Hidden Power

Chapter 3; Into The Unknown

As Selene anxiously walked towards Damien's den, she was in deep thought, wondering how the uncovered misery would affect her life. The knowledge of who she was and her true powers made her shake with horror. She understood she couldn't hide it, but simultaneously, she feared how Damien would react. Would he believe her?

As she approached Damien's entrance, Selene took a deep breath, gathering her courage. She was ready to face the ordeal and knock on the door when she heard hurried footsteps behind her. She turned swiftly and was shocked to see a young pack member running toward her, out of breath and wide-eyed with panic.

"Selene!" the young wolf called, trying to hold its breath. "It’s Lucas—he’s missing!"

The words were a hard blow to Selene, so she took a deep breath before whispering. "Missing?"

The young wolf nodded frantically. "He was on patrol near the eastern border last night, but he never returned. The others found signs of a struggle, but there’s no trace of him."

Selene’s mind raced. Lucas, who had just been at her door, was now missing. The timing was too strange, too sudden. She felt this had something to do with her mother's letter or, worse, that it was connected to the rogue attack from the night before.

Before she could respond, the door to Alpha’s den swung open, and Damien stepped out. His expression was as serious as ever, but an intensity in his eyes made Selene’s heart skip a beat.

“I heard,” Damien said, his voice low but commanding. “Selene, you need to stay close. The forest isn’t safe right now.”

Selene nodded, still shocked by the news. “What are we going to do?” she asked, trying to look less terrified. She held back the information that had brought her to Damien's den.

Damien looked at her intently, his softening a little. “We are going to look for him. I’ve already sent out troops to comb the area where he was last seen. But until we know more, I don’t want you leaving the fortress. The rogues might be involved, and they could be trying to lure you out.”

Selene opened her mouth to protest but then stopped herself. She knew Damien was right. She wanted to help, but considering that she had not yet understood her powers, she decided it wasn't time.

“I understand,” she said quietly. “But please, if you find anything, let me know.”

Damien nodded, his expression unreadable. “I will. But for now, stay safe.”

With that, Damien turned and started ordering nearby wolves, organizing a search party to cover more ground. Selene looked at him keenly, then turned back toward the fortress, feeling confused.

She hadn’t gone far when Elara appeared at her side, her expression grave. “I heard about Lucas,” the older woman said softly. “This is not a coincidence, Selene. The timing is too precise.”

Selene nodded, her mind racing. “You think the sorcerers are involved, don’t you? That they took him because of me?”

Elara’s gaze was steady, her eyes filled with concern. “It’s possible. They could be using him to get to you, knowing that you would feel responsible and try to rescue him.”

Selene felt a wave of guilt crash over her. If Lucas had been taken because of her, she had to do something, but she didn't know what to do.

`´I will have to do something,” Selene said, her voice shaking but this time with determination. “I won't stand here and do nothing.”

Elara shook her head, her expression firm. “You don't know anything about your powers and how to control them, " Selene said. ´´Don't rush. Take time`` Selene, `´But I can’t just stay here while they’re out there looking for him,” Selene insisted.

Elara softened, reaching out to Selene’s shoulder. “Take your time to prepare, learn, and understand if this is connected to your hidden powers, and then figure out how to face it, Selene. "Selene took a deep breath, trying to balance herself. She did understand Elara, but it didn't sit right with her not to worry about Lucas's disappearance.

“Elara, I don't know what to do?” Selene said, her voice filled with resolve.

Elara smiled gently. “For now, focus on learning about your heritage, about the wolf shaman that you are. There’s an old book in the healer’s quarters that might help. It was passed down through generations of our kind. Start there, and I’ll help you.”

Selene nodded, feeling hopeful amidst the chaos. She considered it a good start. Though she couldn't help Lucas directly, at least she would prepare and do something that would help in the future.

Walking toward the healer’s quarters, she looked back at the forest one last time. She knew the answers she sought were hidden in the shadows, just waiting to be discovered. And she would find them, no matter the cost.

But for now, she had to take the first step. She had to understand who she was and what she could become. If the sorcerers were involved and had taken Lucas to get to her, she needed to be ready. Ready to face them. Ready to fight. And prepared to uncover the truth about her past—and her future.