"They're gone!" Arthur's enraged shout reverberated through the manor. The sound of his voice echoed down the halls, summoning everyone in the household to the basement.
Helen entered behind him, her sharp heels clicking loudly against the cold stone floor. "What do you mean gone?" she asked sharply, her face a mask of irritation.
"I mean gone!" Arthur bellowed, pointing to the empty chair in the center of the room. The ropes that had bound Haelyn were now a tangled mess on the floor.
Layla appeared next, a smirk playing on her lips. "What's the matter, Father? Did little Haelyn finally escape your grasp?"
Arthur's icy glare silenced her immediately. "Find her!" he commanded, turning to Malcolm, who stood silently in the corner. "Get the wolves. Search the grounds. She couldn't have gotten far."
"But how?" Helen interjected, crossing her arms. "She was weak, bleeding, and barely conscious. Someone must have helped her."
Arthur's jaw tightened, his hands curling into fists. "I don't care who helped her. I want her found. Now."
Layla rolled her eyes and leaned against the doorframe. "Honestly, Father, why do you even care? She's a waste of time. Let her run."
Arthur turned to her, his voice dangerously low. "Because she's the key to everything, Layla. That child she carries could secure everything we've worked for."
Layla's smirk faded as Arthur stormed past her.
The high priestess stood in her sacred chamber, the morning light streaming through the arched windows. She was deep in meditation when the air shifted, a soft breeze carrying a familiar scent. She opened her eyes and turned slowly.
A glowing figure appeared before her, a woman of otherworldly beauty, her ethereal presence filling the room. Her silver hair cascaded down her back, and her eyes shone like twin moons.
"Lunara," she whispered, her voice calm but tinged with surprise.
"High Priestess," Lunara said softly, her voice like a melody carried on the wind. She stepped closer, her translucent form glowing faintly. "I come to you as a mother seeking help for her child."
The high priestess inclined her head slightly, her silver eyes meeting Lunara's. "You are always welcome here, sister. But tell me, why do you believe Haelyn needs my help?"
Lunara's expression faltered, her hands clasping tightly in front of her. "Arthur…" she began, her voice trembling. "You know what he's capable of. He's dangerous, manipulative. He'll destroy her…just as he destroyed me."
The high priestess's expression remained serene, though her gaze grew sharper. "Haelyn does not need saving, Lunara. She is capable of saving herself."
"You don't understand," Lunara insisted, stepping closer. "She's still so young, so uncertain of who she is. Arthur knows how to exploit that. He'll use her, twist her, break her. She doesn't yet understand her power…her potential."
The high priestess raised a hand gently, signaling for Lunara to pause. "Haelyn is not as fragile as you believe. You see her as a child in need of protection, but she is far more resilient than that."
"But she doesn't know the truth!" Lunara's voice rose, a mixture of desperation and anguish. "She doesn't know who her father truly is. She doesn't know what she's capable of….or what Arthur plans to take from her."
The high priestess's gaze softened, a flicker of understanding passing through her eyes. "And you fear that her ignorance will lead to her destruction."
Lunara nodded, her hands trembling as she clasped them to her chest. "Yes. I cannot stand by and watch as Arthur poisons her mind and twists her spirit. She deserves to know the truth. She deserves to be free of his grasp."
The high priestess stepped forward, her presence calm and steady. "The truth will come to light, Lunara. But it must come at the right time. Haelyn's journey is her own, and she must walk it without interference."
Lunara's voice broke as she whispered, "She reminds me so much of myself. I was naive, trusting, and he… he destroyed me."
The high priestess placed a gentle hand on Lunara's shoulder, her touch soothing. "And yet, from your pain, Haelyn was born. She carries your strength, your courage, and your light. She will not be broken so easily."
Lunara closed her eyes, her form flickering slightly as her emotions threatened to overwhelm her. "I just… I want her to be safe. To know she is loved."
"She knows," the high priestess said softly. "In her heart, she knows. But you must trust her, Lunara. Trust that she has inherited your wisdom and your fire."
Lunara opened her eyes, a single tear slipping down her translucent cheek. "I miss her. I miss holding her, guiding her. I fear I've left her alone in a world that only seeks to hurt her."
"She is never alone," the high priestess replied firmly. "You are with her always, in her heart and in her spirit. She will feel your presence when she needs it most."
