Dark Moon Rising

Chapter Four: Secrets

Aralia's Point of View

"I need to go into the forest today," I told Wesley.

He looked at me with a worried expression, and I just smiled. It was in his nature to want to protect me, especially since I was his mate.

"Wesley, I am the forest guardian for this area and have been for quite some time. I will be fine. You can tell me all about the pack ceremony later this evening when I return," I assured my mate.

I sensed he had more to share, but thankfully, he held back. If I departed now, there was no risk of Wesley trailing me. Although he was curious about my past, I wasn't prepared to reveal it yet. Eyrx may not be my biological son, but I had nurtured him as my own and held a strong affection for him. To me, he would always be a young boy despite standing at 6'4" in human shape and being muscular. My son towered over 11 feet tall in his feral form, with a skull-like face and glowing eyes. Eyrx's appearance was unpredictable, yet he usually chose his human form around me. Regardless of his guise, my love for my child was unwavering.

Selene reached out to me, revealing that she had marked Eyrx just like she did with me. This meant there were now four individuals bearing this mark. However, Alpha Felix and Luna Jo were only aware of the three of us possessing it. I had to warn Eyrx against crossing the magical barrier despite his fascination with Crypta. I was unsure about her connection with Adrian. I also did not know how the other pack members would react to seeing someone they did not recognize on pack lands without announcing their presence to Alpha Felix and Luna Jo.

The Moon Goddess informed me that she desires my son to safeguard and watch over Crypta. While I was initially unsure of the reason, she strongly emphasized that his protection would be necessary and that I would soon comprehend the significance.

My son's home was situated in the heart of the ancient red pine forest, where time seemed to stand still and the echoes of whispers from times past lingered in the air. The red pines were towering sentinels of strength and resilience, reaching towards the heavens with their mighty trunks adorned with rugged bark that told tales of centuries gone by. They had witnessed so much over the years, and their spirits conveyed their stories to me - sometimes with a smile, sometimes with anguished cries. The trees loved my son as much as I did; they saw the goodness within him.

The air was filled with the strong scent of pine resin, which was an invigorating perfume that heightened the senses and filled the soul with wonder and reverence. I could sense that Eyrx was nearby and waiting for me. I took a deep breath and hoped he would be receptive to what I said.

"I'm surprised that you did not wish to attend the pack ceremony with Wesley today," Eyrx said in a deep voice.

"I will accompany you and observe from afar. I have not informed Wesley, Alpha Felix, or Luna Jo about you. I know Selene has also bestowed upon you the same mark for safe passage through the magical barrier. Exercise caution, my son. Everyone is tense following yesterday's attack and the revelation that the Collective knows about all of us," I warned.

"The Moon Goddess has tasked me with protecting Crypta. I shall honor Selene's wishes," Eyrx announced.

"We must move quickly. The pack ceremony is scheduled to commence shortly," I replied as we began our journey together towards the secluded clearing nestled deep in the heart of the forest, well within the pack's domain where the ceremony would take place.

My son and I watched as Felix made a shallow incision on Rogue, Crytpa, and Adrian, drawing forth a small amount of blood from each of them. Eyrx growled as Cyrpta was cut, and I instinctively reached out to grasp his hand tightly. I reassured Eyrx that this was a ceremonial practice meant to unite her with the pack and that it didn't cause her any harm.

Felix then made a small cut on his wrist to draw a small amount of blood, allowing his blood to mingle with that of the newcomers in a small bowl. I explained to my son that this act symbolized merging their identities and establishing a connection that could endure obstacles and hardships. After mixing their blood, Felix guided Rogue, Crypta, and Adrian in reciting the solemn loyalty oath.

"Are they part of the Dark Moon pack now?" my son asked, eager for assurance that this would now be their home.

"Yes, they will be moving to their new homes shortly. I sense that Rogue and Damian are deepening their connection. They are mates. Once they have marked each other, Rogue will move in with Gamma. This means that Adrian and Crypta will live together," I replied.

Eryx inquired, with a hint of jealousy in his voice, "Is there something more between Adrian and Crypta than just friendship?"

"I don't know for sure, but they are close," I answered honestly.

My son's face fell, and a sadness radiated from him that broke my heart. I didn't know what to say. I didn't want to give him false hope or discourage him from initiating a relationship with another soul for the first time. This was all new for me as well. I cringed within, wishing I had the words he needed to hear.

Crypta's head snapped up, and her eyes looked intently into the forest, where my son and I were observing the ceremony. I knew that she could not see us but sensed our presence. I wondered about Selene's purpose in asking Eryx to watch over Crypta. She seemed more than capable of looking after herself.

"That young woman harbors secrets unknown even to her closest friends. With a dual identity, she plays a significant role as the benefactor of the Byte Club," Selene disclosed with a gentle smile as she joined us.

"Seraphina Dusk is Crypta? How can that be possible?" I gasped in disbelief.

"Do not overlook her ability to craft the myths and legends surrounding Seraphina Dusk. To maintain this façade, she must retreat into the forest alone to handle matters in her other persona. Crypta will require protection during these ventures. Her rebellious spirit can sometimes be overwhelming, and she often exudes excessive confidence," Selene remarked with a grin.

"This is Crypta's secret, which she guards closely. I trust both of you to assist her in maintaining its confidentiality. To confront the Collective, we will require access to her resources and contacts under the guise of Seraphina Dusk. I'm contacting my network extensively to determine the extent of the Collective's knowledge about us and plan our next moves. Although the threat of the Hunter Foundation is gone, it has only revealed the true manipulators behind the scenes," cautioned the Moon Goddess.

"The Dark Moon pack must rise and take the lead. Both of you will play a crucial role in making sure this happens; they cannot succeed without you," Selene whispered before vanishing before our eyes.