THE BLACKWOOD ALPHA

Luna couldn't move.

The words echoed through her mind.

"The last Moonborn."

She stared at Kael as if he had just spoken another language.

The wind moved through the trees behind him, carrying the scent of pine and damp earth. Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled.

Luna barely heard it.

"What did you just say?"

Kael didn't look away.

"You heard me."

"No."

Her voice came out as a whisper.

"No, I don't think I did."

Kael's expression remained unreadable.

"You are the last known Moonborn."

Luna laughed.

It was a small, nervous sound that didn't match the seriousness of the moment.

"That's impossible."

"It's not."

"I don't even know what a Moonborn is."

"You will."

"When?"

"When you're ready."

Luna's frustration exploded.

"Stop saying that!"

Kael's eyebrows drew together.

"Stop saying what?"

"That I'm not ready. That I'll understand later. That you'll tell me eventually."

She stepped closer.

"Everyone keeps deciding what I should know about my own life."

Kael remained silent.

"My parents are dead."

"Yes."

"They were werewolves."

"Yes."

"I'm apparently some kind of supernatural heir."

"Yes."

"And you've known about me since I was a baby."

Kael's jaw tightened.

"Yes."

Luna stared at him.

"Then why am I the only person who doesn't know anything?"

For several seconds, Kael said nothing.

Then he looked toward the trees.

"Because your parents wanted it that way."

"My parents aren't here."

"I know."

"Then stop using them as an excuse."

His eyes returned to hers.

"You think I don't want answers?"

"I think you know more than you're telling me."

"I do."

Luna's heart skipped.

"Then tell me."

"I can't."

"Why?"

"Because if I tell you everything at once, you may not survive what comes next."

Luna's anger faded slightly.

"What does that mean?"

"It means there are things about your family that even the people who knew them best never understood."

He turned away.

Luna followed.

"Where are you going?"

"Back to the house."

"Why?"

"Because you're exhausted."

"I'm not tired."

Kael glanced over his shoulder.

"You almost collapsed ten minutes ago."

"I'm fine."

"You keep saying that."

"Because I am."

"You aren't."

The certainty in his voice irritated her.

"You don't know me."

Kael stopped.

"No."

He looked at her.

"But I know what happens to people who pretend they're stronger than they are."

Something about the way he said it made Luna pause.

Before she could ask what he meant, he started walking again.

She followed.

They moved through the forest in silence.

Luna tried to process everything.

The wolves.

The pack.

Her parents.

The strange mark on her wrist.

The voice she'd heard.

And Kael.

Especially Kael.

There was something about him that made her uneasy.

Not because he had threatened her.

He hadn't.

In fact, he had protected her several times.

That was what confused her.

Her mother had warned her never to trust the Blackwood Alpha.

Yet Kael seemed determined to keep her alive.

Maybe that was exactly what made him dangerous.

Maybe people who wanted to manipulate you didn't always hurt you.

Maybe they protected you until you trusted them.

Luna glanced at him.

He walked several feet ahead of her, his posture rigid and alert.

"Kael?"

He stopped.

"What?"

"How old are you?"

His eyebrow lifted.

"Why?"

"Because I'm trying to figure out how long you've known about me."

"Long enough."

"That's not an answer."

"I'm twenty-four."

Luna blinked.

"You don't look twenty-four."

He gave her a look.

"What does twenty-four look like?"

"I don't know."

"Exactly."

She almost smiled.

Then she remembered she was angry.

"How old were you when you met my parents?"

"Six."

Luna stopped walking.

"Six?"

Kael nodded.

"My father knew yours."

"And my mother?"

"She came to Blackwood territory occasionally."

"Why?"

"Meetings. Alliances. Pack matters."

Luna frowned.

"You said they were closer than allies."

"They were."

"How?"

Kael didn't answer.

"Kael."

He continued walking.

Luna sighed and hurried after him.

"Do you ever actually answer questions?"

"When they're safe to answer."

"That's incredibly annoying."

"I've been told."

"By who?"

"Everyone."

She smiled despite herself.

Kael noticed.

His expression softened for half a second.

Then it disappeared.