Lunara hesitated, her gaze searching the high priestess's face. "But Arthur… if he succeeds…"
The high priestess's expression hardened slightly, a rare flash of steel in her usually serene demeanor. "He will not succeed. Haelyn will not let him. She must first know the truth….not just about her power, but about her lineage. She needs to know who her father truly is."
Lunara's glow dimmed slightly, her sorrow evident. "And if she cannot handle the truth?"
The high priestess's voice was firm but gentle. "Then it is our duty to ensure she can. The truth will be her weapon, her shield. And when the time comes, she will wield it with the strength and grace that only she possesses."
Lunara's shoulders sagged, her gaze dropping to the floor. "I hope you are right, sister. I hope she is as strong as you believe."
"She is," the high priestess said with quiet conviction. "Have faith, Lunara. Your daughter is destined for greatness. But she must walk this path on her own."
Lunara nodded slowly, her form shimmering faintly. "Thank you," she whispered. "For always being there…for her, and for me."
The high priestess placed a hand over her heart, bowing her head slightly. "You have my word, sister. I will do all I can to guide her."
Lunara's form began to fade, her presence lingering for a moment longer. "Goodbye, High Priestess," she said softly. "And thank you."
With that, Lunara disappeared, leaving the high priestess alone once more. She turned back to the reflecting pool, her expression thoughtful as she gazed into its depths.
"Haelyn," she murmured, her voice barely audible. "You are stronger than you know."
Haelyn's eyes fluttered open to the sight of a high, vaulted ceiling draped with floor-to-ceiling curtains. The fabric shimmered in the soft light filtering through the windows, casting the room in a golden glow. The bed she lay on was massive, the softest sheets she had ever felt tucked tightly around her.
"Marlyil?" she croaked, her throat dry.
"I'm here, child," came the familiar voice.
Haelyn turned her head to see Marlyil sitting beside her, gently tucking the blankets around her. Her face was calm, her movements precise as she ensured Haelyn was comfortable.
"Where am I?" Haelyn asked, her voice trembling with panic. "My baby….what about my baby? Is my baby okay?"
Marlyil placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. "Your child is fine, Haelyn. And so are you. But you've been through a lot. You need to rest."
Haelyn's breathing slowed as Marlyil's words sank in. "Where is this place?"
"You're safe," Marlyil said simply, her tone calm and soothing.
Before Haelyn could ask more, the door opened, and a towering figure stepped inside.
Haelyn's eyes widened as she took in the man's imposing form. He moved with a quiet authority, his piercing gaze locking onto her. There was something about him….something familiar….that she couldn't quite place.
"Alpha Cerius," Marlyil said, rising to her feet and bowing slightly.
Alpha Cerius stepped closer, his eyes softening as he looked at Haelyn. For a moment, warmth and tenderness flashed in his expression, but it was quickly replaced with something more reserved, almost guilty.
Haelyn stared at him, confused by the way he seemed to look at her. "Who are you?" she asked hesitantly.
Cerius's lips parted as if he wanted to say something, but he held back. Instead, he said, "You're safe here. That's all that matters right now."
"Thank you," Haelyn said softly, though her confusion remained.
Cerius nodded, his eyes lingering on her for a moment longer before he turned to Marlyil. "Make sure she has everything she needs," he said quietly.
Marlyil nodded. "Of course, Alpha."
Cerius turned back to Haelyn. "You should rest. When you're ready, I can accompany you back to Archer's pack."
Haelyn's heart sank at the mention of returning. "No," she said quickly, sitting up despite her exhaustion. "Please, don't send me back. Let me stay here. Just for a while."
Cerius hesitated, his expression unreadable. "We'll discuss it later. For now, focus on recovering."
Haelyn watched him leave, her mind spinning with questions. Who was he, and why did he seem so familiar?
As the door closed behind him, Marlyil returned to her side. "Rest, Haelyn," she said softly. "You'll need your strength."
Haelyn lay back against the pillows, her mind racing even as her body demanded sleep.
Outside the room, Alpha Cerius leaned against the wall, his eyes closed as he exhaled deeply. Marlyil stepped out a moment later, her expression calm but knowing.
"She doesn't remember," she said quietly.
"She doesn't know," Cerius replied, his voice heavy. "And she can't. Not yet."