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Chapter three: Hearts in motion
Terakhir Diperbarui:
2025-01-24 04:31:53A few days later, Aria decided to go to the river again; she wouldn’t admit it, but she hoped she would meet Luca there. She found her way through the woods, hiding behind trees, trying to avoid her sister or anyone noticing her. She got to the river and carried on with her activities as always. After waiting for hours, there was no sign of Luca; filled with disappointment, she decided to leave.
—Aria. A voice howled in the distance.
“Aria,” Luca tried again, softer this time, although too late to keep her from her jagged start. She looked up sharply with brown eyes that pierced until they found his.
“What are you doing here?” It was a guarded, slurred voice that asked from weariness.
But... I had a feeling that I'd find you here.”
Her laugh was quite hollow and a little bitter. 'Oh, but it does. The universe does seem to be having fun in throwing us together, doesn't it?' Luca watched her; he noticed how her hands trembled slightly as though she was nervous.
“Does your father know you’re here?” Aria asked
“Does it matter?” Luca responded.
“He might order for my head if he sees his only heir with an umbra princess, don’t you think?”
“My father is not capable of such.” Luca answered
“But whispers contradict your claim; they portray him as arrogant and prideful.”
As she spoke, Luca moved closer, staring into her eyes; she felt like he could see her soul. From this point, his yellow eyes looked so beautiful, and they sparkled as the sun set. She had never seen something this breathtaking; a sense of uneasiness ran down her spine, her heart pounding like it would fall off her chest.
She struggled to put herself together and tilted her head, attempting to avoid his gaze. Luca shifted her long blond hair to the side, trying to make her face more visible. She stood close to his chest as she smelled the subtle yet unmistakable sweet perfume, like a whispered promise of something delightful to come. The sun was setting; it was late, and everyone would be looking for her now. She pushed Luca but not too hard, gave a short wave, unable to look him in the eyes, and ran off.
As Aria walked in, Maliya was waiting for her.
“Where have you been this time?” Maliya asked.
She smirked, trying to hide a happiness. “Nowhere, just around the woods as always.”
They both retreated to their rooms; Aria could not get the moment out of her mind; she kept giggling and panting. This had to be the happiest day of her life since her mother passed.
That evening, while the Umbra wolves were working themselves into a lather over the night's full-moon gathering, tension was definitely in the air.
The murmuring of the elders was ever persistent, but Loki had finally hushed them by taking his position at the front.
He was a member of the high council who had always been thirsty for power, looking for ways to scheme his way to the throne. No one ever took him seriously.
He demanded attention from the people and the alpha.
“I have something to say,” Loki said.
The entire crowd sat quiet; Orion, confused about what was going on, said
“What is it this time, Loki? What mischief are you plotting?”
“Not mischief your Alpha, but the truth.”
Orion's irritation boiled over as he barked the order at Loki, commanding him to take his seat, but Loki defied him, refusing to back down. As the dark wolves closed in to drag him away, Loki became more resistant, and he unleashed a deafening howl, his voice echoing through the room like a wounded beast.
"The time has come for me to disclose this truth that has troubled me for quite some time." Loki's voice boomed, carrying far above the silent crowd. "Aria, the descendant of Orion, is not born in the pure lineage of the wolves; she is a half-breed—sired by a human and a wolf."
Bab terkait
The moonlight reckoning Chapter four: secrets and schemes
The crowd burst into whispers of disbelief and shock, and now every eye was upon the unfortunate Aria. There was no one in the audience from whom she could escape these gazes. The weight of their gazes, coupled with their disbelief and judgment, crushed her. Though not a word was spoken, Orion's face darkened, adding to the tension by holding his peace.Maliya’s face turned to see her sister; she was shocked just as everyone else. The revelation was a blow not only to Aria but to the unity of the pack. Aria stood tall, resisting the pressure of accusations claiming her not too weak. "What is this, your grand idea for strengthening the pack, Loki: a division among us because of some baseless accusations?" she challenged, her voice quiet but ably stilled the maelstrom in the depths of her soul."These are not baseless claims," Loki retorted. "The council deserves clarity. If you have proved unworthy of your position, the pack must know."The murmurs traveled back and forth through the
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-24The moonlight reckoning Chapter five: Brewing storm
Word of Aria's mixed heritage ran through the land as the raging flame locked on the wind of discord. It wasn't long before this speculation breathed its way into the Lunari pack. Through the long stone table, Thane sat at the head, and his lieutenants surrounded him. Flickering fire lit his weathered face, flashing forth his golden eyes with some devilish kind of cunning."Well, so the half-caste should be the great Orion's heir," said Thane, raising one side of his mouth in an unexpected smirk.One of his lieutenants was leaning forward, his face solemn. "The Umbra pack will be divided. Orion's judgment for keeping it secret will come under huge scrutiny.""And with each doubt, their unity cracks," Thane said with a cold and calculated voice. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the table. "This is a chance. If they lose faith in Aria, their leadership could, by mere implication, be weakened.And this we shall exploit and assert our domination."Luca, who was standing near the edge o
