Chapter five: Into the Whispering Woods

~Kaida Orion POV~

Lupus steps forward. "We will investigate tomorrow night. Councilor Biat will lead scouts."

I add: "I will accompany them."

Rachael nods slowly. "So be it."

There was dinner in the manor. At supper, we sit at the long table. Many faces: servants, subservient nobles of lesser pack status, all watching.

Lupus and I sit together. I lean close, my voice low: "You think we can trust Magistrate Kia?"

He shrugs. "Certainly not fully. But overt hostility draws attention. We need quiet."

I nod. "Quiet… yes."

Our wine glasses clang softly. I glance at various nobles, they smile but eyes flicker, watching me, measuring me.

I feel like prey but, I clench my fists in pockets without showing any sign.

Night comes again. I stand in the courtyard, hood over my head, preparing to walk into the forest.

Lupus approaches. He hands me a dark cloak. "For warmth."

I nod, fastening it. "I'm ready."

He studies me. "Stick close. Call my name if…"

"I will," I promise.

Councilor Biat and a group of guards waiting. I greet them politely, stand tall. The torchlight glints off their blades.

We step into the forest. Leaves hush underfoot. Dew smells cool in the air.

Minutes pass. I sense watchers. Every rustle, every snap, my heart races.

Suddenly, through the trees: a dim green glow, floating heavy in the mist. My breath catches. I grip Lupus arm.

"It's…" I whisper.

He nods. "Stay here." He steps forward, guards behind.

I remain hidden in shadows. My pulse throbs. Did I provoke this? I press myself against rough bark, tears of fear near.

A shape appears in pale green light, a figure cloaked, human-ish. It raises a hand. They know.... whoever whispers secrets in silence.

The figure disappears instantly, and the green light fades. I exhale, frozen.

Lupus returns, eyes dark. He kneels to me. "Are you hurt?"

I shake my head. "No...but… I saw them."

His voice a growl. "Trail-thief." He lifts me to my feet. "They're here."

I suffer a thrill of terror. "Trail-thief?"

He draws a blade. It gleams in torchlight. "A human cult hunting pack secrets. They mark us... they call sentinel."

My hands clench. "We… expose them?"

He nods grimly. "Yes."

We walk back, the torchlight flickers over fallen leaves, over me and Lupus.

I glance at him, voice whisper: "What will they do?"

He halts. His amber eyes glow in low light. "They will wait for us."

I shiver, heart thudding. "What? Tomorrow night… in the deeper forest?"

He nods. "Yes. We need to end this. Together."

I grip his hand. "Together."

...

Meanwhile, My palms sweat as I lace my boots. Each tie tightens, I step back and catch my reflection in the polished wooden screen. The moonlight through the room's lattice makes patterns on the floor, like a cage. I inhale, steadying my breath.

Dinner was quiet, too quiet. Conversations at the table were forced, polite smiles hiding tension. Everyone sensed what's coming. Tonight, we chase the Trail-thief.

I follow Lupus down the hall of marble and glowing lanterns. The councilors await us, faces grave. Councilor Rachael nods at me, warmth in the eyes, Morgan frowns.

Lupus raises his hand. "Tonight's mission begins." His voice echoes. "We track the Trail-thief deeper into the western woods. Lady Kaida will join us."

A stir goes through the council. Morgan glances at me, then at Lupus. I swallow. "Thank you, Alpha."

Morgan nods coldly. Councilor Biat steps forward: "Scouts ready. They found faint traces... soft footprints, nightmares." His voice flat. In my head, I was like, nightmares?

Lupus raises a hand. "We move at dusk. Meet in courtyard. Be armed, and be alert."

We disperse. I feel a shadow on my soul: what are nightmares? I'm still confused.

Then, afternoon at the training grounds, I find Lupus practicing alone. His stance is perfect, sword singing through air. I approach quietly. The blade stops.

He meets my gaze. "You're ready?"

My lip trembles. "As ready as I can be."

