Luna’s Legacy: Born in Lies

“Some things are taken. Others are stolen.” House of Eldernoor Another contraction hit harder than the last, stealing the air from her lungs before she could prepare for it. Aveline’s grip tightened, her body trembling as she fought to stay present, to stay grounded in the moment instead of letting the pain pull her under. “Don’t leave me,” she breathed. Darian’s hand tightened around hers instantly. “I’m not going anywhere.” Not now. Not ever. But even as he said it, something restless stirred beneath his skin. “Breathe.” The word was firm, but not unkind. Warm light filled the room, softened by the low flicker of candles and the muted glow of lamps pushed into shadowed corners. The scent of herbs lingered in the air, sharp and grounding beneath the heavier smell of sweat and linen. Everything felt thick. Heavy. Alive. On the bed, Luna Aveline arched forward with a sharp gasp, her fingers twisting in the sheets as another contraction tore through her. Her breath broke apart, uneven, pulled from her chest before she could control it. “Again,” the healer said, steady and composed. “You’re almost there.” Almost. The word had lost its meaning hours ago. Alpha Darian stood beside the bed, his hand wrapped tightly around hers, his thumb moving slowly over her knuckles in a steady rhythm meant to anchor her, and himself. “Look at me,” he said quietly. Her eyes found his. Pain burned there. Exhaustion. Frustration. But beneath it, strength. Always strength. “Stay with me,” he murmured. A breath shuddered out of her. “I’m here.” Another contraction hit. Harder. This time her cry filled the room, raw and unfiltered, her body curling forward as instinct took over completely. “That’s it,” the healer urged. “Don’t fight it. Let your body do the work.” Darian’s grip tightened. He had faced battlefields soaked in blood. War. Loss. Death. He had stood in the middle of chaos with nothing but instinct and survival driving him forward. He had led wolves into danger and brought them home again. None of it compared to this. This, watching her break under something he could not fight, was worse. “You’re doing so well,” he said, his voice rougher now. “Just a little more.” Aveline let out a breath that almost sounded like a laugh. “You said that,” she whispered, strained, “before.” The healer huffed softly. Darian didn’t smile. Another wave hit her before anything else could be said. Outside the room, the pack house waited. Quiet. Tense. Listening. The entire house seemed to hold its breath with her. Down the hall, in a smaller room filled with softer light and quieter voices, Benji sat curled into the corner of a couch. His small frame seemed even smaller there, tucked into the cushions, his stuffed wolf clutched tightly in his arms. “Is Mama okay?” The question came out small. Careful. Vanessa, one of Aveline’s closest friends, sat beside him. She brushed a hand gently through his hair, her touch warm and steady. “She’s strong,” she said softly. “Just like you.” Benji nodded, though his fingers tightened around the worn fabric of his toy. “I’m going to protect the baby.” Vanessa’s smile softened immediately. “I know you will.” Benji looked down at the stuffed wolf, running his thumb over its flattened ear. “Do you think she’ll like me?” Vanessa blinked, surprised. “Of course she will.” “What if she cries?” “Then you’ll make her feel safe.” He considered that seriously, his small brow furrowing. “I can share my blanket,” he said. “And this.” He lifted the toy slightly. “But only if she’s nice.” Vanessa laughed quietly. “That sounds fair.” Benji nodded once. “I’ll stay with her.” Back in the room “Now.” The healer’s voice cut clean through everything. “You’re fully dilated. It’s time.” Aveline’s breathing faltered. For just a second, fear flickered. Darian leaned forward, pressing his forehead briefly against hers. “You’ve got this.” A pause. A breath. Then “Push.” Everything narrowed. The world shrank to a single moment. Aveline cried out, her body straining as she pushed, every ounce of strength pulled forward. “That’s it, again!” the healer urged. “Don’t stop now.” Darian didn’t let go. He couldn’t. Outside, anticipation stirred. Hope crept into the edges of the waiting pack. Inside, another cry. Another push. And then silence. Just for a heartbeat. Followed by the sharp, unmistakable sound of a newborn’s cry. Everything stilled. The healer exhaled, relief softening her features as she lifted the small, fragile life into the light. “Congratulations… it’s a girl.” The words settled into the room like something sacred. Aveline collapsed back against the pillows, her breath shaking, her body trembling, but her eyes never left the tiny figure placed in her arms. Viënna So small. So new. Darian stared. For a moment, he didn’t move. Didn’t speak. Then, slowly, carefully, he reached