THE MOONLIT PACK

CHAPTER 4: A DANGEROUS ATTRACTION

THE MOONLIT PACK

A Dark Paranormal Romance Novel by Ambrosia Naidoo

CHAPTER FOUR: A DANGEROUS ATTRACTION

I barely slept after the stranger disappeared. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the silver light spilling beneath the infirmary door, the dark figure standing in the doorway, and the strange words that still echoed inside my head. The daughters of the moon have awakened. I had no idea what that meant, and I was beginning to hate how often people spoke about my life as though I were the last person entitled to understand it. By sunrise, I had decided on three things. First, I would discover what the moonstone was. Second, I would find out what had happened to my biological parents. Third, I would stop allowing Xavier Blackwood to distract me with his infuriating eyes and his equally infuriating habit of appearing whenever I was thinking about him. Unfortunately, the third decision proved difficult when I opened my bedroom door and found him standing in the corridor. He wore a dark shirt, his sleeves rolled to his elbows, and his hair looked as though he had run his fingers through it several times. His grey-blue eyes moved over my face, studying me with a seriousness that made me immediately suspicious. “Good morning,” he said. I leaned against the doorframe. “Are you lost?” “No.” “Then why are you standing outside my bedroom?” “I wanted to check that you were all right.” I blinked. “You could have knocked.” “I was about to.” “Were you planning to stare at the door until it opened?” His mouth twitched. “I was considering it.” “That’s concerning.” “I’ve been told.” I tried not to smile, which only seemed to encourage him. For a moment, we stood in awkward silence, and I became painfully aware of how close he was. The strange bond between us stirred beneath my skin, a quiet warmth that made my heart beat faster. I stepped away from the doorway, annoyed with myself for noticing. “Well, I’m alive,” I said. “You can return to whatever important Alpha business requires you to look unnecessarily dramatic.” Xavier's expression softened. “The council is meeting in an hour. Mara is resting, and Jeremiah has arranged additional patrols around the estate.” “And the stranger?” “Gone.” “Convenient.” “We found no trace of them beyond the corridor.” “So someone broke into your supposedly secure mansion, announced that I was some kind of moon daughter, and disappeared without leaving a single clue?” “When you put it that way, it sounds rather embarrassing.” I stared at him. “You can make jokes?” “Occasionally.” “I thought your entire personality was built around giving orders and looking annoyed.” “There are other layers.” “I’ll believe that when I see them.” His gaze lingered on mine, and something changed in his expression. “You might.” Before I could think of an answer, Shayna appeared behind me, wearing a loose sweatshirt and carrying a hairbrush. She looked at Xavier, then at me, and immediately narrowed her eyes. “Am I interrupting something?” “No,” I replied too quickly. Xavier glanced toward the ceiling as though silently asking for patience. Shayna's smile grew wicked. “Interesting. I didn't even say what I thought you might be doing.” “Finish that sentence and I'll throw your hairbrush out the window.” “You wouldn't dare. It cost me money.” Xavier laughed quietly. I turned toward him in disbelief. “Don't encourage her.” “I'm beginning to understand why you two were raised together.” Shayna pointed the brush at him. “Careful, Alpha. Flattery won't save you if you upset my sister.” His expression grew serious at the word sister. “I wouldn't want to upset either of you.” For a brief moment, the teasing faded, leaving something sincere behind. Then Edward appeared at the end of the corridor, looking considerably less cheerful than his brother. “The council is waiting,” he announced. His eyes moved to Shayna. “You should come downstairs.” Shayna folded her arms. “Good morning to you too, sunshine.” “It's morning.” “Brilliant observation.” Edward sighed. “Do you ever stop talking?” “Do you ever start being pleasant?” “Not before breakfast.” “Then I suggest you eat quickly. You have a lot of catching up to do.” Xavier shook his head, looking amused. “Come on. Both of you.” We followed the brothers downstairs, where Jake was waiting beside the dining-room doors with a plate of toast in one hand and an apple in the other. “Look who survived another night in the mysterious wolf mansion,” he announced. “I was taking bets.” “You were taking bets on whether we'd survive?” I asked. “No, on how many times Xavier would glare at someone before breakfast.” Jake glanced at his friend. “I'm currently winning.” “You are going to lose that apple,” Xavier warned. Jake immediately tucked it behind his back. “Violence against innocent fruit. Very Alpha of you.” I laughed before I could stop myself. Xavier looked at me, and the expression on his face made my laughter falter. There was something almost startled in his eyes, as though my happiness mattered more to him than he had expected. I looked away first. Breakfast was served in a long dining room with enormous windows overlooking the