From Revenge To Luna

Chapter 7: Northern Shadows

The journey to the northern territories was grueling, marked by thick forests, rocky terrain, and an eerie silence that settled over our trio like a heavy fog. The tension between Callum and Kieran was palpable, each of them a storm barely held at bay. I was caught in the middle, trying to focus on the mission while grappling with the weight of my emotions and the ever-tightening bond pulling me toward Kieran.

The northern territories weren’t part of any formal pack’s claim. The land was wild, ruled by rogues and mercenaries who answered to no one. It was the perfect place for someone like Kieran’s mysterious informant—a shadow operating in the cracks of the supernatural world.

We stopped at the edge of a small, crumbling village, its buildings half-swallowed by vines and decay. The air smelled of damp earth and the faint tang of fear—a scent I’d come to associate with rogue territory.

“She’s somewhere in here,” Kieran said, scanning the surroundings.

“And what exactly are we looking for?” Callum asked, his tone clipped.

“A tavern,” Kieran replied. “She likes to operate out of places like that—somewhere public enough to blend in, but private enough to do business.”

I followed their exchange in silence, my eyes darting at every shadow and creak of movement. The weight of the knife strapped to my thigh was a small comfort, but I knew it wouldn’t be enough if we were ambushed.

The tavern was tucked away at the far end of the village, its wooden sign swinging on rusted chains. Inside, the air was thick with smoke and the murmur of low conversations. The clientele was as rough as I’d expected—scarred faces, wary eyes, and an undercurrent of hostility that made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“She’s in the back,” Kieran murmured, gesturing to a shadowy corner.

I spotted her immediately: a tall, striking woman with sharp features and an aura of authority that demanded attention. Her dark hair was slicked back, and her piercing green eyes swept over the room like a predator assessing her prey.

“Stay close,” Kieran warned, leading the way.

As we approached, the woman’s gaze locked onto Kieran. Her lips curved into a faint smirk, but her eyes remained cold.

“Kieran Blackthorn,” she said, her voice smooth and measured. “To what do I owe the pleasure?”

“I need information, Lyra,” Kieran replied, his tone serious. “About Mason and whoever he was working with.”

Lyra’s expression didn’t change, but I caught the slight flicker of recognition in her eyes. “Mason,” she repeated, leaning back in her chair. “He was an interesting one. Ambitious. Reckless. And very dead, if the rumors are true.”

I stepped forward, unable to keep silent. “You knew him?”

Lyra’s gaze shifted to me, her smirk widening. “Ah, the infamous Ember Calloway. I’ve heard about you.”

Her words sent a shiver down my spine, but I refused to let her see my unease. “Then you know why I’m here. Mason betrayed us, and I need to know who was pulling his strings.”

Lyra studied me for a moment before leaning forward, resting her elbows on the table. “Information like that doesn’t come cheap, darling.”

“We’re not here to barter,” Callum interjected, his voice sharp. “Just tell us what you know.”

Lyra’s eyes flicked to him, her smirk fading. “And who’s this? Your guard dog?”

Callum’s hand twitched toward his weapon, but I placed a hand on his arm, stopping him.

“Enough,” I said, my voice firm. “We’re wasting time.”

Lyra chuckled, clearly amused by the tension. “Fine,” she said. “But what I tell you stays between us. There are people who wouldn’t take kindly to me spilling their secrets.”

She leaned closer, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Mason was working with a man named Elias Thorn. He’s a rogue Alpha—one of the most dangerous ones out there. He’s been building an army, recruiting anyone and everyone willing to follow him. And he’s not just after power. He wants to rewrite the rules of our world.”

The name sent a chill through me. I’d heard whispers of Elias Thorn—a ghost story told to scare pups around campfires. But hearing his name spoken aloud made it all too real.

“What does he want with the altar?” Kieran asked, his voice tight.

Lyra’s gaze darkened. “The altar is the key to his plan. With it, he can bind wolves to his will, forcing loyalty where none exists. Imagine an army of wolves who can’t disobey, who live and die at his command.”

The room seemed to tilt, the weight of her words sinking in.

“Where is he now?” I demanded.

Lyra shook her head. “If I knew that, I wouldn’t be sitting here. But I can tell you this—he’s closer than you think. And he’s already moving his pieces into place.”

We left the tavern in silence, the gravity of Lyra’s revelation hanging over us like a storm cloud.

“Elias Thorn,” Callum muttered, his jaw clenched. “We’re dealing with a damn myth.”

“He’s no myth,” Kieran said grimly. “And if Lyra’s right, he’s more dangerous than we ever imagined.”

My mind raced with questions and fears, but one thing was clear: the fight was far from over. Elias Thorn wasn’t just a threat to me or my pack—he was a threat to everything we stood for.

And I’d be damned if I let him win.