The night was quiet, but the air felt heavy. Clouds moved slowly across the sky, hiding and showing the moon in turns. The fire in the small cottage burned low, throwing soft light across the wooden floor.
Mia sat near the window, her knees pulled close to her chest. She could not sleep. Her mom said someone will come that will unravel all the mysteries that have been happening in her life. Her mind kept replaying everything — the attack, the suspension, the stares. She felt lost, and somehow, afraid of herself.
Laura paced behind her. She had been restless since evening, glancing at the door every few minutes. Mia could tell she was also anxious and nervous, but she said nothing.
Then came a knock. A single, slow knock that echoed in the silence.
Laura froze. Her breath caught in her throat. "He's here," she whispered.
Mia turned around, confused. "Is it him?"
Before Laura could answer, she went to the door and slowly opened it. A man in a long dark cloak stood outside, the hood covering most of his face. Mist clung to his shoulders like silver smoke.
"Elder Rowan," Laura said softly.
The man lowered his hood. His hair was silver-white, his eyes a strange mix of blue and gray, like storm clouds. He looked old, but strong. There was something calm yet powerful about him.
"May I come in?" His voice was deep but gentle.
Laura stepped aside quickly. "Of course."
When he entered, the air around them seemed to shift. The fire flared for a second, brighter than before, and Mia felt her heart race. There was something in his presence that stirred something inside her — something she couldn't name. He found a place and sat.
Rowan looked at her for a long moment, his eyes unreadable. Then he said quietly, "So… the light has awakened."
Mia frowned. "What do you mean?"
He didn't answer right away. Laura brought a cup of tea, her hands trembling slightly. He walked toward the table and sat down.
"You should sit too, Mia," Rowan said, his gaze never leaving her. "It's time you learn who you are."
Mia hesitated but obeyed. "Who I am? I already know—"
"No," he cut in, his tone firm but kind. "You only know the name you were given. Not the blood you carry."
Laura closed her eyes briefly, tears forming. "Please, Rowan… she's still young."
"She's old enough, the moon's timing can never be wrong." he replied softly. "So time is no longer on our side."
Mia's chest tightened. "Can someone please tell me what's going on?"
Rowan leaned forward slightly, his hands resting on his staff. "Child, the blood that runs in you is older than the Lycans, older than the packs that rule today. You come from a line blessed directly by Selene herself — the goddess of the moon."
Mia blinked in disbelief. "The goddess? You mean… the stories?"
"They are not just stories," Rowan said. "Long ago, before the Lycans rose to power, there was a clan called Lunaris. They were not wolves, and not humans either. They were something in between — beings of light and night. They protected the balance between darkness and dawn."
He paused, his eyes distant, as if seeing memories.
"Selene gave them her blessing — Celestial Energy, the power to heal or destroy. Their role was to keep the peace between realms. But jealousy spread. The Lycan King at that time feared them. He saw their strength and wanted it for himself. When the Lunaris refused to bow, he called them traitors and secretly planned their destruction."
Mia listened silently, her pulse quickening.
Rowan continued, his voice low. "The Lunaris were caught unaware and were wiped out, a form of black magic was used to deactivate their power. Making it easier to execute their plan. When it ended, the Lunaris were gone — their name erased, their people scattered. Only one woman survived — your mother."
Mia turned to Laura sharply. "Mom?"
Laura's tears finally fell. "It's true. I was human, but I loved your father. He was the last king of Lunaris. When they killed him, I ran. Rowan found me and helped me hide. I gave birth to you months later."
Mia's voice shook. "So I'm not… human?"
Rowan looked at her with pity and pride. "Half human, half Lunaris. The light you used that night — it wasn't magic. It was your birthright."
Mia felt her whole world tilt. Her hands trembled. "But why me? Why didn't you tell me sooner?"
Laura covered her face. "I wanted to protect you. You have no idea what would happen if the wrong people found out. The Lycans would never let any of your father's people live."
Rowan nodded slowly. "She is right. The Lycan royals will see you as a threat. Especially now that your power is waking."
Mia felt tears burning her eyes. "Then what do I do? I don't want this."
