Chapter 6: The Hunt Begins
692 Words
Chapter 6: The Hunt Begins
A cold wind swept through Mooncrest Pack.
The scent of blood still lingered in the air from the rogue attack. Warriors worked through the night, repairing the damaged gates while healers treated the wounded.
Inside the Alpha’s mansion, Aria sat quietly by the window.
Her fingers traced the faint silver crescent mark on her forehead.
It had disappeared again.
“If it was real…” she whispered, “why can’t I see it now?”
A soft knock came at the door.
“Come in.”
Lucian entered carrying a tray of food.
“You haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
“I’m not hungry.”
“You need your strength.”
He placed the tray beside her.
“I know you’re frightened.”
Aria looked away.
“I almost got people killed.”
Lucian shook his head.
“You saved this pack.”
“If you hadn’t awakened your power, those rogues would’ve slaughtered us.”
She lowered her eyes.
“But I don’t even know what I am.”
For a moment, neither of them spoke.
Then Lucian smiled gently.
“Then we’ll find the answer together.”
Far from Mooncrest…
Kael and his Beta, Damon, rode through the dense forest.
The horses galloped without rest.
“We’ve been riding for two days,” Damon said. “Maybe the reports were wrong.”
Kael’s expression remained hard.
“They weren’t.”
He stopped his horse beside a broken tree.
The bark was covered with deep claw marks.
Kael knelt, touching the wood.
“Rogues.”
He stood.
“And they came this way.”
Meanwhile…
Inside the Shadow Fortress…
The Shadow Alpha stood before hundreds of rogue wolves gathered in the courtyard.
Their growls echoed through the mountains.
“The Moon Queen has awakened.”
Every rogue bowed.
“Our spies have confirmed she’s hiding in Mooncrest.”
He smiled darkly.
“This time…”
“I don’t want her dead.”
“I want her alive.”
A warrior stepped forward.
“And if the Mooncrest Alpha refuses?”
The Shadow Alpha’s crimson eyes glowed.
“Burn the pack.”
“Kill anyone who stands in your way.”
“But bring the girl to me.”
The rogues howled in agreement.
The hunt had begun.
That afternoon…
Lucian gathered his strongest warriors.
“The rogues will return.”
“We need every entrance guarded.”
Rowan stepped forward.
“Alpha, should we tell Aria the truth?”
Lucian looked toward the mansion.
“Not yet.”
“She’s already carrying enough.”
Neither of them noticed Aria standing just outside the doorway.
She had heard everything.
“They’re coming because of me…”
That night…
Unable to sleep, Aria slipped out of the mansion.
The forest was quiet beneath the full moon.
She walked until she reached the same stream where she had first looked at her reflection.
“Who am I?” she whispered into the darkness.
Suddenly…
A branch snapped.
She spun around.
“Who’s there?”
A tall man stepped out from behind the trees.
He wore a black cloak, his face hidden beneath a hood.
It was the mysterious warrior who had saved her in the forbidden forest.
“You…” Aria breathed.
The stranger lowered his hood.
His piercing golden eyes met hers.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“Who are you?” she asked.
Instead of answering, he looked at the crescent-shaped pendant around her neck.
“So…”
“You still have it.”
Aria frowned.
“What are you talking about?”
Before he could explain, several arrows shot from the trees.
“Protect the girl!” a voice shouted.
Mooncrest warriors burst from the shadows.
The mysterious man sighed.
“They found me sooner than I expected.”
With one final glance at Aria, he disappeared into the darkness before anyone could catch him.
Rowan rushed to Aria’s side.
“Are you hurt?”
She shook her head.
“No.”
“But…”
She looked toward the forest where the stranger had vanished.
“I think he knows who I really am.”
- Writer
