Bound By The Moon: The Eternal Bond - Chapter 29: Chapter 29

Both Julia and Valen turned just in time to see Alpha King Damon approaching them, his presence radiating dominance. His eyes flicked between Julia and Valen, a mocking smile playing on his lips.
"Ah, my fellow from the South," Damon said, his tone smooth and falsely pleasant. "You two seem quite... engrossed in conversation."
Julia's defiant smile didn't waver as she shot back, "We were talking about the number of cubs we should have."
The smile on Damon's face faltered for a split second, his jaw tightening. His nostrils flared slightly, and for a brief moment, there was a dangerous flicker in his eyes. But then, as quickly as it came, the intensity was gone, replaced by a controlled, calculated calm. He clenched his fist but refrained from acting. Not yet.
Valen's muscles tensed as his wolf clawed at the surface, seething. He killed your father, the wolf hissed in his mind, the words repeating like a drumbeat. Valen's fists clenched involuntarily, and he squeezed his eyes shut, fighting the wave of rage that threatened to consume him.
When he opened his eyes, his stormy irises had dulled, the gold receding from the depths of his gaze. He stood tall, but a storm brewed within him.
Damon, oblivious or indifferent to the silent tension, continued with his mockery. "Ah, Valen. Thanks again for joining us. I wasn't sure you would-Not with your ever-so-stubborn nature." He patted Valen's back, the gesture more condescending than friendly.
Before Valen could respond, Damon's voice boomed for the crowd to hear. "Let's have a little fun, shall we? How about a game?"
A chorus of cheers erupted, the air filling with excitement. The werewolves, always eager for distraction, welcomed the challenge. Julia exchanged a brief glance with Valen, noticing the sharp tension in his shoulders. His silence spoke volumes.
Moments later, everyone gathered near the forest, now dressed in light tracksuits. The rules were simple: All mated she-wolves and their human mates were to run deep into the forest. The males would follow after a delay. Whoever found their mate last... lost. It was a game of instinct and speed.
Lily stood nearby, her voice a constant drone of self-importance as she bragged about her wealth and adorned herself with her shiny jewelry. Julia rolled her eyes in silent annoyance, already bored with the display. As she glanced around, she noticed Samantha staring at her again, and an uneasy frown formed on her face. What was with her?
The females lined up at the starting point. The first horn blew, and in an instant, the she-wolves were gone, vanishing into the trees in a blur of motion. Some shifted into their wolf forms mid-leap, their sleek bodies gliding effortlessly through the air.
Julia walked calmly into the woods, unfazed by Lily's smug glance as she passed behind her. Her eyes remained focused, but her mind was elsewhere-on the strange unease she felt, on the game, and on Valen.
Back at the starting line, Valen stood rigid, his jaw clenched, his expression unreadable. A memory flashed in his mind-his argument with Julia earlier. He had told her not to join this game. But of course, she hadn't listened.
Alpha Damon stepped beside him, flashing a grin. "Isn't it fun?" he said, voice laced with a venomous sweetness. "Takes me back to when we used to play games like this as cubs. Adults deserve some playtime too, don't you think?"
Valen ignored him completely, his focus fixed on the woods where Julia had vanished. Damon's voice barely registered. His thoughts were consumed with a mixture of frustration, longing, and a simmering anger he couldn't quite suppress.
Then, the second horn blew.
Without hesitation, the males took off, blurring into the forest at terrifying speed. Valen pushed himself harder, each step a pounding reminder of the desperation in his chest. He had to get to Julia. Now.
But just as his pace quickened, something struck him from the side-so hard it sent him sprawling, crashing into a tree with a sickening crack. Pain exploded through his body, and blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. His vision swam.
Damon appeared at his side, crouching down with that insufferable smirk. "You know," he said in a voice laced with mock concern, "these accidents happen when we move so fast and forget to watch our surroundings."
Valen glared up at him, fury flashing in his eyes. His wolf howled inside, urging him to fight. But Damon's face loomed above him, smug and unbothered.
"You're not hurt, are you?" Damon's voice dripped with false sweetness. He extended a hand as if offering help, but the smirk on his face told a different story.
Valen's chest heaved with rage as he stared at the outstretched hand. His body trembled with the force of his restraint. Damon chuckled darkly, withdrawing the hand before Valen could respond.
"Did you think I didn't notice your Beta sneaking around my territory?" Damon's voice turned venomous. "You're clever, Valen. But still stupid if you think you can outmatch a king."
He turned, walking away with an air of superiority.
Valen shot up with a growl, claws bursting from his hands as he charged at Damon who moved away but not to fast, owning a deep gash of claw marks on his cheeks.
Damon let out a groan as he clutched his already healing cheek. He traced a finger on his old scar across his eyes. "You know how I got this scar Valen?" He asked.
"My father would have dug out your eye instead" Valen replied angrily as Damon chuckled.
"Oh so you figured it out" he said amused.
Valen's body exploded into his wolf form. His instincts were a whirlwind of fury. Damon's form followed suit, shifting into a massive, dark-furred wolf with glowing red eyes.
The two wolves collided with bone-crushing force, their snarls reverberating through the forest. Claws slashed, teeth snapped, and the ground trembled as two titans battled in a savage frenzy.
Valen's wolf overpowered Damon's, pinning him to the ground, his jaws sinking into Damon's jaw with a savage snap. But then, a sudden force slammed into him from behind, sending him flying through the air. His body crashed into a jagged rock, splitting it in two.
Valen groaned, battered and bruised, his wolf still reeling from the impact. Damon stood over him, eyes cold with menace. He shifted back to his human form, a dark smoke swirling in his hands as he held an arrow with malicious intent.
"You know," Damon's voice was quiet but full of deadly promise, "I could kill you right now. Take over your pack, and make it mine."
Valen's wolf snarled in fury, still lying helplessly. His eyes locked onto Damon's, a silent vow to never give in.
Before Damon could lower the arrow to deliver the final blow, his ears twitched as if hearing something in the distance. His eyes narrowed in irritation as he quickly withdrew, trying not to ruin his reputation in front of his pack.
Ryker appeared in a blur, kneeling beside Valen and checking his injuries. His face was etched with concern. "Alpha, are you okay? I brought some clothes," he said urgently. He had noticed something strange and deliberately made the noises to chase Damon away.
Valen's wounds healed almost instantly as he shifted back to his human form, standing tall despite the pain that lingered in his chest. His eyes burned with a cold fury as he muttered, "That bastard... He's nothing without his powers."
Ryker's eyes flashed with understanding, but then he froze, his expression darkening as a sudden realization hit him. "Alpha... Aiden just mind-linked me. The pack is under attack. We need to go. Now."
Valen's blood ran cold. Without a moment's hesitation, he stood up straight, his voice commanding. "Get everything ready. I'll go after Julia. I know where she is." And with that, he was gone, disappearing into the forest with the urgency of a predator on the hunt.