Chapter 39
Nephele's POV
Something was wrong with the shadows.
Since my awakening, shadows had become extensions of myself—responsive, almost alive. But these felt muted, distant, like trying to move through thick water.
Through the mate bond, I could sense Kaedan's restlessness miles away. He wasn't sleeping either.
My star-shaped birthmark pulsed with warning warmth. Yesterday's skating date already felt like a lifetime ago.
The doorbell rang as I was finishing my coffee, and I opened it to find Vera and Eulalia on my doorstep, bundled in winter coats and practically vibrating with excitement.
Vera followed more sedately, but her eyes were bright with enthusiasm. "We've been planning this for weeks. The best silver firs are in the grove near Shadow Forest."
I poured them coffee and settled into the living room, watching my friends debate the merits of different tree sizes with the intensity of military strategists.
The Frost Moon was one of the most important celebrations in wolf culture—a time when the Moon Goddess's power peaked and families gathered to honor their ancestors and strengthen pack bonds.
"It has to be perfect," Vera was saying. "Silver firs glow under moonlight. They bring the Moon Goddess's blessing to the household."
"Exactly why we need the biggest one we can find," Eulalia countered. "Bigger tree, bigger blessing."
"That's not how it works," Vera protested. "It's about symmetry and shape. The moonlight needs to hit the branches evenly."
I laughed, feeling lighter than I had in years. "Why don't we just get two trees? One for size, one for symmetry."
Both women stared at me like I'd suggested something revolutionary.
"Two trees?" Vera asked slowly.
"For your first Frost Moon?" Eulalia added.
"Why not? It's my house, my celebration." I grinned at them. "Besides, I can afford it now that I'm not spending money on silver chains and medical bills."
The dark joke made them both wince, but I felt empowered by it. I could joke about my past because it was truly behind me now.
Or so I thought.
The silver fir grove was everything I'd imagined and more. Ancient trees stretched toward the sky, their needles catching the pale winter light like scattered diamonds. The air smelled of pine and clean snow, and my wolf stirred contentedly at the familiar scents of home.
"That one," Eulalia said immediately, pointing to a massive fir near the grove's center. "It's perfect."
"It's huge," Vera protested. "How are we supposed to get it home?"
"I arranged for transport," I said, enjoying their surprised expressions. "Perks of being a pack Alpha's daughter."
But as we moved deeper into the grove, something felt off. The forest was too quiet—no bird calls, no rustle of small creatures. Even the wind seemed muted.
My birthmark began to pulse with gentle warmth—not painful, but insistent. Like a warning.
"Do you feel that?" I asked quietly.
Vera paused, her head tilting. "Feel what?"
"The forest. It's... watching us."
Both women went still, their relaxed postures shifting to alertness. Pack wolves learned early to trust their instincts.
I inhaled deeply, sorting through scents. Pine, snow, my friends' familiar pack scents, and underneath it all...
Something unfamiliar. Something that made my newly awakened instincts tense with alarm.
"We should go," I said, cutting through Eulalia's tree debate. "Now."
They looked at me, hearing the change in my voice, and immediately nodded.
As we loaded the trees onto the transport sled, my phone buzzed. A text from an unknown number: [Beautiful morning for a walk in the woods, don't you think?]
Ice shot through my veins. I spun around, scanning the tree line, but saw nothing.
Another text: [We should talk. About your future.]
My hands shook as I pulled out Kaedan's contact. I'd promised him I'd call if anything unusual happened. This definitely qualified.
"Kaedan," I said when he answered, my voice tight with controlled panic. "Something's wrong. I'm at the silver fir grove with Vera and Eulalia, and someone's watching us. I'm getting threatening texts."
"Stay exactly where you are," his voice was sharp with command. "I'm sending backup. Don't move until—"
The line went dead.
I stared at my phone, then at my friends. "We need to leave. Right now."
But as we headed for the transport sled, figures stepped out from between the trees. Not wolves—humans in dark clothing, moving with military precision.
"Miss Nephele," one of them called out. "We're here on Council business. We need you to come with us."
My power stirred, shadows writhing around my feet. "I don't think so."
"This doesn't have to be difficult," another said, though his hand rested on something that looked suspiciously like a weapon. "We just want to talk."
Vera and Eulalia flanked me, their own wolves rising to the surface. "Talk about what?" Vera demanded.
"About the incident three nights ago. About the threat you pose to pack security."
The words hit like a slap. "I defended myself and my family. That's not a threat."
"Isn't it?" The lead man stepped closer. "Uncontrolled power, destroyed property, injuries to pack members. The Council has some concerns."
"Then the Council can make an appointment," I said, my voice carrying new authority. "I'm not going anywhere with you."
The man's expression hardened. "I'm afraid that's not your choice to make."
That's when I felt it—a familiar frost in the air, the temperature dropping with predatory intent.
Kaedan appeared at the grove's edge like winter incarnate, ice armor gleaming, his core guards flanking him. The humans took an involuntary step back.
"Actually," Kaedan said, his voice carrying deadly calm, "it is entirely her choice."
The lead man straightened, trying to project authority. "Alpha King, we're here on official Council business—"
"Are you?" Kaedan interrupted. "Because I don't see any warrants. I don't see any official documentation. What I see is a group of humans threatening my mate without proper authorization."
"Your mate claim is still under review," the man said, though his confidence was wavering. "Until that's resolved—"
"Until that's resolved, she's under my protection." Kaedan moved closer, and frost spread across the ground with each step. "And I consider this harassment."
The tension stretched taut as a bowstring. Then my phone rang.
Dr. Vega's name flashed on the screen, and her voice was tight with worry when I answered. "Nephele, Fidelis is awake, and he says it's urgent. He needs to see you immediately."
I looked at Kaedan, seeing the same realization in his eyes. This wasn't a coincidence.
"We're on our way," I said.
The Council stepped aside as we left the grove, but I could feel their eyes on us. This was far from over.
Dr. Vega's clinic felt like a sanctuary after the exposed feeling of the forest. But the moment I walked into Fidelis's room, I knew something was seriously wrong.
My brother was sitting up in bed, his face pale but alert. Rocco stood beside him, and both men looked like they'd been preparing for war.
"Little star," Fidelis said, relief flooding his voice. "Thank the Moon Goddess you're here."
"What's going on?" I asked, though I was already dreading the answer.