Chapter 7 No.7

Jaxon

The moment I left the courtyard, my chest tightened like a knot. I couldn't ignore it any longer. That silver glow on her hand... it wasn't just light catching her skin. I saw it. I felt something in my core shift when I touched her. No ordinary wolf radiates magic like that-especially not from Bloodmoon.

I waited until the moon slipped halfway across the sky before I called in the oldest member of the healer's guild-Elder Kael. He walked into my private chamber with a limp in his left knee and that perpetual squint in his eye, but his senses were still sharp.

"What troubles you at this hour, Alpha?" he asked, bowing slightly.

I folded my arms behind my back. "I need answers... and complete discretion."

Kael raised a brow. "You have it."

I didn't waste time. "What do you know about a silver glow appearing when physical contact is made? Not from pain, not from shift. Just... a light. Like power coming to the surface."

The old man froze. For a moment, I thought he hadn't heard me, but then his hand began to tremble slightly.

"That glow..." he said, voice suddenly hoarse. "It's forbidden magic. A curse and a gift. Last seen during the Shadow War-before you were born. Before even your father ruled."

My pulse thudded. "What kind of magic?"

"Ancient... primal. Rumors say it only appears in wolves born under blood eclipses or touched by divine packs-gifts passed through generations, lost in war. But it comes at a cost. No one alive should have it now. That magic was purged."

I stiffened. "So how could someone from Bloodmoon... a runaway, no less, be carrying it?"

Kael looked up sharply. "Bloodmoon?" He took a step back. "Alpha, if someone is carrying that power, they are either the key to something forgotten-or a weapon waiting to detonate. Be careful who you trust."

I dismissed Kael with a nod, but his words clung to me like a smoke in my lungs.

As I walked through the hall, I felt myself pacing faster, heavier. The questions were too many. Who is Elvira? What did that glow mean? Was she dangerous-or something else entirely? And why in the moon's name did I feel drawn to protect her when my instincts screamed otherwise?

By the time I reached the room, my hands were clenched at my sides.

I hesitated at her door. Then, I opened it.

She sat near the window, her back turned to me. The moon light filtered through, haloing her hair in soft, copper hues. She turned the moment she sensed me, startled, her lips parting to speak-but I didn't let her.

I walked up to her swiftly, no words, no hesitation. I grabbed her wrist, pulling her hand into the light.

"What are you doing?" she gasped, trying to yank back, but I held on tighter.

"Show me," I hissed. "Where is it? That glow. What are you hiding little wolf ?"

She looked up, eyes wide with fear-and something else. Confusion?

"I don't know what you're talking about!"

Looking at her wrist now, there was no glow. I twisted her hand gently to the left, to the right. Just skin. Her scarred skin.

My chest constricted. Was my mind playing tricks on me?

"Who are you, Elvira," I muttered, half to myself. "Are you a spy?"

Her eyes were glassy now, filled with hurt and trembling rage.

"Let go of me," she whispered. "You're hurting me."

That broke me and I hated it. I released her hand at once, stepping back as though her skin had burned mine. She cradled her wrist to her chest, eyes never leaving mine.

"Is that what you think I am?" Her voice cracked. "A spy?"

I didn't speak.

She stood up slowly, never breaking eye contact. "Was that how you've seen me all this while? Is that why you let me stay-so you could drag the truth out of me like this?"

"Elvira-"

"Don't," she snapped, blinking away the tears that threatened to fall. "If you never trusted me, you should've left me to die. Why pretend to care? Why offer a room, food, clothes, warmth... just to turn around and treat me like an enemy?"

Her words cut deeper than I expected. Because I didn't have an answer.

I cleared my throat. "I'm sorry," I muttered, barely audible, and turned toward the door.

She didn't reply. I shut the door behind me with more force than necessary and leaned against the frame, exhaling slowly.

What the hell am I doing?

She's scared. Alone. Covered in bruises, scars, someone else gave her. And I barged in like a man possessed.

I should've known better. But I had to know.

Still... her reaction didn't look staged. Or was she just pretending?

Ronan's warning echoed in my head-remember the last girl poisoned you.

I pushed off the door, walking back through the corridor. I couldn't risk letting my feelings blind me, never again.