Eclipsed Destiny

The pack's cheers died instantly as the bloodied messenger collapsed at Aziel's feet. Celia's heart skipped a beat as the wolf shifted painfully into his human form, his chest heaving with ragged breaths. The sharp scent of blood and fear filled the air, making her stomach churn.

"They're close," the messenger gasped. "The rogues. they've found the outer perimeter."

Aziel knelt beside the man; his expression grim. "How many?"

The messenger shook his head, his voice weak. "Too many to count. They're not hiding anymore-they want us to see them coming."

Marcus stepped forward, his face a mask of anger. "They're testing us. Trying to make us panic.

Aziel stood, his authoritative presence silencing the murmurs that had begun to ripple through the pack. "We don't panic," he said firmly. "We hold our ground. Marcus, double the patrols. Luna, tend to the injured. I want every able wolf ready to fight.

The pack sprang into action, moving quickly and efficiently. Celia stood there, frozen in her mind. The rogues were closer than ever; their threat was no longer abstract. This was real, and it was terrifying. Aziel turned to her, his eyes intense. "Celia, come with me.

She trailed behind him in silence as he ushered her into his cabin, the force of his need pressing upon her. She stepped inside with him and shut the door behind them. Turning to face her, he looked both determined and tortured. "You are not going out there," he said emphatically.

Celia blinked, taken aback. "What?

"You heard me," Aziel said, his voice low but resolute. "The rogues are after you. If you go out there, you will be putting yourself-and the pack-at risk."

She felt her frustration flare. "I'm not going to hide while everyone else fights! I have the blessing, Aziel. I can help.

Aziel closed the distance between them, his jaw clenching. "You have no idea what you are facing. That rogue Alpha won't give up on getting to you, and if you go out, you become a mark."

Celia set her arms crossed. The sense of challenge had just ignited inside her. "And what's the scenario if he penetrates through? You told me, after all-this gift is linked with me. And if I don't struggle, then we are all lost.

Aziel's eyes softened, and for a moment, she saw the conflict within him. "I can't lose you," he said quietly. "Not now. Not ever."

Her breath hitched at the vulnerability in his voice, but she didn't waver. "You won't lose me," she said. "But I won't sit by and do nothing."

By nightfall, the pack was gathered in the central clearing, their faces grim but resolute. Aziel stood at the front, his presence commanding as he addressed them.

"The rogues think they can break us," he said, his voice steady. "They think they can take what's ours. But they underestimate us. They underestimate *you*."

A murmur of agreement rippled through the crowd, growing louder as Aziel continued.

We fight not just for survival, but for each other. For our pack. For our future. And we will not let them take it from us."

It mattered little that the pack saw none in its usually well-toned form. The mark shone bright beneath her sleeve, burning with a steadily hot warmth. Celia stooks strong beside Aziel, carrying this added weight of their gazes into their Alpha- and thusly her.

As the pack dispersed to take their positions, Marcus approached, his expression serious. "The scouts spotted movement near the eastern border," he said. "It won't be long now."

Aziel nodded, his eyes narrowing. "We hold them at the border. No one crosses into the inner territory."

"What about her?" Marcus asked, glancing at Celia.

"She stays close to me," Aziel said firmly.

Celia opened her mouth to protest but stopped herself. She knew better than to argue with him now. The battle was too close, the stakes too high.

It came before midnight, as they did this stealthy work in moving so swiftly and silent under the dark shadows of the forest. The first indication that the wolves had come was when there came the low growl followed by that howl that chilled one to death like Celia's veins were chilled.

It was a pack.

Wolves transitioned from their human forms without any awkwardness, their bodies prepared and poised for fighting. Celia kept close to Aziel, her heart hammering as the first wave of rogues broke through the trees. The clearing exploded into chaos.

Aziel was a force of nature, his massive wolf form tearing through the rogues with brutal efficiency. Marcus fought beside him, his movements precise and calculated. The rest of the pack moved as one, their unity a stark contrast to the chaotic frenzy of the rogues.

She felt in wonder and terror, her hands trembling as the mark on her arm came to life. She could feel the blessing coursing within her, yearning to be let loose. But fear restrained her. What if she could not control it? What if she hurt someone she cared for?

A rogue wolf lunged at her, its teeth bared and its eyes filled with malice. Instinct took over, and Celia raised her hand, releasing a wave of energy that sent the wolf flying backward. The force of it left her breathless, but she didn't have time to recover. Another rogue was already coming for her.

Aziel intercepted it, his claws raking across its side as he snarled in warning. "Stay behind me!" he growled.

"I can handle myself!" Celia shot back, but the truth was, she wasn't so sure.

As the fight continued, Celia noticed something odd. The rogues were not attacking wildly; they seemed to have a purpose. They aimed at the pack's most powerful members, as if to break the very heart of the defense.

She knew she was right when she saw that rogue Alpha enter the clearing; malice seemed to drip from his very being. He did not enter the fray, instead observing as his red eyes tracked through the chaos until they met her gaze. Celia's blood froze at the twisted grin which crossed his lips, raising a hand as he seems to silently command the rogue army's attention toward her.

"They're coming for me," she thought, her voice trembling.

Aziel turned to look at the same, his face darkening. "Marcus!" he yelled. "Perimeter! Don't let them through!"

Marcus nodded, rallying his pack as Aziel positioned himself in front of Celia, his previous words coming a repetition. "Stay close to me," he growled.

The rogues rushed toward them, eyes glowing with an unnatural light. Aziel met them head-on, his movements a blur of strength and precision. But for every rogue he took down, another seemed to take its place.

Celia felt the fear rising within her, but she pushed it aside, focusing on the power that burned within her. She raised her hand, releasing another wave of energy that sent several rogues sprawling. The effort left her dizzy, but she didn't stop. She couldn't.

Amid the chaos, Celia saw something odd. The rogue Alpha wasn't fighting; he was chanting. His guttural words were low and rhythmic, and the air around him seemed to ripple with dark energy.

"What is he doing?" Celia asked, her voice full of unease.

Aziel's eyes narrowed as he fought off another rogue. "He's using dark magic," he said, his voice strained. "He's trying to corrupt the blessing."

Celia's stomach twisted. "What if he succeeds?"

Aziel didn't say a word, but the dark look in his eyes was enough.

The rogue Alpha's chanting grew louder, and Celia could feel the mark on her arm burning painfully. The power inside of her reacted to the dark energy emanating from the rogue Alpha, pushing back but also threatening to overwhelm her. She knew what she had to do.

"I have to stop him," she said, moving forward.

"No!" Aziel barked; his voice sharp. "It's too dangerous."

But Celia didn't listen. She couldn't. The fate of the pack-and possibly the blessing itself was at stake. Summoning every ounce of courage she had, she pushed through the chaos, her gaze fixed on the rogue Alpha.

The rogue Alpha's eyes glowed as she approached, his twisted smile widening. "Ah, the little keeper," he said, his voice dripping with mockery. "Come to join me, have you?"

Celia's hands trembled, but she stood her ground. "You'll never take the blessing," she said, her voice steady despite the fear coursing through her.

The rogue Alpha laughed, a deep, sinister sound that sent chills down her spine. "We'll see about that."From NôvelDrama.Org.

He raised his hand, and the dark energy around him surged toward her. Celia braced herself, the mark on her arm flaring as she summoned her own power to counter it. The clash of energies was blinding, the force of it sending shock waves through the clearing.

For a moment, everything was still.

When the light faded, she was on her knees, her body shaking. The rogue Alpha was nowhere to be seen; his laughter remained in her head. And so was Aziel.