Page 9 of The Alpha's Shattered Bonds

Shock ricocheted through me like a physical blow, spinning memories of my nightmare back into focus—my parents being unjustly accused and Tyler’s tormented face delivering the dreadful news that would forever alter my life.

Selina’s hand clasped mine, squeezing my cold skin and reminding me of the warmth that had spread through me as Tyler took my hand in the dream. She understood the weight of this revelation—the intertwining liberation and devastation in my soul. I had confided in her about my parents, sharing the story of their betrayal and how ostracized I’d been afterward. I’d told her of how everyone but Tyler had turned against me.

But my focus remained on the Black Moon prisoner. “Who’s the real traitor in the Silver Moon Pack?” I pressed, desperation tightening my chest.

“I don’t know,” the prisoner ground out, frustration flaring in his tone as he glared at Alexis as if waiting for a blow to fall to incentivize him to talk. “Only the Black Moon leader and the dark witch know the truth.”

My gaze darted to Alexis, whose frustration boiled over. Unfortunately, his story about that remains unchanged. I noticed the bruised knuckles on his hand and understood that the Alpha had done everything he could to get the truth out of the prisoner. “Our scouts are still hunting for more of the Black Moons,” he continued, “but they’ve skulked off like the cowards they are.”

A growl rumbled from the prisoner as he cut his eyes at Alexis, but my heartbeat raced, thrumming with the newly unearthed truth: my parents—who I had loved with all my heart—had been innocent. The shadows that had haunted me for so long began to shift, morphing from despair into something almost hopeful. I could feel an ember of rebellion stirring within me.

My mind leaped ahead, making plans for the future. I met Selina’s eyes. “This changes everything,” I said. “I think I can do what I never hoped to—I can clear my parents’ names.”

Her gaze shimmered with tears, and my heart swelled with thankfulness for the sanctuary she’d given me these last two years. But with this fiery feeling growing in my chest, I believed Selina was right: my nightmares had been a sign.

My part in the war against the Black Moons was far from over. A traitor lurked at the heart of the Silver Moon Pack—one whohad framed my parents and robbed me of my family. I realized dazedly that I would have to break my vow to leave the past behind because I was going to uncover the truth and bring my parents the justice they had long been denied.

Chapter Four

Seraphina

The forest hummed with life, the sounds of chirping birds and buzzing insects filling my wolfish ears. I had already bid farewell to my friend’s family back at the castle, but Selina insisted on accompanying me to the forest’s fringes.

She tightened the strap of the small saddlebag on my back. I would be traveling in wolf form, covering the vast distance to the Silver Moon Pack over the next few days. My saddlebag, clipped across my furry chest and back, held only the essentials—clothes, crystals, and, of primary importance, the letter from Alexis detailing everything the Black Moon prisoner had said during the interrogation. I knew well that the word of the child of traitors wouldn’t be trusted alone.

“Does that feel secure?” Selina asked, her bright green eyes as vibrant as the green of the forest around us.

I nodded, feeling the weight of both the saddlebag and the task ahead.

With tenderness, Selina kneeled and wrapped her arms around my furry neck. “You’ve always got a home here if you ever want it,” she murmured.

She had already said as much back at the castle, and when I’d glanced at her normally austere husband, Alexis, he had actuallysmiled. It meant the world to have such friends, and my heart swelled with gratitude for their support as I prepared to leave.

With a heavy heart, I cast one last glance back from beneath the forest canopy, seeing Selina standing amidst the lushness of her territory. Summer here—so close to the sea—had melted the snowfields entirely, and I felt a pang of reluctance to leave both the warm temperatures and the nurturing friendships I had formed. Blinking back emotions, I turned to continue my journey, thoughts shifting to the lands awaiting me—where even summer air chilled to the bone and the snowfields persisted.

Determination surged within me as I ventured onward. For two days, the dense forests of the Shadow Moons provided ample burrows and dens for resting at night. On the second day, when hunger gnawed at me, I caught the fresh scent of a deer and stalked it through a clearing. With precision, I brought it down, savoring the rich, gamey meat that filled my belly.

As dawn broke over the horizon on the third day of my travels, soft rays of gold washed over a blanket of snow. I stood atop a small hill and marveled at the breathtaking sight—the boundary of the Silver Moon lands lay before me once again.

My heart thumped with nervous energy, and I quickly shifted into my human form, pulling on the warm clothes and sturdy boots from my bag. The shadowy leathers of the Shadow Moon Pack were durable but stark against the brightness of the snowy plains. But I reminded myself that I wasn’t trying to go unnoticed. I had every right to return to the Silver Moon Pack. As apprehension thrummed through me, the familiar sensation of magic tingled at my fingertips. Each step deepened my reconnection to the territory that had once been my home, yet anxiety twisted tighter with every footfall. The air buzzed with electricity, whispering that company would find me soon—I was sure it wouldn’t be long before I was challenged by the Silver Moons guarding the borders.

Less than half an hour into my journey, shadows flickered from the treeline. Silvery wolves glimmered between the trunks. As I continued my approach, a small force of six emerged onto the snowy plains.

My heart quickened at the sight of their leader, wondering if it was Tyler. But as my gaze traced the outline of the wide head and sharp muzzle, I knew it wasn’t him.

In a blur of motion, Logan shed his silver pelt, his human form materializing into existence. I remembered how strong he had been when I left, and now he stood even broader—a testament to the passage of time.

But his cold, dark eyes bore into mine, contempt radiating off his wide face. My heart thundered, and memories of torment bubbled to the surface, raw and stinging.

“Seraphina.” His voice cut through the morning air, dripping with disdain. “How predictable—like a rat drawn to rot.”

Confusion sparked within me. “Rat”was a new term, but I supposed it wasn’t so different from “traitor.” I understood the jagged edges of his hatred; after all, one of the many scars left by the invasion had been the loss of his parents, and I realized those scars ran deep.

But as I stood beneath his disdain, I thought of the letter tucked safely in my bag, signed by Alexis. It was my proof—an ember of hope that could cut through the thick fog of ignorance and hatred surrounding my family.

“I have a message from Alexis, the Shadow Moon Alpha. I need to see Alpha Tyler,” I declared, striving for steadiness despite the tension tightening around us.

Logan sneered, stepping closer, his breath warm against my face. “You’re going to feign innocence, then? The pack’s been struck by a mysterious illness. We’ve already suffered many deaths.”

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