"Sorry about that," Axel said, steadying himself. "I was lost in thought."
Luka smiled, his amber eyes, so similar to Lilly's, assessing Axel with friendly curiosity. "No harm done. Clay and James showing you the archives?"
"Yes," Axel confirmed, seizing the opportunity to speak with Lilly's brother. "They've been very helpful. Your family's historical records are impressive."
"One of Riverwood's greatest treasures," Luka agreed, falling into step beside Axel as they walked down the corridor. "Though I admit I don't spend as much time there as Clay does. Too many responsibilities elsewhere."
"As future Alpha," Axel said, watching Luka's reaction carefully.
Amali leaned forward, something new in her expression, a protective determination that Allischa had never seen in her typically self-centred sister."The darkness in my dream," Amali said quietly, "it fed on exactly this kind of suspicion and division. It thanked me personally for helping break something precious before it could fulfil its purpose."Allischa's expression flickered with genuine surprise at this direct approach. "What are you suggesting?""That some questions are better left unasked until the right time," Emerald interjected diplomatically. "Divine dreams and prophecies unfold according to the Goddess's timeline, not ours."Luna Harmony nodded approvingly at her niece's wisdom. "The Goddess reveals what we need to kno
Luka studied him for a moment, his amber eyes so like his sister's searching Axel's face. "I believe you. And that's what matters most, that this feels right to all three of you." He smiled slightly. "Besides, Kenny's been practically family since we were pups. And you..." his smile widened, "well, you're growing on me."The phantom sensation rippled with Lilly's relief and Kenny's amusement. Axel returned the smile, feeling a genuine connection forming with his future brother-in-law."I appreciate that. And your support means more than you know."As they parted ways, Axel felt the phantom sensation pulse with contentment. Each conversation, each new ally, brought them closer to understanding their purpose and strengthening their unusual bond. Whatever darkness might be rising, they would f
"Sorry about that," Axel said, steadying himself. "I was lost in thought."Luka smiled, his amber eyes, so similar to Lilly's, assessing Axel with friendly curiosity. "No harm done. Clay and James showing you the archives?""Yes," Axel confirmed, seizing the opportunity to speak with Lilly's brother. "They've been very helpful. Your family's historical records are impressive.""One of Riverwood's greatest treasures," Luka agreed, falling into step beside Axel as they walked down the corridor. "Though I admit I don't spend as much time there as Clay does. Too many responsibilities elsewhere.""As future Alpha," Axel said, watching Luka's reaction carefully.
"The texts describe it as a shadow that grows within," Clay added, pointing to an ancient illustration depicting a wolf with darkness spreading through its body. "It begins with small jealousies or fears, then gradually intensifies until the person's actions serve the darkness without them fully realising it.""Like what happened with Amali," James noted. "Though thankfully the Goddess intervened before it went too far."The phantom sensation pulsed thoughtfully. Axel could feel Lilly's compassion flowing through their bond, her innate desire to help rather than condemn those who this darkness might influence."Can people be... freed from this influence?" Axel asked, thinking not just of Kendra but of others who might unwittingly become pawns.
“Yeah, I’m feeling it that way too, you and Kenny aren’t each other's mate, are you?” James asked.The phantom sensation pulsed with a complex mix of emotions as Axel considered James's direct question. There was a time when such a question would have seemed invasive, but if Clay and James were truly allies in protecting their bond, honesty seemed the wisest course."No," Axel answered carefully. "Kenny and I are both mated to Lilly, not to each other. But the bond connects all three of us in ways that transcend traditional mate bonds. We feel each other's emotions, sense each other's presence. There's a... completion when we're together that's difficult to describe."Clay nodded thoughtfully, making notes in a small journal. "That aligns with the historical accounts
"She saw darkness consuming all the packs," James added, his voice unusually solemn. "Not just Riverwood and Blackthorn, but the European territories too. Living darkness that thanked her personally for helping break something important."The phantom sensation pulsed with shared concern. Axel recognized that this conversation was heading into sensitive territory, but he needed to learn more."Break what, exactly?" he asked, keeping his tone casually curious while examining a leather-bound tome on a nearby shelf.Another meaningful glance passed between the brothers before Clay answered carefully, "A prophesied bond. Something called the Moon Rose Prophecy.""Three petals, one stem," James quoted, watchi