Ash clung to the air, a faint gray mist lingering like a ghost of what once was. The flames in the sconces were out, their wax dripped dry, and the enchanted herbs hanging by the walls had blackened.
Alpha Kaelion's boots echoed against the stone as he stepped further inside. His golden eyes scanned the space sharply, walls scorched, overturned bowls, some of the sigils cracked. But it was the center of the room that held him.
Velmira.
Velmira's body lay slumped at the base of her altar.
Blood around her, staining the runes beneath her in jagged spirals. Her robes were soaked, her hand clutched over her chest. Her eyes, once glowing and wise, were shut tight.
Darian cursed under his breath.
The guards stiffened, weapons raised instinctively, but Alpha Kaelion didn't speak. He moved slowly, deliberately, towards her body, his eyes unreadable.
He dropped to his knees beside her, gently lifting her head with his hands into his lap.
Velmira. He called.
No response.
Velmira. He called again. Shaking her lightly.
The guards averted their eyes, respectfully turning their backs.
Beta Darian went to them, leave and remain outside, he instructed.
Scan the building, search the perimeter. Anything strange, anything suspicious, you report to me immediately.
Yes Beta. They chorused, bowing before moving out.
Alpha Kaelion remained kneeling with Velmira in his hands. The blood smearing over his robe.
Darian walked forward, to him.
I failed her. Alpha Kaelion said.
No, Kaelion, you didn't. Beta Darian said, his voice weighed with grief.
"You didn't cause this. They did."
We were been watched. I should have been more careful.
Darian placed a hand on his shoulder. "We will find out who did this to her." He added.
''She won't die in vain.''
Alpha Kaelion remained silent for a while.
He gently lowered her back. Just as he was about to rise,
A cough escaped her lips.
Shocking both Alpha Kaelion and Beta Darian.
She coughed again.
"Velmira".
Alpha Kaelion called, lifting her head up gently.
Velmira, he called her name.
"Thank the gods you're alive," Darian whispered, relief thick in his voice.
"We'll get you to the infirmary," Alpha Kaelion said, already rising, his arms steady beneath her frail body. "Just hold on."
But Velmira shook her head, weakly. Her breath came in rattled gasps.
"N-No… Al… Alpha," she murmured, clutching his wrist with trembling fingers. "Just listen…"
"Don't speak, Velmira," Alpha Kaelion said, voice low but tight with restrained pain. "Save your strength."
But she held on.
"I don't have… much time left," she whispered. "Something great… something evil… has risen. They've summoned a power that should never have existed. If it fully awakens…"
She broke into a violent cough, blood staining her lips.
Alpha Kaelion held her tighter. "Velmira"
She smiled faintly through the pain.
"It's okay. You need to find… Elandra Moiré," she whispered. "Tell her… you're from me."
Kaelion's eyes narrowed. "Where do I find her?"
"Moon… Moonveil Creed…"
"Moonveil Creed," Kaelion repeated, turning to Darian. The Beta's expression shifted a mix of no recognition.
"How do I find it?" Kaelion asked urgently.
"You will, Alpha," Velmira rasped. "You will."
"We need to move her now," Beta Darian said, already calling for a guard.
But Velmira stopped him with a faint wave of her fingers. "No need… Beta. It's already time."
She turned her gaze to Kaelion, her eyes softening.
"The gods shall always be with you… But be careful of your insides."
Her smile was small.
And then, stillness.
The light left her.
Kaelion stared at her for long, silent breath before gently closing her eyes with his hand. Then he placed her body down, slow and reverent.
He rose.
"Take her to the morgue," he ordered the guards, his voice cool, but hollow. "She'll be given a burial worthy of her name."
"Yes, Alpha," the guards said, bowing as they moved in to carry Velmira's body.
Alpha Kaelion walked towards the door, his steps heavy. For the briefest moment, something flickered across his face, pain. Grief. Then it was gone, swallowed by the mask of the Alpha.
Beta Darian followed silently behind him.
Outside, the night had turned colder.
The war had just begun.
