The Shadow of the King
1415 Words
Luna remained beneath the ancient trees long after the giant black wolf disappeared.
The forest had become silent once again.
Only the sound of her own breathing disturbed the stillness.
For several moments she simply sat there, trying to understand what had happened.
A Lycan.
Not a werewolf.
Not a rogue.
A Lycan.
Stories about Lycans were as old as the realm itself. Children grew up hearing legends about them around winter fires. Some stories described them as noble rulers. Others described them as monsters capable of destroying entire armies.
Most wolves believed those stories belonged to the distant past.
Yet she had just seen one with her own eyes.
Not only that.
It had saved her life.
Luna slowly stood up and immediately winced.
Pain shot through her injured ankle.
She grabbed the nearest tree for support.
The fall down the slope had left cuts and bruises across her body.
Fortunately, nothing seemed broken.
That was the first thing she checked.
A healer's habits never disappeared.
After examining her ankle, Luna carefully opened her bag and removed several herbs.
She crushed them between her fingers before applying them to the swelling.
The familiar work helped calm her mind.
Whenever life became chaotic, healing gave her something stable to focus on.
Several minutes later, she wrapped the injury and tested her weight.
It still hurt.
But she could walk.
That was enough.
The sun had already begun moving toward the western horizon.
Night would arrive in a few hours.
She needed shelter.
Remaining in the forest after dark would be dangerous.
Especially after attracting the attention of rogue wolves.
Luna looked around.
The area felt different from the rest of the wilderness.
The trees were larger.
Older.
Their trunks were so wide that ten wolves could probably stand side by side around them.
Ancient symbols covered some of the bark.
Faded markings carved centuries ago.
She approached one of them.
The symbol looked unfamiliar.
Not werewolf.
Not human.
Something else.
Something older.
A chill moved through her body.
The giant black wolf suddenly came back to her thoughts.
The creature had emerged from this forest as though it belonged here.
Maybe it did.
Maybe this entire place belonged to Lycans.
The idea should have frightened her.
Instead, she felt curious.
A healer's curiosity had always been one of her greatest strengths and greatest weaknesses.
The sky gradually darkened.
Luna followed a narrow trail winding through the forest.
Hours passed.
The trees eventually became less dense.
The ancient atmosphere slowly faded.
Just as the last sunlight disappeared beyond the horizon, she spotted a small cabin near a stream.
Relief flooded through her.
The cabin looked old but sturdy.
A thin trail of smoke rose from its chimney.
Someone lived there.
Luna hesitated.
Approaching strangers in the wilderness carried risks.
But sleeping outside carried greater risks.
She slowly walked toward the cabin and knocked on the wooden door.
For several seconds nothing happened.
Then the door opened.
An elderly woman stood before her.
Silver hair.
Sharp blue eyes.
A surprisingly straight posture despite her age.
The woman studied Luna carefully.
Her gaze immediately noticed the injuries.
"You fought rogues."
It was not a question.
Luna blinked.
"How did you know?"
"The same way I know you're a healer."
The old woman stepped aside.
"Come inside."
Luna entered cautiously.
The cabin's interior felt warm and comfortable.
Bundles of herbs hung from the ceiling.
Books covered several shelves.
The scent of medicine filled the air.
The place reminded Luna of home.
The woman closed the door.
"You may call me Elara."
"Luna."
Elara nodded.
"I know."
Luna froze.
"You know me?"
"Not personally."
The old woman calmly prepared tea.
"But I know who you are."
The answer only created more questions.
Luna sat near the fireplace.
"Have we met before?"
"No."
"Then how—"
"Drink your tea before it gets cold."
Luna realized questioning her would accomplish nothing.
At least not immediately.
The tea tasted surprisingly good.
Warmth spread through her body.
For the first time since leaving Silver Ridge, she felt safe.
Elara sat across from her.
For several minutes neither woman spoke.
The crackling fire filled the silence.
Finally Elara looked directly at her.
"You left your pack."
Luna lowered her eyes.
"Yes."
"Because of your mate."
The pain returned instantly.
Even now, hearing the word hurt.
