Chapter 2: A New Beginning
723 Words
Chapter 2: A New Beginning
Rain poured through the forbidden forest.
The sound of clashing steel echoed beneath the ancient trees.
The cloaked warrior moved like a shadow, his silver sword cutting through the black wolves with terrifying precision.
One beast lunged at him.
He twisted aside.
Its claws missed by inches.
With a single swing, his glowing blade sliced through the creature’s chest.
The beast let out an unearthly scream before dissolving into black smoke.
The remaining creatures hesitated.
For the first time…
They were afraid.
The warrior’s golden eyes glowed beneath his hood.
“You don’t belong in this world.”
The wolves growled before disappearing into the darkness, retreating deeper into the forest.
Silence returned.
The mysterious man lowered his sword and turned toward the unconscious girl lying in the mud.
Blood stained her silver dress.
A deep claw mark stretched across her shoulder.
Her breathing was weak.
He knelt beside her.
“So… you’re the one.”
Before he could say another word, dozens of wolves surrounded him.
Their eyes glowed blue instead of red.
They weren’t enemies.
They were Mooncrest warriors.
One stepped forward.
He was tall, with ash-blond hair and calm green eyes.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
The cloaked man looked at him.
“I’m no threat.”
“And the girl?”
“She’s dying.”
The blond warrior examined Ariana’s wounds.
His expression darkened.
“Take her to the Alpha.”
Without another word, the cloaked stranger stood.
“I’ve done what I came to do.”
He disappeared into the forest before anyone could stop him.
Hours later…
Ariana slowly opened her eyes.
The scent of herbs filled the room.
She blinked at the wooden ceiling above her.
Her shoulder burned with pain.
“Where…”
“…am I?”
A gentle voice answered.
“You’re safe.”
A beautiful woman with chestnut hair smiled warmly as she entered the room.
“My name is Evelyn.”
“I’m the healer of Mooncrest Pack.”
Mooncrest?
Ariana frowned.
“I don’t…”
Her head throbbed violently.
Memories flashed before her.
Silver eyes.
A rejection.
Pain.
Then…
Nothing.
She gasped.
“My name…”
She froze.
She couldn’t remember.
Tears filled her eyes.
“I…”
“I don’t know.”
Evelyn’s smile faded.
“You can’t remember?”
Ariana shook her head.
“I can’t remember anything.”
Not her family.
Not her pack.
Not even her own name.
Later that evening…
The healer stood before the Alpha of Mooncrest.
Alpha Lucian Vale.
He was young, yet his commanding presence filled the room.
His golden-brown hair rested neatly above piercing amber eyes.
Unlike many Alphas, there was warmth in his gaze.
Evelyn bowed.
“She has lost all of her memories.”
Lucian frowned.
“Everything?”
“Yes.”
“Even her name.”
Lucian remained silent for several moments.
Finally, he said,
“Then she deserves a fresh start.”
The next morning…
Lucian entered Ariana’s room.
She quickly sat up.
He offered her a gentle smile.
“I heard you can’t remember your name.”
She lowered her eyes.
“I’m sorry.”
“You have nothing to apologize for.”
He looked out the window.
“The sunrise reminds me of new beginnings.”
He turned back to her.
“How about…”
“…Aria?”
She whispered the name.
“Aria.”
It felt unfamiliar.
Yet strangely comforting.
She smiled for the first time.
“I like it.”
Lucian smiled back.
“Then welcome to Mooncrest…”
“…Aria.”
Far away…
Inside the Moonfang Pack.
Kael stood alone on the balcony outside his office.
The full moon hung high above the forest.
His Beta approached carefully.
“We searched everywhere.”
“There was no sign of her.”
Kael closed his eyes.
His chest ached with every heartbeat.
The broken mate bond still lingered like an open wound.
“Keep searching.”
The Beta hesitated.
“Alpha…”
“After three days…”
“…she may already be dead.”
Kael’s fists clenched.
“No.”
His voice was low but firm.
“She’s alive.”
He looked toward the distant forest.
“I can still feel her.”
Unknown to him…
Miles away…
The woman he loved had already forgotten he existed.
- Writer
