CHAPTER 8: SHADOWS OF THE PAST

The night was long, I couldn't sleep, the warriors of the Blackwood pack searched the area for signs of any Rogues. The weight of an unseen force pressed down on me. My mark, the prophesy and the appearance of Caleb Reed's men means I am not just a shifter; I am a target.

Ronan had barely spoken a word since the last fight, he had an unreadable expression on his face. I knew he was worried about something but I didn't know to connect with him.

"Do you want us to talk about what just happened?" I finally spoke up.

His gaze rested on me and for a moment I felt his expression soften, but it was gone in an instant.

"There isn't anything to talk about, they were here for you and they will surely be back again". He said as he tightened his jaw.

"I know that, but I noticed your countenance when the Rogue mentioned Caleb Reed, who is he to you?"

"He is no one important, not anymore at least". Ronan said as he looked away.

I was convinced there was more to what he was letting out, I saw how he looked when the Rogue mentioned that name, there was anger in his eyes. Caleb was someone personal to him. But I wouldn't push it since it was obvious he didn't want to share. Just then, Elder Marcus emerged from the darkness of the packhouse, his silver hair reflected the moonlight and he had an unreadable expression on his face. He beckoned on me to go in with him.

Ronan and I followed him into the silent packhouse. The pack members were either asleep or on guard duty after the last attack from the Rogues. The house smelled of burning herbs and aged parchment.

"There is a lot you need to know, Lena, you need to learn the truth".

"And I am ready". I said as I braced myself for more weighty revelations. I knew I had to be strong. I already knew about the prophecy, but what could this revelation be?

"I know you already know about the revelation, but you need to understand it, you need to understand that the Moonbound mark on your skin is older than us. It is older than our written history and the division of the packs. Once upon a time all wolves lived as one, held together by the moon goddess, but things changed. A war happened, that gave rise to the rival packs of today. And there was a child in the center of everything, a Moonbound. Ronan's expression gave away the fact that the revelation of the war wasn't a new story to him.

I felt cold. "A Moonbound, just like me?" I asked.

Marcus nodded, "but their fate is unknown, some believed they died in the war, others believed they escaped and lived in hiding, but one thing was for sure, whoever carries the mark possesses power beyond that of any alpha. They had the power to change the balance of power and reshape the world".

I was lost in thought as I stared into the flames. "Now it has happened again, it has marked me". I spoke.

Marcus hesitated for a moment before answering. "Yes, that is the reason Caleb Reed and his pack hunts you, he understands what you are and he will not rest until he is able to control you or eliminate you".

Ronan let out a low growl from his throat. "I will never let that happen". He spoke.

Silence stretched between us, I was scared, I tried to normalize my breathing. The prophecy was suffocating me. If Markus was right, that my existence was a threat to the stability of this world, then this was only the beginning.

"What should I do now?" I asked.

Markus was quiet for a while before answering. "You must be prepared, you must master and learn to control your powers, you must be ready to take on the enemies when they come for you".

"What if I can't?" I asked fearfully.

"I know you can". Ronan said in a firm voice, without an iota of doubt. This gave me hope.

Marcus told me there was someone who could help me, he spoke of a woman named Selene, who was one of the last ancient scholars. That she spent her whole life studying the Moonbound. This also gave me hope. But Ronan didn't seem too happy about it.

"But she stays beyond our borders". Ronan said with a frown on his face.

"Yes, and the journey will not be an easy one. Time isn't on our side. If Caleb has already sent his Rogues after you, then it will only be a short time before he comes for you himself.

"Then we have to leave soon". I said as a knot formed in my stomach. I wasn't too happy about all these, but I didn't have a choice if I wanted to survive.

"We leave at dawn," Marcus said as he tapped me gently on my shoulder.

"I won't let anything happen to her" Ronan declared as he placed his hand on the hilt of his blade.

I was lost again in my thoughts. I stared blankly into the depths of the night and I could hear a lone wolf howling into the night. It sounded like a warning and the promise of an imminent war.