The Alpha Who Had No Wolf

Chapter 9: The Mother's Secret

"Mother!"

Kael didn't wait for an explanation.

He sprinted up the stone steps, his heart pounding so hard it drowned out everything else.

Alpha Magnus followed close behind, shifting back into his human form as they burst from the hidden chamber.

Moonfang Village was in flames.

Houses burned beneath the night sky.

Villagers ran through the streets, carrying children and helping the wounded. The air was thick with smoke and the cries of terrified wolves.

"They're inside the village!" Magnus shouted.

Kael's stomach twisted.

The Shadow Claw army hadn't returned.

This was something else.

Figures cloaked in black moved silently through the chaos, striking with terrifying precision before disappearing into the shadows.

"The Silver Masks," Magnus growled.

"They're searching for something," Kael said.

Magnus looked at him.

"No."

"They're searching for someone."

Kael knew exactly who he meant.

Without another word, Kael raced towards his home.

Every second felt like an eternity.

Please...

Please let her be safe.

He turned the final corner.

His cottage stood with its front door hanging open.

One wall had been shattered.

Furniture lay scattered across the floor.

"Mother!"

No answer.

Kael rushed inside.

The house was empty.

Then he noticed drops of blood leading to the back garden.

His breath caught.

He followed the trail.

Elara was lying beneath the old oak tree, one hand pressed against a wound on her side.

"Mother!"

Kael fell beside her.

She smiled weakly.

"I knew... you'd come."

Tears filled his eyes.

"Don't talk. I'll get help."

She caught his wrist.

"There isn't time."

"There has to be!"

She shook her head.

"They've taken it."

"What?"

"The chest..."

Kael looked towards the small shed.

The wooden door had been ripped from its hinges.

The old iron chest his mother had forbidden him to open...

...was gone.

"What was inside?" he asked.

Elara closed her eyes for a moment.

"Your father's journal."

Kael frowned.

"My father's?"

"There are truths... I could never tell you."

Magnus arrived and knelt beside them.

His face darkened as he saw Elara's wound.

"They used poisoned steel."

She gave a faint nod.

"I know."

Kael looked between them.

"You both knew something all these years."

Neither answered.

Finally, Elara reached beneath her cloak.

From around her neck, she removed a delicate silver chain.

Hanging from it was the other half of the medallion.

Kael stared in disbelief.

"It... matches mine."

She placed it gently into his hand.

"When the two halves become one..."

Her voice trembled.

"...the path to the Crown will open."

"The Crown?" Kael whispered.

"The Crown of the First King."

Magnus inhaled sharply.

"You kept it all this time?"

"I promised her."

"H-her?" Kael asked.

Elara smiled sadly.

"Your birth mother."

Before Kael could speak, a loud crash echoed from the front of the village.

A scout came running.

"Alpha!"

Magnus stood.

"What is it?"

"The eastern gate has fallen!"

"And..."

The scout struggled to catch his breath.

"...they've captured Rylan."

Magnus's expression froze.

"My son..."

At that same moment, a chilling laugh echoed across the burning village.

Standing atop the broken gate was the King's Hand.

Behind him, bound in black chains, knelt Rylan.

The King's Hand raised his voice so the entire village could hear.

"Kael Ashborne!"

He placed a blade against Rylan's throat.

"You have until sunrise."

"Come to me willingly..."

"...or the Alpha's son dies."