Chapter 008: Secrets Beneath The Moon
741 Words
The first rays of sunlight filtered through the towering pine trees, casting golden streaks across the Lycan camp.
Lyra woke with a start.
For a brief moment, she forgot everything that had happened.
Then reality came rushing back.
Kael's rejection.
Her banishment.
The rogues.
The Lycan King.
She sat up slowly, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders.
Outside the tent, the camp was already bustling with activity. Warriors sharpened their swords while others prepared breakfast. Despite their intimidating appearance, they worked with remarkable discipline.
Lyra stepped outside.
The cool morning air carried the scent of pine and fresh bread.
A young Lycan warrior noticed her immediately.
"My Lady!"
Several others turned toward her and bowed respectfully.
Lyra's eyes widened.
"Please... you don't have to bow."
One of the older warriors smiled.
"Our King commanded that you be treated with the highest respect."
She felt awkward.
No one had ever shown her this much respect before.
Not even in her own pack.
Before she could reply, Lucian approached with a warm smile.
"Did you sleep well?"
"A little."
"His Majesty is waiting for you."
"My... me?"
Lucian nodded.
"This way."
---
Draven stood alone at the edge of a cliff overlooking the endless forest.
The wind played with his dark hair as he stared into the distance.
He didn't turn when Lyra approached.
"I hope the camp treated you well."
"It did."
She hesitated before continuing.
"Thank you."
He finally looked at her.
"You've thanked me enough."
Silence settled between them.
Lyra folded her arms.
"There are so many things I don't understand."
"Ask."
"You said you felt my pain."
"I did."
"How?"
Draven looked toward the rising sun.
"When the Moon Goddess binds two souls..."
"Their hearts become one."
"If one suffers..."
"The other feels it."
Lyra frowned.
"But Kael rejected me."
"He rejected the bond between the two of you."
Draven's silver eyes softened.
"He wasn't your true mate."
Her breath caught.
"What?"
"The Moon Goddess doesn't make mistakes."
"You were never meant to belong to him."
She stared at him.
"Then why did we have a mate bond?"
"Some bonds are created by destiny."
He paused.
"Others..."
His expression darkened.
"...are created through ancient magic."
Lyra felt her stomach tighten.
"What do you mean?"
Before Draven could answer—
A sharp cry echoed through the camp.
"Your Majesty!"
One of the scouts sprinted toward them.
He dropped to one knee, breathing heavily.
"We found something."
Draven's expression turned serious.
"What is it?"
"The rogues we released..."
"They're dead."
---
Minutes later...
Draven, Lyra, Lucian, and several elite warriors arrived at a small clearing.
The three rogue wolves lay motionless on the ground.
Their bodies bore no signs of a struggle.
No wounds.
No blood.
Yet every one of them was dead.
Lucian knelt beside the nearest body.
"This is impossible."
Draven examined the corpse carefully.
Then his eyes narrowed.
"Their wolves were drained."
"What?"
"Their life force."
Lyra stepped closer despite the unpleasant sight.
As the former healer of the Silver Moon Pack, she had seen many injuries.
But never anything like this.
She noticed a strange black mark on one rogue's neck.
"What is this symbol?"
Lucian's face instantly paled.
"It can't be..."
Draven's jaw tightened.
"I was hoping I'd never see it again."
Lyra looked between them.
"You know what it is?"
Draven nodded.
"The Shadow Order."
"The Shadow Order?"
"They're an ancient organization."
Lucian spoke quietly.
"They were believed to have been destroyed twenty years ago."
"They experiment with forbidden magic."
"They steal wolf powers."
"They create false mate bonds."
Lyra's heart skipped a beat.
False...
Mate bonds?
She slowly turned toward Draven.
"You think..."
"My bond with Kael..."
Draven met her gaze.
"I don't know."
"But I'm beginning to suspect your rejection wasn't a coincidence."
A cold chill ran down Lyra's spine.
If her bond with Kael had been manipulated...
Then someone had been controlling her life from the very beginning.
Hidden high in the trees overlooking the clearing...
The hooded spy watched silently.
A wicked smile spread across his lips.
"So..."
"They've discovered the mark."
He disappeared without making a sound.
"The Master will be pleased."
Far away...
Inside a castle buried beneath the mountains...
A mysterious man dressed in black sat upon a throne surrounded by flickering blue flames.
He slowly opened his crimson eyes.
"So..."
"The Lycan King has finally begun asking the right questions."
He smiled.
"But he's already too late."
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