Shadows beneath Fangwood pack

Shadows beneath Fangwood pack
Aeron’s POV

The Fangwood Pack mansion was nothing like home. It was grand, yes — larger than Moonshine’s estate — but there was a heaviness in the air that made my skin crawl. The walls were darker, the torches dimmer, and even the scent of pine and moss that drifted through the halls felt tainted somehow… as if the forest outside was watching us.

I arrived just before nightfall, escorted by two guards in black armor, each bearing the Fangwood crest — a wolf head entwined with thorns. Amera walked beside me, her arm brushing mine deliberately. She wore her usual proud smirk, her confidence gleaming like polished steel, while I masked my thoughts behind a calm expression.

Inside, the Fangwood Luna awaited us. She sat at the long dining table, her posture regal and sharp, silver eyes glinting like moonlight on ice. Beside her was a man I didn’t recognize at first glance — tall, lean, and cloaked in black. His scent was strange… half-wolf, half something else.

I nodded respectfully and took my seat across from her. Amera sat beside me, close enough that I could feel her perfume stinging my nose. The table was laden with roasted meat, fruits, and fine wine prepared by Fangwood’s omegas, who moved silently like shadows.

“Aeron,” the Luna began smoothly, her voice laced with charm and command. “It’s an honor to have you here. Tell me — how does it feel, being mated to my daughter? She has Alpha blood, you know. With her by your side, you’ll be unstoppable. A true leader among werewolves.”

Her tone was kind, but her eyes… cold and assessing.

Inside, I clenched my jaw. If I wasn’t here to spy, I’d never have agreed to this farce, I thought bitterly. If not for Selene, I’d have refused this bond entirely.

Out loud, I forced a faint smile. “I feel… powerful,” I said, feigning pride. “I’m honored that you would offer your daughter to me, Luna.”

Amera chuckled softly, reaching for my hand and intertwining her fingers with mine. “Of course, you should. I’m not some cursed, weak girl like her. I’m a true Alpha’s mate — strong, perfect for a leader like you.”

Her words hit me like a blade under the ribs, though I kept my face neutral. Selene’s face flashed in my mind — her eyes, the determination she’d shown even when the whole world called her cursed.

I gave Amera a polite smile that didn’t reach my eyes.

The Luna raised her glass, her voice rich with satisfaction. “Soon, the Moonshine Pack and Fangwood will unite. Together, we will be the strongest of all wolfkind. The prophecy will favor us — not that cursed bloodline the Moon Goddess cast away.”

The others lifted their glasses. I followed, though my stomach churned with unease. Their words were wrong — everything about this alliance felt wrong.

After a while, I excused myself, pretending to need the washroom. As I walked down the long hallway, I exhaled slowly, my body tense. The mansion was quiet — too quiet — except for the faint sound of dripping water and the whisper of wind outside. Something about this place was off, unnatural.

When I returned, I paused outside the dining room. The door was slightly ajar, and voices floated through — low, conspiratorial. Instinctively, I stilled, letting my wolf hearing sharpen.

“Mother,” Amera’s voice came first, high and irritated. “How much longer do we have to pretend to like it here? That place — Moonshine — it’s filthy and boring. The people are beneath us. Ugh, the smell alone makes me want to puke.”

The Luna sighed softly, though amusement laced her tone. “Patience, my dear. You must stay there until Aeron marks you and the Moon Goddess blesses you as his Luna. Once the bond is sealed, our control over him will be complete.”

Amera scoffed. “And what if Selene’s curse breaks? The Blood Moon is coming. What if her wolf awakens? What happens to me then?”

My heart stopped. I leaned closer, every sense burning.

The Luna’s voice dropped to a whisper, cold and deliberate. “Don’t worry, Amera. She won’t awaken. Your uncle Eleazar has already taken care of that. Her blood will be used to awaken his wolf instead.”

There was a beat of silence. My pulse roared in my ears.

Eleazar? Her uncle? I felt the blood drain from my face.

Amera laughed, relieved. “So her blood will serve us after all?”

“Yes,” the Luna replied. “It’s poetic, isn’t it? The cursed girl’s blood giving strength to our bloodline. Once her wolf is silenced for good, nothing will stand in our way.”

A bitter taste filled my mouth. I gripped the doorframe until my knuckles went white, rage burning behind my ribs.

They planned to kill Selene. To use her blood like some sacrifice.

I took a careful step back, forcing my breath to steady. One wrong sound and they’d know I was listening. I turned away from the door and strode silently down the corridor, my mind racing.

So this was their plan all along. Amera’s flirtations, the Luna’s eagerness — none of it was about alliance or unity. It was about power. About domination. And Selene was their key.

I reached the balcony and stepped into the cool night air, gulping it down like I’d been drowning. The forest below swayed gently under the moonlight, peaceful — unaware of the darkness plotting within this house.

I gripped the railing and closed my eyes, trying to calm the storm in my chest.

Selene. Her name was a whisper in my mind. I had tried to distance myself, to believe I was doing what was right for the packs. But now I saw the truth — she was in danger, and I was standing in the middle of the enemy’s lair.

I couldn’t let them touch her.

I wouldn’t.

Opening my eyes, I looked out toward the distant hills where Moonshine’s borders lay hidden under the stars. I could almost sense her there — training, struggling, maybe still thinking of me with anger and pain.

“Selene,” I murmured into the night, “whatever happens, I’ll protect you. Even if it costs me everything.”

The wind shifted, carrying the faint scent of pine and silver — her scent. It was as if the forest itself was listening, reminding me of my promise.

I turned from the balcony and headed down the dark corridor toward my room. Tomorrow, I’d play my part — pretend to be the loyal mate, the obedient Alpha-to-be. But tonight, I would start planning.

If they wanted Selene’s blood…

Then they’d have to go through me first.