The Moons Promise

CHAPTER TWO

Into The Shadows.

Aria’s POV

The massive wolf growled as it fixated its glowing orange eyes on us. I didn’t need Kieran’s warning glance to know that this was no ordinary rogue wolf because the surrounding power was suffocating and thick with a primal power that felt yet so ancient.

Kieran shifted slightly, his broad frame shielding me from the rogue wolf. His voice was ice-cold, and it barely concealed the rage he was feeling. “Elias, if you’re here to play games, I’m not in the mood.”

The rogue wolf - no, wait - the rogue alpha cackled evilly, the sound sending shivers down my spine. He shifted into his human form and his tall frame carried an air of wild authority, his dark hair fell over his dark cheekbones. There was something about his grin that unnerved me - it held a mixture of cruelty and amusement and something else that felt more sinister than I could decipher.

“And you,” he started, his eyes drinking me in. “You must be the prophecy girl,” he stated, a wicked grin plastered across his face as his tone dripped with mockery.

“I’ve heard so much about you,” Elias stated, his eyes glinting at something sinister.

“Say her name one more time, and I’ll rip your throat out,” Kieran threatened, which elicited Elias to roll his eyes.

“What is it with you alphas and wanting to rip out throats?” Elias questioned, not expecting a response.

“Just go!” Kieran growled, his fist balling in a fit of rage.

“Relax Nightshade, I don’t bite,” his grin was cocky. “I just came here to warn you. The council is already sharpening their knives for her. She’s marked for death and there’s no escaping that.”

“Don’t talk about me like I’m not here,” I finally found my voice as a pang of fear shot through me. “I never even asked for any of this,” I stated, surprised at how steady my voice came out despite the turmoil I was feeling on the inside.

Elias scoffed, his smirk widening. “Oh love, it doesn’t matter what you asked for. It’s a matter of what you are.”

“And what am I?” I questioned, feeling the sting of tears in the corner of my eyes as I struggled to blink them back to prevent them from falling.

Elias scoffed again, “What you are is something everyone is willing to kill for.”

Kieran growled, his claws elongating as he stepped closer to Elias. “Leave. Now. Before I tear you apart.”

Elias’s face slowly morphed into a wicked grin and, for a minute and second, I thought he was going to attack. Not until he slowly shifted into his wolf form and then took off running into the woods. The rest of his pack followed suit.

My knees nearly gave way as soon as the silence returned. I had almost been paralyzed by fear and I didn’t know it. “Who was that?” I asked, my eyes still scanning the area, afraid that he might return.

“Elias Greystone,” Kieran replied through gritted teeth. “Alpha of the rogues and also my biggest problem.”

“No wonder I’ve never heard of him,” I voiced out loud, my innermost thought becoming audible.

“Yes, he doesn’t have a legit pack of his own under Lunaris.”

I said nothing, the tension from Kieran’s stance doing all the talking needed. We continued our journey as we walked deeper into the forest. I followed him silently, trying to match his brisk pace and huge strides.

We finally emerged into a clearing where a tall man leaned casually against his motorcycle.

His presence was alluring and exuded an air of command that sought attention without even trying.

“Kieran! You’re late!” He stated, his voice low and deep.

“We ran into Elias,” was the only means of explanation Kieran gave. That was enough for the tall man to cast a sharp gaze at me before resting his blue eyes on Kieran.

“Elias is here? That complicates things,” his voice was calm, and it felt like waves crashing on a rock for some reason.

“Everything is complicated,” I muttered, my small voice drowning in the wind. The man’s gaze finally rested upon me. He offered a small smile, his gaze softening as he looked at me deeply.

“You must be aria,” he said softly, and I found his voice calm despite all that had been happening. I nodded hesitantly.

“I’m Ronan Thorn,” he announced, extending his arm for a handshake. “Alpha of the Silverpaw pack”.

The warmth of his grip made me feel safe. Unlike Kieran’s constant edge of danger, Ronan exuded a quiet strength that felt oddly comforting.

“She’s not a guest Ronan,” Kieran said, glaring at Ronan and daring him to challenge him. “She’s under my protection.”

Ronan's smile didn’t waver, but his eyes gleamed with a challenge, “Under your protection you say? But I don’t remember you calling dibs Kieran.”

“This is not a game, Ronan,” Kieran growled.

