Chapter Three
Seraphina
Howls pierced the stillness, shattering the fragile peace of our land.
“Mom?” I called, dread coiling in my throat.
My mother stood in the open front door, her face illuminated by the faint glow of magic.
“Stay back, Seraphina!” she commanded. Urgency pierced her voice.
My father’s silhouette loomed against the dark sky, barking orders. “Stay with your mother!”
Panic surged within me as the Black Moon wolves emerged, sleek and ominous. They had breached our defenses. The first wolf lunged, fangs glinting menacingly in the dim light. My mother’s magic snapped toward it, but another wolf barreled toward her.
“Watch out!” I screamed, fear cracking my voice. I joined her in the doorway, power igniting in my hands.
“Feel the energy, Seffy! Channel it!” she directed. I unleashed my magic, sending the black wolf sprawling to the ground.
A flicker of pride crossed my mother’s face, but more wolves surrounded us, their feral howls mixing with screams echoing through the night. My heart raced as another wolf lunged at me. I fought back, but terror gripped me when I realized my mother was gone—my father, too.
“Mom! Dad!” I cried, but my voice was lost in chaos. My magic flickered, weak from overuse.
Then, warmth gripped my hand. Tyler stood by my side, embodying calm and strength. “It’s okay, Seffy,” he reassured me, his bright blue eyes firm. “I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise.”
I held his hand tightly. Moments later, he transformed into his wolf form, a powerful presence that renewed my resolve. Together, we faced the Black Moon wolves as they came at us.
But suddenly, the air grew thick with silence. The invaders had retreated, but victory felt empty. The ground was stained with blood. The mournful cries of packmates filled the air. I searched for my parents, dread tightening around me.
“Cordelia’s wards failed,” a voice accused. “Liam was on duty—why didn’t he sound the alarm?” another whispered.
I dashed toward our home, desperation driving me, but Tyler was there first, blocking my path. “I’m sorry, Seffy. They saw no other way out.”
Shock seized my heart as I pushed past him, catching sight of my parents’ lifeless bodies. The cruel reality of their deaths crashed over me.
Tears flooded my eyes, pooling in the emptiness within me. The pack surrounded me, their accusations sharp and piercing. “You’re the daughter of traitors!” they yelled, fear and shame drowning me.
Then, a woman emerged from the crowd, her golden hair flowing, her dress like starlight—it was Linda. I felt Tyler let go of my hand, his expression suddenly cold and unyielding beside Linda. The pack surged forward, and I was pushed back—falling into darkness.
“Tyler!” I screamed, the sound echoing around me as I plummeted into the abyss.
Just as panic clawed at my chest, I jerked upright, the familiar contours of my bed suddenly cradling me. Gasping for breath, remnants of horror clung to me like cobwebs. My heart hammered against my ribcage, mirroring the terror that haunted me. Familiar stone walls enveloped me, yet I had to shake the haunting memory of the abyss from the nightmare away.
I was in the Shadow Moon Castle, I reassured myself. The soft fabric of the sheets clung to my clammy skin, but I focused on the scent of stone and lavender filling the air—a reminder of safety that contrasted sharply with the nightmarish vision I had just escaped. Blinking against the light filtering through the heavy velvet curtains, I realized it must almost be dawn.
It had been two years since I’d left the Silver Moon Pack. In the time I’d spent away, I had immersed myself in learning the intricacies of magic from my witch friend, Lyvia, whose mastery was unparalleled, and delving into the healing properties of herbs at Selina’s enchanting boutique. Although I hadn’t returned to Silver Moon University to continue my studies, these two years felt like an internship of sorts, a rigorous training ground alongside my two talented friends. Yet still, the past seemed intent on creeping back in. The tension in the air was palpable, as if the castle walls were holding their breath. Though the Shadow Moon fortress had offered me sanctuary, tonight it felt stifling, memories clinging like fog.
