Chapter One: The Night the Moon Turned Red (Part One)
The moon had always watched over Moonveil Village.
Every night, its silver light slipped gently through the towering pines surrounding the valley, bathing the small cottages in a glow so peaceful that even strangers believed the village had been blessed by the Moon Goddess herself. Children laughed freely along the narrow paths, elders gathered around crackling fires to tell stories as old as time, and the sweet scent of wild jasmine drifted through the cool evening breeze. It was a place untouched by greed, hidden from kingdoms and forgotten by war.
For twenty-two years, Lyra Moonveil had called it home.
She stood outside her cottage with a woven basket resting against her hip, gathering herbs from the small garden her late grandmother had planted long before she was born. Her long silver hair danced softly in the wind while strands escaped the loose braid hanging over her shoulder. Beneath the fading sunlight, her violet eyes shimmered with a strange beauty that had always made the villagers believe she carried a blessing from the heavens.
Yet Lyra had never thought of herself as special.
She was simply another Omega.
She helped heal the sick with herbs, cared for abandoned wolf pups, and spent her mornings tending flowers instead of training for battle like the Alphas and Betas. Whenever people praised her kindness, she only smiled shyly and insisted anyone would have done the same.
"Still working?"
The familiar voice drew her attention toward the wooden gate.
Emma Ashwood leaned against the fence with her arms folded, pretending to look annoyed despite the smile threatening to escape her lips. Unlike Lyra, Emma possessed fiery red hair and bright amber eyes that sparkled with endless energy.
"You promised you'd finish before sunset," Emma teased. "The Harvest Moon Festival begins soon."
Lyra laughed softly.
"I know. These herbs couldn't wait until tomorrow."
Emma walked into the garden, plucked a tiny lavender flower, and tucked it behind Lyra's ear.
"You spend more time talking to flowers than people."
"They don't complain."
"They also don't answer."
"They listen."
Emma rolled her eyes dramatically before bursting into laughter.
"I'll never understand you."
Their laughter echoed across the quiet village, blending with the cheerful sounds of families preparing for the festival. Lanterns were already being hung from rooftops, their golden light flickering against weathered wooden walls. Children chased each other between the cottages while musicians tuned handmade instruments near the village square.
For a brief moment, everything felt perfect.
Neither of them noticed the old village elder watching from the opposite side of the road.
Elder Rowan stood beneath the ancient moon tree, his wrinkled hands gripping an old walking staff carved with symbols few people could still recognize. His cloudy gray eyes rested on Lyra with an expression that carried equal parts affection and sorrow.
"So..." a quiet voice said beside him.
"You've been staring at the girl all afternoon."
Rowan sighed without looking away.
"She's growing up exactly as her mother did."
The man beside him frowned.
"Do you think..."
"I know."
The elder closed his eyes briefly.
"The time we've feared is finally approaching."
Far above the peaceful valley, hidden among dark clouds gathering around the full moon, a lone raven circled endlessly before disappearing toward the northern mountains.
...
Several miles away, beyond the borders of Moonveil Village, the forest changed.
The warm scent of flowers vanished.
Silence swallowed the trees.
Even the wind seemed unwilling to cross into that part of the woods.
A group of armored riders emerged from the darkness, their horses moving without a sound across the forest floor. Black cloaks concealed their faces, but the crimson wolf crest embroidered onto their armor revealed their allegiance.
The Crimson Blood Pack.
Their leader raised a gloved hand.
The riders stopped instantly.
One warrior stepped forward and bowed.
"My Alpha... our scouts have confirmed it."
The man removed the hood covering his face.
Cold crimson eyes reflected the moonlight.
A scar stretched across one cheek, making his smile appear even crueler.
Alpha Lucien Bloodfang.
"So..."
His voice was calm.
"The Moon Omega truly exists."
The kneeling warrior lowered his head.
"Yes, my Alpha."
"And she's living in a forgotten village without knowing who she is."
Lucien's lips curved into a satisfied smile.
"For centuries, every kingdom searched for her."
He slowly lifted his gaze toward the distant valley glowing beneath the moon.
"Tonight..."
"...the search ends."
A cold breeze swept through the forest as every warrior bowed.
Not one of them questioned the order they knew was coming.
Lucien rested one hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Burn the village."
His words were barely louder than a whisper.
"Kill anyone who stands in your way."
His crimson eyes gleamed with terrifying anticipation.
"But bring the girl to me alive."
The warriors disappeared into the darkness like shadows swallowed by the night.
Far away, the bells of Moonveil Village began ringing to announce the start of the Harvest Moon Festival.
No one realized they were celebrating together for the last time.