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-24The moonlight reckoning chapter 6: council gathering
Council members gathered in the Umbra Pack meeting hall, beneath a crescent moon, their eyes turned toward the presidium. At the head of the table stood Loki, his face a mask of smug self-assurance. He was boasting about being given the honor of presiding at this critical assembly, hence taking pleasure in it. Voices spoke over one another, now loud and now low, as each council member clearly gave an opinion on who should lead their pack in the future."The matter is already settled," Loki cut in, his voice a blade lashed out against the noise. "Aria is just not suitable to lead the pack. Her heritage, if one may call it that, becomes a serious hazard."A low, guttural voice opposed, but she is still Orion's daughter—does it count for nothing? Can we so easily turn our backs on her?'"She carries tainted blood," Loki snapped emphatically, and his hand slammed onto the table. "With tainted blood comes a tainted future."The debate continued, other voices rising above the heated argumen
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-12The moonlight reckoning chapter seven: tragic whispers
The morning after the full moon ceremony, the Umbra pack stirred with restless energy. Life in the territory resumed—wolves trained, markets buzzed with activity, and children played in the open clearings—but an undercurrent of tension lingered. Everywhere Aria walked, she felt the weight of their eyes and the pull of their whispers.In the marketplace, the air was thick with the mingling scents of fresh herbs, cured meats, and the earthy tang of wolf fur. Merchants called out their wares, but their voices carried a strained edge, their attention frequently flickering toward clusters of wolves engaged in hushed conversations.“I can’t believe Orion defied the council like that,” muttered one merchant as she arranged a row of clay jars.A customer leaned in, glancing over his shoulder to ensure they were unheard. “He’s putting the entire pack at risk. If Aria isn’t of pure blood, how can she defend us? How can we trust her to lead?”“Do you think Loki was right?” A younger wolf asked a
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-12The moonlight reckoning Chapter one: Life in the shadows
Dusk was creeping over the forest, causing life to suddenly emerge from its depths. Its immense pines towered high like guardians. The heart of the forest, consisting of two feuding realms, namely Lunari and Umbra, was as much of a business as the rivers and roots that intertwined there. Upon a hilly area that was drenched in sunlight, there was the Lunari pack, whose territory facilitated a cluster of cabins and enormous open areas. Although the settlement was somewhat makeshift, it still had a disciplined air to it. Each construct was made with an intention, every single inch of the land signifying their pack's historical undertakings.Thane, the alpha of the Lunari tribe, stood on the wooden platform in the center of the village while the village elder trained the young wolves in sparring. ombination of both enabled him to master all fields as he possessed motivation. A mentor wielder, as Thane reeked of authority. Thane had a son whose name was Luca. He was twenty-six and had bu
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-24The moonlight reckoning Chapter Two: First gaze
As he crossed to the riverside, the water of the river that marked the boundary of the Lunari and Umbra territories glittered in the pale morning light. It was a very discreet boundary that both parties had respected for centuries, but under these tranquil representations of the surface of the water, one could see a tension emanating from their history.Luca was often by the river's edge, so it was no exception to find him there today. He felt the escape of this place, where the rigid traditions of his pack didn't feel so suffocating. Dressed in a simple tunic and trousers, the young werewolf's boots gave a crunching sound on the gravel. He squatted close to the water's edge and sent a smooth stone skipping. On the other side, in the trees, something moved. His eyes narrowed, and he drew himself back. There was someone there."Who's there?" called Luca. His voice had a note of authority, but it was, indeed, quite gentle.Suddenly, Aria stepped from the shadows, and the morning sunshin
Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-01-24
Bab terbaru
The moonlight reckoning chapter seven: tragic whispers
The morning after the full moon ceremony, the Umbra pack stirred with restless energy. Life in the territory resumed—wolves trained, markets buzzed with activity, and children played in the open clearings—but an undercurrent of tension lingered. Everywhere Aria walked, she felt the weight of their eyes and the pull of their whispers.In the marketplace, the air was thick with the mingling scents of fresh herbs, cured meats, and the earthy tang of wolf fur. Merchants called out their wares, but their voices carried a strained edge, their attention frequently flickering toward clusters of wolves engaged in hushed conversations.“I can’t believe Orion defied the council like that,” muttered one merchant as she arranged a row of clay jars.A customer leaned in, glancing over his shoulder to ensure they were unheard. “He’s putting the entire pack at risk. If Aria isn’t of pure blood, how can she defend us? How can we trust her to lead?”“Do you think Loki was right?” A younger wolf asked a
The moonlight reckoning chapter 6: council gathering
