Chapter 40 Moonborn Abilities
ARYA
I reached down into the earth, feeling the ley lines of power that crisscrossed the territory. Through the bond, I felt Luca doing the same, our powers intertwining, amplifying each other.
The ground began to shake.
Not violently, just enough to unsteady the warriors. Enough to show them we weren’t defenseless.
“That’s impossible,” Theron breathed. “Moonbornes can’t—”
“Moonbornes bonded to Lycan Kings can do many impossible things.” I smiled, and I knew it wasn’t a nice smile. “Would you like a demonstration?”
I raised my hand, and vines erupted from the ground, wrapping around the ankles of the front row of warriors. Not hurting them, just holding them in place.
“The earth recognizes me,” I said clearly. “The moon recognizes me. Every living thing in this territory recognizes me as what I am—the bridge between your kinds. The unifier the prophecy spoke of.”
“Prophecy is horseshit,” Elira spat. But I could see fear creeping into her expression.
“Is it?” Luca stepped beside me, his hand finding mine. The moment we touched, our combined power made the air shimmer. “Because I’m looking at a female who was supposed to be impossible. Half-wolf, half-Lycan. The perfect balance. And she’s mine.”
The possessiveness in his voice sent shivers down my spine.
“We can do this the easy way or the hard way,” I continued. “Easy way: you leave, you disband your coalition, you stop spreading lies about my bloodline. Hard way: I show you exactly what happens when you threaten a Moonborne’s mate.”
“You’re bluffing,” Theron said, but his voice wavered. “You don’t have the stomach for violence.”
“Try me.” And I meant it. These people had attacked Luca’s territory. Had killed his people. Had threatened everything and everyone I was coming to care about.
I was done being underestimated.
“Besides,” Luca added conversationally, “you’re forgetting something important. Even if you somehow managed to kill both of us—which you won’t—what do you think happens next? My kingdom would burn yours to ash. Every ally I have would hunt you to the ends of the earth. And trust me, I have a lot of allies.”
“He’s right,” Caspian called from behind us. “And even if they didn’t, I’d personally make it my life’s mission to end every last one of you.”
Other voices joined in. The wounded warriors we’d helped today, the territory pack members, even some of the staff from the estate who’d apparently followed us here.
“We stand with the King!”
“We stand with the Moonborne!”
“Touch them and die!”
Elira’s expression shifted from confident to uncertain. She looked at Theron, who was staring at his assembled warriors with growing concern.
Because some of them were lowering their weapons.
“What are you doing?” Theron demanded. “We came here to—”
“To die for your pride?” One of the warriors stepped forward, a grizzled veteran with scars covering half his face. “I’ve fought in enough wars. I’m not dying for this one.”
He dropped his weapon and walked away.
Others followed. Not all of them, but enough that the army began to fracture.
“COWARDS!” Elira screamed. “You’re all cowards!”
“We’re survivors,” the scarred warrior called back. “Something you won’t be if you keep this up.”
Within minutes, half of Theron’s army had deserted. The ones who remained looked nervous, uncertain.
“This isn’t over,” Theron hissed. “The Moonborne line will end. If not today, then soon.”
“Keep threatening my mate and see what happens.” Luca’s voice dropped to a deadly whisper. “I’ve been merciful because Aeliana asked me to be. But my mercy has limits. And you’re rapidly approaching them.”
“We’re leaving,” Theron finally said. “But mark my words, Shadowborne. This war is just beginning.”
“Then bring it.” I stepped forward. “Because I’m done hiding. Done apologizing for existing. You want to end my bloodline? Come try. But know that every supernatural being who stands with unity, who believes in peace over prejudice—they’ll stand with me.”
“Idealistic nonsense.”
“Maybe. Or maybe I’m exactly what this world needs.” I smiled. “Guess we’ll find out.”
Theron retreated, Elira beside him, their remaining forces falling back into the forest.
The moment they were gone, I sagged against Luca. The adrenaline crash hit hard, and if he hadn’t been holding me, I’d have fallen.
“I’ve got you,” he murmured, lifting me into his arms. “Always.”
“That was insane,” I mumbled against his chest.
“That was magnificent. You were magnificent.” He carried me back into the pack house. “But also never do that again. My heart can’t take you facing down armies.”
“We faced them together.”
“Still terrifying.”
In our room, he laid me gently on the bed. My body was exhausted, but my mind was racing.
“They’ll be back,” I said quietly.
“I know. But not tonight. Tonight, you rest.” He began undressing me carefully. “And tomorrow, we plan.”
“Plan what?”
“How to end this. Permanently.” His eyes met mine. “Because you’re right. This has to stop. The old grudges, the prejudices, the endless cycle of violence. It stops with us.”
“No pressure.”
“We can handle it.” He climbed into bed beside me, pulling me against his chest. “We can handle anything as long as we’re together.”
Through the bond, I felt his certainty. His absolute faith in us.
And for the first time, I felt it too.
We were going to change everything. Rebuild the world into something better.
But first, we needed to survive long enough to do it.
“Luca?” I murmured as sleep began to claim me.
“Yes, little wolf?”
“I love you. Just… in case I forget to say it enough.”
His arms tightened around me. “I love you too. More than anything in existence.”
I fell asleep wrapped in his warmth, his love, his absolute devotion.
And dreamed of a future where we didn’t have to fight for our right to be together.
Where love was enough.