gardens. Sunlight spilled across the wooden table, illuminating bowls of fresh fruit, warm bread, eggs, and steaming mugs of tea. For the first time since arriving at the estate, the atmosphere felt almost ordinary. Shayna immediately began arguing with Edward about whether pineapple belonged on pizza, despite the fact that neither of them had mentioned pizza before sitting down. Jake joined the argument simply to make it worse. I was halfway through my breakfast when Xavier placed a folded piece of paper beside my plate. “What's this?” I asked. “A map of the old ruins.” My attention sharpened immediately. “You made a map?” “Jeremiah found one in the archives. I've marked the areas that have been searched and the places we still need to investigate.” I unfolded it carefully. The map showed the Moonlit Woods, the eastern boundary, the ruined settlement, and a circular structure marked with a small crescent moon. Beneath it were two words written in faded ink: MOONSTONE CHAMBER. My pulse quickened. “This is where we need to go.” “Possibly,” Xavier said. “But we don't know what we'll find there.” “Then we'll find out.” “Lisa, the ruins are unstable, and someone has already been searching the area.” “Which is exactly why we shouldn't waste time.” He studied me for a moment. “I was hoping you'd say that.” I blinked. “You were?” “I know you won't stay behind simply because I ask you to. I'd rather have you involved in a plan than have you sneak out alone.” “That sounds suspiciously reasonable.” “Don't get used to it.” I smiled despite myself. “There he is. I was worried the sensible version of you had taken over.” Xavier laughed, and the sound was warmer than I expected. For a moment, I forgot about the prophecy and the stranger, the old ruins and the danger that seemed to follow us everywhere. I saw only a young man trying to balance his responsibilities with a situation he could not control. Then he reached for his mug, and our fingers brushed. A sudden warmth surged through me. The room seemed to fade around the edges, and for one impossible second, I heard a heartbeat that was not mine. I saw a moonlit clearing, silver leaves moving in a gentle breeze, and two wolves standing beneath a bright full moon. One was black with golden eyes. The other was silver, its fur shimmering as though it had been woven from starlight. The black wolf approached the silver one, lowering its head in a gesture that felt strangely familiar. Then the vision vanished. I jerked my hand away. Xavier immediately straightened. “Lisa?” I pressed my palm against the table. “Did you see that?” His face had gone pale. “Tell me what you saw.” “Two wolves. One black, one silver. They were standing beneath the moon.” He exchanged a quick glance with Edward. “What?” I demanded. “What does it mean?” Edward looked toward his brother. “The silver wolf is part of the old Moonveil legend.” Xavier's jaw tightened. “Edward.” “She deserves to know,” Edward replied. “Not every detail,” Xavier said quietly. I pushed my chair back. “I am sitting right here.” Both brothers fell silent. “If the two of you have another private conversation about my life while I'm in the room, I swear I'll start throwing things.” Jake slowly moved his plate out of my reach. “For the record, I support transparency and would like to keep the dishes intact.” Xavier looked at me, then took a breath. “The Moonveil bloodline was believed to possess a rare connection to the first wolves. Some old stories describe a silver wolf that appears when the bloodline awakens.” “And you think I'm connected to it?” “I think the vision you experienced may be connected to your heritage.” I looked down at my hand. The warmth had faded, but I could still feel a faint pulse beneath my skin. “How do I make it stop?” “We don't know yet,” he admitted. “But we can ask Mara when she's feeling stronger.” I nodded reluctantly. It wasn't enough, but at least it was an answer that didn't pretend to be more certain than it was. After breakfast, Xavier took us to the training grounds. The area was surrounded by tall trees, with wooden platforms, practice dummies, and several marked paths leading into the forest. Pack members were training in small groups, their movements swift and controlled. Some practised hand-to-hand techniques, while others ran along a narrow track between the trees. When we arrived, several people stopped to look at us. I could practically feel their curiosity. “Do they always stare at newcomers?” I whispered. “Only when the newcomers arrive with an ancient prophecy attached to them,” Xavier replied. “Wonderful. I'm glad to know we're making a normal first impression.” He led us toward a shaded area beside the training grounds, where Jeremiah had arranged a table with maps and several old books. “We're going to review the route to the ruins,” Xavier explained. “The main path is too exposed, so we'll approach from the northern ridge.” I studied the map. “How long will it take to get there?” “About forty minutes on foot.” “And what happens if we encounter the people searching for us?” “We retreat and regroup.” “Just like that?” “Just like that.” I looked at him suspiciously. “You're not going to insist that I hide