CHAPTER SIX-THE GIRL IN THE SHADOWS

The alarm bells continued ringing throughout Iron Crescent.

Lena stood at the top of the staircase, gripping the mysterious note in her hand.

YOUR BROTHER IS ALIVE.

Those five words had changed everything.

She had spent months searching for Daniel, believing she might never see him again. Now someone was telling her he was alive, and she wasn't going to waste the opportunity.

She glanced towards the corridor.

The guards were rushing towards the eastern wing, leaving the staircase almost completely unprotected.

It was her chance.

Lena hurried downstairs and slipped through a narrow passage leading towards the old courtyard.

The night air was cold against her skin.

She checked the note again.

THE OLD CHAPEL.

She knew the location. It was an abandoned building beyond the eastern gardens, close to the edge of the forest.

Taking a deep breath, she continued walking.

---

Meanwhile, inside the eastern wing, Xavier was facing an entirely different problem.

"How many intruders?" he demanded.

His Beta, Adrian, stood beside him.

"Twenty-three confirmed. But our scouts believe there are more hiding in the forest."

"Have they identified themselves?"

"No. They're wearing Bloodmoon markings."

Xavier's expression darkened.

"The same pack that sent the message?"

Adrian nodded.

"Yes, Alpha."

Xavier looked towards the broken gates.

"They're not here for territory."

"What do you mean?"

"They're here for the girl."

Adrian hesitated.

"Then we need to move her somewhere secure."

Xavier turned sharply.

"Where is she?"

"I assumed Amelia had taken her to the shelter."

"Check immediately."

---

Lena finally reached the old chapel.

The building looked abandoned, with broken windows and faded wooden doors. Wild plants had grown around its walls.

She pushed the door open.

"Daniel?"

Her voice echoed through the empty building.

"Is anyone here?"

A faint sound came from behind the altar.

Lena moved cautiously.

"Who's there?"

A figure stepped out of the shadows.

He wore a dark hood, and his face was partially hidden.

"Lena Voss."

She immediately stepped backwards.

"Who are you?"

The stranger removed his hood.

He was older than she expected, with a scar running across his left cheek.

"Your mother was a remarkable woman."

Lena's expression hardened.

"Don't talk about my mother. Where is my brother?"

The man studied her for a moment.

"Straight to the point. You certainly have her spirit."

"Answer me!"

"Daniel is alive."

Lena's heart raced.

"Where is he?"

"Safe, for now."

"Take me to him."

The stranger shook his head.

"Not yet. There are things you need to understand first."

Lena clenched her fists.

"I've heard enough stories. I want answers."

The man reached into his coat and brought out a small silver pendant.

Lena stopped breathing.

She recognized it immediately.

It had belonged to her mother.

"Where did you get that?"

"Your mother gave it to me shortly before she disappeared."

Lena reached for it, but the stranger pulled his hand away.

"This pendant contains the only remaining record of the Moonborn bloodline."

"Why would my mother give it to you?"

"Because she knew someone would eventually come looking for you."

A sudden noise came from outside.

The stranger immediately turned towards the door.

"We have to leave."

Lena looked towards the entrance.

"What is happening?"

"Your Alpha has discovered you're missing."

"Xavier?"

The man gave a humourless smile.

"Yes. And he isn't the only one looking for you."

Before Lena could ask another question, the chapel doors burst open.

Several armed men entered.

Their leader stepped forward, his eyes fixed on Lena.

"There she is."

The stranger grabbed Lena's wrist.

"Run!"

They hurried through a narrow doorway at the back of the chapel.

Behind them, footsteps thundered across the wooden floor.

---

Xavier arrived at the chapel moments later.

Adrian followed closely behind.

"Alpha, we found her trail leading here."

Xavier entered the building and immediately noticed the broken door.

He crouched beside a small object lying on the floor.

A silver pendant.

His expression changed.

He recognized the symbol engraved on it.

The Moonborn crest.

"She was here," Adrian said.

Xavier closed his fingers around the pendant.

"Find her."

"Which direction?"

Xavier looked towards the forest.

"Every direction."

His voice dropped.

"And whoever took her had better pray I find her before the Bloodmoon does."

---

Deep inside the forest, Lena and the stranger finally stopped running.

She pulled her wrist away.

"Who are you?"

The man looked at her.

"My name is Elias."

"Why should I trust you?"

"You shouldn't."

His answer surprised her.

He continued.

"Trust is earned, Lena. And right now, you have every reason to question everyone around you."

She stared at him.

"Tell me about my mother."

Elias looked towards the distant trees.

"Your mother wasn't just a member of the Moonborn bloodline. She was its last surviving guardian."

Lena frowned.

"Guardian of what?"

Elias turned back towards her.

"Something powerful enough to start a war between every supernatural pack in existence."

Before Lena could respond, a familiar voice echoed through the forest.

"LENA!"

She turned.

Xavier emerged between the trees, accompanied by several guards.

His expression was furious.

But beneath the anger, Lena noticed something else.

Relief.

He walked towards her.

"Do you have any idea what you've done?"

Lena folded her arms.

"I found someone who knows my brother is alive."

Xavier's gaze shifted towards Elias.

The moment their eyes met, the atmosphere changed.

Xavier went completely still.

"Elias?"

The older man's expression hardened.

"Hello, Xavier."

Lena looked between them.

"You know each other?"

Xavier's jaw tightened.

"Unfortunately."

Elias gave a small smile.

"Still as welcoming as ever, I see."

Xavier stepped forward.

"I watched you die."

Elias looked directly at him.

"Then someone lied to you, Alpha."

A cold silence settled over the forest.

Lena's heart began racing again.

Because suddenly, she understood something.

The secrets surrounding her family were connected to Xavier's family in ways neither of them had imagined.

And the man standing before them might know exactly why their parents' lives had ended in tragedy.

END OF CHAPTER SIX