Bound By The Moon: The Eternal Bond - Chapter 47: Chapter 47

Julia hadn’t slept an inch. She sat upright on her makeshift bed—large forest leaves carefully layered over each other. The chill of the forest floor clung to her bones, biting her skin, but she didn’t shiver. She had grown numb. Numb from the cold, numb from exhaustion. Numb from the ache in her heart.
The early light filtered weakly through the canopy above, mist floating low like silent ghosts between the trees. She hugged her knees to her chest, her thoughts drifting, heavy.
Jessy was nowhere to be seen. Probably by the river… or just somewhere alone. That was nothing new.
But Julia’s mind wasn’t on her. She was still processing what Samantha had said the night before.
What if Valen is still alive?
Just the thought sent a jolt through her. Her heart picked up pace. What if he’s out there, somewhere—waiting, breathing, thinking of me too?
But just as quickly, doubt followed.
What if he really died?
She had seen the stab wound. No one could survive that.
Her shoulders sagged. Hope was a cruel thing sometimes.
She sighed, weariness weighing down her entire body. Her eyes, rimmed with dark circles, stung from staying open too long. She turned her gaze across the clearing.
Samantha was sleeping peacefully, her back resting against the rough bark of a tree. Even in sleep, her face was flawless—unbothered, poised. Pretty as ever.
Then—she stirred. Hazel eyes blinked open slowly, landing directly on Julia.
Julia froze, caught staring.
“Do you have any questions, Julia?” Samantha asked softly, brushing hair from her face.
Julia hesitated, then stood. She crossed the small space between them and sat beside her.
“Why are you here?” she asked quietly. “I mean… you’re the Luna of the Western Pack. Why are you here… with us?”
Samantha’s expression shifted. A flicker of something bitter danced behind her eyes.
“There’s no Western Pack anymore,” she said flatly. “All packs are united now—under Damon’s rule. Getting in or out? That’s a suicide mission.”
She scoffed, shaking her head. “And that stupid, coward mate of mine? Couldn’t resist some 'sweets',” she added bitterly, voice sharp like shattered glass.
Julia looked down, silent. Her mind wandered. Then how did she escaped the boarders?
Then a flash of Lily crossed her thoughts, what she was doing but before she could speak—
A sudden crunch of footsteps broke the stillness. Dry leaves crackled underfoot.
Julia turned her head to the sound and saw Jessy walking passed them heading to the opposite direction without a word or a glance at them.
Julia instinctively jumped to her feet and jogged towards her. “Jessy! Where are you going?”
She continued walking away without giving her a reply.
“Jessy, stop!” she called, hurrying after her. She grabbed her shoulder.
Jessy turned sharply, shoving her away.
“Mind your own business, Julia. I’m going to find Aiden.”
Behind them, Samantha rose with slow, deliberate grace. She flipped her long, dark hair over one shoulder, each movement oozing poise and quiet confidence. From within the folds of her cloak, she pulled out a small mirror and a lipstick tube—the deep red shade striking against her cool composure. With practiced precision, she applied it, then smoothed her dress and adjusted the clasp of her cloak. Then she finally crossed her arms, her gaze locked on the pair before her.
“I’m going to find Aiden,” Jessy repeated, more firmly this time. “I can’t stay here doing nothing.”
Samantha raised a brow. “And how are you going to do that? You’ll be dead the second you cross the border. Why don’t you stop being stubborn and act like your Luna?”
Jessy turned back, scoffing.
“Luna?” she snapped. “Listen, Julia, if you’re just going to follow this... woman, then I assure you—we are going to die here. If you care about Valen, follow me.”
She stormed off again, footsteps crunching dry leaves, her body trembling from fury.
Julia stood frozen. A part of her wanted to go with Jessy. To chase after any trace of Valen. To do something. But another part told her to wait… just a little longer.
Then Samantha’s voice rang out behind her.
“I know a way.”
Jessy halted and Julia turned back to her.
Samantha walked slowly toward her, hips swaying with confidence, a finger twirling her long, sleek hair.
“There’s someone named Corin,” she said. “A best friend of mine. He can help track Aiden’s whereabouts—only if he’s still alive.”
Jessy turned, slowly retracing her steps. Her wall was cracking. Without the mind-link, she was powerless. But maybe this was something.
Julia blinked, confused. “Track? How does that work?”
Samantha gave a small smile.
“It’s called mental projection. Or sometimes just ‘tracking’. Corin drinks a drop of Jessy's blood. Because she's bonded to Aiden, she can map his mental presence across the land using vampire abilities.”
The fire beside them had long died, but a thin wisp of smoke still curled lazily from the blackened wood. Birds chirped in the canopy above, as if unaware of the weight of their world.
Jessy crossed her arms. Her eyes stayed locked on Samantha, flicking to her every few seconds like a storm ready to break.
Julia stared at the ashes. Valen. Aiden. Vampires. Everything was moving too fast.
“You’re serious about this?” Jessy asked at last. “The vampire lands?”
Samantha nodded. “It’s the only way. If Damon’s keeping Aiden, the safest path is through neutral land. Vampires… have their own talents.”
Julia looked up, unsure. “But the vampire lands are days away. We barely have supplies.”
“I know a shortcut,” Samantha said. “Through the Forgotten Ravine. Dangerous—but faster.”
Jessy muttered something under her breath. But this time, she didn’t argue.
Julia’s curiosity sparked. “And this friend of yours?”
Samantha leaned back, gaze distant. “Corin? He owes me a debt. It’s been a while since we last met.”
Jessy’s head whipped toward her. “How do you even know he’s still alive?”
Samantha arched a brow. “You want to find your mate or not?”
A silence stretched.
Julia’s voice was barely a whisper now. “What kind of vampire is he?”
“Old,” Samantha replied. “Older than the war. Powerful. Sees more than most. If anyone can track Aiden, it’s him.”
Jessy clenched her jaw, exhaled through her nose. Then, finally—“When do we leave?”
“Today,” Samantha said firmly. “We don’t have time to waste. Do we?”
Julia stood still for a long moment. She had never seen a vampire. She had only heard the stories. Pale skin. Eyes like blades. Blood-drinkers.
And yet… something inside her wasn’t afraid. Just curious. Or maybe desperate enough not to care.
She looked at Jessy, who stared into the trees, expression unreadable.
They were going to vampire land.
And whatever waited there—friend or monster—was their only hope.