Moonlight Oath Three Lives of the Wolf Shadow

Chapter 4

"Hold on!" Sarah held tightly onto the struggling Alexander, "The full moon is almost here!"

They were hiding in a cave deep within the forbidden forest. The moon tonight was exceptionally bright, its silver light cascading down like a waterfall. This was the first full moon Alexander had encountered since his escape, and the power of the curse had become unusually violent under its glow.

"Let go of me…" Alexander said with difficulty, "I can't control the urge to…"

"Not a chance!" Sarah stubbornly tightened her grip. "Do you think I'm afraid of you transforming?"

"It's different…" Alexander's golden eyes began to emit a blinding light. "The royal transformation is different from that of ordinary werewolves; it leads to a loss of reason…"

Before he could finish, a violent spasm caused him to arch his back. Sarah could feel his bones realigning and his muscles twisting, but she still didn't let go.

"Sarah! Run!" This was Alexander's last plea for reason.

The next second, a burst of golden light exploded. Sarah was thrown to the ground by the force, and when she got back on her feet, the sight that greeted her took her breath away.

It was a giant wolf unlike any she had ever seen.

It was a full circle larger than an ordinary wolf, its fur as black as night, but the edges shimmered with golden light in the moonlight. The most striking feature was its eyes—pure gold, pulsating with ancient authority.

"Alexander..." Sarah whispered.

The giant wolf turned towards her, a dangerous growl rumbling in its throat. It had indeed lost its mind, its eyes filled only with wild killing intent.

"Hey, it's me." Sarah slowly stood up, maintaining a calm tone. "Remember? I'm the unlucky one who spent three days brewing medicine for you."

The giant wolf took a step closer, and Sarah felt the immense pressure radiating from it. Was this the power of the royal bloodline? No wonder even William was wary.

"You said it yourself," she continued, slowly raising her hand, "golden eyes and silver eyes are destined to meet."

The giant wolf halted, seemingly touched by her words. Just then, Sarah's silver eyes suddenly brightened. A circle of silver light expanded around her.

This was the Guardian clan's innate ability—the Light of Solace.

The giant wolf trembled, the frenzy in its eyes beginning to fade. It looked at Sarah with confusion, as if trying to remember something.

"Yes, that's it." Sarah took a step forward, gently stroking the giant wolf's head. "Come back."

The silver light and the golden wolf's eyes reflected each other beautifully. Gradually, the giant wolf's body began to relax, and finally, it lowered itself, resting its head on Sarah's shoulder.

"This is truly…," Sarah sighed, but her voice caught in her throat, "terrifying."

Under the moonlight, the black giant wolf and the silver-haired girl formed a strange picture. It wasn't until the eastern sky began to lighten that Alexander returned to human form. He leaned weakly against the cave wall but insisted on speaking first:

"I'm sorry, I almost…"

"Shut up." Sarah handed him the waterskin. "If you really want to apologize, tell me the secrets of the royal transformation."

Alexander paused for a moment, then chuckled wryly. "Is this a threat?"

"What do you think?" Sarah raised an eyebrow. "Let me think, who was it that said 'there's no danger'?"

"Alright, my fault." Alexander raised his hands in surrender, but his expression suddenly turned serious. "But the ability you used just now…"

"I know," Sarah interrupted him. "I've used the Guardian's forbidden arts twice in two days. I'll bear the consequences."

"Sarah…"

"Don't," she leaned against him. "We can sleep before dawn. We'll talk about anything else when we wake up."

Alexander looked at Sarah, who was quickly falling asleep against his shoulder, and whispered, "You know, for a hundred years, you're the first person who could bring me back to my senses when I lost control."

In the dawn light, a strand of silver hair and a lock of golden hair intertwined gently in the breeze.

"What are you saying?" Sarah's father, Alpha leader MacLeod, suddenly stood up. "William wants to strip our family of our Guardian status?"

Emily's father, the moderate Braede from the council of elders, sighed deeply. "It's worse than that. He claims to have discovered suspicious traitors and demands to revoke your family's military command."

The council chamber fell silent. MacLeod's hand rested on the armrest of his chair, the wood creaking under his grip.

"He’s finally gotten his chance," MacLeod sneered. "A hundred years, and he finally wants to strike at the silver-eyed clan."

"No," Braede glanced around cautiously, lowering his voice. "His real target is Sarah."

MacLeod's pupils constricted sharply. "He knows?"

"The prophecy can't be hidden anymore," Braede spoke quickly. "He’s already gathered the support of at least seven elders. The Elder Council meeting is tonight…"

Before he could finish, the door was flung open. William strode in with a group of wolf warriors.

"Apologies for interrupting your private conversation," he feigned a smile. "But since Elder Braede is so concerned, I presume you wouldn't mind an early meeting?"

Hiding in the rafters of the council chamber, Sarah held her breath. She had originally come to discuss something with her father, but she had stumbled upon this scene.

"William," MacLeod rose, his silver eyes flashing with dangerous light. "You're being rather hasty."

"Hasty?" William laughed. "I've waited a hundred years! Ever since your wife helped the royal remnant escape, I've been waiting for this day."

"Shut up!" MacLeod roared. "You have no right to mention her!"

"Oh?" William narrowed his eyes. "Then you wouldn't want to hear me say that your daughter is repeating her mother's mistakes?"

The temperature in the entire hall seemed to drop. Sarah felt her heart stop.

"What do you mean?" MacLeod's voice was dangerously calm.

"Don't play dumb, old friend," William said slowly. "The royal bastard is back, and your daughter is helping him. Just like her mother did back then."

"Are you spying on Sarah?"

"It's the council's right," William raised a parchment. "Now, I formally propose revoking the silver-eyed clan's Guardian status and demanding a thorough investigation into Sarah MacLeod's relationship with the royal remnant."

