165 — Moonlight Between Wars
BACK TO PRESENT ---->
Shadowline City had finally slowed.
After a full day of mocking threats, teasing prophecies, endless paperwork, and Mia's very personal mission of emotionally torturing Shadowline into becoming "Uncle Elli", the hours slipped away faster than anyone noticed.
Night arrived quietly.
The city lights glowed beneath the dark sky, soft and steady—unaware of how close the world stood to another hunt.
Inside the mansion, the atmosphere was… oddly domestic.
Sister Florence sat curled on the couch, a shawl around her shoulders. Mia was sprawled beside her, upside-down, feet kicking the air as she stared at the floating screen in front of them.
Alpha and Paradus hovered nearby, one leaning against the wall, the other sitting cross-legged on the floor.
On the screen—
Leo.
Still in Hollowmist.
Still looking far too relaxed for someone babysitting half a cursed city.
"Why do you look smug?" Alpha asked flatly.
Leo grinned. "Because nothing exploded today."
Paradus frowned. "That is suspicious."
Mia leaned close to the screen, squinting hard.
"Leo uncle… you miss me?"
Leo's smile instantly softened. "Obviously."
She gasped dramatically. "Then come here!"
"I can't," Leo said gently. "I'm guarding Hollowmist."
Mia huffed. "Bad excuse."
Alpha snorted. Paradus actually laughed.
Florence smiled, warm and tired. "How are things there?"
"Stable," Leo replied. "Too stable. Which means something is definitely plotting."
Paradus nodded solemnly. "Of course it is."
Mia suddenly brightened. "Did bad monster cry today?"
Leo blinked. "…No?"
She clapped. "Good day!"
Everyone burst out laughing.
From the other side of the room, Amara sat on an armchair, one leg casually draped over the armrest, thumbs moving rapidly over her phone.
Her lips curved into a dangerous little smile.
Amara: Still alive, Beast King?
Vincent: Barely. Thinking about you is hazardous to my health.
Amara: Good. I like my men suffering.
Vincent: Cruel woman. Come home.
Amara: After the hunt.
Vincent: Then I'll survive. Reluctantly.
She locked her phone, satisfied.
Paradus glanced at her. "You look… violent."
Amara smirked. "Romantically."
Alpha shook his head. "I regret having eyes."
Laughter returned again—lighter this time, easier.
And somewhere beyond the walls—
Marcelline sat alone in the garden.
Moonlight spilled across the stone path, silver and calm. The air smelled of night-blooming flowers and damp earth. She sat beneath her favorite tree, knees drawn up slightly, head tilted back as she stared at the moon.
She always did this.
Since childhood.
The moon never asked questions.
Never demanded explanations.
Never feared her.
Its quiet presence soothed the edges of her mind—washed away the weight of councils, prophecies, and blood-stained memories. Under moonlight, her breathing slowed. The tension eased. The world felt… bearable.
Marcelline closed her eyes.
For a moment, she was not a weapon.
Not a balance.
Not a huntress.
Just a girl sitting beneath the sky.
The silver glow reflected faintly in her eyes as she whispered softly, to no one at all—
"wait a minute ..!!!"
The wind stirred.
Somewhere far away, fate shifted again.
And the hunt drew closer.....
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Author's Note:
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this chapter 🤍 I truly hope you're enjoying the story so far and connecting with the journey. Your comments, votes, and support mean more to me than you can imagine—they genuinely motivate me to keep going. Don't forget to share your thoughts below, and stay tuned for more upcoming chapters.
Happy reading! ✨📖