Bound by Moonlight: The rejected Luna's rise.

ed like ghosts in the crisp air. The attack had shaken the pack, and while no lives were lost, t

, the morning frost crunching beneath her boots. The bruises from training still throbbe

ear about

ippets of conversation from the group

o decided to play hero?" Lilith's voice c

e sti

in." Another voice chimed in, foll

as used to their taunts. It wasn't the first time Lilith had

weight of their w

thers had already gathered, sparring beneath the wa

ftly. Perhaps tha

d her from her thoughts as he appro

I

hough his tone lacked the usual bite.

sitated.

oward the circle of war

e joking." Selen

brow. "Do I look

are and smirked, alrea

quietly, clapping Selene on th

, feeling Lilith's pr

purred, tying her dark hair back. "I'd hat

it back

tle, signaling the b

ly register what was ha

ws swiped dangerously close to her arm. The crowd watched intent

her arms to block, but the force of the impact knocke

pted from th

got?" Lilith taunt

to her feet. Her muscles screamed in

this

more, but this time

er a low kick aimed at her opponent's legs. It wasn't the mos

tumbled,

noring the burning in her limbs, driving Li

hed in Marcus's eyes as he

was quick

s from beneath her, pinning her to t

Lilith whispered, her nails p

t the edges, but she refu

, driving her elbow

g her grip just enough

for breath. Her chest heaved, sweat

s voice rang out,

k, her lips curlin

rushing dust from her c

ding. She didn't speak, but the fire

-

g grounds, long after the others had gone. Her body

he was sti

ght well

rcus leaning against the nearby

just say

ing, I wouldn't have stopped L

ed a brow.

stepping closer. "You'll never be

stomach

Marcus continued. "It's about resilience.

earching for any sign

so," she muttered, mo

arkened slightly. "Ai

e wh

he could answer, a sharp howl

them s

ol," Marcus said, his v

but Marcus was already shifting,

after him, her

side her told he

ollowed the sound of the howls, dis