Chapter Three: The New Luna
880 Words
Three Years Later...
The Darkwood Pack had changed.
The laughter that once echoed through the palace had disappeared, replaced by whispers and careful footsteps.
Even the servants smiled less.
Everyone knew why.
Their Alpha had never truly recovered.
Alpha Kael Blackwood stood in front of the floor-to-ceiling window in his office, staring at the rain pouring over the kingdom.
His eyes were dull.
The confident Alpha everyone admired no longer existed.
Every night, he dreamed of the same thing.
A wooden coffin.
Desperate screams.
Tiny fists pounding against the lid.
Then silence.
Always silence.
"My Alpha?"
Kael didn't turn around.
"What is it?"
"The council has arrived."
"They can wait."
The servant lowered his head.
"They said it cannot."
Kael closed his eyes.
"They always say that."
A few moments later...
The heavy doors opened.
Five elders entered the room, followed by Beta Ronan.
No one spoke immediately.
Finally, the Head Elder cleared his throat.
"There have been three more deaths."
Kael looked up.
"Where?"
"The northern border."
"The victims..."
"They all had their hearts removed."
Kael's jaw tightened.
Again.
Just like his father.
Just like the reports from months ago.
Whatever had killed Alpha Rowan...
Had returned.
"We've doubled the patrols."
"It isn't enough," another elder replied.
"The wolves are beginning to panic."
"They're whispering about the prophecy again."
Kael slammed both hands onto his desk.
"I said enough!"
The room fell silent.
For three years...
That prophecy had haunted him.
Every decision.
Every sleepless night.
Every visit to the lonely grave hidden deep inside Darkwood Forest.
If only...
If only he had believed Evelyn.
Maybe none of this would've happened.
"My Alpha."
The Head Elder's voice softened.
"You cannot keep blaming yourself."
Kael laughed bitterly.
"I buried my own mate alive."
"I think I've earned the right to blame myself."
No one answered.
Because no one could.
Suddenly...
Knock.
Knock.
Knock.
Before anyone could respond...
The office doors swung open.
"My love."
A beautiful woman stepped inside wearing an elegant silver gown.
The Luna necklace rested proudly around her neck.
Lady Selene.
Now...
Luna Selene.
She smiled warmly.
"There you are."
She walked straight toward Kael before gently placing a hand on his arm.
"You missed breakfast again."
"I wasn't hungry."
"You haven't been eating properly."
Her voice was gentle.
Concerned.
Perfect.
Exactly what everyone expected from a Luna.
The elders exchanged approving smiles.
"What would this pack do without you, Luna Selene?"
She lowered her gaze modestly.
"I'm only doing my duty."
Kael carefully stepped away from her touch.
It was almost unnoticeable.
But she noticed.
She always noticed.
"I'll eat later," he said quietly.
She smiled anyway.
"As you wish."
To everyone else...
They looked like the perfect couple.
A devoted Luna.
A hardworking Alpha.
Only the two of them knew the truth.
Kael had never once told Selene he loved her.
Not once.
He treated her kindly.
He respected her.
But his heart...
Had been buried three years ago.
Selene hid the flash of annoyance in her eyes behind another graceful smile.
"Then I'll have dinner prepared."
Without another word, she left the office.
The moment the doors closed...
Kael released a tired sigh.
The Head Elder folded his hands.
"You should appreciate her more."
Kael said nothing.
"She has done everything to heal this pack."
Silence.
"She deserves your affection."
Kael looked out the window again.
"There are some things..."
"...that cannot be replaced."
The elders exchanged uncomfortable glances.
No one mentioned Evelyn's name.
Not anymore.
It had become forbidden.
...
Meanwhile...
Across the palace...
Selene entered her private chambers.
The gentle smile vanished from her face.
Her expression turned cold.
One of her maids hurried inside.
"My Luna."
"Were you seen?"
"No."
Selene nodded.
"Good."
The maid locked the doors.
Then...
She knelt.
"My Queen."
Selene smirked.
"Did the messenger return?"
"Yes."
"And?"
"The third sacrifice is complete."
A satisfied smile spread across Selene's lips.
"Excellent."
"The hearts have all been delivered."
"What about the prophecy?"
"The elders are terrified."
She laughed softly.
"Even better."
The maid hesitated.
"There is... one problem."
Selene slowly turned.
"What problem?"
"The grave."
Silence.
"What about it?"
"The guards stationed near Darkwood Forest reported strange noises."
Selene's smile disappeared.
"What kind of noises?"
"They said..."
The maid swallowed nervously.
"...they heard a heartbeat."
Selene stared at her.
Then...
She laughed.
A loud, mocking laugh.
"A heartbeat?"
"From a corpse?"
"They were frightened, My Luna."
"Idiots."
She walked toward the fireplace.
Without warning...
She threw a handful of black powder into the flames.
The fire instantly turned deep crimson.
"I watched them bury her myself."
"I watched them cover that coffin with dirt."
"I made sure she died."
Her eyes glowed for the briefest second.
"No one survives that."
The maid lowered her head.
"Of course, My Luna."
Selene smiled again.
"But..."
"If it eases everyone's fears..."
She turned toward the maid.
"Send someone to the grave tomorrow."
"If there's even the slightest sign..."
Her smile became terrifying.
"...dig it up."
"...and burn whatever is inside."
Far beneath the earth...
Hidden beneath layers of stone and roots...
Inside an old wooden coffin...
A single finger twitched.
Then another.
Two crimson eyes slowly opened in the darkness.
A whisper escaped pale lips.
"I'm coming home..."
**End of Chapter Three**
- Writer
