Sienna - The Alphas Hidden Luna

chapter 9 into the darkness

The forest seemed different at night.

Sienna had walked through these woods countless times, but never like this.

Every tree seemed taller.

Every shadow seemed to move.

And every sound seemed impossibly loud.

She walked beside Jackson, their hands still linked.

She wasn't sure when they'd started holding hands.

She wasn't sure she wanted to let go.

Behind them, Sophie walked with Michael and Kirsty. Ronan led the way several metres ahead, moving through the darkness as though he'd memorised every tree.

Sienna glanced at Jackson.

"How far?"

"Not far."

"You've said that three times."

A small smile appeared on his face.

"You've complained four times."

"I have not."

"You have."

She smiled despite herself.

For a few seconds, everything felt normal.

Then Jackson stopped.

Sienna nearly walked into him.

"What?"

He lifted a finger to his lips.

Listen.

Sienna closed her eyes.

At first, she heard nothing.

Then—

A branch snapping.

Her eyes opened.

"Someone's following us."

Jackson looked at her.

"You heard that?"

Sienna nodded.

"Behind us. About fifty metres."

Jackson's expression changed.

"Stay with Sophie."

"No."

"Sienna."

"I'm coming with you."

His jaw tightened.

"You don't know what you're capable of yet."

"Neither do you."

Jackson almost smiled.

"Stubborn."

"You'll get used to it."

He stepped closer.

"That's what I'm afraid of."

Their eyes met.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then a howl shattered the silence.

Ronan turned.

"Run."

Everyone froze.

"Now!"

They sprinted.

Sienna had never run so fast in her life.

The forest blurred around her.

Branches flew past.

Her lungs didn't burn.

Her legs didn't ache.

She could hear Jackson running beside her.

But then she realised something.

She was faster than him.

Much faster.

"Sienna!" Jackson shouted.

She stopped.

Everyone else caught up.

Jackson stared at her.

"You've been holding back."

"I didn't know."

Ronan looked at her with something close to fear.

"She's fully awakening."

A growl sounded behind them.

Ronan's face hardened.

"They're here."

Six wolves burst through the trees.

Jackson pushed Sienna behind him.

"Stay back."

The wolves charged.

Jackson shifted.

His black wolf slammed into the first attacker.

Michael shifted beside him.

Then another wolf joined the fight.

Sophie screamed.

"Mam!"

Kirsty pulled Sophie behind a tree.

Sienna watched the battle.

She wanted to help.

But she didn't know how.

Then she saw Jackson.

A wolf had him pinned to the ground.

The attacking wolf raised its jaws.

Something inside Sienna snapped.

"GET OFF HIM!"

Her voice thundered through the forest.

The wolves stopped.

Every single one turned towards her.

Sienna felt something surge through her body.

Her eyes burned gold.

The air around her seemed to vibrate.

She pointed at the wolf attacking Jackson.

"Leave him."

The wolf immediately backed away.

Jackson rose slowly.

He looked at Sienna.

His eyes were wide.

"You just commanded it."

Sienna stared at her hands.

"I didn't even think."

Ronan stepped towards her.

"That's the Blood Luna."

Sienna turned towards him.

"What else can I do?"

Ronan's expression became grim.

"That's what I'm afraid to show you."

Before Sienna could respond, a woman's voice echoed through the forest.

"Ronan."

Everyone froze.

Sienna knew that voice.

She had heard it once before.

In her vision.

Her grandmother had spoken about her.

Sienna's heart pounded.

"Who is that?"

Ronan slowly looked towards the trees.

A woman stepped into the moonlight.

Dark hair.

Golden eyes.

And a familiar silver necklace around her throat.

Sienna stopped breathing.

"Mum?"

The woman smiled.

"Hello, sweetheart."

Sienna ran.

She threw her arms around the woman.

For a moment, everything disappeared.

There was no Alpha.

No packs.

No prophecy.

No danger.

Just her mum.

Sienna pulled back, tears streaming down her face.

"I thought you were dead."

Isabella touched her cheek.

"I know."

"Why did you leave me?"

Isabella looked at Kirsty.

Then Michael.

"I didn't leave you."

Sienna frowned.

"Then why?"

Isabella's expression changed.

Fear appeared in her eyes.

"Because if I'd stayed..."

She looked towards Jackson.

"...they would have found you."

Jackson stepped forward.

"Who?"

Isabella's eyes filled with tears.

"The one who started all of this."

Ronan went pale.

"Isabella..."

She shook her head.

"It's time."

Sienna stared at her.

"Time for what?"

Isabella looked directly into her daughter's golden eyes.

"Time for you to meet your grandfather."

Sienna's blood ran cold.

"He's alive?"

Isabella nodded.

And then she whispered:

"Your grandfather is the King of the Wolves."