Chapter 35: Pain and Progress

Luna's POV

The flickering candlelight cast long shadows across the library as I slammed yet another useless tome shut. Frustration burned through me, hot and bitter. We'd been at this for weeks, and still, we were no closer to breaking Ash's curse.

"Dammit!" I growled, shoving the book away. "There has to be something we're missing!"

Rowan looked up from her own research, her eyes filled with sympathy. "Luna, we'll find a way. We just need to keep looking."

I shook my head, feeling the weight of failure pressing down on me. "But for how long, Rowan? Every day that passes is another day Ash suffers. Another day we can't..."

My voice broke, the pain of our forced separation overwhelming me. Rowan was at my side in an instant, her arms wrapping around me in a comforting embrace.

"I know it hurts," she murmured. "But you can't give up. Ash needs you to be strong."

Her words, though meant to comfort, only fueled my determination. I straightened, wiping away the tears I hadn't realized I'd shed.

"You're right," I said, reaching for another book. "We keep looking. No matter how long it takes."

As we dove back into our research, a commotion outside caught our attention. Raised voices and the sound of running feet had us exchanging worried glances before rushing to investigate.

We found Ash in the war room, his face grim as he pored over a map with his top advisors. The tension in the air was palpable.

"What's happened?" I asked, moving to Ash's side instinctively.

He looked up, his eyes meeting mine with an intensity that made my breath catch. "Pack A has made their move. They've taken a small village on our eastern border."

The news hit me like a physical blow. "Casualties?"

Ash's jaw clenched. "Unknown. We need to act fast."

Without hesitation, I stepped closer, my eyes scanning the map. "What's the plan?"

For a moment, Ash seemed to forget about the curse, his hand reaching for mine before he caught himself. The aborted gesture sent a pang through my heart.

"We need to split our forces," he said, his voice rough. "Hit them from multiple angles. Luna, I want you leading the southern assault. Your powers could give us the edge we need."

Pride and determination swelled within me. "I won't let you down."

As we finalized our battle plans, I couldn't help but marvel at how in sync Ash and I were. We anticipated each other's thoughts, building on each other's ideas seamlessly. It was exhilarating and heartbreaking all at once, knowing what we could be if not for the curse.

Hours later, as the pack prepared for battle, Ash pulled me aside. His eyes were troubled, conflict clear in their stormy depths.

"Luna," he began, his voice low. "I need you to promise me something."

I nodded, my heart racing at his proximity. "Anything."

"If things go wrong out there... if it comes down to a choice between saving me or saving yourself... choose yourself. Promise me."

Shock and anger flooded through me. "Ash, no. I can't-"

"Promise me," he insisted, his voice rough with emotion. "I can't bear the thought of you risking your life for me. Not when I can't... when we can't..."

Understanding dawned. This was about the curse, about his fear of getting close only to lose everything.

"Ash," I said softly, pouring all my love and determination into my words. "I can't promise that. Because a world without you isn't one I want to live in. Curse or no curse, you're my mate. My future. I will always choose you."

For a moment, I saw his resolve waver. He swayed towards me, his hand coming up as if to cup my cheek. But then pain flashed across his features, and he stumbled back.

"Luna," he gasped, his breathing labored. "I can't... it hurts..."

My heart shattered at the agony in his voice. I wanted nothing more than to go to him, to hold him and soothe away his pain. But I knew my touch would only make it worse.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, tears pricking at my eyes. "I'm so sorry, Ash."

He shook his head, straightening with visible effort. "Don't be. It's not your fault."

We stood there for a moment, the air between us charged with unspoken emotions. Then Ash took a deep breath, his Alpha mask sliding back into place.

"We should join the others," he said, his voice steady once more. "It's almost time."

As we walked side by side towards the gathering pack, I made a silent vow. We would survive this battle. We would break this curse. And then, finally, Ash and I would have our chance at happiness.

The sounds of battle filled the air as we clashed with Pack A's forces. I led my team with a ferocity that surprised even me, my newfound powers surging through me like lightning.

But even as I fought, my mind was on Ash. I could feel him through our bond, sense his determination and his pain. It fueled me, pushing me to fight harder, to end this quickly so we could focus on breaking the curse.

As the tide of battle turned in our favor, I caught sight of Ash across the field. He was magnificent, power radiating off him in waves as he faced down Pack A's Alpha.

Our eyes met for a brief moment, and I felt a surge of emotion so strong it nearly brought me to my knees. Love, longing, determination - all of it flowing between us through the mate bond.

In that instant, I knew. No matter what it took, no matter how long it took, we would find a way to break this curse. Because what Ash and I had was too powerful, too right to be denied.

As the last of Pack A's forces retreated, I made my way to Ash's side. He was breathing heavily, his eyes wild with the lingering adrenaline of battle. When he saw me, relief flooded his features.

"Luna," he breathed, reaching for me instinctively before catching himself.

The aborted gesture sent a fresh wave of pain through me. But I pushed it aside, focusing on the victory we'd just achieved.

"We did it," I said, smiling despite the ache in my heart. "We won."

Ash nodded, his eyes never leaving mine. "We make a good team."

The double meaning in his words wasn't lost on me. We were more than just a good team on the battlefield. We were mates, two halves of a whole, destined to be together.

As we stood there, surrounded by the aftermath of battle but lost in our own world, I felt a renewed sense of hope. We'd faced Pack A and emerged victorious. Surely, with that same determination and teamwork, we could conquer the curse as well.

The road ahead might be long and fraught with challenges, but I was ready to face them all. With Ash by my side, even if not in the way we both longed for, I felt invincible.

The curse's days were numbered. And when it finally broke, Ash and I would be ready to seize our happily ever after with both hands.