The Prophecy

« CLARA »

Like a black panther, Adrian stands protectively in front of my small frame, his huge naked body glistening under the moonlight, his tanned muscles rippling as he shifts slightly, ready to pounce if needed.

A figure emerges from the shadows, and my breath hitched. But it wasn't an enemy—it was Ryan, Adrian's beta and childhood friend.

I huff in relief.

Ryan smirks as he approach, his hands raises in mock surrender. “I knew I’d find you two here.”

Adrian growls low in his throat, a warning to Ryan not to overstep.

I quickly finish to dress, my cheeks burning as Ryan’s eyes flick to me for a split second.

“Ryan Coleman,” Adrian’s voice becomes colder, “Look at my mate one more time and I will tear your eyes out!”

Ryan visibly flinches but recovers quickly, turning his back to give me privacy.

“Why are you here?” Adrian gnarls at his beta, clearly irritated.

“There’s a meeting in your office,” Ryan answers, “Alpha Elijah, Andromeda, and some council elders are waiting for you.”

My heart skips at his words. My father, the witch, and the council elders?

What could they want possibly at this hour?

Adrian frowns, his jaw tightening for a moment before he faces me. He takes my hand, his grip firm and protective. “When we get back to the pack, stay in our room,” he said, his voice softer than his expression. “I’ll come for you after.”

Adrian has always been protective of me ever since we were children. It was what made me love him. But I couldn't sit idly by while something important might be happening. As his Luna, I had a duty to stand by his side, especially if trouble loomed.

I shake my head, my brows furrowing. “No, Adrian,” I say firmly. “I want to come with you. If something’s wrong, I can be of help.”

His eyes narrow, his face hardening. “Clara—”

Before he can argue any further, Ryan speaks up again, “Forgive me, Alpha, ” he interrupts, his tone apologetic but deliberate, “Luna's presence is required as well.”

Adrian growls in frustration, but I reach out, placing a hand on his arm. “It’s okay,” I smile softly, rubbing soothing circles on his skin. “I’ll be fine.”

He sighs heavily, clearly displeased, but he nods. Together, we make our way back to the pack, Ryan trailing a respectful distance behind us.

Adrian’s grip on my hand was firm, steadying me as we walk toward his office. The two warriors guarding the oak door immediately step aside to let us in, bowing their heads in respect.

Inside, my father, Alpha Elijah, stands with Andromeda, the pack witch, along with several elders from both packs seated around the large wooden table.

The room falls silent when we enter, their eyes turning to us.

But it wasn’t them that made me freeze in my tracks.

It’s her.

Tiara.

She stands beside my father, arms crossed, and when our eyes meet, her gaze narrows slightly when she notices Adrian holding my hand –a fleeting glint of malice –flashes through her sharp, dark gaze. But she quickly masks it, offering a saccharine smile, but I saw through her.

A wave of irritation hits me. Of all people, why was she here?

Tiara had never been anything but a thorn in my side ever since she schemed her into my father’s life. She wasn’t my father’s true mate—just a conniving woman who manipulated him after my mother’s death. Tiara had been my mother’s omega servant, someone my mother trusted to serve our family. Yet, a year after my mother’s death, Tiara claimed she was pregnant with my father’s child.

Now, with her daughter Ophelia, they both sought to make my life miserable whenever possible. Of course, they were careful, never pushing too far because they knew my father cherished me, and the pack respected me.

As the firstborn daughter and heir to the Silverfang Pack, they dared not cross me completely.

I let go of Adrian’s hand and stop by my father. I greet him with a respectful nod but I didn’t spare Tiara a single glance. Her presence alone sours my mood, and I have no intention of pretending otherwise.

Adrian takes his seat at the head table, his sheer presence commanding attention. His tall, powerful frame looks even more intimidating as he leans back in his chair, his amber eyes cold and calculating.

A thick silence stretches across the room as he taps his fingers against the desk before finally speaking.

“Why have I been called here?” His voice was calm, but the weight of his authority made everyone tense.

Andromeda steps forward first, her black dress flowing as she moves. Her staff glows faintly under the dim candlelight, and that ever-present smile never leaves her lips. I didn’t like the witch. Not even a little.

