Chapter 21
Apr 17, 2025
Felicia’s heart pounded as she rode toward Moonveil Pack territory, her hands gripping the reins so tightly her knuckles turned white. The urgent message had been brief—there had been a rogue attack. But nothing beyond that. No details. No confirmation of casualties. Just enough to send her into a spiral of fear.
Lucien rode beside her, his usual calm exterior unreadable. “Felicia,” he said, his voice carrying over the wind. “Slow down.”
“I can’t,” she snapped, her breath ragged. “I have to get to Orion.”
Lucien didn’t argue, only pushed his horse to keep up with her.
When they reached the borders of Moonveil Pack, the sight before her made her stomach drop. Wolves were everywhere—standing guard, carrying the wounded, whispering among themselves with tense, grieving expressions.
Felicia jumped off her horse before it had fully stopped, sprinting forward. “Where is Orion?” she demanded, her voice frantic.
The wolves turned to her, and their eyes said it before their words did. A heavy silence wrapped around them, thick and suffocating.
“Felicia,” one of the warriors finally spoke, his voice strained. “He’s in the packhouse.”
Felicia’s chest constricted. She took off running before anyone could stop her, ignoring the way her vision blurred with unshed tears. He’s alive. He has to be alive.
The moment she pushed through the doors of the packhouse, the scent of blood hit her. The metallic tang was thick in the air, burning her nose. Wolves moved in slow, somber movements, murmuring prayers, tending to the injured.
And then she saw him.
Her breath stopped.
Orion lay in the center of the room, his body still, his skin pale. Blood stained his clothes, and his once-powerful presence had been reduced to silence.
Felicia stumbled forward, her knees nearly giving out beneath her. “No,” she choked out, reaching for him. “No, no, no—Orion!”
She collapsed beside him, her shaking hands hovering over his chest as if touching him would wake him up. But he didn’t move. He didn’t breathe.
A strangled sob escaped her lips as the world around her shattered. Her brother—her protector—was gone.
Lucien crouched beside her, his jaw tight, his eyes scanning Orion’s body. “Felicia,” he said quietly. “Look.”
She blinked through her tears, her gaze following where Lucien pointed. And then she saw it.
Carved into Orion’s chest, deep and crude, were the words:
“The betrayal of the Alpha of the Crescent Moon Pack runs deep.”
Felicia’s body locked up, her breathing turning shallow. The words blurred before her eyes, but they were there, unmistakable.
She felt like the ground beneath her had been ripped away.
The Crescent Moon Pack.
Damien. He’s the Alpha.