Rowan's voice softened. "You can't change what you are. But you can learn to control it. I will help you."
He pulled something from his cloak — a thin silver chain with a moonstone pendant. The gem glowed faintly in his palm. "This will help hide your energy. It won't last forever, but it will keep you safe for now."
He placed it around her wrist. The moment it touched her skin, Mia felt a warm pulse run through her veins, then calmness.
Laura reached out and held Mia's hand. "I only wanted you to have a normal life."
Rowan sighed. "You can't protect her from destiny, Laura. The moon always calls her own."
Silence filled the room. The only sound was the crackle of the fire. Mia stared at the pendant, her thoughts spinning.
Finally, she whispered, "So the goddess Selene… she blessed my bloodline?"
Rowan nodded. "Yes. She blessed your father's people with celestial energy — the power of the moon. And now, that same light burns inside you."
Mia didn't reply. She just looked out the window, at the faint glow of the moon beyond the clouds. Her life had changed forever.
Meanwhile, far away in the royal palace, Darius Voss was furious.
He stormed into the royal chamber, ignoring the guards. He reached the throne room and bowed before the great Lycan king. Leon's father. Trying as much as possible to control his anger, his wolf was at the surface, at the verge of breaking free, but he knows better than to misbehave before the king and his Queen. "Your Majesties!" he half yelled, his voice echoing off the marble walls. "Eclipse prowess suspended my daughter!"
King Aldric looked up slowly. "Mind your tone, Darius. Your daughter broke rules and put others in danger." He is truly Leon's father. The way his aura is dangerously intimidating.
Darius clenched his fists. "Rachel acted out of emotion. She was provoked! You know her heart."
The Queen's voice was calm but cold. "Her actions caused chaos, Darius. My son was hurt. Leon's decision stands." Seraphina is an elegant queen. She is usually soft but not when it comes to Leon. She doesn't like the idea of Rachel being her daughter in law, but has to accept it for political purpose.
"So that's it?" he snapped. "Rachel being your soon to be daughter in law means nothing now? My daughter was treated like a common student, while a stranger walks free?"
The King rose from his seat. "You are walking a dangerous line. Go home, Darius."
Humiliated and boiling with anger, Darius bowed stiffly and left. His wolf growling beneath.
At his mansion, Rachel sat by her window, eyes red from crying. Alpha Darius entered quietly. He reached where she was, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"Rachel," he said, sitting beside her. "Tell me what really happened back there. You can't just do that without a reason."
She sniffed. "It was Leon. There was a girl, he hated me because of her, I tried to deal with her but he keeps on being on the way." She sniffed. "That girl….he embarrassed in front of everyone…because of her. He even called her his mate." She burst into painful sobs.
Darius's eyes darkened. "He humiliated you in front of everyone? And he even called her his mate? Was the engagement a joke to him?"
She sniffed, wiping her tears. "He called me out. Said I should stay away from her. Everyone saw, and that was why I did what I did."
He stood slowly, his jaw tight. "Because of that human girl."
"She's not normal, Father," Rachel said, her voice trembling. "Her eyes glowed that night. I swear they did."
Darius turned toward the window. "Then she's not just a girl. And if she's something else… we'll find out what."
He called for one of his guards. "Send word to our tracker. Find that girl, I want eyes on her, day and night."
Rachel looked up. "Father, what will you do?"
He gave a small, cold smile. "What needs to be done. If she's an obstruction to your right of becoming Luna, then we clear her."
That same night, Leon stood alone in the courtyard, staring at the moon. The wind blew through his hair, and his wolf stirred restlessly.
"You feel it too, don't you?" Xavier's voice rumbled inside his head.
Leon frowned. "Feel what?"
"The shift. The unease. Someone's plotting something… and it's aimed at her."
Leon's jaw tightened. "At Mia?"
The wolf growled softly. "Yes. I can smell it. Like smoke before fire."
Leon looked up at the moon again. The same faint silver glow that shimmered around Mia's wrist appeared in his eyes for a second.
He clenched his fists. "Then they'll have to go through me first. I am not going to suppress anything now. I will accept Mia as my mate!"
" Who ever aims at her must go through me first.!"