THE LUNAR KINGS SHATTERED CLAIM

CHAPTER 3

The forest was quiet and scary under the moonlight. My heart was beating fast, and I was breathing very quickly as I looked at the dead wolf on the ground. Its eyes, which had been glowing brightly, were now dim, and I couldn't forget the angry snarl it gave before dying.

The stream nearby made soft sounds like it wasn’t aware of what had just happened.

My chest felt heavy, and the fear from earlier still clung to me. Caden’s body was tense as he stared down at the lifeless wolves; his breathing was short, and his hands were covered in blood.

That period felt difficult for both of us. His words from earlier were repeated in my mind: “Run, Serenity.” I hadn’t run, but now I wonder if I should have.

“Are you hurt?” a sharp voice said behind me.

I turned quickly to see Caden. He is leaning against a tree, breathing heavily, and blood is flowing down his arms from deep cuts. He looked like he was struggling to stay upright, but his bright blue eyes locked intensely onto mine.

“I’m fine,” I lied, though the scratches on my arm hurt a lot. But you’re not. You’re bleeding Caden. ”

“I’ll be fine,” Caden said, walking away from the tree. “We can’t continue staying here; we need to move far from this place,” but he almost failed, and he was finding it difficult to move.

“Stay here? " You can barely stand!” I shot back. “Sit down before you collapse.”

His face looked like he wanted to argue with me, but he slowly sat down on a log. I pulled a piece of cloth from my bag and knelt beside him. He didn’t want my help, but he didn’t have a choice either.

As I pressed the cloth into one of his wounds, I broke the quiet tension between us. “Who was that wolf? " And why did it call you the Lunar King?” I asked.

Caden didn’t answer at first. He kept his eyes on the ground. Finally, he muttered, “I’ve been through worse.”

The wolves' bodies were piled together, a clear warning of the danger that had nearly killed us. But it wasn't just their deaths that worried me - it was the last wolf's dying word. “Your throne is gone... Lunar King.”

“What did it mean?” I said, stepping closer. “What’s behind the wolf's claim that you are the Lunar King.?” I asked him for the second time.

“What did it mean?” I asked again. “Why would it call you that?”

He was silent and didn’t answer. I saw a brief look of emotion in his eyes when he finally looked at me. Maybe, regret or fear. But it vanished too quickly for me to know for sure.

“Caden, I just saved your life,” I said, my voice shaking with anger. “If I can risk my life for you, can you at least tell me who you are?”

He sighed and then his shoulders dropped. “I never asked for your help.”

His words hurt, but I refused to back down. “You are alive today because I chose to help.

Don’t treat me like I’m the enemy here .”

For a second, his eyes softened, then he said softly “I’m sorry,” so quietly that I almost didn’t hear him.

We moved to the edge of the clearing, away from the awful scene. I gestured for him to sit while I searched for my bag for anything helpful. The silence between us felt heavy with questions I couldn’t ask yet.

“You’re bleeding again,” I said, kneeling beside him. The temporary bandages from earlier were completely soaked. “Your wounds aren't getting better as quickly as I thought they would .”

“That’s none of your business,” he replied abruptly, but when I reached for his arm, he didn’t pull away.

“ It is my business and my problem,” I said calmly, even though I still felt scared of the attack. “If something bad happens to you here, I'll be all by myself with those fierce animals.”

Carefully, I began cleaning the wound. His body became tense under my touch, but he didn't say anything.

“You’re good with this,” he said while smiling gently after a long silence.

I glanced at him, surprised by the unexpected compliment. “I’ve learned the hard way,” I said, “Living by myself out here can be tough.”

He looked me straight in the eye. “Why are you alone out here?”

“ Tell me Serenity, why are you in this forest without anyone? " What brings you out here, all by yourself?”

He looked at me intensely, his blue eyes searching for something I couldn’t name.

“I hesitated a little, because I didn't want to share the pains and humiliations I went through, nor remembering it because the truth was still too raw and still fresh in my memory, so painful for me to share.

“You should be the one that deserves that question.”

“What were you doing in this desert that almost claimed your life?” I asked instead of answering him.

His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he might answer. But all that could come out of his mouth was, “We all have our reasons and secrets.”

The night grew colder as we sat there, the tension between us was as sharp as the wind. Despite his injuries, there was a strength about Caden that was hard to ignore.

He wasn’t just anyone; I was sure of it. But what kind of man could fight off rogues with nothing but just a rock?

And why was he running from the wolves, and why did the last one call him a king?

I broke the silence. “Do you trust me?” I asked suddenly.

He blinked, clearly startled by the question. “Why would you ask that?”

“Because I trust you,” I said simply.I don’t know why, but I do. Even though you’re keeping secrets, even though everything about you screams danger, I trust you.”

For the first time since we sat down, his face was full of emotions with an unspoken pass between us, and for a second, I thought he might finally tell me the truth.

But before he could speak, a loud noise nearby made us both stop.

My heart beat fast as I turned to the sound, looking into the darkness for any sign of movement.

“Stay here,” Caden said softly, rising slowly to his feet.

“Caden.. I stammered”

He gave me a sharp look, and I stopped talking immediately. His eyes were glowing faintly in the moonlight.

The way he stood, tense and alert, sent a shiver down my spine.

Then a voice came up, sounding mean and mocking, from the darkness.

“Well, well. Isn’t this a touching scene?”

Someone appeared from the darkness to the place we are. The face was hidden but not human. Its eyes sparkled in a wild and unnatural way, and a weird smile spread across the face.

Caden stepped forward, placing himself between me and the stranger. “What do you want?”

The figure laughed aloud, a cold bone-chilling sound. “Oh, I think you know.”