Chapter 81 Eclipse’s Gentle Dawn

Chapter 81 Eclipse’s Gentle Dawn
Coriander’s Point of View

“Are you okay?” Mavros asked with deep worry, his hands holding my shoulders gently but firmly, steadying me.

My vision was still blurry, but even through the haze, I could clearly see fresh blood at the corner of his mouth and the cuts and bruises scattered across his face.

My legs felt weak and heavy, trembling beneath me, and I immediately reached out and clung to him, drawing strength from his steady presence so I would not collapse completely.

It felt as though every drop of energy had been pulled right out of my body, leaving me light and hollow, yet the moment my hands touched him, something warm and reassuring flowed back into me.

This was the very first time I had shifted into the Lunar‑Solar form and stayed fully conscious through it all. In every training session before tonight, I had always lost consciousness within minutes. My body simply could not handle the immense power surging through me; it drained me so completely that I would black out before I could even begin to understand what I was capable of.

Tonight, I held it. I had stayed awake and stayed in control, and now I understood exactly why it had taken so much out of me.

“Lady Cori!” I heard Luka’s voice call out from nearby, full of concern. But I had no strength left to lift my head or turn my eyes toward him. My eyelids felt like lead, and every movement cost me more than I had left to give.

Weak as I had ever been, I simply rested my head against Mavros’s chest, letting his heartbeat and warmth hold me up. I could feel how tightly he held me—not so hard that it hurt, but enough to let me know he was there, that he would never let me fall.

His grip was safe, steady, and full of care rather than force.

I also heard how fast his heart was beating as if he had been running for miles, or as if fear had finally caught up to him now that the danger was past.

I did not dwell on it, though. I did not want to think about anything else, anything at all, except the steady rhythm of him and the fact that we were both still here, together.

Then his voice changed—soft concern turned sharp and guarded—as he lifted his head and spoke in a cold, commanding tone.

“Who are you?”

“I am Luka Patyuli, King Mavros Grimvile,” the answer came steady and formal. “I serve as Head of the Defense Unit for the Hundi Pack.”

I almost wanted to smile, though I had no strength left even for that. Luka was never this stiff and proper with anyone else. It seemed that whenever he stood before someone of such high rank and great standing, that natural respect and formality just came pouring out of him all on its own.

Mavros did not let go of me. One arm stayed firm around my back, keeping me pressed close to him, while his gaze remained steady on Luka.

“She is perfectly fine with me. You may leave now,” Mavros said sharply, his tone firm and unwelcoming.

“I cannot do that. Lady Coriander still needs me,” Luka replied steadily.

Mavros went tense at once. “What did you just say?”

I heard Luka take a deep breath.

“This is not the first time something like this has happened to Lady Coriander, King Mavros. I am here to give her the special healing she needs so that her strength may return fully and safely. The Solar Sigil is no small or ordinary power—it takes a heavy toll on her body and spirit every time she calls upon it. The skills and remedies of even the finest wolf healers cannot compare to what we of pure Hundi Pack blood are able to offer. Our healing runs deeper, born of the same ancient line that flows through her veins, and it is the only thing that can truly restore her after such a great exertion. If she does not receive this care now, her recovery will be slow, and the strain may leave her weakened for far longer than necessary. I ask only that you let me do what I came here to do—to help her, as I have done before, and as I was sworn to do long before this night began,” Luka explained without stopping as if Mavros were one of the stupid people he knew.

“But—ouch!”

With the last of my strength, I pinched Mavros’s arm hard to make him stop talking. I was also afraid Luka might lose his patience, and we would end up with yet another fight.

Even though my whole body felt heavy, drained, and trembling with exhaustion, my heart felt light and calm for the first time in so long. The chaos was finally over. The fighting had stopped. The threats that had loomed over us for years had all been laid to rest tonight.

There was no more shouting, no more magic tearing through the garden, no more fear of who might turn against us next. Peace had returned, hard‑won and fragile, but real.

Jonas and his men had already taken Elder Mara and Tulfa back to the Hundi Pack through a portal I activated with what little power I had left earlier. Beta Lief, on the other hand, was being escorted by Mivron and Delta Gun to Obsidian Fang Fortress—to be held in the very same cell where Mivron himself had been imprisoned for years.

Meanwhile, Gamma Fengk and the other members of the Obsidian Fang Pack were working steadily around the garden now, moving carefully through the ruins. They were clearing away the fallen warriors and the many wolves that had been turned against us by Mara’s magic—honoring even the enemy dead with respect, giving them proper treatment so no one would be left unburied or forgotten.

Still, no civilians or outsiders had been allowed back inside the grounds or anywhere near the Hall. The air itself still hummed with leftover magic—residue from the spells Mara had cast, the power Tulfa had wielded, and the immense force of the Solar Sigil when it had fully awakened within me.

