Chapter 126: Shadows Gather at Dawn

The first light of dawn crept slowly over the jagged peaks surrounding Blackmoon Keep, casting long, wavering shadows through the narrow halls. Serena’s breath came in shallow bursts as she paced the cold stone floor of her chamber. Every nerve in her body thrummed with the weight of the coming storm — both outside the walls and inside her heart.

Kael stood silently by the window, watching the sky bleed from purple to pink. He had always been a man of few words, but today his silence felt heavy, like the calm before a hurricane.

Finally, Serena stopped mid-step and turned toward him. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner? About the alliance between Theron and Darius?”

Kael’s jaw tightened. “I wanted to protect you. You’re already surrounded by enemies, Serena. I didn’t want you distracted by threats you couldn’t yet fight.”

“But now I have to fight. And I have to be ready.” Her voice was steel, but her eyes betrayed exhaustion. “The Blood Moon approaches, and with it… everything changes.”

Kael nodded solemnly. “The council suspects Theron’s betrayal, but without proof, they can’t move openly. And Darius… he’s not just a traitor — he’s a shadow crawling through the realm, poisoning everything he touches.”

Serena’s gaze dropped to her clenched fists. “And Elias? He’s been distant. I fear he’s torn between loyalty and something darker. I can see it in his eyes.”

Kael’s expression softened. “Elias loves you, Serena. But he’s carrying his own demons. Theron’s grip on him runs deeper than you realize.”

The words hit her like a blow. Elias — her friend, her confidant, the man whose touch once soothed her darkest fears — was caught in a web of darkness, and she had been blind to it.

Outside, the distant roar of the pack stirred the quiet morning. The wolves sensed the shifting tides too.

Serena’s mind flashed back to the Blood Moon ceremony — the moment when Alpha Caine had claimed her, binding her fate to his. A bond forged in fire, passion, and danger. But the ceremony also marked the beginning of her exile within the pack — whispered accusations, cold stares, and veiled threats from those who refused to accept her.

A sudden knock broke the silence. Kael moved to open the door, revealing Elias, his face pale but resolute.

“Serena,” Elias said, voice low. “We don’t have much time. Theron’s next move will be tonight, during the Shadow Hunt. If we don’t act, everything we’ve fought for will crumble.”

Serena swallowed hard. The Shadow Hunt — a sacred tradition where only the strongest were meant to survive — had become a trap set by their enemies.

Kael stepped forward, eyes narrowing. “We need allies. Not just from the pack, but beyond. The desert clans owe us favors. If we can secure their support, we might turn the tide.”

Elias’s glance flicked between them. “There’s also talk that Darius is gathering mercenaries — humans who don’t know or care about our laws. They’ll bring chaos.”

Serena felt the walls closing in, suffocating. Her role as the Alpha King’s mate suddenly seemed heavier than ever. Not only was she fighting for her own survival, but for the entire realm.

“I’ll gather what support I can,” she said, voice steady despite the fear creeping beneath her words. “But we need to be careful. If Darius learns of our plans…”

Kael finished for her, “He’ll strike first.”

Elias’s hand brushed hers — a fleeting touch full of unspoken apologies and promises. “We’ll stand together.”

Later that night, in the Council Chamber

The firelight flickered against the ancient tapestries as the council convened in secret. Serena stood at the center, flanked by Kael and Elias, facing the faces she had once considered allies but now wore expressions of doubt and suspicion.

Theron sat at the head of the table, his eyes cold and calculating. Darius’s shadow lingered in the room like a poison, even though he was absent.

“We have no proof,” Theron said smoothly. “Accusations alone will not save us from ruin.”

Kael’s voice cut through the murmurs. “We have evidence. The intercepted messages, the mercenary sightings near the border, and the recent attacks on our scouts. It’s all connected.”

One of the elder council members, Mara, narrowed her eyes. “And what of Elias? He was seen meeting with Theron in secret.”

Elias stiffened. “I met with him to gather information, not to conspire. I swore loyalty to this pack before anyone else.”

Serena’s heart clenched. The trust between them was fragile, but Elias was still her anchor.

Theron laughed softly, a sound as cold as ice. “Even the strongest anchors can be cut loose.”

Before the tension could erupt into chaos, the doors burst open. A scout staggered in, breathless and bleeding.

“They’re here,” he gasped. “Darius’s forces are attacking the eastern border. The Shadow Hunt has been compromised.”

Outside the Keep, under the Blood Moon

Serena mounted her wolf, her pulse racing as the moon’s crimson glow bathed the land. Around her, pack members prepared for battle, their faces masks of determination and fear.

Kael rode up beside her, his dark form blending with the shadows. “This fight will change everything.”

Elias joined them, his expression grim but fierce. “For the pack.”

The three of them shared a silent vow.

As they charged into the night, the howl of war rose into the sky — a symphony of fury and hope.

In the distance, a lone figure watched from the cliffs — Darius, smiling as the first flames ignited the horizon.