THE MOON GODDESS OF SILVERFANG

The Secret In The Shadows

Chapter Two

I barely slept that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, the same images returned.

The woman beneath the moon.

The silver wolf.

The mysterious crown.

The newborn child.

And the voice.

Remember.

I had no idea what I was supposed to remember.

I only knew that the voice felt familiar, almost as though it had been waiting inside my memories for years.

When the first light of morning entered through my window, I was already awake.

I sat on the edge of my bed and stared at my wrist.

The crescent-shaped mark was still there.

It had stopped glowing, but it had not disappeared.

I touched it gently.

Nothing happened.

For a moment, I wondered whether everything from the previous night had been a dream.

Then I remembered the way the entire pack had stared at me.

I remembered Elder Rowan's words.

The old blood has awakened.

I stood.

There was no point hiding in my room.

I needed answers.

I dressed quickly and left.

The settlement was already awake.

Wolves moved between the houses, carrying supplies and preparing for the day's work. Normally, I would have kept my head down and continued with my chores.

But that morning was different.

As I walked through the clearing, conversations stopped around me.

Two young wolves who had been laughing suddenly became quiet.

An older woman stared at my wrist.

A group of warriors looked at me before whispering among themselves.

I tried to ignore them.

Then someone called my name.

“Elara.”

I turned.

It was Elder Rowan.

He stood near the large oak tree at the center of the settlement.

“Come with me.”

I followed him.

He led me away from the houses and toward the eastern forest.

Neither of us spoke until we were far enough from the settlement that the voices behind us could no longer be heard.

We stopped beside the stream.

The same stream where I had collected water the previous morning.

Rowan leaned against his staff.

“You heard the Moon last night.”

It was a statement, not a question.

“Yes.”

“What did it say?”

I hesitated.

“It called my name.”

“Anything else?”

“It told me not to fear what I am.”

His expression became serious.

“And?”

I looked at the water.

“It said one word.”

“What word?”

“Remember.”

Rowan closed his eyes.

For several seconds, he remained silent.

“Do you know what it means?” I asked.

“Perhaps.”

“Then tell me.”

He looked at me.

“There are things about your family that have been hidden for a very long time.”

“My father knows.”

“Yes.”

“Morwen knows too.”

His silence confirmed it.

“What exactly is the Moon Seal?”

Rowan sat on a stone.

“It is a mark associated with the bloodline of the first Moon Guardian.”

“Lyra?”

He nodded.

“She lived many generations ago. The oldest records describe her as a wolf unlike any other.”

“What made her different?”

“She could hear the voice of the Moon.”

I swallowed.

“Like me.”

“Yes.”

“What else could she do?”

“That is where the records become unclear.”

“Why?”

“Because many of them were destroyed.”

“Destroyed by whom?”

“We do not know.”

I looked toward the mountains.

“Was my mother one of her descendants?”

Rowan nodded slowly.

“Yes.”

The answer should not have surprised me.

But it did.

I had spent my entire life believing I was simply the Alpha's daughter.

Now I was being told that my blood carried an ancient power.

“What happened to my mother?”

Rowan looked away.

“That is something you must ask your father.”

“I already did.”

“And?”

“He said he was afraid.”

Rowan sighed.

“Your father has carried guilt for many years.”

“Guilt over what?”

“I cannot tell you.”

“Why?”

“Because I made a promise.”

“To my mother?”

“Yes.”

I stared at him.

“What did she make you promise?”

“That I would not reveal certain truths until the Moon Seal awakened.”

“And now it has.”

“Yes.”

“Then keep your promise and tell me.”

Rowan gave a faint smile.

“You have your mother's determination.”

I looked at him.

“You knew her well?”

“She was one of the strongest wolves I ever knew.”

“Was she a Moon Guardian?”

“No.”

“Then what was she?”

“Someone who knew she might have to become one.”

I frowned.

“I don't understand.”

“Your mother discovered something shortly before she disappeared.”

“What?”

“The existence of the Moon Crown.”

I had heard that name before.

“The crown from my vision?”

“Possibly.”

“What does it do?”

“No one knows exactly.”

“That doesn't make sense.”

“The ancient records say the crown belonged to the first Guardian. It was not merely a symbol of leadership. It was connected to the power of the Moon Seal.”

“Where is it?”

“We don't know.”

“Was my mother looking for it?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“Because someone else was looking for it too.”

I felt a chill.

“Who?”

Rowan's eyes hardened.

“Those who believe the Moon Crown can give them control over every wolf clan.”

I looked around the forest.

“Are they in Silverfang?”

“I don't know.”

“You do know something.”

“I know there are secrets inside this pack that have never been exposed.”

“Does Morwen know?”

Rowan's expression changed.

“She knows enough to be afraid.”

I remembered the look on Morwen's face the previous night.

For years, I had thought she hated me simply because she did not like me.

