Chapter Nine

It wasn't until we arrived at his cabin that I let go of Aidrac’s hand, suddenly feeling guilty. He knocked on the door, and his mom — the Luna — opened it. She looked like she had questions. Like why we arrived together. Heck, the whole room looked confused.

Inside the living room were the Alpha, my dad, Rohan, my mom, and Vira, who was darting her eyes from me to Aidrac, then back again.

“We met on our way here,” Aidrac muttered to no one in particular.

I nodded in agreement, my eyes fixed on the floor.

“So how did the trip go?” he asked, trying to ease the tension.

“A failure,” the Alpha said. “We couldn't get into Valeblood.”

“Why?” Mom asked.

“Their borders were heavily guarded by soldiers,” Dad said. “They wouldn't let us in, even after we told them who we were and why we wanted to see their Alpha.”

“Is it usually that guarded?” I asked, confused. I knew this wasn't their first visit to Valeblood, but it was the first time they were denied entry.

“No,” the Alpha replied. “But for some reason, it is now.”

“They said their Alpha gave strict orders not to let anyone in or out. And they weren’t about to disobey. They were even ready to fight us when we insisted on staying,” Dad added. “They’ve been in isolation for weeks now.”

“That’s suspicious. What are they hiding?” Rohan asked.

“More like who are they hiding,” Aidrac said. “Probably the wolves that attacked us.”

“But why would they be hiding them?” Vira asked.

“Where are they even from?” the Alpha said. “They can’t possibly be Valeblood. They’re too big and strong…. they’re supernatural.”

“They came from the border we share with Valeblood,” I pointed out.

“Doesn’t mean they’re Valeblood,” Rohan said. “They might be allies. That would explain the isolation.”

“Well, whatever they are, we need to find out. Otherwise, we can’t defeat them,” the Alpha said.

“I suggest we consult Aravelle. Seek the Moon Goddess’s help,” Dad said.

Aravelle was our priestess — An old lady who lived on the Spire and rarely came out. I’d only ever seen her three times in my life, and each time, I was caught off guard by how ancient and creepy she looked.

“Definitely,” the Alpha nodded. “But first, let’s have a private meeting. Ladies, can you excuse us?”

So Mom, Vira, and I walked back to our cabin moments later.

I woke up gloomy the next day. The events of yesterday kept replaying in my head: t

The voice in the woods, the failed trip to Valeblood, Aidrac holding my hand.

Aidrac holding my hand.

My heart skipped. To be honest, I’m not entirely sure it happened. It feels like a dream.

Why am I even thinking about it? Like it matters.

Still, I needed to talk to someone. So after breakfast, I went to find Selene. I knew she’d be in the healing den. She'd been there a lot since Dexter was injured.

I hesitated before walking through the woods, afraid I’d hear that voice again. But I didn’t hear anything. I practically ran the whole way.

As I expected, Selene was in the healing den.

“Selene,” I called.

She was kneeling beside Dexter’s mat. “Hey,” she said, her expression blank.

Right. She was mad at me. She wouldn’t say why, but I’m sure it had to do with Dexter.

We sat in silence, side by side. I wasn’t sure if I should tell her about Aidrac. Or the voice in the woods.

“I’m sorry,” she muttered suddenly. “I shouldn’t be mad at you.”

“It’s okay,” I said. Because I understood. I was mad at myself too.

“It’s just…” she paused, unsure.

“It’s just what?” I asked.

“I can’t help but feel jealous,” she said, eyes glued to the floor. Her freckled cheeks were bright red.

I stared. “Jealous?”

She took a deep breath. “Well, it’s not really a secret that I like him.”

I knew who she meant. Dexter. But this was the first time she’d actually said it.

“I know. But why should you be jealous?” I asked.

“He saved you, Rhea. Do you think he would’ve done that if he didn’t like you?”

“What?” I blinked. “Selene, Dexter and I are just friends.”

She rolled her eyes. “Sure. Let’s pretend we didn’t notice anything from day one.”

“What do you mean?”

“He only started hanging out with omegas because of you. Always defends you when you're bullied. Always asks about you.”

“Because he’s a good person!” I said, annoyed.

Selene shook her head.

“Seriously. I was nearly killed, and you’re jealous of me.”

“Well, it’s not every day we get to be a damsel in distress,” she laughed but stopped when I didn’t laugh back.

“I’m foolish,” she muttered.

“Well, yes!” I snapped. “That attack isn’t something to romanticize. They ripped him apart. He’ll probably never walk again, and I’m drowning in guilt, and you’re here wishing it was you!”

“He probably wouldn’t save me if it was.”

“Oh, for the Goddess’s sake, Selene.”

“Sorry.”

“These wolves are not a joke. They’re terrifying. We don’t even know what they are.”

“They’re not from Valeblood?”

“No, I don’t think so,” I said, and told her about the failed visit.

“Oh Goddess,” she whispered. “What about your nightmares?”

“I haven’t had any since the attack, but…”

“But what?”

“But on my way here yesterday, I heard a voice in the woods.”

“What did it say?” Selene asked, eyes wide.

“It said it’s not just me they seek to break, but the ones who tether me to life.”

A chill ran down my spine, just repeating it.

“Do you think it’s connected to the wolves?”

“I don’t know. But don’t tell anyone,” I said. I remembered how Dexter’s mom exposed me for my dreams.

Selene nodded. “I won’t. But we need to find out what it means, Rhea. We made the mistake of ignoring your dreams. We can’t risk that again.”

“I can’t tell anyone else. They’ll call me cursed. Blame me again.”

“Even your parents?”

I hesitated. They still didn’t know. Maybe I could tell my mom. But even then…

“No. We won’t tell anyone else. For now.”

Selene opened her mouth, but just nodded.

We left the healing den not long after, walking through the woods. We felt a little lighter, a little braver.

I was laughing at a joke she made, momentarily forgetting where we were.

Then Selene froze. “Who’s that?”

I looked ahead.

A man was lying on the ground twenty feet away.

“Oh god. Is he okay?”

We approached slowly, cautious but concerned.

I recognized him immediately. He was one of the soldiers who’d gone on the trip to Valeblood.

He lay completely still. Skin pale like paper. No blood. No wounds.

Just dead eyes.

Selene screamed.