Chapter Five: The Pull of Blood and Moonlight
Lucien transformed into his wolf form, with speed like lightning, he ran until he reached almost close to the border, until, right there and then his leg got punchured by a sharp iron trap,
Lucien let out a devistating groan, he was in pain, he transformed back from his wolf appearance, he hissed as he bleeded,
'I Cant go like this, they would see me weak, vulnorable and pathetic, what was I thinking?' Lucien thought to himself, he made a wrong choice, there were traps everywhere and he realized his Were-uncle was right, the Fox clan were cunning and smart as well,
He made up his mind to turn back, he was disapointed as he lept away.
The forest was silent, yet tense, the scent of blood fresh in the air, the iron trap had hurt Lucien's leg deeply, ripping into muscle, a cruel reminder of his own anger fueled recklessness, he should've been more careful, he should've listened,
Instead, now he limped alone in the wilds, his pride shattered, blood soaking into his trousers,
He lept while wincing as pain lanced through him, just as he reached for a tree to balance himself, he froze,
"Lucien?",
The voice that echoed through the trees wasn't harsh or scolding, it was soft, surprised and concerned,
He turned his head slowly,
It was Luna!
She rushed toward him, as her long white blonde hair railing with the wind, her eyes were wide with shock,
"What happened to you?!"
"It's nothing", he growled, turning his head away,
"But you're bleeding!",
"Just leave me alone Luna", His voice had edge but there was fatigue in it, too, "This is none of your business",
But she stepped forward, closing the distance, "You can barely walk",
"I said I'm fine",
"No, you're not",
He growled low in frustration, but this time she didn't retreat like usual,
"Let me help you, please, Im not leaving you hurt like this", she insisted,
For a moment, he stared at her like she was a strange creature he couldn't quite figure out, he rolled his eyes, then finally, he let out a sharp breath and nodded slightly,
"Fine!"
She gently slipped under his arm and helped him walk, her body warm against his side, steady and unafraid, it was the first time he'd allowed her near without coldness in his voice,
Neither of them noticed the eyes watching from above, sharp, golden, and full of cunning,
The Fox, the same one that had once approached Luna before, crouched low in the trees as his lips curling into a sly grin, as he took off his hood,
'So the Wolf lets the little Human get close… interesting', he stroke chin for some minuetes, before finally decides to depart from there as he put on his hood again.
Back at the Den Dynasty, chaos brewed,
"He's not with the guards and he's not in the chambers either" Collin said as frustration bleeding into his voice, "And Luna....she's not anywhere, Aunt",
Laura looked pale, gripping her arms tightly,
"Something's wrong, I feel it, we have to look for them",
Adolphus stood tall, arms crossed, his brow furrowed, "Luna has gone too far this time, we warned her",
"She's just a girl", Laura snapped at him, "Please do something",
Adolphus hesitated, his eyes flicked to Ayan his brother, who gave a curt nod,
"Send two of the fastest wolves" Adolphus barked, "Track her scent and Lucien's as well, don't engage, bring them back",
Before the wolves even moved, the great iron doors creaked open,
Gasps filled the hall,
Luna entered slowly, supporting Lucien's weight as he limped beside her,
Blood stained his leg, her hands and her dress.
"Lucien!", Collin was the first to move, but Adolphus stepped in front with his eyes blazing,
"What happened?!" the Alpha thundered, "Explain yourselves now!",
Lucien opened his mouth, he knew he would be scolded hard, but before he could utter anything, Luna interrupted him, stepping forward,
"He saved me",
Everyone went still by her words,
"There was… a wild animal, I went out, I'm sorry, I was so foolish, he saved me and got hurt in the process",
Lucien turned toward her in shock, she was lying… to protect him?
Adolphus's face darkened, " You went out, knowing you cannot protect yourself, you endangered yourself Luna, this is not acceptable",
"I know Were-Uncle.....", Luna whispered,
Ayan's voice was stern but measured, "You should've stayed within the walls, what if it had been worse?"
"Enough", Laura rushed to Luna, holding her protectively, "She's safe! Isn't that what matters?",
Adolphus growled at her,
"Then make sure she stays safe, if she steps foot outside without command again… I won't be as forgiving",
He turned on his heel and walked away proudly,
Ayan approached Lucien, jaw clenched,
"You're reckless, you need to learn control, take him to be treated",
As the Wolf guards helped Lucien away, he turned his head just once to glance back at her,
Luna stood with her head bowed, shoulders small, and yet something about her seemed more powerful than ever,
Why had she lied for him? Why did she care?
And why did it bother him so much?
Laura and Collin both confronted Luna with worriness in their eyes,
"Luna please love, promise me you wont go out alone again, its dangerous out there, since youre not a Wolf, I wont handle it, if anything happens to you" Laura holds her shoulders tight,
Collin drew closer to her as well, "Please Luna, Aunt is right, Ill look after you from now on and make sure you are safe", he reassures her,
Luna didnt utter a word, she only nodded with a faint smile, but inside she was down but managed to hide it as Laura, pulled her close for a felt hug, promising herself to not let anything bad happen to her Luna.
