Chapter Eight: The Hidden Sanctuary
694 Words
Lena slowly opened her eyes.
The first thing she noticed was the soft crackling of a fireplace.
The second...
A pair of golden eyes watching her.
"Kai?"
Relief washed over his face.
"You're awake."
She blinked, trying to sit up.
A sharp pain shot through her head.
"Ouch..."
Kai gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Easy. You fainted."
Lena looked around.
The room was unlike anything she'd ever seen.
The walls were made of polished stone, decorated with ancient symbols of wolves and crescent moons. Shelves filled with old books lined one side of the room, while glowing lanterns cast a warm light over everything.
"Where am I?"
"The Moon Pack Sanctuary."
She frowned.
"So... this is where all of you live?"
Kai smiled.
"Only those who protect the pack know about this place."
Lena let out a slow breath.
"My life has become really strange."
Kai chuckled.
"You have no idea."
She smiled.
For the first time in days...
She felt safe.
A gentle knock came at the door.
Alpha Alden entered, followed by Emma carrying a tray of food.
Emma grinned.
"Welcome back to the land of the living."
Lena laughed softly.
"I was that bad?"
"You scared us."
Emma set the tray down.
"You've been asleep for almost a whole day."
"A whole day?"
Kai nodded.
"The power that came from your mark drained you."
Lena looked at her wrist.
The silver crescent had faded again.
"So... what exactly happened?"
Alden sat beside the fireplace.
"When you protected that little girl, the Moon Goddess responded to your heart."
"My... heart?"
"The power of the Moon Child cannot be awakened by anger."
He smiled gently.
"It awakens through the desire to protect others."
Lena lowered her eyes.
"I wasn't thinking."
"Exactly."
"That's why it worked."
Later that afternoon...
Kai led Lena outside.
The sanctuary was hidden deep within the mountains, surrounded by waterfalls and towering pine trees.
It was breathtaking.
Children laughed as they chased each other through the clearing.
Some transformed into wolf pups before changing back, giggling the whole time.
Lena's eyes widened.
"They can change already?"
Kai nodded.
"Werewolves begin learning as children."
One little boy accidentally shifted only his ears.
Everyone burst into laughter.
Lena couldn't help laughing too.
"This place is beautiful."
Kai watched her instead of the scenery.
"It is."
Their eyes met.
Neither of them looked away.
For a brief moment...
The world seemed to disappear.
Emma suddenly cleared her throat from behind them.
"Ahem."
Both of them jumped apart.
Emma crossed her arms dramatically.
"Am I interrupting something?"
Lena's cheeks turned bright red.
"N-No!"
Kai rubbed the back of his neck.
"We were just talking."
Emma smirked.
"Sure you were."
She walked away laughing.
Lena covered her face.
"I'm never hearing the end of this."
Kai laughed quietly.
"Definitely not."
That evening...
Alden summoned Lena to the sanctuary's oldest chamber.
The room was hidden beneath the mountain.
Ancient murals covered the walls.
At the center stood a large stone pedestal.
Resting on it...
Was an old wooden box covered in silver carvings.
Alden stopped walking.
"This has been waiting for you."
Lena looked confused.
"For me?"
He nodded.
"It was left here eighteen years ago."
Her heart skipped.
"By who?"
"Your mother."
Lena's breath caught.
"My... mother?"
Alden carefully lifted the lid.
Inside lay a faded photograph.
A silver necklace.
And a sealed letter.
Written across the front in elegant handwriting were the words:
"To my daughter, Lena. Read this only when the moon calls your name."
Tears filled Lena's eyes.
"It's her handwriting..."
Her fingers trembled as she picked up the letter.
She had dreamed of hearing her mother's voice again.
Even if only through written words.
Slowly...
She broke the wax seal.
Before she could unfold the first page—
A loud alarm echoed throughout the sanctuary.
A deep horn sounded through the mountains.
BOOOOOOM!
Every werewolf froze.
Kai burst into the room.
"Grandfather!"
"What is it?" Alden asked.
Kai's expression turned deadly serious.
"The Blood Fang Pack..."
"They've found the sanctuary."
Outside...
The peaceful mountain echoed with the sound of dozens of wolves howling.
War had arrived at their doorstep.
- Writer
