Chapter 4: the moon oracle's warning

The council hall fell into complete silence.

Every eye was fixed on the old woman standing in the doorway.

The Moon Oracle.

No one had seen her in over twenty years.

Legend said she only appeared when the Moon Goddess herself had a warning for the werewolf world.

The elders immediately bowed their heads.

"Oracle," the Chief Elder said respectfully. To what do we owe this honour?

She ignored him.

Her glowing silver eyes remained fixed on Selene.

The young woman instinctively took a step back.

"I... I don't understand," Selene stammered.

The Oracle slowly raised her staff.

You understand perfectly.

Kael stepped forward.

Oracle, Selene has just returned after five years. She has suffered enough.

The old woman's gaze shifted to him.

And because of your blind heart, Alpha Kael, your pack stands on the edge of ruin.

The words struck like lightning.

Kael's expression hardened.

What do you mean?

"You have allowed emotions to cloud your judgment."

The Oracle pointed at Lyra.

"The woman standing before you has endured pain without complaint."

Then she pointed at Selene.

"And the woman you protect carries darkness into your home."

A murmur spread through the hall.

Selene burst into tears.

"I don't know why she's saying these things!"

"I've done nothing wrong!"

She clung to Kael's arm.

"I'm scared..."

Kael wrapped a protective arm around her shoulders.

"It's alright."

"I won't let anyone hurt you."

Lyra watched in silence.

Not once had he comforted her.

Not once.

The Oracle sighed.

"Still you refuse to see."

She reached into the folds of her cloak and produced a small crystal.

It glowed with a pale blue light.

"This crystal reveals the truth."

She held it toward Selene.

"Take it."

Selene's face lost all colour.

"I... I don't want to."

"You must."

"I said I don't want to!"

The hall erupted in whispers.

The Oracle's voice became firm.

"Only those who fear the truth refuse the Moon Crystal."

Kael looked at Selene in confusion.

"Selene... it's only a crystal."

She forced a nervous smile.

"I've just been through so much."

"I'm tired."

"I don't want any more tests."

The Oracle lowered the crystal.

"Very well."

She turned to Lyra.

"My child."

"Will you hold it?"

Without hesitation, Lyra stepped forward.

"I have nothing to hide."

The moment her fingers touched the crystal...

A brilliant silver light exploded across the room.

The crystal shone brighter than anyone had ever seen.

The elders gasped.

The Oracle smiled for the first time.

"The Moon Goddess has spoken."

"Lyra Ashwood's heart is pure."

Relief flooded Lyra's chest.

Surely this would end the accusations.

Surely Kael would finally believe her.

Instead, Selene cried even harder.

"She's tricking everyone!"

"I knew she'd find a way!"

Kael frowned, torn between the two women.

The Oracle looked at him with disappointment.

"The Moon Goddess has already given you your answer."

"But you continue to doubt."

Before anyone could speak again, the great doors burst open.

A warrior rushed inside, covered in blood.

He fell to one knee.

"Alpha!"

Kael hurried over.

"What happened?"

"The Northern Border..."

The warrior struggled to breathe.

"...has been attacked."

"The attackers carried the symbol of the Black Fang Pack."

Gasps echoed through the hall.

The Black Fang Pack had been wiped out fifteen years ago.

Kael's face turned pale.

"That's impossible."

The warrior swallowed hard.

"It gets worse..."

He looked directly at Lyra.

"They were asking for the Luna."

"They said..."

He hesitated.

"...they've finally come to take back what belongs to them."

End of Chapter 4

Cliffhanger: Who are the mysterious warriors, and why do they believe Lyra belongs to them?