out. “She’s perfect.” Aveline smiled, tears slipping freely. “She is.” “Just like her mother.” Outside, the tension broke. Voices rose. Laughter followed. The pack house came alive. Down the hall, Benji looked up instantly. “Did you hear that?” he asked, already sliding off the couch. Vanessa laughed softly. “Sounds like someone’s a big brother.” Benji grinned. “I told you.” Back in the room, Darian leaned closer, his hand brushing lightly against the blanket wrapped around his daughter. For a moment, everything felt whole. And then something stirred. Not calm. Not settled. Watching. Darian’s gaze lifted slightly, his instincts catching on something just out of reach. Something is wrong. But when he looked back at Aveline, at the child in her arms, he let it go. For now. “Let them celebrate,” Aveline whispered. Darian nodded. The door opened softly. Not rushed or loud, but careful. A small head peeked around the frame first, dark eyes wide with curiosity, before the rest of him followed. Benji stepped inside slowly, as if he somehow understood that this room was different now. Quieter. Important. The laughter from down the hall didn’t quite reach here. It lingered at the edges, distant, like something that belonged to another world. “There he is, my big boy,” Luna Aveline whispered, her voice still weak but warm. Benji hesitated for a moment, his fingers tightening around the worn fur of his stuffed wolf. Then he looked up at his father. Silent question. Alpha Darian gave a small nod. That was all he needed. Benji moved forward, slower now, his usual energy replaced by something softer. Careful steps carried him to the side of the bed, where he stopped and looked up. “He’s… tiny.” A faint smile touched Luna Aveline’s lips. “She is.” Benji leaned closer, standing on his toes to see better. His eyes moved over the small bundle in her arms, taking in every detail like he was trying to memorise it. “She doesn’t look like me.” His father huffed quietly, something close to a laugh. “Give it time.” Benji frowned slightly, clearly unconvinced. “Can I touch her?” Luna Aveline shifted just enough to make space, her hand guiding his gently. “Be careful.” Benji nodded seriously. His fingers hovered for a moment, unsure. Then, slowly, he touched the blanket. Not her skin. Just the edge. As if even that felt like a big responsibility. Viënna stirred. A small movement. A soft sound. Benji froze. “She moved.” “She knows you’re here,” his mother said quietly. Something changed in his expression then. Something deeper than curiosity. “That’s my sister,” he said. Alpha Darian watched him closely. “That’s your sister,” he confirmed. Benji straightened slightly, his small chest rising as if he had just been given something important. A role. A purpose. “I’m going to protect her.” The words were simple. Certain. Luna Aveline’s breath caught. Alpha Darian went still. For a moment, neither of them spoke. Then, “I know you will,” Alpha Darian said quietly. Benji looked back down at Viënna, his grip tightening slightly around his stuffed wolf. “She can have this,” he added suddenly, holding it up. The toy was worn, well-loved and familiar. Luna Aveline smiled softly. “Are you sure?” He nodded. “She needs it more.” Alpha Darian’s gaze shifted briefly between the two of them. Something unspoken passed through the room. Benji carefully placed the stuffed wolf beside the blanket, making sure it didn’t touch her face. Then he stepped back, watching. “She’s going to like me,” he decided. Luna Aveline let out a quiet, tired laugh. “I think she already does.” And outside, the celebration began. Time passed. Measured in breaths. In quiet moments. In the slow return of strength. Werewolves healed faster. Not completely. Not instantly. But enough. By the time the doors opened again, Aveline stood. Not without effort, but standing. Darian stayed close, one hand hovering just behind her back. Always ready. Benji walked between them, gripping his father’s hand while his eyes remained fixed on the small bundle in his mother’s arms. “She’s still sleeping,” he whispered. “She’s had a long day,” Aveline replied softly. “So did I.” Darian huffed quietly. The doors opened. Sound spilled in. Laughter. Music. Voices. And then, silence. The room stilled as every head turned. The Alpha family. Cheers erupted. The hall came alive. Voices overlapped. Laughter rose. Hope filled the space. Darian watched. Always watching. Everything in place. Everything as it should be. And yet, something wasn’t right. But beside him, Aveline stepped forward. And the moment softened. “She’s beautiful.” “Congratulations, Luna.” “Alpha.” “Thank you,” Aveline said quietly. “Her name?” someone asked. “Viënna.” The name spread through the room. Accepted. Benji stood taller. “That’s my sister.” Laughter followed. Everything was perfect. The celebration didn’t