“Oh but it is never with you is it?” Ronan shot back, causing me to startle slightly. His calm demeanor dissipated, giving way for his alpha side to show.

I stepped between them, realizing that an intervention was going to be necessary, “stop it you two! This isn’t helping!” I said, my voice firmer than how I felt.

“Elias said that the council is after me and if there’s any atom of truth in that, then we do not have time for your battle of egos or territorial pissing contest or whatever the heck that is!”

“I like her,” Ronan chuckled, his eyes glinting with amusement.

Kieran rolled his eyes but didn’t argue. “We need a safe house where she can stay. Somewhere the council and Elias won’t be able to penetrate.”

Ronan nodded, “I have a cabin that’s near my territory, but it definitely won’t hold if they send a full force.”

“Well, it will just have to do for now,” Kieran shrugged. And as we set off again, I could feel Ronan's gaze on me, his presence both unnerving and intriguing.

The cabin was a bit sparse, but it was also sturdy, and it nestled deep in the woods. Ronan tried to start up a fire while Kieran went to check the perimeter to make sure we were safe. So that left me alone with the alpha of the silverpaw pack.

Ronan finally broke the silence, “You’re handling this better than expected.” His voice was low and steady.

I chuckled weakly, the humor not reaching my eyes. “If this is what you call handling it, then I’d most definitely hate to see me falling apart.”

A small smile plastered across his face, his expression softening. “You’re stronger than you know aria. You have no idea of how much power you yield. Don’t let anyone make you feel otherwise.”

Kieran suddenly burst through the door, his face grim as he stared at the two of us. Our gaze whipped towards him and my mind wondered what was going on.

“They’ve found us,” he said, as if reading my mind and answering the unasked question.

Ronan cursed under his breath, yielding his blade and preparing for battle. “How many?”

“Too many to count,” Kieran replied. “Elias must have sent his whole pack.”

“Well, what are we going to do?” I squealed out the questions, mentally cursing myself for how weak my voice sounded.

“We fight!” Ronan answered, preparing to shift.

“Aria, stay close to me at all times. No matter what happens.”

Kieran commanded and I nodded without hesitation.

The first wave hit hard and fast. Rogues burst through the door, snarling and growling. Kieran shifted midway, his paw landing on one of the rogues. His massive wolf form tore into the intruders with vengeful precision.

Ronan fought like a storm, his blade flashing as he cut through the chaos. He moved with deadly grace as he swung his blade, every swing hitting its target.

I was scared.

I pressed myself against the wall as I watched the drama battle unfold before my very eyes. A rogue lunged at me and I barely had time to scream before Ronan's blade sliced through it.

“Are you okay?” He asked, his fingers brushing my cheeks. He was out of breath and so was I but for a different reason. I nodded my head, afraid of how my voice was going to sound.

More rogues poured in like water and the fight got intense. They were not going to fight them off alone. I would shift if I could, but my wolf wasn’t ready yet.

“Aria! Get out of here!” Kieran grunted as he struggled to free himself from the grasp of a rogue!

“I’m not leaving you… I’m not leaving either of you.” I yelled above the chaos, surprising everyone, including myself.

Amidst the chaos, Ronan chuckled, his blade slicing through the throat of a rogue. “She’s got a spirit.”

The battle went on for a very long time, and we all lost track of time.

They were getting tired and drained and if they didn’t stop soon, I knew I was going to lose them, and I was not prepared for that to happen, especially not when I hadn’t figured out what this whole prophecy thing meant. Something within me stirred as I watched the chaos unfold and, for a split second, my vision blurred, and with a snap of my fingers, the rogues began to fall one by one.

Dead.

The battle blurred eventually and there were no rogues left to fight off.

Kieran shifted into his human form and collapsed to the ground with a heavy thud. He was bruised but not broken.

The two alphas who had just saved my life lay on the floor and, by instinct, I went to lie between them.

They both turned their heads to look at me, but I kept my gaze up. I didn’t know what was going on anymore.

“We can’t stay here. They’d probably send more reinforcements.”

“Agreed, but first of all, Aria, what just happened?”

“I didn’t know.”

Kieran turned to look at me, his golden eyes seeping into mine.

“You’re more than just a prophecy, aren’t you?”

I opened my mouth to respond, but no words came out, and I knew at that moment that my life had just become more complicated.