Chapter 364: When darkness rises...

Ramsey

The pack grounds buzzed with a vibrant energy as our warriors made their final preparations. The air crackled with tension and anticipation—everyone could feel that tonight would be different. Tonight would be the end of everything we’d known, one way or another.

I stood at the edge of the training field, watching our people prepare for what they believed would be the final battle against the Dark One. Silver weapons gleamed in the light, protective charms hung from every neck, and the scent of blessed oils filled the evening air.

Since we couldn’t fight the Dark One with modern weapons, we were going back to the days before guns and bombs.

Our warriors moved with the awareness of soldiers who knew their lives—and the lives of everyone they loved—depended on their performance tonight.

Darren was drilling the front-line fighters, his voice carrying clearly across the field as he barked out formation commands. Vega led a group of our newer recruits through defensive positions; her movements were perfect. Caius supervised the distribution of weapons, ensuring that every blade was properly blessed and every arrow tip was coated with silver.

But it was Lyla who had my attention.

She moved through the groups like a general inspecting her troops, stopping to speak with each warrior, checking their equipment, offering words of encouragement. She wore fitted black leather armour that accommodated her growing pregnancy, and the moonstone pendant I’d given her caught the light with every step she took.

Even in the middle of preparing for battle, she was as radiant as the first day I had seen her in the hall during the Gala event.

Watching her, I felt the familiar ache in my chest intensify. In a few hours, she would hate me. In a few hours, everything we’d built together would be shattered by my deception.

"She’s magnificent," Circe said quietly, appearing beside me like a shadow. "A true Luna in every sense."

I nodded, unable to trust my voice. Lyla was crouched next to one of our youngest warriors, a girl barely eighteen who looked terrified despite the brave face she had on. Whatever Lyla was saying made the girl’s shoulders relax, and when she stood, there was a smile on the young warrior’s face.

"The circle is prepared," Circe murmured, her voice so low only I could hear. "When the moons reach their peak—"

"I know," I cut her off. I didn’t need to hear the details again. They were etched into my memory, every word of the ritual that would bind my soul to the Dark One for eternity.

Circe studied my face in the flickering light. "Are you having second thoughts?"

harsher than I

Because the process has begun, there’s no stopping, Ramsey. The magic will take hold

words, but I pushed it aside. This was the path I’d

began walking toward us. Her eyes found mine across the field, and the smile that lit up her face wrenched my heart. She looked so happy, so confident in our future. If

Circe murmured as Lyla approached. "I need to

away into the crowd, leaving me alone to face the woman I was about to

as she reached me, standing close enough that I could smell the jasmine scent

nervous," I replied, slipping my arm around her waist. "Tonight won’t be like anything we’ve

know, I suddenly have a good feeling about this. I used to dread this day, but I’m no longer worried. Things

slightly,

hand resting on her stomach. "I keep thinking about the babies. About what kind

have to worry about the Dark One or creatures

look at me. "Promise me that no matter what happens during the final fight, you won’t try to take my place. I know you, Ramsey. You have this need to protect everyone, but

feel when she realised I was going to do the exact thing.

insisted. "The prophecy is clear. The Moonsinger’s sacrifice is what will bind him.

every detail. If there was a life

it takes

she’d asked for, but it was the only truth I

with my words, rising on her toes to press a gentle

whispered against her mouth. "More

warriors continue their preparations. I tried to burn every detail into my memory—the way Lyla felt pressed against my side, the sound of her

but he’s

see him some hours ago to get his rejection, but he wouldn’t

what was going

"He’s fine."

the last time I saw

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