Quickened footsteps echoed in the hallway, turning corners before stopping at a door. With a knock, the handle turned.
"You sent for me, Luna?" Varek, Gamma of the Frostmoor pack, said, closing the door behind him.
"I did. Come in."
"What have you gathered so far?" she asked, her voice filled with visible anticipation.
"She's undergoing training. That was the last information I got."
"I see," she replied, rising to pace around the room. "And is everything progressing as expected?"
"Yes," he said. "For now."
"Good. Keep me updated," she said, her voice cold. "And make sure today's training is carried out as planned."
"Of course," he answered.
"That will be all for now."
With a quick bow, he left the room.
I should have known she was growing fast, she muttered, clutching her desk for support. The time draws near. Too near.
— ✦ — ✦ — ✦ —
Sitting, she remembered how she had gotten here a few years ago. She had always known she was of royal blood.
Many years ago, in the pack's hall, Alpha Gaius stood tall and proud, proclaiming with disgust, "Here's another man—a traitor!" He pointed at the figure dragged across the floor.
She shook… not with fear, but with a load of anger. "Things are getting out of hand," she muttered angrily under her breath.
Above the whispers, he continued, "He is to be executed immediately."
"You'll do no such thing," she said, her voice steady but firm.
He spun around as if slapped. "What did you say?" he questioned, visibly daring her to repeat those words.
"I said, you'll do no such thing."
He winced, as if in pain, taken aback by her boldness and arrogance in front of the whole pack.
"You won't tell me what to do," he spat out. "I made you Luna… me and you—dare not speak to me that way. You belong by my side."
"No, I don't," she said firmly. "I am for the pack, to ensure justice."
And with that, she tore off the necklace with the pack's symbol from her neck. "I don't belong by your side. I can't do this anymore," she said, walking away.
"Elene! Get back here this moment!" he shouted.
"No, I won't, and I will never remain here," she retorted angrily.
"You are going against the pack's tradition… getting bloodthirsty."
"I am your Alpha, and you'll listen to me."
Head held high, she walked through the crowd. "If anyone is tired of this treatment, you're free to join me. Otherwise, the consequences will be left to you."
Before leaving, she glanced back at him. "This has to end. You lost me the moment you lost your soul to rage."
— ✦ — ✦ — ✦ —
"Ahh, I can't sleep", Aria said for the hundredth time, tossing and turning in bed.
"Probably because I'm about to go to the council," she said, exhaling nervously. "I need air… and probably some tea."
Getting out of bed, she went downstairs into the kitchen. The door creaked noisily.
"Shhh," she muttered, as if communicating with it. "Cups… where are they?" Her eyes darted around.
Heading to the table at the center, she found some. Picking it up, she noticed a figure in the shadows.
Sizing up the figure, she whispered, "Kassandra?"
"I see you've finally noticed me after all your pacing," Kassandra said dryly.
"Why are you up at this time?" Aria asked.
Cocking her brows, Kassandra replied, "I should be asking you that."
"Right..." Aria continued. "I couldn't sleep, so I came to get some tea for comfort."
"Well, same here," Kassandra said, walking into the light.
Aria took in her appearance—no tailored uniform, no sleek hair… just a messy bun and matching PJs. She looked peaceful, but there was still that glint in her eyes.
"Shut that look off your face," Kassandra said, laughing. "Not everyone is bad… at least not every time," she added with a glance and… was that a smirk? Then she closed the door.
"Wouldn't have thought of ever having a proper conversation with her," Aria muttered.
"Time to go back to bed," she said, yawning. Glancing at the clock, it was 2:45.
Rinsing the cup, she placed it back on the table and headed for the door back to bed.
— ✦ — ✦ — ✦ —
A knock on the door sent her into a frenzy.
"7:30 AM," she muttered. "About four hours of sleep," she said, rubbing her eyes.
She walked groggily to the door.
"Good day, my lady," said a voice with a bow.
"Morning, Lucien," she said, still half asleep.
Taken aback, he looked questioningly at her.
"Oh, I have my ways," she said, feeling proud of herself.
"I was told to wake you up."
"Let me guess… by Ronan?" she said, her shoulders sagging.
"Yes, the Alpha."
"Breakfast by 8? Up here?" she harmonized with him.
"Yes," she replied, nodding.
"I was also told to remind you about your meeting with the council," he added.
"Haven't slept a wink because of that," she murmured.
"And by 10," he continued.
"That'll be all for now," he said, bowing.
"Thank you, Lucien," she replied, then he left.
---
With a sigh, she walked to the window and stared out.
"Time to walk the balcony," she said, opening the windows. A gust of wind swept by.
