The Gathering Storm

Chapter 24 – The Gathering Storm

The journey back to the pack was tense. Selene could still feel the lingering energy from the fight, the way her dagger had pulsed in her hand. She kept glancing at the wound she had inflicted on Dorian—it had burned him, just like silver would burn a werewolf.

What was this weapon? And why did she feel so connected to it?

Rylen stayed close to her as they walked through the dark forest. His sharp eyes scanned the trees, his senses on high alert. "We should move faster. That vampire wasn't alone."

Cassian nodded. "Vampires don't usually travel alone. If he was scouting, there could be more nearby."

Selene tightened her grip on the book. She didn't want to admit it, but she was afraid. If more vampires came, would she be strong enough to fight them off?

The thought sent a shiver down her spine.

Returning to the Pack

By the time they reached the Blackfang Pack's territory, dawn was breaking. The golden light of the rising sun spread over the trees, casting long shadows across the land.

Guards at the border shifted into wolf form as they approached, their eyes filled with curiosity and concern. News of their journey must have already spread.

As they entered the pack village, wolves and pack members gathered, whispering among themselves. Selene could hear snippets of their conversation.

"They're back…"

"Did they find it?"

"What happened to them?"

Rylen led Selene straight to the Alpha's house. The moment they stepped inside, Elder Tobias was waiting. His sharp blue eyes scanned them, lingering on the book in Selene's hands.

"You found it," he said, his voice laced with both relief and worry.

Selene nodded. "But we were attacked by a vampire named Dorian. He knew about the book. He said others are looking for it."

Tobias frowned. "That's not good. If the vampires know, it won't be long before the hunters and warlocks find out too."

Selene's stomach tightened. "What do you mean?"

Tobias sighed and motioned for them to sit. "This book holds ancient knowledge—secrets about the lost royal bloodline of the Moonfire Clan. There are many who would want that power for themselves. The vampires, the hunters, even some of the werewolf packs. If they realize who you are, Selene, they won't just come for the book… they'll come for you."

A heavy silence filled the room.

Rylen clenched his fists. "Then we protect her. No one is taking her."

Selene glanced at Rylen, her heart pounding. He said it with such certainty, such determination. But could he really protect her from everything that was coming?

Cassian leaned against the wall, arms crossed. "What's our next move?"

Tobias opened the book, flipping through the fragile pages. "We need to unlock its secrets before our enemies do. That means you, Selene, must learn to control your powers."

Selene swallowed hard. She had barely begun to understand what she could do. How was she supposed to master powers she didn't even recognize?

As if sensing her doubt, Tobias met her gaze. "You have a gift, Selene. And if you don't learn to use it, it could destroy you."

Training Begins

The next morning, Selene stood in a clearing behind the Alpha's house. The training ground was empty except for her, Rylen, and Tobias.

The old wolf stood before her, his hands clasped behind his back. "We'll start with the basics. You've already shown signs of fire magic. Have you ever tried to summon it intentionally?"

Selene shook her head. "No… it just happens when I'm in danger."

Tobias nodded. "Then let's see if we can bring it out."

He picked up a small wooden stick and tossed it to the ground. "I want you to focus on this stick. Imagine heat, flames, energy flowing through you. Call the fire, and let it come."

Selene took a deep breath and focused. She stared at the stick, trying to imagine it bursting into flames.

Nothing happened.

She frowned and tried again. Still nothing.

Rylen stepped forward. "Try remembering the battle with the vampire. The way your dagger glowed. The way your power surged when you needed it most."

Selene closed her eyes. She remembered the way Dorian had lunged at them, the way her heart had pounded in her chest. She remembered the energy that had surged through her, the heat that had burned in her veins.

A spark flickered at her fingertips.

Her eyes flew open just as a small flame danced in her palm.

She gasped, almost dropping it, but Rylen caught her wrist. "You did it," he whispered.

Tobias smiled. "Good. But that's just the beginning."

A Warning from the Shadows

That night, as Selene sat on her bed, staring at the flame she had summoned, a strange feeling settled in her chest.

Something was coming.

The wind outside howled through the trees, carrying a whisper on the air.

A warning.

Selene didn't know what lay ahead, but she did know one thing.

The storm was coming.

And she had to be ready.

Selene couldn't sleep that night. The small flame she had summoned earlier still flickered in her mind, a sign of the power she was only beginning to understand. She lay on her bed, staring at the wooden ceiling of the Alpha's house, listening to the sounds of the night—the wind rustling through the trees, the distant howls of wolves, the faint whispers of something… unnatural.

She wasn't sure if she was imagining it, but something about the night felt wrong.

With a sigh, she sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Maybe some fresh air would help. She pulled on a cloak and slipped out of her room, making her way through the silent halls of the packhouse. The moon was high in the sky, casting a pale silver glow over the village.

As she stepped outside, a shiver ran down her spine.

She wasn't alone.

The Shadow in the Forest

Selene turned her head slowly, scanning the dark treeline. The forest was still, too still. She could sense something—or someone—watching her.

Her fingers twitched, instinctively reaching for her dagger.

Then, a voice whispered from the darkness.

"You shouldn't have taken the book."

Selene froze. The voice was smooth, like silk sliding over steel. Cold and sharp.

