Chapter Eighty Seven
That night, exhaustion pressed down on me like a weight, yet sleep refused to come. I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, my mind replaying Eira’s words over and over.
“The keystone will give them power so immense they will be able to eradicate the Children of the Eclipse and all Umbrakin for good. And they will be able to banish the Shadow Weaver forever. Bu doing so will come at great cost. Unlocking the Moon Keystone may even break your core.”
I clenched my fists, my heart pounding.
“You mean Stormi could lose her wolf?” Elijah had asked.
“Yes,” Eira had said. “Or worse.”
Or worse.
The implication was clear. Death.
I turned onto my side, my fingers brushing Mariah’s necklace hanging from my neck–the moon’s blessing, as Eira had once called it. It was what my bloodline had received from the Moon Goddess herself. But now, it felt like a curse.
The keystone had always been our best hope of defeating the Children of the Eclipse, but I hadn’t realized the full cost until now. If used it to destroy the Shadow Weaver, I would lose Skye, my wolf, my bond with my mates–or worse, my life.
“A world without the Shadow Weaver would be a perfect world.”
My wolf stirred inside me, her presence strong yet uncertain.
A perfect world, but at what cost?
I didn’t know how to answer her.
A soft knock at my door made me sit up. The door creaked open, and my mates entered, their faces shadowed with concern.
Elijah was the first to speak. “Stormi, we need to talk.”
Isaiah shut the door behind them. “You’ve been quiet since Eira told us about the keystone.”
Austin crossed his arms. “We know what you’re thinking.”
Alex sat beside me, his fingers brushing against mine. “You’re thinking about whether to sacrifice yourself.”
I looked away.
Silence stretched between us.
Finally, Elijah sighed, running a hand through his hair. “You don’t have to do this, Stormi.”
I swallowed hard. “If the keystone can banish the Shadow Weaver for good, shouldn’t we use it?”
“At what cost?” Isaiah asked sharply. “At the cost of your life?”
I didn’t answer.
Chapter Eighty Seven
Austin crouched in front of me, his hands on my knees. “We can protect ourselves without you having to die, Stormi.”
“That’s not the point,” I said, my voice hoarse. “The keystone isn’t just for us. If the Shadow Weaver is released, the whole world
will suffer.”
Alex squeezed my hand. “And do you think the world deserves to be saved at your expense?”
I tensed. “It’s not about-”
“It is,” Elijah cut in. His amber eyes burned with intensity. “This isn’t just your fight. It’s ours too. We won’t let you die!”
I clenched my jaw. “If the keystone can stop the Shadow Weaver, isn’t it worth it?”
Isaiah sat on my other side, his voice gentler now. “You’re our mate. Do you really think we’d let you sacrifice yourself while we stand by and watch?”
Austin’s hand cupped my cheek, tilting my face toward him. “Stormi, we won’t lose you. No matter what it takes, we will find another way.”
My chest tightened. “What if there is no other way?”
Alex’s grip on my hand tightened. “Then we’ll make one.”
Elijah exhaled slowly. “We are stronger together, Stormi. Always. That is why the Goddess chose us to accompany you for this quest.”
Isaiah nodded. “And we’ll protect each other. That includes you.”
A lump formed in my throat.
They weren’t just my mates. They were my bonded pack. My family.
And they weren’t willing to lose me.
Austin rested his forehead against mine. “Please, Stormi. Promise us you won’t throw your life away.”
I let out a shaky breath.
For the first time since Eira had told me the truth, I allowed myself to hope.
They wouldn’t let me go into this alone.
And maybe… just maybe, I didn’t have to.
“Okay,” I whispered.
And for the first time that night, I felt just a little bit lighter.
Austin gave me a soft smile before leaning in to kiss my forehead. Isaiah followed, pressing a lingering kiss to my temple. Alex cupped my face and brushed his lips gently against mine before murmuring, “Goodnight, love.”
Elijah didn’t say anything, but his eyes held a silent promise.
After giving me goodnight kisses for the second time, Isaiah and the twins left, but Elijah stayed with me.
11:38 Fri, Apr 18
Chapter Eighty Seven
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I felt their tension, their unspoken fears.
I didn’t blame them.
Because I was afraid too.
That night, I lay awake, staring at the ceiling of my room.
I knew Elijah was awake too, lying beside me in silence. Eventually, he spoke, his voice low. “Are you scared?”
I turned my head to meet his gaze. “Yes.”
His eyes flickered with something raw. “Me too.”
He reached over, fingers brushing mine, and I squeezed his hand. “Everything will be okay, Stormi,” he whispered.
He leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.
I held onto that moment, onto him.
Because even if the future was uncertain, right now, this was real.
And for now, that was enough.
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