Chapter 4: Moonlit Truths

Chaos erupted after Magnus' warning. Warriors rushed to grab weapons while others hurried children to safety. Adira stood frozen until someone shoved her aside.

"Get out of the way, Omega!" a warrior growled.

The next hours blurred together. Fenrir's pack attacked from the east, howling as they charged. The fighting was fierce but brief. Alpha Darius and Lucian led their strongest fighters, pushing back the invaders.

By dawn, the battle was over. Fenrir's wolves retreated, leaving behind three dead and taking many wounded with them. The Silver Moon Pack lost no one but had several injured fighters.

For three days, Adira barely glimpsed Lucian. She worked tirelessly with Eira, tending to the wounded. The silver pendant remained hidden under her mattress, its purpose still a mystery.

On the fourth night, exhausted from changing bandages all day, Adira sat by the small stream behind her cabin. The water's gentle sounds soothed her racing thoughts.

"You look tired."

She jumped at Lucian's voice. He stood a few feet away, his face half-hidden in shadow.

"Everyone's tired," she replied, making room on the large rock where she sat.

Lucian sat beside her, closer than necessary. "You've been helping Eira with the injured."

"It's nothing special," Adira mumbled. "Just cleaning wounds and making poultices."

"Magnus says you have gentle hands. That you eased his pain when others couldn't."

Adira blushed, grateful for the darkness. "How are the border patrols going?"

"Exhausting," Lucian sighed. "Fenrir's wolves keep testing our boundaries. My father thinks they'll attack again soon."

He looked worn down, with dark circles under his eyes. Without thinking, Adira reached out and touched his hand.

"You need rest too."

As soon as she realized what she'd done, Adira yanked her hand back. An Omega didn't touch the future Alpha.

But Lucian caught her fingers before she could pull away completely.

"Don't," he said softly. "I like when you touch me."

Adira's heart fluttered like a trapped bird. This couldn't be happening.

"Why are you here, Lucian?" she whispered.

He looked at their joined hands. "I needed to see you. Away from everyone else."

"But why me? I'm nobody."

"That's not true." His eyes locked with hers. "There's something about you, Adira. Something that pulls me toward you, even when I should be focusing on the pack's safety."

A twig snapped nearby. They jumped apart as a pack member walked past, nodding respectfully to Lucian without noticing Adira in the shadows.

When the wolf was gone, Lucian stood. "Meet me tomorrow night. At the old oak tree beyond the northern hunting grounds."

"That's outside pack territory," Adira protested.

"Not far outside. And no one will see us there." He hesitated. "Please come. There are things I need to tell you."

Before she could answer, he disappeared into the darkness.

The next day dragged endlessly. Adira dropped two bowls while helping in the kitchen, earning angry glares from other workers. Her mind kept wandering to Lucian's request.

Meeting him alone was dangerous—for both of them. If anyone found out, they would think she was trying to rise above her rank by seducing the future Alpha.

As sunset approached, Adira made her decision. She would go, but only to tell Lucian they couldn't meet again.

She slipped away as darkness fell, careful to avoid the evening patrols. The ancient oak wasn't hard to find—its massive trunk and sprawling branches made it stand out even in the fading light.

Lucian already waited there, pacing nervously. When he spotted her, his face lit up with such happiness that Adira almost forgot what she came to say.

"You came," he breathed, reaching for her hands.

"I shouldn't be here," she said, even as she let him take them.

"Neither should I." He smiled. "But I can't stay away from you."

They sat beneath the oak's protective branches. At first, conversation came awkwardly. Adira mostly listened as Lucian talked about pack business and his worries about Fenrir.

But slowly, something shifted. Lucian asked about her life, her thoughts, her dreams—things no one had ever cared about before.

"I've never told anyone these things," she admitted after sharing her secret wish to learn healing beyond just making poultices.

"Why not?"

"Because I'm an Omega. We're not supposed to have dreams beyond serving the pack."

Lucian frowned. "That's wrong. Every wolf matters, regardless of rank."

"That's not what your father believes."

"I'm not my father," Lucian said firmly. "When I become Alpha, things will change."

The conviction in his voice made her believe him.

"Can I ask you something?" she said.

"Anything."

"Why did you and Selene stop seeing each other? Everyone thought you would mate."

Lucian's expression darkened. "Selene wants power more than she wants me. And lately, something about her feels... wrong. Like she's hiding something important."

As the night deepened, they moved closer together. Lucian's arm slipped around her shoulders when she shivered from the cool air.

"We should get back," Adira said reluctantly. "People will notice we're missing."

"Meet me again tomorrow," Lucian whispered. "Same time, same place."

She knew she should refuse. But looking into his hopeful eyes, Adira nodded.

That night became the first of many secret meetings. For two weeks, they met whenever they could slip away—sometimes at the oak tree, sometimes by a hidden pond, once in a cave during a rainstorm.

During their sixth meeting, Lucian brought a small cake he'd snuck from the kitchen.

"Happy birthday," he said, presenting it to her.

Adira stared in shock. "How did you know?"

"I asked Eira. She knows everything about everyone." He lit a small candle. "Make a wish."

No one had celebrated her birthday since her parents died years ago. Tears filled her eyes as she blew out the candle.

"What did you wish for?" Lucian asked.

"I can't tell you, or it won't come true."

He reached out, wiping a tear from her cheek. "You're beautiful, Adira."

Then he leaned forward and kissed her.

It was gentle and sweet, over almost before it began. But it changed everything.

"I think I'm falling in love with you," he whispered against her lips.

Adira pulled back, stunned. "You can't. You're going to be Alpha. And I'm—"

"I don't care what you are," Lucian interrupted. "I care who you are."

She wanted to believe him more than anything.

Their meetings continued, now filled with stolen kisses and whispered promises. Adira knew it couldn't last, but she allowed herself to dream.

Until the night everything shattered.

They met at the old oak tree as usual. Lucian seemed distracted, constantly glancing over his shoulder.

"What's wrong?" Adira asked.

"I think someone's been following me," he admitted. "We need to be more careful."

He pulled her close, kissing her deeply. "No matter what happens, remember how I feel about you."

The words sent a chill down her spine. "You're scaring me."

"My father wants me to announce my mate at the full moon ceremony next week," Lucian said. "He's pushing for Selene."

Adira's heart sank. "Of course. She's the right choice for the pack."

"No," Lucian said fiercely. "I won't choose her. I want—"

A twig snapped nearby. They froze.

"Well, well," a voice dripped with venom. "What a touching scene."

Selene stepped into view, her beautiful face twisted with rage. Behind her stood two of her closest friends, their expressions gleeful at catching the future Alpha with an Omega.

"Selene," Lucian started, stepping in front of Adira. "This isn't—"

"Save your excuses," Selene hissed. "Wait until your father hears about this disgrace."

She pulled something from her pocket—a small vial filled with glowing blue liquid.

"I was saving this for a special occasion," Selene said, uncorking the vial. "But now seems perfect."

Before either could react, she flung the contents at Lucian's face.

The liquid splashed across his eyes. He screamed, dropping to his knees in pain.

"What have you done?" Adira cried, rushing to him.

Selene's laugh echoed through the trees. "Just making sure he forgets certain... distractions."

As Lucian writhed on the ground, his eyes glowing an unnatural blue, Adira felt the pendant in her pocket grow scorching hot.

Whatever Selene had done, it was only the beginning.