Chapter 24: The Elder's Truth

I walked into the circle of light. Cole stayed close behind.

The Elder watched us. Her golden eyes seemed to see everything.

"Sit," she said gently.

We sat on cushions in a circle. The Elder sat across from me.

"You have questions," she said. "Ask."

"Who killed my brother?"

"Your mother."

I blinked. "What? No. My mother summoned demons but she didn't kill James herself."

"Didn't she? Who told Brian where to find James that night? Who gave Brian the weapon that could kill a wolf? Who made sure no one investigated?"

My hands shook. "But why? Why would she kill her own son?"

"Because James discovered the truth. About what you are. About what she did to keep you from knowing." The Elder leaned forward. "Your mother comes from an ancient bloodline. The Dillard wolves are descended from the first Luna Alpha. The original protector of all packs."

"I don't understand."

"Three hundred years ago, there was a great war. Wolves against demons. Demons wanted to enslave us. Use us as soldiers. We were losing until the first Luna Alpha rose. She united all packs. Led them to victory. Sealed the demons away."

The Elder's eyes glowed brighter. "But the demons swore revenge. Said they'd return. Said they'd corrupt the Luna bloodline. Turn it against the wolves."

"And my mother?"

"Made a deal. When you were born, demons came to her. Told her you'd be the next Luna Alpha. Told her you'd either save the wolves or destroy them. They offered a choice. Let them take you. Train you. Turn you into their weapon. Or they'd kill your entire family."

My chest hurt. "So she chose to give me to them?"

"No. She chose to break you instead. If you never discovered your power, never became Luna Alpha, demons couldn't use you. Couldn't fulfill the prophecy."

"The pills. The therapy. The abuse."

"All designed to keep your wolf asleep. To keep you weak. Human." The Elder's voice was sad. "But James discovered what she'd done. Confronted her. Said he'd tell you everything. Help you become what you were meant to be."

Tears fell. "So she had him killed."

"Yes. And when that didn't stop you. When you went to the gym anyway. Found the pack. Started to change. She summoned demons. Tried to have them possess you. Control you."

Cole's hand found mine. Squeezed tight.

"But I fought them."

"Because you're stronger than she imagined. Stronger than demons expected." The Elder smiled. "You're the true Luna Alpha. The one the prophecy spoke of."

"What prophecy?"

The Elder stood. Walked to the edge of the circle. Began to speak.

"When demons rise and darkness spreads. When wolves are lost and hope is dead. A Luna born of silver light. Will lead the packs through endless night. She'll break the chains, she'll heal the scarred. But first she'll face the deepest dark. And in that darkness, she must choose. To save the wolves or let them lose."

Silence filled the warehouse.

"What does that mean?" I asked. "What choice?"

"The demons are coming back. Not just a few. All of them. An army. They've been planning for three hundred years. Waiting for the seals to weaken. For the prophecy to begin." The Elder looked at me. "They're coming for you, Lita. They want to turn you. Make you their general. Use your power to command all wolves to serve them."

"And if they can't turn me?"

"Then they'll kill you. Kill every Luna bloodline wolf. Make sure no one can stand against them."

"How do we stop them?"

"By fulfilling the other half of the prophecy. By uniting all packs. By preparing for war." The Elder walked back to me. "But packs won't follow a newborn Alpha. They won't trust someone so young. So untested."

"Then what do I do?"

"You prove yourself. You complete the Luna Trials."

"What are those?"

"Three tests. Strength. Wisdom. Heart. Complete them and the council will acknowledge you as true Luna Alpha. The packs will have to follow you." The Elder's face was serious. "But fail even one and you'll be branded false Luna. Stripped of your power. Cast out."

"And the demons will win," Cole said.

"Yes."

I stood. "When do the trials start?"

"Tomorrow. At dawn. On neutral ground. The council will oversee them." The Elder looked at Cole. "Your mate can be there. Your pack can watch. But they cannot help. You must face the trials alone."

"She'll pass," Cole said. "I know she will."

"I hope you're right. Because if she doesn't, we're all doomed."

The Elder turned to leave. Then stopped. Looked back.

"One more thing. Your mother. She's been arrested by human authorities. But the demons she made deals with still have a claim on her soul. They'll come for her. Try to possess her again. Use her against you."

"Let them," I said coldly. "I'm done with her."

"Even if she's possessed? Even if she comes after you?"

"Especially then. She made her choices. Now she lives with them."

The Elder nodded. Approval in her eyes. "Good. That's the strength of a true Luna. Willing to do what's necessary. Even when it hurts."

She walked into the shadows. Disappeared.

We were alone.

"Well," Stacey said. "That was intense."

"You think?" Marcus laughed. Nervous. "Luna Trials? Demon armies? Just another Tuesday."

"We need to prepare," Andres said. "Research the trials."

"No," Cole said. "We need to let her rest. Tomorrow's going to be the hardest day of her life."

He was right. But I didn't feel ready. Didn't feel strong enough.

How was I supposed to unite all packs? Lead them against demons?

I was just a girl. Just eighteen. Barely learning to be a wolf.

"Hey," Cole said softly. He pulled me close. "You can do this. I believe in you."

"What if I fail?"

"You won't."

"But what if I do?"

He looked in my eyes. "Then we face what comes together. As mates. As pack. As family."

I nodded. Let him hold me.

But inside, fear twisted.

Because The Elder was right.

Tomorrow I'd face the trials.

And everything would change.

We walked back to the cars. The sun had set. Darkness surrounded us.

That's when I heard it. A sound that made my blood freeze.

Howling. Dozens of wolves. Getting closer.

"We're not alone," Andres said.

Shadows moved between buildings. Eyes glowed in the dark. Red eyes.

Not wolves.

Demons.

"Run!" Cole shouted.

We ran. But they were faster.

They surrounded us. Cut off escape.

A figure stepped forward. Female. Beautiful. But her eyes were pure red.

"Hello, little Luna," she said. Her voice was layered. Multiple demons speaking. "Going somewhere?"

"Who are you?"

"I'm the one your mother made a deal with. I'm the one who's been waiting for you." She smiled. Showed teeth too sharp to be human. "And I'm the one who's going to make sure you never complete those trials."

She lunged.

And everything went black.