Hidden moonlight

Victor's return

Lily's POV

The cabin was softly illuminated by the early sun peeping through the drapes. The kids were still asleep, their calm features a far cry from the tempest building inside me. The warning from Detective Collins regarding Marcus and Victor kept coming back to me. Though I knew I had to guard my kids, how could I face the history I had so hard sought to flee?

I was drinking my coffee when the small TV caught my eye. Stories of odd disturbances in Silver Hollow chilled me to no end. I understood these were not haphazard incidents. Victor Darkwood had arrived once more.

Years earlier, Victor had been banished; however, his appetite for black magic and power had only become stronger. He was an Alpha turned rogue with a dark scheme to remove Marcus. For everyone, but especially for my children, his homecoming meant peril.

Finn stepped in when the cabin door creaked open, grimaced. Lily, we really ought to discuss.

I nodded and downed my cup. "What's happened"?

"Victor's back," Finn whispered, his voice low. "He is assembling troops, and his informants are aware of you and the kids. He believes his success depends on them.

I went into a panic. "For what reason?" With these, what do you suppose he wants?

Finn started to soften in expression. "Your kids are different, Lily." Their Authority... Victor thinks they might balance things in his advantage. He will stop all to reach them.

I experienced a wave of protection. We have to ensure their safety. I will not let Victor anywhere close to them.

I collected the children that evening and softly explained as best I could. "We might have to go once more shortly. Bad dude here wants to harm us.

Even the courageous one, Evan raised wide-eyed questions to me. "We'll be okay, right, Mom?," asked

I started to smile under duress. We will be fine, yes. I swear.

Deep down, though, I realized the risk was closer than it had ever been.

Over the course of the days, I watched the nearby forest warily. Every leaf rustle and twig snap sets my teeth on edge. The youngsters felt my stress; their usual lighthearted antics restrained.

My pulse raced one night as I slipped them into bed from an unexpected noise outside. I slipped to the window and peered into the night. Just beyond the forest line, I spotted a shadowy man observing us.

I whispered frantically, possibly awakening Finn from his couch's light sleep.

He became quite vigilant right away. "What is it?”

Pointing to the window, I remarked, "There's someone out there."

Finn motioned for me to keep seated and got his coat and left. My heart thumping, I started nervously out the window. Moments later, he came back, his face austere.

"Surviving Victor's spies," he said. We should go. currently.

As we loaded the kids into the car, we packed fast and they were still half-conscious. Finn drove us through the night, the black woodland blurted past. Whispering comforting words to help Evan, Mia, and Nora relax, I kept them near.

"We are going to a safe place," I told them. "Everything will be perfect."

But the sensation that we were being followed persisted as the kilometers grew on. My heart jumped into my throat when the headlights of another automobile showed up in the rearview mirror.

"Finn," I replied, my voice shaking. "Person's behind us."

He tightened his jaw and looked in the mirror. " Hold on."

Finn accelerated, the car whirling over the twisting wooded paths. The car behind us matched our speed and had obvious aims. As I tightened the children, panic seized me.

"Mom, what's happening here?" With wide-open terror in her eyes, Mia asked

"Just hold on, sweetheart," I murmured, attempting to keep my voice steady. "We are going to be alright."

The automobile behind us was unrelenting, and the chase appeared to last ever. Finn turned sharply into a little dirt road, the tires skidding on the loose gravel just when I felt we were traveling faster. The pursuing vehicle tried to follow but lost control and loudly bangla crashed into the woods.

We stopped not once. Finn drove on till we arrived at a remote cabin tucked far into the forest. Old and deserted, it would have to do. Hurrying within, we blocked the windows and door.

Finn murmured, his breath heavy: "We're secure for now. We cannot, however, stay here very long. The soldiers of Victor will never stop looking.

I nodded, attempting to slow my breathing. With wide eyes full of uncertainty and terror, the youngsters gathered together. We need a plan, I said. We cannot continue to run indefinitely.

Tension and anxiety dominated the next several days. We kept under cover, just getting out for needs. Finn watched, his presence a continual reminder of the risk waiting outside. The kids adjusted fast, and for me their resiliency is like a pillar.

We were shocked one evening as we sat around the fireplace by a knock on the door. Fin gestures for silence, his hand on the hilt of his dagger. I gasped while my heart surged.

Lily, it's me, a familiar voice cried. "Marcus."

My heart still missed a beat. Marcus was among us? Following all this time?

Finn opened the door warily, and Marcus Blackwood, the Alpha of Silver Hollow, stood there. Though he appeared different, older and more tired, his presence was still dominating.

"Lily," he replied, his voice tinged with both guilt and relief. "We have to talk.

I froze, feelings whirling inside me. Seeking dominance battled anger, hurt, and longing. "What are you Marcus doing here?

He said, "I came to warn you," coming inside. "Everyone is in danger since Victor is back. We must come together to guard our pack—and our offspring.

"Our children," I said, the words alien on my tongue. "Before you showed no interest in them. Why today?

Marcus groaned and ran a hand over his hair. " Lily, I made a mistake. I can see that right now. Every day since you went, I have regretted it. I am here to rectify things.

I shook my head and tears started to flow. Marcus, it is not that straightforward. You cause damage. You turned me out. How am I to trust you once more?

"I'm not asking for your pardon," he remarked gently. "Just your contribution. Victor's power is mounting; if we fail to stop him, he will destroy all we value.

Even if I wanted to fight, I knew he was right. Victor's threat hung too big to overlook. I looked at my kids; their naive faces were confused and afraid. Whatever it was, I had to defend them.

"Alright," I responded with a shaking voice. "I'll be of service. This does not mean, Marcus, I pardon you.

He nodded, relief flashing across his face. That is all I want. We will approach this one step at a time.

The next few days were a frenzy of getting ready. Marcus and Finn coordinated, planning our next action. Though they had obvious conflict, they set aside their differences for the benefit of others.

Marcus came along one evening as I sat by the fire. "Lily," he whispered softly, "I want to clarify. about all.

I looked at him, heart weighty. "I'm listening.."

He drew a long breath, regret shining in his eyes. "I erred in exileing you." Though I was merely defending myself, I imagined I was defending the pack. What our link meant and the responsibility it entailed terrified me.

"And now??" My voice just above a whisper, I asked.

His voice quivering, he replied, "Now I see what I've lost." "I see the family I could have had, the love I turned aside. Lily, apologies. For anything.

Looking at him, tears welled up in my eyes. Though there was still a flutter of optimism amid the agony of the past. Perhaps, just possibly, we could discover a path to recovery.

We stood united, ready to meet the difficulties ahead as the first light of morning emerged through the woods. Though the road was unknown, I felt some hope knowing Marcus and Finn by

my side.

This was our trip and struggle. And whatever occurred will be faced by us together, with bravery and will.