THE WOLF WHO REMEMBERED

CHAPTER EIGHT

The silver eyes moved closer.

Every warrior in the chamber lowered his head. Even Adrian, the Alpha of Silver Moon, stepped backward.

Elena had never seen him afraid.

"What is that?" she whispered.

"A guardian," Gareth answered, his face pale.

A massive white wolf descended the staircase, its silver markings glowing beneath its snow-white fur. Its ancient eyes settled on Elena before the creature slowly knelt before her.

Gasps filled the chamber.

The wolf spoke directly into her mind.

Daughter of the Moon Keeper, I have waited years for your return.

Elena's hands trembled. "Who are you?"

I am Orion, guardian of your mother's bloodline. She entrusted me with protecting this shrine until her heir returned.

"My mother?" Elena's heart ached. "What happened to her?"

I will reveal the truth, but first, you must understand the danger surrounding your child.

Elena instinctively covered her stomach.

"Why does everyone want my baby?"

Orion turned toward Adrian.

Your child carries the blood of two ancient lines. One belongs to the Moon Keepers. The other belongs to the first Alpha rulers.

Adrian's expression hardened.

"That cannot be true."

Gareth faced him. "You know something about this, don't you?"

Adrian hesitated before answering.

"My ancestors formed a sacred alliance with the Moon Keepers. Their descendants were destined to unite the packs and prevent another war."

Elena stared at him in disbelief.

"And you knew this before you rejected me?"

"No," Adrian replied quickly.

Her silver mark began to glow.

A strange sensation swept through her mind.

He is hiding something.

Elena took a shaky breath.

"Look at me, Adrian. Did you know my bloodline was special when you rejected me?"

He remained silent.

Tears burned her eyes.

"You knew enough to be afraid of me, yet you humiliated me before your entire pack."

"Elena, I didn't know your mark would awaken."

"But you still chose to reject me."

Before he could respond, a mocking laugh echoed through the shrine.

Marcus, Adrian's chief adviser, stepped forward with a silver blade in his hand.

"How touching. The rejected mate discovers her importance, and suddenly the mighty Alpha regrets his decision."

Adrian's eyes flashed.

"Put the weapon away, Marcus."

Marcus smiled coldly.

"The council has spent decades searching for the Moon Keeper heir. They will never allow this woman to leave with her child."

Elena stared at him.

"You work for the council?"

"I serve the future of the packs."

"By threatening a pregnant woman?"

"By preventing a catastrophe."

He pointed his blade toward her.

"The council wants the child alive. The mother is irrelevant."

Adrian stepped between them.

"You will not touch her."

Marcus laughed.

"You still believe you command me? The council has chosen a new ruler. When the child is born, its power will belong to us."

He lunged.

Adrian knocked the blade from his hand, but Marcus had already pressed his palm against a hidden symbol carved into the wall.

The shrine shook violently.

Gareth's eyes widened.

"He's activating the seal!"

A deafening crack split the floor. Darkness surged from the staircase as stones rained from the ceiling.

Elena fell to her knees, clutching her stomach.

Marcus retreated toward the shadows.

"You cannot stop what has already begun!"

Then he disappeared.

Orion roared, shaking dust from the ancient walls.

There is another passage beneath the pool. We must leave immediately.

Gareth helped Elena stand.

Adrian reached for her, but she pulled away.

"I don't need your help."

"The shrine is collapsing," he replied. "I'm not leaving you here."

"You abandoned me when I needed you most."

His expression softened.

"You're right. I cannot undo what I did, and I won't ask you to forgive me. But someone is hunting our child. Let me help you stop them."

Elena studied him.

"Then do it because it's right, not because you expect me to come back to you."

Adrian lowered his head.

"I understand."

They escaped through the passage beneath the pool and emerged into the eastern forest.

For a moment, Elena believed they were safe.

Then Orion stopped.

We are surrounded.

Figures in black cloaks emerged from the trees, their weapons reflecting the moonlight. At their centre stood a silver-haired woman wearing a crown of black thorns.

Elena recognised her from the vision inside the shrine.

Lady Seraphine.

The woman's gaze settled on Elena's glowing mark.

"So, the lost daughter has finally awakened."

Adrian drew his sword.

"Seraphine, stand down."

She laughed.

"You no longer have the authority to command me, Alpha."

She turned toward Elena.

"Give me the child, and I will allow you to live."

Elena's blood ran cold.

"No."

Seraphine's expression darkened.

"Then you leave me no choice."

She raised her hand, releasing an invisible force toward Elena's stomach.

Elena screamed.

Adrian shouted her name, but before anyone could reach her, her silver mark erupted with blinding light.

The forest fell silent.

An ancient voice thundered through her mind.

You have threatened the heir of the Moon.

Seraphine staggered backward, genuine fear spreading across her face.

Elena slowly rose to her feet. Silver light surrounded her, and an enormous wolf-shaped shadow appeared behind her.

Orion bowed his head.

Even Adrian stared in disbelief.

Elena looked directly at Seraphine.

She was no longer the frightened girl who had fled into the forest after being rejected.

She was a mother protecting her child.

And she would not surrender.

Seraphine's lips parted.

"This is impossible."

Elena's eyes blazed silver.

"No," she replied. "This is only the beginning."