simply begin. It unfolded. Slowly at first, like a breath being released after being held too long, and then all at once, warm, loud, alive. The pack gathered closer, drawn in not just by curiosity, but by something deeper. Pride. Relief. Joy. A future. A continuation. Aveline was guided carefully toward a chair near the centre of the room, one that allowed her to sit without being removed from the celebration. It was instinctive, the way the pack arranged itself around her, not crowding, not overwhelming, but never too far. She was their Luna. And tonight, she had given them something to celebrate. “Careful,” Darian murmured as she sat, his hand steady at her back. “I’m fine,” Aveline replied softly, though she didn’t pull away from his support. She adjusted Viënna slightly in her arms, the small bundle shifting just enough to settle again. Still asleep. Still unaware. “She sleeps through all this?” someone asked quietly. Aveline smiled faintly. “For now.” Benji stood close at her side, his hand resting against her leg, his eyes never straying far from the tiny face wrapped in blankets. “That’s my sister,” he said again, as if the room needed reminding. A few of the pack members chuckled. “We heard you the first time.” Benji frowned slightly. “They need to know.” Darian’s lips twitched, but he said nothing. One by one, people approached. Respectfully. Carefully. Each offering congratulations in their own way. Some with quiet words, others with warm smiles, a few with lingering looks that held more emotion than they could express aloud. An older woman reached out, hesitating before touching the edge of the blanket. “She’s strong,” she murmured. Aveline’s gaze softened. “She will be.” Darian watched everything. Not obviously. Never obviously. But nothing escaped him. Movement. Positioning. Distance. Scent. Everything was where it should be. Yet, his shoulders remained tight. “Relax,” Aveline murmured under her breath, not looking at him. He glanced at her. “You’re doing it again,” she added softly. “Doing what?” “Watching instead of being here.” His jaw shifted slightly. “I am here.” Aveline’s lips curved faintly. “Not entirely.” Before he could respond, Benji tugged at his hand. “Come on.” Darian looked down. “You said you’d play.” Aveline huffed a quiet laugh. “Go.” Darian hesitated. Only briefly. Then he nodded. “Stay where I can see you,” he told Benji. “I will.” The promise was immediate. Certain. And then Benji was gone again, laughter trailing behind him as he darted through the crowd. Darian followed at a slower pace. Watching. Always watching. For a few minutes, he let himself forget. Let himself just be a dad. Benji weaved between bodies, ducking under arms and circling tables, his small form slipping through spaces no one else could manage. “I’m faster!” he shouted, laughing as someone tried, and failed, to catch him. “You’re going to trip!” “I won’t!” He nearly did. Caught himself. Kept going. Darian exhaled quietly, something close to amusement surfacing despite the tension still coiled beneath his skin. Across the room, Aveline watched them. Watched her family. She allowed herself to rest. To breathe. To exist without thinking about responsibility, duty, or expectation. Just a mother. Just a mate. Just… this. Benji slowed as he reached his mother again, slightly out of breath, his cheeks flushed from running. “I didn’t fall,” he announced proudly. Aveline smiled softly, adjusting Viënna slightly in her arms. “I never thought you would.” Benji leaned closer, his attention immediately returning to his sister. “She’s still sleeping.” “She likes the noise,” Aveline said quietly. “It means she’s safe.” Benji frowned at that, clearly thinking about it. “I can stay,” he said. “So, she knows.” Darian watched him closely. There was something in the way Benji stood there. Small, determined, completely certain about something he didn’t yet understand. “You don’t have to stay right now,” Darian said. Benji shook his head immediately. “I want to.” For a moment, no one spoke. The noise of the celebration continued around them, but it felt distant here. Softer. Contained. Aveline reached out, brushing her fingers lightly through Benji’s hair. “You’re already doing a very good job.” Benji straightened a little. A role settling deeper. “I told you,” he said quietly. Darian crouched slightly then, bringing himself closer to eye level with his son. “Listen to me,” he said. Benji looked at him immediately. “If you ever feel something is wrong—” Darian stopped. Aveline’s gaze shifted toward him. A pause. Too small for anyone else to notice. “Stay close,” Darian finished instead. Benji nodded. “I will.” Darian believed him. Aveline studied him quietly. “You feel it too,” she said softly. Darian didn’t answer immediately. After a long pause, “Yes.” Not fear. Not danger. But something… off. Aveline