behind you while you fight everyone, are you?” “No.” He paused. “Although I might ask you to stay close enough that I can make sure you're safe.” “That's acceptable.” His expression softened, and for a second, the bond between us seemed to hum quietly beneath the surface. Across the grounds, Shayna was watching Edward demonstrate a defensive movement. She had her arms folded and an expression of exaggerated boredom, although I noticed that she was paying close attention. “You're doing that wrong,” she announced. Edward stopped. “I'm sorry?” “Your footwork. You're leaving your left side exposed.” He stared at her. “You've never trained with wolves.” “I don't need to be a wolf to notice that you're standing like a badly assembled chair.” Jake doubled over laughing. Edward looked as though he was reconsidering every decision that had led him to this moment. “Would you like to demonstrate?” he asked. Shayna smiled sweetly. “Gladly.” To my astonishment, she stepped onto the training mat and copied his movement almost perfectly. She had no formal training that I knew of, yet her balance was remarkable. Edward's expression changed from annoyance to surprise. “Where did you learn that?” Shayna shrugged. “I don't know. It just felt natural.” She tried the movement again, this time faster. Her foot slipped slightly, and Edward reached out to steady her by the elbow. For one brief moment, they stood close together, both looking startled. Then Shayna stepped back. “Thank you,” she said, suddenly quieter. Edward released her immediately. “You're welcome.” Jake glanced at me, eyebrows raised, and silently mouthed, Interesting. I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. Shayna noticed us watching and pointed a warning finger in our direction. I turned away, pretending to study the map. Xavier leaned closer. “Your friend may have inherited more than she realises.” “You mean the mysterious wolf abilities?” “Possibly. Sometimes instinct appears before a person understands its source.” I looked across the grounds at Shayna. She was arguing with Edward again, but her expression had changed. Beneath the teasing, she looked unsettled. I knew that feeling. Our lives were changing so quickly that we barely had time to understand one discovery before another arrived. “What if we don't like what we discover?” I asked quietly. Xavier followed my gaze toward the forest. “Then you still get to decide what you do with it.” I turned back to him. “You make that sound easy.” “It isn't.” His voice became softer. “But you don't have to become someone else just because you learn something new about yourself.” I studied his face. “Is that what happened to you?” He was silent for several seconds. Then he nodded. “When my father died, I became Alpha before I felt ready. Everyone expected me to be strong, decisive, and certain. I thought that if I showed any doubt, the pack would fall apart.” “And did it?” “No.” He gave a small, rueful smile. “But I nearly did.” The honesty in his voice caught me off guard. Until that moment, I had thought of Xavier as a man who had never questioned his place in the world. Now I wondered how much loneliness lay beneath his confidence. “You don't always have to be in control,” I said. “Sometimes you can let other people help you.” He looked at me for a long moment. “I might have to learn that.” “You definitely do.” “I was hoping for a gentler lesson.” “You met me. Gentle was never guaranteed.” His laugh was quiet, and I felt the familiar warmth rise in my chest. This time, I didn't pull away from it. I simply acknowledged it, the way I might acknowledge the warmth of sunlight or the sound of rain. Whatever the bond was, I wasn't ready to let it make decisions for me. But I was beginning to understand that ignoring it completely might be just as difficult. By late afternoon, the pack had finished preparing for our journey to the ruins. Jeremiah had arranged for two experienced guards to accompany us, and Edward had gathered several supplies, including lanterns, rope, and a first-aid kit. Shayna insisted on carrying her own bag, even after Edward offered to help. “I can manage,” she told him. “I didn't say you couldn't.” “You were thinking it.” “I was thinking that the bag looks heavy.” “And I was thinking that you talk too much.” “Then we're both having a difficult afternoon.” I shook my head. “You two are exhausting.” “Thank you,” Shayna replied. “We work hard at it.” Just before sunset, Mara sent word that she wanted to speak with us again. We returned to the infirmary, where she looked stronger than she had the previous night. Her eyes brightened when she saw us, although worry remained etched across her face. “I remember something,” she said. “Something your mother told me shortly before you were hidden away.” I sat beside her bed. “What was it?” Mara reached for a small cloth bag resting on the bedside table. Inside lay a silver key, its handle shaped like a crescent moon. “Your mother gave me this and told me to keep it safe until the girls were old enough to seek the truth.” I stared at the key. “Does it open the moonstone chamber?” “I believe so. Your mother said the chamber contained records about the first wolves and