They finally reached the edge of the estate.

The massive gates stood open.

Luna looked back at the forest.

She suddenly felt like something was watching her.

She turned completely.

Nothing.

Only trees.

"What's wrong?" Kael asked.

"Nothing."

"You're staring at the forest."

"I thought someone was there."

Kael's entire body became still.

"Where?"

Luna pointed.

"Over there."

He stared into the darkness.

For several seconds, nothing happened.

Then Kael's eyes narrowed.

"Come inside."

Luna looked at him.

"Why?"

"Now."

His tone had changed.

Luna didn't argue.

They entered the estate.

The gates closed behind them.

The sound echoed through the courtyard.

Luna looked back.

"Are we in danger?"

Kael didn't answer immediately.

"Not yet."

"That doesn't make me feel better."

"It wasn't supposed to."

The mansion was even larger inside than Luna had realized.

Tall windows lined the walls, allowing pale morning light into the enormous hall.

There were portraits everywhere.

Generations of Blackwoods.

Luna walked slowly.

Some of the faces looked frightening.

Others looked surprisingly ordinary.

She stopped in front of one painting.

A woman with long dark hair stood beside a man who looked almost exactly like Kael.

Luna stared at the woman.

Something about her felt familiar.

"Who is she?"

Kael looked at the painting.

"My mother."

Luna turned.

"She was beautiful."

"She was."

"What happened to her?"

Kael's face closed off.

"She died."

"When?"

"Years ago."

"How?"

"Illness."

Luna studied him.

He was lying.

She didn't know how she knew.

But she knew.

"What kind?"

Kael's eyes moved toward her.

"Why does it matter?"

"Because you didn't answer."

"I did."

"No. You avoided the question."

Kael walked past her.

Luna followed.

"Was she killed?"

He stopped.

"No."

"By hunters?"

"No."

"Then what happened?"

Kael's voice became cold.

"Drop it."

Luna stared at him.

"Fine."

She walked ahead.

Then stopped.

"Wait."

Kael looked at her.

"Your mother."

"What about her?"

"Was she friends with mine?"

He hesitated.

"Yes."

"How close?"

Kael's expression changed.

"Very."

Luna looked at the painting again.

There was something hidden in the way the two women stood beside each other.

Not merely friendship.

Trust.

Maybe even sisterhood.

"Did they know each other before you were born?"

"Yes."

"Then why did my mother hide me?"

Kael didn't answer.

Luna's frustration returned.

"You know, don't you?"

"I know some things."

"What things?"

"Enough to understand why she did it."

"Then tell me."

Kael looked at her.

"Your mother believed someone was going to kill you."

Luna's blood ran cold.

"Who?"

"We don't know."

"She knew someone wanted me dead?"

"Yes."

"And she didn't tell me?"

"You were a child."

"I deserved to know."

"You deserved to survive."

Luna looked away.

She hated that the answer made sense.

But it didn't make her feel better.

"Did she love me?"

Kael's expression softened.

"More than anything."

Luna swallowed.

"How do you know?"

"Because I saw it."

"When?"

"The night she brought you to us."

Luna's eyes widened.

"You were there?"

Kael nodded.

"Tell me."

"No."

"Please."

Kael looked at her.

Something in her expression must have changed his mind.

He sighed.

"Your mother arrived just before dawn."

"What happened?"

"She was injured."

Luna's stomach tightened.

"How badly?"

"Badly enough that she could barely stand."

"Was my father with her?"

"No."

"What did she say?"

"She asked to see my father."

"And?"

"He wasn't there."

"Then what?"

"My father was away on patrol."

Kael looked toward the windows.

"When he returned, your mother was gone."

Luna stared.

"Gone?"

"She left before he came back."

"Why?"

"We don't know."

"Where did she go?"

"To hide you."

"From who?"

Kael looked at her.

"That's what we're trying to find out."

Luna was given breakfast, though she barely touched it.

She sat at a long dining table surrounded by strangers.

Every person who entered the room glanced at her.

Some stared.

Others quickly looked away.

A young woman eventually approached.

She had dark brown hair and warm eyes.

"Hi."

Luna looked up.

