Bound By The Moon: The Eternal Bond - Chapter 17: Chapter 17

The warlock's red eyes gleamed with amusement as he took a slow step forward, his cloak billowing unnaturally.
"Running away so soon, Alpha?" His voice slithered through the night air. "That's disappointing. I expected more of a fight."
Valen's grip on me tightened. "You'll regret that expectation."
Then, without another word, he lunged.
The warlock flicked his hand, and dark tendrils of energy shot toward Valen like whips, crackling with unnatural force. They struck the ground where Valen had stood a split second before, leaving deep scorches in the stone.
But Valen was already behind him.
With inhuman speed, he dodged the next attack, twisting midair. His claws elongated, and in one fluid motion, he slashed through the warlock's magic like it was mist.
The warlock's smirk faltered.
"Oops," I muttered under my breath. "Bad assumption, buddy."
The warlock barely had time to react before Valen was on him. They clashed-claw against magic, strength against sorcery. The ground trembled beneath them as their battle raged.
I scrambled backward, trying to stay out of the line of fire while my brain screamed Run! But my feet refused to move. I couldn't just leave.
The warlock snarled, frustration flickering in his glowing red eyes. "You wolves think you're invincible." His voice dripped venom as he lifted both hands, his fingers curling. "Let's test that theory."
Shadows burst from his palms, forming jagged, spear-like shapes. They shot toward Valen with blinding speed.
My breath caught in my throat.
But Valen didn't slow.
He twisted, dodging one shadow spear by inches, then grabbed another mid-air, his claws slicing through it like paper. The warlock's eyes widened.
Valen didn't hesitate. He closed the distance in a blink, his hand shooting forward.
Claws pierced the warlock's chest.
A strangled gasp left the man's lips as his body went rigid. He stared at Valen, shock flickering across his face.
"You talk too much," Valen growled.
Then he tore his claws free.
The warlock collapsed, his red eyes flickering before the life drained from them completely. His body hit the ground with a dull thud-then, as if made of smoke, dissolved into black ash.
Silence.
I blinked. "Well. That was... dramatic."
Valen turned to me, his golden eyes still glowing, his breathing ragged. "Are you hurt?"
"No." I let out a breath. "Not unless you count nearly dying of secondhand embarrassment from his overconfidence."
Valen huffed, shaking his head.
Then, before I could react, he grabbed my wrist. "We're leaving."
"Wait-"
"Julia." His tone was final.
I scowled. "You know, one of these days, I am going to listen to you without arguing."
Valen dragged me into his arms again. "I doubt it." Then he took off, running through the forest with me clutched to his chest like an unruly sack of potatoes.
Later, at Valen's House
I paced the room, arms crossed, while Valen leaned against the wall, arms folded. His golden eyes followed me, irritation simmering beneath the surface.
"So let me get this straight," I said, stopping in front of him. "You think the Alpha of the North sent that warlock after me?"
"Yes."
I squinted at him. "The same Alpha of the North who is known for being a good ruler? Kind? Merciful?"
Valen's jaw ticked. "You're naïve if you think anyone who holds power is truly good."
I threw my hands up. "Oh, forgive me for not immediately assuming that Mr. 'Rescued a Village from Starvation' is secretly an evil mastermind."
Valen narrowed his eyes. "You're impossible."
"And you are dodging my questions." I crossed my arms tighter. "What's his motive? Why would an Alpha who has never even met me suddenly decide to send a warlock to kill me?"
Valen hesitated.
A second too long.
I gasped. "Oh my God. You know why."
"Julia-"
I pointed an accusing finger at him. "No! You so know why, and you weren't going to tell me!"
Valen exhaled sharply, pinching the bridge of his nose like he was seconds away from throwing himself out the nearest window. "Because it doesn't matter."
I stared at him. "It absolutely matters! A literal warlock just tried to kill me-there is a zero percent chance I'm letting this go."
He sighed. "I was trying to keep you from panicking."
I raised an eyebrow. "Oh, right. Because I'm totally not panicking right now."
He shot me a flat look. "You're arguing. That's different."
I grinned. "It's a coping mechanism."
Valen muttered something under his breath. It sounded suspiciously like a prayer for patience.
I leaned forward. "Sooo...?"
He rubbed his temples. "You're connected to him somehow."
I froze. "The Alpha of the North?"
"Yes." His expression was unreadable. "We don't know how yet. But this isn't random, Julia. He wants you for a reason."
A cold shiver ran down my spine.
Connected?
The Alpha of the North was one of the most powerful rulers in existence. I was... just a human.
Right?
I swallowed hard. "Okay. That's-fine. We'll figure it out."
Valen studied me, his gaze unreadable. "You're not going to stop pestering me until we do, are you?"
I gave him a bright, innocent smile. "Have you met me?"
His eye twitched. "I regret meeting you."
I gasped, clutching my chest dramatically. "Wow. Hurtful."
He turned toward the door. "I need a drink."
"And I need answers. Guess which one of us is more stubborn?"
Valen groaned, running a hand down his face. "I hate my life."
I grinned. "No, you don't."
He shot me a withering glare before walking away, but I had no intention of letting this go.
One way or another, I was getting the truth.
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Thank you for your time. Let's meet up in the next chapter 😘