Serena's heart leaped at the sight of the silver-gray wolf. Could it really be Elias? Before she could move toward it, the wolf vanished into the shadows.
"Shift back," Lucian commanded, drawing her attention. "You'll need to meet everyone as human."
The transformation was easier this time. When Serena stood on two legs again, she noticed her arm had partially healed—still tender, but no longer broken. She clutched Lucian's jacket around her body, suddenly aware of the many eyes watching her.
"This way," Lucian said, leading her toward the largest cave entrance. Wolves parted to let them pass, some curious, others openly hostile.
The main cave opened into a surprisingly warm space with a high ceiling. Fire pits provided light and heat, while animal skins and woven mats covered the stone floor. Tunnels branched off in different directions, leading deeper into the mountain.
"Alpha!" A young woman hurried toward them, carrying a bundle of clothing. "I've brought things for your guest."
"Thank you, Mira," Lucian said. The girl couldn't be more than sixteen, with a shy smile and gentle eyes.
"These should fit," Mira said, offering the clothes to Serena. "And I can help with your injuries."
"My healer," Lucian explained. "The best in any pack."
Mira blushed at the praise. "The washing pools are this way," she said to Serena. "You can clean up and change."
Serena glanced at Lucian, who nodded. "Go. I need to speak with my Beta. Mira will bring you to my quarters afterward."
As Mira led Serena through a side tunnel, whispers followed them. The tunnel opened into a wide chamber where steam rose from several natural pools.
"Hot springs," Mira explained. "A gift from the mountain."
Serena stared in wonder. Silver Ridge had modern plumbing, but nothing like this natural beauty.
"I'll wait outside," Mira said kindly. "Call if you need help."
Alone at last, Serena sank into the nearest pool. The hot water stung her cuts but eased her aching muscles. She scrubbed away dried blood and dirt, trying to process everything that had happened.
Two days ago, she'd been Serena Vale, future Luna of Silver Ridge. Now she was... what? A weapon? A prisoner? A monster?
And had that really been Elias watching her from the shadows?
After washing, Serena examined the clothes Mira had brought—simple but well-made: leather pants, a soft tunic, and a belt. Everything fit well enough, though the style was different from Silver Ridge's more modern clothing.
"You look better," Mira said when Serena emerged. "More like a wolf and less like prey."
The comment stung, but Serena couldn't deny its truth. She'd felt like prey ever since her transformation.
"Thank you for the clothes."
"They belonged to Lyra," Mira said as they walked. "She's not happy about sharing."
"The red-haired woman?" Serena asked. "Who is she to Lucian?"
Mira gave her a sidelong glance. "His Second. And... it's complicated."
Before Serena could ask more, they turned a corner and nearly collided with a tall, muscular man. His dark eyes narrowed when he saw Serena.
"So this is the Onyx wolf," he said, blocking their path. "Smaller than I expected."
"Dorian," Mira whispered, dropping her gaze. "Alpha asked me to—"
"I know what Alpha asked," the man cut her off. "I want to see our guest for myself."
Dorian Voss circled Serena slowly, examining her like a wolf might inspect a suspicious piece of meat. Unlike the others, he showed no fear—only calculation.
"You're from Silver Ridge," he said. "Caius Vale's daughter, yes? The one promised to Elias Storm."
Serena lifted her chin. "I was."
"Was," Dorian repeated with a smirk. "Cast out for being a monster. And now you'll help us destroy your former pack?"
"Lucian offered protection," Serena said carefully.
"Protection isn't free." Dorian stepped closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "If you betray us—if you're playing some game for Silver Ridge—I'll personally tear your throat out."
"Dorian." Lucian's voice cut through the tension like a knife. He stood at the end of the tunnel, arms crossed. "That's enough."
Dorian immediately backed away. "Just welcoming our guest, Alpha."
"Mira, take Serena to her room," Lucian ordered. "Dorian, with me. Now."
As Mira hurried Serena away, she heard Lucian's low growl. "You don't threaten what's mine, Beta."
"Here," Mira said, stopping before an arched entrance covered by a hide curtain. "These are the Alpha's quarters."
Serena followed her inside, surprised by the space. Unlike the rough main cave, Lucian's home was almost elegant. Furs and woven tapestries covered the walls, while carved wooden furniture filled the rooms. Oil lamps cast a warm glow over everything.
"Your room is through there," Mira pointed to a side chamber. "It was meant for the Alpha's mate."
Serena froze. "I'm not—"
"Of course not," Mira said quickly. "But it's the only private space besides Lucian's own room."
The chamber was small but comfortable, with a bed piled high with furs and a stone basin filled with clean water.
"Rest," Mira suggested. "I'll bring food later."
Left alone, Serena sat on the edge of the bed, overwhelmed. Her fingers traced the healing skin of her formerly broken arm. The Onyx wolf's power had done that—healed what should have taken weeks to mend.
"What am I?" she whispered to the empty room.
"That," said a voice from the doorway, "is what we need to find out."
Lucian stood there, his massive frame filling the entrance. He'd changed clothes and washed the dirt from his face, making him look less wild but no less dangerous.
