Shadows in the Crescent Seat

“This way…” A tall, robust woman in a flowing oxblood gown led us into a large compound deep inside the orange woods. Courtney had handed us over to her for a briefing.

“Welcome to your new home,” she bellowed with no joy, while giving us a tour of the expanse — the garden, waterfall, pool, sculptures… everything screamed of old money — just the way I remembered it.

“For now, you two will share a room. Understood?”

“Yes, ma'am.”

I blinked, but couldn’t object.

Sara, of all people, my roommate? God, no.

“You will have constant supplies of new clothes, food, and toiletries, as you are honored guests of the Crescent Seat… for now.” Her tone was clinical, her body stiff.

“Any questions?”

“What is your name?” Sara spoke up.

“Margaret. You can call me Maggie. I am the Chief Housekeeper of the Crescent Household. That means you girls are under my charge, as I will be the one assigning duties to you.”

“Wonderful! Nice to meet you.” Sara beamed, extending a hand for a handshake.

“Spare me the courtesies, outcast,” Maggie spat venom. “You are not fit to speak to a Shadow Wolf, let alone touch one. You are strays. Don’t forget that, and do not overstep.”

Sara slowly retracted her hand, her smile waning. “My apologies, Maggie.”

“Madame Maggie!” The woman countered, her face suddenly smeared red with something I recognized — hate — a testament to the fact that despite the Grand Alpha’s hospitality, we were not welcome there.

“…And please, you don’t want to get into my bad books. So, behave.”

---

Two hours later…

“…Strays indeed. Wait till the drama starts, then we’ll know who the real outcast is…” I overheard Sara cursing in the bathroom. “Fucking bitch!”

It was true Maggie had been vulgar and hateful, but Sara… oh, Sara.

Knowing what she was truly capable of was unnerving. The knowledge of the future was a scourge.

I just sat in bed — in the room allocated to us somewhere inside the huge gothic mansion — helpless, languid. It was as if nothing in life mattered to me anymore. Not what Sara was saying and how it would put us in trouble, nor our situation as palace maids under Maggie’s care.

Nothing.

In truth, a part of me had died along with my unborn child. To think I had even planned to name him *Jayden*, after his father, broke something inside me over and over again.

“Ah, Zoe. You’re still here.” Sara slithered in, wrapped in a white towel and smelling like a Persian floral paradise. “I thought you’d be in the kitchen or something.”

“You’re right. Perhaps I should go.”

“Wait, you didn’t hear anything, did you?”

“Look, Sara. Whatever mischief you have planned, don’t do it.”

“What do you mean? And how is anything I want to do any of your concern?”

“I just don’t want any drama. We are still new here. Act like it.”

“How dare you tell me what to do? Who the hell do you think you are? My mom? Or perhaps… Luna?”

I heaved. “I’m sorry.”

“That’s what I thought.”

A short silence passed before she spoke again. “By the way, the bathtub is divine! And the soap, heavenly!”

She sounded excited. I could tell it was because of her plan. That she-devil.

Lifting my face, I saw her standing right in front of the mirror, admiring her reflection — red hair, sleek curves, and skin like milk. I shook my head and said nothing.

“Zoe, don’t you think it’s so awkward that despite my beauty, the Luna still fancies you over me?” Her voice was cruel, aimed to hurt.

I didn’t respond. How could I? Knowing the future I was trying to circumvent.

“What do you even have that I don’t, eh? I dare say I am way better looking than you. I am a silver wolf. A rare breed. Don’t you see?” She veered around to face me, unwrapping her towel for me to admire her bodice.

In truth, she was a vista of caramel perfection. Her curves were the blueprint of goddesses, her eyes bluer than the Red Sea. But as flashes of the past skewed past me, I was reminded of her true nature — an evil siren who framed me against my mate and the entire pack.

“Sara, look, you are stunning, okay? I agree. I hold no candle to you in every aspect. You know this already.”

“I’m glad we both agree.” She smiled, then slid into a new dress. “We came from the same place, Zoe — that pigsty of hunter raids.”

“I know.”

“Yeah, you should do well to remember that as well while lobbying for Luna’s favor.”

“I am not lobbying for anything—” I paused, breathed out, knowing that getting on Sara’s bad side would not end well. “You know what, Sara?”

