CHAPTER 2

Lisa's POV

"What do you need it for?" I asked quietly.

A smile spread across Lucien's face.

"My mating ceremony is in two days," he said. "I need to present it to someone... someone very special."

Someone special?

My heart skipped.

Did he mean... me? Or was he talking about his future mate? No… maybe he wanted to surprise me with it during the ceremony. He knew how much I loved Moon Orchids. 

Moon Goddess... please let me be his mate. And if I survive this mission... let my wish finally come true.

"Lisa?"

His gentle voice pulled me back to reality as his thumb continued stroking the back of my hand, sending tiny shivers through me.

"I'll do it," I said firmly.

For a moment, surprise flickered across his face. Then, before I could react, he pulled me into a tight embrace.

"Thank you," he murmured, excitement filling his voice. "Thank you so much."

A smile found its way onto my lips.

Seeing him happy somehow made everything worth it.

"So... when are you leaving?" he asked after releasing me. "Tomorrow? Or... could you leave today?"

His eagerness made my heart race.

He couldn't wait to receive the flower… and I couldn't wait to see the smile on his face when I handed it to him.

"I'll leave tomorrow morning."

Relief washed over his features. "I really appreciate this, Lisa."

He stood from his chair.

"I've already paid for everything, so stay and enjoy. Just promise you'll send me a message once you're back."

"I will."

He flashed me one last smile before walking away. I watched him disappear through the entrance.

The silver tray in front of me suddenly lost all its appeal.

By the time I returned home, my mind was still racing. I dropped onto my bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

How was I supposed to sneak into Silver Moon Pack… get one of their sacred flowers… and leave without getting caught?

The more I thought about it, the more impossible it sounded.

Yet… I'd already given Lucien my word, and I'd never broken a promise to him.

*The next morning*

Before sunrise, I quietly packed a small bag and folded a dark traveling cloak inside.

Taking a deep breath, I stepped into the living room.

"Since when do you wake up this early?"

Father's voice rang out behind me.

I froze.

Slowly, I turned around, forcing a smile onto my face while hiding my bag behind my back.

"I... decided to start exercising."

He stared at me as though I'd announced the moon had fallen from the sky.

"Exercising?" 

I nodded enthusiastically. "You've always said I should lose weight." I forced out a nervous laugh. "So... I figured today would be a good day to start."

Father narrowed his eyes.

For one terrifying second, I thought he'd ask to inspect my bag.

Instead, he stepped closer, studying me carefully. The moment he was close enough… I darted toward the door.

"My jogging partner is waiting!"

I threw the words over my shoulder before slipping outside, the gate clicked shut behind me.

I released the breath I'd been holding.

"That was close..."

Without wasting another second, I began my journey toward Silver Moon Pack.

Several hours later, the towering stone walls of Silver Moon finally came into view.

I slipped on my cloak, pulled the oversized hood low over my face, and blended into the steady flow of wolves entering the bustling streets as no one paid me any attention.

Good.

I kept my head lowered while quietly searching my surroundings.

"Now... where was it?"

It had been years since I'd last set foot here. Back then, Bloodfang and Silver Moon weren't sworn enemies. We attended the same academy. Whenever the bullying became unbearable… I'd run to the Moon Orchid tree.

It was the only place where I could breathe. The only place where no one laughed at me.

Suddenly… I spotted an old shoe shop and beside it was a narrow dirt path.

Recognition flashed through me.

"There."

Without thinking, I hurried down the familiar trail.

Then… I saw the enormous Moon Orchid tree, its silver-white blossoms glowing. The delicate petals shimmered like moonlight in flower form, while faint blue veins traced across each blossom. 

A smile spread across my lips.

"I finally found you..."

Carefully, I reached up and plucked a single blossom. The petals felt soft against my fingertips.

Closing my eyes, I inhaled its delicate fragrance before gently placing it inside my bag.

Mission accomplished. 

I began heading back, but surprisingly the streets had become much busier as wolves hurried in every direction.

Suddenly someone bumped into my shoulder. I tightened my grip on my bag. Another wolf accidentally shoved me from behind, then someone squeezed between us before I could steady myself.

"Ouch!"

I lost my footing and crashed onto the ground as pain shot through my palms.

Then realization hit me; my bag wasn't with me. My eyes darted around until I saw it was several feet away.

"No..."

A passing wolf stepped directly on it… then another.

"No!"

I scrambled toward it, but before I could reach it, another careless kick sent the bag flying through the crowded street.

My eyes widened.

Without thinking, I chased after it. The bag landed near a group of children, their eyes lit up mischievously.

One boy grinned. "Catch!"

He kicked my bag toward another child.

"No! Stop!"

I ran after them desperately as they laughed.

To them… it was just a game. But to me… everything was inside that bag.

After what felt like forever, one final kick sent it sliding across the ground… then it stopped.

Relief flooded through me.

Thank the Moon Goddess.

I hurried toward it, but a pair of polished black boots stepped onto the bag before I could reach it.

"Looking for this?" A deep voice echoed above me.

My heart lurched.

Slowly… I lifted my gaze.

A Silver Moon warrior stood before me.

"I-It's mine," I stammered.

He bent down and picked up the bag, and the moment he opened it… his face darkened.

His icy eyes lifted to meet mine.

"The Moon Orchid." His voice became dangerously quiet. "These flowers never leave Silver Moon Pack."

Cold sweat broke across my back.

"I... I can explain."

"Seize her."

His thunderous command echoed across the street.

Within seconds, warriors surrounded me from every direction as panic seized my chest.

One warrior ripped the cloak from my body, exposing my face completely.

Another grabbed my arms before I could escape.

"You said you could explain," the head warrior said coldly.

"Then explain why a stranger entered Silver Moon Pack disguised beneath a cloak... and stole one of our sacred flowers."

His grip tightened painfully around my wrist. "Who sent you?"

My heart pounded against my ribs.

I had just walked straight into the nightmare I'd been trying so desperately to avoid.