Now I wondered whether something deeper was behind it.

“Why did she treat me so badly?”

Rowan looked down.

“Fear can make people cruel.”

“That isn't an excuse.”

“No.”

His voice was quiet.

“It isn't.”

I stood.

“I need to speak with my father.”

“You should.”

I turned to leave.

“Wait.”

I looked back.

Rowan reached beneath his cloak and removed a small silver pendant.

My heart skipped.

I recognized it immediately.

It was the same crescent symbol I had seen in my childhood memories.

“My mother had one like that.”

“This belonged to her.”

I stared at the pendant.

“Why do you have it?”

“She gave it to me before she disappeared.”

“Why?”

“She told me to keep it until you were ready.”

He held it out.

I took it.

The moment my fingers touched the metal, warmth rushed through my hand.

The crescent on the pendant glowed.

I gasped.

Rowan stared at me.

“It has chosen you.”

I looked at the pendant.

“What does that mean?”

“I don't know.”

“Everyone keeps saying they don't know.”

“Because some answers are older than the people who carry them.”

I closed my hand around the pendant.

“Thank you.”

I walked back toward the settlement.

My father was in the main hall.

Several warriors stood around him.

When he saw me, he dismissed them.

“Leave us.”

They obeyed.

I entered.

My father sat behind the large wooden table.

He looked tired.

“You spoke with Rowan.”

“Yes.”

“What did he tell you?”

“That Mother was connected to the Moon Seal.”

My father's expression remained still.

“He also told me about the Moon Crown.”

My father's eyes narrowed.

“Did he tell you where it is?”

“No.”

“Good.”

“Why?”

“Because you do not need to involve yourself in this.”

I stared at him.

“I'm already involved.”

He looked away.

“I wanted to protect you.”

“You keep saying that.”

“Because it is true.”

“Then stop protecting me with lies.”

He sighed.

I placed the pendant on the table.

His eyes immediately widened.

“Where did you get that?”

“Rowan.”

My father picked it up.

For several moments, he simply stared at it.

“Mother gave this to him.”

“Yes.”

He lowered his head.

“She knew this day might come.”

“What day?”

“The day your mark awakened.”

I sat across from him.

“Tell me about her.”

He looked at me.

“What do you want to know?”

“Everything.”

He was silent.

Then he began.

“Your mother discovered the Moon Seal when she was young. At first, she believed it was simply an old family symbol. But as she grew older, she began experiencing strange dreams.”

“Dreams about the Moon?”

“Yes.”

“Did she hear the voice?”

“Sometimes.”

My heart tightened.

“What did it tell her?”

“She never told me everything.”

“But you knew?”

“I knew enough to understand that she was frightened.”

“Why?”

“Because the dreams always showed the same place.”

“The Temple of First Light.”

He stared at me.

“You know about the temple?”

I nodded.

“Mother mentioned it in a letter.”

His expression changed.

“You found the letter.”

“Yes.”

He looked away.

“I was hoping you would not find it so soon.”

“She told me to leave Silverfang if my mark awakened before my seventeenth moon.”

My father stood suddenly.

“You must not leave.”

“Why?”

“Because the northern territories are dangerous.”

“More dangerous than staying here?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

He did not answer.

I stood.

“Father.”

He looked at me.

“Did Mother go to the temple?”

“Yes.”

“Why?”

“She believed someone there could explain the Moon Seal.”

“Did she find them?”

“We don't know.”

“She never came back.”

“No.”

“Then why did you let everyone believe she died?”

His face became heavy.

“Because there were wolves searching for her.”

“Who?”

“I never learned their names.”

“Did Morwen know?”

He hesitated.

“Yes.”

My stomach tightened.

“What did she know?”

“She knew your mother planned to travel north.”

“And she told someone.”

He looked at me.

“Who told you?”

“Morwen.”

My father closed his eyes.

“She admitted it?”

“Yes.”

“What else did she say?”

“That she made a mistake.”

He remained silent.

I understood then that there was more.

“You knew.”

“Not at first.”

“But eventually.”

“Yes.”

“Why did you stay with her?”

He looked at me.

“I thought she was trying to protect you.”

“She made me feel unwanted.”

“I know.”

“You should have stopped her.”

“I should have.”

His voice broke slightly.

I looked away.

For the first time, I saw how much regret he carried.

But regret did not erase the years.

“I need the truth,” I said.

“You will have it.”

“When?”

“Soon.”

“No.”

I looked directly at him.

“Not soon. Now.”

He remained silent for a long time.

Finally, he said, “Your mother believed someone inside Silverfang was helping her enemies.”

I froze.

“Who?”

“We never discovered their identity.”

“Could it have been Morwen?”

“No.”

“You sound certain.”

“I am.”

“Then who?”

“I don't know.”

The door opened.

Morwen entered.

She stopped when she saw us.

Her eyes moved from my father to the pendant on the table.

