Chapter 2 THE ORPHAN'S SECRET

Chapter 2

The night didn't sleep after Aurora's scream.

Wind tore through the Kane estate, rattling windows and whipping the garden into chaos. The moon burned white-hot, casting a strange silver glow across the walls. Aurora crouched by her bed, trembling, her palms pressed over her heart as the echoes of that scream still reverberated inside her.

Her breath came in shallow gasps. Every nerve in her body was alive too alive. She can feel everything, the heartbeat of the forest beyond the fence, shifting shadows of the servants downstairs, even the moon above her, steady and powerful.

Something inside her has woken something ancient, wild and fierce.

Her wolf.

Her eyes flickered silver again, and a faint hum rolled under her skin.

"What's happening to me?" she whispered.

Footsteps thundered outside her door. It burst open, and Lady Kane stormed in, her robe swaying around her like a storm cloud.

"What in the goddess's name was that noise?" she snapped. Her eyes darted around the room - at the cracked glass, the overturned chair, the faint shimmer still hanging in the air. "What did you do, girl?"

Aurora opened her mouth, but the words wouldn't come. "I-I don't know."

"Don't lie to me." Lady Kane's hand shot out, grabbing Aurora by the chin. Her grip was cruel, her nails digging into skin. "Do you think I didn't see that light? You've been cursed since the day we found you!"

Aurora winced. "Please, I swear I didn't-"

"Silence!"

The slap came fast. Her head snapped to the side, the metallic taste of blood filling her mouth.

Lady Kane's voice dropped to a hiss. "If you embarrass us again in front of the guests, I'll throw you back into the streets where you came from. Do you understand me?"

Aurora nodded, tears burning her eyes.

"Clean this mess before morning," Lady Kane spat, then turned sharply and left, slamming the door behind her.

The silence that followed was deafening.

Aurora pressed her hand to her cheek. The sting didn't hurt as much as the shame. But beneath it all, a new emotion burned - anger.

She turned toward the mirror. Her reflection stared back, pale and frightened, yet her eyes glowed like the liquid moonlight.

Something deep within whispers, you are not theirs to break.

Aurora clenched her fists.

For the first time in her life, she didn't feel small.

Miles away, Damian Blackthorn stood on the edge of the Eastern Forest, his black SUV parked behind him. The wind carried a scent that made his entire body tense - wildflowers, rain, and something electric.

His wolf growled low in his chest.

"She's close."

Damian inhaled again, his pupils narrowing. The scent was faint but unmistakable. It cut through the night like lightning, stirring something primal in him.

"Show me," he murmured.

He stripped off his jacket, the fabric falling to the damp ground. A heartbeat later, his body shifted - bones cracking, muscles stretching. Black fur ripped across his skin. Massive wolf form emerged, towering and sleek eyes glowing gold un moonlight.

The Alpha of the Blackthorn Pack.

He launched forward, paws pounding the earth.

Tree branches blurred his part. The scent guides him deeper into the border lands. The further he goes the stronger the pull became a magnetic force that burns in his veins.

He could feel her heartbeat.

And with every step, his wolf grew hungrier.

By dawn, the Kane estate was quiet.

Aurora he'd cleaned the glass and mopped the floors, her body aching from exhaustion. But she felt different, more stronger.

Her senses more sharper. She could hear the whisper of the leaves outside, smell dew on the grass, even the faint vibrations of footsteps before someone enters the room.

As she went to fetch water, she caught her reflection again, her eyes flashing silver under the faint morning light.

Panic rose in her chest.

If the Kanes saw it, they'd call her a monster.

She slipped out into the backyard, clutching a shawl around her shoulders. The early mist rolled across the garden, soft and cool. She needed air - space to think.

That's when she saw it.

A mark on her wrist, glowing faintly beneath the skin. A crescent moon encircled by silver threads, pulsing like a heartbeat.

Her breath hitched. She rubbed at it, but it didn't fade.

"What is this?" she whispered.

The voice in her head - calm, ancient - answered, It's who you are.

Aurora froze. Who's speaking?

You know me. I've been asleep inside you since the day you were born.

The wolf's voice was so soft yet powerful with pure warmth and strength.

All your life they lied to you, Aurora. They hid u from your blood, from your power. But you are awakening now. You can't hide what's meant to rise.

Tears filled her eyes. "Why me? I'm no one."

You are not no one, the voice replied. You are the daughter of the Moonblood line - heir of Celestia.

