Cian's blood was still warm on Selene's hands.
She pressed his body against her, ignoring the shattered altar behind them, ignoring the blistering energy pouring from Vaughn's twisted form as the void opened wide like a second sky.
"Cian," she whispered, shaking him gently. "Please…"
No response.
The void hissed, a black wind curling through the temple like smoke alive. Statues cracked. The protective wards flickered, failing one by one.
And Vaughn?
He smiled.
That same smile he wore when he first taught her how to hold a blade. When he warned her never to trust easily.
Now she understood why.
"You were never loyal," Selene said, standing slowly. "Not to me. Not to the council. Not even to the Goddess."
Vaughn's voice slithered. "The Goddess is dead."
"You lie."
"I watched her fall. She sealed the first beast with her last breath. Now, I will use you to bring the next through."
The sky split above them, bleeding black light. The voidbeast's claws began to emerge — not of flesh, but of swirling starless matter, bending reality around it.
Selene stood tall, Cian's blood on her gown, fire in her chest.
"I'm not your vessel."
"You were born to be," Vaughn said. "You carry the bloodline. The moonstone chose you. It's all been leading to this."
"No," she snarled. "It's been leading to your end."
She raised her hands, summoning the last fragments of the shattered moonstone. They hovered, glowing like dying stars.
From the edge of the circle, Daxon ran into view — silver armor glowing, eyes blazing gold.
"Get away from her!" he shouted, charging Vaughn with a roar.
The dark wolf turned.
Daxon slammed into him, claws drawn. Vaughn blocked with a burst of magic, throwing Daxon into a pillar with bone-crunching force — but not before Daxon slashed a gash across Vaughn's shoulder, breaking through the corrupted shield.
Vaughn hissed.
"You will all kneel."
Selene moved fast.
With a cry, she drew the fragments together in her palm. Her body lifted off the ground, a column of moonlight erupting around her. Her hair whipped wildly, her eyes glowing silver-white.
The Luna Ascended.
"I bind you in the name of the First Moon," she shouted. "By the line of blood. By the sacred vow. I banish your shadow—"
Vaughn screamed, voice inhuman. The void trembled.
But he wasn't done yet.
With one hand, he grabbed a sliver of the voidbeast's claw and hurled it toward Cian's body.
Selene turned mid-spell — and the light in her flared.
She caught it mid-air with bare hands, burning her skin, but saving him. The magic pulsed back, exploding in a wave of white that blew Vaughn off his feet.
He landed hard, gasping, cracks spidering through his armor of dark.
Daxon rushed to her side, grabbing her elbow. "He's weakened. Now's our chance."
Selene nodded.
Together, they moved to the center of the temple floor. Selene began the final spell –the sealing rite.
But something was wrong.
The void didn't shrink.
It grew.
And it spoke.
"You are not enough."
The voice came from within the void. Not Vaughn. Something older. Something cold.
"You do not have the power alone."
Selene stumbled, magic shattering around her. She screamed as darkness coiled around her chest, digging into her ribs like hooks.
Daxon shouted her name, catching her before she hit the ground.
"I can't stop it," she choked. "Not like this. Not without—"
The moon pulsed above them.
And a whisper slid into her mind.
"Two alphas. One heart. One sacrifice."
Selene's eyes snapped open. "No."
But the voice repeated.
"One must give… what cannot be returned."
She looked at Daxon. He held her tightly, already knowing what she'd heard.
His golden eyes softened. "Then let me do it."
"No," she cried. "I won't lose you too."
"You won't," he whispered, brushing her cheek. "You'll rise."
Before she could stop him, he kissed her – fiercely, fully – pouring everything he was into her.
His magic. His strength. His soul.
She felt it all.
The bond awakened between them. Not a mate bond — a sacrificial one. An ancient rite.
He stepped into the sealing circle, arms open wide.
"Take me," he shouted to the void.
The darkness lunged.
Selene screamed as it wrapped around him, lifting him into the air, devouring his light.
He looked at her one last time.
And smiled.
Then the void… collapsed.
Screamed.
Fell inward like a dying star.
Gone.
Silence.
Selene dropped to her knees. The temple was still. The sky, whole again. The clawed voidbeast vanished.
But Daxon was gone too.
Her heartbeat felt hollow. Her body buzzed with power, but her chest cracked open in grief.
And behind her…
Cian groaned.
Selene turned, crawling to him, sobbing as she clutched his hand.
His eyes fluttered open. "What… happened?"
She pressed her forehead to his. "He saved us. He saved me."
Cian's breath caught. "Daxon…"
She nodded.
And wept.
But the moon did not shine in peace.
Above them, in the heavens, the light of the stars dimmed.
And somewhere deep in the forests, far beyond the borders of any pack…
A woman in white robes opened her eyes.
"They've broken the seal," she whispered.
A second void now stirred.
And this time…
it would not wait.
-----
Daxon sacrificed everything. But this isn't the end – just the middle. Now Selene is more powerful, Cian is alive, and a second enemy stirs.