Shadows of the Past
The academy was quiet when I slipped into the grounds later that night, taking a path I had never ventured down before. The recent revelations felt like a trap, with every answer I uncovered only pulling me deeper into an unknown game that everyone but me seemed to understand. But I had a plan now: it was time to learn what secrets the Lycroft twins kept hidden, beginning with a place I had only heard rumors about—the old lycan archives beneath Crescent Moon Academy.
As I reached the entrance, an old iron door half-covered with vines, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu. The air felt thick and charged, like something was waiting behind that door. According to the academy legends, these underground archives held records dating back hundreds of years—stories of ancient packs, alliances, betrayals, and, most importantly, prophecies. And if I was lucky, maybe even a trace of information that would help me decipher what tied Jason, Kane, and me together.
I pushed open the heavy door, slipping inside as it creaked shut behind me. The air was cold, tinged with the scent of earth and aged paper. Flickering torches lit the stone hallway, casting long shadows that seemed to reach for me as I walked.
My footsteps echoed softly as I descended a narrow staircase that spiraled deeper underground. I finally reached the archive's main chamber, a massive room filled with rows upon rows of shelves stacked with scrolls, books, and tablets. I took a shaky breath. This was it—the heart of Crescent Moon's hidden knowledge.
But before I could move, a sound stopped me—a faint rustling coming from somewhere behind the shelves. I froze, heart pounding, and edged back into the shadows. It couldn't be a teacher; no one was allowed here without permission, especially not at night. As the footsteps grew louder, I recognized the faint, almost languid stride.
Jason.
I held my breath, inching around the shelves so I could get a better look. He was examining a large book, his face illuminated by the torchlight as he scanned the pages. The concentration on his face was almost intense enough to mask the hint of fatigue and worry in his eyes. What could he be looking for down here?
I wasn't about to miss this chance to find out.
"Couldn't sleep either?" I asked, stepping into view.
He jumped, nearly dropping the book as he spun around. When he saw me, relief mixed with something darker crossed his face. "Kira," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "What are you doing here?"
I raised an eyebrow. "I could ask you the same question."
He hesitated, eyes narrowing slightly as he closed the book in his hands. "Research. Same as you, I imagine."
I walked closer, meeting his gaze with as much calm as I could muster. "If you're here looking up ancient prophecies, then I'm guessing you know about the one involving you, Kane, and…me."
Jason's expression darkened, and he set the book down on a nearby table. "So you've heard about it," he said softly. "I was hoping… Well, it doesn't matter now. Yes, Kira, I know about the prophecy. And I know you're part of it."
"Then tell me," I demanded. "What am I supposed to do? What does this prophecy actually mean?"
He ran a hand through his hair, his gaze distant. "The prophecy says you're 'The Moon's Chosen'—the one who will either unite or destroy. The one who must choose."
"Choose what?" I asked, frustration seeping into my voice. "Between you and Kane?"
Jason didn't answer immediately. Instead, he looked down, his jaw clenched. "In a way, yes. But it's more than that. It's about loyalty, strength, and the path the pack will take. One of us is destined to lead, the other to protect. And you…you're the key to it all."
His words left a heavy silence between us. The weight of it settled into my bones, yet a piece of the puzzle was still missing.
"Why didn't you tell me this sooner?" I whispered, my voice a mix of anger and hurt.
"Because knowing might make you a target," he replied, his tone laced with regret. "The prophecy doesn't just bind us together, Kira. It makes us vulnerable. There are those who would use it for power…or for revenge."
At that, I felt a surge of cold fear. "Revenge? On who?"
He shook his head. "That's something I haven't fully figured out. But Kane and I—we're not the only ones watching over you. There are others. And they're dangerous."
The mention of danger didn't surprise me as much as it should have. Ever since I'd stepped into this world, there was a sense of being watched, like invisible eyes followed my every move. But if there was one thing that stood out to me now, it was the fear behind Jason's eyes. The same fear I saw in Kane, masked beneath layers of bravado and protectiveness.
"So what am I supposed to do?" I asked, my voice softer now. "How do I figure out who's meant to lead and who's meant to protect?"
Jason looked at me, his eyes intense. "That's something only you can feel. The Moon's Chosen isn't about prophecy alone. It's about instinct. But I know one thing—whoever you choose, there will be a cost."
The weight of his words settled over me, a tension I could feel deep in my chest. There was something unspoken between us, something that lingered just beneath the surface of his gaze. But before I could question it further, a new sound filled the air—a soft whisper, barely audible, but unmistakable.
"Kira."
I turned, my heart pounding as I recognized the voice. Kane. He stepped into the dim light, his eyes meeting Jason's in a silent exchange. There was something fierce in his expression, a warning clear in the way he held himself.
"I should have known you'd try to keep her down here," Kane said, his voice cold.
Jason straightened, his jaw tightening. "This isn't about you, Kane. She has a right to know."
Kane stepped forward, his gaze flashing with anger. "And you thought you'd explain it alone? Twist it to suit your own goals?"
Jason's fists clenched, but he didn't move. "I told her the truth. She deserves that much."
Their confrontation was thick with tension, a silent battle waged with words unsaid. I felt caught between them, the force of their anger and rivalry washing over me like a wave. It was impossible to ignore the way they looked at each other, as though they were bound together in a struggle that went far beyond this moment.
"Enough," I said, my voice breaking the silence. "Both of you."
They both looked at me, and I took a steadying breath. "This isn't a game. This prophecy, this…connection between us—it's tearing you apart."
Kane's gaze softened slightly, his usual mask slipping for just a moment. "We're not enemies, Kira. Jason and I…we're bound by blood, by loyalty. But that doesn't mean we see things the same way."
Jason didn't respond, his expression hardening as he looked away.
I shook my head, feeling a surge of frustration. "Then maybe it's time you started seeing things from my perspective. I'm not a prize to be won, or a pawn in this prophecy. If this choice is supposed to be mine, then let me make it without all the secrets and manipulation."
The silence that followed felt heavy, but this time, it was different. For the first time, I saw something in their faces—an acknowledgment, a willingness to let go of the control they'd tried to hold over this prophecy.
Kane looked at me, a slight nod of respect in his gaze. "You're right, Kira. We've both been trying to protect you in our own way, but maybe that's been the problem."
Jason's eyes met mine, his expression conflicted but sincere. "If you want the truth, all of it, then we'll give it to you."
With that, they shared a look, one that seemed to span the entire history of their bond. And for a moment, I saw not rivals, but two brothers, each trying to shoulder the weight of a fate they hadn't chosen.
Kane glanced at the book Jason had left open on the table, a faint sigh escaping his lips. "The prophecy speaks of choices, but it doesn't tell us how to make them. We've both been afraid—afraid of choosing wrong, of losing everything. And maybe that fear has blinded us."
Jason nodded, a look of understanding passing between them. "So maybe it's time we stop fighting fate and start facing it. Together."
Their words settled over me, a new understanding taking root as I looked at them both. For the first time, I didn't feel like I was caught between them—I felt like I was standing beside them, part of a shared destiny that none of us fully understood but were determined to face.
A strange calm washed over me. I knew that whatever the prophecy held, I wasn't alone. And while the path ahead was still shrouded in mystery, one thing was clear.
Together, we would uncover the truth, one step at a time.