THE SECRET HEIR’S GIFT

Selene POV The wind blows through the thick trees surrounding Moonveil’s border, a dangerous whisper that sent chills racing down my body, as fear overpowered me. I shouldn’t have come back, I should have stayed. Yet, here I stood. My heart raced as I stared at the edge of the pack's territory, holding the small hand of the boy beside me, my son. Luca. His golden and silver eyes shined under the moonlight, faintly glowing, a clear sign that he was unique and very special. I tightened my grip on him, taking a deep breath. I had vowed never to return to Moonveil, but here I was. Not after Kieran's rejection. Not after the humiliation, the heartbreak, and the pain of being cast away like a dirty pig. Not after I secretly bore his child, alone and scared, while he led a carefree and sweet life. But my purpose here was not for him. We returned because Luca sensed something, something dangerous. Something frightening. Something that made us come back. I looked at my son. He was looking at the towering trees of Moonveil, as if they were alive, shifting and whispering warnings meant only for him. "Mama, we have to go in," Luca said softly. Although his voice was small, his words felt heavy with past and ancient significance. I swallowed hard. Every part of me wanted to turn back. I wanted to run. But I couldn’t. So, I took a step forward. The moment my foot crossed the border, the ground shooked beneath me. A deep, terrifying growl shattered the silence. Before I knew it, shadows erupted from the trees, encircling us like hungry wolves. Moonveil’s warriors. They had found me. A dozen figures came from the shadows, their golden eyes shining like flames. They were wolves in human form, bare-chested with weapons drawn, surrounding us like prey. "State your name and purpose," one of them said. I held my jaw. They didn’t recognize me. Five years was a long time. " I adjusted my shoulders and carefully pulled Luca behind me, " Selene Rivers. I need to see Alpha Kieran. They began whispering among themselves. Some showed recognition in their eyes, while others regarded me with suspicion. Then "Selene?" A voice I hadn’t heard in five years cut through the tension. I turned to see him there. Kieran Blackwood. The Alpha. The man who had shattered and destroyed me. His tall, muscular figure shines in the moonlight, his jet-black hair tousled as if he had just shifted. His silver-gray eyes locked onto mine, and for a brief moment, the mate bond pulsed and ticked between us. I hated it. Hated that my body still recognized him. Hated that my heart still felt pain. But I lifted my chin, leaving anger over everything else. Kieran slowly stepped closer, his gaze burning into me. "You shouldn’t be here." I breathe shakily. "Trust me, I don’t want to be." Then his gaze shifted. To Luca. And Kieran froze. Kieran’s body became tensed with shock, his sharp eyes scanning Luca’s face. Dark hair. Small frame. And then Luca’s silver-gray eyes met his. Eyes just like Kieran’s. The moment stretched painfully. His jaw tightened. "Who is he?" I struggled to maintain a neutral and unknowing expression, my heart racing. That was it. The moment I had feared for five years. The moment Kieran would discover the truth. Luca shifted slightly by my side, his tiny fingers gripping the fabric of my cloak. Then, before I could say a word Luca stepped forward and asked, "Are you my father?" The world fell silent. The warriors grew still. Tension filled the air like a lullaby. Kieran’s eyes widened. His hands balled into fists. "Selene," he growled in a dangerously low voice. "Tell me the truth." My throat tightened. Then I spoke the word that destroyed everything. "Yes." Kieran fell back, his expression a mix of disbelief, rage, and something unsettling close to pain. Before anyone could react, Luca gasped. His body shook violently. Then His eyes began to glow with light. Brighter. Brighter. The silver and gold mixed like molten fire. "Mama," he whimpered, holding his head. "It’s happening again." My stomach dropped. "No, no, not now," I whispered, reaching for him. Too late. In the blink of an eye, Luca disappeared. Gone. A wave of shock rippled through the warriors. Kieran took a step back, eyes wide in horror. "Where the hell did he go?" Terror gripped my chest. I knew exactly where he had gone. Back in time. A heavy silence enveloped the clearing. Then A flash of light. Luca reappeared, collapsing to the ground, gasping for air. I rushed to his side, dropping to my knees. "Baby, are you okay?" His small fingers tightened around my body, shaking. Then he raised his head and looked directly at Kieran. "I saw it," he whispered. Kieran’s brows knitted together. "Saw what?" Luca swallowed hard. "The day you rejected Mama. I saw what really happened." My blood ran cold. Kieran’s expression darkened. "What do you mean?" Luca shivered. "You didn’t reject her because you wanted to. Someone made you do that." Confusion cut through the warriors. Kieran was unmoved. Then, his voice dropped to a deadly whisper. "Who?" Luca lifted a shaky finger and pointed toward the dark woods. "Her." A chill ran down my spine. A shadow moved between the trees. Then A figure emerged into the moonlight. Dressed in black robes, her face covered by a hood. A cruel, dangerous laugh echoed through the clearing. "Did you really think I wouldn’t return for what’s mine?" Kieran went rigid beside me. His voice turned into a dangerous snarl. "Morgana." A tense silence fell. And just like that, everything shifted to abnormal. Morgana raised a hand. The air was shocked with dark energy. I barely had time to react before an invisible force slammed into me, sending me crashing to the ground. Luca screamed. Kieran lunged toward Morgana but she vanished into smoke. Her voice echoed through the trees. "This is only the beginning." Darkness enveloped us. And then all hell broke loose….