Page 112 of The Blood Moon Oath

I thrust the blade downward, the steel cutting clean through his throat. Blood spills, dark and hot, soaking into the earth beneath him. His body jerks once, then stills, the life fading from his eyes.

The crowd’s roar crescendos, shaking the very ground beneath my feet. I step back, my chest heaving, and toss the bloodied blade to the ground beside him. It’s done. Rothgar is dead, and with him, his hold over this place, over us.

Kael and Torin stand a few feet away, their expressions fierce and proud. Through the bond, I feel their approval, their relief, and something deeper—a connection that binds us tighter than ever before. A warmth spreads through me, unbidden but welcome, as I turn to face them.

Torin shifts into his saber-tooth form, his massive bodyradiating power and strength. I climb onto his back, standing tall as he roars into the night. The crowd’s chants grow louder, their voices a thunderous wave that crashes over us all.

Through it all, I feel them—Kael, Torin, and Finn. Their pride, their strength, their unwavering connection to me. This is our victory. Our moment. And it’s only the beginning.

Chapter

Sixty-One

SABLE

The warmth of the fire fills Kael’s chambers, casting flickering shadows across the walls. I sit cross-legged on one of the massive cushions sprawled near the hearth, a glass of something dark and heady in my hand. My body still aches from the trials, but it’s a good ache—a reminder that we won. That we’re still standing.

Torin lounges against the arm of a low sofa, one leg hanging lazily over the edge, his ever-present grin curling his lips as he swirls his drink in hand. Finn sits near me, sharp and composed even in relaxation, rolling a silver ring between his fingers as if lost in thought. And Kael… he leans against the mantle, his eyes on me, unreadable but intense, as always.

“So,” Torin says, breaking the comfortable silence. “Kitten, how does it feel to be the most dangerous person in the keep? Besides me, of course.”

I snort, shaking my head. “I’m just trying to figure out howI survived Rothgar without you stepping in to steal all the glory.”

Torin chuckles, tipping his glass toward me. “You wound me. I gave you the stage, didn’t I? Best decision I’ve ever made.”

Kael rolls his eyes, but I catch the faintest flicker of a smile. “He’s not wrong,” he says quietly. “You earned it.”

The words settle over me, heavier than they should. I take a sip of my drink to hide the sudden lump in my throat. “Thanks,” I murmur.

Finn leans forward slightly, his piercing gaze locking onto mine. “It’s more than earning it, Sable. You’ve changed things—for all of us. For the tribe. And… for me.”

My heart skips. Finn isn’t the type to lay his emotions bare. He’s controlled, precise, guarded. But his voice carries an honesty that I can’t ignore.

“I’ve spent my life keeping people at arm’s length,” Finn continues, his tone measured but softer than usual. “I thought it was safer. Easier. But you’ve reminded me that sometimes strength comes from letting people in.” He sets his glass down, his fingers brushing mine briefly. “I want you to stay. With us.”

The words hang in the air, and I look between them, my throat tightening. “Stay,” I repeat, almost to myself. “You all want me to stay?”

Torin laughs, standing and stretching like a predator satisfied with its kill. “Of course we do, kitten. You’re ours now. Took you long enough to figure that out.”

Kael’s gaze sharpens, and he steps closer, towering over me. “It’s more than that,” he says, his voice low. “You belong here. With us. You’ve proven that.”

Emotion wells up inside me, a mix of relief, hope, and something deeper. I look down at my glass, trying to steady my hands, when Finn clears his throat, his sharp gaze softening.

“There’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you,” he says, his voice low but deliberate.

I glance up at him, my brow furrowing. “What is it?”

Finn sets his glass down, his fingers absently rolling the silver ring on his knuckles. “After you told us your story, I did some digging. Quietly. I wanted to know more about the tribe that attacked your family.”

My chest tightens. “And?”

He holds my gaze, his tone steady but grave. “It was Rothgar,” he says. “The tribe that killed your family was acting under his direction. This was long before Kael united the north, but his influence was there. They were his pawns.”

The weight of his words crashes over me, leaving me breathless. I clutch the edge of the cushion, my knuckles white. “Rothgar,” I whisper, the name tasting bitter on my tongue. “He...he ordered it?”

Finn nods solemnly. “Yes. You’ve avenged them, Sable. Your oath is fulfilled.”

The realization strikes me, raw and overwhelming. It’s over. The rage, the hatred that’s driven me for so long—it doesn’t need to consume me anymore. “It’s over,” I whisper, the words trembling as they leave my lips. “I’ve done it.”

---