His Forsaken Luna-Chapter 116: Survivors (1)

I could count the surviving wolves on one hand, including Eryx. It was a shocking revelation, especially with the bodies littered across the blood-stained snowy ground.

I turned to Eryx, my chest tight with gratitude and fear. "Thank you," I said, my voice trembling.

His green eyes fixed on me, and for a moment, I thought he might acknowledge my words. Instead, he bared his teeth and let out a deep, menacing growl. The sound sent a chill down my spine.

He wasn’t happy-- that was an understatement.

The black wolf’s bones began to break, the cracking loud as the fur withdrew, shrinking in size until Eryx’s form stood in front of me, all hard muscles, chest heaving. But those eyes, Goddess, I couldn’t look away from the wrath burning behind them.

"You shouldn’t be here." His eyes flashed with barely contained anger; it was like a whip lashed out to me, and I felt it in my chest. I took an involuntary step back as he stalked toward me, his massive form looming over mine.

I wasn’t scared of him, but he walked towards me like a vengeful God; others would have already dropped to the ground and begged him to be merciful. I didn’t beg, ever. But the circumstances were dire, and I understood how it must look.

"I can’t stay in there locked up," I say quietly, feeling the weight of his furious stare. I whisper, glancing at those nearby. "Let’s talk about this later. Not when the dead are still warm."

Eryx’s chest rumbled with a growl that shook the earth, but he abruptly turned, shifting back into his wolf form and stalked away. I looked past him to see Kharis and Cohnal in their forms, Alaric and his Beta further along the forest.

Kharis huffs, his eyes flashing in a mind-link and jogs to my side. He had a small wound on his leg and black blood around his snout. A low growl rumbled in the warrior’s chest and I knew it was directed at me.

I didn’t have time to dwell on their anger at me. I spotted Soren lying where the Blood Wraith had thrown him. My heart clenched as I rushed to his side. He was alive, but barely. His breaths were shallow, his face pale.

Blood soaked his tunic, and I could see the gaping wound in his chest where the wraith had impaled him.

"Soren," I whispered, kneeling beside him. I pressed my hands to the wound, trying to stem the bleeding. "Stay with me, please."

His eyes fluttered open, and he managed a weak smile. "You’re...still alive," he murmured.

"Thanks to you," I said, tears pricking my eyes. "Don’t you dare leave me, Soren. You’re going to be fine."

"You didn’t... run," Soren coughed.

"Shh, don’t speak. Save your strength." I caressed the side of his face, pushing back strands of wayward hair. "I’m sorry, I should have run, like how you’ve taught me. But I thought..." My lips trembled as tears filled my eyes. "I couldn’t stand it if you died."

Even if I’d been ready to kill him a week ago. This was different.

Eryx approached, his wolf form towering over us. He looked down at Soren, then back at me. His expression unreadable. Without a word, he turned and howled, the sound echoing through the forest. Moments later, other wolves arrived. Together, they began to carry the fallen and wounded back toward the palace.

I stayed by Soren’s side the entire way, refusing to leave him. The healers worked tirelessly through the night, tending to the injured wolves and villagers. Eryx disappeared after ensuring the survivors were safe, and I didn’t see him again until morning.

The next day, the sun rose over a scene of devastation. The bodies of the fallen wolves were lined up outside the palace, their fur matted with blood. The Blood Wraiths’ remains, however, had disintegrated into ash under the bright morning sun. Only blackened patches of earth marked where they had fallen.

A report came back detailing the losses. Many were injured, some critically. Of the wolves who had come to our aid, almost all of them had perished. The Blood Wraiths had proven to be even more formidable than we had feared.

Soren was alive but still unconscious, his condition precarious. The healers assured me they were doing everything they could, but I couldn’t shake the guilt that gnawed at me. If I hadn’t been outside the palace, if I hadn’t drawn the Blood Wraiths’ attention...

That man, that being, told me to come with him. I shivered. Do they have spies in the palace, or are they watching us from the trees? The Weres should be able to tell, right?

Eryx found me standing on one of the palace balconies overlooking the forest. His green eyes were as piercing as ever, though his expression was calmer now.

"You disobeyed me," he said, his voice low but firm.

"I wanted to leave the palace just for a short while. It was meant to be a quick trip to the sweet shop and back," I replied, turning to face him. "I was restless, and I know I will continue to get restless. It’s not okay that I have to stay here all for the sake of my safety. Please understand that."

He sighed, running a hand through his dark hair. "What I understand is that you put yourself—and everyone else—at risk. The Blood Wraiths were after you, Idalia. That much is clear."

"Then let them come," I said, my voice trembling with emotion. "If they want me, fine. But I won’t sit by and let others suffer because of me."

Eryx stared at me for a long moment, his gaze searching. Finally, he nodded. "We should train you up in weapons quickly."

"Is that...approval I hear?" I asked, a faint smile tugging at my lips.

"Don’t push your luck," he said, though his tone was lighter. "Just promise me you’ll be more careful next time. For everyone’s sake."

I nodded, though I knew it was a promise I might not be able to keep. The Blood Wraiths would return. When they did, I would be ready.