The Pack That Remembered
612 Words
Chapter Thirty-One: The Pack That Remembered
Elara's POV
The closer we rode to Shadowmoon, the stranger I felt.
It wasn't fear.
It wasn't excitement.
It was...
Recognition.
The towering black castle stood proudly against the mountains, surrounded by forests older than any I'd ever seen.
Ancient stone walls stretched for miles.
Silver banners bearing a black wolf fluttered in the wind.
My chest tightened.
"Why does this place feel familiar?"
Lunara answered before anyone else could.
"Because we've been here before."
I frowned.
"But I don't remember."
"Not with your mind."
Her voice was soft.
"Your soul remembers."
Vespera spoke quietly.
"So does mine."
The closer we came, the stronger the feeling became.
My heart beat faster.
The pendant around my neck grew warm.
The silver bracelet on my wrist shimmered beneath my sleeve.
Neither Draven nor King Cassian seemed to notice.
But Lunara did.
"Mother's magic is waking."
---
The enormous gates of Shadowmoon slowly opened.
Dozens of warriors lined the entrance.
Every one of them wore black armor trimmed in silver.
Unlike the warriors of Silvercrest, they stood perfectly still.
Disciplined.
Proud.
Power radiated from them.
At the front stood an elderly couple.
The man was tall despite his age.
His silver hair rested against broad shoulders.
A long scar crossed one cheek.
His piercing silver eyes swept over every member of our party.
Beside him stood an elegant woman with long white hair braided over one shoulder.
She carried herself with quiet strength.
Neither smiled.
Neither frowned.
They simply watched.
Draven slowed his horse.
King Cassian did the same.
Both men climbed down.
I followed carefully, almost stumbling.
Draven steadied me before I could fall.
"You'll get the hang of it."
I laughed softly.
"I hope so."
His smile warmed my heart.
Then the elderly Alpha spoke.
"Welcome to Shadowmoon."
His deep voice echoed across the courtyard.
"I am Alpha Alaric."
He gestured toward the woman beside him.
"My mate, Luna Seraphina."
Every warrior bowed respectfully.
I quickly did the same.
When I straightened...
Alpha Alaric was staring directly at me.
Not at Draven.
Not at Cassian.
At me.
His expression changed.
Confusion.
Shock.
Disbelief.
He took one slow step forward.
Luna Seraphina reached for his arm.
"Alaric?"
He didn't answer.
His silver eyes never left mine.
Then something impossible happened.
A low howl echoed through the entire castle.
One wolf answered.
Then another.
Within seconds...
Hundreds of wolves throughout Shadowmoon Pack began howling together.
The sound filled the valley.
Every warrior looked around in confusion.
Draven frowned.
"What is happening?"
No one answered.
Because no one knew.
Lunara stood inside my soul, perfectly still.
Then she whispered one word.
"Home."
At that exact moment...
Every wolf in Shadowmoon lowered its head toward me.
The courtyard fell into stunned silence.
Alpha Alaric's hands began to tremble.
Luna Seraphina covered her mouth with shaking fingers.
King Cassian slowly closed his eyes.
As though he already knew what this meant.
I looked around in confusion.
"Why are they doing that?"
No one answered.
Because even they couldn't explain it.
Then, from somewhere deep inside the castle...
A loud bell rang.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
An elderly warrior came running across the courtyard.
He stopped before Alpha Alaric, breathing heavily.
"Alpha!"
"What is it?"
"The Moon Stone..."
His voice shook.
"It's glowing."
Every ounce of color drained from Alpha Alaric's face.
He slowly looked back at me.
Then whispered words so quietly only those nearest could hear.
"It remembers her."
My heart began pounding.
"Who?" I whispered.
Alpha Alaric swallowed hard.
His eyes filled with emotion.
"I... don't know."
But for the first time in eighteen years...
Hope burned in his eyes.
- Writer
