Chapter 7: The Man Behind the Mask

The Moon Oracle remained hidden behind the ancient oak trees.

She barely dared to breathe.

The silver serpent ring...

She had seen it only once before.

Twenty-four years ago.

On the night the Black Fang Pack fell.

Her heart pounded.

"It can't be..."

The hooded man turned slightly, revealing only the edge of his jaw beneath the dark cloak.

His voice was calm, yet every word dripped with authority.

"The princess must never learn the truth."

Selene lowered her head.

"I understand."

"What about Alpha Kael?"

The man laughed quietly.

"He is blinded by guilt, love, and pride."

"He will destroy himself without my help."

"And Lucien?"

"For twenty-four years, he has chased ghosts."

"He has no idea he has been dancing in the palm of my hand."

Selene hesitated.

"But... what if Lyra remembers?"

The hooded man's smile disappeared.

"Then she dies."

The Oracle's breath caught in her throat.

She instinctively stepped back.

A twig snapped beneath her foot.

Crack!

The hooded man's head whipped toward the sound.

"Who's there?"

Selene spun around.

The Oracle immediately vanished into the darkness, moving with surprising speed for her age.

"Find whoever was listening," the hooded man ordered.

Selene ran toward the trees.

By the time she arrived...

The Oracle was gone.

Back at the council hall, Lyra slowly opened her eyes.

Her head still throbbed from the strange memories.

Kael knelt beside her.

"Are you alright?"

She looked into his eyes.

For a brief second, she saw genuine concern.

But then she remembered.

The accusations.

The silence.

The doubt.

She gently moved away from him.

"I'll be fine."

Kael's hand froze in mid-air.

He wasn't used to her pulling away.

Lucien noticed.

His expression remained unreadable.

"Princess..."

"I'm not your princess," Lyra interrupted.

"I don't even know who I am anymore."

Lucien nodded.

"Then allow me to show you."

He reached into his coat once more and removed a small leather journal.

Its edges were worn with age.

"This belonged to your mother."

Lyra's hands trembled as she accepted it.

On the front cover, written in faded silver ink, were the words:

For My Daughter.

Tears blurred her vision.

She slowly opened the first page.

Inside was a tiny footprint made with blue ink.

Beneath it, elegant handwriting read:

Our beautiful Lyra. Born beneath the Blood Moon. May you grow strong, kind, and fearless. If you are reading this, then fate has returned you to your family. Never doubt that we loved you with every beat of our hearts.

A tear rolled down Lyra's cheek.

She traced the handwriting with trembling fingers.

"This..."

"This is real."

Lucien nodded.

"I carried that journal through fire and war."

"I promised your mother I would place it in your hands."

Kael watched silently.

A strange feeling settled in his chest.

For the first time...

He realised how little he truly knew about the woman he had married.

Just then, the Moon Oracle burst through the hall doors.

"Lock every gate!" she shouted.

"The enemy isn't outside the walls..."

Everyone turned.

"It's already inside this pack."

The room fell silent.

Kael frowned.

"What are you talking about?"

The Oracle looked directly at Selene.

"You."

Selene's face went pale.

"I-I don't understand."

"You've been taking orders from someone else."

Gasps echoed through the hall.

Kael immediately stepped in front of Selene.

"Oracle, enough!"

"You've accused her without proof."

The Oracle smiled sadly.

"Funny..."

"Those are the very words Lyra begged you to say for her."

Kael froze.

The weight of his own actions crashed down on him.

For the first time since Selene's return...

He couldn't meet Lyra's eyes.

Before anyone could speak again, a loud horn echoed across the battlefield.

One...

Two...

Three blasts.

Lucien's warriors instantly drew their swords.

His face darkened.

"No..."

One of his generals rushed into the hall.

"My King!"

Lucien turned sharply.

"What happened?"

The general's voice shook.

"Our capital..."

"It's under attack."

Lucien's eyes widened.

"By who?"

The general swallowed hard.

"They're carrying the banner..."

"...of the Crimson Moon Pack."

The entire hall erupted.

Kael stared at Lucien in disbelief.

"That's impossible."

Lucien slowly turned to face him.

His silver eyes burned with anger.

"Then someone has just declared war..."

"...using your name."

End of Chapter 7

Cliffhanger:

A hidden enemy has manipulated both packs into believing the other attacked first. Can Kael and Lucien uncover the truth before an all-out war destroys everything Lyra has left?