The Rejected Luna's Secret Heirs

Chapter 5: Discovery

I stood up so fast my leather chair scraped loudly against the floor. Panic spiked through my chest, but I slammed my emotional walls back up before Lucian or the elders could read the terror in my eyes.

"Children?" Lucian frowned, looking from the guard at me. His instincts immediately flared at my sudden reaction. "Guard, what children?"

"They... they smuggled themselves aboard the rear transport vehicle, Alpha," the guard stammered, stepping back. "Patrol intercepted them near the eastern treeline. They're demanding to see 'Commander Vance'."

I didn't wait for Lucian's permission. I strode straight out of the war room, my long coat billowing behind me. Caelan was a half-step behind, his expression dark with warning, while Lucian followed closely, his sharp Alpha senses picking up on every shift in the air.

As we reached the main gates, two tiny figures were standing between four towering Crescent guards. Leo was standing squarely in front of Lyra, his hands raised in tiny fists, trying to look intimidating despite his small frame.

"I told you, let us go! We need to speak to our mom!" Leo shouted, his voice ringing across the cobblestone court.

"Leo! Lyra!" I called out, breaking into a rapid stride toward them.

"Mommy!" Lyra cried, darting past the startled guards and throwing her arms around my waist. Leo followed right behind, letting out a relieved puff of air.

I dropped to one knee, pulling them both into a tight embrace. "What are you doing here? You were supposed to stay at the Nightshade compound with the guards!"

"We wanted to make sure you were safe," Leo mumbled, looking down at his boots. "We snuck into the back of Caelan's SUV."

Before I could scold them, a heavy silence fell over the courtyard. I looked up and caught Lucian standing a few feet away, completely frozen.

His eyes were locked onto the twins. He stared at Leo's messy dark hair, then at Lyra's silver-white locks, and finally down to their eyes—the unmistakable, striking golden hue of ancient Alpha blood.

Then, Leo shifted his stance, pulling back his collar slightly. Right on his shoulder, clear as day, was the birthmark of the Crescent bloodline.

Lucian's breath hitched violently. He took a staggering step forward, his voice barely a breath. "Ayla... who are their parents?"