The Moonveil borders were always guarded, but under the darkness, in the shadows, The messenger moved with calculated silence. He had studied the Moonveil patrols and waited for the perfect moment when the guards rotated so he could move.
He ducked behind thick bushes, he exhaled slowly. The two guards near the wall exchanged brief words before one walked away. The remaining guard stood for a while longer before turning to follow the other guard. That was his opening.
Swift and smooth, he scaled through with the precision of a trained infiltrator.
Finally he has entered the pack.
Moonveil's packhouse was in the view, it's windows were dark except for a few twitching candle lights. He moved through the pack grounds calculatively to avoid the wandering guards.
At the packhouse entrance, he pressed himself against the cold pillars, listening. A soft murmur came from within, but the hall was empty. Slipping inside, he followed a soft scent of lavender and rain , the omega's scent. It led him up a staircase, past sleeping warriors, and to the heavy wooden door of Liora's chamber.
He hesitated, his breath was slower. He knew that, If she woke, his mission would fail. Carefully, he opened the door, just enough for him to slip through gently.
Inside Liora's Chambers the candles dimly lit the room, Liora lay curled on her bed, her white hair was all over the pillow, her breathing steady in sleep. The air carried the faintest scent of wine from the earlier tavern incident.
He moved fast, gliding across the room like a shadow , a ghost maybe. Reaching the bedside table, he slipped the folded letter onto the smooth wood. Done.
As he turned, the floor creaked, making an annoying sound.
His muscles tensed. Liora shifted in her sleep, brows furrowing. Too close.
He inhaled sharply, stepping back into the cover of shadows. The omega muttered inaudibly in her sleep, and remained quiet again.
The messenger wasted no more time. Immediately, he moved quickly, he retraced his steps, slipping back through the door and down the hall.
Just as he reached the courtyard, a low growl rumbled from the side—a patrolling wolf had caught his scent.
Heart pounding, he moved sharply and hid behind a pillar . The wolf sniffed the air, ears twitching. The messenger held his breath, moving himself further into the shadows. A tense moment passed. Then another.
The wolf sniffed around and walked away.
Only then did he move, as quick as the wind, scaling the wall once more , he vanished into the night—his mission was complete.
‐‐‐
Liora stretched as the morning sun filtered through the curtains, casting a golden glow over her room. A dull headache throbbed at the back of her skull, a reminder of last night's events. She exhaled sharply, pushing herself out of bed.
After freshening up, she turned to grab her comb from the nightstand—only to freeze.
A folded parchment sat beside it, sealed with an unfamiliar crest. Her brows furrowed. No one had entered her room last night. At least, no one should have.
Heart pounding, she snatched the letter and broke the seal. The moment her eyes skimmed the words, her breath caught in her throat.
"If you want to know the truth about your mother, Come to Lunarion and wait in my room." —Zyra
Her heart skipped a beat. Zyra.
The mere thought of the Lunarion Alpha sent a mix of emotions swirling in her chest. The bond they shared was already complicated, but this... this was something different. A summon?.
Liora's mind raced. Why now after what happened yesterday? What was Zyra's game this time?
She quickly folded the letter, her thoughts a whirlwind. There was no turning back now. She has to go , but my mom Is dead, they killed her, is there something else? I will go, I want to know.
Liora's grip tightened on the paper. Her pulse quickened.
---
Zyra paced back and forth in her room, the weight of her thoughts pressing down on her. The moonlight filtering through the window seemed almost too calm compared to the turmoil brewing inside her. At the far side of the room, Celestine stood, her posture sharp and authoritative as ever.
"Mother, are you sure this will work?" Zyra's voice was filled with doubt. "Liora has no reason to come see me. And something about her mother feels... too good to be true. Plus, you know how my wolf gets around her since we were fated, " Zyra said, gritting her teeth in anger.
Celestine turned towards Zyra. Her gaze was unwavering. "Yes, I know. But this is necessary, Zyra. You need to follow through with it." She stepped forward, her tone cool but filled with urgency. "Make sure you pull her hair and bring it to us for the ritual. I won't make it difficult for her to enter, but I won't make it obvious either. Play along when she arrives. This is for your own good, and do not tell your Beta."
Zyra's chest tightened at the thought. She didn't know if the plan would work, but Celestine's words were sharp with the weight of years of experience. She had stood by the late Luna for decades, and Zyra knew she wouldn't lead her astray.
Tonight, Zyra would wait for Liora—and she would do what was necessary, Zyra's face was fierce with determination and a mix of hatred she had for Liora.
‐‐-
It was night time, Liora walked about her room , she observed Sera who was sitting on her bed , she knew immediately that Sera won't let her go and she can't tell her either. She had to wait for sera to leave before She could sneak out.
"Uhm Sera" Liora called out to her , "I want to sleep now, I am very tired , you can go now"
"Are you sure" Sera asked suspiciously.
"Yes I am sure" Liora replied with a forced smile.
The Beta was not fully convinced but decided to let her sleep.
"Alright get some sleep, your ass needs it and remember to call me when you need anything, use your mindlink Liora, you always forget that you have that. Sera added
Liora nodded "I will use it, Sera". She walked to her bed before lying down.
She watched Sera leave the room.
An hour later, Liora got up, her heart pounding with anticipation. The room was silent except for the distant howl of wolves outside the packhouse. She moved carefully, not wanting to make a sound.
She reached for her long, silky robe, wrapping it around herself before pulling on a dark cloak. The fabric was a bit light , but it would keep her hidden under the night's shadow. She couldn't afford to be seen—not by the guards, not by anyone be it moonveil or Lunarion.
Taking a deep breath, she approached the window, pushing it open just enough to let the cold night air brush against her skin. This is reckless… but I have to know the truth.
There was no turning back now.