CHAPTER 31 – TRACKS AT THE FOOT OF MILESTONE MOUNTAIN
The morning mist still lingered thinly at the mountain’s peak as I, Kael, and the Blue Stone Pack began descending the cliff. The cold air bit at my skin, but the warmth of the pack around me made each step feel lighter. Kael walked beside me, occasionally glancing over to make sure I was alright. Behind us, Aaron, the Alpha of Blue Stone, led with steady steps.
After a trek down the steep slope, we arrived at a wide plain at the mountain’s base. There, several tents stood neatly, and the scent of herbs mingled with the smell of damp earth. Aaron stopped in front of one of the tents, then turned to me.
“Aria, I want to introduce you to someone very important to our pack,” he said, his voice warm yet firm. From inside the tent, a woman with reddish-brown hair emerged, wearing a doctor’s coat and carrying a small bag of medical tools.
“This is Li
CHAPTER 32Kael turned, his gray eyes looking at me with deep concern. “Are you ready, Aria?” he asked softly.I nodded, though doubt still lingered in my heart. “We have to leave before the sun gets too high. The sooner we reach Mount Milestone, the greater our chances of saving Luna.”Kael gave a faint smile, then took my hand. The warmth of his grasp was calming, reminding me that I wasn't alone on this journey.Marcus and Elena were already waiting outside, their faces tense. Marcus, as usual, looked anxious. He glanced at Kael, then at me, as if wanting to make sure we truly understood what we were about to face.“Aria, are you sure you don’t want us to come along?” Marcus asked, his voice heavy. “You know Elena and I can help. At least, if something happens—”I shook my head gently, trying to smile. “This time, I want to go with just Kael. I need to focu
CHAPTER 31 – TRACKS AT THE FOOT OF MILESTONE MOUNTAINThe morning mist still lingered thinly at the mountain’s peak as I, Kael, and the Blue Stone Pack began descending the cliff. The cold air bit at my skin, but the warmth of the pack around me made each step feel lighter. Kael walked beside me, occasionally glancing over to make sure I was alright. Behind us, Aaron, the Alpha of Blue Stone, led with steady steps.After a trek down the steep slope, we arrived at a wide plain at the mountain’s base. There, several tents stood neatly, and the scent of herbs mingled with the smell of damp earth. Aaron stopped in front of one of the tents, then turned to me.“Aria, I want to introduce you to someone very important to our pack,” he said, his voice warm yet firm. From inside the tent, a woman with reddish-brown hair emerged, wearing a doctor’s coat and carrying a small bag of medical tools.“This is Li
CHAPTER 30 – THE CLIMAX OF MEETING AND THE SHADOWS OF TRUTHA thin mist still hung among the trees when Aria and Kael finally stopped in the middle of the forest. Their breaths were still ragged, remnants of their escape and tension not yet fully faded. All around them, the sounds of birds and the whisper of the morning wind created a soothing symphony of nature, as if the forest itself wanted to give them space to breathe.Aria sat atop the root of a large tree, hugging her knees. Kael sat beside her, quietly observing Aria’s face, which looked tired yet still held a spark of spirit. He reached for Aria’s hand, gripping it tightly.“Aria, are you alright?” Kael’s voice was soft, full of concern.Aria looked at Kael, her eyes clouded with exhaustion and anxiety. She nodded slowly, though her heart was still in turmoil. “I... I’m tired, Kael. But I know I can’t keep hiding. I have to face Luna, no matter what. She’s my sister. I can’t let her be destroyed alone.”Kael fell silent for a
CHAPTER 29 – THE CALL OF BLOOD AND SHADOWSI woke before dawn, my body still heavy even though I’d slept soundly that night. The familiar scent of herbs and antiseptic from Dr. Sarah’s animal clinic hung in the air, but this morning, something felt different—a kind of restlessness clung to my skin, making it hard to breathe freely. I sat on the edge of the small bed in the back room of the clinic, staring at the wing symbol on my wrist. Its silvery glow was almost gone, but I knew the power hadn’t truly faded. It was only waiting, just like me.I’d been hiding here for almost a week, living a simple routine: caring for animals, cleaning cages, learning from Dr. Sarah about herbal concoctions that could mask my aura. Every morning, I drank the bitter potion she gave me, hoping the hunters would lose my trail. But last night, I had a strange dream—the full moon hung low in the sky, and the sound of wolves howling
CHAPTER 28 – BETWEEN RESTLESSNESS AND HOPEMornings at the animal clinic always began with a chorus of noise. Barking dogs, purring cats, and the occasional squawk from a chatty parrot formed the backdrop to my new routine. I had been living and working under Dr. Sarah’s guidance for almost a week. Every day, I learned something new—from cleaning cages, giving vitamin shots, to calming frightened kittens. Slowly, I was getting used to this simple, loving life.Dr. Sarah was unlike anyone I had ever met. She always smiled, spoke gently, and never tired of sharing her knowledge. There was something in the way she treated animals—and people—that made me feel accepted, even without words. I knew she wasn’t an ordinary human. There was a faint, warm magical aura around her. Maybe that’s why I could feel safe here, at least for now.Every morning, before the clinic opened, Dr. Sarah always prepared herbal tea
CHAPTER 27 – LOST TRAILThat morning, a thin mist still blanketed the mountain forest as Kael slowly opened his eyes. The world around him was blurry, the sounds of birds and the whisper of wind mixing with the throbbing pain at his temples. The scent of metal and lingering ritual incense still hung in the air, but there was something else—a sharp, sweet smell clinging to his senses, remnants of the hunters’ tranquilizer poison.Kael tried to sit up, his body heavy and his muscles stiff. He swept his gaze around: the stone altar at the center of the temple was in disarray, the ritual crystal cracked, and the protective circle had vanished. On the floor, Marcus and Elena lay not far from him, their breathing heavy but slowly evening out. But what made Kael’s chest tighten most was the fact that Aria was not there. Nor was Luna.Guilt hit Kael instantly. He