✨ Chapter 6 – Sun & Moon
Ariana stared at Kai, her mind racing so fast she could barely breathe.
"Destiny?" she repeated. "That's supposed to make me feel better?"
Kai actually looked amused.
"No. It's supposed to explain why your wolf reacts to me."
"Well, she can stop," Ariana muttered.
Then paused.
"…Can she stop?"
Kai shook his head gently.
"Not really."
Great.
Perfect.
Her wolf liked him.
Of course.
---
## **The Lore of Sun-Blood & Lunar-Blood**
Kai motioned for her to follow him deeper into the Den. They walked toward a quiet corner marked by crescent moon carvings. Ancient symbols glimmered faintly on the walls.
Ariana blinked.
"This place is… pretty."
"It's old," Kai corrected. "Older than Elmwood. Older than most academies."
He brushed his fingers across a glowing lunar symbol.
"This is where wolves like you used to train. Lunar-blood wolves."
Ariana folded her arms. "You keep saying that like it's a normal thing."
"It's not," Kai admitted. "In fact… you're the first lunar-blood born in nearly 400 years."
Her mouth fell open.
"What?! Why me?!"
Kai hesitated.
"Your mother."
Ariana froze.
"My… mom?"
Kai nodded.
"She wasn't just a Mystic healer, Ariana. She was descended from the last lunar-blood matriarch."
Ariana's heart squeezed painfully.
She barely remembered her mother: soft hands, warm magic, gentle humming.
But this—
"This makes no sense," Ariana whispered. "If she was lunar-blood, why couldn't *she* shift?"
Kai's violet eyes softened.
"She sealed her wolf."
Ariana's breath caught.
"Why?"
"To protect you."
Ariana felt the floor tilt beneath her.
Protect her… from what?
Kai continued quietly.
"Lunar wolves aren't like other wolves. They're drawn to celestial power — and hunted for it."
Ariana shivered.
"Hunted by who?"
Kai's expression darkened.
"By anyone who wants to control the moon's power."
Ariana swallowed hard.
"But… that's insane. I'm fourteen. I don't even know how to shift."
Kai stepped closer.
"And that's why you *need* control. Because once certain people realize what you are…"
Ariana's stomach knotted.
"What?"
Kai met her eyes.
"They'll come for you."
---
## **Training Begins**
Ariana barely had time to process the revelation before a sudden deep gong echoed across the arena.
Kai straightened.
"Hybrid combat training is starting. We're due on the floor."
Ariana took a step back.
"What? Combat? Already?"
"You won't fight," Kai said calmly. "You'll observe."
"For now."
"For now?!" she echoed.
His lips twitched. "Relax. I'll handle your training personally."
Ariana wasn't sure whether to feel relieved or terrified.
She followed Kai to the center ring. He transformed partially — just enough to intimidate anyone watching.
Wolf ears.
Silver-streaked claws.
Eyes glowing like molten violet.
The other hybrids immediately backed up.
Ariana whispered, "Show-off…"
Kai's ears twitched.
"I heard that."
She nearly died of embarrassment.
The instructor — a tall woman with braided white hair — clapped sharply.
"Today we train Shifter Reflex Control! Wolves, half-shift and maintain balance!"
The wolf-students obeyed, shifting halfway.
Ariana watched Kai shift effortlessly — controlled, elegant, terrifyingly powerful.
And then—
Her wolf stirred.
Gently.
Like a curious breeze.
Not dangerous.
Not violent.
Just awake.
Ariana felt her pupils dilate.
Her skin tingled.
Her instincts rose, syncing with Kai's presence.
"Kai…" she whispered. "My wolf—she's waking up."
Kai didn't panic.
He didn't step back.
He stepped *closer.*
"That's good," he said softly. "Let her. She's not angry. She's responding to the training environment."
Ariana shook her head.
"No, it's because of you."
Kai froze.
Then he swallowed.
Quiet. Controlled.
"…Probably."
Ariana stared at him.
"You're too calm about this."
"I told you," he said gently.
"Our wolves are counterparts."
"And I told you that doesn't make sense!"
"You're right," he agreed. "It doesn't."
Before Ariana could argue again, a cold shiver ran down her spine.
Her wolf stiffened.
Not in anger.
Not in recognition.
In warning.
Her gaze snapped toward the shadows at the edge of the Den.
Someone was watching her.
Not a student.
Not a teacher.
A presence — familiar, ancient, cold — something that made her wolf bristle.
"Kai…" she whispered.
He immediately shifted his attention.
"What's wrong?"
Ariana's voice trembled.
"There's… someone here. Watching."
Kai's eyes flashed.
"Where?"
She pointed slowly.
A tall hooded figure stood half-hidden behind a stone pillar.
Too tall.
Too still.
Too silent.
When they realized Ariana saw them…
They vanished.
Disappeared like smoke.
Ariana's breath shook.
"Kai… who was that?"
Kai stepped in front of her protectively, eyes glowing fiercely.
"I don't know," he said softly,
"but they weren't supposed to be here."
Ariana swallowed hard.
"Do you think… they were here for me?"
Kai didn't answer.
Which told her everything.