THE HEIRESS BENEATH FIVE MOONS

CHAPTER TWO:THE SECRETS BEHIND HER DOOR

Goldiana ran until the forest disappeared behind her. Her lungs burned, her dress was damp with dew, and branches scratched against her arms as she hurried along the familiar path toward the village. She didn't dare look back.

Every few seconds, she expected to hear footsteps behind her, the growl of the silver-black wolf, or Orion's voice calling her name. But there was nothing. Only the sound of her breathing and the rustling leaves.

When the first houses finally appeared through the trees, relief washed over her. Warm lights glowed through windows, and smoke curled from chimneys into the night sky. Everything looked normal. Safe. Familiar.

Yet Goldiana no longer felt normal. She slowed as she approached her home. It was a small wooden house at the edge of the village, surrounded by wildflowers her mother planted every spring.

Goldiana smiled faintly at the sight before remembering the forest. She touched her thigh instinctively. The birthmark was still there, warm beneath her clothes. She stopped outside the door. The lights were on. Her parents were awake. That was unusual.

Her mother usually went to bed early, and her father rarely stayed awake after dark unless something was wrong. Goldiana opened the door. “I'm home.” Her mother's head snapped toward her. She stood beside the table with both hands pressed against it.

Her father sat in his usual chair, but the moment he saw Goldiana, he stood so quickly that the chair scraped against the floor. “Where have you been?” he demanded. Goldiana blinked. “I went to collect herbs.” “For this long?” His eyes moved over her scratched arms and dirty dress. “What happened?” “Nothing.” “Goldiana.” Her mother hurried toward her. “You're bleeding.” Goldiana looked down at the thin scratch along her arm. “It's just a scratch.” Her mother gently took her wrist. “How did you get it?” Goldiana hesitated.

She couldn't tell them about the wolves. She couldn't tell them about the golden light. And she definitely couldn't tell them about Orion. “I fell.” Her father stared at her. “You fell?” “Yes.” He clearly didn't believe her. But instead of questioning her further, he looked toward the window. Goldiana followed his gaze. There was nothing outside except darkness. “Dad?” He looked at her. “Go upstairs.” “Why?” “Because I said so.” Goldiana frowned. Her father almost never spoke to her that way. “Did I do something wrong?” Her mother forced a small smile. “No, sweetheart.

Your father is worried.” “About what?” Neither answered. Goldiana looked between them. Something was wrong. She had felt it for years, but tonight the feeling had become impossible to ignore.

She went upstairs, but sleep refused to come. Goldiana sat beside her bedroom window and stared toward the forest. The five moons were gone. Only one ordinary moon hung above the village.

For a moment, she wondered if she had imagined everything. Maybe exhaustion had played tricks on her.

Maybe the golden light had been a strange reflection. Maybe Orion had never existed. Then she remembered his eyes. She remembered the mark on his neck. She remembered the wolves bowing before her. Goldiana pressed her fingers against her thigh. The birthmark was warm. “What are you?” she whispered. A soft knock came at her door.

Her mother entered carrying a cup of warm milk. She placed it beside the bed and sat quietly. “You frightened me tonight,” she finally said. “I'm sorry.” Her mother sighed. “You know your father worries too much.” Goldiana looked at her. “Something happened.” Her mother's expression changed. “In the forest.” Goldiana nodded. “I saw a wolf.” Her mother inhaled sharply.

It was almost unnoticeable, but Goldiana caught it. “Just a wolf?” “Not like any wolf I've seen before.” Her mother looked away. “There are wolves in the forest.” “This one was huge. It had golden eyes.” Her mother's face went pale. Goldiana leaned closer. “Mama?” “Forget about it.” “Why?” “Because some things are better left alone.” Goldiana stared at her. “You know something.” Her mother stood abruptly. “Go to sleep.” “Mama.” Her mother's voice trembled. “Please.”

She reached the door, then stopped. Without turning around, she whispered, “If you ever see that wolf again, don't follow it.” Goldiana's heart skipped. “Why?” Her mother finally turned. Fear filled her eyes. “Because it may not be looking for you.” She paused. “It may be waiting for you.” Then she left.

Goldiana barely slept. Morning arrived with the usual sounds of village life. Children ran through the streets, women carried baskets toward the market, and farmers prepared their carts. Nobody seemed to know what had happened in the forest.

Goldiana almost convinced herself that she had dreamed it all. Almost. Then she noticed a stranger standing across the village square. He wore a dark cloak, and his face was hidden beneath a hood. He wasn't speaking to anyone. He was simply watching her. Goldiana stopped. The stranger didn't move.

A villager crossed between them. When the person passed, the stranger had vanished. “Goldiana!” She turned and saw Mara running toward her. “I've been looking everywhere for you.” Goldiana forced a smile. “Why?” “Your mother said you weren't feeling well.” Mara looked at the scratches on her arms. “You don't look fine.” “It's nothing.” Mara narrowed her eyes. “You always say that when something is wrong.” Goldiana laughed softly. “Maybe you know me too well.” They walked toward the market, but Goldiana kept glancing behind her. The stranger was nowhere to be seen.

At a fruit stall, Mara lowered her voice. “Did you hear what happened last night?” Goldiana's stomach tightened. “What?” “Hunters were seen near the forest.” Goldiana went still. “Hunters?” Mara nodded. “My brother said there were horses everywhere.” “Did they find anything?” “Apparently not.” Mara leaned closer. “Old Mother Elara says they weren't ordinary hunters.” “What does that mean?” “She says they were looking for something.” Goldiana's fingers tightened around her basket. Orion's warning returned to her mind. Don't show anyone your birthmark.

That evening, Goldiana returned home earlier than usual. Her father was sitting at the table with an old wooden box in front of him.

The moment she entered, he slammed the lid shut. Goldiana stopped. “What's that?” “Nothing.” She stared at him. “You keep saying that.” Her father stood. “Stay away from the forest.” “Why?” “Because I said so.” “That's not an answer.” “It is the only answer you need.” Frustration rose inside her. “Why is everyone treating me like a child? Something happened last night, and nobody will tell me anything.” Her father looked away. “There are things you don't understand.” “Then explain them.” He remained silent. “Dad?” He walked toward the door. “I'm going out.” “You're avoiding me.” He stopped with his hand on the doorknob. “There are things about your past that you are not ready to know.” Goldiana's heart skipped. “My past?” He didn't turn around. “One day, you'll understand why we kept you here.” Then he left.

Goldiana stood frozen. Kept you here. Not raised. Not protected. Kept. Her eyes moved toward the wooden box.

She stepped closer and reached for the lid. “Don't.” Her mother's voice stopped her. Goldiana turned.

Her mother stood in the doorway, tears shining in her eyes. “What's inside?” “Things that belong to another life.” “Whose life?” Her mother said nothing. Goldiana's voice softened. “Mine?” Her mother looked at her, and for one terrible moment, Goldiana saw recognition in her eyes. “I wish you never had to find out,” she whispered. Before Goldiana could ask what she meant, a howl rose from the forest.

Her mother went completely still. Goldiana slowly turned toward the window. The howl came again, deeper and closer. Her birthmark suddenly burned beneath her clothes.

Her mother grabbed her hand. “Don't go outside.” Goldiana looked at her. “Why?” Her mother's eyes remained fixed on the darkness beyond the village. “Because something has found you.” Goldiana stared into the night. Between the trees, two golden eyes slowly opened.