Chapter 33 The price of power
Everyone stood in stunned silence.
"Did that really just happen?" Corin asked. "Did the Shadow King just give you a month to prepare instead of killing you?"
"I think so," Mara said. She felt dizzy. Everything was happening too fast.
"Why would he do that?" Kira demanded. "Shadow Wolves do not show mercy."
"He is not showing mercy," Shade said quietly. "He is showing hope. He wants Mara to succeed where he failed. To prove that darkness can be conquered."
"But can it?" Luna asked. "Can darkness really be conquered once it takes hold?"
"I do not know," Mara admitted. "But I have to try. For him. For all of us."
Zevran pulled her close. "One month. That is all the time we have. What do we do with it?"
"We prepare for war," Riven said. "Brutus and his allies will not wait. They are probably gathering their forces right now."
"And we still have Morgana's deal hanging over us," Nyra added. "She will come to collect eventually."
"One problem at a time," Mara said. "First, we deal with Brutus. Then we worry about Morgana and the Shadow King."
"Agreed," Marcus nodded. "We should return to the Great Stone Circle. Gather all our allies. Make a plan."
They broke camp and started the long journey back. Mara walked beside Zevran, their hands intertwined.
"What was it like?" she asked quietly. "Being possessed by Selene?"
"Strange. I could feel her inside me. Her memories. Her pain. Her love for me from ten years ago." Zevran's voice was distant. "She showed me things. Moments we shared before she died. Things I had forgotten."
"Like what?"
"Like the first time we met. I was hunting in the forest and I heard singing. I followed the sound and found her by a stream. She was washing clothes and singing the most beautiful song." Zevran smiled at the memory. "I stood there watching her for an hour. She finally noticed me and laughed. Asked how long I was going to stand there like an idiot."
"She sounds wonderful."
"She was. Kind. Funny. Brave. She deserved better than what she got." Zevran squeezed Mara's hand. "But I am glad she found peace. And I am glad you brought Ronan to her. Even if it meant I had to be possessed for a while."
"I was so scared I would never get you back."
"You will always get me back. No matter what. That is my promise to you."
They walked in comfortable silence for a while. Around them, other wolves talked and laughed. The mood was lighter now. They had survived another impossible situation.
But Mara could not shake the feeling that something bad was coming. Something worse than anything they had faced so far.
That night, they camped near a frozen lake. The ice was thick and clear. You could see all the way to the bottom.
Mara sat at the edge of the ice, staring at her reflection. Her white and black fur. Her eyes that flickered between silver and red.
She looked like a monster.
"You are not a monster," Isla said, sitting beside her. "Stop thinking that."
"How did you know what I was thinking?"
"Because I know you. You always think the worst about yourself." Isla bumped her shoulder. "But you are wrong. You are a hero. You saved us all."
"I made a deal with Morgana. I took dark power into myself. I am becoming exactly what the Shadow King warned me about."
"No. You are controlling the power. Using it for good. That is the difference."
"For now. But what if I lose control? What if the darkness takes me like it took the Shadow King?"
Isla was quiet for a moment. Then she said, "Then Zevran will bring you back. Like you brought him back from the curse. That is what love does. It saves us from ourselves."
"When did you become so wise?"
"I learned from watching you." Isla smiled. "Now stop moping and come eat. Nyra made stew and it actually smells good for once."
They walked back to the camp together. Mara felt slightly better.
But that night, she had a nightmare.
She dreamed she was standing in a void. Pure darkness all around her. No light. No sound. Just emptiness.
Then she heard a voice. Morgana's voice.
"Hello, Moon Wolf. It is time to discuss payment."
Mara spun around. Morgana stood behind her, red eyes glowing.
"This is a dream," Mara said. "You are not really here."
"Dreams are where spirits like me are most powerful. This is as real as anything." Morgana walked in a circle around Mara. "You have done well. Defeated Ravak. Captured Ronan. Even impressed the Shadow King. I am proud."
"I do not want your pride. I want to know what you want from me. What is the task you expect me to do?"
"Soon. Very soon. But not yet." Morgana stopped in front of Mara. "First, you must win your war. Defeat Brutus and his allies. Prove you are strong enough to rule."
"I do not want to rule."
"Too bad. You are the Moon Wolf. The packs will follow you whether you want them to or not. That is your destiny."
"I choose my own destiny."
"Do you? Or does destiny choose you?" Morgana smiled. "When the time comes, when I call for payment, you will do what I ask. You agreed to this. The deal is sealed."
"What if I refuse?"
"Then the shadow power inside you will consume you instantly. You will become like the Shadow King. A creature of pure darkness. Forever." Morgana's red eyes blazed. "So you see, you have no choice. You will obey. Or you will become a monster."
"There is always a choice."
"Keep telling yourself that." Morgana started to fade. "Sleep well, Moon Wolf. Enjoy your month of peace. Because after that, everything changes."
She vanished. The void collapsed.
Mara woke up gasping. Zevran was beside her immediately.
"What is wrong? Another nightmare?"
"Morgana. She came to me in my dream. She said when the war is over, she will call for payment."
"What does she want you to do?"
"She would not say. Just that I will have no choice but to obey."
Zevran pulled her close. "We will find a way out of this. We always do."
"What if there is no way out this time?"
"Then we make one."
Mara wanted to believe him. But deep down, she knew Morgana was right. She had made a deal. And deals with Shadow Wolves always came with a terrible price.
The next morning, they reached the Great Stone Circle. Hundreds of wolves were already there. Word had spread about the Shadow King's visit. About the one month deadline.
Everyone was scared. Uncertain. Looking for leadership.
Elder Sage stood in the center of the circle. "The Moon Wolf has returned. She has faced the Shadow King and survived. Now we must prepare for what comes next."
"War," Brutus's voice called out. He stepped into the circle with his supporters. "That is what comes next. We will not bow to a half breed. We will not accept her leadership."
"Then you are a fool," Marcus said. "The Shadow King himself gave her a month. The Moon Goddess blessed her. What more proof do you need?"
"Proof that she can actually lead. Proof that she is more than just a girl with magic powers." Brutus looked at Mara. "I challenge you, Moon Wolf. Single combat. Winner leads all the packs. Loser leaves the kingdom forever."
"I am not interested in leading all the packs," Mara said.
"Too bad. They want to follow you anyway. So either you fight me and prove you are worthy, or you run away and prove you are a coward."
Mara wanted to refuse. Wanted to walk away. But she saw the other wolves watching. Waiting. Hoping.
They needed her to be strong. To be brave.
"Fine," she said. "I accept your challenge. When?"
"Now. Right now. Unless you need time to prepare?"
"No. Let us get this over with."
"Mara, wait," Zevran grabbed her arm. "You do not have to do this. We can find another way."
"There is no other way. He is right. If I want to lead, I have to prove I can fight." Mara kissed him quickly. "Trust me."
"Always. But be careful. Brutus is strong. And he fights dirty."
"So do I."
Mara walked into the center of the stone circle. Brutus followed. They stood facing each other.
Elder Sage raised her staff. "The challenge is accepted. The rules are simple. Fight until one surrenders or dies. No outside interference. Is this understood?"
"Yes," both Mara and Brutus said together.
"Then begin!"