"Your Beta doesn't trust me," Serena said.
"Dorian doesn't trust anyone." Lucian entered the room, studying her with those intense amber eyes. "He'll obey me, regardless."
"And your Second? Lyra?"
A shadow crossed Lucian's face. "Lyra is... complicated."
"So I've heard," Serena said. "Is she your mate?"
"No," Lucian replied, too quickly. "She wanted to be. Once."
The air between them thickened with unspoken tension. Serena broke it by asking, "Was that Elias I saw? In the clearing?"
Lucian's expression hardened. "No. That was Ronan, my scout. The resemblance to your former mate is... unfortunate."
Relief and disappointment mingled in Serena's chest. Part of her had hoped...
"Forget Elias Storm," Lucian said, reading her thoughts. "He rejected you. Cast you out."
"Like you wouldn't have done the same," Serena shot back.
"I didn't," Lucian pointed out. "I saw your value."
"My power, you mean. Not me."
Something flickered in Lucian's eyes—surprise, perhaps, that she would challenge him so directly.
"Rest tonight," he said, changing the subject. "Tomorrow, we begin your training."
"Training for what?"
"To control your Onyx wolf," Lucian said. "To understand what you are."
He turned to leave, then paused. "The pack will gather tonight for the moon ceremony. You should attend—show them you're not afraid."
After Lucian left, Serena explored her new room. A small wooden chest contained more clothes, and a polished piece of metal served as a mirror. The face that looked back at her seemed different somehow—thinner, wilder, with shadows under her eyes.
She touched the mirror, tracing the outline of her reflection. "Who are you now, Serena Vale?"
Later, Mira brought food—roasted meat and wild berries—and news.
"The pack is buzzing about you," she said excitedly. "Some say you're a sign from the Moon Goddess. Others think you're a bad omen."
"And what do you think?" Serena asked.
Mira's eyes shone. "I think you're the most interesting thing to happen to Nightfang in years."
As night fell, drums began to beat somewhere in the mountain. Mira returned to escort Serena to the moon ceremony.
The main clearing had transformed. Huge bonfires blazed, casting dancing shadows across the mountainside. The entire pack had gathered—nearly a hundred wolves in human form, dressed in ceremonial leather and fur.
Conversations stopped as Serena approached. She held her head high, remembering Lucian's words: Show them you're not afraid.
Lucian stood on a raised stone platform, dressed in black with silver symbols painted on his bare chest. Beside him stood Dorian and Lyra, similarly decorated.
"Come," Lucian called to Serena, extending his hand.
All eyes followed as she climbed the steps to join them. Lucian's touch was warm as he guided her to stand beside him.
"Nightfang!" Lucian's voice boomed across the clearing. "Tonight we honor the moon that gives us strength. And tonight, we welcome a new power among us."
He placed his hand on Serena's shoulder. "The Onyx wolf was not sent to us by chance. The Moon Goddess guided her to our pack for a purpose."
Murmurs rippled through the crowd. Serena felt Lyra's glare burning into her side.
"Soon," Lucian continued, "we will reclaim what was stolen from us. Silver Ridge will fall, and Nightfang will rule as we were meant to."
Cheers erupted, wolves raising their fists toward the night sky. The raw hunger for revenge shocked Serena. What had Silver Ridge done to earn such hatred?
The ceremony continued with wild dancing, haunting songs, and ritual shifts under the moonlight. It was nothing like Silver Ridge's formal, structured celebrations. This was primal, ancient—closer to what werewolves must have been before civilization tamed them.
As the night wore on, Serena found herself drawn into the rhythm and energy. For brief moments, she forgot she was an outsider.
Later, as the festivities continued, Serena slipped away to catch her breath. She walked to the edge of the clearing, gazing out at the moonlit forest below.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" said a voice behind her.
Serena turned to find a man watching her—the scout she'd mistaken for Elias. Up close, the resemblance was even more striking, though Ronan's face was harder, marked by a scar that ran from temple to jaw.
"Yes," she agreed cautiously.
"They say you're going to help destroy Silver Ridge," Ronan said, his voice neutral. "Your own pack."
"They stopped being my pack when they tried to kill me."
Ronan nodded slowly. "Betrayal changes us. Hardens us."
Something in his tone made Serena look closer. "You speak from experience."
Instead of answering, Ronan reached into his pocket and pressed something into her hand. "If you're smart, you'll keep this hidden."
Serena looked down at a small stone carving—a wolf with glowing eyes, identical to the drawing she'd seen in the cave where Lucian found her.
"What is this?" she whispered.
"A warning," Ronan said. "And a promise."
Before she could ask more, he melted into the shadows.
From across the clearing, Lucian watched their exchange, his amber eyes narrowed. Beside him, Lyra whispered in his ear, her expression venomous as she stared at Serena.
Clutching the small carving, Serena realized she'd traded one dangerous world for another. Here, at least, her enemies were easier to spot—or so she thought.
She didn't notice the figure watching from the forest edge—a wolf with familiar gray fur and eyes that burned with conflicting emotions. Elias Storm had found her, after all.