The Wolf's Secret

CHAPTER 4: THE WOMAN IN THE FOREST

Chapter 4 — The Woman in the Forest

Maya stood silently as Adrian's words echoed in her mind.

Her mother was alive.

For years, Maya had believed that she had lost her mother when she was still a child. She had grown up with only a few memories of her: a gentle voice, warm hands, and a silver necklace that Maya still kept hidden in her bedroom.

Now everything she believed was beginning to fall apart.

Maya: If my mother is alive, why did she leave me?

Adrian looked at her with sadness.

Adrian: She didn't leave you.

Maya: Then where was she all these years?

Adrian: She was protecting you.

Maya shook her head.

Maya: Protecting me from what?

Before Adrian could answer, a soft voice came from behind them.

Woman: From the wolves.

Maya turned around.

A woman stood between the trees.

She wore a long dark cloak, and her silver hair moved gently with the wind. Her face looked strangely familiar.

Maya stared at her.

Something inside her chest suddenly tightened.

Maya: Who are you?

The woman slowly stepped into the moonlight.

Woman: You really don't remember me?

Maya couldn't move.

Her eyes traveled across the woman's face.

There was something familiar about her eyes.

Something painfully familiar.

Maya: Have we met before?

The woman smiled sadly.

Woman: You were only five years old the last time I held you.

Maya's breath caught.

Maya: No...

Adrian stepped forward.

Adrian: Maya, wait.

Maya ignored him.

She walked toward the woman, tears slowly forming in her eyes.

Maya: You're...

The woman nodded.

Woman: I'm your mother.

Maya stopped.

For a moment, the entire forest seemed silent.

Then Maya ran toward her.

Her mother opened her arms, and Maya immediately embraced her.

Maya: Why did you leave me?

Her mother held her tightly.

Mother: Because if I stayed, they would have found you.

Maya pulled away.

Maya: Who are they?

Her mother's expression became serious.

Mother: The Blood Moon Pack.

Adrian looked toward the trees.

Adrian: They're already here.

A distant howl echoed through the forest.

Maya's mother immediately grabbed her hand.

Mother: We have to go.

Maya: Why?

Mother: Because now that the mark has awakened, they won't stop until they have you.

Maya looked at the glowing symbol on her palm.

Maya: What does this mark really mean?

Her mother stared at it.

Mother: It means you are the last Moon Guardian.

Maya felt a chill run through her body.

Mother: And if they capture you, the balance between humans and wolves will be destroyed.

Suddenly, several red eyes appeared between the trees.

Adrian stepped in front of Maya and her mother.

Adrian: They're here.

Maya's mother looked at him.

Mother: Then it's time for her to know the truth.

Maya: What truth?

Her mother looked directly into her eyes.

Mother: You're not only the Moon Guardian.

She paused.

Mother: You're also the heir to the Wolf King.