"Hi."

The woman smiled.

"I'm Elena."

"Luna."

"I know."

Luna raised an eyebrow.

"Right."

Elena sat across from her.

"You don't have to be nervous."

"I'm not nervous."

Elena smiled.

"You are."

"I'm confused."

"That's fair."

Luna looked around.

"Does everyone here know what I am?"

"Most of them."

"And they all believe this Moonborn thing?"

Elena hesitated.

"Some do."

"Some don't?"

"Some think the Moonborn are a myth."

Luna looked at her.

"And you?"

"I don't know what I think."

That answer surprised Luna.

"Why?"

Elena leaned closer.

"Because my grandmother used to tell me stories about the Moonborn."

"What kind of stories?"

"Stories about a girl who would return when the moon was red."

Luna's stomach tightened.

"A girl?"

"Yes."

"What would happen when she returned?"

Elena looked around before lowering her voice.

"Everything would change."

Luna stared at her.

"That's comforting."

Elena laughed softly.

"Sorry."

"It's fine."

Elena stood.

"Come with me."

"Where?"

"I'll show you something."

Luna followed her through a side hallway.

They stopped outside a smaller room.

Elena opened the door.

Inside were books.

Hundreds of them.

Luna stepped inside.

"What is this?"

"The old library."

"Does Kael know I'm here?"

Elena smiled.

"He knows everything that happens in this house."

"That's creepy."

"He's the Alpha."

"So?"

"So he hears things."

Luna looked at the shelves.

"Where are the books about the Moonborn?"

Elena pointed.

"Second shelf."

Luna walked over.

Most of the books were old.

Some had leather covers.

One was written in a language she didn't recognize.

She pulled it out.

The moment her fingers touched it, her wrist burned.

Luna dropped the book.

Elena jumped.

"What happened?"

"My hand."

Luna looked at the crescent mark.

It was glowing.

Elena's face went pale.

"Don't touch it again."

"Why?"

"Because that book hasn't opened in eighty years."

Luna stared.

"What?"

Elena stepped closer.

"The last person who touched it was a Moonborn."

Luna looked at the book.

Then at her wrist.

"What is inside?"

Elena shook her head.

"I don't know."

Luna reached for it.

"Wait."

The door opened.

Kael stood there.

His expression immediately hardened.

"What are you doing?"

Luna turned.

"Reading."

"Put it down."

"Why?"

"Because I said so."

"I'm getting really tired of you telling me what to do."

Kael crossed the room.

"That book isn't safe."

"It's a book."

"It's more than that."

He picked it up.

The moment he touched it, the cover began glowing.

Kael immediately dropped it.

Luna stared.

Elena stepped backward.

Kael looked at Luna.

"Did it do that when you touched it?"

"Yes."

Kael's face changed.

"What?"

"Nothing."

"You clearly know something."

Kael ignored her.

He picked up the book again, this time wrapping his hand in a cloth.

"Nobody touches this."

"Why?"

"Because it contains Moonborn records."

Luna stared.

"About me?"

"About your bloodline."

She stepped closer.

"Then I need to read it."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because you don't know what you're looking for."

"Then help me."

Kael shook his head.

"Not yet."

Luna groaned.

"There you go again."

Kael looked at Elena.

"Leave us."

Elena nodded and left.

Luna crossed her arms.

"What now?"

Kael placed the book on the table.

"Your powers are awakening."

"I figured that out."

"Faster than they should."

"Is that bad?"

"Potentially."

"How bad?"

Kael didn't answer.

"Kael."

He looked at her.

"Very."

Luna swallowed.

"Can you stop them?"

"No."

"Can you control them?"

"Not for you."

"Then what am I supposed to do?"

"Learn."

"From who?"

"Me."

Luna stared.

"You?"

"I'm the Alpha."

"That doesn't mean you're a teacher."

"No."

He moved closer.

"It means I've survived things you haven't."

Luna looked into his eyes.

For a second, she saw something beneath the cold exterior.

Pain.

He had secrets.

A lot of them.

But perhaps he wasn't the only one.

The training began that afternoon.

Kael took Luna outside the estate.