Silverclaw Fortress — Council Hall | Dawn
The great doors of the Council Hall stood open, golden light from the rising sun spilling across the cold stone floor. The twelve high seats remained lined in place, flanking the chamber like silent sentinels. But today, the hall held only stillness.
Alpha Kaelion entered first, his black robe drawn tight around his frame, expression carved from steel and shadow. Behind him, Beta Darian followed, each step heavy with the weight of last night.
The council members rose in respect.
"Alpha," they greeted in unison.
Alpha Kaelion took his throne at the head of the hall, his eyes like sharpened gold scanning each face.
"You must have heard by now," he began, voice low and clear, "Velmira, the Seer of Silverclaw… is gone."
A collective breath was drawn. Heads bowed. Grief settled over the chamber like dust.
"We have lost a guiding flame. A protector of wisdom. One of our own."
A ripple of mourning moved through the room.
Elder Eldric spoke first, gently. "What exactly happened?"
Alpha Kaelion's gaze turned sharp. "She was killed."
Silence fell like a dropped blade.
Envoy Liora's eyes widened. "Killed…?"
"She was found in her sanctum," Alpha Kaelion said. "The wards broken. Her body, stabbed, The runes around her altar defiled."
Gasps broke the silence.
"She was murdered?" Elder Bako echoed, disbelief thick in his voice.
"Yes," Alpha Kaelion said coldly. "Murdered."
The council stirred, voices clashing, grief, shock, disbelief.
"But who could strike down a seer?" Liora asked. "She was no ordinary woman."
"This is an outrage," Mistress Neriah, mistress of rites and traditions, said firmly. "This must be investigated at once. Her death cannot be allowed to pass unchallenged."
"She'll have justice," said Damon, Head of Internal Affairs and cousin to Alpha Kaelion. His jaw was tight with resolve.
"She was powerful," Elder Eldric murmured. "Whoever did this… is more dangerous than we know."
A heavy silence followed.
Seer Velmira was investigating the four bodies found," Alpha Kaelion began, his voice grave. "She was meant to report her findings to me. Last night... she was found dead."
Gasps escaped the mouths of a few council members.
"Does that mean she was killed by the same people behind the bodies?" Liora asked, alarmed.
"I believe so," Alpha Kaelion replied, his golden gaze scanning the room. "She died before she could reveal what she uncovered."
"This is very bad, Alpha," Elder Bako said. "If this news reaches the people, there will be chaos."
"Elder Bako, must you always lead with fear?" Mistress Neriah snapped.
"Leave me be. I only speak the truth," Bako retorted.
"Your truth helps no one," Damon cut in, sharp and cold. "Our Seer was murdered, and all you care about is public reaction? Are you the one spreading fear?"
"How dare you speak to me like that?" Elder Bako barked. "I have served this pack loyally for decades!"
"I meant no insult," Damon said with a faint smirk. "Just a suggestion that you offer solutions, not doom."
"What are you implying, Da..."
"Enough," Alpha Kaelion said, his voice slicing through the tension.
The chamber fell silent.
"This is not the time for petty quarrels or bruised egos. A great loss has befallen this pack, a valued member of our pack, Our Seer was murdered. Her blood cries for justice, not debate."
"We face a hidden threat. One that strikes from the shadows. We must act with strength, with unity, with silence and with strategy."
His gaze turned to Damon and Jarek.
"You'll lead the investigation. Quietly. Discreetly. I want names. I want truth. I want blood."
Then to the entire council,
"Hold your positions. Do not speak to outsiders. The people will not panic because we will not allow it.
But let it be known this is only the beginning.
Then Alpha Kaelion stood, and the Council rose with him.
"Prepare her burial rites," he commanded. "Velmira shall be honoured… as she deserves."
His voice dropped, steely and certain.
"We do not wait for this darkness to strike again."
For a beat, all was still.
Alpha Kaelion's gaze swept forward, towards blood, shadow, and the rising war he could feel in his bones.
The sun had risen.
But the storm… had already begun.