I wrapped my arms around myself, wondering why Tyler’s shadow was being dredged up. I had thought I was moving on, yet his presence burned brightly in my heart. I edged back against my pillows, trying to ignore the emptiness that ached where his hand had held mine.
A soft knock interrupted my thoughts.
“Seraphina, are you awake?” The voice belonged to Selina, my friend and the luna of the Shadow Moon Pack. Beautiful, with long golden hair and vibrant green eyes, she moved with a grace that belied her fierce strength.
She had been my steadfast friend these last two years, a lifeline when I’d had nowhere to turn after leaving the Silver Moon Pack. I couldn’t return to Silver Moon University, not while the thought of Tyler possibly searching for me clawed at my mind. Part of me wondered if he would seek me out or if he would feel relieved that I had gone, freeing him to live with his luna. Initially, Selina and I had both stayed with Lyvia, a witch I knew from university. After Selina returned to the Shadow Moon Pack, she had invited me to join her.
“I’m awake,” I said, my voice hoarse from the restless night. Embarrassment squirmed through me. I wondered if I’d woken her with my nightmare, recalling how I’d screamed Tyler’s name. “I’m sorry if I woke you.”
Guilt pressed heavily on my shoulders, especially since Selina had a young daughter, Mia. I feared I’d be overstaying my welcome if I didn’t get these nightmares under control soon.
Selina stepped into the room, padding over to my bedside. I noticed that she was already dressed, wearing the dark leathers favored by the Shadow Moon Pack for scouting. Curiosity prickled through me. “Why are you dressed for scouting?”
Instead of answering, she asked with concern, “Did you have another nightmare?”
I nodded. This was the third night in a row that these nightmares had plagued me. In our two years of friendship, I had confided my troubled history to her. She knew the heavy baggage I carried.
“I dreamed of Tyler again,” I confessed.
“Did you dream of your parents again, too?” Selina asked softly.
I nodded, the ache tightening in my chest. “It was the same dream—the invasion. Their suicide. Then, Tyler letting me fall.”
“I think these dreams are a sign, Seraphina,” she said with a certainty that made my heart quicken.
Selina was a shifter and skilled in herbalism. Yet, this readiness to speak of signs felt unusual. Portents were mine and Lyvia’s sphere.
“Has Lyvia been in touch?” I asked, wondering if our friend might have seen something that shed light on the reason for my nightmares. She was a skilled witch and well-versed in the art of foresight. Currently, she was away, staying with friends in the Blood Moon and Moonlight Pack.
Selina shook her head. “No, but Alexis and I have uncovered information from another source.” A sense of urgency rang through her voice.
Once again, I took in her scouting clothes, and my heart drummed with anticipation.
Selina’s eyes met mine, heavy with the weight of our shared past. The Shadow Moons had also suffered an invasion from the Black Moon Pack. Theirs had happened only a few months ago, a battle I’d fought alongside my friend and her mate’s pack. I’d thought, perhaps, it was the recent memories of fighting the Black Moons that were responsible for dredging up the past.
“You know Alexis was pursuing the remnants of the Black Moon Pack. Well, he caught one.”
My breath caught in my throat as I thought of Selina’s husband, the pack’s alpha. These last few weeks, he’d had his scouts searching the vast forests of Shadow Moon territory for the Black Moons who had scattered after their defeat in the battle.
“Last night,” Selina continued, “Alexis began interrogating the prisoner, and he has information about your parents.”
Shivers ran down my spine, goosebumps prickling my arms. “My parents?” I repeated, disbelief coursing through my veins.
Despite the apprehension swirling around us, Selina continued unwaveringly. “We stopped the interrogation as soon as he spoke about your parents. I thought you’d want to hear.”
My heart thumped loudly. My parents. This prisoner had information about my parents. Urgency engulfed me. “Yes.”
I bolted out of bed, grappling for my robe and stuffing my feet into my fluffy boots. Tightening the belt of my robe, I followed Selina out the door.
As we descended through the castle, the comfort of the upper quarters gave way to raw, unadorned stone. A chill danced along my spine. The corridors felt deeper and darker, shadows lengthening the further we ventured into the castle’s depths.