A figure stepped forward, barely visible in the moonlight. A man, tall and slender, dressed in dark robes. His silver eyes gleamed as he smirked at her.

"You don't know what you're dealing with, little Luna."

Selene's grip on her dagger tightened. "Who are you?"

The man chuckled, tilting his head. "Someone who knows the truth about you. About the book. About the power you carry."

Her heart pounded. "What do you want?"

"To warn you." The man took a slow step closer, and Selene fought the urge to step back. "You're walking on dangerous ground, girl. That book doesn't belong to the wolves. It belongs to those who truly understand its magic."

Selene swallowed. "The vampires."

A slow smile spread across the man's lips. "Clever girl."

Selene's blood turned to ice. "Are you with them?"

The man didn't answer. He simply gazed at her, his silver eyes unreadable. "Be careful, little Luna. The things you don't know… they will be your undoing."

And just like that, he vanished.

Selene's breath came fast as she stared at the empty space where he had stood.

She had to tell Rylen.

A Dangerous Truth

Minutes later, she burst into Rylen's room. The Alpha was already awake, standing by the window as if he, too, had sensed something was wrong.

"What happened?" he asked the moment he saw her face.

Selene quickly told him about the man in the forest, his warning, his strange presence. Rylen's jaw clenched, his muscles tensing.

"They're getting bolder," he muttered. "First Dorian, now this. They know you have the book."

Selene swallowed hard. "He said I didn't understand my power. That the book doesn't belong to the wolves."

Rylen turned to her, his eyes dark with frustration. "It belongs to you, Selene. It doesn't matter what they think."

"But what if he's right?" she whispered. "What if there's more to this than we know?"

Rylen stepped closer, placing his hands on her shoulders. "Then we find out together. You're not alone in this."

Selene looked up into his intense eyes, her heart pounding. For the first time in a long time, she believed him.

But deep down,she know...

This was only

Selene swallowed hard, her heart still racing from the encounter in the forest. She wanted to believe Rylen, to trust in his strength, but something about the man's warning left a lingering fear deep in her bones.

"What if they come for me?" she whispered. "What if the vampires try to take the book?"

Rylen's expression hardened. "They won't. Not while I'm here."

His words were firm, but Selene could sense the tension in his body. He wasn't just trying to reassure her—he was preparing for war.

Rylen turned to the large wooden chest at the foot of his bed and lifted the lid. Inside were weapons—daggers, swords, and silver-tipped arrows. He pulled out a small dagger and pressed it into Selene's hands.

"Keep this with you," he said. "If anything happens, don't hesitate to use it."

Selene's fingers curled around the handle. She had never been one for violence, but she wasn't naive enough to refuse his protection.

Just then, a knock came at the door.

Rylen moved swiftly, opening it to reveal Kade, his Beta. The dark-haired wolf had a grim expression.

"We have a problem," Kade said. "The patrols found something."

Rylen and Selene exchanged a glance before following Kade out of the packhouse.

A Dark Warning

The night was still eerily quiet as they walked toward the edge of the village. Several warriors stood in a circle, their faces tense. In the center of them lay a wolf—one of their own—sprawled on the ground, unmoving.

Selene's breath hitched.

Rylen knelt beside the wolf and checked his pulse. "He's alive," he muttered, but his face was grave. "Barely."

The wolf's fur was matted with blood, deep claw marks covering his sides. His breathing was ragged, his body shaking as if he had been poisoned.

"This wasn't a rogue attack," Kade said. "Something else did this."

Rylen's eyes flashed. "The vampires."

Selene took a step closer, a cold chill running down her spine. That man in the forest—he had come to warn her, but was it really a warning? Or a threat?

She looked down at the injured wolf, then at Rylen. "They're sending a message."

Rylen clenched his fists. "Then we'll send one back."

Preparing for War

The village was alive with movement as Rylen called a meeting of the warriors. The wolves stood in rows, their faces serious, their eyes filled with anger. The attack on their own had awakened a rage within them—one that wouldn't be ignored.

Rylen stood before them, his presence commanding. "The vampires think they can threaten us," he growled. "They think they can harm our people and walk away without consequences."

The warriors growled in response, their voices echoing through the night.

"We will not sit back and wait for them to strike again," Rylen continued. "We will be ready. We will defend our land, our people, and our Luna."

Selene's heart skipped a beat as all eyes turned to her.

She wasn't just an outsider anymore. She wasn't just a girl caught in the middle of a war she didn't ask for.

She was their Luna. Their future queen.

And the battle ahead was hers to fight, too.

A Fateful Decision

Later that night, after the warriors had dispersed, Selene stood by the window of Rylen's chambers, staring at the moonlit forest.

She had spent her entire life running from danger, hiding in the shadows, fearing the unknown.

But now, for the first time… she wanted to fight back.

She turned to Rylen, who was watching her with quiet intensity.

"Teach me," she said.

His brow furrowed. "Teach you what?"

"How to fight," she whispered. "How to survive."

Rylen's eyes darkened with something unreadable. "Are you sure?"

She nodded. "I don't want to be the weak one anymore."

For a long moment, he just stared at her. Then, slowly, a proud smile tugged at his lips.

"Then we start tomorrow."