Chapter 3: Secrets Hidden by the Moon
1217 Words
The news spread through Moon Shadow Pack like wildfire.
Every werewolf, from the youngest pup to the oldest elder, whispered the same unbelievable rumor.
“The cursed girl has a mate.”
“Not just any mate…”
“The Alpha of the Silver Crescent Pack.”
Hailey kept her head down as she walked through the village the next morning. Instead of the usual insults, people stared at her with confusion, curiosity, and fear.
Some bowed their heads slightly as she passed.
Others quickly looked away.
She hated the attention.
Nothing about her had changed.
Or so she thought.
⸻
Inside the Alpha’s mansion, Alpha Victor sat behind his large oak desk, his expression unreadable.
The doors suddenly burst open.
A powerful scent filled the room before a tall figure stepped inside.
It was Alpha Kaiden.
His Beta, Damian, and several elite warriors followed closely behind.
The guards instinctively lowered their heads.
Even Alpha Victor stood.
“Alpha Kaiden,” he greeted politely. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”
Kaiden’s silver eyes never left him.
“I came for answers.”
Victor frowned.
“What answers?”
Kaiden stepped closer.
“Hailey.”
The room became silent.
“I know she’s more than an ordinary pack member.”
Victor forced a smile.
“She’s simply an orphan.”
Kaiden’s Alpha aura filled the office.
“Don’t lie to me.”
The windows rattled violently.
Books fell from the shelves.
Even Victor struggled to remain standing.
“I’ve traveled too far to hear excuses.”
“Who is she?”
Victor looked away.
“I don’t know.”
Kaiden stared at him for several long seconds before speaking.
“If you’re protecting someone…”
“…you won’t be able to forever.”
Without another word, he turned and walked out.
Victor remained frozen until the doors closed.
Only then did he release the breath he had been holding.
“They’ve found her…” he whispered.
⸻
Meanwhile, Hailey returned to school for the first time since the incident.
The hallways became strangely quiet as she entered.
Everyone watched her.
Students who once laughed at her now whispered behind their hands.
“That’s her.”
“The Alpha’s mate.”
“I don’t believe it.”
Rhea stood with her group of friends, her face burning with jealousy.
She watched as several boys smiled nervously at Hailey instead of mocking her.
Her fists tightened.
“No.”
“This isn’t happening.”
She marched toward Hailey.
“So…”
“The famous Luna finally decided to come back.”
Hailey sighed.
“I’m not anyone’s Luna.”
Rhea laughed loudly.
“Really?”
“Then why did Alpha Kaiden carry you through the village like you were precious?”
The hallway erupted with laughter.
Hailey’s cheeks flushed.
“I didn’t ask him to.”
Rhea leaned closer.
“You’ve always stolen everything.”
“I never stole anything.”
“You stole my chance.”
Hailey frowned.
“What are you talking about?”
“My father promised I’d one day marry a powerful Alpha.”
Rhea’s eyes filled with anger.
“Then you appeared.”
Before Hailey could answer, the school bell rang.
Rhea pointed a finger at her.
“This isn’t over.”
⸻
That evening, Aunt Emma visited Hailey’s cottage carrying a basket of food.
She smiled as she unpacked bread, soup, and fruit.
“You’ve become so thin.”
Hailey hugged her tightly.
“I missed you.”
Emma smiled sadly.
“I’ve been worried.”
They sat together quietly until Hailey finally spoke.
“Aunt Emma…”
“Do you know why Alpha Kaiden called me his mate?”
Emma’s hands froze.
For several moments she remained silent.
Then she sighed deeply.
“There are things…”
“…I’ve kept from you.”
Hailey’s heartbeat quickened.
“What things?”
Emma looked toward the window as though afraid someone might be listening.
“When your mother gave birth…”
“…she made me promise something.”
“What promise?”
Emma reached into her handbag and removed an old silver necklace shaped like a crescent moon.
“I’ve kept this for sixteen years.”
She placed it into Hailey’s hand.
“It belonged to your mother.”
The necklace felt strangely warm.
The moment Hailey touched it, a flash of light filled her vision.
She saw a woman with eyes exactly like hers.
Blue and hazel.
The woman smiled.
“Protect her…”
Then the vision disappeared.
Hailey gasped.
“What was that?”
Emma looked frightened.
“You saw her…”
“My mother.”
Emma nodded slowly.
“She’s trying to reach you.”
Before Hailey could ask another question—
BANG!
The cottage door exploded inward.
Several masked rogues rushed inside.
Their eyes glowed blood red.
“There she is!”
“Take the girl alive!”
Emma screamed.
“Run, Hailey!”
One rogue lunged toward her.
Hailey stumbled backward.
She had never learned to fight.
Another rogue grabbed her wrist.
The silver necklace suddenly burned against her skin.
A burst of energy exploded from her body.
The rogue was thrown across the room.
Everyone froze.
“What was that?”
One masked rogue looked terrified.
“It can’t be…”
“The seal is weakening.”
Another growled.
“Kill her before she awakens!”
Hailey’s heart raced.
She had no idea what they were talking about.
More rogues charged.
Then—
A terrifying Alpha command echoed outside.
“ENOUGH!”
Every rogue stopped moving instantly.
The walls shook.
The windows shattered.
The front door burst completely off its hinges.
Alpha Kaiden stepped inside.
His silver eyes glowed like moonlight.
Behind him stood Beta Damian and ten elite warriors.
The rogues immediately backed away.
Their leader laughed.
“So…”
“The Silver Crescent Alpha finally found the Blood Moon Princess.”
Kaiden’s expression darkened.
“You shouldn’t have said that.”
Within seconds, the room became chaos.
Warriors clashed.
Growls echoed through the night.
Furniture splintered.
Hailey pulled Emma behind her as the battle raged.
Kaiden fought like a force of nature.
Every strike sent rogues crashing through walls.
Within minutes, the surviving attackers fled into the forest.
Only their leader remained.
He smiled despite the blood running down his face.
“You can protect her today…”
“…but the Lycan King already knows she’s alive.”
Kaiden’s eyes narrowed.
“Tell your king…”
“…if he wants her…”
“…he’ll have to kill me first.”
The rogue laughed one final time before disappearing into the darkness.
Silence returned.
Kaiden slowly turned toward Hailey.
She was trembling.
Confused.
Terrified.
He walked over and gently picked up the silver necklace from the floor, fastening it around her neck.
Then he looked directly into her eyes.
“The time for hiding is over.”
“From this moment on…”
“…you will never be left unprotected again.”
Hailey stared at him, her heart pounding.
She still didn’t know who she truly was.
But one thing had become painfully clear.
The people hunting her didn’t see her as a helpless orphan.
They saw her as someone powerful enough to change the fate of the werewolf world.
End of Chapter 3
- Writer
