Chapter 6: Secrets Beneath the Moon
1694 Words
Another howl echoed through the night.
The sound rolled across the forest like thunder, raising the hairs on the back of Tiana's neck.
Everything became still.
The wolves surrounding her immediately shifted into defensive positions.
Their eyes remained fixed on the dark tree line.
Waiting.
Watching.
Preparing.
Tiana's heart pounded.
Only moments ago, she had been trying to understand what Timothy meant when he called her his mate.
Now it felt as though the entire forest wanted her dead.
The realization was terrifying.
Timothy stepped closer.
Not enough to touch her.
Just enough to place himself between her and the approaching danger.
The gesture didn't go unnoticed.
Especially by Lyra.
The blonde wolf's jaw tightened immediately.
Pain flashed through her blue eyes.
Pain quickly replaced by resentment.
Tiana noticed.
She was beginning to understand that Lyra's anger wasn't simply jealousy.
It was heartbreak.
Years of loyalty.
Years of hope.
Years spent believing she would stand beside Timothy one day.
And now Tiana had appeared and unknowingly shattered that future.
The thought made her uncomfortable.
She hadn't asked for any of this.
She hadn't asked for a mate.
She hadn't asked for wolves.
She certainly hadn't asked for enemies hiding in the forest.
Yet somehow everything revolved around her.
The leader of the pack turned slightly.
His silver eyes found hers.
"Stay close."
Tiana folded her arms.
"You keep saying that."
"Because you keep wandering off."
Despite the danger, a small smile tugged at her lips.
Timothy looked relieved.
As though seeing her smile eased something inside him.
The expression vanished almost immediately.
Another howl echoed through the darkness.
Closer.
Much closer.
The wolves growled.
A low, threatening sound that vibrated through the night air.
Rachel moved beside Tiana.
Her face had gone pale.
Very pale.
The sight worried Tiana.
Rachel wasn't a coward.
She had raised Tiana alone after her parents died.
She had worked multiple jobs.
Faced every challenge life threw at her.
Yet tonight she looked genuinely frightened.
"Aunt Rachel."
Rachel didn't answer.
"Aunt Rachel."
This time the older woman looked at her.
Fear filled her eyes.
"Tiana."
The way she said her name made Tiana's stomach tighten.
"What aren't you telling me?"
Rachel closed her eyes.
For a moment she looked exhausted.
Like someone carrying a burden far too heavy for one person.
"When your mother died, she made me promise something."
Tiana froze.
The mention of her mother immediately caught her attention.
"What promise?"
Rachel hesitated.
Then looked toward Timothy.
The Alpha nodded.
A silent understanding passed between them.
Tiana noticed.
Everyone seemed connected by secrets except her.
Rachel exhaled slowly.
"She made me promise to keep you hidden."
The words settled heavily between them.
"Hidden from who?"
Silence.
Then Timothy answered.
"From them."
His gaze shifted toward the forest.
Tiana followed it.
The darkness seemed alive.
Watching.
Waiting.
A branch snapped.
The sound echoed loudly through the trees.
Several wolves immediately moved forward.
Ready for battle.
Tiana's pulse accelerated.
"What are they?"
The question slipped out before she could stop it.
Timothy's expression darkened.
"They're called Shadowborn."
The unfamiliar name sent chills through her.
"Shadowborn?"
Rachel shuddered.
Even hearing the word seemed to disturb her.
Timothy nodded.
"They were once wolves."
Tiana blinked.
"What?"
A growl echoed from nearby.
The Alpha continued.
"Long ago, some wolves chose power over loyalty."
His voice carried centuries of hatred.
"They turned against the Moon Goddess."
The name again.
The Moon Goddess.
The mysterious being everyone seemed to worship.
"What happened to them?"
Timothy's silver eyes hardened.
"They became monsters."
The answer made her stomach twist.
A loud crash suddenly echoed through the forest.
Then another.
Then another.
The trees began shaking.
Not from the wind.
From movement.
Large movement.
Dozens of figures emerged from the darkness.
Tiana's breath caught.
Red eyes glowed between the trees.
One pair.
Five pairs.
Ten.
Twenty.
Too many to count.
The creatures moved slowly.
Confidently.
As though they already knew they had the advantage.
The wolves around Tiana immediately formed a protective circle.
Timothy stepped directly in front of her.
The movement happened so naturally it startled her.
Instinct.
Pure instinct.
Protect her first.
Everything else second.
The realization warmed her chest.
Then frightened her.
Because she liked it.
And she barely knew him.
The leader of the creatures stepped into the moonlight.
Tall.
Thin.
Terrifying.
A cruel smile spread across his face.
His red eyes locked onto Tiana instantly.
Recognition flashed within them.
The creature laughed.
A horrible sound.
"You look exactly like her."
Tiana's blood turned cold.
Because somehow she knew exactly who he meant.
Her mother.
And for the first time that night, she realized the truth about her parents was far bigger than anyone had admitted.
Far bigger than she had ever imagined.
The creature's smile widened.
"You have her eyes."
Tiana's breath caught.
The statement hit harder than she expected.
For years, she had desperately clung to every memory she had of her parents.
Unfortunately, there weren't many.
A few faded photographs.
A handful of stories from Rachel.
Fragments of memories from when she was very young.
Nothing more.
