Bound By The Moon: The Eternal Bond - Chapter 44: Chapter 44

Aiden's eyes sharpened instantly, the moment of silence between breaths shattered by the unholy growl echoing across the infirmary walls. The fluorescent lights above flickered ominously, casting eerie shadows on the sterile tiles. "Julia-down!" he barked, spinning in front of her just as the first creature lunged. Its body twisted midair-skin like stretched tar, bones bulging beneath, eyes glowing a putrid red that seemed to sear into Julia's retina. The air was thick with the scent of disinfectant and something else, something pungent and decaying.
Aiden shoved Julia back and braced himself, claws erupting from his fingers with a sickening crunch. He slashed up hard, throwing the thing off-course-but it landed with a thud against a medicine cabinet, sending scalpels flying like silver splinters. Julia gasped, her heart hammering in her chest, as she stumbled backward, her eyes fixed on the creature's twisted form.
The door burst open behind them, and the guard marched in urgently, his footsteps echoing off the walls. "Luna!" he roared, silver blade drawn-and lunged at the beast. But he was too late. The creature whirled and lunged-straight for him. Its jagged claws wrapped around the man's chest, and with a single brutal twist-SNAP! His body cracked in half like dry timber, the sound echoing through the infirmary like a scream. Blood sprayed across the walls, a crimson arc that seemed to pulse with the creature's malevolent energy.
Julia's scream was lost in the chaos as Aiden grabbed her hand. "Run!" he bellowed, pulling her toward the back corridor. They bolted through the door, their footsteps pounding on the slick tile like a death knell. Behind them, the monster shrieked and charged, crashing through gurneys and shattering glass-pure fury in motion. The sound of shattering glass and crunching metal filled the air, a cacophony of destruction that seemed to follow them.
They burst through the rear exit, into the dark open air, racing away from the infirmary with the beast thundering after them. The night air was cool and damp, filled with the scent of wet earth and ozone. Julia's lungs burned as she ran, her heart pounding in her chest like a drum.
After several frantic turns through the compound, a stone wall loomed ahead. A dead end. Aiden skidded to a stop, pulling Julia behind him protectively. His leg gave a sharp jerk-blood trailing from a deep slash on his thigh. He winced but didn't falter, his eyes fixed on the creature as it approached.
The beast growled, its eyes fixed on Julia with a hunger that made her skin crawl. Aiden stood tall-but weary. For the first time, Julia saw it in his eyes. Even he wasn't sure he could take it down. The beast lunged, its claws swiping through the air with deadly precision. Aiden braced himself, his claws extended-but before the creature could reach them, a blur of grey exploded from the side.
The massive wolf collided with the beast mid-air, its jaws clamped around its neck with a deadly precision. With one violent shake-crack-its head tore free. The body slammed into the wall and dropped, motionless. Julia's breath hitched as she stared at the wolf, her heart still racing with fear.
"Valen..." she whispered, her voice barely audible. The grey wolf turned his golden eyes toward her-wild and furious, but softening the moment she stepped forward. She stumbled into him, throwing her arms around his thick neck, burying her face in his fur. He grunted, his snout nudging her gently, and patted her waist twice with a massive paw, a reassurance.
As they stood there, the sounds in the inner pack grew louder-the howls of wolves, the clash of metal, the scent of smoke and blood. Valen pulled back, his eyes locked on Julia's, and then bolted-toward the inner park. Julia stood to follow-but paused. Aiden had collapsed onto one knee, panting, one hand clutching his bleeding leg.
"Are you okay?" Julia asked, hurrying to his side. "Nah, don't give me that look," he said with a weak grin. "I'm a werewolf. I'll heal on my own. Besides, I already mindlinked Jessy. She'll be here soon"
Aiden's weak grin reassured Julia, and she nodded, feeling a sense of relief wash over her. "Just go," he said, his voice laced with a hint of urgency. "I'll be fine." Julia hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting between Aiden's injured leg and following Valen.
With a nod, Julia turned and followed Valen , the darkness swallowing her whole. The sounds of the inner pack grew louder, the howls and snarls of the wolves as she drew closer.
Julia's senses were on high alert as she run, her heart pounding in her chest.
She burst into a clearing, and her eyes widened at the chaos that greeted her. Wolves were fighting, their bodies twisting and turning in a blur of fur and claws. The air was thick with the scent of blood and smoke, and Julia's stomach churned with nausea.
Valen was a blur of grey fury, teeth bared as he circled the second monster. This one was larger-its horn gleamed black under the moonlight, eyes wild with rage. It swung its massive arm, claws slicing the air.
But Valen was faster.
He ducked, lunged, and clamped onto the beast's shoulder, dragging it down in a storm of snarls and fur. The creature bucked beneath him, slashing wildly-but Valen didn't let go.
Julia reached the edge of the clearing just as it collapsed under his weight.
And still-Valen tore at it. Again. And again. Bones cracked. Flesh split. The earth darkened with blood.
As the fight raged on, Julia felt a sense of wonder at the wolves' ferocity and loyalty. She knew that they were not just fighting for their lives, but for their pack, their family. The bond between them was strong, and Julia felt a sense of belonging that she had never experienced before. The humans and cubs were safely hidden, leaving the warriors on the battle ground, protecting everyone.
The silence that followed was palpable, the only sound the heavy breathing of the wolves. Julia felt a sense of relief wash over her, knowing that the immediate danger had passed. Valen turned to her, his golden eyes locked on hers, and Julia felt a sense of calm wash over her.
She reached out a hand, and Valen nuzzled her gently, his fur soft and warm against her skin. Julia smiled, feeling a sense of connection to this powerful wolf. "Are you okay?" she whispered, her voice barely audible.
Valen's response was a gentle nuzzle, and Julia smiled, knowing that he was alright. As she looked around at the wolves, Julia felt a sense of gratitude towards them. At least a few were hurt.
The wolves began to stir, their bodies shifting as they transformed back into their human forms. Her eyes widened as she saw the extent of the damage, the bodies of the creatures lying motionless on the ground.
As the wolves began to tend to their own wounds, Julia felt a sense of peace wash over her. She knew that she was safe, surrounded by these powerful and loyal creatures. She stroked Valen's fur gently and his head dipped. And he leaned into her touch.
For now-it was enough.