Chapter 49: Book of Shadows
1376 Words
Luna’s POV
I had never stepped beyond the thick walls of the elders’ home before. The world outside was nothing but a blurry mystery to me—one I had only imagined through the stories elder Nyra had told us at night.
But now, running through the woods on top of Ray as the breeze blew across, pushing my hair back, I was finally seeing it.
The trees seemed to dance as we rode through the winding path, and I looked up to see the sky stretching out endlessly, the clouds moving at their own pace. Everything looked bigger, louder, and freer.
It was all new to me.
Ray glanced at me with a small smile. “You okay?”
I nodded, gripping his fur a little tighter with every bump we flew over. “I’ve never been out before,” I said softly. “Not once. This… is kinda my first time.”
He seemed surprised. “Seriously? Not even to the village?”
“No. Your mum said I had to be isolated from other people till I was grown. She said I wasn’t ready.”
Ray stopped, then looked at me thoughtfully for a second. “Well, you’re here now. And you’re going to love the palace. Just don’t let the guards scare you—they’re all bark and no bite.”
We passed through the gates, and I held my breath.
The entire kingdom looked like something straight out of a dream: stone walls, flowering vines crawling up the sides of buildings, people everywhere—warriors training, children laughing in corners of the streets—a place alive with activities.
Ray stopped at the front of the grand palace and shifted back to his human form.
“Come on,” he said, smiling and offering me his hand.
I hesitated before taking it—but took it nonetheless.
The steps were long and felt endless, but Ray kept walking confidently, tugging me along gently until we stood before two massive golden doors.
“The Alpha is inside,” he said, lowering his voice. “He’s with the council right now, so don’t be nervous. We’re just here to let him know you’ve arrived.”
"Okay,” I responded
"But there’s one thing—”
I tilted my head. “What is it?”
“You can’t look directly at him. Not unless he tells you to.”
I blinked. “Why not?”
“It’s just… tradition,” he shrugged. “Some say it’s out of respect. Others say the Alpha's eyes hold too much power.”
I swallowed and nodded. “Okay.”
Ray gave the guards a signal, and the golden doors swung open.
The throne room was massive—taller than any building I’d ever seen. The windows were high and arched, letting in rays of sunlight that bounced off the polished floor, hitting every corner of the room.
Councilmen stood to one side, their voices low and serious. At the far end, sitting in front of a giant stone throne, was someone I assumed to be the famed Alpha—Ryker. I had heard stories about him.
His back was turned.
Ray stepped forward. “Alpha, the new healer is here.”
The Alpha didn’t bother to turn. Instead, he just spoke, his voice deep and steady. “The burial preparations must be finalised. I don't have time now. I will speak with her soon. Ray, take her to her chambers.”
Ray bowed slightly. “Yes, Alpha.”
He motioned to me, and I followed him back out. My heart was still racing. I didn’t know what I had expected, but hearing the Alpha's voice for the first time felt like thunder—powerful.
Ray turned to me as we entered a quieter hall. “Don’t worry. That’s just how he is with everyone. You’ll get used to it.”
I nodded, trying to steady my breath.
We passed through more winding halls and finally entered a spacious room with tall shelves, herbs dangling from ropes, and a long wooden table with little glass bottles lining its edge.
“This will be your room,” Ray said, spreading his arms. “The royal healer’s chambers.”
My eyes widened. “It’s filled with all my favorite ingredients… even moonbell roots. And serpentvine.” I giggled like a little girl.
Ray chuckled. “Guess someone made sure it was personalized.”
I walked around slowly, touching the jars and herbs, feeling like a piece of home had followed me here. “This is perfect.”
Ray rolled up his sleeves. “Let’s unpack your stuff and start arranging your things.”
It took us a while, but eventually, the room felt like mine. Ray didn’t complain once, even when I made him rearrange the potion shelves three times, haha.
Afterwards, he leaned against the doorway. “So, want a tour of the rest of the palace?”
“Absolutely.” Like, he even had to ask.
We walked through corridor after corridor—he showed me the gardens, the armory, the warrior’s quarters, and even the rooftop towers where guards watched the borders. I soaked it all in like a giant sponge.
As we strolled down another hallway, I turned to him. “Is there a library here?”
He grinned. “Of course there is. This palace is ancient—every old book you can imagine is probably buried there.”
“Can we go?”
Ray nodded. “Sure.”
The library was tucked behind tall iron doors at the end of a quiet wing. A guard stopped us as we approached and looked down at Ray’s boots.
“No muddy boots in the library.”
Ray looked at his feet and groaned. “Seriously?”
I laughed. “It’s okay. I’ll just be a second. I already know what I'm looking for.”
“You sure?”
“Yeah. I’ll be fine.”
Ray stepped back, muttering something about needing a nap, and I slipped inside.
The scent of parchment and old wood welcomed me. I walked past tall shelves and dusty corners, making my way toward the far end of the room. Elder Nyra had told me about the Book of Shadows. Said it held secrets about the moon and its connection to me.
I had searched for it throughout the years but could never find it. I might as well check.
I was scanning the shelves when I heard them.
Voices.
Two girls. Just behind the next aisle.
“We have to go,” one said. “If we get caught—”
“I’m not leaving without that book,” the other snapped. “If I don’t find the Book of Shadows, I’m not going anywhere.”
“Elena, your parents—”
I froze.
Huh?
I crept closer but still couldn’t see their faces. My heart pounded. Why was she also looking for the Book of Shadows?
I was just about to peek around the shelf when a hand grabbed mine.
“Luna,” Ray called, “we have to go. I’m late for training. Like, really late.”
“But—”
“Come on!”
He dragged me out quickly. When I looked back, the girls were gone. Like they were never there.
Out in the hall, I caught my breath and looked around, eyes landing on a large framed portrait.
A little girl. Maybe five or six. Pale silver hair, big bright eyes. She was laughing in the picture, sitting on a swing made of roses.
“This picture…” I said without thinking. “Who is that girl?"
Ray looked at the frame, then at me. “That’s Princess Elena.”
My stomach tightened.
Elena?
The girl in the library? Or maybe it's just a coincidence.
My head spun around with questions.
Ray didn’t notice the questions swimming in my head. He was already walking ahead, talking about the training schedule.
“I'm sorry. Did you say princess?"
“Yh. As in next in line to the throne. Only child of the great Alpha Ryker."
As I stared into the picture more and more, I couldn't help but notice.
"Don't you think she looks like me?”
- Writer
