WHEN THE MOON GODDESS WENT SILENT

CHAPTER TWO: Seven years later... The Kingdom of Ashbourne had never been stronger. Its warriors were feared across the seven kingdoms. Its borders had never been breached. Its people slept peacefully, knowing no enemy dared challenge the Alpha who ruled them. Yet every victory came with the same whisper. "He's still without a mate." The words followed Alpha Kael wherever he went. Children were warned never to repeat them in his presence. Elders lowered their voices whenever he passed. Visiting Alphas offered polite smiles while secretly thanking the Moon Goddess that they had not shared his fate. No one pitied Kael to his face. They did it behind his back. The training grounds echoed with the clash of swords. Dozens of warriors struggled to defend themselves against one man. Kael. His movements were swift and precise. Every strike forced another warrior to the ground. Sweat glistened across his forehead, but his breathing remained steady. "Again," he ordered. The warriors exchanged nervous glances. "Your Majesty... we've already fought for three hours." Kael sheathed his sword. "And if enemies attacked for four?" Silence. He looked across the field. "A tired warrior dies first. Train until your body obeys you, even when your mind begs you to stop." The warriors bowed. "Yes, Alpha." Watching from the balcony, Beta Ronan smiled. "They fear you more than they fear death." Kael picked up a towel. "They don't fear me." "They respect you." "There is a difference." Ronan chuckled. "And yet they still think you're impossible to please." Kael said nothing. His eyes drifted toward the distant mountains where the Moon Temple stood. Seven years. Not a single answer. That evening, representatives from the six remaining werewolf kingdoms gathered in Ashbourne Castle for the annual Alpha Council. The grand hall glittered beneath crystal chandeliers as servants poured wine into silver goblets. Alpha Darius of the Black Fang Pack leaned back in his chair with a mocking smile. "So..." He looked directly at Kael. "Any news from the Moon Goddess this year?" Several Alphas laughed quietly. Kael calmly lifted his cup. "No." "What a shame." Darius sighed dramatically. "My youngest son found his mate last month. He's only nineteen." Another Alpha joined in. "My daughter asked me yesterday whether Alphas without mates become lonely." More laughter filled the hall. Only Alpha Magnus, the oldest ruler present, remained silent. Kael placed his cup on the table. "If your entertainment depends on my personal life..." His voice was calm. "...then your kingdoms must be remarkably peaceful." The laughter stopped instantly. Even Darius looked away. Alpha Magnus smiled faintly. "The young still have much to learn." Long after the meeting ended, Kael dismissed his guards and climbed the winding path to the Moon Temple alone. He carried no sword. No crown. No royal robes. Only a single lantern. The temple was empty. Just as it had been every full moon for seven years. He stood before the ancient altar and looked up at the full moon. "I kept my promise." His voice echoed softly through the temple. "I protected my people." "I ended the border wars." "I never abused the power you gave me." He lowered his gaze. "So tell me..." His voice became almost a whisper. "What have I done wrong?" The moon remained silent. Kael closed his eyes. For the first time in years... He smiled. Not because he was happy. Because he had finally accepted that no answer was coming. He turned to leave. Behind him... The Moonstone on the altar glowed for a single heartbeat. A faint silver light spread across its surface before disappearing again. Kael never saw it. But hidden within the shadows of the temple, someone did. A hooded figure stepped silently from behind one of the ancient pillars. Only two glowing violet eyes could be seen beneath the dark cloak. The stranger stared at the Moonstone before whispering, "So..." "It has finally begun." The figure vanished into the darkness. Far away, in the human world, a young woman named Neriah sat by the window of her small room, laughing as she argued with her adoptive father over whether werewolves were real. "They're just stories," she said, smiling. "The same stories you used to scare me into coming home before sunset." Her father smiled, but it didn't reach his eyes. "Some stories..." he murmured quietly, "...are safer when no one believes them." Morning arrived with the comforting sounds of bicycle bells, street vendors calling to customers, and the aroma of freshly baked bread drifting through the small town of Ashgrove. Unlike the kingdoms hidden beyond the mountains, nothing extraordinary ever happened here. People worried about paying bills, finding jobs, and preparing for the next market day. Magic belonged only in bedtime stories. At least, that was what everyone believed. Neriah stepped out of her small home, balancing a basket of warm bread on one arm. "Mom, I'll be back before noon!" she called. Her adoptive mother, Martha, leaned out of the kitchen window. "And don't forget to collect Mrs. Helen's medicine." "I won't!" "And stop giving away bread for free." Neriah laughed. "I'll try." "You said that yesterday." "And the day before." Neriah only grinned before hurrying down the street. Everyone in Ashgrove knew her. The old women loved her because she always helped carry their shopping. The children adored her because she never passed them without a smile. Even stray dogs followed her whenever she walked through the market. "Morning, Neriah!" the fruit seller called. "Good morning, Uncle Ben." "You still owe me a game of chess." "I'll beat you this evening." "You've been saying that for two weeks." Their laughter blended into the lively atmosphere of the marketplace. To anyone watching, she was nothing more than an ordinary twenty-four-year-old woman trying to make an honest living. No one knew... She had never truly belonged there. That afternoon, Neriah stopped at the town library to return two books. The elderly librarian adjusted his glasses. "Finished already?" "They were wonderful." He smiled. "You've read nearly every book in this place." "I like stories." "What kind?" Neriah shrugged. "The ones that make impossible things seem real." The librarian chuckled. "So... fantasy again?" "Werewolves. Vampires. Witches." "You still enjoy those?" "They're entertaining." "You don't believe any of them?" She laughed. "Of course not." "They're just legends." The librarian nodded thoughtfully. "I used to say the same thing." Neriah blinked. "You don't actually believe they exist... do you?" The old man smiled without answering. That evening, heavy clouds gathered above Ashgrove. The wind became unusually cold. People hurried indoors as thunder rolled across the sky. Neriah quickened her pace. Halfway home, she heard a faint whimper. She stopped. Near the roadside bushes, a small white puppy trembled beneath the rain. "Oh, you poor thing." She gently picked it up. Its frightened eyes met hers. "It's okay." She wrapped it inside her jacket. "I've got you." The puppy immediately stopped shaking. Unknown to Neriah... Its eyes flashed gold for the briefest moment. Far beyond the human town... In the hidden werewolf kingdoms... A warrior burst through the gates of Ashbourne Castle. He dropped to one knee before Alpha Kael. "My Alpha..." "What is it?" The warrior struggled to catch his breath. "Our border scouts have found something." Kael rose from his throne. "What?" The warrior swallowed hard. "A scent." Kael frowned. "What scent?" The warrior's voice trembled. "It appeared only for a heartbeat..." "...then vanished." The entire throne room fell silent. Ronan stepped forward. "That's impossible." "No human scent can cross the Veil." The warrior lowered his head. "I know what I smelled." Kael's silver eyes narrowed. "What did you smell?" The warrior looked directly at him. "...Moonflower." Kael's heart skipped a beat. Moonflower. The scent spoken of only in ancient legends. The scent that was said to belong... To the Alpha with no mate.