The forgotten pack

The Blackthorn territory had changed in seconds. Torches burned along the walls. Guards rushed through the streets. Wolves gathered at the gates, their attention fixed on the darkness beyond. Aria stood beside Kael. “Are they really going to attack?” Kael watched the northern wall. “If they came this far, they're not here to talk.” A horn sounded. The pack fell silent. Alpha Darius stood on the stone platform above the gate. His voice carried across the territory. “Blackthorn Pack, hold your positions.” The wolves obeyed immediately. Aria watched him. There was something about the way everyone listened to him. Authority. Power. Then she looked at Kael. “Are you going to fight?” Kael glanced at her. “If I have to.” “Why?” “Because you're under our protection.” Aria frowned. “You barely know me.” Kael looked at her for a moment. “Maybe.” Before Aria could respond, a guard approached. “Kael.” Kael turned. “The Alpha wants you.” He nodded. Then he looked at Aria. “Stay here.” “I'm coming with you.” “No.” “You're not my boss.” A faint smile crossed his face. “You're stubborn.” “So I've been told.” Kael sighed. “Fine. But stay close.” They walked toward the central hall. Aria could feel the eyes of the pack following her. As they entered, Alpha Darius stood beside a large wooden table covered with maps. Several older wolves surrounded him. Darius looked at Kael. “Close the doors.” Kael did. Darius turned toward Aria. “The Bloodmoon Pack is demanding that we surrender you.” Aria's stomach tightened. “What are you going to do?” “We will refuse.” One of the elders stepped forward. “That decision could start a war.” Darius looked at him. “The war has already started.” The elder fell silent. Kael studied the map. “How many are outside?” “Unknown,” Darius said. “At least fifty.” Kael's eyes narrowed. “They're testing our defenses.” “Yes.” Aria looked at the map. “Why would they risk attacking a pack this powerful just for me?” Nobody answered. She looked at Darius. “What aren't you telling me?” Darius sighed. “The Forgotten Pack possessed something every other pack wanted.” “The Moonstone?” “Yes.” Kael looked at his father. “And the Bloodmoon Pack believes Aria knows where it is.” Aria shook her head. “I don't even know what it looks like.” “You don't need to,” Darius said. “What does that mean?” “Your blood may be enough to find it.” Aria touched the crescent mark. “That's why they're hunting me.” “Partly.” “What else is there?” Darius hesitated. Before he could answer, the doors opened. A woman entered. She wore a dark cloak with the Blackthorn crest. “Alpha.” Darius turned. “What is it?” “The eastern watchtower has been attacked.” Kael immediately moved. “Did they breach the wall?” “No. But they left a message.” She handed Darius a folded piece of cloth. He opened it. A red crescent had been painted across it. Underneath were three words. **THE HEIR RETURNS.** Kael's expression hardened. “They're trying to frighten us.” Darius shook his head. “No.” He looked at Aria. “They're announcing you.” Aria felt a chill. “Announcing me to who?” “To every supernatural pack in the region.” Silence filled the hall. Kael stepped closer to her. “Then we need to get you somewhere secure.” Darius nodded. “Take her to the old house.” Aria frowned. “Why does everyone keep sending me there?” “Because no one enters it without my permission.” Kael started toward the door. Aria followed. Then Darius called him back. “Kael.” Kael turned. His father looked at him seriously. “Keep her alive.” Kael nodded. “I will.” Aria noticed the way Darius looked at his son. There was more behind those words. Something neither of them was saying. Outside the hall, Kael walked silently. Aria followed. After a while, she spoke. “Your father doesn't trust me.” “He doesn't trust anyone connected to the Forgotten Pack.” “But he promised my mother he'd protect me.” Kael stopped. “My father doesn't break promises.” “He said he failed.” Kael looked away. “My father carries a lot of guilt.” “Why?” “I don't know.” Aria studied him. “You're lying.” Kael looked at her. “How do you know?” “Because you won't look at me.” He gave a small laugh. “You notice everything.” “I have to.” “Why?” “Because nobody tells me anything.” Kael became quiet. Then he said, “My father believed your parents were dead.” “But they weren't.” “No.” “Did he know my father?” “Yes.” “How?” Kael looked toward the forest. “Our families were once allies.” Aria frowned. “Then what happened?” “The Night of Ashes.” Again, that name. Everyone seemed afraid of it. “What really happened that night?” Kael shook his head. “Ask my father.” “I did.” “And?” “He wouldn't tell me.” Kael stopped walking. “Then maybe he has a reason.” Aria folded her arms. “Everyone has a reason.” Kael looked at her. “Not every reason is safe to uncover.” Before Aria could answer, a loud howl echoed across the territory. Kael's expression changed. “That isn't a Blackthorn wolf.” Another howl followed. Then another. Aria looked toward the walls. “Are they inside?” Kael listened carefully. “No.” He looked at the forest. “Something else is here.” The silver crescent beneath Aria's collarbone suddenly began glowing. Kael noticed. “Your mark.” “I feel it.” “What does it feel like?” “Like something is pulling me.” “Where?” Aria pointed toward the forest. “There.” Kael's eyes narrowed. “That forest is outside our territory.” “Something is calling me.” “You're not going.” “I have to know what it is.” “No.” Aria stepped forward. “You can't keep protecting me by keeping me ignorant.” Kael stared at her. For a moment, neither moved. Then the silver wolf appeared at the edge of the trees. Its blue eyes locked onto Aria. *Come.* Aria's heart raced. Kael looked at the wolf. “What is it saying?” Aria whispered, “It wants me to follow.” Kael shook his head. “Absolutely not.” The wolf turned and disappeared into the forest. Aria watched it go. Then she looked at Kael. “I think it knows something about my parents.” Kael's expression hardened. “And that's exactly why you're not following it alone.” He stepped beside her. “If you're going, I'm coming with you.” Aria looked at him. “Why?” Kael's golden eyes met hers. “Because you're the heir.” He paused. “And because my father gave me one order.” “What order?” His voice was quiet. “Keep you alive.” Far beyond the walls, hidden among the trees, a pair of red eyes watched them. The Bloodmoon hunter smiled. “Good.” He turned away. “They're going exactly where we want them.”