The view was magnificent, with no obstacles before it. Sighing, she sat, allowing the air to sweep over her.
As if synced with the breeze, memories filled her mind. She had never known her mother. She had been in foster care but had always been treated differently… special? For reasons she couldn't quite grasp.
Different faces… kindergarten, elementary. Then came high school, where she met Theo. A wave of nostalgia filled her, bringing tears.
A knock on the door had her on her feet.
8:00 already? she thought, wiping the tears away.
Walking in, she closed the windows.
"Coming!" she shouted after the next knock.
"Thanks," she said, getting the food from the maid.
After eating the pancakes—what seemed like forever—she headed to the bathroom.
"10 minutes," she said, feeling proud.
"What to wear now?" she thought, raiding the wardrobe. "Something formal…" She picked clothes, one after another. "Nothing," she muttered after a two-minute frantic search.
The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway, growing closer. It stopped with a knock at her door.
Quickly pulling on a dress, she headed to the door. A manservant handed over a package.
"From the Alpha," he said, bowing, then took his leave.
Closing the door, she picked up the letter.
I thought you might have trouble finding something to wear. Make do with this. —Ronan.
Smiling, she opened the box. Inside was a long velvet dress the color of emerald, tailored with intricate embroidery, along with an elegant cape, a signet ring, and heeled boots.
She arranged her hair. This is so pretty, she said, grinning as she put on the dress. Amazing how he knows my size.
She glanced at the clock: 9:20.
"About time I left," she said, heading toward the door.
Closing it behind her, she took the card and walked downstairs. He stood at the foot of the staircase, talking to the butler. Tall, jet-black hair, and a proportioned face that was wickedly handsome.
He turned. His eyes never left hers.
"I feel like shrinking," she thought inwardly.
"You look stunning," he said as she got closer.
"Thanks," she said, all but blushing. "Thank you for the dress and jewelry."
"Let's head out," he said, smiling.
— ✦ — ✦ — ✦ —
After a 20-minute drive filled with tension, she spotted a building at the top of a hill.
"Is that it?" she asked, visibly nervous.
"Yes, take deep breaths. You'll be fine. I got you."
Driving past the gates, she saw the grand stone building. Its ancient stone walls were intertwined with vines and runes, towering spires reaching for the sky. The landscape surrounding it was wild and untamed: dense forests stretched to the north, dark and mysterious, while snow-capped mountains rose to the east, their peaks sharp against the horizon. Rolling meadows dotted with wildflowers sprawled to the west, offering a peaceful contrast to the rugged terrain. The building's shadow stretched over the land, a symbol of power and secrecy. The quiet whispers of the ancient forest and distant peaks filled the air. Guards surrounded the area—some humans, others werewolves, she thought—alongside mystical creatures.
"We're here," he said, stopping.
Getting out, he turned around and opened the door for her.
Holding her hand, he helped her out.
"How gallant," she thought, laughing aloud.
"Is something wrong?" he asked.
"Not at all," she said, smiling. "Let's go then."
He walked with her beside him.
---
Passing grand hallways, they turned corners until he stopped in front of a tall door.
"Ready?" he asked.
"I guess so," she said, exhaling.
He swung open the door.
Immediately, heads turned toward the door, and silent tension filled the air. Then came whispers.
Is this her... she's quite young.
"Silence, please," came a voice from the dais.
"Take a seat," he said. "The council has called for your presence due to rumors of a growing threat from the Bloodfang pack—linked to the wolf you killed. With your connection to both the royal family and the future of our pack, your insight could prove crucial in navigating this situation. There are also concerns about your emerging powers, and it's time to address them before they are fully realized."
Royal family, she thought, still in shock. She looked questioningly at him and realized she had been in the dark all along.
His face said it all—no need for questions.
The air was thick with tension, as palpable as a fog. The council's gaze pierced through her, eyes sharp with hostility, as if waiting for a speech. But there was no speech. Instead, an unspoken weight hung between them, a quiet challenge, as if her very presence here had the power to shift everything.
Her throat felt tight, as though the room itself was suffocating her.
One thought clung to the back of her mind like claws:
What if I can't control this?
Her powers... they were growing faster than she could understand. Each time they flared up, it felt like they were escaping her grasp. If she lost control, who would suffer? Would she harm the very people she was trying to protect?
The council didn't trust her. They saw her as a potential danger. A force that, if left unchecked, could tear apart the pack's fragile peace.
"What's really going on?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, her throat heavy with unsaid words.
The room seemed to close in on her as her pulse quickened.
What if she was the one standing in the way of peace? What if she couldn't stop the Bloodfang pack—or worse, what if they saw her as a threat before she even had a chance to prove herself?