The Other Side of the Moon (Part Two)

The soft flicker of foxfire dimmed behind them as the trio dispersed, Rohana's final words hanging heavy in the air like an unspoken omen.

Far from the sacred stillness of the Fox Temple, across the forest-lined borders of the spirit realms, another world stood in stark contrast — rigid, patrolled, and steeped in ancient power.

Rain poured in sheets as Austin stood at the gates of a massive mansion. Drenched, his hair dripping, he stared at the torn piece of Akira's bag in one hand and her phone in the other. His grip tightened around the phone, knuckles white — he was confused, helpless, furious. Akira was gone. And he had no clue where she was, who had taken her, or why.

He stood there, unmoving, lost in the storm, until a guard jogged up to him.

"Austin, why are you standing here all alone?"

Though he was the Alpha's son, Austin never let the guards call him "sir" or treat him like royalty. He kept things simple. Informal. He'd always wanted a normal life — one far from the politics and posturing of the Wolf Clan.

But destiny, it seemed, had other plans.

Austin didn't respond. The guard pushed open the iron gates of the Wolf Clan estate.

He stepped through them silently, soaked to the bone, jaw tight, fists clenched. The scent trail had gone cold.

Akira was really gone.

The estate loomed ahead — a vast mansion carved from black stone and timber, with high towers reaching into the storm-lit sky. The surrounding forest curled around the compound like a living shield, but beyond the tall gates, the city still flickered in the distance. This was more than a home — it was a fortress. A throne.

Two guards nodded as he passed. No one dared stop the Alpha's son — not with that aura pulsing off him like barely restrained lightning.

He didn't knock.

The doors to the main hall slammed open under his hand as he stormed through rows of ancestral relics and ceremonial blades, heading straight for the core of the mansion.

The Alpha's office.

Inside, Leo sat behind a desk carved from wolfbone and ashwood, eyes scanning territory maps and sealed letters. He didn't glance up.

"You want something, my boy?" Leo asked calmly.

Austin's voice snapped. "Why are you so calm?"

He held up the torn bag and the phone. "She's missing. I promised I'd protect her. And now she's just — gone."

He took a breath, his voice cracking slightly. "Aunt Sasha asked both of us to watch over her. How can you sit there like nothing's happened?"

His palm slammed against the desk.

Leo's gaze lifted, sharp. "I know my duties," he growled. "And I won't be questioned by a soaked, reckless boy who lets emotion cloud his judgment. I taught you better than that."

Austin opened his mouth, but before he could speak, a knock echoed through the thick wooden doors.

"Alpha," a guard called from outside. "High Priestess Rohana of the Fox Clan is here… with two others."

Leo's brow furrowed. "Let them in."

Austin stiffened.

The doors creaked open, and Rohana entered in a deep crimson robe embroidered with ancient fox sigils. She moved with regal precision, every step steeped in power. Alaric, calm and observant, followed close behind, while Kyros, jaw clenched and full of visible disdain, flanked her like a wary shadow.

Leo rose to greet them.

"Rohana," he said evenly. "To what do we owe the honor?"

"Still the sweet-talker, aren't you, Leo?" she replied with a small, knowing smile.

Alaric and Kyros stood tall behind her like ceremonial guards. Meanwhile, from the side of the room, Austin rolled his eyes and muttered under his breath:

"What the fuck are they doing here?"

"Well, have a seat," Leo said, gesturing toward the chairs.

Rohana sat gracefully, while Alaric and Kyros remained standing, positioning themselves directly opposite Austin.

"You already know why we're here, don't you?" Rohana asked, voice smooth but firm.

"I do," Leo replied defensively. "And we had nothing to do with the attack."

"Then what was your son doing there?" Rohana said, turning her gaze to Austin. "Chasing after a human girl? Don't tell me you let your son befriend foes." She let out a small, mocking laugh.

"Let me?" Austin snapped, stepping forward.

Before he could say more, Leo growled, eyes narrowing. "Are you seriously here to lecture me about my son's choice of friends?"

"Hmm… maybe I was just curious," Rohana said with a sly smile.

Austin rolled his eyes again. "Is this, like, a thing? Everyone in the Fox Clan is insane."

Leo leaned back, calm but firm. "Well, to satisfy your curiosity — I taught my son well enough to make his own decisions. If you came here to give me parenting tips, you're free to leave."

Austin's expression shifted — a mix of admiration and pride. You go, Dad. I love you.

Rohana laughed lightly. "Still so hot-headed. Leo, you know me better than that."

She paused, gaze flickering to Austin, then back to Leo.

"And you know exactly why I'm here."

From within her robe, she pulled a torn piece of Akira's tote bag and placed it on the table.

"I smell a traitor," she said with an eerie smile. "There's a lingering trace of Sasha's old magic on this."

The room fell deathly still.

Alaric and Kyros exchanged a tense glance.

Austin frowned, confused.

But Leo — Leo didn't look shocked. Just tired.

"If you already knew," Leo said, avoiding her gaze, "then why come here?"

Rohana's expression sharpened. "So it's true. She's Sasha's daughter."

She paused… then smiled coldly. "Then we have one more traitor in line."

Austin stepped forward, growling. "Who are you calling a traitor?"

"Relax, wolf boy," Rohana said, almost playfully, turning to Leo. "I'm just saying… we don't know if the girl was taken. Maybe she left of her own will."

The room shifted — a subtle, invisible tremor passed through it. Suspicion settled like fog.

Austin clenched his fists.

"Akira's not that type of girl," he snapped. "She was taken — she wouldn't leave like that."

He turned to Leo, voice cracking slightly.

"Dad, you know I'm right."