Yet somehow this monster knew her mother.
The realization terrified her.
"How do you know my mother?"
The creature's red eyes gleamed.
"Because I was there the night she died."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The words struck Tiana like a physical blow.
Her knees nearly gave out.
Rachel gasped.
Timothy's expression became murderous.
The Alpha took a threatening step forward.
"Careful."
The warning carried enough power to make several wolves lower their heads.
The creature laughed.
"Oh, touchy subject?"
Tiana couldn't breathe.
Her entire world had just shifted.
The creature knew her mother.
Knew how she died.
And judging by the hatred in Timothy's eyes, the answer wasn't going to be pleasant.
"You lied to me."
Her voice sounded small.
Broken.
Rachel's eyes immediately filled with tears.
"Tiana—"
"You told me it was an accident."
Rachel looked devastated.
The older woman opened her mouth.
Closed it.
Then looked away.
That was answer enough.
The accident had been a lie.
Tiana's chest tightened painfully.
Everything felt like a lie.
Her childhood.
Her parents.
Her life.
Every truth she'd ever known seemed to be unraveling before her eyes.
The creature appeared delighted.
As though watching her suffer entertained him.
"She never told you?"
Timothy growled.
The sound was deep enough to shake the air.
"Enough."
The creature ignored him.
"Your mother was extraordinary."
Tiana's pulse quickened.
"What does that mean?"
The creature's smile widened further.
"She wasn't human."
The words exploded through the clearing.
Several wolves exchanged uneasy glances.
Even Lyra looked uncomfortable.
Tiana stared.
Unable to process what she had heard.
Not human?
Her mind immediately rejected the idea.
Then reality intervened.
She was standing among werewolves.
Listening to a monster with glowing red eyes.
Normal had ceased existing hours ago.
"What was she?"
The question barely escaped her lips.
The creature tilted his head.
"Asking the wrong person."
Timothy immediately stepped forward.
"That's enough."
Power rolled off him in waves.
Pure Alpha authority.
The creature's smile faded slightly.
For the first time, genuine caution appeared in its eyes.
Tiana noticed.
So did everyone else.
Despite everything, Timothy frightened this creature.
That fact brought a strange sense of comfort.
The Alpha looked over his shoulder.
His silver eyes met hers.
Softening instantly.
"Tiana."
The difference was startling.
One moment deadly.
The next gentle.
The contrast made her heart stumble.
"We'll explain everything."
"When?"
The question came out sharper than intended.
Timothy didn't flinch.
"Soon."
"No."
The word surprised everyone.
Including herself.
Years of frustration finally boiled over.
"No more soon."
No more later.
No more when you're ready.
No more secrets.
She was done waiting.
The bond inside her chest pulsed.
Stronger than before.
The strange connection between her and Timothy seemed to react to her emotions.
Timothy noticed immediately.
Concern flashed across his face.
"Tiana."
"No."
She shook her head.
"People keep saying they're protecting me."
Nobody spoke.
"Yet somehow I'm always the last person to know anything."
Rachel lowered her head.
Guilt filled her expression.
Tiana's anger softened slightly.
She knew Rachel loved her.
Knew she had sacrificed everything to raise her.
But love didn't erase lies.
Not completely.
The Shadowborn leader suddenly laughed again.
"Interesting."
Timothy's attention snapped back toward him.
The creature's gaze remained fixed on Tiana.
"The power is waking up."
The clearing became deathly silent.
Every wolf froze.
Every single one.
Tiana immediately noticed.
"What power?"
Nobody answered.
The creature looked delighted.
"What?"
Still silence.
The Shadowborn leader laughed harder.
"They haven't told you."
Timothy's jaw clenched.
"Leave."
The creature ignored him.
"Your mother carried the blood of the First Luna."
Tiana's breath caught.
The First Luna?
The title sounded important.
Ancient.
Powerful.
The wolves surrounding her looked stunned.
Even Lyra.
Especially Lyra.
Fear flickered through the blonde woman's eyes.
Fear.
Not jealousy.
Fear.
Tiana's stomach dropped.
Whatever this meant, it was bigger than she realized.
Much bigger.
The creature spread his arms dramatically.
"And now that blood belongs to you."
The bond inside Tiana's chest suddenly exploded with heat.
Pain shot through her body.
She gasped.
Her knees buckled.
Timothy moved instantly.
Strong arms caught her before she hit the ground.
The moment he touched her, the pain lessened.
Not completely.
But enough.
His scent surrounded her.
Pine.
Rain.
Something uniquely him.
The strange comfort terrified her.
Because she wanted to lean into it.
Wanted to stay there.
Wanted to trust him.
The realization made her heart race.
Timothy looked down at her.
Fear filled his silver eyes.
Not fear for himself.
Fear for her.
"Tiana."
Her name sounded different coming from him.
Almost precious.
The bond pulsed again.
This time Timothy reacted too.
His breathing hitched.
For one brief moment the world disappeared.
Leaving only the two of them.
The connection.
The bond.
The impossible pull between their souls.
Then a scream shattered the moment.
Everyone turned.
One of the wolves standing at the edge of the clearing collapsed.
A black arrow protruded from his chest.
Another arrow followed.
Then another.
Chaos erupted instantly.
The Shadowborn attacked.
And the war for Tiana had finally begun.
- Writer
