THE SILVER MOON PACK

Chapter 10

The Betrayal in the Shadows

The journey toward the Moon Kingdom became more dangerous with every passing hour.

Kate rode through the mountains with Xander beside her and her former mate following several steps behind. The cold wind brushed against her face, but she barely noticed it because her thoughts were consumed by one thing: her father was alive, and she was finally going to find him.

For years, she had believed she was an ordinary girl whose only misfortune was being rejected by the person she loved. Now she understood that her entire life had been carefully arranged to hide a truth powerful enough to destroy kingdoms.

“Kate,” Xander called gently, bringing his horse closer. “You've barely spoken since we left.”

“What am I supposed to say?” she asked. “My mother disappeared, my father is imprisoned, and the people who were supposed to protect me lied to my face.”

Xander studied her expression. “You don't have to pretend you're not hurting.”

Kate looked away. “If I allow myself to feel everything, I'm afraid I won't be strong enough to continue.”

“You don't have to stop feeling to become strong.”

His words stayed with her long after he fell silent.

Behind them, her former mate watched their interaction with obvious jealousy, but he kept his distance. He had no right to question Kate's closeness with Xander after everything he had done.

As darkness settled over the mountains, Luna suddenly stirred.

Stop. Something is wrong.

Kate immediately pulled her horse to a halt.

“What is it?”

Xander reached for his weapon. “What happened?”

“Luna senses something nearby.”

Before anyone could react, a sharp whistle pierced the darkness.

Arrows flew from the trees.

“Get down!” Xander shouted.

Kate threw herself from her horse as an arrow struck the ground beside her. Her former mate shifted instantly, transforming into a massive black wolf that charged toward the hidden attackers.

Xander drew his sword and positioned himself in front of Kate.

“Stay behind me!”

“No,” Kate answered, silver light spreading through her eyes. “We fight together.”

She raised her hand, and a powerful wave of energy swept across the forest, throwing several attackers from their hiding places.

But more enemies emerged between the trees.

They wore black armor marked with a red crescent.

The symbol from Kate's vision.

“The Blood Hunters,” her former mate growled after shifting back.

Their leader stepped into the clearing, holding a silver blade.

“Princess Kate,” he announced. “Your journey ends here.”

Kate lifted her chin. “Where is my father?”

The man smiled. “Still asking questions when you should be surrendering.”

“I won't ask again.”

He laughed. “You sound exactly like your mother.”

Kate's heart pounded.

“You knew her?”

“I was there when your kingdom fell.”

Before Kate could question him further, the man raised his hand. The hunters attacked.

Xander fought fiercely, blocking strikes aimed at Kate, while her former mate battled two enemies near the horses. Kate unleashed another burst of silver energy, forcing several hunters backward.

Then she heard Xander cry out.

She turned and saw him falling to his knees, clutching his side. A hunter stood behind him with a bloodstained dagger.

“Xander!”

Kate rushed toward him, but the leader intercepted her.

“Your weakness is that you care too much.”

He swung his blade.

Kate dodged, but the weapon grazed her arm. Burning pain spread through her body, and Luna snarled inside her mind.

Silver poison! Don't let it reach your heart!

Kate stumbled.

The hunter raised his sword again.

Suddenly, her former mate leaped between them, taking the strike across his shoulder. He collapsed beside her, blood soaking his clothes.

“Run, Kate!” he shouted.

She stared at him in disbelief.

“Why would you do that?”

He struggled to rise. “Because I have already hurt you enough.”

The leader laughed.

“How touching. The Alpha's son finally chooses the right side.”

Kate felt something awaken inside her.

The silver light surrounding her became brighter, illuminating every tree and stone in the clearing.

“Don't you dare touch them.”

Her voice carried a strange power that made every wolf present lower their heads.

The leader's smile vanished.

“No,” he whispered. “You cannot have awakened this early.”

Kate raised both hands.

The ground trembled beneath their feet, and a silver circle spread across the clearing. The hunters screamed as their weapons shattered, dissolving into dust.

Their leader fell to his knees.

Kate approached him, her eyes burning.

“Tell me where my father is.”

The man looked up at her, terrified.

“Your father is not the prisoner you should be searching for.”

Kate froze.

“What does that mean?”

The hunter smiled despite his fear.

“Your mother has been keeping something from you.”

Before Kate could demand an explanation, he pressed a small device against his chest. A flash of red light engulfed him, and when it disappeared, only ashes remained.

Silence returned to the forest.

Kate rushed to Xander, who was struggling to breathe.

“Stay with me,” she begged.

His eyes fluttered open. “I told you I'd stay beside you.”

Tears filled her eyes as she pressed her hand against his wound. Silver light flowed from her palm, slowly healing the damaged flesh.

Xander stared at her in amazement.

“You saved me.”

Kate swallowed hard. “Don't make me lose you, too.”

For a moment, he touched her cheek, but neither spoke.

Then Luna whispered urgently.

Kate, look at the sky.

Above the mountains, the moon had turned blood red.

Kate stood slowly, her heart sinking as an unfamiliar voice echoed through the forest.

“My daughter, you should never have left the Silver Moon Pack.”

Kate stopped breathing.

She knew that voice.

It was her mother's.

But the woman standing between the trees had glowing red eyes.

And she was smiling.