That lingering energy was unstable and unpredictable. It could confuse or harm ordinary wolves and other creatures who might wander in out of curiosity, so the perimeter remained guarded and sealed until every last trace of that dangerous magic had faded completely. We would not risk hurting the very people we had fought so hard to defend.

I leaned heavier against Mavros, my eyes closing for a moment as the reality of it all washed over me. We had survived. We had won not by destroying everyone who stood against us, but by standing together. The war was over. And now, at last, we could begin to heal.

Mavros lifted me gently and laid me down in a clean, quiet spot. Right away, Luka began to chant the healing spell—the same one he had always used to restore my strength whenever I pushed myself too far during training.

Every member of the Hundi Pack is born with the ability to heal, though how strong that power is varies from person to person. It all depends on how much healing light someone can produce.

Those who can summon a great and powerful light are assigned to the Healing Sector, where they tend to the most serious injuries and restore those who have used up too much of their strength. Those whose power is smaller or more subtle are placed where their gifts are best suited because every member also goes through a careful evaluation, so each person may serve in the way that helps keep the Hundi Pack peaceful, safe, and whole.

I could feel my strength slowly returning, my body growing lighter and more steady with every moment the gentle healing light wrapped around me. But I was not fully restored—not yet.

I could tell the difference between being helped and being truly whole, and I knew well enough that Luka was not a healer by calling.

He possessed the gift that ran in every Hundi Pack member’s blood, yes, but his power was not meant to mend such deep exhaustion as this. If he kept pushing himself to give more than his role allowed, he would only drain himself completely, and he would end up collapsing right alongside me. That was not a risk I was willing to take.

“That is enough…” I said softly, raising one hand to stop him, and slowly, carefully, I pushed myself up into a sitting position.

My limbs still felt heavy, and my breath did not come as easily as I would have liked, but I could stand on my own soon enough. That would have to be enough for now.

I looked up and saw the clear confusion and worry written across Mavros’s face. He stepped forward, his brow furrowed, his hand reaching out as if to steady me before I could even wobble.

“Enough? But you are not yet well—”

“I am fine now,” I cut him off firmly, meeting his eyes so he would understand I was not just being brave or stubborn. “I can feel the difference already. Luka has done exactly what he came here to do. But he is not a healer, Mavros. He cannot give what he does not have. If he tries to heal me all the way, he will only use up every bit of his own strength and fall ill himself. I will not let him do that. This is enough for tonight. The rest, I will recover with rest and time—just as I always have.”

I turned to Luka then and gave him a grateful, tired smile. “Thank you, Luka. You have done more than enough. You have kept your vow and protected me, just as you promised. You may rest now too.”

Luka nodded slowly, understanding in his eyes even as he looked reluctant to stop.

He bowed his head. “As you command, Lady Coriander. But please—do not push yourself too hard tomorrow. The Solar Sigil takes much, and it does not give it back in a single night.”

“I know,” I said, slowly pushing myself up to stand.

Mavros reached out to steady me, his support firm and steady, but I noticed the sharp, wary look he still kept fixed on Luka, not a hint of trust in his eyes.

What on earth is his problem? Is he… jealous?

I leaned in close to him, my voice soft so only he could hear. “Hey,” I whispered. “Stop looking at Luka like that,” I chided him quietly.

Mavros’s jaw tightened, and for a moment he said nothing at all. Then he let out a slow, heavy breath and finally pulled his gaze away from Luka, turning it back to me instead—softening the instant he met my eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he murmured, his thumb brushing gently over my hand. “I know. It is just… seeing someone else stand so close, knowing they have been there through so much I could not… it makes it hard to stand still and do nothing. I want to be the one who is always there for you. Always.”

I looked away from him, turning my gaze aside. I did not want to go back to the past. Everything was clear to me now, yet there was still a faint, lingering tightness in my chest whenever I looked at Mavros—not as heavy as before, but still there. Even so, I felt far better than I had earlier when we had stood shouting at each other in anger.

My eyes drifted upward to the sky. The moon shone whole and bright once more. The lunar eclipse was over.

“What time is it?” I asked suddenly.

Mavros furrowed his brow and glanced around the quiet grounds, as if trying to judge the hour by the shadows and the position of the moon.

“Probably past 1 AM,” he answered, sounding not quite certain.

A small, soft smile touched my lips. “Well… belated happy birthday.” I paused, meeting his eyes honestly. “And I am not sorry I slapped you earlier. You deserved every bit of it.”

He nodded slowly, no anger in his face—only understanding and quiet regret.

“I know,” he said simply. “And I would not have expected anything less. I earned it.”

I let out a breath I had not realized I was holding, and the last of that tightness in my chest finally loosened. “Good,” I whispered. “Because next time… I will not hesitate to do it again.”

Mavros gave a faint, tired but genuine smile—the first truly relaxed one I had seen from him all night. “I would not have it any other way, my love. I would not have it any other way at all.”