CHAPTER 003
1089 Words
CHAPTER 003
The Prophecy That Changes Everything
The room was stifling. The fire crackled in the hearth, but it was clear from the feel outside her bare feet that it hadn’t warmed So-yeon. Her hands were clenched tightly in her lap and she sat stiffly on a carved wooden chair. She jolted her eyes about the room, gathering the towering shelves of ancient books, the heavy tapestries, and the circle of stern faces staring at her.
The Eunwol Pack elders were not what she had expected. And she was alone with six of them, their faces, their broad, newly creased faces aging them decades past their years, but their eyes ablaze with a fire that made Soyeon’s stomach roil. She was studied like she was a rare, dangerous creature.
One of the elders muttered, his voice low but sharp, 'She doesn’t look like much.' He glanced at Joon won, who stood behind her with his arms crossed.
He responded evenly, “She’s more than you see.”
A gray haired elder leaned forward, her hair pulled into a severe braid. “She carries the mark. The prophecy is clear. Either she is our salvation… or our ruin.”
So-yeon adjusted in her gray leather recliner, fingers passing over the ever so faint glow of the scar on her wrist. She asked, her voice cracking, 'What are you talking about?' “What prophecy? “Why do you keep saying that about me?”
The elder’s eyes narrowed, gray haired. “Don’t you know?”
“I don’t know anything!” Her frustration seeped out and she snapped. “I didn’t ask to be here. “I didn’t ask for any of this!”
The room was silent, thick and suffocating. An elder cleared his throat. He began, his voice adorned with reverence, “The Moonlit Bloodline” is a lineage said to be blessed, and cursed by the Moon Goddess. Their kids are in power, and their power could change the fate of all werewolves. They say some were meant to lead us into a new era. Some think they are harbingers of death.”
So-yeon’s heart pounded. “You think I’m one of them, don’t you?”
She pointed to her wrist, the elder. “That mark says you are.”
The weight of their words, the press of their words, her head spun. A descendant. A harbinger. She didn’t feel powerful. She was a scared girl who didn’t belong anywhere.
She whispered: This is insane. “You’re all wrong. I’m not some savior, or whatever it is you think I am. I don’t even know who I am.”
The elder’s gaze softened, but her voice was firm. ‘No matter if you believe it or not, child, the prophecy speaks of you’ said she. The enemies you faced in the forest believe it too. If they can't capture you, they will use you for their own purposes.”
Her voice trembling, So-yeon looked to Joon-won. “Did you know about this? “Is this why you brought me here?”
Joon-won’s jaw tightened. He admitted quietly, “I knew.” “I didn’t bring you here because of the prophecy,” he said. “You’re in danger,” I said, bringing you here.”
Her chest hurt and a knot of confusion and betrayal deepened inside her. What if the prophecy is true? What happens to me then?”
The door to the room slammed open before anyone could answer. Two guards were flanking a tall man with a flaming red hair and piercing green eyes when he strode in. He had such an electric presence and a sharp, untrustworthy smile.
“You’re sorry to interrupt?” He said, with voice dripping with mock politeness. “I think we all know why I’m here,” he said.
So-yeon saw Joon won move and place himself between her and the newcomer. “Seo Hwan,” he growled. “You have no right to be here.”
Seo Hwan spread his arms in elementary display of innocence. “Oh, come now, Joon-won. I’m here on official business. You’re hiding something… precious,” I couldn’t ignore the whispers. His smile widened and his eyes landed on So-yeon. “Or should I say, someone.”
Looking at him made So-yeon’s blood run cold.
Joon won remarked low and dangerously, ‘She’s under my protection.’
Seo Hwan chuckled. “Of course she is. But this isn’t just your problem, Joon-won. If these rumors are true, this girl could inch us all into power. I don’t trust you to make the right call.”
His voice a growl, Joon won stepped forward. “Leave. Now.”
Not changing his smile, Seo Hwan’s tone was icy. You can’t hide her forever. Everyone will come for her sooner or later. If you think you can keep her safe, you’re a bigger fool than I thought.”
The room was suffocating with tension. So-yeon felt herself a pawn on a board, and one she didn’t understand at that.
'b***h,' she said, 'I don't want to be a part of this!' her voice trembling. I’m not… whatever it is you think I am. “Just leave me alone!” I said.
Seo Hwan tilted his head, his face amused. He said mockingly, “Oh, sweetheart, you don’t get to make that choice anymore.” You were born and your fate was sealed.”
Seo Hwan was slammed against the wall by Joon won’s hand, which shot out and gripped him by the collar. The elders started yelling for order in the room, but Joon won's attention didn't waver.
He growled if you came near her again, “I’ll rip you apart.”
His smirk was infuriatingly intact, and Seo Hwan didn’t flinch. “Careful, Alpha. ‘That temper of yours is going to get you into trouble.’”
Seo Hwan laughed and adjusted his collar as Joon won shoved him away. “The protector game looks like fun to you, hey Joon-won.” It won’t last long.”
He turned and strode out, his guards following behind him.
Once again the room echoed with that unspoken tension, the air rang heavy. Her voice was barely above a whisper as she looked at Joon-won.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
Joon-won didn’t answer. He met her golden eyes, and for the first time, she saw something that looked like fear.
Why was her fate tied to his? What would happen when the other packs came for her?
- Writer