“Mhmm?”

“Perhaps it would be better if we were on good terms. After all, we come from the same hellhole.”

“I see. As friends?” She flailed her hair.

“Yeah. Sisters maybe.”

“Not bad. I just hope you won’t get jealous when the Alphas start craving me, you know, doing me romantic favors and all of that…”

I rolled my eyes. “Sara, there are enough Alphas to go around. This is the home of the Crescent Seat, the Grand Alpha’s throne. The Council of Elders has meetings here, which means Alphas will be swarming the estate from time to time.”

“Doesn’t matter, Zoe. Just stay out of my way.”

“Fine,” my face fell. In truth, I just wanted peace for now. Nothing more.

Right on cue, the doorknob quivered, and the Luna stepped in, radiant as ever. She flashed us a warm smile before taking a seat at the table nearby.

“I see you girls are settling in well. Sara, Zoe…”

“Yes, Luna,” Sara sang like a morning bird, eager to please.

But Courtney ignored her, eyes scrutinizing me from head to toe. I had managed to get dressed earlier, scrubbing myself so harshly in the bathroom as if trying to wash away the stain of the past…

“Zoe?”

“Yes, Luna.” I squabbled to my feet, uneasy.

“No need. Please, sit,” she insisted.

I obliged.

“The thing is, as it stands now, you two are lone wolves. And you are very familiar with the popular belief that lone wolves are dangerous, right?”

“Yes, Luna.” We chorused.

“We are currently handling the threat posed by the hunters, but until we have neutralized it, you two will stay with us. After that, we will find a new home for you with other packs.” Her eyes lingered on mine, but I looked away, guilt tugging inside me, knowing what gruesome fate awaited her.

“Zoe, you have something to say?” She hummed.

I swallowed a lump in my throat. “No, ma’am.”

“Courtney — that is my name.”

“Courtney…” Sara smiled, but Luna turned sharply, face stern.

“Only Zoe is permitted to call me that.” She shot back. “It is Luna for you. Just like the rest of the clans. Understood?”

“Yes—yes, Luna.”

“Good. Now you girls will be integrated into our specialized school system, and shall begin to attend classes from tomorrow.”

There was pin-drop silence as she continued. “How old are you, Sara?”

“Eighteen.”

“And you, Zoe?”

My tummy twisted. In truth, I did not know. I took a few seconds to think. Sara was just six months older than me. So, if she were eighteen, then I should be the same age or turning eighteen soon…

“Next month is her birthday,” Sara quickly spoke on my behalf.

Thank goodness.

“Oh, so you mean, she has never fully transformed under the moonlight?”

Sara nodded on my behalf. “Yes, ma’am.”

“I see.” Courtney shook her head, then stood gracefully, eyes fixated on me. “That means no one knows what type of wolf you are, or the full extent of your capabilities, isn’t it?”

“Certainly, Your Grace,” I played along.

“Courtney!”

My throat tightened. “F—Forgive me. Courtney.”

She raised her chin. “Hmm. I guess we shall see then. Next month, you say?”

“Yes.”

“Oh, well. In the meantime, you girls will do well to stay away from the Alphas at school, and all paparazzi and shenanigans. We would not want you finding a mate before you are designated a pack. Understood?”

We nodded in unison.

She adjusted her sleeves. “The good news is, the Crescent Seat has assembled the elders for a meeting on these matters, and soon, you shall know your fate.”

Maggie suddenly entered. “Forgive me, Luna. The Alpha seeks a word.”

“Of course.” She turned to leave but halted. “By the way, do you girls have information that could help us tackle the hunters? Anything?”

“Yes, Luna. We have heard of their leader. They say he is a rogue wolf who feasts on his kind,” Sara echoed, enthusiastic as ever.

“A lycan?”

“Possibly. But that’s all we heard.”

“What is his name?”

“Bloodhound. That is what he goes by. No one knows his real name. But we have seen what he leaves in his wake — a wreckage. He burns every village…”

“Enough,” Courtney cut her off, raising a finger. “Your input is well noted and appreciated. Perhaps you’d be an asset to the Shadow Pack in the future. Perhaps.”

Then she stole a glance at me before walking away. “See me in my office, Zoe.”

—