At Vulfen, the night sky shimmered silver, the moonlight weaving across the village rooftops like

a promise and a warning. Damien stood by the door, adjusting his cloak when his mother’s

voice called out behind him.

“Damien, I hope you bought the fake lens I told you to buy,

” Clara said, her tone sharp but her

eyes betraying the worry buried in her heart.

Damien exhaled, forcing a smile.

“Come on, Mom, I’m twenty-four, remember? You’ve told me

countless times already. I bought seven. Don’t worry, I’ll be safe. And don’t worry, I’ll bring

Selena home… as my wife.

”

Clara stepped closer, her hands trembling as she held out a necklace. The chain gleamed

faintly in the moonlight, its pendant etched with ancient runes.

“Please, my son, take this,

” she whispered.

“Whenever you feel you need me, whenever danger

presses in, press the button behind it. My mother gave me this before I ran to Vulfen. She was

the only one who knew my secret… before she passed.

”

Damien hesitated, then took the necklace with reverence.

I need your help.

”

“I understand. I’ll press it the moment

Clara fastened it around his neck, then pulled him into a tight embrace, as if her arms alone

could shield him from what awaited on the road. He returned the hug, whispering against her

hair,

“I love you, Mom.

” And before she could respond, he pulled away and left, striding into the

night, toward Lupinia.

The journey was long, the forests dense with shadows that seemed to breathe. Damien stopped

once, sitting on a fallen log to eat dried fish and bread from his pack. Yet the hairs on the back

of his neck prickled. He was being followed.

He didn’t run. He was Damien, son of Clara, warrior of Vulfen. Instead, he chewed slowly, his

eyes scanning the tree line. Silence.

Then, movement.

A Shadowfang wolf appeared behind him, its presence heavy, its snarl cutting through the night

air. Damien whirled around, fists raised. The fight was brutal, their bodies colliding with the crack

of bone and the sting of claws. Damien’s strength carried him through; the Shadowfang wolf fell,

beaten, crawling away.

Yet before it vanished into the trees, it hissed through bloody teeth:

“Take good care of Elara… our master must marry her at all cost.

”

Damien froze. His chest heaved, his fists still curled. Elara? The name was foreign to him, yet

the warning coiled in his gut like poison. Shaking it off, he pressed forward, more cautious now,

but determined not to falter.

Meanwhile, in Lupinia, Luna’s footsteps echoed through the dungeon corridor. She stopped

before Fenris’s cell, her eyes cold, her heart burning with questions.

“Old man,

” she hissed,

“tell me if you know the town Selena ran to.

”

Fenris lifted his head slowly, his eyes sharp even through the bars. He said nothing, only staring

until the silence cut her patience in half.

She repeated her question.

Finally, his voice, rough from years in chains, filled the air.

daughter? It’s been three years. She’s probably dead.

”

“Aren’t you done looking for my

Luna’s lips curved into a smile, a cruel satisfaction spreading across her face. But as she turned

to leave, Fenris’s voice followed her, low and chilling.

“You’re cursed, young lady.

”

The words struck like venom. Luna spun, fury flashing in her eyes.

But Fenris only sat back, his silence louder than her rage.

“How dare you!” she roared.

She stormed out, her temper boiling. Dora, waiting outside, caught sight of her expression.

“Luna, what happened? Did someone hurt you? Or are you just hungry, because I...

”

“Get out!” Luna snapped, her voice sharp enough to slice stone.

father must die.

”

“He said I’m cursed. Selena’s

Her words left Dora speechless, confusion clouding her thoughts. Why would Fenris call Luna

cursed? Why had Selena visited him before? Something wasn’t right.

Luna wasted no time. She ran to Roderick, her fury spilling over.

“Kill Selena’s father at once!” she demanded.

Roderick frowned.

“What? Did you go to his house? Why so angry?”

“Don’t play dumb,

” Luna snapped.

want him dead.

”

“He’s been in your prison for three years. He insulted me. I

Roderick chuckled, though unease flickered in his eyes.

alive. But tell me, Luna, what exactly did he say?”

“Oh, I’d almost forgotten Fenris was still

“He said I’m cursed,

” Luna admitted, her voice trembling with anger and… fear.

Roderick fell silent, staring at the ground. His silence only enraged Luna more.

“Aren’t you going to do something?” she pressed.

But still, he said nothing. Finally, she stormed out.

regret those words.

”

“Fine. I’ll call my father. That old man will

Roderick stayed behind, his thoughts heavy. Did Fenris mean something deeper? Doubt

gnawed at him. Selena’s been gone three years, just like my sister once vanished. Perhaps this

is for Adrian’s good… but am I truly doing the right thing?

That evening, Adrian and his mother returned from their patrol around Lupinia. Dora rushed to

them, urgency in her eyes.

“Mom, Adrian, I need to tell you something,

” she whispered, dragging them upstairs. She

explained what had happened between Luna and Fenris, her suspicion clear.

“Adrian,

” she said, her voice firm,

“I know you still think of Selena. But before anything else, you

need to speak to her father. Ask him what he meant by Luna being cursed.

”

Nivienne nodded.

“Your sister’s right. But not today. Tomorrow. Go quietly. Don’t let your father

or Luna know. Tonight, you rest, you’ve been busy enough.

”

Adrian agreed, but when he lay in his bed, his mind refused peace. What if Fenris was telling

the truth?

His mother’s words echoed in him: In Lupinia, if a female wolf reaches eighteen without finding

her mate, it means one of three things—she must dedicate her life to the Goddesses… or she’s

cursed… or she’s doomed to walk alone forever.

Days Later

Damien finally reached Lupinia. The sky here was different, stained in darker shades of violet,

as if the very heavens mourned. He remembered how Selena had once loved staring at the

clouds in Vulfen, her eyes bright with wonder. A pang of longing shot through his chest.

At the edge of the city, he found an abandoned house with a muddy yard, forgotten by its

people. Quiet, desolate. It would serve as his shelter. For now.

Four Days Later

At Fenwold

The air in Fenwold was gentler, lighter, as though the horrors of the past had never touched its

soil. Children’s laughter rang through the neighborhood, and for once, the world seemed safe.

Elias played with his friends, chasing them across the green field, his laughter brighter than the

sun overhead. But in the next breath, that laughter twisted into sharp cries.

I froze. My son’s wails tore through me like claws. I rushed forward, my heart pounding, only to

see it.

A girl stood before him, no older than six. In her tiny hands, she clutched Elias’s fake ear.

His secret.

Elias sobbed, clutching the side of his head in shame. The other children stared, whispers

already beginning to ripple. My blood ran cold.