The training ground was surrounded by trees.

Several wolves watched from a distance.

Luna stood opposite Kael.

"This is ridiculous."

"You need to learn."

"I don't know what I'm doing."

"Exactly."

Kael raised his hand.

"Focus."

"On what?"

"Your senses."

"I can already hear things."

"Then listen."

Luna closed her eyes.

At first, she heard nothing unusual.

Then everything became louder.

Birds.

Leaves.

Wind.

Someone laughing in the distance.

She opened her eyes.

"How did I do?"

"Again."

"What?"

"Close your eyes."

She did.

"Listen for the wolves."

Luna concentrated.

One heartbeat.

Then another.

Then another.

"There are three."

"Five."

She frowned.

"No."

"Five."

Luna listened harder.

Two more heartbeats appeared.

Her eyes opened.

"There are five."

Kael nodded.

"Good."

She smiled slightly.

"That wasn't so hard."

"Now do it with your eyes open."

"What?"

"Find them."

Luna looked around.

The forest looked empty.

"How?"

"Use your senses."

She closed her eyes again.

One wolf was behind a tree.

Another was near the river.

Another was—

Luna opened her eyes.

"Over there."

Kael looked.

A wolf emerged.

"Good."

Luna smiled.

Then the wolf lowered its head.

Kael noticed.

"Don't."

Luna looked confused.

"Don't what?"

"Don't speak to it."

"I wasn't."

The wolf lifted its head.

Luna heard the voice again.

"Moonborn."

She froze.

Kael stepped forward.

"What did it say?"

Luna looked at him.

"Nothing."

"Luna."

"I said nothing."

Kael's expression darkened.

"You heard it."

She looked away.

"I don't know what you're talking about."

He walked closer.

"You heard it."

"Maybe."

"Tell me."

"No."

Kael stared at her.

"You need to tell me."

"Why?"

"Because wolves shouldn't be able to speak to you."

Luna looked at him.

"They don't speak."

"Then what happened?"

"I heard something."

"What?"

She hesitated.

"It called me Moonborn."

Kael went completely still.

Then he looked toward the forest.

"Everyone leave."

The wolves immediately disappeared.

Luna frowned.

"What's happening?"

Kael didn't answer.

He looked at the trees.

Then at the sky.

"The moon is rising."

Luna looked upward.

The sun was still visible.

"It's daytime."

"The moon is always there."

"What does that have to do with anything?"

Kael looked at her.

"Everything."

That night, Luna couldn't sleep.

She sat by the window.

The moon was visible between the clouds.

She stared at it.

Something about it felt familiar.

Like it was calling her.

Her wrist began glowing.

Luna touched the crescent.

The moment she did, pain shot through her.

She gasped.

Images flashed through her mind.

A snowy forest.

Her mother.

A baby crying.

A man running.

Red eyes.

A silver blade.

Then a voice.

"Don't let him find her."

Luna opened her eyes.

Her breathing was rapid.

She looked around the room.

Nobody.

Then she heard something outside.

A low growl.

She walked toward the window.

A black wolf stood in the courtyard.

It stared directly at her.

Luna opened the window.

The cold air rushed inside.

"Who are you?"

The wolf didn't move.

Then she heard the voice again.

"He is lying."

Luna's heart stopped.

"Who?"

"The Alpha."

Her eyes widened.

"Kael?"

The wolf turned toward the forest.

Then disappeared.

Luna closed the window.

Her heart wouldn't slow down.

She didn't know what to believe.

She didn't know who to trust.

But now she had one certainty.

Someone—or something—was trying to warn her about Kael.

The next morning, Luna woke to shouting.

She rushed downstairs.

Several people stood in the foyer.

Marcus was there.

Kael was standing opposite him.

"The council will not accept this."

Kael's voice was cold.

"They don't have a choice."

"You cannot hide her forever."

"I'm not hiding her."

"Then what are you doing?"

"Protecting her."

Marcus laughed.

"You're risking the entire pack for a girl."

Luna stepped into the room.

"I'm not just a girl."

Everyone turned.

Marcus looked at her.

"No."

He shook his head.

"You're something far more dangerous."