He draws another practice sword. "Then spar me. Keep your senses sharp."

We face off, as I attack, he parries. Faster, and my breath spits in rhythm. He counters. My foot slips in mud from last night's investigation.

He warns, "Watch footing."

I rise, heart beating. We clash metal twice more. He strikes a glancing blow on my arm. I cry out, more surprise than pain.

He halts. Concern softens his eyes. "Are you okay?"

I nod, pain sharp but manageable. A lesson learned and I smile shaky. "I am."

He presses his forehead to mine. "Strength isn't just muscle, it's heart. Yours is strong."

I close my eyes. "Thank you."

He steps back, sheath silent. "Rest. Tonight we move."

As the dusk falls heavy as we gather. Councilor Biat, scouts, pack members... armed, cloaked, alert. I watch them. All trust me, or at least trust Lupus.

He approaches me. His aura shields me. "Stay close," he says.

I nod. "Of course."

He offers his arm, and I take it. We step through moonlit gates into the forest. The guards flank us quietly. Crickets sing warning.

Deep in the Woods, the path is narrow, twisting. Trees loom overhead. Shadows press close, as if watching. I feel breath hitch.

Lupus guides me. "Footprints start here." He kneels. I bend beside him, dark wet earth.

They're not ordinary. No human shoe prints. Too light and too faint.

"Were they barefoot?" I whisper.

He shakes his head. "They're not human."

My blood races. "Ghost… or pack spy?"

He stands slowly. The guards move too. No one speaks, only the night wind stirs leaves.

Then...a twig snaps. Someone moves ahead. A pale glow drifts between trunks.

I clutch Lupus's arm. "There."

He nods. "Stay back."

He steps forward. Torch raised. The polestar light cuts the misty gloom.

No figure. Just forest, but the glow returns....green, pulsating.

A humanoid shape flickers. Pale robes and a hooded figure with lantern. They whisper words, soft, eerie.

I strain to hear:

"…moon blood binds you… gifts and curses… secrets must reveal…"

The words cut through me. My heart stalls.

Shot of fear. How...his voice echoes from deep inside. Does he know the bond's secret?

Lupus steps forward. "Reveal yourself."

The figure turns. Hooded, face hidden. They raise the lantern higher....light dances across their cloak's runes.

They say: "My lord shall learn the truth of moon-blood…"

My blood freezes.

Lupus growls. "Seize them."

Scouts rush forward. The figure backs away, hands raised and the Green glow brightens.

Suddenly, they vanish, slip into dense woods. No sound. Just leaves falling.

Lupus curses low. He rushes after them, as I dart to his side.

"Let me go," I plead. "I want to...."

He catches me. "No. It's dangerous. You must stay! You can't follow them."

But I shake him off. "I know it's dangerous, but it's our secret. We must know who they are."

He looks torn, and his gaze full of protectiveness and pride. He nods, then crosses his arm, voice stern. "You need to be careful."

I swallow. "I will."

He leads, and I follow. Woods grow thicker as the mist swirls. My chest heaves. Fear hammers inside me because, we see no trace, just green glimmers on leaves. Echoes of whispering runes.

I taste danger and electrifying.

He whispers: "They know about the ritual. They know the bond."

My voice trembles. "Do they want to expose us… or control us?"

He steps over a root: "I don't know."

We pause, as the forest ahead is silent. Too silent.

He glances at me. "Stay alert."

I nod and we move again. Footsteps in mud, ours and theirs. Then, the glow again. Ahead, a clearing. This is where the ritual happened.

We emerge under tall pines. Mossy stones ring a rough circle at the center. No one in sight.

But the lantern stands alone, green light dimming, an eerie beacon.

I step toward it. My heart hammers.

Lupus calls softly, "Wait."

I halt. My chest trembles. The lantern flickers, then the green light pulses like a heartbeat.

Suddenly, a whisper drifts through the trees: "Tonight… your bride will bleed..."

My blood runs cold.