She had replaced the seer of the Dark Howl Pack after the last one was accused of treason and was banished. And while the latter might have been dangerous, I never believed Andromeda was any better. There was something about her that made my skin crawl.

But I kept my thoughts to myself, knowing she was trusted by the Dark Howl Pack.

Andromeda’s voice is steady as she speaks. “The prophecy.”

Murmurs fills the room.

I almost roll my eyes. This again?

I had heard the story too many times to count.

An ancient prophecy of a wolf, born on the night of the Blood Moon—destined for evil. It bore a red crescent moon mark, a symbol of destruction, and if not eliminated, that wolf would bring ruin to the werewolf realm.

I had never believed in it. Stories were just that—stories.

But the others in the room? They didn’t share my skepticism.

A heavy silence fills the air.

Adrian remains expressionless, twirling a pen between his fingers as if none of this concern him. He let the tension linger before finally speaking.

“And why are you bringing this up now?” His voice was emotionless, but there was a sharpness to it.

Andromeda’s smile widens. “Because the cursed wolf’s power will soon awaken.”

The atmosphere in the office grows thick.

Some of the elders exchange uneasy glances, their whispers barely audible.

Elder Marcus, Adrian’s uncle, finally speaks. He was an older man in his sixties, wise and respected. “We should not let this trouble us now. The Blood Moon ceremony is soon approaching. There is no need to cause unnecessary fear among the people."

Adrian nods slightly, acknowledging his uncle’s words. “He's right. We will not entertain panic. As for the cursed wolf, when it's found, it will be destroyed.”

His words were final, leaving no room for argument.

I sigh inwardly, relieved that this nonsense was being dismissed. But just as the tension begins to fade, Tiara’s voice rings through the room.

“I wonder…” she muses, her lips curving into an eerie smile. “Who could this evil wolf be? It could be someone among us. Perhaps even here, in this very office.”

A new tension replaces the old one.

People begin glancing around, their paranoia evident.

I cross my arms, giving Tiara an unimpressed look.

What is she trying to stir up now?

"In this very office?” Ryan suddenly scoffs, his tone sharp. “What exactly are you implying, Luna Tiara?”

Caught off guard. Tiara blinks, as if startled by his directness, then quickly composes herself. “Oh, nothing Beta, of course. I’m just voicing my concern for our people. With the Blood Moon ceremony approaching, the timing seems…unfortunate.”

I clench my jaw. She is up to something.

If not, why would she make such an absurd comment? As though she knows who the evil Wolf is.

My father places a hand on her shoulder, probably to calm her, but I scoff. If only he knew how fake she was.

Adrian didn’t seem fazed. “Once the cursed wolf is found, it will be killed. That is all there is to discuss.”

With that, the meeting was over.

Everyone stands, bowing to Adrian before leaving the room. Only Elder Marcus stays behind, asking to speak with Adrian privately.

I walk with my father toward his chamber, Tiara trailing behind us like a shadow.

"Don't worry about these trivial matters, Clara," my father said, looking at me with concern. “Just focus on your duties as Luna. Adrian will handle everything else as King."

I offered him a reassuring smile, though inwardly I rolled my eyes. Did he really think I was bothered by some ancient prophecy? "I'm not worried, Father. I already have enough on my plate preparing for the Blood Moon ceremony."

As we reach the chamber doors, my father enters first, but when Tiara moves to follow him, she suddenly stops.

Turning to face me, she gives me a slow, taunting smile. “I wonder what the alpha sees in you, I don’t see you as Luna.”

I smirk, unbothered by her jab. “That’s fine. You don't have to. But I think you should worry more about your daughter. Words have it that she has no trouble sleeping around with the unmated wolves. What do you think my father will do if he hears of this?”

That struck a nerve!

Tiara’s eyes pupils dilates with panic before it darkens, but she masks her anger quickly, plastering on a fake smile before walking inside.

I exhale slowly.

Tiara will always want to get under my skin but I wouldn't let her bother me.

There were bigger things to focus on –the Blood Moon ceremony.