Upon reaching the dungeon, Alexis’s imposing figure immediately caught my attention. He cast a long shadow beneath the flickering lanterns. He was tall, with short black hair and a stern expression that seemed permanently etched on his face. But I had seen moments of lightness, usually when Selina or his daughter were near.
I turned my gaze past the Alpha toward the prisoner bound to a chair. His hands were tied behind him, and bruises marred his chin and cheek. I wondered how far Alexis had gone to extract information from him. The shifter’s hardened gaze met mine, curiosity flickering briefly.
“Now that we’re all gathered,” Alexis began, his voice heavy with authority. “Tell us again, Black Moon, about your pack’s dealings with the Silver Moons.”
The bound shifter met my gaze, a glint of defiance still lingering in his eyes, but the tremor in his voice betrayed his pain as he spoke. “To grow our power, the Black Moon Pack likes to exploit power struggles within other packs. We play the field for our own benefit.”
This was hardly new information. The Black Moon Pack had become infamous for their treachery—but I remained glued to the spot, tension flowing through every muscle as I waited to hear what truths he held.
“Years ago,” the shifter said, his resolve cracking under the weight of his torture, “we invaded the Silver Moon Pack. The wolves we worked with from within framed the beta and his wife.”
My breath hitched in my throat. “Framed?” I repeated, astonishment flooding my senses.
“Liam and Cordelia… were framed?” The revelation battered my chest, knocking the air from my lungs. “How were they framed?” I demanded.
The Black Moon prisoner’s eyes glinted wickedly. “We had a Silver Moon on the inside—someone who got blood from both the beta and his wife. The dark witch working with our pack was able to use it to weaken the wards and prevent them from sounding the alarm long enough for us to invade.”
Shock ricocheted through me like a physical blow, spinning memories of my nightmare back into focus—my parents being unjustly accused and Tyler’s tormented face delivering the dreadful news that would forever alter my life.
Selina’s hand clasped mine, squeezing my cold skin and reminding me of the warmth that had spread through me as Tyler took my hand in the dream. She understood the weight of this revelation—the intertwining liberation and devastation in my soul. I had confided in her about my parents, sharing the story of their betrayal and how ostracized I’d been afterward. I’d told her of how everyone but Tyler had turned against me.
But my focus remained on the Black Moon prisoner. “Who’s the real traitor in the Silver Moon Pack?” I pressed, desperation tightening my chest.
“I don’t know,” the prisoner ground out, frustration flaring in his tone as he glared at Alexis as if waiting for a blow to fall to incentivize him to talk. “Only the Black Moon leader and the dark witch know the truth.”
My gaze darted to Alexis, whose frustration boiled over. Unfortunately, his story about that remains unchanged. I noticed the bruised knuckles on his hand and understood that the Alpha had done everything he could to get the truth out of the prisoner. “Our scouts are still hunting for more of the Black Moons,” he continued, “but they’ve skulked off like the cowards they are.”
A growl rumbled from the prisoner as he cut his eyes at Alexis, but my heartbeat raced, thrumming with the newly unearthed truth: my parents—who I had loved with all my heart—had been innocent. The shadows that had haunted me for so long began to shift, morphing from despair into something almost hopeful. I could feel an ember of rebellion stirring within me.
My mind leaped ahead, making plans for the future. I met Selina’s eyes. “This changes everything,” I said. “I think I can do what I never hoped to—I can clear my parents’ names.”
Her gaze shimmered with tears, and my heart swelled with thankfulness for the sanctuary she’d given me these last two years. But with this fiery feeling growing in my chest, I believed Selina was right: my nightmares had been a sign.
My part in the war against the Black Moons was far from over. A traitor lurked at the heart of the Silver Moon Pack—one who had framed my parents and robbed me of my family. I realized dazedly that I would have to break my vow to leave the past behind because I was going to uncover the truth and bring my parents the justice they had long been denied.