Chapter 2 – The Rogue with Silver Eyes
981 Words
The rogue's voice echoed like thunder through the forest, though his tone was calm, almost amused.
"Moonborn."
Selina stiffened. The word struck a chord deep in her bones—something ancient, something wild. But her instincts screamed danger. Her wolf, though bruised and quiet, stirred weakly.
The man emerged from the shadows, tall and broad-shouldered, with black hair that brushed his collar and glowing silver eyes that glinted like molten metal. His jaw was stubbled, his black coat heavy and worn. Yet despite his ruggedness, there was something undeniably regal about him.
Selina narrowed her eyes. “You didn’t answer my question.”
He smirked. “And you’re bleeding. Alone. Exiled. Maybe you should start asking for help instead of barking questions.”
Her spine straightened despite the ache. “I don’t need help.”
He raised a brow. “That’s a bold thing to say for someone shivering, half-dead, and five seconds away from passing out.”
She hated how right he was. Her knees trembled. Her lip was split. Her soul ached from the severed bond. But pride was all she had left.
“You’re a rogue,” she said with venom. “A criminal. I’d rather die than be helped by one of you.”
The rogue chuckled, deep and rumbling. “Then lucky for you, I’m not just any rogue.”
Selina clenched her fists. “Are you going to kill me or not?”
He stepped closer, boots crunching against the frost-covered leaves. “If I wanted to kill you, you’d already be dead.”
She remained silent, her chest heaving.
He stopped just inches away, his voice lowering. “Your Alpha made a mistake. You don’t belong to them. You never did.”
Her throat tightened. “You don’t know anything about me.”
“I know you’re the last Moonborn wolf in existence. And I know Kael rejected you not because you’re weak—but because he’s afraid.”
Selina froze. “Moonborn?” The word tasted foreign on her tongue. “That’s a myth.”
“Is it?” he said, eyes glowing faintly. “Then how do you explain the way the bond didn’t fully sever? Why your wolf is still alive, when she should be broken beyond repair?”
Her breath caught.
She hadn’t realized it… but it was true.
Her wolf wasn’t gone. Weakened, yes. But still tethered to her. Still alive.
“I’ve been tracking you for months,” he continued. “Waiting for the bond to snap. The prophecy said it would happen under the Blood Moon.”
Prophecy?
“You’re insane,” Selina snapped, shaking her head. “There’s no prophecy. My father’s dead. My life is over. Whatever fantasy you’re peddling, I’m not interested.”
“Your father died protecting you,” the man said, his tone suddenly serious. “He was no traitor. He found out the truth about you… and Kael silenced him before he could tell you.”
Her heart stopped.
“What did you say?”
“You heard me,” he said quietly. “Your father was loyal. Too loyal. He discovered the Moonborn secret written in your mother’s bloodline, hidden for decades. And Kael couldn’t risk losing power to you.”
Selina staggered back, breath shallow.
Her mother died giving birth to her. Her father had always refused to speak of her past.
And now this stranger claimed everything she knew was a lie?
“You’re just trying to manipulate me,” she said, voice cracking. “I don’t believe you.”
“Then I’ll show you,” he said.
Before she could react, he stepped forward and placed a hand gently on her forehead.
Images flooded her mind—memories not her own.
A younger version of her father, standing before an old shrine deep in the mountains. A journal filled with moon sigils. Bloodline markings that matched the birthmark behind her ear. And a name, whispered in the wind.
Moonborn.
She gasped, stumbling backward. The vision vanished.
“You’re lying,” she rasped, but doubt had already cracked her armor.
“Come with me,” he said. “I’ll take you somewhere safe. Somewhere you’ll learn who you really are.”
She hesitated.
She didn’t trust him.
But she didn’t trust anyone anymore.
“Why are you helping me?” she asked quietly.
He hesitated—just for a second.
“Because I made a vow to your father,” he said finally. “And because… I’ve been where you are. Rejected. Betrayed. Abandoned.”
A flicker of pain passed over his face.
Selina bit her lip.
If he was telling the truth…
Then Kael had murdered her father not out of justice—but out of fear.
Then she wasn’t weak or cursed.
She was something else entirely.
And she’d never find out the truth by freezing to death in the woods.
“Fine,” she said through gritted teeth. “But if you try anything…”
“I won’t,” he said, and extended his hand.
She didn’t take it—but she followed him.
They walked for hours, deeper into the mountain, through winding paths cloaked in moonlight.
Finally, they reached a cliff overlooking a valley—and a hidden fortress beneath the trees, glowing with silver lanterns and guarded by sentries wearing unfamiliar crests.
She turned to the rogue, stunned.
“What is this place?”
He smiled. “Welcome to the Sanctuary of the Forgotten.”
And then—
A horn blew in the distance.
He spun around, jaw tightening.
“They found us.”
Selina’s blood ran cold. “Who?”
A second horn.
Closer.
“Midnight Howler,” he growled. “Kael’s hunting you.”
—
Kael has sent forces to hunt Selina down. Will she survive? Who exactly is this rogue? What secrets lie within the Sanctuary of the Forgotten?
- Writer