"He chose someone else."
Elara remained silent.
No pity.
No sympathy.
No judgment.
Only understanding.
Strangely, Luna appreciated that.
Most people immediately offered comfort.
The old woman simply accepted the truth.
"The bond still hurts?"
Luna laughed bitterly.
"Every minute."
"It will."
"Will it ever stop?"
Elara stared into the fire.
"Eventually."
The answer was not very comforting.
Still, it felt honest.
Luna preferred honesty.
The conversation gradually shifted toward healing, herbs, and medicine.
To Luna's surprise, Elara possessed enormous knowledge.
Far more than any healer she had ever met.
Hours passed.
Night deepened outside.
For the first time in days, Luna almost forgot about Ryder.
Almost.
Later, after dinner, Elara prepared a small room for her.
The bed looked simple but comfortable.
Exhaustion finally caught up with Luna.
The moment her head touched the pillow, sleep claimed her.
Then the dreams began.
At first she saw only darkness.
Endless darkness.
A cold wind moved through the shadows.
Somewhere in the distance, chains rattled.
Metal scraped against stone.
The sound echoed endlessly.
Luna followed it.
The darkness slowly opened into a massive chamber.
Ancient pillars stretched toward an invisible ceiling.
Blue flames burned along the walls.
In the center of the chamber stood a throne.
A black throne carved from stone.
Someone sat upon it.
A man.
Tall.
Powerful.
Motionless.
His face remained hidden in darkness.
Yet somehow Luna knew he was watching her.
The feeling made her nervous.
"Who are you?" she asked.
The chamber remained silent.
Then golden eyes opened.
The same eyes.
The same eyes she had seen in the forest.
The giant black wolf.
No.
Not the wolf.
The person behind the wolf.
A voice echoed through the darkness.
Deep.
Powerful.
Ancient.
"You finally crossed the border."
Luna's heart began racing.
"What is this place?"
No answer came.
The golden eyes continued watching her.
The strange warmth she had felt earlier returned.
Stronger this time.
The air around her seemed to tremble.
"Who are you?" she asked again.
This time the figure slowly rose from the throne.
The movement alone felt overwhelming.
As though an entire mountain had suddenly stood up.
The darkness covering his face began fading.
Luna stepped backward.
Then she woke up.
Her eyes flew open.
The room was dark.
Moonlight entered through the window.
Her breathing was fast.
Her heart pounded.
For several moments she remained still.
The dream felt unbelievably real.
Too real.
She touched her forehead.
Sweat covered her skin.
Outside, wolves howled somewhere in the distance.
Luna sat up and looked out the window.
The moon hung high above the forest.
Beautiful.
Silent.
Watching.
Eventually she returned to bed.
Sleep came slowly.
When morning finally arrived, sunlight filled the cabin.
The smell of breakfast drifted through the air.
Luna entered the main room.
Elara was already awake.
As if she had never slept at all.
"You dreamed about him."
Luna stopped walking.
"What?"
"The Lycan."
The cup nearly slipped from Luna's hand.
"How do you know that?"
Elara calmly continued preparing tea.
"Because he dreamed about you too."
The room suddenly felt much colder.
Luna stared at the old woman.
Certain she had misheard.
"What did you say?"
Elara finally looked at her.
Her blue eyes seemed far older than before.
Far wiser.
Far more mysterious.
"The path you started walking is larger than a rejected mate bond, Luna Hart."
The old woman placed a cup of tea onto the table.
"Much larger."
Outside, the wind suddenly picked up.
The trees swayed.
The forest seemed restless.
As if it knew something was coming.
Something ancient.
Something powerful.
Something that had been waiting for a very long time.
And far away, deep within the mountains, a man with golden eyes stood upon a cliff overlooking the realm.
His black coat moved in the wind.
His expression remained unreadable.
Yet his thoughts were focused on only one person.
The healer who should never have entered his territory.
The woman fate had unexpectedly placed in his path.
For the first time in many years, the King of the Lycans smiled.
And somewhere deep inside, destiny quietly continued weaving their futures together.
- Writer