adjusted Viënna slightly, pulling her closer. “We’re surrounded by our pack,” she said. Darian’s gaze swept the room again. “I know.” But that didn’t make the feeling go away. Benji shifted slightly, looking between them. “You’re being weird.” Aveline laughed softly. “Am I?” “Yes.” Darian exhaled quietly. “Go play,” he said. Benji hesitated. Then nodded. “Okay.” He leaned in one more time, carefully touching the blanket. “I’ll be back,” he whispered. Then he turned and ran. Darian watched him go. Much longer than would be necessary in their own home. Aveline noticed. “He’s fine.” Darian nodded. But his wolf didn’t. A flicker of movement. Gone. A wrong scent. Gone again. Darian’s head turned sharply. Nothing. The room continued as if nothing had changed. Music. Laughter. Voices. Normal. Too normal. Across the room, someone stepped forward toward Aveline again. Another congratulation. Another smile. Darian forced himself to focus on her. On Viënna. On this moment. But something was slipping. Just beyond reach. And then, Silence. Not real silence. Not yet. But something inside him went still. “Benji?” The word left him before he realised. Aveline looked up. “What?” Darian’s gaze swept the room. Fast. Too fast. He didn’t see him. “Benji.” This time sharper. No answer. Aveline shifted. “Where is he?” Darian moved. The music shifted slightly, softer now, blending into the background as conversations deepened and laughter spread more easily. Glasses were passed. Food shared. Voices layered into something warm and familiar. And still, something was off. A flicker of movement near the edge of the room. Gone. A scent— Wrong. Gone too quickly to place. Darian’s head turned slightly. Nothing. Just the crowd. Just the celebration. “Alpha.” He turned. A warrior stood nearby, posture straight. “Everything is secure.” Darian held his gaze a moment longer than necessary. Then nodded. “Good.” But his wolf didn’t settle. Not even a little. Across the room, Benji slowed. Just for a second. His head tilted slightly. Something catching his attention. Something… different. Then someone called his name. “Benji!” He turned instantly. “I’m coming!” And just like that, the moment was gone. He ran again. And the night carried on. Music resumed. Food was shared. The pack celebrated. Benji ran. Laughed. Played. Darian watched. Always. A flicker of movement. Gone. A scent. Wrong. Gone. His wolf stirred again. Watch. “Everything is secure,” a warrior said. Darian nodded. But the feeling didn’t leave. Across the room, Viënna was passed carefully between hands. Aveline watched. Always watching. Benji stopped. Just for a moment. Then ran again. Darian exhaled slowly. Too many people. Too many movements. Too many— Now. He turned sharply. Nothing. Just the crowd. The celebration. He forced himself still. Not here. Not tonight. Everything settled again. Benji laughed. Aveline smiled. Darian relaxed, just slightly. Then— “Benji?” He frowned. Looked around. Gone. “Benji.” Sharper. No answer. Something shifted. Wrong. Darian moved. Fast. People stepped aside instantly. Nothing. No small figure. No laughter. A cold weight dropped into his chest. Behind him Aveline’s voice, “Where is he?” He turned and everything stopped. Her arms were empty. No. “No.” Viënna was gone. Everything snapped. “STOP THE MUSIC!” Silence crashed down. “Where are my children?” No answer. No movement. On the floor, Benji’s stuffed wolf. Alone. Aveline collapsed beside it. “They wouldn’t…” Darian didn’t hear the rest. His wolf rose. Violent. Raging. Unleashed. “Lock down the pack house.” “Seal every exit.” “No one leaves.” “Search everything.” But deep down, he already knew. This was planned. And somewhere, far away, a newborn cried. Soft. Fragile. Afraid. A small boy reached through the dark. Searching. A shadow moved. Watching. Waiting. “Perfect.” The crying didn’t stop. It cut through the silence of the forest, sharp and fragile, too small for a world that was already too dangerous. The baby shifted in the bundle of dark fabric, her tiny hands curling instinctively, searching for something that wasn’t there. Warmth. Safety. Home. A figure stepped forward from the shadows. Slow. Deliberate. “Careful.” The voice was quiet. Controlled. Another figure adjusted their grip slightly. “She’s stronger than she looks.” A soft scoff. “She’ll have to be.” The first figure reached out, brushing a finger lightly against the edge of the blanket. Not gentle, but not careless either. Observing. Measuring. “She doesn’t know yet,” the second voice murmured. “No,” the first replied. A pause. Something colder settled into the air. “But she will.” The baby let out another cry. A third presence lingered just beyond the light. Watching. Silent. “Move,” the first figure said. And just like that, they disappeared deeper into the darkness. As if they had never been there at all.