the origin of your bloodlines. She believed those records would explain why certain people were determined to find you.” Xavier took the key carefully, examining the markings along its handle. “I've never seen this design before.” “Because it was made before the Moonlit Pack existed in its current form,” Mara replied. “The chamber predates the estate, the council, and many of the laws we follow today.” Edward leaned forward. “Why didn't you bring the key to the pack sooner?” Mara lowered her gaze. “Because I didn't know whom I could trust. After your parents disappeared, I discovered that someone within the pack had been passing information to the Blackthorns. I couldn't risk the key falling into the wrong hands.” Jeremiah's expression became grim. “Do you know who betrayed them?” “No,” Mara said. “But I believe the betrayal began long before your parents vanished.” A heavy silence settled over the room. Xavier closed his hand around the key. “Then tomorrow we go to the ruins. We'll find the chamber, recover the records, and learn what happened.” I looked at him. “Together?” “Together,” he promised. For once, I believed he meant it. Later that evening, I found myself standing on the mansion's balcony, watching the moon rise above the forest. The sky was painted in deep shades of blue and violet, and a cool breeze stirred the trees below. I had needed a moment alone to think about everything that had happened: the prophecy, the silver wolf, the key, and the mysterious stranger who had appeared in the infirmary. Most of all, I needed to think about Xavier. I heard footsteps behind me and turned to find him standing near the balcony doors. “Am I interrupting?” he asked. “That depends. Have you come to issue another order?” “No.” He remained near the doorway rather than approaching me. “I came to see whether you were all right.” I leaned against the railing. “You ask that a lot.” “You keep experiencing strange supernatural visions. I thought it was a reasonable question.” “Fair enough.” For a while, neither of us spoke. The quiet was unexpectedly comfortable. I could hear the distant sounds of the pack settling down for the night, the rustle of leaves, and the faint call of an owl somewhere in the trees. “Xavier?” I said eventually. “Yes?” “What does the bond feel like to you?” He looked surprised by the question. Then he rested his hands on the railing, leaving a respectful distance between us. “Like recognising a song I've never heard before,” he said. “Something unfamiliar that somehow feels as though it's always been there.” I thought about the vision of the two wolves beneath the moon. “That sounds confusing.” “It is.” He glanced at me. “Especially when the person connected to you thinks you're insufferable.” “I don't think you're insufferable all the time.” His eyebrows rose. “That's encouraging.” “Only about ninety percent of the time.” He laughed softly. I found myself smiling too. Then the moment grew quieter, and I became aware of the space between us. There was no command in his expression, no demand that I acknowledge the bond. He simply waited, allowing me to decide what to say. “I don't know what I feel yet,” I admitted. “And I don't want anyone deciding that for me.” “I wouldn't ask you to.” “Even if the prophecy says we're supposed to be together?” His expression became serious. “A prophecy can describe possibilities. It cannot make your choices for you.” I looked at him, searching for any sign that he was merely telling me what I wanted to hear. I found none. “Thank you,” I whispered. “For what?” “For understanding that.” Xavier's gaze held mine. “I'm trying, Lisa.” Something inside me softened. Not enough to erase my doubts or make me suddenly trust him completely, but enough to allow the possibility that the man standing beside me was more than the arrogant Alpha I had met in the forest. I turned toward the moon, and he remained beside me without touching me, sharing the quiet as though neither of us needed to fill it with words. For a few peaceful minutes, the world felt almost simple. Then I noticed something moving between the trees. A pale figure stood at the edge of the forest, barely visible in the moonlight. My breath caught. “Xavier.” He followed my gaze. The figure lifted its head, and even from the balcony, I could see a faint silver glow surrounding its silhouette. Then it raised one hand, pointing toward the eastern ruins. A whisper brushed the edge of my hearing, so faint that I almost mistook it for the wind. Come and remember. The figure disappeared. Xavier moved toward the balcony doors, his expression suddenly alert. “Did you hear that?” I asked. He nodded slowly. “I think the chamber is calling to you.” I looked down at the silver key resting in his hand, then toward the dark forest beyond the estate. Tomorrow, we would enter the ruins and search for the truth about our families. But as I watched the moon climb higher into the sky, I began to suspect that the chamber wasn't simply waiting to be discovered. It was waiting for me. And whatever lay beneath the moonstone might reveal not only who I had been born to become, but why someone had spent nineteen years trying to keep my true identity hidden.