Bound By The Moon: The Eternal Bond - Chapter 34: Chapter 34

After the chaos had settled, and the pack slowly began to rebuild in the wake of the brutal attack, the training grounds buzzed with renewed determination. Warriors moved in coordinated drills under Beta Aiden’s sharp commands. Muscles strained and sweat shimmered on their skin as fists clashed and bodies spun with precision. The late morning sun broke through scattered clouds, casting shifting shadows over the field like a watchful eye.
At the edge of the field, Julia stood with her arms crossed, lips pressed into a thin line. Her gaze swept over the warriors, but her mind clearly wandered elsewhere.
Beside her, Jessy leaned casually against a tree, her posture relaxed but observant. Every so often, her sharp eyes flicked toward Julia’s tense stance.
“They’ve been in there for quite a while,” Julia muttered, her eyes locked on the towering double doors of the Alpha’s hall. “What do you think they’re talking about?”
Jessy glanced at her, a small smirk tugging at her lips. “Relax. They’re probably just discussing strategy. You know how Valen and Aiden get when it comes to pack matters—they could talk for hours.”
But Julia remained unconvinced. She shifted on her feet, her expression unreadable, frustration bubbling just beneath the surface. Then, suddenly, a spark lit in her eyes.
“Jessy,” she said, turning to her friend. “Why don’t you teach me how to fight?”
Jessy’s smirk vanished. Her brows furrowed. “Wait—what? You want to train? Didn’t Valen clearly say no?”
Julia shrugged, her lips curling into a mischievous grin. “I’m not asking him. I’m asking you.”
Jessy gave her a flat look. “And you think that’ll save me when he finds out I turned his mate into a punching bag? Julia, You’re really asking me to put my head on the chopping block? Valen will kill me if he finds out. You’re not exactly built like a warrior, Jules. What if you break or something? Or pass out from one punch?”
Julia rolled her eyes. “I’m not made of glass. Come on. Just a little training. Between us. Somewhere no one can see.”
Jessy hesitated, her eyes darting toward Aiden before returning to Julia’s stubborn face. After a moment’s pause, she sighed. “Fine. But only a little. And far from here.”
With a triumphant grin, Julia followed Jessy as they slipped away from the field, weaving through the trees until they reached a secluded clearing tucked behind tall grass and leafy branches. The air here was still, the perfect cover.
Jessy stopped and faced her. “Before we start… tell me something.”
Julia blinked. “What?”
Jessy’s tone lowered, cautious. “That night at the party, you said something about Damon. What exactly did you see?”
Julia crossed her arms. “Nothing much. Just that he was acting weird. And honestly, I don’t understand the feud between him and Valen. It’s like they’re both ready to kill each other on sight.”
Jessy’s face darkened, and her voice dropped. “That’s because Damon killed Valen’s father.”
Julia stiffened. “What? Seriously?”
Jessy nodded. “It was years ago, but Valen never forgot. We don't really know why Damon did it. But whatever power he has now—it’s not natural. We think he’s using dark magic. And the worst part? We still don’t know how to fight it.”
Julia looked thoughtful, then a sly smile curved her lips. “Maybe we don’t need to fight Damon directly. Maybe we can… kidnap Lily.”
Jessy’s eyes widened, and she almost choked. “Excuse me? Julia, are you crazy?”
“She’s my cousin,” Julia replied nonchalantly. “Now the Luna Queen or whatever. But she’s gullible, always has been. We could take her and get information out of her. I swear there’s something off about her too. Her presence just feels… wrong.”
Jessy stared at her for a long moment. “You’re serious.”
“I am.”
Jessy stepped closer, her voice tinged with sarcasm. “And how exactly do we do that, Luna?”
Julia smirked and pulled her in, lowering her voice. “Easy. We lure her.”
She held up the small pendant around her neck, fingers brushing the delicate chain. “When I met her—both times—she couldn’t take her eyes off this. She was clearly interested. We use it to draw her out. She's always into jewelry since her childhood.”
Jessy eyed the pendant, thoughtful now. “You really think it’ll work?”
Far away, in a chamber wrapped in crimson velvet and shadow, Lily stood before a large, gilded mirror. Her long hair fell over her shoulders in waves, her pale fingers tucked a loose strand behind her ear. Her lips curled as she watched the girls’ conversation unfold in the shimmering glass.
“Well, well,” she murmured, voice silken. “Of course it will work.”
She stepped closer to the mirror, which pulsed faintly with the glow of her magic. Her reflection twisted slightly, revealing not just Julia’s pendant—but the spell she had tied to it. A thin thread of energy tethered her to the trinket, allowing her to listen in without ever leaving her lair.
“Jessy…” she whispered. “I knew I recognized that face. From school, wasn’t it?”
Lily’s fingers glided along the mirror’s edge, and the pendant in the vision shimmered in response. Her eyes darkened with pleasure. “They think I’m gullible?” Her voice dripped with venom. “Let’s see how gullible I am when they step right into my trap.”
Her expression twisted into something cold and hungry. “You’ll get me, Julia. And when you do… that’ll be your end.”
A sharp knock broke the silence. Her expression soured.
“What?!” she snapped.
A muffled voice answered behind the door. “My queen. Your mother is here.”
Lily’s shoulders tensed. She turned from the mirror with a scowl. “Of course she is,” she muttered bitterly.
Moments later, she entered a richly adorned parlor, where an older woman in a flowing gown stood waiting. Her mother’s eyes sparkled with tears the moment she saw her.
“My daughter,” she whispered, rushing forward. “I missed you so much.”
Lily stiffened, caught in the embrace, then slowly returned it with a cold smile. “Yeah… I think I missed you too.”
Her mother stepped back, gently touching her face. “You’ve grown into such a beautiful Luna.”
Lily’s gaze drifted to the window, where storm clouds loomed on the horizon. Her voice was low, but steady. “A lot has changed, Mother. And it’s only going to get more interesting.”
Her mother smiled, sitting down. “You should’ve told me where you were, sweetheart.”
Lily poured her tea, placing the delicate cup on the table with care. Her smile was vague, unreadable.
“You came just at the right time, Mom.”