SHADOWS OF THE MOON (Fate can be cruel, revenge can be sweet)

Pack was unlike any other-beautiful,

rees dancing in the wind, and the skies above always seemed to glow, even without t

trees, while warriors trained hard, their eyes glowing wi

. That power ran through his veins, ancient and untamed. But Lysander hadn't always been here. He didn't know how he got to the Golden city. He only remembered waking up one day, surrounded by strangers who called themselves his parents. His parents-Alaric and Elira-Alpha and Luna of the Golden Moon Pack-had been searching for him since the day he was born, he

rmth, how they never let go until he believed them-until he remembered who he was. Lysander stepp

the long crimson cloak hanging from the chair. He moved slowly, like the weight of the world was on his shoulders. He sat down,

her's gentle smile. The way they made him feel whole. The way they made him feel... l

ed in his head-cold, calm, and ancient. "Didn't you miss her at all? Our mate?" Magnus asked. His voice always came soft, almost like wind through ice, but it cut deep

r stood up so fast the chair scraped back across the floor. His eyes were glowing now, cold like a winter storm. "Never," he said, the word sharp, final. He turned and stormed out of the

stepped inside the tiny room, lit only by a thin stream of light slipping through the ceiling. In the center were small stones arranged in a careful circle-a secret shrine she had made. She knelt down, her long dress pooling around her like a whisper, and closed her eyes. "It's been seven years," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Seven years since your deaths. And I still feel like I'm carrying a part of it with me. Every day, I pray you're all resting in peace. I hope the Moon Goddess is with you alk. Watching over you all." Her voice cracked as she wiped the tears slipping down her cheeks. She placed a trembling hand over one of the stones. "And you, Lysander..." she whispered, "wherever you are, I hope you're safe. I hope you're well. I hope... one day you'll be able to forgive me." A knock on the door startled her. "Your Highness," a voice called from the other side. "The Alpha has arrived at the palace." She quickly wiped her tears and stood, taking a deep breath to steady herself. When she opened the door, the hallway was empty. Not wasting time, she started heading toward the Alpha's chambers, her footsteps echoing softly along the marble floor. But as she turned the corner, loud voices and cries stopped her in her tracks. She moved faster and soon saw a scene that made her blood run cold-two guards holding a young girl down, striking her as she struggled and cried. "What is going on here?" Astra demanded, her voice sharp. The guards immediately bowed their heads. "Your Highness," they chorused respectfully. "What are you doing with her?" she asked, walking closer. "She's an omega, but she disguised herself to work in the palace," one of the guards said. Astra blinked. "What do you mean disguised?" "She came here as a maid, but she's an omega. They're no longer allowed in the pack. The Alpha gave the order. They're supposed to work on the f

h Astra's chest. "That doesn't give you the right to humiliate me." The girl scoffed, flicking her hair back. "And also It's not cheating." She said. Astra blinked, trying to process. "What do you mean? He's my husband." she said. "And he's my mate," the girl snapped, voice full of disdain and pride. Astra's heart dropped. Her lips parted, but no words came. She turned slowly to Kieran, praying-begging-for a denial. He gave none. "You told me you rejected her," Astra whispered, eyes shimmering with fresh tears. "You must be stupid to think I'd reject my true mate because of you," Kieran sneered. "I have no affection for you. Never did." The girl leaned forward, propping herself on one elbow. "I was with him long before he met you. He only stayed near you because he wanted to be Alpha. You were the prize, the Alpha Princess. He used you." Each word sliced through Astra's soul like sharpened claws. Her knees weakened, but she didn't fall. Not in front of them. "So you used me," she choked, fists clenched at her sides. "I rejected my mate-for you." He shrugged, unapologetic. "Don't blame me for your stupidity. That's on you." Astra's vision blurred with tears. Her chest ached from the betrayal, from the years of sacrifice and loyalty she'd given so freely. But beneath that pain, something else stirred-an ember of rage. She swiped the tears from her cheeks and straightened her shoulders. "You may have used me," she said, voice low but steady, "but I'm still the Alpha Princess. I still have a say in this kingdom. You can roll around with your mate

egs finally gave out when the pain in her heart exploded like wildfire. She stumbled mid-run and collapsed, her white fur stained with dust as she skidded across the ground. She tried to get up-just one more time-but she couldn't move. The ache in her chest had become a roar, her vision fading in and out. Her limbs trembled. She could hear them behind her now. Heavy paws. Deep growls. They are getting closer. She whimpered, struggling to lift her head. They were nearly on top of her. Their snarls grew louder-she could feel their breath on her fur. Then something-or someone-grabbed her from behind. She was dragged away. Then everything went black. --- Golden Moon Pack The room was cloaked in soft moonlight, shadows dancing across the walls as Lysander slept in perfect stillness. His breathing was slow, measured, almost regal. Beside him, a girl laid with her head on his bare chest, fingers delicately tracing the contours of his muscles. A soft smile played on her lips as she followed the rise and fall of his breath. She inched closer, brushing a fingertip toward his lips, her eyes shimmering with hope. But her movement was cut short. Lysander's eyes snapped open like a wolf awakened by the scent of danger. Cold, piercing, and full of warning. The girl flinched and pulled her hand back as if burned. He stared at her for a heartbeat, then said coldly, "Why are you still here?" "I... I thought maybe you still needed me," she replied with a hopeful smile, trying to sound playful. "I don't," he said sharply, sitting up. "Get out." The smile faltered from her face. "Yes, Alpha," she murmured and scrambled off the bed, wrapping the sheet around herself as she rushed out. Lysander rose and began dressing, tugging on his shirt with force. The silence that followed was quickly broken by the voice in his head-his wolf, Magnus. "You're playing with fire, Lysander. You could hurt our mate with all this. You should stop bringing girls into your bed." Lysander didn't answer. He tightened his belt and reached for his jacket. "Don't you even consider her? The mate we've longed for?" Magnus pressed again, frustration in his tone. "I don't," Lysander snapped. "In fact, I'll be glad if she ever feels pain. I want her to suffer." There was a pause. Then Magnus gasped. "I can feel her-she's close. Somewhere nearby!" he said, voice trembling with awe and joy. "She's near, Lysander. She's finally here!" Lysander's expression turned ice cold. "Then I guess she couldn't wait to die," he muttered, and strode toward the door, slipping out into the night. --- Somewhere deep in the woods... Astra coughed softly, her lungs aching. Her eyes fluttered open as she sat up slowly, blinking away the fog in her head. Pain throbbed in her ribs, but it was faint now-like a storm that had pa

s her