The Huntress Luna

Chapter 12 Shadows in the Library

Arya's POV

The moon's silver light came pouring through my window, cold and sharp, casting stripes across the wooden floor. I sat on the edge of my bed, pressing my hand tightly to my bandaged ribs. The pack training today put a strain on my injury.

My mind went back to everything that occurred at the training grounds— Jagger's teasing, Kaden's wit, Lyria's annoyance and Kyle's defense.

I shook my head, trying to get over these memories. I needed to focus.

A soft fluttering of feathers broke the silence. My head snapped towards the window.

The black messenger raven had landed on my window again. My blood ran quicker. I rushed forward, opening the window, and the bird hopped inside with the boldness of something that had already done this a thousand times. A tiny folded paper was attached to its legs with a red ribbon.

My stomach growled. Rodrick rarely sent messages unless it was urgent. I unrolled the paper.

It read: Find the palace map. Locate the tunnels. Move quickly. Be discreet. Do not fail.

My throat caught. The map of the Whitestone palace. He wanted the one thing I wasn't ready to retrieve yet. Not with the pack drama. Not with the eyes watching me— especially Lyria and Kyle. But if Rodrick felt it was about time, then I didn't have any moment of hesitation to spare.

I dressed quickly in a black robe. My hair, carefully wrapped in a hoodie and a small knife placed firmly to my boot.

Even my movement sent a sharp sting to my side. The pain was already familiar, easy to ignore. Rodrick, of course, didn't know what I was going through. And even if he did, this errand wouldn't make much of a difference.

There was danger ahead—betrayal. I tiptoed into the corridor, hiding in between the shadows. The pack house was pin drop quiet, the usual chatter gone. A few guards still patrolled, but their footsteps echoed far enough away to time my movements.

I moved left, down the main staircase. Past the Hall of Banners, each wall telling tales of Whitestone victories.

My fingers brushed one lightly as I passed—the silver wolf of Royal Crest. The symbol my uncle claimed was soaked in my pack's blood.

I swallowed hard and forced myself to keep moving.

The royal library was at the end of the marble hallway. The two guards usually stationed there were nowhere in sight. Strange.

I pushed my hand slowly to the door, opening it with a soft creak.

The scent of parchment and dust washed over me as I stepped inside. Lanterns hung with no light, leaving only moonlight filters through the high windows. The shelves stretched endlessly upwards, filled with scrolls and leather-bound books that whispered secrets I desperately needed.

I shut the door carefully behind me and moved silently towards the center table. Maps and atlases were typically stored in the restricted section, behind an iron gate to the far left.

I drifted between rows of towering shelves, my hands caressing the books as I passed through. There were several books there—Politics of the Pack, The Whitestone Dynamics, History of the Western Realms, The Moon Goddess, My Mate and I.

A book caught my eye—The First Werewolf. I brushed a finger along it's spine. Not what I needed, but comforting, in a strange way. Books had always been better at company than people.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps coming from the hallway—quick, but cautious. Light was coming through towards the library. I froze.

"Who's there?" a voice echoed through the shadows.

My blood ran cold. It was Kaden. He stepped into view, emerging between two shelves like a shadow given form. His expression was unreadable in the light that came out of the lantern he was carrying. But his eyes, dark and sharp, went straight to my cloak.

"Arya," he whispered. "What are you doing here by this time?"

Oh Arya,come on. Think. Quickly. Think.

I forced a small, embarrassed smile. "I couldn't sleep. Mira's herbs made my head heavy. So, I came here. I thought reading might help."

His gaze dropped to my side, the bandaged wound hiding beneath my cloak.

"Reading without a torch. How is that possible?"

I looked at the ceiling, looking for an answer. "I thought the library had lights but I was shocked to find out that there weren't any when I entered."

I gritted my teeth hard. That excuse was stupid.

"You should be resting, not wandering around in the dark." His voice softened, but suspicion mixed with his tone. "And definitely not here."

"I'm sorry. I didn't know it was restricted." I lied, stepping back.

He stepped closer and I stepped back again.

"And you weren't the one that picked the lock at the iron gate too?" he asked, nodding towards the faintly open gate behind me—the one I hadn't even reached yet.

Ugh. Damn it. He'd gotten there before me. Or he'd been watching me.

I do not know what you're talking about," I said, trying to keep my voice steady. "Maybe it was left unlocked." I shrugged.

His jaw tightened "Arya," he began slowly. "I don't know what you're hiding, but you're not as smart as you think."

My breath caught. Another person suspected me. Could this night get any worse? It didn't sound like an accusation, it sounded like a warning.

"I'm not hiding anything. I promise" I said quietly, gripping my cloak tighter.

He stared at me for a long moment—long enough that I felt naked. The lantern light painted golden across his face, highlighting the tension.

Finally, he let out an exhale and brushed past me. He reached up, picked up a slim black book from the shelf, and placed it in my hands.

"If you need help sleeping," he said, "take this. And go back to your room."

I stared at the book. It was a collection of old stories. Stories wolf pups read before bed. It was a distraction.

"You're giving me this?" I asked.

He shrugged, a small smile forming at his lips. "Better than getting thrown in the dungeons for sneaking around the king's library."

My heart jumped . Kaden was subtle. He was telling me to leave before someone else found me.

"Thank you," I whispered.

"Don't make me regret this," he muttered.

His gaze held onto mine for a minute. A warning? Something I couldn't name. Then he turned and disappeared between the shelves.

I let out a shaky exhale. I failed my mission. And Kaden was testing me as he left me alone in the library.

I now knew where the map wasn't and more importantly, where it must be.

Rodrick wanted tunnels? I'd find them. But next time, I promise, I won't get caught.

Clutching the book t

o my chest, I slipped out of the library into the shadows.

The palace, with all its secrets waiting for me.