversion, Darius lunged at Aria. I shifted to intercept, but the suffering slowed me. Grasping her by the arm, he drove her away from me.
"Let her depart!" I yelled, but my voice was not very strong.
"Make me," Darius snorted, his grip tightening.
Driven by a flood of wrath and desperation, I drew on the Moonstone's power. Energy pulsed around me as I got myself moving.
"Leave her alone," I said with an otherworldly force resonating in my voice.
Darius's eyes grew wider, but he held Aria still. Rather, he gave a smile. "You truly do not grasp, do you? This is just getting started.
He turned with a last, sinister smile and disappeared into the darkness carrying Aria.
"Aria! " I yelled, the sound tearing from my mouth.
My pack gathered around me, grim faces. Jace moved forward with a focused expression. "What must we do, Leon?"
I inhaled deeply, trying to pay attention. "We came across her. We will find her and call off this."
The next several hours were a blur of desperate activity. Darius was elusive even though we searched the forest following every clue. Though it wasn't enough to locate them specifically, the Moonstone's power enabled me to detect traces of their presence.
Luna and Ryder stayed near, clearly afraid. Though my own anxiety made it difficult, I did my best to reassure them.
I vowed, hugging them tightly, "We'll find her." We'll bring her back.
Elder Lydia walked over, her face solemn. " Leon, the power of The Moonstone is only limited. You have to use caution.
My voice tight, I said, "I know." "But I cannot let him keep her."
She nodded, rested a hand on my shoulder. We are all right here with you. We will locate her together.
The path carried us farther into the forest to an abandoned ruin veiled in shadow. As we got closer, my heart hammered and the sense of foreboding got more powerful every stride.
"This is it," I said, just above a whisper. "Be ready."
My pack opened out to encircle the door. I inhaled deeply, then drew on the Moonstone's ability to ground me. We nodded then started in.
The interior was poorly lit, the air heavy with the smell of crumbling stone. I tuned my senses and looked for Aria's sign.
"Leon," Jace murmured, pointing to a hall. "I feel I heard something."
I nodded and pointed for the others to copy. The corridor whirled and turned us further into the wreckage. Every sound reflected, raising the suspense.
At last we arrived in a big chamber and saw her. Aria's eyes wide with terror was hooked to a stone pillar. Darius stood next her, sporting a triumphant smile.
"Welcome, Leon," he said, his voice full of contempt. "I'm expecting you."
"Let her go, Darius," I said, my voice trembling with barely controlled wrath.
His tone mocking, he asked, "Why would I do that?" "You are right where I want you."
I stepped forward, then he waved a hand to stop me. " ah-ah. She dies one more step.
Aria's eyes locked with mine, a mix of terror and will. "Leon, do not. She is caught in a trap.
"I know," I said, eyes never leaving Darius. "But I'm not going without you."
Darius chuckled. " Leon, you are quite consistent. Always the hero.
"Maybe," I said, my voice low. "But heroes have a way of winning at last."
Suddenly energizing myself, I shot at him using the Moonstone's power to drive me. Darius was ready, equally forceful in meeting my attack.
As my pack ran across Darius's wolves, the chamber went crazy. The air was thick with the terrible symphony of conflict that was snarls and growls.
I battled with everything I possessed, concentrating just on getting to Aria. Love for her and my will to defend our family drove every hit and every action.
Darius and I rounded each other, our eyes locked in a lethal dance. "You're strong, Leon," he said, his voice grudgingly respectful. However, strength is not everything.
I shot back, lunging at him, "Neither is cruelty."
Our bodies smashed together, and the force of the collision sent us both down to the ground. We rolled and battled for control, but I could feel my strength fading.
Darius hissed, his hand tightening around my throat, "you can't win."
My vision darkened, I battled to breathe. Then, though, I heard Aria's voice through the mist of suffering.
Leonard: Fight!
Her words pierce the mist and set off a spark of resistance. I threw Darius off me with a last surge of vitality, then scrambled to my feet.
" Enough!!" I yelled, the force of the Moonstone resonating in my voice.
The chamber went quiet, everyone still. Darius staggered to his feet, shocked by nothing.
"This ends now," I said, sounding strong. "Leave Darius," said. Never come back as well.
He shot me, but I could see terror in his eyes. "this isn't over, Leon."
I answered, my tone final, "Yes, it is."
He snared, turned, and ran, his wolves trailing. The strain in the chamber relaxed, and I hurried to cut Aria's bonds at her side.
Are you fine? With a shaky voice, I asked.
She nodded, tears flashing in her eyes. "Thanks for you."
My heart swelling with relief, I drew her into a firm hug. "I thought I'd lose you."
She said, "You'll never lose me," her lips brushing mine.
Our kiss confirmed our link and was a promise. Surrounded by our pack, as we stood there I realized that we would face whatever difficulties together.
There was triumph and unity on the way back to our country. We had emerged stronger after confronting our toughest threat. The pack honored our triumph, but I knew the true struggle was still to come.
"Leon," Aria said, as we stood on the edge of the forest observing the sun rise. "What's next?"
Taking her hand, I could feel her warmth. "We create again. We get ready here. We also guard what is rightfully ours.
She grinned and slanted toward me. "Together."