The Luna who lived twice

CHAPTER SIX: THE HOWL IN THE DARK

Her door was still ajar.

Wren stepped into the hallway, glancing left and right. Empty. No guards.

She held the note tighter in her hand, the five words burning into her palm: You trusted the wrong Alpha.

Her heart raced. She turned back into her room and shut the door quietly, locking it behind her. Then she backed away from it as though it might burst open any second.

What did the note mean?

Which Alpha?

Caden?

Her chest ached at the thought. He had protected her. He’d knelt in front of her after the Blood Oath. He believed she was Seraphina. Didn’t he?

She sat on the edge of the bed, gazing at the note. The handwriting was rough, fast, like the writer hadn’t wanted to be caught. But that wasn’t what frightened her most.

What frightened her was the doubt now creeping into her mind.

Someone in this pack had betrayed her before. Is it happening again?

There was a knock at the door.

Wren jumped up, her breath caught in her throat. She pressed her back against the wall, with her eyes locked on the door.

“Wren?” came Caden’s voice. “It’s me.”

She stayed silent.

“I heard something from the guards. One of them said someone was seen near your hallway.”

Still no answer.

“Are you okay?” he asked more softly.

She forced herself to move. Crossed the room and opened the door.

He looked worried. “What happened?”

She hesitated, then slowly held out the note.

Caden took it and read it. His jaw clenched. “Where did you get this?”

“A hooded figure gave it to me,” she said quietly. “Right after you left.”

He looked over her shoulder into the room. “Did they come in?”

She shook her head. “No. Just shoved the note into my hand and vanished.”

Caden cursed under his breath. “This changes everything.”

Wren frowned. “You think it’s a threat?”

“Maybe. Or a warning,” he said, eyes scanning the hallway. “Come with me.”

“Where?”

“To the war room. I need to show you something.”

The war room was dimly lit, filled with old maps, scrolls, and weapons. Elias and Theo were already there, standing over a large table with a map of the territory spread wide.

Caden threw the note onto the table.

Theo raised an eyebrow. “Another message?”

Elias picked it up and read. “Damn. They’re getting bolder.”

Wren stood quietly beside Caden, her arms crossed tightly over her chest.

Caden spoke. “We’ve received two other warnings in the last three days. Both unsigned. Both hinting at an inside betrayal.”

Wren turned to him sharply. “You didn’t tell me.”

“I didn’t want to worry you,” he said, looking away.

“I should’ve known.”

“I know,” he said softly. “And I’m sorry.”

She looked away.

Theo cleared his throat. “We think there’s a traitor on the inside. Someone close. Someone who knew when the Blood Oath would happen. And when she’d be alone.”

Elias pointed to a mark on the map. “Shadowclaw movement has increased here, near the eastern ridge. But it feels like a distraction.”

“They keep us busy,” Theo added, “while someone inside finishes the job.”

Wren’s stomach turned.

Caden turned to her. “We’re moving you to a safer room. You won’t be alone again.”

“I’m not hiding,” she said firmly.

“No,” he agreed. “But you’ll be protected.”

Later that night, Wren was moved to a different wing of the packhouse, closer to Caden’s quarters. Two guards were stationed at her door, and inside, Elias did a full inspection before nodding in approval.

She sat on the bed, hugging her knees to her chest. Everything feels different now. Heavy. Dark.

A soft knock came at her window.

She turned, eyes wide. But when she peeped through the curtain, no one was there.

She opened the window slowly. Cool air rushed in. The woods beyond the packhouse swayed in the night wind.

Then she heard it.

A howl.

Low. Painful. Familiar.

It came from the direction of the sacred grove.

Her blood turned cold.

She knew that howl.

Her wolf knew it too.

Without thinking twice, she climbed out of the window and quietly landed on the grass below.

The guards were still at the door. They hadn’t seen her leave.

She moved quickly across the yard, her bare feet barely making a sound, and entered the trees.

The howl came again, deeper and Closer now.

She ran, breathing quickly, her heart racing.

Then she saw it, standing near the old stone well beyond the trees.

A wolf.

Black fur, with glowing red eyes.

Not hers.

Not anyone she has seen before.

It stared at her. And then it spoke, not aloud, but into her mind.

They’re lying to you, Luna.

Before she could respond, it vanished into the shadows.

And behind her, twigs snapped.

She turned, too late.

A sharp prick at her neck.

The world spun.

And everything went blank.