Council members gathered in the Umbra Pack meeting hall, beneath a crescent moon, their eyes turned toward the presidium. At the head of the table stood Loki, his face a mask of smug self-assurance. He was boasting about being given the honor of presiding at this critical assembly, hence taking pleasure in it. Voices spoke over one another, now loud and now low, as each council member clearly gave an opinion on who should lead their pack in the future."The matter is already settled," Loki cut in, his voice a blade lashed out against the noise. "Aria is just not suitable to lead the pack. Her heritage, if one may call it that, becomes a serious hazard."A low, guttural voice opposed, but she is still Orion's daughter—does it count for nothing? Can we so easily turn our backs on her?'"She carries tainted blood," Loki snapped emphatically, and his hand slammed onto the table. "With tainted blood comes a tainted future."The debate continued, other voices rising above the heated argumen
The moonlight reckoning Chapter five: Brewing storm
Word of Aria's mixed heritage ran through the land as the raging flame locked on the wind of discord. It wasn't long before this speculation breathed its way into the Lunari pack. Through the long stone table, Thane sat at the head, and his lieutenants surrounded him. Flickering fire lit his weathered face, flashing forth his golden eyes with some devilish kind of cunning."Well, so the half-caste should be the great Orion's heir," said Thane, raising one side of his mouth in an unexpected smirk.One of his lieutenants was leaning forward, his face solemn. "The Umbra pack will be divided. Orion's judgment for keeping it secret will come under huge scrutiny.""And with each doubt, their unity cracks," Thane said with a cold and calculated voice. His fingers drummed rhythmically on the table. "This is a chance. If they lose faith in Aria, their leadership could, by mere implication, be weakened.And this we shall exploit and assert our domination."Luca, who was standing near the edge o
The moonlight reckoning Chapter four: secrets and schemes
The crowd burst into whispers of disbelief and shock, and now every eye was upon the unfortunate Aria. There was no one in the audience from whom she could escape these gazes. The weight of their gazes, coupled with their disbelief and judgment, crushed her. Though not a word was spoken, Orion's face darkened, adding to the tension by holding his peace.Maliya’s face turned to see her sister; she was shocked just as everyone else. The revelation was a blow not only to Aria but to the unity of the pack. Aria stood tall, resisting the pressure of accusations claiming her not too weak. "What is this, your grand idea for strengthening the pack, Loki: a division among us because of some baseless accusations?" she challenged, her voice quiet but ably stilled the maelstrom in the depths of her soul."These are not baseless claims," Loki retorted. "The council deserves clarity. If you have proved unworthy of your position, the pack must know."The murmurs traveled back and forth through the
The moonlight reckoning Chapter three: Hearts in motion
A few days later, Aria decided to go to the river again; she wouldn’t admit it, but she hoped she would meet Luca there. She found her way through the woods, hiding behind trees, trying to avoid her sister or anyone noticing her. She got to the river and carried on with her activities as always. After waiting for hours, there was no sign of Luca; filled with disappointment, she decided to leave.—Aria. A voice howled in the distance.“Aria,” Luca tried again, softer this time, although too late to keep her from her jagged start. She looked up sharply with brown eyes that pierced until they found his.“What are you doing here?” It was a guarded, slurred voice that asked from weariness.But... I had a feeling that I'd find you here.”Her laugh was quite hollow and a little bitter. 'Oh, but it does. The universe does seem to be having fun in throwing us together, doesn't it?' Luca watched her; he noticed how her hands trembled slightly as though she was nervous.“Does your father know yo
The moonlight reckoning Chapter Two: First gaze
As he crossed to the riverside, the water of the river that marked the boundary of the Lunari and Umbra territories glittered in the pale morning light. It was a very discreet boundary that both parties had respected for centuries, but under these tranquil representations of the surface of the water, one could see a tension emanating from their history.Luca was often by the river's edge, so it was no exception to find him there today. He felt the escape of this place, where the rigid traditions of his pack didn't feel so suffocating. Dressed in a simple tunic and trousers, the young werewolf's boots gave a crunching sound on the gravel. He squatted close to the water's edge and sent a smooth stone skipping. On the other side, in the trees, something moved. His eyes narrowed, and he drew himself back. There was someone there."Who's there?" called Luca. His voice had a note of authority, but it was, indeed, quite gentle.Suddenly, Aria stepped from the shadows, and the morning sunshin
The moonlight reckoning Chapter one: Life in the shadows
Dusk was creeping over the forest, causing life to suddenly emerge from its depths. Its immense pines towered high like guardians. The heart of the forest, consisting of two feuding realms, namely Lunari and Umbra, was as much of a business as the rivers and roots that intertwined there. Upon a hilly area that was drenched in sunlight, there was the Lunari pack, whose territory facilitated a cluster of cabins and enormous open areas. Although the settlement was somewhat makeshift, it still had a disciplined air to it. Each construct was made with an intention, every single inch of the land signifying their pack's historical undertakings.Thane, the alpha of the Lunari tribe, stood on the wooden platform in the center of the village while the village elder trained the young wolves in sparring. ombination of both enabled him to master all fields as he possessed motivation. A mentor wielder, as Thane reeked of authority. Thane had a son whose name was Luca. He was twenty-six and had bu
