Moonborn Heir Novel Chapter 17 – A loud, resounding knock yanks me from the depths of sleep.
My eyes snap open, heart racing, as I struggle to orient myself in the heavy darkness. It’s the middle of the night, and the silence outside feels oppressive, the kind that sinks into your bones. I glance to my side, where Lucian is already awake, watching me with a steady, reassuring gaze.
“It’s time,” he says softly, his voice a low murmur that seems to reverberate through the silence. “The Initiation.” I swallow, nodding, a sense of nervous anticipation curling in my stomach. I remind myself that I’ve already proven my strength to them.
Initiation is not a test. It is a rite of passage, a sacred ritual that will bind me to the Darkguard. Yet, despite the weight and reverence of the moment, a
faint sense of foreboding lingers, whispering in the back of my mind.
Lucian rises, and I follow him through the dim corridors of his mansion, the heavy stillness around us making each step feel momentous. Outside, under the faint silver glow of the moon, the Darkguard stands in a solemn formation, a circle of shadowed figures, waiting. Their eyes glint in the darkness, expectant and reverent.
Lucian steps forward, his presence commanding as he addresses the gathered wolves. “Tonight, Talia joins us fully, not as an outsider but as one of us,” he intones, his voice deep and resonant. “The Initiation is a rite of passage, a sacred bond. She will lead us on the Moon’s Path, and we will honor her as our commanding guard.”
He turns to me, his gaze piercing. “The Moon’s Path is no ordinary patrol. It’s a passage through our ancestral grounds, a journey to honor those who came before us. The path shifts as we walk, testing those who traverse it. It will reveal your strength, your courage — and your resolve. At the end lies Lunara’s Oracle, the First Luna, who watches over us all. The journey isn’t just a rite; it’s a journey through the very soul of our lineage.”
A tremor runs through me, equal parts awe and anticipation. This isn’t just a patrol; it’s a journey steeped in history and reverence. I nod, my heart pounding with the gravity of it all, and step forward to take my place at the head of the formation. Lucian steps beside me, and for a moment, he holds my gaze, his eyes gleaming with something deep and unspoken. Together, we take a breath, and then, in perfect unison, we begin to transform.
The shift is both familiar and exhilarating, a tingling rush that spreads through my body, stretching my limbs and sharpening my senses. I feel my bones shift, my muscles coil with newfound strength, my skin prickling as fur ripples along my back. But tonight, with Lucian beside me, it feels different — more powerful, more complete. As his Luna, I feel an almost magnetic pull to his energy, our transformations syncing in a way that feels intimate, sacred, as
though our very souls are aligning.
When I turn my gaze to him, I find him in his full, resplendent wolf form, standing tall and radiant beneath the moonlight. His fur gleams, silver and midnight woven together, his eyes glowing with an intensity that makes my heart race. In this form, Lucian is magnificent, a powerful, commanding presence that fills the night. I’m struck by a fierce pride — and an even fiercer devotion. Seeing him like this, his raw power and grace on full display, I feel a surge of loyalty that’s almost overwhelming.
He looks at me, and in that moment, everything feels right. Together, side by side, we are unstoppable, bound by something deeper than words, stronger than any oath. I move forward, leading the Darkguard into the dense shadows of the forest, Lucian at my side, our steps in perfect harmony. The trees stand tall and solemn around us, as if bearing witness to our union and the sacred bond we now share.
We slip into a steady rhythm, the rhythm of the wolfpack, a silent procession through the ancient woods. The air is thick with reverence, and each step feels purposeful, weighted. The forest seems alive with memory, each rustle of leaves, each creak of branches a whisper of those who have walked this path before us.
But soon, the shadows grow thicker, the path twisting in unexpected ways. I catch the faintest movement out of the corner of my eye, and when I turn, Lucian, and the rest of the wolfpack, is gone. I am alone. My heart skips — a flash of worry — but I press forward. This is part of the ritual, I tell myself. A moment of solitude before I step fully into my role.
The darkness deepens around me, and the trees begin to blur, shifting as if alive, closing in and rearranging themselves in strange, impossible ways. The path I thought I knew twists suddenly to the left, only to vanish behind a thick wall of trees when I turn. I feel disoriented, the world spinning around me as I try to find my way.
I pick up my pace, my paws pounding against the earth as I run, searching for any familiar landmark. But the forest feels like it’s swallowing me,
the Moon’s Path transforming into a labyrinth that coils and shifts with every step.
Anxiety creeps into my chest, but I push it down, reminding myself that this is part of the Initiation. Still, each turn brings only deeper confusion, the way forward dissolving into shadows, and an unsettling sense of being watched begins to tighten around me.
