Rising

Max’s heart raced in his chest, still feeling the lingering heat from the burning pain in his eye. His mind whirled as Donovan’s words echoed: *The prophecy is happening*. He staggered backward, his hand hovering near his left eye, afraid to touch it, afraid of what this all meant.

“The insignia…” Max repeated quietly, his voice laced with disbelief. His breath came in ragged gasps as the weight of the moment pressed down on him. “How is this even possible?”

Donovan moved closer, his eyes filled with a rare vulnerability. “Max, this is what your father feared. The prophecy, the bond between you and Vera… it’s beginning.”

Max clenched his fists, trying to steady his breathing, but the ache behind his eye remained, a throbbing reminder of the power surging within him. His mind shot back to the conversations he’d had with his father just before he was murdered. *Luna’s blood is special.*

“I need answers,” Max growled, his voice shaking with both fury and fear. “Why didn’t my father do anything? He knew! He *knew* this would happen!” He grabbed the edge of his bed, trying to keep his balance, the fire of frustration burning in his chest.

Donovan sighed, his expression pained. “Your father was a strong leader, Max, but the forces surrounding this prophecy… they were beyond him. He wanted to protect you both, you and Vera. That’s why he made the sacrifices he did. But now—” Donovan hesitated, searching for the right words. “Now you’re the one who must carry the weight of it.”

Max’s mind flashed back to his sister, to the years of searching, the sleepless nights, the endless anger at the world for taking her. And now, after all this time, the scent he had been chasing was stronger, closer.

“If the insignia is here…” Max’s voice trailed off, his gaze locking with Donovan’s. “Then Vera—she’s alive.”

Donovan nodded, his eyes full of conviction. “Yes, but the closer you get to her, the more dangerous it becomes. Others are searching too, Max. Greedy races, those who wish to use her power for their own gain.”

Max slammed his fist into the bedpost, the wood cracking under the force. “Then we have no time to waste. Find her, Donovan. *Find her before they do.*”

“I’ve already sent out word,” Donovan assured him, though his eyes remained wary. “But Max… this path is not just about reuniting with Vera. You know what the prophecy demands.”

Max stood up, his body trembling with anger, his eyes blazing with determination. “I will not accept that one of us has to die. There has to be another way.”

The room fell silent, the gravity of his words settling in the air between them. Donovan didn’t respond immediately, but Max could see the doubt flicker in his mentor’s eyes.

“We need to prepare,” Donovan finally said, his voice low. “The insignia’s appearance will not go unnoticed. The tribe… and other clans will soon know. You can’t trust everyone.”

“I don’t care about the tribe,” Max spat, his frustration reaching a peak. “They have never truly seen me as one of them. But that doesn’t matter. Vera is what matters. I need to find her—*I need to protect her*.”

Donovan placed a hand on Max’s shoulder, the weight of the elder’s gaze heavy. “And you will. But don’t let your anger blind you. There are forces in play here that we still don’t fully understand.”

Max looked out the window again, his mind racing. He could feel Vera, closer than ever before, their bond pulling tighter with every passing second. His father’s warnings echoed in his head: *Luna’s blood is special. Protect her at all costs.*

“I’ll gather my things,” Max said, pulling his eyes away from the view of the woods. “I’m leaving to search for her.”

Donovan stiffened, his eyes narrowing. “You’re not ready yet.”

“I don’t care,” Max growled, his voice dangerously low. “I can’t wait any longer. She’s out there, and I’m going to find her.”

“You don’t know the full extent of the insignia’s power, Max,” Donovan warned. “Rushing in without knowing what you’re facing could get both of you killed.”

Max turned to Donovan, his jaw clenched tight. “I’d rather die trying to save her than sit here doing nothing.”

Before Donovan could respond, the door burst open, and Glazilda stormed into the room, her face a mixture of fury and desperation. “Max!” she snapped, her voice shrill. “What is this I hear about your insignia? Is the prophecy happening?”

Max stiffened, his muscles tightening. He could feel her irritation, her self-centered concern oozing through every word. “It’s none of your business,” he muttered, already regretting the harsh tone.

Glazilda crossed her arms, glaring at him. “It *is* my business! You’re my fiancé! The entire tribe is expecting an heir from us! If this insignia has appeared, then the prophecy concerns *us*.”

Max shook his head, his patience wearing thin. “This has nothing to do with you, Glazilda. You know our marriage isn’t based on love. It’s an arrangement. My focus is on finding my sister.”

Glazilda’s eyes darkened, her lips curling into a sneer. “You’re throwing away your future for a sister you haven’t seen in years. You’re putting *everything* at risk for some—some dream.”

Max’s temper snapped. “Vera is not a dream! She is my sister, my blood. I won’t let anyone, not even you, stand in my way.”

Glazilda’s face twisted with fury, but before she could say another word, Donovan stepped forward. “Enough,” he said firmly, his voice brokering no argument. “This is not the time for petty arguments. We have larger concerns.”

Max shot Glazilda a final, warning look before turning back to Donovan. “I’m going after her. Insignia or not, I will find Vera.”

Donovan nodded, though his face remained grim. “Then may the moon guide you, Alpha.”