Chapter 13: An Unwelcome Guest

The first light of dawn spread across Moonhaven.

Smoke still rose from several damaged cottages. Villagers worked together, clearing broken wood and tending to the wounded. Despite the attack, no one complained. Instead, they comforted one another with quiet determination.

Lyra helped an elderly woman bandage a young boy’s arm.

“It’s only a scratch,” the woman assured the child.

The boy puffed out his chest. “I wasn’t scared.”

Lyra smiled softly.

“You’re very brave.”

The boy grinned before running back to his friends.

Watching him, Lyra’s smile slowly faded.

If Arnold hadn’t arrived…

If the silver light hadn’t appeared…

Would she still be alive?

At the center of the village, Karl stood beside Beta Damien as Moonhaven’s warriors watched the newcomers with caution.

The Blackwood warriors kept one hand near their weapons.

No one trusted the other.

Arnold walked into the square, his expression calm.

“Alpha Karl.”

Karl met his gaze.

“Arnold.”

For a long moment, silence stretched between them.

Then Arnold spoke.

“You brought armed warriors into my home without permission.”

Karl’s expression remained unreadable.

“I came because Lyra was in danger.”

Arnold folded his arms.

“And the danger has passed.”

“Not yet.”

Karl’s voice grew firm.

“Someone powerful is hunting her.”

Arnold’s eyes narrowed.

“I already know that.”

Damien stepped forward.

“If we’re hunting the same enemy, perhaps we shouldn’t be standing on opposite sides.”

Arnold looked at Damien for a moment before nodding once.

“A fair point.”

Not far away, Lyra watched the conversation from a distance.

She couldn’t hear every word, but she could feel the tension.

An elderly woman approached her.

“Child.”

Lyra turned.

The woman smiled kindly.

“My name is Martha.”

“I’ve lived in Moonhaven for sixty years.”

Lyra smiled politely.

“It’s nice to meet you.”

Martha looked toward Arnold.

“You trust him, don’t you?”

Lyra hesitated.

“I’ve only known him for a short time.”

“But…”

She glanced at Arnold.

“…he saved my life.”

Martha nodded knowingly.

“Arnold has always carried the weight of protecting others.”

She sighed.

“Sometimes he forgets to protect himself.”

Lyra frowned.

“What do you mean?”

Before Martha could answer, a loud voice echoed across the square.

“I demand an explanation!”

Everyone turned.

Selena Ashcroft stepped out of a carriage escorted by six Blackwood warriors.

She wore a deep emerald riding cloak over an elegant black dress. Even after a long journey, she looked flawless.

Her emerald eyes immediately landed on Lyra.

Hatred flashed across her face before it disappeared behind a graceful smile.

“Karl.”

She walked directly to him.

“I was worried.”

Without hesitation, she reached for his arm.

Karl quietly stepped back.

The movement was subtle…

But Lyra noticed.

So did Arnold.

And so did Selena.

For the briefest moment, irritation flickered across Selena’s face.

“I heard there was another attack,” she said sweetly.

“I came as soon as I could.”

Karl’s tone remained calm.

“You shouldn’t have.”

“I was concerned.”

Her gaze drifted toward Lyra.

“And I see the human survived.”

Lyra lowered her eyes, choosing not to respond.

Selena laughed softly.

“It seems luck favors you.”

Arnold took one step forward.

“She has a name.”

Selena slowly turned to him.

“And who are you to speak for her?”

“Someone who doesn’t enjoy watching innocent people suffer.”

The smile on Selena’s lips disappeared.

Karl sensed the growing hostility.

“That’s enough.”

His deep voice silenced everyone.

“This isn’t the time.”

Selena looked at him in surprise.

Normally…

Karl would have supported her without question.

Today…

He hadn’t.

She forced another smile.

“Of course.”

Just then, one of Moonhaven’s guards ran into the square.

His breathing was ragged.

“Arnold!”

“We found something.”

Arnold turned.

“What is it?”

The guard held out a black arrow.

Its tip was stained with a strange crimson substance.

“We found dozens of these outside the eastern woods.”

Arnold’s face darkened.

He carefully examined the arrow.

Then his expression changed.

“This isn’t rogue craftsmanship.”

Karl stepped closer.

“What do you mean?”

Arnold looked directly at him.

“These arrows belong to the Blood Hunters.”

The entire square fell silent.

Even Damien’s expression hardened.

“The Blood Hunters…” he muttered.

“They’re supposed to be extinct.”

Arnold shook his head.

“They’ve returned.”

“And if they’re involved…”

He looked toward Lyra.

“…then this is far bigger than any of us imagined.”

Lyra felt a chill crawl down her spine.

“What do they want from me?”

Before anyone could answer

A cold, unfamiliar voice echoed from the edge of the village.

“They want what belongs to their master.”

Everyone turned toward the entrance.

A lone figure stood there, dressed in a long black cloak.

His face was hidden beneath a silver mask.

He held a single white rose in one hand.

With a slow, deliberate motion, he dropped the rose onto the ground.

Then he spoke again.

“Tell the girl…”

“…that the past has finally come to claim her.”

The stranger vanished into the morning mist before anyone could stop him.

The white rose remained where it had fallen.

Lyra stared at it, her heart pounding.

Somehow…

She knew this message wasn’t a threat.

It was a warning.