novelraw Chapter 55: Celeste’s Redemption
Chapter 55: Celeste’s Redemption
Chapter 55: Chapter 55: Celeste’s RedemptionThe planes circled overhead like metal vultures. Their
Target location taken by friendly forces." She switched to another channel. "Strike Team Beta, abort task. Stand down and return to base." One by one, she called off the attacks on the schools and safe places. "That won’t hold them for long," she warned. "Maybe an hour before they realize the orders are fake." "An hour is enough," Derek said, already planning. "We can evacuate the children, get them to the mountain caves." "What about the humans surrounding us?" Ronan asked. "We fight our way out," Kael replied simply. "No," Elara said. "We don’t fight. We do something they won’t expect." "What?" everyone asked. "We surrender." "Elara, no," all three of her friends said at once. "Listen to me," she said earnestly. "They want the Moon Alpha. They think if they capture me, they can use my power to find every pack. But what they don’t know is that the link works both ways." "What do you mean?" Tobias asked. "If I join to their network, I can track them too. Find all their bases, their tools, their plans." "It’s too dangerous," Darian argued. "Everything we do now is dangerous," Elara responded. "But this is our best chance to save everyone." "I’ll go with you," Celeste said suddenly. Everyone stared at her. "They still think I’m working for them. I can get you inside their command center." "Why would you risk that?" Sarah asked. "Because I have eighteen years of deception to make up for. And because Emma deserved better than what they gave her." The radio crackled again: "Command, this is Colonel Martinez. We’re not getting word on the abort orders. Requesting verification." "Time’s up," Celeste said. "They’re getting suspicious." "Strike teams, disregard previous abort order," came a new voice—James Rivers. "Mission is still go. Operation Clean Sweep continues as planned." "Dad?" Celeste whispered into the radio. "Celeste, where are you? You were supposed to be at the command post." "I’m... I’m here, Dad. Everything’s going according to plan." "Good. Phase Two starts in fifteen minutes. Make sure you’re clear of the blast zone." "Blast zone?" Elara asked quietly. Celeste’s face went white. "They’re not just planning to take you. They’re going to nuke this entire area." "What?" Derek roared. "A small tactical bomb.
Enough to kill every monster in a five-mile radius. They’re calling it ’necessary collateral harm.’" The helicopters above suddenly changed formation, going farther away from the building. "They’re pulling back," Ronan noted. "Because they know what’s coming," Celeste said desperately. "We have to get everyone out. Now." "There’s no time," Tobias said grimly. "A five-mile radius? We’ll never make it." "Yes, we will," Elara said, her strength beginning to surge. "Everyone hold hands. Form a circle." "What are you doing?" Kael asked. "Something that’s never been done before," Elara responded. "Mass teleportation using moonlight." "That’s impossible," Derek argued. "A lot of impossible things have happened today," Elara pointed out. "Celeste, I need you to guide us. Where’s the best place to go?" "The old mine caves twenty miles north. My mother used to take me there when I was little." "Perfect." Elara’s eyes began to glow silver. "Everyone grab someone’s hand. Don’t let go no matter what." "What about Marcus and Thorne?" Ronan asked. "They come too," Elara said firmly. "I won’t leave anyone to die." "Even after everything they’ve done?" Darian asked. "Especially after everything they’ve done. Justice doesn’t mean leaving people to nuclear fire." As the group formed, Celeste grabbed Elara’s hand. "Luna, I need to tell you something. About the real reason they want you." "What?" "It’s not just about getting the packs. They’ve been studying Moon Alpha blood for decades. They think it can make people immortal." "That’s impossible." "Is it? Your healing power, your connection to lunar energy—they think your blood is the key to defeating death itself." The moonlight above them began to intensify, reacting to Elara’s call. "There’s something else," Celeste whispered anxiously. "My father mentioned a name. Someone who’s been funding this whole scheme. Someone who’s been hunting Moon Alphas for over a century." "Who?" "Victor Thorne. " Everyone turned to stare at the Council member they’d caught. "That’s impossible," Tobias said. "Thorne’s only forty years old." Thorne began to laugh—a cold, ancient sound that made everyone’s blood freeze. "Forty years old?" he said, his voice changing, becoming heavier and older. "Try four hundred." As they watched in horror, Thorne’s appearance started to shift. His hair turned white, his face aged, and his eyes became pools of black. "Hello, granddaughter," he said to Elara. "I’ve been looking for you for a very long time." The moonlight above them suddenly turned blood red, and Elara felt a chill that had nothing to do with the night air. "You’re not human," she whispered. "No," Thorne—or whatever he really was—replied with a smile full of old malice. "I’m something much older. Much hungry.
And I’ve been feeding on Moon Alpha blood since before your great-grandmother was born." The nuclear timer on Celeste’s tablet showed thirty seconds. "Elara," Kael said quickly. "Whatever you’re going to do, do it now." But as the silver light began to circle them, ready to transport them to safety, Thorne’s true form broke free from the silver chains that had been holding him. "You’re not going anywhere," he growled, lunging toward Elara with claws that looked like they were made of shadow. The moonlight flickered. The countdown hit zero. And somewhere in the distance, a nuclear weapon started its final approach.