The next morning, sunlight poured through the tall windows of the Everhart mansion, painting golden streaks across the hardwood floor. Luna sat in the dining hall, poking at a plate of eggs and toast. The food looked perfect, but her appetite was nonexistent. Her mind kept replaying Rowan's twisted smile and the way his words had felt like a dagger aimed directly at her.
Adrian entered the room without a word, his boots heavy against the polished floor. He grabbed a mug from the counter and poured himself coffee, his movements sharp and impatient.
Luna's gaze followed him, the weight of his anger still hanging over her. Finally, she couldn't take the silence anymore. "Are you going to keep ignoring me?"
He turned slowly, his dark eyes locking onto hers. "I don't have time for your questions, Luna."
Her chair scraped loudly against the floor as she stood, fists clenched. "You keep acting like I'm the problem here, but I didn't ask for any of this! I didn't ask to be dragged into your pack or deal with psycho wolves like Rowan!"
Adrian's jaw tightened, but he said nothing.
"I deserve answers," she pressed, stepping closer. "Who was Rowan talking about last night? What does he mean by 'what's his'?"
Adrian slammed the mug onto the counter, the sound echoing through the room. "You don't understand how dangerous he is. Asking questions like that will get you killed."
"Then help me understand!"
Before Adrian could respond, the dining hall door opened, and Alpha Gideon strode in. His imposing presence filled the room, silencing their argument instantly.
"Luna," Gideon said in his deep, measured voice, "a word."
She followed him out of the dining hall, leaving Adrian glaring into his coffee.
They walked through the sprawling mansion, its corridors lined with portraits of Everhart ancestors. Each face seemed to watch her as she passed, their expressions solemn and heavy with history. Gideon finally led her into a study, its walls packed with leather-bound books and the air thick with the scent of old paper.
He gestured for her to sit. She hesitated, then sank into the plush armchair across from his massive oak desk.
"Your actions last night were reckless," Gideon began, his voice firm but not unkind.
"I didn't mean to cause trouble," Luna said softly.
"But you did," he replied. "You need to understand that Rowan isn't just an enemy. He's a threat to everything this pack stands for. And now that you're here, he sees you as a target."
Luna frowned. "Why me? I don't even know him."
Gideon leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable. "Rowan has a long-standing grudge against this pack, against our family. When your parents died, he believed it created a weakness in our leadership. He's been waiting for the right moment to strike."
"But what does that have to do with me?" she pressed.
"You are the last bloodline of the Everhart family," he said simply. "Whether you like it or not, you represent the future of this pack."
Luna's heart sank. "I didn't ask for that."
"No one asks for their destiny, child," Gideon said, his tone softening slightly. "But you must rise to meet it. There are forces at play here far greater than you can imagine."
Before Luna could respond, a knock at the door interrupted them.
"Enter," Gideon called.
The door opened to reveal Darius, his quiet presence almost soothing compared to Adrian's intensity. He gave Luna a small nod before addressing Gideon.
"Alpha, we've spotted movement near the northern border," he reported. "It could be rogues."
Gideon's expression hardened. "Double the patrols. I'll join you shortly."
Darius hesitated, his gaze flicking toward Luna. "Should she stay here? It might not be safe."
Luna bristled. "I'm not some helpless kid."
"No, you're not," Gideon agreed, standing. "But you're untrained and unprepared for what's out there. Until that changes, you'll stay where it's safe."
The finality in his tone left no room for argument.
Later that day, Luna found herself wandering the grounds of the estate. The pack's territory stretched endlessly, surrounded by dense woods that seemed both beautiful and intimidating. She had wanted to be alone, but a voice called out to her.
"Exploring?"
She turned to see Darius leaning casually against a tree, his arms crossed.
"Trying to figure out how to survive in this crazy world," she replied.
He smirked, pushing off the tree and walking toward her. "It's not all bad. You just need to find your place."
"Easy for you to say," she muttered. "You're not the one everyone's staring at like some alien experiment."
Darius chuckled. "True. But you've got something none of us have."
"What's that?"
"Legacy," he said simply. "Whether you want it or not, you're part of something bigger."
Luna sighed, kicking at a loose stone on the path. "Why does everyone keep saying that? I don't even know what it means."
"It means you've got a choice to make," Darius said, his tone serious now. "You can either run from all of this or learn to own it."
She looked at him, surprised by the sincerity in his voice. "And how am I supposed to do that?"
He smiled faintly. "One step at a time."
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the sky in shades of orange and pink, Luna found herself back inside the mansion. She had barely closed her bedroom door when a knock sounded.
"Come in," she called, expecting Iris or maybe even Gideon.
To her surprise, Adrian entered, his expression unreadable.
"What do you want now?" she asked, crossing her arms.
He didn't answer immediately. Instead, he handed her a small, leather-bound journal.
"What's this?"
"Your mother's," he said quietly.
Luna froze, staring at the journal in her hands. The leather felt worn, as if it had been held countless times.
"Why are you giving me this?"
"Because if you're going to survive here, you need to know the truth," Adrian said, his voice unusually soft. "And the truth starts with her."
Before she could respond, he turned and left, leaving her alone with the journal.
Luna sat on the bed, her hands trembling as she opened the cover. Inside, the first page was filled with delicate handwriting.
"To my dearest Luna," it began.
Her breath hitched, and she couldn't stop the tears that welled in her eyes.
As she turned the page, her mother's words revealed a warning that sent a chill down her spine: "Trust no one, not even those who share your blood."