Chapter Four: The Moon Goddess's Bond
1070 Words
The storm had finally passed.
Golden rays of sunlight streamed through the broken windows of the hunter's cabin, illuminating the dust that floated lazily through the air.
Lyla stirred awake.
For a brief moment, she forgot where she was.
Then she remembered.
She was trapped in a forest with Kael Nightfang—the Alpha she had hated for most of her life.
She quickly sat up.
The blanket covering her shoulders slipped to the floor.
Across the room, Kael was already awake, standing near the doorway. His bandaged side still ached, but he showed no sign of weakness.
"You should still be resting," Lyla said.
He looked over his shoulder and smiled faintly.
"Alphas don't get much rest."
She rolled her eyes.
"So I've heard."
Despite herself, she smiled.
The smile disappeared as quickly as it came.
Outside, the forest looked peaceful.
Birds sang among the trees, and the morning breeze carried the scent of pine and wildflowers.
It was hard to believe that only hours earlier, the same forest had been filled with bloodshed.
Kael crouched beside several footprints pressed into the damp earth.
"They're gone."
Lyla joined him.
"The Shadow Fang?"
He nodded.
"They retreated before sunrise."
She looked at the tracks.
"Why?"
"They achieved what they wanted."
"And what was that?"
Kael stood.
"They separated us from our packs."
Lyla's heart sank.
If Alpha Rowan believed she had been kidnapped, he would prepare for war.
If Black Moon believed Kael had disappeared, they would do the same.
Exactly what the Shadow Fang wanted.
Several miles away...
Inside the Silver Claw Pack territory...
Alpha Rowan stood before his warriors.
The atmosphere was tense.
"We've searched throughout the night."
One scout stepped forward.
"We found no sign of Lady Lyla."
Another added,
"But we found Black Moon tracks leading into the forest."
Murmurs spread through the crowd.
"They've taken her!"
"It's war!"
Rowan remained silent.
His heart refused to believe Kael had kidnapped Lyla.
Yet every piece of evidence pointed in that direction.
Just then, another scout arrived, breathing heavily.
"Alpha!"
"What is it?"
"The Black Moon Pack has begun gathering warriors along the eastern border."
The council erupted.
"They're preparing to attack!"
Rowan clenched his fists.
"Prepare the warriors."
The order echoed across the village.
The drums of war began to sound.
At the same time...
Inside Black Moon territory...
Darius stood before Kael's council.
"The Alpha is missing."
One elder slammed his staff against the floor.
"Silver Claw has betrayed us!"
"They must have captured him."
"We should attack immediately!"
Darius raised his hand.
"No."
Silence followed.
"We do not know the truth."
One elder frowned.
"Truth doesn't matter."
"Our Alpha is gone."
Darius looked toward the mountains.
"Kael would never want another war."
Back in the forest...
Lyla and Kael continued walking toward Crescent Valley.
The journey was quiet.
Too quiet.
Finally, Lyla spoke.
"If we don't stop them..."
"Our packs will destroy each other."
Kael nodded.
"I know."
She looked at him.
"Then we have to get back."
"We will."
Suddenly...
Kael stopped walking.
His breathing became uneven.
Lyla frowned.
"What's wrong?"
He pressed a hand against his chest.
"I..."
Before he could finish speaking, an invisible force surged through him.
He staggered.
Lyla instinctively reached for him.
The moment her fingers touched his arm...
A brilliant silver light exploded around them.
The forest seemed to disappear.
Everything became silent.
They found themselves standing beneath an enormous full moon.
The air shimmered with silver mist.
Lyla looked around in amazement.
"Where are we?"
Kael whispered,
"This..."
His voice was filled with awe.
"...is the Moon Realm."
A soft feminine voice echoed through the glowing forest.
"You have finally come."
A woman dressed in flowing silver robes appeared before them.
Her eyes glowed like moonlight.
Her beauty was unlike anything either of them had ever seen.
Lyla immediately lowered her head.
"The Moon Goddess."
The goddess smiled gently.
"Rise, child."
Both obeyed.
The Moon Goddess looked from Lyla to Kael.
"You have fought destiny for many years."
Lyla frowned.
"What do you mean?"
The goddess stepped closer.
"The hatred between your packs was born from lies."
Kael looked surprised.
"You know the truth?"
"I know every truth."
She raised one graceful hand.
The silver mist transformed into moving images.
Lyla gasped.
She saw two men standing together.
Her father.
And Kael's father.
They weren't fighting.
They were laughing.
Then another man emerged from the shadows.
His face was hidden beneath a hood.
He drew a poisoned blade.
Both Alphas turned.
Too late.
The assassin struck.
The vision vanished.
Lyla stared at the empty air.
"My parents..."
"They weren't killed by Black Moon."
The Moon Goddess nodded.
"They were betrayed by someone both packs trusted."
Kael stepped forward.
"Who?"
"The answer lies within the Shadow Fang."
Silence settled over the Moon Realm.
The goddess turned toward Lyla.
"There is another truth."
Lyla swallowed nervously.
"What truth?"
"You and Kael were chosen long before you were born."
Lyla's eyes widened.
"No."
The goddess smiled kindly.
"The Moon Bond cannot be broken."
Kael looked equally shocked.
"You mean..."
"You are destined mates."
Silence.
Lyla shook her head.
"That's impossible."
"I hate him."
The Moon Goddess smiled knowingly.
"Hate often grows where truth has been buried."
She touched Lyla's forehead gently.
A warm feeling spread through her body.
Then she touched Kael.
The same silver light surrounded him.
"The bond has awakened."
Suddenly, Lyla could feel his heartbeat.
She looked at him.
He stared back in disbelief.
She could sense his emotions.
His pain.
His loneliness.
His determination.
Kael frowned.
"I can feel you."
"So can I."
The connection was unmistakable.
The Moon Goddess smiled.
"This bond will only grow stronger."
Lyla stepped backward.
"I don't want it."
The goddess looked at her with compassion.
"Fate rarely asks permission."
The silver world around them began to fade.
"You must hurry."
"War approaches."
"When the Blood Moon rises..."
She looked directly into Lyla's eyes.
"...the child you have not yet conceived will decide the fate of every werewolf kingdom."
The words echoed through the fading light.
An instant later...
Lyla and Kael found themselves back in the forest.
Neither spoke.
Neither moved.
Finally, Lyla whispered,
"Did that really happen?"
Kael slowly nodded.
"Yes."
She placed a trembling hand over her heart.
She could still feel it.
His heartbeat.
And somewhere beyond the mountains...
The drums of war continued to grow louder.
- Writer
