Eclipsed Destiny

The silence seemed to have a weight around Celia, as she crept along the dim-lit hallway toward Aziel's strategy room. Something was different in the air today-it felt more oppressive, somehow. And the warning that the night before had been implanted within her brain still echoed.

"The bond will save you. or destroy you."

Since then, her mark had been silent. And that didn't soothe her. If anything, it made her even more apprehensive. It was as if the blessing waited-for what, she did not know.

"Celia," Luna called softly from behind her. Celia turned to see the healer standing in the corridor, her expression guarded.

"Something wrong?" Celia asked, already suspecting the answer.

Luna hesitated before stepping closer. "Aziel doesn't want you at this meeting."

Celia blinked, confusion knitting her brow. "What do you mean?"

"He thinks it's too dangerous for you to be involved right now. The bond. the blessing. it complicates things."

Celia's heart twisted. Aziel had been the one to insist they face everything together, but now he was shutting her out? She shook her head, determination flaring in her chest. "No. If this meeting involves the pack, then I have a right to be there."

Luna sighed, but she didn't argue. "Then tread carefully," she said softly. "Something feels off today."

She nodded, pressing on and putting aside the unease creeping up in her stomach.

\---

The strategy room pulsed with tension as she stepped inside. Aziel stood at the head of the table, Marcus at his side. Kael was there too, leaning against the far end of the room, the smirk twisting his face a bitter counterpoint to the somber air that permeated the room.

"What's this about?" Celia asked, stepping into the room.

Aziel's head snapped up, his eyes narrowing as they met hers. "You shouldn't be here, Celia."

"I deserve to know what's happening," she countered, her voice steady. "I'm part of this fight."

Aziel exhaled sharply, clearly frustrated, but Marcus intervened. "We've received news," he said, his voice low and tense. "One of our scouts has returned-wounded. He brought a message." Celia's heart stuttered. "From whom?"

Kael backed away from the wall, his smirk expanding. "From the renegade lieutenant."

The room went silent as the words dropped like rocks into still water. Celia gulped down a hard swallow as her fingers brushed against the mark on her arm.

"What does he want?" Aziel demanded, his voice icily remote.

Marcus hesitated before he spoke. "He claims he is willing to bargain."

The word hung in the air, heavy with suspicion. Celia frowned, her instincts screaming that this was a trap. "Negotiate?"

Aziel's jaw clenched. "They're buying time. That's all this is."

"Maybe," Marcus admitted. "But there's more. The scout said the lieutenant wanted to speak to Celia."

The room erupted in chaos.

"Absolutely not," Aziel spat, his voice as cutting as a blade. "I won't let it happen."

Kael raised an eyebrow, his tone laced with mockery. "You can't ignore it, Blackwood. They requested her specifically. What are you so afraid of?" Aziel spun on him, his blue eyes afire with anger. "That's enough."

Kael smiled, but he said nothing, obviously pleased at the reaction he'd provoked.

Celia stepped forward, her heart pounding. "Why me?"

Marcus shook his head. "The scout didn't know. He said the lieutenant mentioned something about 'the truth.""

"The truth about what?" Celia asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

Aziel's expression darkened. "It doesn't matter. You're not going."

Celia looked at him, frustration and hurt flaring in her chest. "You don't get to decide that for me."

"Yes, I do," Aziel said sharply. "You're the key to all of this, Celia. The blessing, the bond-you. If they get their hands on you, it's over."

"They won't," she insisted. "You said it yourself: we fight together."

Aziel watched her a moment, unreadable. "This is no fight, Celia. It's a trap."

"Well, let's spring the trap," she said then, looking into his face. "We'll face it together. I'm not helpless."

"No,

The word was final, slicing the air like a knife. Celia's chest hurt with the force of it, the way he refused even to consider that she could be part of the answer. This isn't fair, she said, her voice shaking. You keep saying that I am strong enough, that we're in this together, but when it matters, you shut me out.

Aziel's expression had a falter, for only a moment. "I am trying to protect you."

"I don't need you to protect me!" she snapped. "I need you to trust me."

The silence was heavy and unbearable. Kael chuckled softly, breaking the tension. "Well, this is awkward. If you two are done, maybe we should decide whether or not to let the rogues play messenger.

Aziel shot him a glare but didn't respond. He turned back to Celia, his voice softer now. "I can't lose you."

Celia's anger ebbed slightly, replaced by something closer to heartbreak. "You won't," she whispered. "But you have to let me fight."

Aziel exhaled slowly, the fight leaving his shoulders. "Fine," he said reluctantly. "We'll go together. But you stay close to me. No heroics." Celia nodded, relief flooding her chest. "Agreed."

Kael smiled, seeming to be enjoying this exchange. "Finally. Let's see what the rogue lieutenant has to say."

7---

The meeting was arranged to take place at dusk in a clearing just above the forest's tree line. The tension of leaving is palpable, with the quiet efficiency of wolves preparing themselves for whatever trap lay ahead by arming themselves. Celia stood beside Aziel, her mark tingling faintly as though it sensed the danger ahead. "Are you ready for this?" he asked, his voice low.

She nodded. "As ready as I'll ever be."

Aziel's gaze lingered on her for a moment before he nodded, his expression softening. "Stay close. If anything goes wrong"

"We'll handle it," Celia interrupted, meeting his gaze. "Together."

Aziel's lips curled up into the faintest smile. "Together."

1---

They arrived in a clearing shrouded in mist, air thick with tension and a faint acrid scent of rogues. Celia's heart was racing as they moved into position, the pack fanning out behind Aziel. Kael's wolves lingered at the edge, their eyes sharp as they watched the tree line.

Moments later, the rogue lieutenant stepped out of the shadows, with his usual predatory grace. His red eyes glowed faintly in the dim light, a cruel smile twisting his lips.

"You came," he said, his voice smooth and mocking. "How. brave."

Aziel stepped forward, his posture rigid. "State your message."

The lieutenant's gaze fell to Celia, and the air chilled. "Not you," he said. "Her."

Aziel growled, his wolf close to the surface. "You speak to me."

The lieutenant laughed. "Very well. But know this everything you think you know is a lie. The blessing, the bond, her place in all of this-it's all a game, Alpha. And you're losing." Celia's stomach twisted as the lieutenant's gaze pinned her in place. "Ask yourself, girl," he said softly. "Who stands to betray you first?"

The words sent a chill racing down her spine. Aziel's growl rumbled louder, but before anyone could react, the lieutenant vanished into the mist, his laughter echoing behind him. Celia turned to Aziel, her voice shaking. "What did he mean?"Nôvel(D)ra/ma.Org exclusive © material.

Aziel's jaw was clenched, his expression unreadable. "He's trying to divide us."

But inside, Celia couldn't shake the feeling that the rogue's words carried a grain of truth.

7---

As they turned back towards camp, Celia's mark flared with sudden heat and a single word whispered through her mind: "Betrayal."

She stumbled, clutching her arm as Aziel steadied her.

Celia?" he asked, with a concern-laced tone.

She turned to face him, her heart beating rapidly. "Something is wrong.