3

There was one more thing I had to do before I left: get my Moonstone.

Every Alpha poured a part of their power into a special stone, leaving it for their heir. My father's Moonstone held immense power. By tradition, it should be mine.

The five core members of the Elder council were already there. On the stone pedestal in the center, a stone glowing with a silver-blue light lay quietly.

"Father's Moonstone," I said softly.

"It should have been yours," Elder Thorne's voice was undeniably cold. "If you had stayed with the pack."

I approached the pedestal. "It's still mine. It's my birthright."

"Birthright comes with the price of loyalty," another elder said.

Just as I reached out to touch the Moonstone, the main door was pushed open. Rhys, Finn, and Cassidy walked in together.

"Elders," Rhys bowed. "Before Rachel takes the Moonstone, I have something to say."

I raised an eyebrow. "This has nothing to do with you, Rhys."

"It has everything to do with the future of the entire pack," he retorted, then turned to the Elders. "The Moonstone is the core of the Silver Moon Pack's strength. Rachel is about to marry into a rival pack. Can she still be loyal to the Silver Moon wolves?"

The Elders exchanged glances. Thorne frowned. "Go on."

"I propose," Rhys's voice was firm, "that the Moonstone be temporarily entrusted to Cassidy."

"What?" I couldn't believe it. "On what grounds?"

Finn stepped forward. "Cassidy is an Omega. Her pure nature can purify the Moonstone and maintain the balance of its power."

"Nonsense!" I fumed. "The Moonstone can only be inherited by an Alpha's bloodline!"

Cassidy lowered her head, looking reluctant. "I don't want to get involved in your disputes…"

"You think you haven't meddled enough already?!" I sneered.

"Rachel," Rhys's gaze was accusing, "you should respect tradition and the Elders' decision."

"Tradition?" I almost laughed. "When you offered the first kill to Cassidy, why didn't you mention tradition then?"

Elder Iris cleared her throat. "Rhys's proposal has merit. You are about to become the Luna of the Shadow-fang Pack. This Moonstone represents the strength of the Silver Moon Pack."

"So now I'm a traitor?" I clenched my fists. "Because I refuse to put up with hypocrisy and betrayal?"

"We just need to confirm your loyalty," Elder Thorne said.

Cassidy suddenly spoke, her voice soft. "Perhaps Rachel could undergo a loyalty trial? That way, she can prove she deserves the Moonstone."

I looked at her warily. Her face showed concern, but her eyes sparkled with anticipation.

"What loyalty trial?" I asked.

Elder Thorne pondered for a moment. "The Mist-filled Cave, deep in the Silver Moon Forest. If you can enter alone and retrieve the Silver Fern, you will prove you are still loyal to the pack, and the Moonstone will be yours."

The Mist-filled Cave – that place full of dangerous beasts and mind-altering miasma. Even the strongest warriors wouldn't go there alone.

I looked at Rhys and Finn. The undisguised glee in their eyes was impossible to miss. Cassidy even had a slight smirk on her face.

"I accept," I said, holding my head high.

"Rachel!" Elara, who had heard everything from outside the door, rushed in. "The Mist-filled Cave is too dangerous!"

"I have to go," I turned to the Elders. "I'll go today. And I'll be back before the full moon."

Thorne nodded. "You have one day and one night. If you don't return by then, we'll assume you've given up."

Leaving the Elders' hall, Elara followed close behind me.

"They're doing this on purpose," she hissed. "They know how dangerous that cave is!"

"I have no choice." I returned to my den and changed into my toughest leathers. "If I don't go, the Moonstone will fall into Cassidy's hands. Can you imagine what would happen then?"

Elara knew what I meant. She sighed and helped me pack a waterskin and some simple food.

"Be careful of Cassidy," she warned. "I saw her gathering herbs deep in the forest last night. Near the Mist-filled Cave."

I stopped what I was doing. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely. She didn't know I saw her."

Of course, I knew this was probably a trap carefully set by Cassidy, but I couldn't back down now.

"Good luck, former Alpha's daughter," Finn sneered as he passed by. "Hope the cave's illusions don't scare you too much."

Rhys stood a little further off, his expression complicated. Finally, he took a few steps closer. "Take this."

He handed me a small silver knife. "At least it can protect you."

I took the knife without thanking him.

"If you change your mind…" he started, then trailed off.

"Save it," I said, turning and walking into the forest. "I will be back. With the Silver Fern. And with the Moonstone."

The forest grew darker and colder. Night fell, and I shifted into my wolf form, my silver fur glowing faintly in the moonlight.

My wolf senses were much sharper than my human ones. I could hear every rustle in the forest. Small animals scurried away. Leaves whispered.

Up ahead, mist began to gather. The cave was deep within it.

A strange smell drifted towards me. Sweet and pungent, like some kind of herbal concoction.

I instantly tensed, lowering my body and moving forward slowly. This wasn't a natural forest smell.

The mist grew thicker, and the surroundings twisted and warped. Illusions started to appear.

I saw my father's figure, Rhys's gentle smile, the Silver Moon Pack welcoming me home…

All fake! All tricks of the mist!

I forced myself to focus, concentrating on finding the cave entrance.

Then, a dark opening appeared faintly in the mist. I knew this was it.

In the distance, a faint blue glow – the Silver Fern. A plant that only grew in the deepest part of the cave, emitting a weak luminescence.

Just as I was about to touch the Silver Fern, a huge net suddenly dropped from above!

I leaped back quickly, but the edge of the net still caught my hind leg. A searing pain shot through me.

Poison!