Aurora's heart stopped. "Celestia?"

The word triggered something - a flash of images: a silver throne, a woman's voice singing her name, and fire consuming a great palace.

She stumbled back, clutching her head. "No... I'm just-"

The door behind her burst open.

Lord Kane's voice cut through the fog. "There you are."

She spun around, hiding her wrist. "I was just-"

He strode toward her, his eyes narrow. "You were just what? Making a scene last night? Shattering windows with your witchcraft?"

"I don't know what happened-"

He grabbed her arm, jerking it upward. The faint glow on her wrist flickered under his grip. His eyes widened. "By the goddess..."

"Please," she begged. "Let me explain-"

He shoved her back. "Get inside. Now!"

She stumbled, catching herself on the doorway. Lady Kane appeared, her face pale. "What's going on?"

Lord Kane's voice was tight. "She's marked."

Lady Kane's eyes went cold. "The mark of the moon?"

He nodded. "Celestia's bloodline."

Aurora's pulse roared in her ears. "What does that mean?"

Lady Kane's smile was icy. "It means you're more valuable than we thought."

⸻

Hours later, Damian crossed into the Eastern borderlands - human territory. His wolf form had vanished, replaced by the man once more, dressed now in black jeans and a leather jacket.

The scent was stronger here, tinged with fear.

He crouched by a stream, running his fingers through the water. A single strand of hair caught the sunlight - pale gold, shimmering faintly with the moon's energy.

His wolf purred in satisfaction.

"She's close. And she's in danger."

Damian's jaw clenched. He could sense the echo of her pain - faint but sharp, like a blade beneath his ribs. Their bond was already forming, even before they'd met.

He rose and started toward the scent.

But something made him pause.

A sound.

A distant cry carried on the wind.

His heart slammed against his ribs.

He ran.

Aurora was dragged into the Kane's basement, her wrists bound in rough rope. The air was damp and cold, the walls lined with old crates.

Lady Kane circled her like a predator. "You've been lying to us all these years."

Aurora shook her head. "I didn't even know-"

"Silence!" Lady Kane's voice cracked like thunder. "You are of royal blood - the Celestia wolves. Your kind destroyed my family's fortune when your father ruled the old kingdom. You were supposed to die with them!"

Aurora's chest tightened. "My father?"

"You don't even remember, do you?" Lady Kane sneered. "Your precious kingdom burned because your father defied the alliance. We found you as an infant among the ashes. My husband wanted to kill you, but I saw potential. So we kept you. Fed you. Used you. You were our weapon - and now, our prize."

"What are you talking about?"

Lord Kane stepped forward, his voice calm but cruel. "You will marry Victor Kane. Your bloodline will merge with ours, and the prophecy will finally belong to the Kane name. The White Wolf's power will serve our family."

Aurora's stomach dropped. "You can't-"

"We can," he snapped. "And we will. By next full moon, you'll be his."

"No!"

The lights flickered. The ropes around her wrists glowed faintly, then snapped.

A rush of wind slammed through the room, sending boxes tumbling. Aurora stumbled to her feet, her eyes blazing silver.

"Stay back!" she shouted.

The air around her pulsed.

Lady Kane's lips parted in horror. "She's awakening-"

Aurora didn't understand how, but power roared through her veins. The basement door blew open. Without looking back, she ran - up the stairs, through the hall, out into the forest beyond the gates.

Branches tore at her clothes, her lungs burned, but she didn't stop. The only thought in her mind was escape.

Behind her, the estate alarms began to ring.

⸻

Damian saw the flash of white before he heard the sound.

A girl - barefoot, running through the trees, hair glowing like sunlight in the darkness. Her scent hit him like lightning.

His wolf surged forward in recognition.

Mate.

She stumbled, falling against a tree. Damian stepped out from the shadows, his eyes locked on her.

She turned, breathless, eyes wild - and for a moment, time froze.

Silver met gold.

The bond snapped into place like a living thing.

Damian's chest rose sharply. He could hear her heartbeat, feel her fear and strength and defiance all at once.

He took a step forward. "Don't be afraid."

Aurora's voice trembled. "Who are you?"

"The one who's been searching for you," he said quietly. "The one the moon chose."

But before he could reach her, shouts echoed in the distance - the Kanes' guards.

Aurora flinched and turned to run.

Damian's wolf growled, "Don't let her go."

He vanished into the shadows after her.

The hunt had begun.