Chapter 8 Blood Moon Night Approaches

The moon felt unusually close, as if it were breathing down on me, watching. Each night, it grew brighter and redder, staining the sky with a dreadful shade of crimson. Everyone could sense it; whispers passed through the Pack like nervous winds rustling through brittle leaves.

I tried to ignore it and pretend the tightening in my chest was just nerves. But deep down, I knew better. Something was coming.

The Blood Moon.

Even the trees in the forest seemed uneasy. Their branches swayed and creaked in the wind like old bones groaning beneath ancient secrets. The air was thick with tension, and the wolves-our wolves-were restless. I wasn't the only one to notice the sudden change in the atmosphere, but I might have been the only one to feel its weight so intensely.

I was back in the training field. Not to train-I didn't belong there. Omegas didn't train with warriors, especially not in front of them. But I had found a small corner behind the hill near the tree line where I could at least mimic their moves in silence.

Sweat beaded on my brow as I crouched low, remembering the stance of a warrior I'd watched earlier that day. I twisted my hips to try a spinning kick-

and promptly lost my balance, landing in a heap on the grass.

I groaned, lying flat on my back, panting.

"This is pointless," I muttered.

Aira didn't respond. Not even a whisper.

"Some wolf you are," I added bitterly.

Still nothing. It had been days since I felt her stir, and with the Blood Moon getting closer, the silence was deafening.

I sat up slowly, brushing the grass from my arms. The sky darkened, tinged with red at the edges, as twilight gave way to night.

The Blood Moon was tomorrow.

The elders had been holding more meetings lately. Secretive ones, behind closed doors in the Temple Hall-one of the few buildings on the Pack grounds forbidden to Omegas. I had only caught glimpses of them leaving, their faces pale and drawn, their expressions clouded by unspoken concerns.

I overheard one of them mumbling about signs.

"The prophecy begins when the moon turns to blood, and the earth splits beneath her feet."

Her.

I didn't want to think that "her" might be me.

I wandered back through the trees toward my small quarters. The path was narrow and overgrown, as it always was. No one came out this far unless they needed to hide. It was a quiet part of the Pack, far from the bustling town square or the training fields. Just trees, moss, and the occasional squirrel.

And solitude.

I needed that more than ever. The Pack had become more unpredictable with every passing hour. Arguments flared over trivial matters. Warriors snapped at each other during drills. Even the pups sensed something was wrong.

I passed by Zara on my way to the main trail. She stood by the water trough, absently stirring it with a stick. Her eyes flicked up to mine as I walked past.

"Feeling the pressure, Lyra?" she asked sweetly, her voice like poisoned honey.

I didn't stop. "Not in the mood, Zara."

She chuckled behind me. "You will be. Soon."

I clenched my fists but kept walking.

Zara always knew how to irritate me. And lately, she had grown bolder, as if she were waiting for something. Or someone. I didn't trust her, and I wasn't the only one to notice her sneaking around the edge of the border.

I pushed the thought aside. I had bigger worries than her smug comments.

That night, I stood outside my small cabin and looked up at the sky. The moon was nearly full now, already touched with a dark, rusty hue that made my skin crawl. I shivered and hugged myself as the wind caught my hair.

Why did it feel like something inside me was about to change?

"Tomorrow," I whispered.

The wind howled in response.

Sleep eluded me. I lay awake listening to the rustle of leaves, the occasional distant howl, and my own erratic heartbeat.

Then came the dream.

Fire. Moonlight. Wolves running beneath a blood-red sky. A distant roar that shook the heavens.

And me.

Standing in the center of it all, fire curling around my arms, gold eyes glowing in the dark.

I woke with a jolt, drenched in sweat. My pulse raced like a war drum, and my skin tingled with unseen energy.

Aira?

Still nothing.

But something had shifted. I could feel it. I wasn't imagining it anymore. Something ancient was stirring inside me.

When morning came, the Pack was already awake. I stepped out into the yard and faced an eerie stillness. Even the wind had gone quiet.

Everyone knew what tonight was.

Blood Moon.

The final day of peace before fate, or prophecy, or madness took over.

By midday, the village center was filled with tension. Pack members whispered to each other, eyes darting. Some packed bags. Others cleaned weapons. Children were kept indoors. Warriors sharpened blades.

And in the distance, I saw Alpha Caden's envoy approaching.

The Moonblade Pack had arrived.

I ducked behind a merchant cart and watched them pass. Tall men in dark armor, a woman with a bow slung over her shoulder, and at the center of it all-

Him.

Alpha Caden.

Even from a distance, I felt the weight of his presence. He looked like a storm, all sharp angles and unreadable intensity. His gaze never strayed, but I could feel it-like it was searching.

I backed away before he could notice me.

They were here to discuss the Blood Moon. Or maybe something more.

I wasn't sure which scared me more.

Night came far too quickly. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the Pack gathered in the clearing.

Fires were lit.

Drums began to beat.

And overhead, the moon rose-deep red and impossibly bright.

Aira stirred.

It wasn't words. Just a shiver. Like breathing on the back of my neck.

I gasped, clutching my chest.

My wolf.

She was waking.

And so was I.