A whisper before the Blood moon

By the time I returned to the mansion, the sky had already darkened into a dull shade of gray. Evening shadows stretched across the large stone walls of the Shadowclaw estate, making the place feel colder than it already was. I paused at the iron gates for a moment, hesitating before stepping inside. This place was supposed to be my home now but every time I walked through those doors, it felt more like a prison.

The guards at the entrance barely spared me a glance, their eyes following me for only a second before returning to their posts. To them, I was nothing more than the unwanted bride the pack had delivered. Not Luna. Not family. Just an obligation they had been forced to accept. I pushed the heavy doors open and stepped into the mansion. A few servants moved quietly through the hallways, finishing the last of their duties. The long corridors were dimly lit by chandeliers hanging from the high ceiling, their golden light reflecting against the polished marble floors.

My footsteps echoed softly as I made my way deeper into the mansion. The Shadowclaw estate was beautiful in a cold, intimidating way. Tall stone pillars lined the hallways, and large portraits of former Alphas watched from the walls with stern, judging expressions. Sometimes I wondered if they would have approved of me being here. Probably not.

As I walked past the west corridor, I noticed the faint glow of light spilling from beneath the study door. Voices came from inside. I slowed my steps. One voice sounded sharp and controlled, Draven’s assistant. I had heard him speak several times before during meetings at the office.

The other voices were deeper and older, likely members of the council or the elders of the pack. Their voices rose and fell in serious tones. I stopped a few feet from the door. For a moment, I considered walking away. Whatever discussion they were having was clearly important. But curiosity rooted my feet to the floor. I edged a little closer. The thick oak door stood firmly closed, its surface polished to perfection. I could hear the sound of several men speaking, their voices tense and intense. But the door blocked everything.

Not a single word reached me clearly. The voices blurred together into muffled sounds deep murmurs, occasional sharp tones, and the faint scrape of chairs moving across the floor. I strained to listen. Still nothing. Whatever they were discussing remained completely hidden behind the heavy door. A strange feeling crept over me. It wasn't just a normal meeting. There was urgency in their voices. Frustration. Perhaps even anger.

My heart began to beat a little faster. Whatever was happening inside that room was serious. And somehow, I felt like it had something to do with me. I shifted my weight slightly, leaning closer to the door in a useless attempt to catch even one clear sentence. But the mansion walls were thick, and the door might as well have been made of stone. I couldn't hear a single word. Suddenly the door handle twisted. My breath caught. Before I could move away, the door opened. I stepped back quickly. A tall figure emerged from the study.

My heart skipped. Cordelia Whitmore. The former Luna stood in the doorway, her posture straight and commanding as always. Her sharp eyes scanned the hallway immediately, as if she already knew someone had been standing there. They landed on me. “Aurora.” Her voice was calm but cold. “What are you doing wandering the halls at this hour?” My throat tightened. “I… I just returned from the office, Mrs. Whitmore,” I said quickly. Her gaze narrowed slightly. “Have you been standing here long?” The question made my stomach drop. “No,” I said, shaking my head. “I was just passing by.” She stepped fully into the hallway, closing the study room door behind her. The voices inside instantly disappeared. Cordelia studied my face carefully, as if searching for signs of dishonesty. The air between us grew tense. “You should remember something,” she said slowly.

Her voice had softened slightly, but the warning in it was unmistakable. “This house contains many discussions that are not meant for every ear.” I nodded quietly. “I understand.” She tilted her head slightly. “Do you?” Her eyes lingered on me for another moment before she continued. “You are new here, Aurora. You do not yet understand the weight of the matters this pack must deal with.” I lowered my gaze slightly. “And curiosity,” she added coolly, “can be dangerous.” The meaning behind her words was clear. She didn't want me anywhere near that study room. Or whatever secrets were being discussed inside it. “I wasn't trying to listen,” I said softly. Cordelia watched me for another long moment. Then she finally stepped aside and walked down the hallway. Her heels clicked sharply against the marble floor as she disappeared around the corner. I exhaled slowly.

Only then did I realize how tense my body had been. My shoulders relaxed slightly as I stepped away from the study room door. Whatever conversation had been happening inside that room remained a mystery. I hadn't heard a single word. Still, something about the atmosphere around that meeting left an uneasy feeling in my chest. The elders rarely visited the mansion at night. And when they did, it usually meant something serious was happening within the pack. Something big. I walked slowly toward the staircase and sat down on the bottom step. The mansion had grown quieter now.

Most of the servants had finished their duties and disappeared into the lower quarters of the estate. Only the faint ticking of the large grandfather clock in the hallway filled the silence. I leaned back slightly against the railing. My mind refused to settle. What could the elders be discussing with Draven this late at night? Pack matters? Territory disputes? Or something else entirely? Whatever it was, Cordelia clearly didn't want me anywhere near it. A cool breeze drifted through the tall windows near the staircase, carrying the scent of pine from the forest surrounding the estate. Somewhere in the distance, a wolf howled.

The sound echoed faintly through the night. Shadowclaw territory stretched miles beyond the mansion dense forest, rocky cliffs, and hidden trails that only the pack knew. Those lands belonged to Draven. And everyone within them answered to him. Everyone except me. I still felt like an outsider walking through someone else's world. A bride brought here for reasons no one bothered to explain. I rubbed my temples slowly. Too many questions filled my mind. Not enough answers. Eventually I stood and began walking toward the guest wing where my room was located.

As I passed one of the tall windows overlooking the courtyard, movement outside caught my eye. A figure stood near the training grounds. Even in the dim lighting, I recognized him instantly. Draven. The Alpha stood alone beneath the evening sky. His broad shoulders were tense, his posture rigid as he stared into the distance. The wind moved through his dark hair slightly. For a moment, he didn’t move at all.

Then he turned suddenly. His gaze lifted toward the mansion. Toward the window. Toward me. Even through the glass and distance, the intensity of his eyes made my breath catch. Our gazes locked. Something unreadable passed across his expression. Then his face hardened. Without another glance, he turned and walked away into the darkness of the courtyard. I remained standing by the window long after he disappeared.