CHAPTER FIVE -THE ALPHA'S PROTECTION

The warning refused to leave Lena's mind.

THE MOONBORN HEIR HAS BEEN FOUND.

She sat on the edge of the enormous bed in her assigned room, staring at the folded piece of paper Xavier had given her.

Who were these people?

Why had they been hunting her family?

And why had nobody told her the truth about her mother?

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

"Come in."

The door opened, revealing a young woman with dark brown hair tied into a neat ponytail. She carried a tray of food.

"Good evening. I'm Amelia. The Alpha asked me to bring you dinner."

Lena glanced at the tray.

"I'm not hungry."

Amelia placed it on the small table.

"You should eat. The Alpha can be quite difficult when he's worried."

Lena raised an eyebrow.

"Worried? That man looks like he hasn't experienced a peaceful emotion in his entire life."

Amelia covered a smile.

"Be careful. Someone might hear you."

"Let them."

Amelia shook her head.

"You're certainly different from the other women in this pack."

"I'm not trying to be like anyone."

For a moment, Amelia studied her.

"Can I ask you something?"

"Go ahead."

"Is it true that you're the Moonborn heir?"

Lena's expression immediately changed.

"Who told you that?"

"Everyone is talking about it. The guards have been ordered to increase security, and the Alpha has forbidden anyone from leaving the compound."

Lena looked away.

"So much for keeping secrets."

Amelia lowered her voice.

"Whatever happens, you should know something. Not everyone in this pack will welcome you."

"Why?"

"Because some people believe the Moonborn bloodline is cursed."

Before Lena could ask another question, Amelia hurried towards the door.

"Get some rest. Tomorrow will probably be difficult."

The door closed.

Lena stared at the untouched food.

She was beginning to understand that Iron Crescent was full of secrets, and every answer seemed to create another question.

---

At midnight, Lena woke to the sound of something tapping against her window.

She sat up immediately.

Another tap.

She slowly approached the window and pulled the curtains aside.

A small piece of paper had been pushed beneath the window frame.

Her heart raced.

She opened the window and picked it up.

There were only six words written on it.

YOUR BROTHER IS ALIVE. TRUST NO ONE.

Lena read the message twice.

Daniel was alive.

Her hands trembled as she searched the paper for another clue.

Then she noticed something written at the bottom.

A location.

THE OLD CHAPEL.

She didn't waste another second.

She grabbed her jacket and quietly left the room.

---

The corridors were almost completely dark.

Lena moved carefully, avoiding the guards stationed near the main entrance.

She had almost reached the staircase when a familiar voice stopped her.

"Where do you think you're going?"

She froze.

Xavier stood at the end of the corridor, wearing black trousers and a dark shirt. His expression was unreadable.

Lena quickly hid the paper behind her back.

"Getting some fresh air."

"At midnight?"

"I didn't realize I needed your permission to breathe."

Xavier approached her.

"You're terrible at lying."

"And you're terrible at minding your business."

His eyes narrowed.

"Show me your hand."

"No."

"Lena."

She stepped backwards.

"Don't use that tone with me."

He stopped directly in front of her.

For a moment, neither spoke.

Then his gaze shifted towards the paper partially visible behind her fingers.

"What are you hiding?"

"Nothing."

He reached out, but Lena pulled away.

"Don't touch me."

Something changed in his expression.

He lowered his hand.

"Fine. But if you're planning to leave this compound, you're not going alone."

Lena stared at him.

"Why do you care so much?"

His answer came quietly.

"Because if something happens to you, I'll lose the only person who might help me uncover what happened to my father."

The honesty in his voice caught her off guard.

Before she could respond, a distant howl echoed through the night.

Xavier immediately turned towards the windows.

"Get behind me."

"What is it?"

He didn't answer.

A second howl followed, much closer than the first.

Then the alarm bells began ringing.

One of the guards came rushing down the corridor.

"Alpha! The eastern gates have been breached!"

Xavier's expression hardened.

"How many?"

"At least twenty."

He turned to Lena.

"Go to the underground shelter. Stay with Amelia."

"I'm not hiding while you fight."

"This is not the time to argue."

A loud crash shook the building.

Lena stumbled, and Xavier caught her before she fell.

Their eyes met for a brief second.

"Listen to me," he said. "Whatever happens tonight, do not trust anyone who asks you to follow them. Do you understand?"

Lena nodded slowly.

He released her and turned towards the guards.

"Protect the eastern wing. Nobody gets near her."

Then he disappeared down the corridor.

Lena looked down at the mysterious message still hidden in her hand.

Her brother was alive.

And somehow, she had a feeling that the attack on Iron Crescent was connected to him.

She looked towards the dark staircase leading to the underground shelter.

Then she made her decision.

If Daniel was alive, she would find him.

Even if it meant uncovering every secret Xavier had tried to keep from her.

END OF CHAPTER FIVE