WHISPERS FROM THE PAST

ERNEST POV

I expected this-but not this brutality. The massacre was grotesque. Where did we go wrong? Was there a mole within my ranks? Questions swarmed my mind, each more damning than the last.

The acrid scent of blood filled the air, mingling with the agonized cries of my soldiers. Fire raged, consuming everything in its path, and destruction trailed behind the enemy like a shadow. But gods, they moved so fast. I had warned of this, yet even I hadn't foreseen the devastation unfolding before me.

I had already shifted into my wolf, tearing through the battlefield, cutting down enemies as I ran. I recognized this pack. Even as I fought, my eyes darted around, searching for their leader-but he was nowhere to be seen.

Please don't die. I prayed-to the heavens, to the Moon Goddess, to anyone who would listen.

Let her be alive.

They had struck when we were unprepared, their attack meticulously planned, carried out with merciless precision. My heart pounded as I raced back toward my home. I was still some distance away when a scream pierced the night. A scream I knew all too well.

Evelyn.

No. No. No.

I pushed my body beyond its limits, uncaring of the claws slashing at me, of the blood I left in my wake. Nothing mattered except reaching her.

And then I saw her.

Collapsing to my knees, I cradled her fragile, blood-soaked body in my arms. She had shifted back into her human form-so I did too. She was barely breathing. The wounds were deep, too deep, and she had already lost so much blood.

A strangled sob ripped through me. My heart, my soul-shattered. We were supposed to have more time. A life together. A family.

Her eyelids fluttered weakly, and when her gaze met mine, she smiled. Soft. Gentle.

The world fell silent in my head.

"I'm sorry," I whispered, my voice raw with pain, tears streaking my face.

A faint crease formed on her brow.

"You did nothing wrong," she murmured, her voice barely a whisper, fragile as the wind. "Thank you... for loving me."

Tears glistened in her eyes, but she smiled still.

"I want... to feel your face one last time."

She lifted a trembling hand, and I caught it, guiding her fingers along my jaw. She traced my features with a reverence that shattered me.

"I'm sorry," she choked out, her breath hitching. Tears slipped past her lashes. "Don't... stop... fighting."

And then-she was gone.

A broken, guttural scream tore from my throat as grief consumed me. Around me, the battle waged on, but all I could hear was the deafening silence of her absence.

Then-a growl.

Instinct kicked in. I turned just in time, dodging an enemy's strike. Fury roared in my veins. My wolf surged forward, seizing control. With a snarl, I drove my claws deep into the bastard's chest, wrenching out his heart.

Blood splattered across my skin. I welcomed it.

I turned toward the growl's source-our Alpha. He was fighting, but he was outnumbered, teeth buried in one enemy even as another sank claws into his back. Our soldiers battled relentlessly, but we were being overwhelmed.

I surged forward, cutting down the enemies surrounding him. Their movements were coordinated, precise. They came in relentless waves, chipping away at us, breaking us piece by piece.

I reached the Alpha, shifting back into human form. His injuries were severe-his wounds weren't healing. The light in his eyes was dimming.

"I saw you holding Evelyn," he rasped. "Go. Save her. She needs you."

I swallowed hard, my chest tightening. "She's already gone. I was too late."

A pained look crossed his face. His hand trembled as he gripped my shoulder.

"I'm so sorry." His voice cracked. "You warned me. I didn't listen. And now... my people pay the price." Tears slipped down his face. "My foolishness has doomed us all."

"You love your people. No one thinks you're foolish," I said, steadying him.

A fresh wave of attackers surged toward us. We had no time to regroup-only to retreat.

The Alpha moved to shift again, but I grabbed his shoulder. "You're too injured. You need time to heal. Beta Liam can handle-"

"He's dead."

His words landed like a blow. It shouldn't have shocked me, but it did. How many of us were even left?

Then, he looked at me, his sorrow deeper than words could express.

"Please, Ernest. Go to the pack house. Save my family."

His voice trembled, heavy with grief. His mate was giving birth tonight.

I hesitated. "I'm needed here."

"You're needed more there. I can barely stand. Please!!" He pulled me closer. "Promise me. Promise me you'll keep her away from this life."

His words sent a chill through me.

"I will protect them with my life." My voice was hoarse, thick with emotion.

Without another word, I shifted and ran.

By the time I reached the pack house, our defenses had been crushed. Bodies of our soldiers littered the ground.

Then-screams.

I raced toward the sound, my stomach twisting.

I found her-our Luna. She was alone. The midwives lay dead around her. Blood pooled at her feet. She had fought fiercely, taking down six of them herself, but now she was barely standing.

Two enemies remained. I wasted no time, cutting them down without mercy.

The moment they fell, she collapsed.

I caught her, barely registering the fresh cries that filled the air. A baby's cries.

The child.

"Leave me, Ernest," she panted. "Check on her. Is she... okay?"

I turned to the source of the sound and saw the newborn. Alive.

"Yes. She's safe."

Relief washed over her features. "Thank the Moon Goddess..."

She slumped further, barely holding herself up.

"I can't leave without you, Luna. The Alpha commanded me to ensure you both survived."

She gave me a pained smile, her eyes heavy with sorrow. "I'm not going to make it, Ernest."

Her words hit me like a dagger.

Then I saw it-the pool of blood spreading beneath her. A stab wound. And she wasn't healing.

"Please... take her. Keep her away... from this." Her voice wavered, breaking.

Tears burned my eyes.

"Promise me."

I gritted my teeth against the pain. "I promise."

Upstairs, I heard shouts.

"Check downstairs! Kill any survivors! Their Alpha is dead!"

The Luna took a shaky breath, forcing herself to stand. She picked up a sword, gripping it tightly despite her wounds.

"I will hold them off," she whispered.

Her hands trembled, but her resolve was iron.

"I'm sorry," I murmured.

She smiled at me. Kissed her daughter's forehead.

"I love you," she whispered to her child.

And then I ran.

I ran as fast as I could, as far as I could, the baby clutched to my chest. But my vision blurred. My body felt heavy.

I looked down. Blood. My blood.

I wasn't healing.

The world slowed.

Then-

Fight on.

A voice, distant yet familiar, echoed in my mind.

Darkness closed in.