The impact echoed through the clearing.
Lucien and the beast collided with a force that sent shockwaves across the ground. Claws tore through the earth as both struggled for dominance, neither willing to yield.
"Lucien!" Elara shouted.
He didn't respond.
His focus was entirely on the creature.
The beast let out a deep, thunderous growl, its blue eyes blazing as it pushed against Lucien with overwhelming strength. For the first time since she met him—
Lucien was being forced back.
Gamma stepped forward. "Alpha!"
"Don't interfere!" Lucien snapped.
But Elara could feel it.
This wasn't a fight he could win alone.
The silver energy inside her pulsed again, stronger this time. It wasn't just reacting anymore—
It was guiding her.
Come…
The voice echoed softly in her mind.
Elara froze.
It wasn't threatening.
It wasn't violent.
It was calling her.
"No…" she whispered, shaking her head. "I'm not going near that thing."
But her body didn't listen.
One step forward.
Then another.
"Elara, stop!" Gamma shouted.
She couldn't.
The closer she got, the louder the presence became. The beast's movements slowed as its attention shifted from Lucien—
To her.
Its massive claws loosened.
Lucien immediately stepped back, breathing heavily, his eyes still locked on the creature.
"Elara," he warned. "Don't go any closer."
But she was already too close.
The silver glow returned, wrapping around her like a second skin. Her heartbeat steadied, no longer frantic.
Calm.
Connected.
The beast lowered its head slowly.
The clearing went silent.
No one moved.
No one breathed.
Elara raised her hand.
Even she didn't understand why.
But it felt right.
The moment her fingers touched the creature's fur—
A surge of energy exploded between them.
Light and shadow twisted together, spiraling outward in a blinding flash.
Everyone was forced back.
Elara gasped as memories flooded her mind.
Ancient voices.
The sound of war.
Moonlight shining over countless fallen warriors.
And then—
The same voice.
Stronger now.
Clearer.
You are the last.
Tears filled her eyes.
"Last… what?"
The answer came instantly.
The last Moonborne.
The light faded slowly.
The clearing came back into focus.
Elara was still standing.
Her hand still resting against the beast.
But everything had changed.
The creature was no longer aggressive.
No longer hostile.
It stood still… calm… watching her.
Lucien took a cautious step forward.
"What did you do?"
Elara looked at him, her eyes still glowing faintly.
"I didn't do anything," she said softly.
"It knows me."
Gamma shook his head in disbelief.
"That thing was about to kill us."
Elara turned back to the beast.
"It wasn't," she said.
"It was looking for me."
The beast exhaled slowly, lowering itself to the ground.
Submitting.
The entire pack stared in shock.
Lucien's voice dropped.
"That's impossible."
But Elara knew the truth now.
She could feel it.
This wasn't just a creature.
It was tied to her.
To her power.
To her past.
She took a slow breath.
"It's not our enemy."
Lucien's eyes narrowed.
"Then what is it?"
Elara hesitated for a moment.
Then answered—
"It's mine."