The Alpha's Hidden Moon

Episode4

"Do not run.

That voice, deep, deep in my head.

Not with my ears.

No down the corridor.

Within me.

I looked at the massive black wolf who stood between me and the cloaked man. His midnight fur shimmered like shadows in the moonlight, his golden eyes never leaving the enemy before us. They burnt with silent fury but now there was something else in them. Something steady, almost protective.

"Stay behind me." The voice spoke again.

A chill ran down my spine.

My mouth dropped open, and I couldn’t speak.

I'd heard stories about strong Alphas turning into wolves. All the children of the pack knew the legends. But no one had ever mentioned hearing the voice of a wolf inside their head. 'Interesting,' murmured the cloaked man, his silver eyes narrowing. "She hears you."

The great wolf did not stir.

A low growl rumbled in his chest, so deep it shook the broken windows.

The stranger smiled. “I missed you, Kael.

The wolf responded with another growl. "You still have that temper," the man continued. Even after all this time.

I looked at one and then the other.

“You know each other?”

None of them answered me.

The silence made my stomach churn.

And this was who?

Why had he talked to Kael as if he knew him?

Outside the fighting had died away almost around us. The other guards stood motionless, their weapons raised, their eyes fixed on the two powerful figures facing each other.

The air was heavy too.

As if the world was waiting.

The stranger slowly drew back his hood.

He was younger than I expected, maybe early thirties, with pale skin and silver hair down to his shoulders. A thin scar ran through his left eyebrow into the dark collar.

He had handsome features.

But his smile wasn't. 'My name,' he said calmly, 'is Lucien.

The name meant nothing to me at all.

But a few of Kael's guards straightened visibly.

One of them whispered, 'It can't be....'

Another made the sign of the cross as if to banish a nightmare.

Lucien saw. "Some of you remember me still it seems.

The wolf's snarl deepened.

Lucien sighed. "So always in a hurry.

He had no warning. He raised one hand.

Dark blue flames flared up around his fingers.

The fire was no bright.

It did not create light, it devoured it.

The marble under his feet blackened.

The nearest guards instinctively backed away.

Kael alone was still in place.

Lucien waved his hand.

The flames shot out at us.

It all happened so fast.

Kael jumped.

His huge body hit the dark fire before it could get to me. The flames broke over his fur, and blue light swallowed him.

No!!

Before I knew it, the cry burst from me.

The guards yelled.

Several ran forward.

Then the fire was out.

Kael came out of the smoke.

In one piece.

Not a hair of black fur had been singed.

Lucien chuckled softly. “So, you’ve got it down.

Kael bowed his head, his massive body tightening with tension.

He struck. The next heart-beat—

I saw him move, barely.

One minute he was right there.

Then he was on Lucien.

The impact rattled the mansion.

Lucien skidded back several feet, digging his boots deep into the marble floor, before he caught himself.

He laughed."

“Took you long enough to get here,” I said.

They collided again.

Blue fire met claws.

The sound was like a thunder.

Each blow opened up cracks in the floor beneath them.

I never imagined such strength existed.

It was not a man fight.

It was like watching two storms collide.

A hand was on my arm, softly.

I leapt.

Rowan. “When the time is right,” he whispered. “I’m getting you out of here.”

I can't leave him.

You have to .

“He’ll die.

Rowan's face softened. "You don't know Kael.

There was another crash.

Kael hit Lucien against one of the stone pillars. Dust kicked up in the air.

Lucien stopped smiling for the first time.

Blood dripped from the corner of his mouth.

He rubbed it off with a single finger and stared at the crimson smear.

Then he laughed. 'Good.

Kael moved forward.

Each step was a slow one.

Controlled.

Predatory.

Lucien's silver eyes flicked over him.

Straight at me. 'You know why he's protecting you?

My heart tripped. "No." "He doesn't either."

Kael’s growl reverberated down the hall.

Lucien did not hear it. "Tell me, little one.

His voice was strangely gentle. "Do you know why your family kept you in hiding?"

I swallowed. "No way.

"Did they tell you why no wolf ever answered your call?

The question was sharper than I expected.

I turned around

When the children grew up, they called forth their wolf.

So did everyone.

Everybody but me.

For years I’d pretended it didn’t matter.

Pretending like the whispers didn't sting.

Wolfless.

Broke .

A waste of time.

Lucien watched my face very closely. “They never told you, then.” “Told me what?”

His smile disappeared. "The truth.

Kael stopped walking abruptly.

His ears flicked.

His body tightened, every muscle taut.

Rowan saw it first.

His face shifted instantly. "Alpha..."

Kael looked up to the broken ceiling with his yellow eyes.

I looked where he looked.

First...

"I saw nothing.

Then the clouds started to move over the mansion.

Not by nature

They spun together into a black circle right over the estate.

The afternoon sky was dimming.

The broken hall was filled with a cold wind.

The temperature was dropping so quickly I wrapped my arms around myself.

Lucien looked up.

His confidence faded. "No..."

He whispered, "It's not supposed to happen yet.

Lightning streaked in the swirling clouds.

Not white.

Silver.

Same colour as the crescent shaped birthmark on my collarbone.

And suddenly I felt a stabbing pain in my chest.

I gulped.

It was as if something inside me had awakened from a long sleep.

I took a step back.

The pain increased.

Warmer.

Almost unbearably. “Lyra!

Rowan caught my arm before I could go downstairs.

I clutched my dress, trying to breathe.

The birthmark was on fire.

Not from out there.

From inside.

A silver shock of light tore through the fabric.

All eyes were on.

The guards stopped dead.

Victor's face turned deathly white.

Lady Marcy screamed with fright.

Lucien looked with wide eyes at the glowing light.

And then, for the first time since he entered the house...

He looked scared. "No..." he breathed. "The seal..."

His voice trembled. "...it's breaking.

Before anyone could move, a silver light burst from my chest and filled the whole hall.

And somewhere in that blinding light. . .

I heard another heart beating.

I had no part in it.

It was something old.

Something strong.

And it had just roused.