Chapter 40 The Rising Flame

The ride back to Moonbound was a blur of wind, pounding hooves, and a heart that refused to slow. Selene’s wolf itched beneath her skin, but she resisted the shift—she needed clarity, not raw instinct. The blood moon loomed overhead, red as spilled wine, casting an eerie glow across the forest. The trees seemed to lean closer, listening to her breath, whispering ancient warnings with every rustle of their branches. She didn’t stop until the gates of Moonbound came into view.