Smoke and blood filled the night with a blinding haze.
Sylara watched the village ruins as flames reached into the sky and their intense orange light sharply contrasted with the growing shadows. The warrior who succumbed to the shadow poison's scream haunted her mind with its terror and agony at every step she took.
The whispers were growing louder.
"Moon-Touched. You are the key."
The voice in her mind calling to her once again made her flinch. This wasn't just a random threat. This was deliberate. It was calling her.
A cold sensation traveled along her spine so she instinctively wrapped her arms around herself as though the warmth might push away her fear.
As her thoughts raced, Vaelrick's voice interrupted with "We need to talk."
Sylara broke free from her trance-like state and looked up at him. His golden eyes contained something mysterious that she couldn't identify. The village needs help."
He denied her with a firm shake of his head while his jaw tightened. We need answers first."
A sudden flare of frustration ignited inside her. But people are dying. There's no time for your stubborn pride."
His dominant presence filled the space as he moved towards her. "You don't understand. These attacks—this fire—it's personal. Something much larger than both of us encompasses this situation because it stems from a curse. Throughout my experienc,es I've learned that curses persist and never disappear.
Sylara began to respond but abruptly cut herself off. The weight of his words s,ank in. e was right.
"Fine," she muttered. "Let's talk."
She gestured toward the clearing's edge, far from both the warriors' panicked cries and the fire containm,ent efforts. They needed privacy, a moment to breathe.
The image of the Shadow Poison victim haunted Sylara's thoughts as they walked together. It had come so quickly. Thcurio youed at a pace that nobody could have anticipated. She had to stop it.
Vaelrick halted near a crumbling stone wall with his back facing her as he explained that the Shadow Beast functioned as a ritualistic curse which had been plaguing this land for hundreds of years. The curse unleashed the war and caused the pack divisions from the start.
The war's origins didn't stem from any mystical curse. It was about power, about betrayal."
He said "Exactly" and his low voice revealed his bitterness. The packs turned on eacother. The conflictct extended beyonthe controlol of territory and ruling positions. The curse directly caused these events to unfo Do youe Do youature stirred because of our division and discord.
Sylara moved forward as her heartbeat accelerated. "What do you mean by that?" You really believe the curse has controlled our actions this entire time?
His eyes burned with intensity yet there was a gentler quality in his expression. The solution lies within you."
Her heart skipped a beat before asking, "What do you mean?" I'm just—"
"No," he pivoted to face her. "You're far more than just a warrior." You're the Moon-Touched. Your blood is tied to the curse. The curse began following you from the moment of your birth.
Sylara felt a powerful wave of anger crash over her when he mentioned the prophecy. You see me as the one who must rescue everyone? My voice trembled with rage at how you cast me aside. You threw me aside. You expect me to take on the role of the hero now?
His face softened. "I didn't—"
Sylara retreated with a broken voice as she blurted out the words before she could stop herself. "You rejected me at my most desperate hour, Vaelrick." We were supposed to be mates—fated mates. You ripped our bond apart and now you claim it all ties together? The ancient curse that you've been avoiding involves me somehow?
Vaelrick showed signs of wanting to touch her but remained motionless as regret filled his golden eyes.
"Then what the hell was it? I left you on my own when I needed you most, Vaelrick." Her voice caed pure and undeniable pain. "You ripped my heart out and now you want my help? How could you expect my trust when we're supposed to share a fated bond?
He dropped his head into a darker expression while stating "I don't expect your forgiveness. But I do expect you to spilt Our city and our people will perish unless we stop the curse through united action now.
Her breathing stopped as she fully understood the seriousness of his words. The years of accumulated anger and resentment seemed irrelevant against the backdrop of the current reality.
Her eyes locked onto his with a fixed concentration and she declared, "I'm listening."
The curse originates from the first Alpha's blood and stems from a dark pact intended to preserve pack survival. The curse that created the shadow beast led to the pack division to maintain control over us. The beast grows stronger whenever the packs engage in battle. The curse grows stronger with each betrayal and every act of war. The ritual failed to contain the curse because the ongoing conflict bspiltthe packs and their spilled blood caused it to escape.
Her pulse raced through her body as she asked. "And what about my blood?"
His gaze held intense concentration as he spoke to her. "You belong to the lineage that possesses the power to control the curse." Your bond with the Moon Goddess combined with your power to unite with your wolf nature sustains the beast's life force. We must break this bond or the curse will continue to thrive.
He didn't need to finish the sentence.
They would all die.
Sylara breathed uneasily before speaking. "What is the solution?"
Vaelrick's gaze softened as he stated they must locate the Blood Pact. The Blood Pact represents the sole method to release the curse. But it's hidden. Somewhere no one can reach."
Sylara felt the crushing weight of their mission as it landed heavily on her shoulders. She faced dangers that went beyond anything she could have ever predicted. The man she once loved and who had shattered her heart remained as her sole hope for assistance.
But it was too late to apologise.
They had a curse to break. And it wasn't waiting.