Chapter Eight: The Moon Goddess's Tears (Part Three)
863 Words
Chapter Eight: The Moon Goddess's Tears (Part Three)
Slowly...
She broke the ancient wax seal.
The brittle parchment unfolded with surprising care, as though it had been waiting years for this very moment. The silver ink shimmered faintly beneath the moonlight, untouched by fire or time. Lyra's fingers trembled as she lowered her gaze to the first line.
> To my dearest Lyra,
If you are reading this, then the secret I have guarded with my life has finally reached its end.
A painful lump formed in her throat.
The handwriting was unmistakable.
It belonged to Elder Rowan.
Tears blurred her vision, but she forced herself to continue.
> You have called me Grandfather for as long as you can remember, and nothing has brought me greater joy. Although I did not give you life, the Moon Goddess blessed me with the privilege of raising you. You became the daughter my heart chose, and I have never regretted a single day.
Lyra pressed one trembling hand against her mouth.
Memories flooded her mind.
Rowan teaching her how to plant flowers in the spring.
Carrying her on his shoulders during festivals.
Sitting beside the fire on cold winter nights while he told her stories of brave wolves and forgotten kingdoms.
Every memory now felt infinitely more precious.
Emma quietly wiped away her own tears as she stood beside her friend.
Kael remained silent.
He knew this letter was not meant for anyone but Lyra.
She swallowed hard and continued reading.
> There is a truth I could never tell you while you were still a child. Too many eyes searched for you, and too many hands wished to claim your power. Had they known where you were, this village would have fallen long ago.
Her breathing became uneven.
> You were born within the Kingdom of Lunaris, the first kingdom blessed directly by the Moon Goddess. Your father was Alpha King Cassian, a ruler respected by every pack. Your mother was Queen Seraphina, the last Moon Omega before you. Together they dreamed of uniting the kingdoms in peace.
Lyra stared at the page.
She had never imagined her parents had been royalty.
> Their dream frightened those who desired power. Greed gave birth to betrayal. Friends became enemies, and blood stained the palace floors. On the night you were born, the royal family was attacked by those who believed the Moon Omega should be controlled, not protected.
A cold breeze swept across the ruined village.
Even the warriors nearby listened in complete silence.
> Your parents escaped with you beneath the cover of darkness. They knew they could not outrun their enemies forever. Before dawn, they entrusted you to me beneath the Sacred Moon Tree. They begged me to hide you where no king, Alpha, or hunter would ever think to search.
A tear rolled down Lyra's cheek and landed on the parchment.
> That same night, they returned to face the enemy alone. Neither of them ever came back.
Lyra lowered the letter.
Her shoulders shook.
The pain in her chest became almost unbearable.
She had spent her entire life wondering why she had no parents.
Now she knew.
They had not abandoned her.
They had died to protect her.
Kael watched quietly.
His hands tightened into fists.
He understood sacrifice.
He understood loss.
And he knew no words could lessen the grief Lyra now carried.
After a long moment, she gathered the strength to continue.
> If fate has led you to the Black Alpha, then the prophecy has begun exactly as the Moon Goddess foretold. Whether Kael Blackthorn becomes your greatest ally or your greatest sorrow depends not upon destiny... but upon the choices both of you make.
Kael's golden eyes narrowed slightly.
His name...
Rowan had written his name years before they had ever met.
The prophecy had known.
The realization settled over everyone like a heavy weight.
Lyra's hands trembled again as she reached the final lines.
> Do not seek revenge, my child. Revenge creates only more graves. Instead, seek the truth. Find the remaining sacred relics before darkness claims them. Trust your heart, but never surrender your kindness, for it is your greatest strength.
No matter where my spirit may wander, I will always be proud to have called you my granddaughter.
Live a life your parents would smile upon.
—Rowan
The letter slipped gently from Lyra's fingers.
For several moments, she simply stared at the ground.
The night seemed impossibly quiet.
Then she bent forward, clutching the parchment tightly against her chest as the tears she had held back finally broke free.
Emma knelt beside her and wrapped her arms around her without saying a word.
Sometimes...
There were no words strong enough to comfort a broken heart.
A few steps away, Kael lifted his gaze toward the crimson moon hanging above the ruined village.
The prophecy had begun.
The Moon Omega had awakened.
And somewhere beyond the dark forest, enemies were already preparing for the next move.
This night had not marked the end of a tragedy.
It had marked the beginning of a war that would decide the fate of every werewolf kingdom.
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