CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

ELENA'S POV

As if sensing something none of us could, the silver wolf's eyes remained vigilantly focused on the horizon. Worry tightening in my chest, I glanced to Stefen.

"Do you believe he's truly gone?" Unable to get rid of the uneasiness, I inquired.

Stefen had a somber face. He withdrew, but he won't be gone for very long. It was only a test.

Alpha Kieran crossed his arms and took a step forward. Then we ought to maximize our remaining time. We must fortify our defenses.

Leila, standing next to me, gave me a nod. As we speak, they are reassembling. They will return stronger, but we prevailed this time.

Stefen's mouth clenched. Then we fight more intelligently. We prepare to attack as well as protect.

Kieran nodded curtly. "Agreed. However, we're not yet prepared. We will have to fortify our ties and train the soldiers. We cannot afford to be unprepared in case he returns with other rogues.

I touched Stefen's arm and looked him in the eye. "How may I be of assistance?"

His face softened as he turned to face me. "You've done enough, Elena. I don't want you to put yourself in any more danger.

I shook my head, feeling more determined than ever. We're all impacted by this, Stefen. I will not remain silent while everyone else engages in combat. We have this in common.

With blazing eyes, Leila took a step forward. Alpha, she's correct. We are all involved in this. We need everyone if we are to succeed.

After examining me for a while, Kieran nodded. "The Luna is correct. The secret to figuring out his next move may lie in her relationship to the prophesy.

Stefen let out a sigh as his opposition diminished. "All right. However, we remain wary. No needless dangers.

With a wave of relief, I nodded. "All right, let's begin. What are we supposed to do?

Kieran pointed to the woods. "We train first. We must be prepared for anything if the rogues return with full force. We also learn everything we can about the prophesy.

With a worried expression on her face, one of the elders moved forward. "There could be an ancient document in the archives that discusses the prophesy. Although it has been hidden for centuries, it may provide the solutions we require.

Stefen's eyes grew piercing. "Where is it?"

The older one paused. It is located beneath the ancient pack house in the catacombs. The only problem is that it hasn't been visited in years. It's risky.

Kieran's face was fixed on resolution as he gazed at us. "We have no other option. We must locate it if there is any possibility that it contains information regarding the predict.

With a determined expression, I looked at Stefen. "We're leaving."

He started to object but stopped when he saw how determined I was. "All right. But we take our time. No needless dangers.

The elder came up and gave Stefen an antique key. This will open the tombs' entrance. But take note there's a distinct vibe down there. It has an independent existence.

Leila snarled in a wary tone. It seems like the ideal trap.

Kieran gave a headshake. "We have to take this risk, but it's necessary."

Stefen's voice was firm as he turned to the warriors. "Secure the borders while we are away. Nobody enters or exits without our consent.

A chill went through me as the pack members nodded and scattered. We couldn't avoid the tombs if they contained answers, yet there was something sinister about them.

Beneath the pack house's oldest section was a huge stone door that appeared to have been closed for decades, concealing the entrance to the catacombs. The lock creaked open and Stefen inserted the key, carefully turning it to show a dark stairway that led down into the ground.

Kieran carried a torch, the wavering light shining on his face. "Remain near. We have no idea what awaits us down there.

Despite the strain, Leila's tone was playful as she looked at me. Luna, are you still planning to go?

My heart thumped, but I faked a grin. "Have I not come this far?"

Stefen touched my shoulder in a comforting manner. "We are at this same location. We'll be alright.

With each step we took down the stairs, the air became thicker and colder. I sensed a disquieting force bearing down on us, as if the walls themselves were relics of long-forgotten mysteries.

We arrived at the bottom after what seemed like a lifetime, the stone walls covered in lengthy shadows from the flickering flame. I noticed a big wooden door with elaborate markings engraved on its surface at the far end of the hallway.

Kieran took a step forward, staring intently. "This has to be it."

The door would not budge when Stefen tried to open it. "It's locked."

I kept hearing the elder's voice. Only with a common goal can the door be opened. The energy of individuals involved in the prophesy is needed.

I inhaled deeply before moving to stand next to Stefen. "Let's give it a shot."

He gave a nod, and we focused our energies by placing our hands on the door. The door creaked open, exposing a spacious stone chamber as the symbols gradually started to sparkle.

An old book with yellowed pages rested in the middle of the room. As we got closer, I noticed a coolness in the air, which buzzed with an odd force.

Kieran extended his hand and gingerly raised the book. "The text must be this."

His gaze swept across the pages as he opened it. "The ancient language is used to write it. A few words are hardly visible to me.

Leila frowned as she looked over his shoulder. What is it saying?

Kieran's voice hardly made a sound. "It tells the story of a child born under a dark moon who will either bring about peace or ruin."

Stefen's expression grew gloomy. The renegade leader wants our child because of this. He believes he can manage her influence.

I felt the prophecy weigh heavily on me as I gulped. There must be more, though. A means of altering it.

With an increasingly solemn gaze, Kieran read on. It claims that the course is unclear. The decisions made by the child's closest relatives will determine the result.

With resolve in his eyes, Stefen gazed at me. "After that, we'll make sure she makes the correct decision."

However, Kieran's face became pale as he flipped the page. "There's another thing... a warning."

"What's the warning?" With a sense of dread, I inquired.

His voice was solemn as he gazed at us. It forewarns that if the child's authority is tainted, a shadow will appear. A power that will put a stop to every pack.

We felt the weight of the words bearing down on us as they hung thick in the air. Stefen attempted to disguise his worry, but I could see it in his eyes.

There was urgency in Leila's voice. Then, we must do all in our power to keep her safe.

With an inscrutable face, Kieran closed the book. "Everything is altered by this. We are fighting for more than simply ourselves. We are trying to ensure that every pack survives.

Stefen steadied his voice and clasped my hand. We won't allow him to steal her, then. Regardless.

I nodded, feeling more determined than ever. We'll work together to keep her safe. We will prevent him.

The sound of a deep growl reverberated through the vaults as we turned to depart, sending a chill down my spine.

Stefen spoke in a strained tone. "We're not by ourselves."

A dark man emerged from the shadows, his eyes shining with a perverse joy. "Did you truly believe that I would make it so simple for you to discover the prediction?"