Chapter 11: Shadows over Blackwood
737 Words
Chapter 11: Shadows Over Blackwood
The words echoed in Lyra's mind.
Blackwood Pack is his true target.
For a long moment, she couldn't speak.
Images of the pack flashed before her eyes—the cottages where she had grown up, the children who played in the fields, Maya's bright smile, Elder Celeste's gentle face...
And Kael.
The Alpha who had shattered her heart.
"They don't stand a chance," Seraphine said quietly. "The Blackwood Pack believes they are facing rogues, not the army of the Shadow King."
Lyra's chest tightened.
"We have to warn them."
Orion folded his arms.
"Princess, they cast you out."
"I know."
"They called you unworthy."
"I know."
"Their Alpha rejected you before the entire pack."
Every word stung, but Lyra refused to look away.
"I know."
"Then why would you risk your life for them?"
She lowered her eyes for a moment before answering.
"Because innocent people live there."
She looked back at Orion.
"Maya lives there."
"Elder Celeste lives there."
"There are children who have never done anything wrong."
"If I abandon them because of one man's mistake... then I'm no better than the people who abandoned me."
A slow smile spread across Seraphine's face.
"Your mother would be proud."
Orion bowed his head.
"Then we ride at once."
---
Miles away, the Blackwood Pack had no idea what was coming.
Morning sunlight spilled across the training grounds as Alpha Kael sparred with his warriors.
His movements were as sharp as ever, but something was off.
His attacks lacked focus.
His timing was slower.
Twice, Damon had managed to knock his sword aside—something that had never happened before.
They finally stopped to catch their breath.
"You're distracted," Damon said.
"I'm fine."
"No, you're not."
Kael wiped sweat from his forehead.
"I said I'm fine."
Damon sighed.
"Your wolf hasn't spoken to you in three days."
Kael's expression darkened.
It was true.
Since rejecting Lyra, the powerful wolf inside him had withdrawn into complete silence.
The bond was broken.
Yet the emptiness remained.
"What do you want me to do?" Kael asked quietly.
"Forget her?"
"I don't know."
"Neither do I."
Before Damon could answer, a scout sprinted into the training grounds.
"Alpha!"
Kael turned immediately.
"What happened?"
"The western patrol is missing."
"Missing?"
"They never returned."
Another scout arrived only seconds later.
"Alpha!"
"What now?"
"The northern watchtower has gone silent."
Kael frowned.
"How many?"
"Everyone stationed there."
A cold feeling settled in his stomach.
"This isn't random."
"No," Damon agreed.
"It's coordinated."
Before they could discuss it further, the warning horn echoed through the pack.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Kael's blood ran cold.
Three blasts.
The signal for a full-scale invasion.
---
Families rushed from their homes in panic.
Warriors grabbed their weapons.
Children cried as parents hurried them toward the underground shelters.
Kael climbed the watchtower overlooking the western forest.
His heartbeat quickened.
The forest was empty.
Too empty.
Then...
The trees began moving.
Not because of the wind.
Because thousands of soldiers were marching through them.
Black banners rose above the treetops.
The crimson wolf emblem fluttered in the breeze.
An endless army emerged from the shadows.
Kael gripped the wooden railing.
"What..."
Damon climbed beside him.
His face turned pale.
"There must be five thousand."
At the front of the army rode a man in black armor.
He slowly removed his helmet.
His crimson eyes gleamed in the sunlight.
"The Shadow King," Damon whispered.
Kael had heard stories.
Every Alpha had.
He had simply never believed the legends were true.
The Shadow King smiled.
His voice rolled across the battlefield.
"Alpha Kael Blackwood."
Kael stepped forward.
"What do you want?"
The Shadow King laughed softly.
"I've come for something that belongs to me."
"I have nothing of yours."
"Oh..."
The king's smile widened.
"You did."
"But you threw her away."
Kael's heart skipped.
Lyra.
The Shadow King continued.
"You rejected the last Moonborn."
"You rejected the rightful Queen."
"And because of your pride..."
His eyes burned with amusement.
"...I found her."
The truth struck Kael like a blade through the heart.
His rejection...
Had led the Shadow King to Lyra.
For the first time since becoming Alpha, Kael felt genuine fear.
Not for himself.
For her.
The Shadow King slowly raised his black sword.
"Destroy the gates."
Thousands of enemy warriors charged at once.
The earth shook beneath their feet.
The Battle of Blackwood had begun.
- Writer
