The Mark of Shadows
790 Words
Alina woke up again in the late afternoon. Her body felt a little stronger, but her mind was full of worry. Lucas was not in the room, but his warm scent still filled the space. It made her feel safe even when he was not beside her.
She pushed the blanket aside and walked slowly to the window. The forest looked calm, but something inside her felt uneasy, like her wolf was whispering a warning.
The door opened and Lucas stepped in. His eyes softened the moment they landed on her.
“You should still be resting,” he said gently.
“I feel better now,” Alina replied.
Lucas walked closer. His eyes searched her face as if he wanted to be sure she was truly alright.
“Good,” he said. “But we cannot relax yet.”
Alina frowned. “Why? What happened?”
Lucas looked away for a moment. It was clear he was trying to decide how much to tell her.
“When you shifted last night,” he said slowly, “your power moved through the entire forest. All the nearby packs felt it.”
Alina felt her stomach drop. “Is that bad?”
He nodded. “Some packs wanted the White Moon line to disappear forever. Now they know you are alive.”
“So someone might come for me?” she whispered.
Lucas stepped close and placed both hands on her shoulders. His touch was firm and warm.
“They will not reach you,” he said. “I will protect you with everything I have.”
Alina looked up at him. His voice was calm, but she could feel the fear behind it. Not for himself, but for her.
“I do not want anyone hurt because of me,” she said quietly.
Lucas gently cupped her cheek. “You are not a burden, Alina. You are my Luna. You belong with me.”
Her heart fluttered at his words. She leaned into his touch without thinking, and he held her face a little longer, as if he needed to feel her warmth.
But before she could speak, the ground outside shook.
A loud, heavy sound echoed through the forest.
Lucas’s eyes sharpened instantly. “Stay behind me.”
Alina’s pulse quickened. “What was that?”
“Danger,” he said.
They stepped outside the cabin. The sky had dimmed, and a strange cold wind brushed through the trees. At the edge of the forest stood a tall figure with sharp red eyes filled with anger.
A rogue Alpha.
Lucas’jaw tightened. “Raven.”
Raven smirked. “I felt her power. The last White Moon girl. I came to see if it was true.”
Alina felt Lucas step in front of her, blocking Raven’s view of her completely.
“You are not going near her,” Lucas said.
Raven laughed. “You cannot hide her forever. Her blood can control every pack. She will be hunted.”
Alina’s breath caught, but Lucas squeezed her hand behind him.
“Do not be afraid,” he whispered. “I am right here.”
Raven’s eyes moved over Alina like a threat. “Others will come. You cannot stop them all.”
“Leave,” Lucas growled.
“Make me,” Raven replied.
He shifted into a massive dark wolf.
Lucas turned to Alina. “Go inside. Lock the door.”
“I cannot leave you,” she whispered, grabbing his arm.
He looked at her with a softness that did not match the surrounding danger. “Alina. I will not let anything happen to you. Trust me.”
“I trust you,” she said, touching his chest.
Their foreheads almost touched for a moment, and it felt like the whole world paused.
“Good,” he whispered.
Then he shifted. His wolf stood tall and powerful, darker than the surrounding shadows.
The two wolves crashed into each other with a roar. Claws tore the ground. Trees shook. Lucas fought with strength and fury, but Raven was wild and unrestrained.
Alina’s wolf stirred inside her. Her heartbeat quickened. Her eyes began to glow white.
She could not watch him fight alone.
Not when he was fighting for her.
Not when she already cared for him more than she wanted to admit.
As Raven lunged for Lucas' throat, Alina stepped forward, her voice breaking through the chaos.
“Lucas.”
A bright white light burst from her, powerful and pure. It pushed both wolves back and lit up the clearing.
Silence fell.
Alina stood in the center, glowing softly like the moon had rested its light on her.
Her rebirth was not finished.
Her true power had only started to rise.
- Writer