That night, Luna stood alone beneath the stars, arms wrapped around herself,
Her chest ached, not from the scolding or the danger but from that feeling again,
That strange pull and that whisper,
Something was out there, something was calling her, trying to tell her something,
"You didn't have to do it",
She turned to look and it was Lucien, who stood at the edge of the courtyard, arms crossed and freshly bandaged too,
"You didn't have to lie for me",
She tilted her head, her voice a bit low, "And yet I did",
"Why?"
Her eyes narrowed, "I should ask you that!!!, why do you care?"
He frowned, "I don't",
"Right", she frowned as well,
Silence stretched for some minuete until Lucien stepped closer to her,
"Thank...you",
She blinked, "For what?"
"For… helping me and covering for me too, it was unexpected"
A small surprised smile tugged at her lips,
"Was that so hard to say?",
He scowled, "Okay don't push it",
She laughed softly, "Fine, I wont",
Then his voice lowered, "By the way, why did you go out there alone again, Luna?",
Her smile faded as she looked serious, "I don't know, I just… felt pulled, like something out there wanted me to see it, like… something Im suppose to know",
Lucien looked at her carefully, "You feel like you don't belong"
She nodded slowly,
"I know that feeling" he said, almost too quiet to hear,
She turned toward him, her eyes searching his, "Do you?"
He didn't answer, as he didnt she knew there was no point to continue the conversation,
She brushed passed him "It doesn't matter, just forget it",
Lucien watched her walk off, the moonlight trailing behind her like a ribbon,
Something about her was different and something deep in his chest, the part he never showed was beginning to stir, he couldnt understand why, it was strange and he frowned at himself wanting to know what shes thinking, he wanted to know more but still a part of him was stopping him, it was complicated for him.
Far away from the stone corridors of the Den Dynasty, across the dense border, the hidden stronghold of the Fox Empire stirred with restless ambition under the deepening twilight, in an immense chamber carved out of ancient oak and stone, foxes of every rank gathered around a long, scarred table, their eyes gleamed with cunniness as they discussed their plans, plans to wrest control of the wildlands from the Wolves and secure a future for their kind,
At the head of the table sat Phillius, a fierce and imposing figure with long, fiery red hair that cascaded over his broad shoulders, and dark hazel eyes that burned with intensity, by his side was Lady Ferra, his beautiful wife who watched thoughtfully, her expression a blend of cautious optimism and thinly veiled doubt as one idea after another was presented,
Yet none of the proposals stirred Phillius, his gaze bored through every suggestion until with a slow, deliberate step, a solitary fox emerged from the shadows, pulling back the hood that had concealed his identity, he revealed a face both familiar and sinister, the same fox who had once confronted Luna in the forest and who was watching her earlier too,
His name was Fyrus.
Fyrus fixed his eyes on the ruler,
"My lord," he began, his tone low and measured, "I have been watching and observing and I saw the human by your enemy's side, I witnessed how she tended to a wounded wolf, how she cared despite knowing no loyalty to our kind", He paused, letting his words settle into the murmurs of the chamber,
Phillius leaned forward, his interest unmistakable, "And what do you propose, Fyrus?"
A sly smile curved Fyrus's lips,
"We know all too well that the Wolves are responsible for wiping out the Human lineage many years ago, they wear that truth like armor, but therein lies our weakness, this orphan raised amongst Wolves is the perfect pawn, we can use her... her perceived loyalty to them to infiltrate their ranks, with her, we could reach their leader and dismantle the pack from within, imagine, if we could turn her against them and eliminate their Alpha then, we would claim the wildlands and secure our future",
A tense silence fell, Lady Ferra's eyes sparkled with a dangerous mix of intrigue and approval, Phillius's gaze never wavered from Fyrus and finally, he spoke,
"Fyrus, your plan is... deviously brilliant, and if it succeed, you shall be made the next leader of the Fox Empire" His voice carried both promise and warning,
As if on cue, Phillius turned his attention to his only son, Ferren, who had been quietly observing from the edge of the gathering, "Ferren!" Phillius chided, voice sharp, "You should learn a thing or two from Fyrus, I expected more cunning, more initiative from my heir but you manage to disappoint me",
Ferren's eyes flashed with hurt and anger, his pride wounded and he was speechless so instead, he stormed away, leaving his mother who almost reached out to follow him only to be stopped firmly by Phillius,
"Let him be, Ferra" he ordered, "He has time to learn, until a better plan is formed by him, the mantle will pass to Fyrus if his idea proves viable",
A grim smile twisted Fyrus's features as he imagined the elaborate scheme already forming in his mind a plan not only to subvert the wolves but to claim the wildlands once and for all.
****
Back in the night, beneath the watchful glow of the moon, the denizens of two worlds stood on the precipice of change, in one realm, Lucien and Luna bound by their shared scars and unspoken truths were left to nurse wounds and question loyalties, in the other the Fox Empire's scheme brewed, dark and devious, promising betrayal and upheaval, hopefully there would be a stopping light before its too late. . . . . . .
And so, with hearts heavy and fates intertwined, both sides prepared for a storm that would reshape the very blood of the wildlands.