The first rays of sunlight pierced through the trees as Remy slowly opened his eyes.
For the first time in years, he had slept peacefully.
He turned and saw Luna asleep beside the cave entrance, her bow resting against a rock.
A small smile appeared on his face.
"She stayed here all night... to protect me."
Suddenly...
Awooooo!
A wolf's howl echoed through the forest.
Luna's eyes snapped open.
Her expression changed immediately.
"Someone is coming."
She ran to the cave entrance and looked into the distance.
Smoke was rising through the trees.
"They're searching this area."
Remy stood beside her.
"Who?"
"My father's warriors."
Before she could say another word, another sound came from the opposite side.
The sound of horses.
Metal armor clanged against swords.
Remy's face turned pale.
"The Vampire Guards..."
Both kingdoms had arrived.
Captain Darius, leader of the Vampire Royal Guard, examined the ground.
"Fresh footprints."
He knelt beside a patch of blood.
"This is Prince Remy's blood."
He drew his sword.
"Search every cave."
On the other side of the forest...
Beta Fenrir, Alpha Ragnar's most trusted warrior, sniffed the air.
"I smell..."
He frowned.
"A vampire."
The werewolves transformed and charged deeper into the forest.
Inside the cave...
Luna grabbed Remy's arm.
"We have to leave. Now."
They escaped through a narrow passage hidden behind a waterfall.
Neither of them noticed a small silver pendant had fallen from Remy's pocket.
Minutes later...
Captain Darius entered the cave.
He picked up the pendant.
His eyes widened.
"This belongs to Prince Remy."
Then he noticed something else.
A piece of werewolf cloth stained with blood.
He clenched his fist.
"So... a werewolf is helping him."
As Remy and Luna ran through the forest, they reached the edge of a cliff.
Below them flowed the powerful Crimson River.
"There is no way across," Remy said.
Luna looked behind them.
The sounds of soldiers and wolves were getting closer.
"We don't have a choice."
She grabbed Remy's hand.
"Trust me."
Without waiting for an answer...
She jumped.
Splash!
They disappeared into the raging river just as arrows flew over their heads.
From the cliff, Captain Darius and Beta Fenrir watched in shock.
"They jumped!"
Neither side knew whether the two had survived.
Far away, hidden among the trees, the hooded man smiled.
"The prince and the Alpha's daughter have taken the first step toward their destiny."
He vanished into the shadows.
To Be Continued... 🌕🐺🧛