Bound By The Moon: The Eternal Bond - Chapter 46: Chapter 46

Julia's legs gave out beneath her, and she collapsed onto the damp grass. The mud-caked boots that had carried her through the endless night now felt like lead weights, and every step pulsed through her bones like a bruise. The sky was lightening slowly, casting a pale gray over the forest floor.
Ahead, Jessy stopped. Her silhouette cut sharp against the first breath of dawn.
"Get up," she called, her voice edged with urgency. "We have to move. If they're tracking us, we're already behind."
Julia didn't answer. Grief pressed against her chest like a boulder. Her thoughts were a storm-memories, regrets, things she didn't want to believe. Behind her lashes, the tears still clung, but they didn't fall.
Jessy's boots crunched through brittle leaves as she stormed back, frustration flashing in her eyes.
"I said get up. Unless you want to die out here."
Still, Julia said nothing.
Her cheeks were raw from crying. Her hands were scratched and trembling. She didn't care.
Jessy crouched beside her, her tone softening. "I don't know where Aiden is either," she said quietly. "We got separated in the chaos. I couldn't reach him through the mindlink. I don't even know if he's alive."
Julia turned her head slowly, searching Jessy's face. The words hit harder than Jessy expected. Julia's lips parted, but nothing came out. Her grief dug in deeper, heavier-until even breathing hurt.
Jessy stood and held out a hand. Julia took it.
They walked in silence-two figures swallowed by trees, footsteps muffled by moss, grief hanging thick in the air between them.
By the time the sun filtered through the treetops, they'd reached a small clearing. Jessy got to work building a shelter from fallen branches, her hands moving fast and practiced. Julia sat nearby, staring numbly at the dirt, her mind looping through flames, blood, and the last sight of Valen's lifeless body.
"Give me a hand," Jessy said over her shoulder. "We need to finish before nightfall."
Julia nodded, slow and quiet. She rose and drifted into the woods, collecting sticks for firewood, scanning for anything edible. The stillness was eerie-too clean, too hushed. Even the birds had gone silent.
She bent to pick a bundle of dry twigs when a breeze swept through, colder than before. Something shifted behind her.
Snap.
Julia spun around, heart hammering. Her breath caught in her throat.
"Jessy?" she called out.
A figure stepped from between the trees-tall, elegant, and cloaked in crimson. As she walked closer, she withdrew her hood, revealing jet-black curls, pale skin, and eyes sharp as winter glass. Her lips gleamed red, like lacquered blood.
"Hello, Julia," the woman said, her voice husky and smooth. "Remember me?"
Julia's body tensed. Her mind scrambled, trying to place her. But something about her felt familiar.
"I'm Alpha Reymond's mate," the woman continued with a small smile. "We met at the Northern Pack during the gathering."
Julia's eyes widened.
"Samantha," she breathed.
"I've looked everywhere for you," Samantha said, stepping closer. "I know you're in a tough spot right now. I'll do whatever it takes to help."
Jessy was crouched beside a pile of leaves when the two returned. The moment her eyes landed on Samantha, her body went rigid.
"You," she spat.
Samantha smiled like it was nothing. "Jessica. Long time no see."
Julia blinked between them, frowning. "Wait... You two know each other?"
Samantha's smile faded into something quieter, more bitter. "Her mother and I were cousins. We grew up together. by blood and duty."
Her gaze lingered on Jessy, something unreadable in her expression. "But then her parents died on a hunt one night. A tragic accident... or so it seemed."
Jessy's eyes darkened. "You know exactly what happened. Don't play innocent."
Samantha didn't flinch. Her voice cooled, her smile thinning. "You've always blamed me. But the truth isn't as simple as you think."
Julia looked between them, feeling the weight of something old and raw. "Maybe... maybe you two should try to understand each other."
Jessy scoffed. "You're siding with her now? After everything?"
Samantha's gaze flicked back to her. "I'm not asking for your trust, Jessica. I'm offering you information. Damon has declared himself King of All Werewolves. What's left of the South Pack... they're his slaves. Humans are property. The old laws are gone."
Jessy folded her arms, biting back her reaction. "Why should we believe you?"
Samantha rolled her eyes, looking off into the trees. "Believe me or don't. You'll see soon enough."
Julia took a step forward. Her voice was steady now, sharp. "What do you want from us?"
Samantha turned to face her fully. "I want to stop Damon," she said. "I know his plans. And I need help. Your help."
Jessy snorted. "You're unbelievable. You expect us to trust you now?"
"I'm not here for you Jessica." Samantha said flatly. "I'm here for Julia. You're just still a stubborn little cub."
"It's Jessy," she snapped, correcting her without hesitation.
The forest seemed to go still. Three women, three storms locked in a triangle of history, grief, and unfinished war.
Then Samantha said it - casual, almost careless.
"Oh. And one more thing," she added. "I heard Valen's body is missing."
The words hit like a gunshot , Julia froze and Jessy went pale.
For a long moment, the only sound was the soft sway of the trees on the breeze.
🌕 🌕 🌕
Thanks for reading. Feel free to voice your thoughts.
💙