Leo remained silent for a long moment, eyes unreadable.

The silence grew thicker — like the weight of an old war pressing down on them all.

But Rohana broke it with an amused laugh.

"Don't tell me you're siding with them again," she said, tone laced with venom. "You, of all people, should remember what happened last time you stood with her."

"Don't—" Leo growled, his eyes glowing faintly. "We both know what that cost us. I don't need your reminders. If you've got what you came for, I suggest you leave."

Rohana stood, smoothing her robes.

"Very well. I won't interfere further — for now. But I'll conduct my own investigation. I expect no interference from your side."

She turned, then paused, glancing over her shoulder.

"And one last parenting tip — discipline your son. Tell him to stay out of our business."

Leo's voice dropped into a warning growl. "And tell your clan to behave in my territory. No disturbances. Or you already know what I'm capable of."

Rohana met his glare, then smiled — cold and unreadable — before turning on her heel and leaving.

Alaric and Kyros followed silently, the heavy doors closing behind them.

Leaving Leo and Austin alone in the tension.

"Dad, you have to do something. I don't trust her — she'll hurt Akira. I won't let that happen," Austin snapped the moment they were alone.

Leo leaned back, rubbing his temples. "Enough with the childish behavior, Austin."

"I'm not being childish — I just want—"

"You want her safe. I know," Leo cut in. "But you don't understand the full picture. I've kept you away from this for a reason. I will continue to do so."

He stood, voice low but final.

"Go to your room. Change your clothes. Leave the rest to me."

Austin hesitated, anger flaring — but Leo didn't wait.

"Guards!" he barked. "Take him to his room. And make sure… he doesn't try to escape."

Leo turned to Austin.

"You are grounded, young man."

The guards stepped forward. Austin's jaw tightened. "Seriously, Dad—"

But he didn't fight. He let them take him away.

***

Akira stirred, her head pounding. She blinked against the warm amber light that filtered through gauzy curtains above her. The bed beneath her was impossibly soft, the sheets too smooth to belong to the human world. Her heart jumped — this wasn't her room. This wasn't anywhere she recognized.

She sat up quickly, wincing. Her bag — gone. Her phone — gone.

Her mind scrambled. The alley. The demons. That strange woman…

The air was warm, tinged with lavender and something unfamiliar — incense or herbs she couldn't place.

The ceiling above her shimmered with ancient markings, softly pulsing like the heartbeat of the space itself.

"Hello?" she whispered into the silence.

Only the flicker of candlelight answered her.

"You're safe now," came a gentle voice from the shadows.

Akira turned sharply. A tall woman stepped forward, her long jet black hair tied back, her robes flowing like water. She smiled warmly—almost too warmly.

"I found you in the alley… unconscious," the woman said softly, kneeling beside her. "You were being hunted. I couldn't leave you there."

"Yeah… about that. Thank you, but—" Akira coughed lightly, voice hoarse. "Who are you? Why did you help me? Do you know me?"

The woman chuckled softly. "Wow, you are one curious young lady."

Then, she answered, "My name is Ursula. I'm a protector of those who are lost. And you, young lady, are very special."

Akira frowned. "Me? Special how?"

Ursula handed her a steaming cup of tea and smiled. "Drink this. It'll help." Then she said again, more firmly, "Yes. You are very special."

Akira narrowed her eyes. "How?"

Ursula gave a light, knowing laugh. "Tell me… have you ever felt different? Like there was something inside you, something stronger, something that didn't belong in this world?"

Akira hesitated. Her heart pounded. Something about the woman's presence was comforting… and it was true, she had saved her. She didn't know anyone else she could talk to about these things.

At first, Akira held back. But then, slowly, the words spilled out.

"I—sometimes I get these dreams. I hear lullabies, like someone is singing only to me. Like something is calling my name so desperately. And… sometimes my body just… reacts. I get angry, and then suddenly I go blank, and something bursts out of me—like a force from my hands. I don't know what's wrong with me. I thought I was going mad."

Ursula nodded slowly, her eyes warm but intense. "That's not madness, sweetheart. That's power. That's your true self calling out."

"True self?" Akira echoed. "What are you talking about?"

Ursula didn't answer right away. She simply gestured toward the tea again. "Drink. It'll ease your thoughts."

Reluctantly, Akira took a sip.

"I know you're confused. Scared. Angry," Ursula continued gently. "But you're not alone. Not anymore."

Akira stared down at the cup, her thoughts spinning. What was she? Why did all this sound so crazy… and yet, so familiar?

Ursula let the silence stretch before speaking again. "I know you have a million questions, but I'll ask you one: Are you ready to hear the truth?"

Akira looked up at her. Something about her voice was steadying. Comforting. Like a warm hand reaching through the dark. She didn't understand it, but she didn't want to push it away.

She gave a small smile. "My name is Akira. Not 'young lady.'"

Ursula smiled back.

Akira added, "And yes… I'm ready. I don't want to ignore it anymore. I want to face whatever this is."

Ursula's smile deepened—too pleased. Exactly what I needed, she thought. She's surrendered herself to me.

Her expression sobered as she knelt before Akira. "You're not just a girl. You're something far more powerful. You have magic inside you, Akira. A spirit—stronger than you know. It's been hidden, waiting to awaken. And I can help you. If you trust me."

Akira shifted, uneasily. Something about those words made her stomach twist. But… this woman had killed a demon. Saved her. Wasn't that worth trusting?

And deep down, she had always known something was different. Her reflexes, her strength, her dreams…

She looked up at Ursula like a lost child trying to find a familiar face. "Are you… like me?"

Ursula's smile returned, gentle and coaxing. "Yes. We are the same, Akira. We are both fox spirits."