For a moment, fear crossed her face.

Then she closed the door.

“You should not have shown her that.”

My father stood.

“She deserves the truth.”

Morwen looked at me.

“You are not ready.”

“I am tired of hearing that.”

She stepped closer.

“You think knowing everything will make your life easier?”

“No.”

“It won't.”

“Then why hide it?”

“Because some truths are dangerous.”

“More dangerous than lies?”

She looked at my father.

“You promised.”

He answered quietly.

“I know.”

Morwen turned toward me.

“Your mother was searching for the Moon Crown.”

“I know.”

“She believed that finding it would protect you.”

“From whom?”

“From the people who wanted to use your blood.”

“Who are they?”

“I don't know.”

I almost laughed.

“You know everything except the answers I want.”

Her eyes hardened.

“You think I enjoyed keeping you away from the truth?”

“You treated me terribly.”

“Yes.”

The admission shocked me.

“I did.”

“Why?”

“Because every time I looked at you, I saw what could happen.”

“That isn't an answer.”

“It is the only one I have.”

She looked toward the window.

“Your mother was convinced that someone would eventually come for you.”

“Did she know who?”

“No.”

“Did she know where they were?”

“No.”

“Then what was she afraid of?”

Morwen looked at my wrist.

“You.”

I stared at her.

“Me?”

“Not you as a person.”

She paused.

“What you could become.”

Silence filled the room.

Then the ground trembled.

Everyone froze.

A distant howl echoed through the territory.

Another answered.

My mark began glowing.

My father immediately reached for his weapon.

Morwen stepped toward the window.

“Not again.”

I looked at her.

“What?”

She did not answer.

The howl came again.

This time it was closer.

The warriors outside began shouting.

My father rushed toward the door.

“Stay here.”

I followed him.

“No.”

“Elara.”

“I am not staying behind.”

He turned toward me.

“Listen to me.”

The forest erupted with howls.

Wolves rushed toward the western boundary.

Something had entered our territory.

I felt the Moon Seal burning beneath my skin.

Then I heard the voice.

Not from the sky.

Not from the forest.

From inside me.

Remember.

I closed my eyes.

For a moment, I saw the silver wolf again.

But this time, it was standing beside my mother.

She was holding a small child.

Me.

My mother looked directly at me.

Then she turned toward someone standing behind her.

I could not see the person's face.

But I heard my mother's voice.

“Do not let them find her.”

The vision disappeared.

I opened my eyes.

My father was staring at me.

“What did you see?”

I looked toward the western forest.

“My mother.”

“What?”

“She was alive after I was born.”

He went completely still.

Morwen's face lost its color.

I looked at both of them.

“You knew.”

Neither answered.

“You knew she was alive.”

My father took a breath.

“We don't know how long she survived.”

“But she survived.”

“Yes.”

I felt tears forming.

“Why did you let me believe she was dead?”

“I wanted you to have a chance at a normal life.”

I shook my head.

“There was never anything normal about my life.”

Before he could answer, a warrior rushed into the hall.

“Alpha!”

My father turned.

“What happened?”

“We found something at the western boundary.”

“What?”

The warrior swallowed.

“A symbol.”

“What symbol?”

“The same crescent as the one on her wrist.”

Everyone looked at me.

My heart began pounding.

The warrior continued.

“It was carved into one of the trees.”

My father exchanged a look with Morwen.

“Take me there,” he ordered.

The warrior left.

My father followed.

I followed him.

Morwen followed me.

None of us spoke.

We walked quickly toward the western boundary.

When we arrived, several warriors stood around an ancient pine.

A symbol had been carved deeply into its trunk.

A crescent.

Surrounded by five lines.

I stepped closer.

The mark on my wrist began glowing.

The symbol on the tree answered.

Silver light spread across the bark.

The warriors stepped backward.

Elder Rowan arrived moments later.

He stared at the tree.

Then at me.

“It has begun.”

“What has begun?” my father asked.

Rowan looked toward the northern mountains.

“The return of the Moon Blood.”

I stared at the glowing symbol.

Somewhere beyond the mountains, something was waiting.

Something connected to my mother.

Something connected to the Moon Crown.

And something connected to me.

For the first time, I understood that the truth was not simply hidden inside Silverfang.

It was waiting outside our territory.

Waiting beyond the forest.

Waiting in the place my mother had tried to reach before she disappeared.

The Temple of First Light.

I looked at the northern mountains.

I knew I would eventually have to go there.

But before I could leave, I needed to understand the danger surrounding Silverfang.

Because the symbol on the tree had not appeared by accident.

Someone had come into our territory.

Someone knew about the Moon Seal.

And someone wanted me to know they were watching.

I touched my wrist.

The glow slowly faded.

But the message remained.

I was no longer hidden.

The secret had been exposed.

And whatever had been waiting in the darkness had finally found me.

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