Luna stepped closer.

"Then explain it."

Marcus looked at Kael.

Kael shook his head.

"Don't."

Marcus ignored him.

"The Moonborn were once rulers."

Luna listened.

"They could influence wolves, control packs, and command Alphas."

Her eyes moved toward Kael.

"Command Alphas?"

Marcus nodded.

Luna looked at Kael.

"Can I command you?"

The room became silent.

Kael stared at her.

"Not yet."

The answer made Luna's stomach twist.

"Not yet?"

Marcus looked alarmed.

"You're telling her that?"

Kael's eyes hardened.

"Leave."

Marcus shook his head.

"You don't understand what you've brought into this house."

Kael stepped forward.

"I understand perfectly."

Marcus turned toward the others.

"The Alpha is making a mistake."

Then he left.

Luna looked at Kael.

"What happens if I command you?"

Kael's expression became unreadable.

"Nothing."

"That's not true."

"It doesn't matter."

"It matters to me."

He walked toward her.

"You don't control me."

"How do you know?"

"Because I won't let you."

Luna frowned.

"Can you stop me?"

Kael stared at her.

"Try."

For a moment, Luna didn't understand.

Then she felt something.

A pull inside her chest.

Something ancient.

Powerful.

She looked into Kael's eyes.

And whispered:

"Kneel."

Nothing happened.

Kael remained standing.

Luna blinked.

Then Kael smiled faintly.

"You see?"

"I don't understand."

"You don't have control yet."

"Then why did you let me try?"

"Because you need to learn what your power feels like."

Luna stared at him.

"You aren't afraid."

"I didn't say that."

"You look calm."

"I've learned not to show fear."

"Why?"

Kael's eyes darkened.

"Because people who see fear think they can use it."

Luna didn't know what to say.

Then she noticed something.

His hand was clenched.

He was afraid.

Just not of her.

Of something else.

That evening, the first alarm sounded.

A howl echoed across the territory.

Then another.

Then another.

Kael was instantly on his feet.

Luna followed him outside.

"What is happening?"

"Stay inside."

"No."

"Luna."

"I'm not staying behind."

Kael turned toward her.

"People are coming."

"Who?"

"Hunters."

Her stomach dropped.

"How many?"

"Enough."

The gates slammed shut.

Werewolves appeared throughout the courtyard.

Some transformed immediately.

Others grabbed weapons.

Luna watched in disbelief.

Kael stepped forward.

His eyes began glowing gold.

The Alpha had arrived.

A howl erupted from his chest.

Every wolf in the courtyard answered.

Luna felt the sound vibrate through her.

Then she heard another voice.

Not Kael.

Not the wolves.

Something inside her.

"Wake."

Her mark burned.

Luna cried out.

Kael turned.

"Luna!"

The world around her blurred.

The moon appeared above the trees.

Her eyes burned.

The wolves suddenly stopped.

Every single one of them turned toward her.

Kael stared.

"Luna, don't fight it."

"What?"

"Let it happen."

"I don't know what 'it' is!"

Her heart pounded.

The mark on her wrist glowed brighter.

Then a shockwave moved through the courtyard.

Every wolf dropped to one knee.

Luna stood in the center of them.

Terrified.

Kael slowly approached.

His golden eyes met hers.

And for the first time, Luna understood what everyone had been afraid of.

She wasn't simply part of the pack.

She was something the pack itself recognized.

Something older.

Something stronger.

Something that had been waiting eighteen years to wake.

Then, beyond the gates, a voice shouted.

"We found her!"

Luna looked toward the darkness.

Kael moved in front of her.

His voice became dangerously calm.

"Nobody touches her."

A loud crash shook the gates.

The hunters had arrived.

And Luna suddenly realized that whatever happened next would determine whether she survived long enough to discover the truth about her family.

The gates began to crack.

Kael looked back at her.

"Stay behind me."

Luna stared at him.

For the first time, she didn't argue.

Because beneath the fear, beneath the anger, beneath the questions she still couldn't answer, she understood one thing.

The hunters weren't coming for Kael.

They were coming for her.

And somewhere deep inside her, something ancient had begun to answer their call.