"You dare!" MacLeod took a step forward, but Braede stopped him.

"Calm down, old friend," Braede whispered. "This is exactly what he wants."

William laughed triumphantly. "What? Is the great Alpha going to defy the council's decision?"

Just then, a crystal goblet suddenly fell from the ceiling, striking William on the head. Everyone in the room froze.

"Oops, so sorry," Sarah jumped down from the rafters. "Slipped my hand."

"Sarah!" MacLeod was both surprised and furious.

"Father," Sarah smoothed her skirt. "I think since this is about me, I should probably attend?"

William wiped the blood from his forehead, a flicker of murderous intent in his eyes. "Alright, since the subject of the matter is here, answer me one question: Where is the royal remnant?"

"I don't know," Sarah shrugged. "I'm not interested in royal matters."

"Really?" William suddenly smiled. "Then what about this?" He pulled out a bloodstained cloth, bearing the royal insignia.

Sarah's heart skipped a beat—it was the cloth she had used to bandage Alexander's wounds a few days ago.

"The search party found it in the forbidden forest," William pressed closer. "It seems someone is not only hiding traitors but also stealing the pack doctor's supplies."

"What do you want?" Sarah stood tall, her chin held high.

"It's simple," William revealed a triumphant smile. "Hand over the royal remnant, and your father's position and your family's honor will be saved. Otherwise…"

"Otherwise you'll strip us of our Guardian status?" Sarah sneered. "Alright, then explain why you massacred the royal family a hundred years ago?"

The hall erupted in murmurs. William's face instantly darkened.

"Father," Sarah turned to MacLeod. "I know you've been protecting me. But some things need to be faced."

MacLeod looked deeply at his daughter, then suddenly smiled. "You're right, it's time."

He stood beside Sarah, his silver eyes blazing with a fierce light. "William, we, the MacLeod clan, accept your challenge."

William stared coldly at MacLeod, sneering, "It seems the Guardian clan is dissatisfied with the Elder Council. I hope you won't regret this."

He snorted, then turned and walked away.

"Are you crazy?" Emily paced back and forth in the cave where Alexander was hiding, her voice frantic. "Openly challenging William? The entire wolf pack is in an uproar!"

Sarah was sorting through the stolen medicine, her head down. "What else could we do? Let him slowly devour my father's power?"

"But…"

"Enough," Sarah interrupted. "Go back. You'll be in trouble if anyone finds you here."

Emily sighed. "You're going to teach him ancient magic?"

"Yes," Sarah finally looked up. "Since William wants to play, we need to be ready."

Emily hesitated, finally saying, "Be careful."

After her friend left, Sarah closed her eyes, feeling the energy flowing within her. The aftereffects of using the Guardian's forbidden arts twice were starting to show; her vision was becoming blurry.

"You look exhausted," Alexander's voice came from behind her.

Sarah turned to see him holding a few glowing herbs. "These are…"

"Moonlight Grass," Alexander walked closer. "They can alleviate the side effects of the forbidden arts. I found them deep in the forbidden forest."

"You shouldn't have risked it." Sarah took the herbs, her fingers brushing against his hand, both of them startled.

"Cough, well…" Alexander awkwardly shifted the subject. "Shall we begin today's training?"

Sarah nodded, sitting cross-legged. "What's the difference between royal magic and Guardian magic?"

"Fundamentally different," Alexander sat down as well. "Guardian power comes from the blessing of the moon, while royal power…" He pulled out the Blood Moon Stone. "Comes from the bloodline of the ancient wolf god."

"So that's why you lose control on the full moon?"

"Yes," Alexander chuckled wryly. "The bloodline power is too strong. Without the complete inheritance ceremony, I can hardly control it."

Sarah pondered. "That day, under the full moon, I was able to calm you because…"

"Because silver eyes and golden eyes are inherently one," Alexander looked directly into her eyes. "Just as moonlight needs darkness to be seen."

They were silent, something in the air shifting subtly.

"Well…" Sarah cleared her throat. "Let's start with basic magic."

Alexander nodded, placing his hand over hers. "Close your eyes, feel the power of the Blood Moon Stone."

The warmth of his touch spread through their clasped hands, making Sarah's heart race. She could feel an ancient power flowing within the Blood Moon Stone, a feeling both strange and familiar.

"Focus," Alexander's voice echoed in her ear. "Let your silver-eyed power resonate with it."

Sarah did as she was told, suddenly feeling a warm current surge through her. She opened her eyes in surprise and saw that the Blood Moon Stone was emitting a faint red glow, and her silver eyes were also shining.

"That's it," Alexander said softly. "You were born for this power."

Sarah was about to speak when she felt a wave of dizziness. Alexander quickly caught her. "Enough; that's all for today."

"I'm fine…" Sarah tried to stand, but her legs buckled, and she fell directly into his arms.

Time seemed to stand still. Sarah could clearly hear Alexander's heartbeat, strong and steady, synchronizing with hers.

"I'm sorry, I…" She tried to pull away, but he gently held her.

"Don't move," Alexander whispered. "Let me help you regulate your magic."

Warm golden energy enveloped her, and Sarah slowly relaxed. She leaned against his chest, inhaling the scent of pine.

"Actually…" Alexander hesitated. "You didn't have to risk so much for me."

"What are you saying?" Sarah whispered. "Aren't we destined to meet?"

Alexander's arms tightened slightly. "This might be a dangerous destiny."

"I know," Sarah looked up, her silver eyes meeting his golden ones. "But I choose to embrace it."

Moonlight streamed through the opening of the cave, casting a soft glow upon them. Around Sarah, a faint shimmer of silver light, the lingering trace of her Guardian's power, gently radiated, a subtle halo contrasting with the warm golden light emanating from Alexander.