Fate of the Lost Moon

Chapter 4

Chapter 4 - Rowan’s POV

The sky had fallen dark, the stars mere pinpricks through the canopy of the forest. I caught the faint sound of footfalls—soft but quick, deliberate. Remus. My cousin was careful, but he didn’t know I was listening. He was sneaking out again, just like the hundred times before, and I’d lost count of how many times I’d taken the blame for his reckless choices.

Remus was the golden child, that much was clear. Everyone adored him, and while he was prepped for leadership, I was expected to follow as his Beta. For as long as I could remember, I had been the one cleaning up his messes, covering for his slip-ups, knowing that if Marius ever caught on, things would only get worse for both of us.

Tonight, though, something felt off. His scent led me toward the edge of the pack’s border, where the forest grew dense and the patrols were scarce. I followed him in silence, slipping through the underbrush as Lucius, my wolf, grumbled inside.

“You shouldn’t have to keep doing this,” Lucius growled. “Let him face his own consequences.”

“I know,” I replied silently, “but it’s just easier this way.”

I followed Remus’s trail through the pack grounds and out toward the forest border. The scent of pine and damp earth grew stronger, and I slowed, making sure to stay downwind. His scent mingled with something else, one I didn’t expect. Cassandra.

I reached the edge of the clearing just in time to see them together, entwined, her auburn hair catching the moonlight as he pulled her closer. I could see Cass’s green eyes closed, her lips against his, completely lost in him. Cassandra had made her choice; she and Remus clearly had something going on, and that was fine. My stomach twisted—not in jealousy, but something colder, sharper. They were practically at the border, too far for safety.

I moved closer, keeping silent, but the moment shattered as I caught a shift in the wind. A sour, unmistakable scent hit me—rogues.

They moved out of the shadows, silent and deadly. Cassandra and Remus sprang apart, the danger finally dawning on them. Remus pushed Cass behind him, his stance guarded but uncertain.

I couldn’t waste a second. I surged forward, letting Lucius take control, the familiar pull of my wolf washing over me as I shifted in an instant. My wolf’s instincts sharpened, his focus absolute. Lucius, black as midnight, launched himself between the rogues and my cousin.

Protect them, Lucius snarled, his voice a steely command. Show them who they’re dealing with.

The rogues closed in, their snarls echoing through the trees. Lucius didn’t hesitate. I lunged at the closest one, sinking my teeth into his shoulder, forcing him to the ground with brutal force. Another rogue lunged from the side, aiming for Cass, but Lucius’s quick reflexes allowed us to intercept. A single swipe of our claws sent him stumbling back.

Remus, meanwhile, fought with a third rogue, but his movements were less controlled, more frantic. One wrong move, and the rogue’s teeth sank into his arm. Remus cried out in pain, and Lucius growled, the urge to protect burning hotter than ever.

We finished off the rogues with a final, decisive bite, and as they staggered away into the night, I turned back to find Cass helping Remus to his feet. His arm was bloody, and his face was pale. But he was alive.

They owe you for this, Lucius muttered as I forced the shift back to human, breathing hard as I steadied myself. Cass’s wide eyes met mine, the gratitude and worry plain on her face.

“Get him back to the hospital,” I said, keeping my voice calm despite the irritation thrumming through me. “I’ll handle things here.”

Before I could turn away, however, a low growl echoed through the night, the unmistakable sound of rogues. Cassandra and Remus sprang apart, eyes wide, just as shadows emerged from between the trees. They moved fast, a group of at least four rogues, each with eyes glowing and claws extended.

Lucius surged forward, instincts flaring, and I leapt into action, shifting mid-step. I launched myself into the fray, slamming into one rogue and tearing at another. I heard Remus shout, trying to fight off a rogue on his own, but he was quickly overpowered.

Lucius fought with a fury I barely managed to control, adrenaline coursing through us both as I took down one, then another. I caught sight of Cassandra pulling back, wide-eyed as she watched, frozen in fear.

“Focus, Lucius!” I reminded my wolf. We couldn’t afford any mistakes.

With one last blow, I managed to scatter the remaining rogues, sending them running back across the border. But the damage was done—Remus was down, his side bleeding heavily. I shifted back, ignoring my own scrapes and bruises as I checked him over.

“We have to get you to the hospital,” I muttered, shooting a look at Cassandra. “You should head back now, Cassie, before anyone sees you.”

She hesitated, her face torn with worry and guilt, before nodding and slipping away. I hoisted Remus to his feet, supporting most of his weight, and led him to the pack hospital.

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At the hospital, I’d barely stepped into the room before the Alpha—Remus’s father—stormed in, his gaze hardening when he saw me by Remus’s bedside. His jaw was tight, anger brimming just below the surface. I could feel the tension in the room shift, my shoulders tensing instinctively.

“Rowan,” he said, his voice cold. “You mind explaining what you were doing out at the border with my son?”

“I was following him, sir,” I replied, my voice steady. “I heard something outside and noticed he was gone. When I found him, rogues were already closing in. We were lucky we fought them off.”

He folded his arms, not buying my story for a second. “And why exactly were you out there?”

I bit back a sigh, knowing I couldn’t let Cass’s involvement come to light. “Remus has been slipping out lately. I followed him to make sure he stayed out of trouble. I didn’t think he’d end up on the border.”

The Alpha’s eyes narrowed, a dangerous gleam in them. “And you just happened to find him in the middle of a rogue attack?”

“Yes, sir,” I said, keeping my expression neutral. “He was barely holding his ground when I got there.”

Alpha’s gaze flicked to Remus, who was looking down, avoiding his father’s glare. “You’re supposed to be the Alpha heir,” his father snapped, his voice harsh. “And yet here you are, reckless and injured.”

Remus’s jaw clenched, but he said nothing, and I could feel my anger flaring again. All these years, and Remus could do no wrong. But now, he was just as mortal as the rest of us.

The Alpha turned his glare back to me. “And you. How many times do I have to tell you to leave him be, Rowan? He doesn’t need you shadowing his every move.”

“Right,” I replied, keeping my tone respectful but firm. “But if I hadn’t been there tonight, he could have been seriously hurt—or worse.”

The Alpha said nothing for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he sighed, a reluctant nod. “Just… make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he said quietly, his tone begrudging. “You’re supposed to protect him, Rowan. One day, you’ll be Beta, and your duty will be to defend this pack—and especially Remus.”

I nodded, fighting to keep my expression calm. Lucius was simmering, his instincts roaring against taking the blame, but I kept him in check. I’d done this before, and I knew I could do it again.

“Yes, Uncle Marius,” I said quietly.

The Alpha said nothing for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then he sighed, a reluctant nod. “Just… make sure it doesn’t happen again,” he said quietly, his tone begrudging.

As he left, I turned to Remus, who was watching me with a mixture of guilt and exhaustion.

“Thanks, Rowan,” he muttered, avoiding my gaze. “I know you didn’t have to…”

I shrugged, leaning back against the wall. “Yeah, well. Next time, don’t expect me to follow you into the fire.”

He managed a small smile, and I left him there, the weight of the night pressing down on my shoulders. Lucius was silent, but I could feel his presence, a steady reminder of the choices I’d made. For now, I’d protected Cass and Remus. But I knew it wouldn’t be the last time.