SWNOVELS Chapter 69
Chapter 69
Кога
The sun cast a warm glow over the clearing where we gathered, the light filtering through the canopy of trees and painting the ground with dappled shadows. The air cra ckled with anticipation, each breath filled with a mixture of excitement and trepidation. The pack members stood in a semi-circle, their eyes fixed on Eloise, who stood at the center, an ethereal
presence among us.
She’d asked us to gather this morning, wanting to get her message out to those of us who had yet to hear it.
Eloise took a moment to compose herself, her lengthy hair cascading down her back like a waterfall of moonlight, Shimmering with an otherworldly intensity, her eyes held the weight of the vision she was about to share. When it finally broke the silence, her voice conveyed urgency and hope.
“There’s something I need to tell you all,” she began, her words hanging in the air like a delicate web of intrigue. vision-a glimpse into the future.”
A collective breath was held, the pack leaning in closer, their eyes fixed on Eloise’s every movement. Ever the pillar of strength, Mason stepped forward, his eyes narrowing with anticipation: I could tell he was agitated, ready to get on with her story so we could weigh its worth.
It was hard to trust a witch after Deborah, so I wasn’t entirely sure how the whole of Pack Shadowmoon wasn’t threatened by her presence.
“What did you see, Eloise?” he asked, his voice laced with caution. His hand instinctively reached for mine, our fingers intertwining, drawing strength from each other.
Eloise’s gaze swept across the crowd, her eyes meeting each set of eyes, before lingering on Mason and me. There was a brief pause, a pregnant moment of silence as if she were carefully choosing her words, ensuring that the impact of her revelation would be fully felt.
“In this vision, I saw a great evil rising, Eloise revealed, her voice tinged with concern. “It threatened not only our packs but the entire lycanthrope world.”
A sharp intake of breath rippled through the clearing, and I felt a shiver crawl down my spine. The weight of Eloise’s words settled upon us, casting a dark shadow over our gathering. Deep in our hearts, we knew this was not a matter to be taken lightly.
“But amidst this darkness, there is a glimmer of hope-a prophecy, Eloise continued, her voice growing more decisive. more resolute. “Mason, you were crowned the Lycan King and Kora, you were hailed as the Blo ody Queen. Together, you ruled over united and peaceful people, with your subjects living in harmony”
The murmur of voices filled the space, a symphony of astonishment and excitement. Mason’s eyes met mine, and at that moment, a mixture of surprise and pride danced within their depths. We had always believed in each other, and our ability to lead and protect our pack, but our intertwined destinies profoundly surpassed our wildest imaginations.
Rylan stepped forward, his presence commanding and reassuring.
“As the Alpha of the Shadowmoon pack, I have a proposal,” Rylan declared, his voice carrying the weight of his authority. His eyes locked with mine, and I could see the trust and respect that radiated from him. “In the meantime, until they ascend to their rightful thrones, I believe it is only fitting that we recognize Mason and Kora as our interim Alpha and Luna”
A collective gasp reverberated through the crowd, whispers of astonishment echoing amidst the trees. The suggestion hung in the air, daring us to accept the responsibility that came with it. They had alluded to it before, but neither of us had really taken it seriously.
It sounded completely absurd. We’d gotten here literally yesterday after being beaten down by our own pack. Nob*dy wanted to be under our command right now.
I turned to Mason, seeking his guidance and support, and found it in his nod, his eyes gleaming with unwavering
determination.
Maybe only my pride was bruised because my mate stood taller.
“I accept the responsibility,” Mason declared, his voice resonating with conviction. “Kora and I will do everything in our power to protect and lead our pack.”
A surge of emotions washed over me-pride, excitement, and a hint of trepidation. But deep down, I knew this was the path we were meant to walk. There was really no other option. If we refused, would they run us out? We had to make sure we were safe here and had their support.
Stepping forward, I faced the pack, my voice steady and resolute, so much more confident than I was actually feeling. If Mason was taking on the challenge, so was I
“We accept this honor, knowing the challenges that lie ahead.” 1 proclaimed, my voice carrying the weight of our shared destiny. “We will forge a path of unity and strength, standing together against the encroaching darkness.”
The crowd responded with a resounding cheer, their faith in us evident in their voices. We were not alone in this journey: our pack stood united, ready to face whatever came our way. The bonds that connected us, forged through loyalty and love, would be our guiding light.
As the excitement settled, Mason and I exchanged a glance-a silent understanding passing between us. We were destined to lead, to bring our packs together and confront the evil that loomed on the h orizon. The weight of responsibility rested on our shoulders, but we were ready to embrace it.
“Together, we will fulfill the prophecy,” Mason declared, his voice filled with determination. “We will confront the darkness, protect our packs, and create a world where peace reigns.”
The pack erupted into cheers once again, their support and belief fueling our determination. At that moment, surrounded by our loyal pack, I felt an unbreakable bond forming-a bond that would carry us through the darkest of times.
Pleased with her handiwork, Eloise quickly escaped, and the crowd began dissipating toward their businesses. I took a moment to gather myself, watching as our pack members dispersed, their faces filled with hope and uncertainty.
The weight of the responsibility we had accepted settled upon my shoulders, but I refused to let it crush me. Instead, I saw it as an opportunity to rebuild, heal, and forge a new path out from under An nalise’s suffocating presence.
I didn’t know if we could fulfill the prophecy like Mason had promised, but I would try my hardest to follow through-for all of us. Eloise’s vision weighed heavily on me, reminding me of the impending darkness that threatened us all.
Can we stand against it when we can’t even stand against a coup? One that had taken place right beneath our noses?
Questions swirled in my mind as I walked through the clearing, the fading sunlight casting long shadows around me. How could we protect the packs when we were still reeling from betrayal? How could we build unity when division had torn us apart? And what was the true extent of the evil that Eloise had foreseen?
Doubt gnawed at my heart, but deep down, I held onto a glimmer of hope. The vision had brought us together and rallied our pack in a way we hadn’t thought possible. We had strength in numbers and the unwavering support of our loyal members.
“Kora!” Mason caught up to me, breaking through my thoughts, and I tried to smile for him as his arms looped around my
waist.
I was shaken, but he seemed as steadfast as ever, and I couldn’t wrap my head around it. Wasn’t he afraid? Or at least anxious about where we would go from here?
As Mason held me close, I couldn’t help but voice my concerns. “Mason, are you not worried? How can you be so confident in facing all this uncertainty!”
His gaze softened, and he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear. “I won’t lie, Kora. I have doubts too, and I’m aware of the challenges ahead. But we have each other, and we have our pack. Together, we can overcome anything.”
His words offered reassurance, but a nagging sense of uncase persisted. There were still so many unanswered questions and the true extent of the evil that Eloise had foreseen remained unknown. Our journey was only beginning, and I couldn’t
shake the feeling that the path ahead would be fraught with danger and sacrifice.