Episode 6: Beneath the Willow Tree
884 Words
Lyra couldn’t take her eyes off the silver key.
It was cold in her palm, yet it seemed to pulse with a life of its own. The crescent moon engraved on its handle matched the pendant she had worn since childhood.
She unfolded the note again.
“The truth about your parents is buried beneath the old willow tree. Come alone.”
Every instinct told her it was a trap.
But another voice deep inside whispered,
“Go.”
The next evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Lyra found herself standing at the edge of Moonshade Forest.
The old willow tree wasn’t difficult to find.
Its massive branches hung like curtains over a small clearing, and its trunk was so wide that it would take several people to wrap their arms around it.
Her pendant grew warm.
She knelt and brushed away the fallen leaves near the roots.
The silver key fit perfectly into a hidden lock carved into the trunk.
With a soft click, a small compartment opened.
Inside rested a weathered wooden box.
Her hands trembled as she lifted it out.
Inside was a faded photograph.
A young woman with silver hair smiled as she held a baby wrapped in a blanket embroidered with a crescent moon.
Standing beside her was a tall man with golden eyes and dark hair.
On the back of the photograph were the words:
“To our beloved daughter, Lyra. No matter where you are, the moon will always guide you home.”
Tears blurred Lyra’s vision.
“They’re… my parents.”
Suddenly—
Crunch!
A twig snapped behind her.
She spun around.
Three masked figures emerged from the trees.
“The box,” one of them demanded.
“Hand it over.”
Lyra clutched it to her chest.
“Who are you?”
“The last people you should have trusted.”
Before they could move closer, a fierce howl echoed through the forest.
A giant black wolf burst from the shadows.
Kael.
The attackers immediately backed away.
“The Alpha King,” one hissed.
Kael bared his teeth.
“Leave.”
The strangers exchanged nervous glances before disappearing into the darkness.
Kael shifted back into human form.
His eyes landed on the photograph in Lyra’s hands.
“You found it.”
“You knew this was here?”
“I was hoping you’d never have to.”
Lyra looked up, anger and confusion mixing in her eyes.
“Stop speaking in riddles! Tell me the truth.”
Kael took a deep breath.
“Your parents were the King and Queen of the Moonblood Pack.”
“They were murdered.”
“And the people responsible are still looking for you.”
Lyra felt the world tilt beneath her feet.
Everything she believed about her life had been a lie.
End of Episode 6
⸻
Bound by the Moon’s Curse
Episode 7: The Hidden Enemy
The words echoed in Lyra’s ears.
“Your parents were murdered.”
She stared at Kael, unable to speak.
“No…” she whispered. “The orphanage told me they abandoned me.”
Kael’s expression softened.
“They didn’t.”
“They died protecting you.”
Tears streamed down Lyra’s cheeks.
“Who killed them?”
Before Kael could answer, Elder Rowan stepped into the clearing.
His silver robe swayed gently in the night breeze.
“It wasn’t one person,” he said.
“It was a council.”
Lyra frowned.
“A council?”
“Years ago, several Alpha leaders feared the Moonblood royal family had become too powerful. They formed a secret alliance to destroy them.”
Kael’s jaw tightened.
“They failed.”
“They believed they had.”
Rowan looked at Lyra.
“But your parents managed to hide you before the attack.”
“They entrusted you to humans, hoping your identity would remain secret until the Moon chose you.”
Lyra looked down at the photograph.
“They loved me…”
“They gave everything to save you,” Rowan replied.
Just then, Kael suddenly turned toward the trees.
“We’re not alone.”
A slow clap echoed through the forest.
Lucien Nightshade stepped into the moonlight, dressed in black, his crimson eyes gleaming with amusement.
“How touching.”
Kael stepped protectively in front of Lyra.
“You shouldn’t have come here.”
Lucien smiled.
“And miss this family reunion?”
His gaze shifted to Lyra.
“So…”
“The lost Moonblood Princess.”
Lyra instinctively moved closer to Kael.
Lucien noticed.
He laughed.
“Careful, Princess.”
“The Alpha King isn’t telling you everything.”
Kael’s eyes flashed with anger.
“Leave.”
Lucien ignored him.
Instead, he looked directly at Lyra.
“Ask him why he waited until now to find you.”
“Ask him what really happened the night your parents died.”
Kael’s silence lasted only a second.
But it was enough.
Lyra looked at him, confusion filling her eyes.
“You… knew my parents?”
Before Kael could answer, Lucien smiled triumphantly.
“I’ll let him explain.”
With that, he disappeared into the darkness.
Lyra slowly turned back to Kael.
Her voice was barely above a whisper.
“Tell me the truth…”
“Were you there the night my parents died?
- Writer
