Chapter 4 Secrets of the Past

Seraphina stood in shock, staring at the woman who had appeared before her.

The woman's silver hair shimmered like moonlight, and her glowing eyes seemed to hold endless secrets.

"Mother?" Seraphina whispered, her heart racing. "Is it really you?"

The woman smiled softly, her voice gentle but full of power.

"Yes, Seraphina, it is me. I am Selene."

Seraphina couldn't believe it.

She had thought her mother was dead.

For years, she had been told that her mother died protecting her.

But now, here she was, standing in front of her.

"Why didn't you tell me?" Seraphina asked, her voice trembling. "Why did you leave me?"

Selene's expression softened.

"I didn't want to leave you, Seraphina. But I had no choice. There are things you don't yet understand. Things that are dangerous."

"Dangerous?" Seraphina frowned, feeling confused. "What do you mean?"

"The power inside you," Selene said, stepping closer.

"It's not just a gift. It's a curse. A power that could destroy everything."

"But I don't understand," Seraphina said, shaking her head. "What is this power? Why do I have it?"

Selene's eyes grew sad. "Because you are the chosen one, Seraphina.

You were born to bring balance to the world... or destroy it."

Seraphina took a step back.

"But I don't want to destroy anything. I just want to be free. I want to live a normal life."

Selene's gaze grew serious. "You cannot escape your destiny, Seraphina. You have a role to play, whether you like it or not. The power within you is the key to everything."

Ravyn, who had been standing silently by Seraphina's side, spoke up.

"What do you mean by balance? What role is she supposed to play?"

Selene turned to him. "The world is divided, Ravyn. Packs, clans, and other creatures fight for power. There must be one to unite them all. And Seraphina, your daughter, is the one who can bring that unity. But she must first unlock her true power."

Seraphina felt a chill run down her spine.

"How do I unlock it?"

Selene looked at Seraphina with a mixture of sadness and hope.

"You must connect with your wolf, Seraphina. Only when you embrace your true form will the full power within you awaken."

"But... I don't have a wolf," Seraphina said, her voice shaky. "I've never been able to shift. I'm not like the others."

Selene placed a hand on her shoulder. "You do not lack a wolf. You were born with a special gift, one that has been hidden from you. The wolf inside you has been sealed, and only you can release it."

Seraphina shook her head. "But how? How do I release it?"

Selene smiled faintly. "You will know when the time is right. The moon will guide you."

Ravyn stepped forward. "And what happens if she doesn't unlock her power?"

"If she doesn't," Selene said, her voice grave, "the world will fall into chaos. The darkness will rise, and everything will be lost."

Seraphina felt the weight of her mother's words.

She had always felt like something was wrong with her, like she was different.

But now, she understood she wasn't just different.

She was part of something much bigger than herself.

"I can't do this alone," Seraphina said, her voice trembling. "I don't know if I'm strong enough."

Selene looked into her eyes.

"You don't have to do it alone, Seraphina. You have the strength inside you. You just need to believe in yourself."

Ravyn stepped forward and placed a hand on Seraphina's arm. "You're not alone. I'm here. I'll help you."

Seraphina looked up at him, feeling a rush of warmth in her chest.

She had always felt so alone, but now, with Ravyn by her side, she wasn't sure anymore.

Selene nodded. "Together, you can do this."

Suddenly, the ground shook. Seraphina stumbled, and Ravyn caught her before she fell.

"What's happening?" Seraphina gasped.

Selene's eyes widened.

"It's starting. The darkness is coming."

From the shadows of the trees, a loud growl echoed.

It was followed by more growls, and the sounds of footsteps crunching in the leaves.

"Who's there?" Ravyn called, stepping in front of Seraphina protectively.

Out of the darkness, a large figure appeared.

It was a huge wolf, its fur is as black as the night.

Its eyes glowed red, and its teeth were sharp and deadly.

"This is not over, Seraphina," the wolf growled, its voice deep and menacing.

"Who are you?" Seraphina demanded, her heart pounding.

"I am the guardian of the prophecy," the wolf said, its voice filled with authority. "And I have come to stop you."

Seraphina felt a cold shiver run down her spine.

"Stop me? Why? What have I done?"

The wolf's eyes narrowed.

"You are the key to the future, Seraphina. But you are also the key to the end of everything. The prophecy is clear. If you awaken your power, the world will burn."

Ravyn stepped forward, his expression fierce.

"You don't scare us. We'll fight for her."

The wolf's eyes flashed, and it bared its teeth.

"You have no idea what you're up against."

Suddenly, the ground shook again, and the air filled with a strange, eerie hum.

A flash of light appeared in the sky, bright and blinding.

"What is that?" Seraphina cried, shielding her eyes.

"It's happening," Selene said, her voice filled with urgency. "The prophecy is beginning."

The wolf lunged forward, but before it could reach them, a powerful blast of energy erupted from Seraphina's chest.

The force sent the wolf crashing back into the trees.

Seraphina gasped, staring at her hands.

"What was that? What did I do?"

"You awakened your power," Selene said, her voice filled with awe.

"But it's just the beginning."

The wolf snarled from the distance, but it didn't approach again.

"We need to leave. Now," Ravyn said, his voice urgent.

"But where will we go?" Seraphina asked, still shaken.

"To the Moon Temple," Selene said. "There, you'll find the answers you need."

As they turned to leave, the ground shook again, even harder this time.

The trees around them began to bend and break, as if something huge was approaching.

"Run!" Ravyn shouted.

But before they could take a step, a massive roar echoed through the forest.

It wasn't a wolf's roar.

It was something much, much bigger.

"What was that?" Seraphina cried, her eyes wide with fear.

From the shadows, a giant creature emerged.

It was a massive, dark beast, part wolf, part something else entirely.

Its glowing red eyes fixed on Seraphina.

Ravyn stepped in front of her, his body tense.

"Stay behind me," he ordered.

The creature growled, its voice deep and terrifying.

"You cannot escape your fate, Seraphina. The prophecy will be fulfilled."

The creature lunged forward, its claws slashing through the air.

Seraphina's heart raced as she stepped back, her breath catching in her throat.

"Ravyn!" she cried, reaching for him.

But just before the creature could reach them, the ground cracked open beneath their feet, sending them tumbling into darkness.