Then, without warning, a hulking figure blocks my path. Cade. His eyes gleam with something dark, something dangerous. He steps closer, lips peeling back in a snarl. “Well, well,” he growls, voice dripping with mockery. “The mighty new commander. Alone in the dark. What a shame if something…unfortunate were to happen.”
I feel a surge of anger mixed with a flicker of fear, but I hold my ground, meeting his gaze without flinching. “Back off, Cade,” I warn, my voice steady, my stance unwavering. “I am your Luna, and your commander. And I order you to back down.”
But he only laughs, a low, menacing sound. “You think you belong here? Among us? You’re just a weak little she-wolf, playing at strength. You’ll never command me.” He lunges, a blur of teeth and muscle, but I dodge, my instincts taking over. He circles me, taunting, his words sharp as his fangs.
“Think you’re one of us? Think you can command wolves who’d sooner tear you apart?” His eyes gleam with a dark amusement, and then, with a twisted
smile, he lowers his voice. “You think Lucian’s protection makes you safe? Ask his last Lunahow much t hat helped her.”
The words hit me like a slap, and I freeze, staring at him, a flicker of confusion and dread stirring in my chest. What does he mean? The thought twists uncomfortably in my mind, but I have no time to dwell on it before he lunges again, claws flashing toward me.
He strikes again, this time grazing my side with his claws, a flash of pain igniting my anger. I retaliate, quick and fierce, my own claws swiping across his face, leaving a trail of blood. He snarls, momentarily stunned, and I stand tall, refusing to back down.
Just then, another figure appears — Lucian. He steps between us, his eyes blazing as he faces Cade, a silent warning in his stance. “Enough,” he growls, voice like thunder, making Cade flinch. For a moment, the forest holds its breath, an eerie silence pressing down on us.
Lucian’s eyes are blazing, his expression hard and unyielding as he steps toward Cade, his voice low and cold. “What was that, Cade?” The words cut through the air like a blade. “You dare to challenge her during the Initiation? Explain yourself.”
Cade shifts uncomfortably, his defiant posture faltering under Lucian’s scrutiny. “I thought…” he begins, but the weight of Lucian’s gaze forces him to pause. He clears his throat, his voice rough. “I thought she needed one final test. To make sure she could truly lead us.”
Lucian’s snarl is low, a sound that reverberates through my chest. “A final test? She’s already proven herself. The Initiation is a rite of acceptance, not a trial by combat. You’ve overstepped, Cade.” His tone is laced with a warning, simmering with restrained fury.
Cade’s defiance flickers, his jaw tightening, but he averts his gaze, forced to bow under Lucian’s authority. “I…I apologize, Alpha. I acted on impulse.”
“Impulse?” Lucian steps closer, his voice a dangerous murmur. “Or was it something else? If you cannot respect my decisions — or hers — you have no place here.” The air is tense, charged with the unspoken threat in Lucian’s words.
Cade’s shoulders slump, and he finally lowers his head. “I understand,” he mutters, the defiance draining from him. “I was wrong. It won’t happen again.”
Lucian holds his gaze a moment longer, as if weighing his sincerity. Then, with a curt nod, he steps back, signaling his forgiveness but making it clear that this will not be forgotten. “See that it doesn’t,” he says, his tone still edged with anger. “You’re lucky she tolerated your…test.”
Just then, a gentle glow washes over me — a silvery light casting its ethereal radiance across the forest floor. I lift my head, and there, framed by the trees, stands Lunara’s Oracle, the legendary statue of the First Luna. She rises above us, her stone eyes gazing down with a wisdom that feels timeless. Her presence is majestic, almost otherworldly, bathed in moonlight that makes her seem alive.
Lucian’s gaze softens as he follows my stare, a flicker of reverence in his eyes. “You’ve found her,” he murmurs. “Lunara’s Oracle. Your path is complete.”
The other members of the Darkguard catch up, unaware of the confrontation that just transpired. They form a circle around me, their eyes gleaming with pride and anticipation. One by one, they lower their heads in acknowledgment, a silent vow of allegiance and acceptance.
Lucian turns to me, his expression softening as pride flickers in his gaze. “You’ve earned this,” he says quietly, his voice filled with warmth. “You are their leader.” With a deep breath, I lift my head, feeling the weight of their loyalty and trust settling over me. Lucian steps forward, brushing his head against mine — a gesture of respect, unity, and something deeper. “Welcome, Talia,” he murmurs. “You are one of us.”
A howl rises from the pack, piercing the quiet night — a song of unity and strength that echoes through the trees. I join them, my voice lifting in a triumphant cry that binds me to them in this sacred ritual. I am Darkguard. I am their leader. And I am ready.
”Want to Recent list click here Moonborn Heir Novel, and you can also “allow notification” to get updates of latest chapter.