The Mixes

Chapter Seven — Truth in the Moonlight

The Alpha led them out of the Hollow and into a moonlit clearing deep within Moonclaw territory. A massive bonfire crackled in the center, surrounded by carved stones depicting wolves, blood-moons, and ancient runes.

Wolves in both human and wolf form gathered around them, eyes filled with curiosity—even respect.

“You earned your place here,” the Alpha announced. “Few survive the Grave-Cursed Hollow.”

Elyria swayed slightly, still exhausted. Raven steadied her, his hand warm against her back.

The Alpha gestured to an older woman sitting near the fire. Her hair was silver braided down her back, her eyes bright and wolf-sharp.

“This is Mira,” he said. “Our Memory keeper.”

Mira nodded at Elyria. “You carry the scent of echoes. Come closer.”

Elyria sat across from her. Mira reached out and gently pressed her fingers to Elyria’s temple.

The world blurred.

Cold.

Darkness.

A crying baby.

Two crying babies.

A hooded figure grabbing one—Selene—and vanishing into smoke. The other—Elyria—being handed to her witch aunt.

Then—

A symbol.

Burned into the wall of the room where her sister disappeared.

A black circle crossed by a jagged line.

Elyria gasped as Mira released her.

“What was that symbol?” Elyria asked breathlessly.

“The mark of the Covenant of Shadow,” Mira said. “A splinter faction of the Dark Coven. They take what is forbidden. They experiment. They corrupt.”

Raven stiffened beside her. “So Selene is in their hands.”

Mira nodded. “If she lives, she is no longer the child she once was.”

Elyria’s chest tightened. “I don’t care. She’s still my sister.”

The Alpha stepped forward, gaze steady. “Then you must go to the Ancient Vale. The pixies guard the path to Shadow Mountain—and the coven’s fortress.”

Raven swore under his breath. “Pixies, zombies, werewolves. This is becoming a fantastic vacation.”

Elyria pushed herself to her feet.

“Then we leave at dawn,” she said. “Shadow Mountain is where Selene is—and I’m not losing her again.”

Raven looked at her, something soft flickering in his eyes. Admiration, maybe. Or fear for her.

“Then I’ll go with you,” he said quietly. “All the way.”

Elyria nodded.

Together, they turned toward the dark horizon—toward a mountain shrouded in shadow.

Toward Selene.

Toward destiny.