Chapter 8: The Curse of Legacy (Ariana’s POV)
Chapter 8: The Curse of Legacy (Ariana’s POV)
The words sent a cold chill through me. I could feel my pulse quicken as I tried to make sense of what he was saying.
The council exchanged glances, and Elder Gabriel leaned forward slightly, his hands clasped together.
“The Shadowstone pack,” he began, “has a bloodline that is marked by a curse. For generations, the first–born of each Alpha has died in a rogue attack. It happens every time, with no exception. Even the strongest among our Alphas has failed to break this cycle. It was believed that the curse would never be broken, that no power would ever be strong enough to stop it.”
I felt a sudden tightness in my chest, as if the room had suddenly shrunk. I could hardly breathe, the weight of his words settling over me like a fog.
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Chapter 8: The Curse of Legacy (Ariana’s POV)
“How does this relate to me?” I managed to ask, my voice barely a whisper.
Elder Gabriel’s gaze softened, though his eyes still carried the weight of centuries of knowledge.
“It is prophesied that one generation of alpha will avoid being killed and would choose a Luna from a different pack born. with power enough to break the curse.” He paused, the silence that followed heavy and thick. “And we believe that Luna is you, Ariana.”
I blinked, trying to process what he had just said. A Luna with the power to break a curse? It sounded insane, impossible.
“I don’t understand,” I whispered. “What does this have to do with me? I’m
not-
“You are,” Elder Gabriel interrupted gently. “Alpha Scott is the only first born of the Alpha who got away from the curse and still alice right now. We believe it is
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Chapter 8: The Curse of Legacy (Ariana’s POV)
because of you bh his side. Now that he had chosen you, you must prove your worth to our pack. The council has placed its trust in you, Ariana.”
My heart raced in my chest, and I felt a wave of dizziness wash over me. The pressure of their expectations was suffocating, a weight I wasn’t sure I could bear.
“You‘ re asking me to believe that I have some sort of power that can undo a curse that has lasted for generations?” I asked, my voice trembling.
Elder Gabriel‘ s gaze never wavered.
“Yes. We believe tha you have the strength, the wisdom, and the heart to lead. If you cannot, then the bloodline will remain cursed, and Scott’s legacy will be no more than a fleeting dream. He might even die sooner as the curse is just around the corner.”
I sat back in my chair, my mind racing. Everything felt like it was spinning out of
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Chapter 8. The Curse of Legacy (Ariana’s POV)
control.
“I don‘ t know if I can do this,” I admitted softly, more to myself than to them.
Elder Gabriel‘ s expression softened. further, and for the first time, I saw the weight of the responsibility he was entrusting me with.
“You don’t have to do it alone, Ariana,” he said quietly. “But you must choose. Will you rise to meet this legacy, or will you let it consume you?”
The sun was just beginning to rise as I stood before the council, my body tense and my mind racing. The familiar trees. surrounding the pack‘ s sacred training grounds cast long shadows over the ground. I was about to face the trials that would prove my worth as Luna. They had warned me from the beginning that these tests would not be easy. But I had no idea just how difficult they would be.
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Chapter 8 The Curso of Legacy (Ariana’s POV)
The first trial was the Trial of Strength. Elder Gabriel stood before me, his eyes gleaming with an intensity that seemed to pierce straight through my soul.
“Ariana,” he said, his deep voice carrying the weight of centuries. “This trial will test your physical strength. You must show that you have the power to lead the pack, to stand alongside Scott as his equal. Defeat me in combat, and you will pass.
I took a deep breath and squared my shoulders. I had trained hard for this moment, but there was one problem: I still couldn’t shift into my wolf form. I had tried countless times, but each time I only felt frustration and an aching emptiness deep within me. Without the strength of my wolf, I knew I was at a disadvantage, but I couldn’t let them see my doubt.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow as if sensing my hesitation. Without warning, he lunged at me, his movements swift and precise. I barely managed to dodge his first strike,
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my heart pounding in my chest. I had to stay focused. I had to win this.
For Scott. For the pack.
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