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The Collector's Shadow
公開日:
2026-06-13 06:53:39One month after Ronan's arrival
The pack house was buzzing with preparation.
Theron had sent word to the Council about the Collector. Their response had been swift and terrifying: the Collector was real, and he had already killed three Hidden Lunas in the past century. Each time, he absorbed their power, growing stronger.
"He's not just a myth," Theron said, addressing the pack council. "He's a predator. And he's set his sights on Clara."
"Then we kill him before he gets here," Alistair said.
"The Council has been trying for decades. He's elusive. He doesn't fight fair."
"How does he fight?" Elara asked.
"He stalks his prey. Learns their weaknesses. Then strikes when they're most vulnerable." Theron's voice was grim. "He's patient. He can wait years."
Clara placed a hand on her chest, feeling the golden light pulse. "Then we make sure he never finds an opening."
Ronan's training intensified.
Clara pushed him harder than ever, determined to prepare him for a fight against the Collector. The silver light in Ronan had grown steadier, but he still struggled with control.
"Again," Clara said, as Ronan sent a blast of silver energy at a training post.
The post splintered. Ronan stumbled, gasping.
"Your power is strong, but you're hesitating. The Collector won't give you time to think."
"What if I hurt someone I care about?"
"Then you learn to aim." Clara stepped closer. "Fear of your own power is the first thing the Collector will exploit. You need to trust yourself."
"How?"
"By practicing. Every day. Until it becomes instinct."
Ronan nodded, determination hardening his features.
Elara had been having visions again—fragments of a dark figure moving through forests, a voice whispering promises of power. The Collector was getting closer.
She told Kael about them during a walk by the river.
"He's in the eastern territories now. Hunting a lone wolf with weak fire magic."
"Then we warn that wolf."
"I don't know who he is. The vision was too vague." Elara stopped walking. "Kael, I'm scared. Not for myself. For my mother. For Ronan."
"We'll protect them."
"How? We don't even know what the Collector looks like."
"Then we find out."
Theron suggested a risky plan.
"We use Ronan as bait," he said. "The Collector is drawn to Hidden Lunas. If we let rumors spread that a new one has appeared—young, untrained—he might come to investigate."
"No," Clara said immediately.
"Clara, it's the only way to draw him out."
"I won't use a child as bait."
"He's eighteen. And he's a warrior."
"He's still a child." Clara's voice was firm. "Find another way."
Theron sighed but didn't argue.
Ronan, however, had overheard. He found Clara later that night.
"I'll do it," he said.
"Absolutely not."
"You said I need to trust myself. This is me trusting myself." His golden eyes were steady. "I'm tired of being afraid, Clara. Let me help."
She looked at him—really looked. The scared, skinny boy who had arrived a month ago was gone. In his place stood a young wolf ready to fight.
"We'll discuss it with the council," she said finally.
"That's not a no."
"It's not a yes, either."
Mira went into labor three days later.
The pack healer rushed to the cabin, Clara close behind. Alistair paced outside with AJ, who looked like he might faint.
"I can't do this," AJ muttered.
"You don't have a choice."
"What if something goes wrong?"
"Then Clara will fix it." Alistair gripped his son's shoulder. "Your mother has faced worse than childbirth."
Inside, Mira screamed.
AJ flinched.
Hours passed.
The sun set. The moon rose. And finally, a cry pierced the night—not of pain, but of new life.
Clara emerged from the cabin, cradling a small bundle. "He's healthy. She's healthy."
"A boy?" AJ's voice cracked.
"A boy." Clara smiled, handing the pup to his father. "Meet your son."
AJ held the tiny wolf, tears streaming down his face. "He's perfect."
Mira watched from the bed, exhausted but radiant. "We did it."
"You did it," AJ corrected. "I just paced."
She laughed weakly.
The pack celebrated the birth with howls and songs.
Ronan stood at the edge of the celebration, watching. Elara joined him.
"Hard to believe something so small can bring so much joy," she said.
"I wouldn't know. My birth wasn't celebrated."
"It will be. When you have children."
Ronan looked at her, surprised. "You think I'll have children?"
"I think you'll have everything you've ever wanted. You just have to live long enough to get there."
That night, Elara had a vision—clearer than any before.
She saw the Collector's face.
He was not a monster. He was a wolf, like any other, with graying fur and tired eyes. But his power was dark, swirling around him like a storm.
You cannot hide from me, he said. I will find you all.
Elara woke with a gasp.
Kael held her. "What did you see?"
"His face. I saw his face."
"Can you describe him?"
"Gray fur. Tired eyes. And a scar—across his muzzle." She clutched Kael's arm. "He's coming, Kael. Soon."
"Then we'll be ready."
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