Chapter 2

Rommik took several deep breaths, trying to rein in his emotions as he stood in front of elder Lucille's humble cabin. The recently renovated hut looked more welcoming and warm than the old version, which had always had a haunting air.

As he debated whether or not to go inside, her woodsy scent wafted over to him. The steady thud of her walking stick getting louder meant she'd sensed his presence already and was heading toward the door. Now he didn't have any other choice but to go inside.

He took another calming breath before the door was thrown open, revealing a short, frail-looking woman with gray hair. Her eyes were a stormy gray, filled with kindness and wisdom. But never judge a book by its cover.

Even though she looked like a weak old woman, she was the most powerful of them all. Powerful enough to destroy the pack with just a thought, but she was also bound by ancient laws.

"Rommik," she greeted him with a beaming smile that lit up her delicate features.

Her wrinkles did nothing to mask her beauty. Her skin did not have that healthy glow she must have once sported, but Rommik was convinced Lucille had been a looker in her younger years. Not much was known about her past, and no one knew where she was originally from. All they knew was that she was an ancient who could speak to the moon.

"She was there at the start of all things," some insisted. No one knew her real age or the extent of her power. She was a very mysterious woman.

"It's been a while. Come in, my boy." Lucille's soft voice beckoned him, and he exhaled, allowing his shoulders to relax as he entered her hut.

His eyes roamed around, taking in the new changes. Then he remembered that he hadn't greet her yet. Realizing his mistake, he instantly bowed to her, apologizing, but she dismissed it with a wave of her hand, shuffling over to her tea collection.

"Would you like some Chamomile tea?"

"Yes, please."

He lowered himself onto one of the chairs beside her small fireplace, watching her move around slowly but elegantly. Lucille didn't like being helped unless she'd asked for it. So he waited patiently until she came back with a tray of tea and biscuits.

"How have you been, Rommik?" she asked, pouring the tea into their cups before sitting down herself. "I can sense something is troubling you greatly."

Rommik hung his head, long fingers tracing the rim of his teacup. He watched the gentle steam evaporating from it, admiring the swirling pattern it made before disappearing into thin air. Just the smell was calming. So was Lucille's presence. She had that effect on him and the rest of the pack.

"I had an argument with my brother," he said after a while, leaning back in his chair. He wondered if it could even be called an argument when Konrad had threatened him for most of it.

The whole thing had left him and his wolf feeling edgy. A storm brewed in his mind.

Kian hadn't taken the news well. He wouldn't shut up the entire night as they ate and talked by the fire. He was worried about Kiara's wellbeing, and with her eightieth birthday approaching, his worry only continued to grow. He sensed something was about to happen. Something important.

"Let me guess, it didn't go well," she commented, eyeing him over the teacup.

He shrugged, sipping his tea. "Konrad is too harsh on Kiara. She's just a child." He put the cup back down and met her gaze. "But it's not just about Kiara. I disagree with the way he is ruling our pack. He is too authoritarian, and pack members started to question him. They want change. You know this better than I."

The older woman only hummed at his rant, continuing to drink her tea. He was a little irritated by her lack of reaction, but he didn't dare point out her indifference. For a while, both were silent, thoughts elsewhere as they sipped their tea. She poured him another cup when he'd finished his first.

"He is nothing like your father," she said, finally breaking the silence. "The Moonlight Howl pack is one of the very first wolf packs. As such, tradition drives you. Your ancestors swore an ancient vow to protect your lineage by keeping hidden and not mixing with other packs. But these decisions were made for protection, not control. Unfortunately, your brother fails to understand that."

Rommik sighed. "I know. I tried to tell him this, but he refuses to see the error of his ways. It worries me."

She went silent again, but the understanding in her eyes said it all.

Their father had been strict, but he had not been cruel. Under his rule, pack members had enjoyed more freedom than they did now, but the incident eighteen years ago had changed everything. Rommik didn't know what exactly had happened to make her want to leave, but his brother had never been the same. He became the cruelest version of himself. Not that he'd been a pushover before, but at least he'd had some capacity for kindness.

He remembered how happy his brother was when he found his mate. She was stunningly beautiful and kind. But Konrad was the jealous type. He hated just the idea of her talking to another male, so he tried to control her. Eventually it got to the point that he barely let her out of their home at all. A few times Rommik had heard them arguing.

Rommik wondered if this was the right time to ask Lucille about it. Maybe she had all the answers.

"Lucille, do you know what happened eighteen years ago? Why did Moira leave?" he asked hesitantly.

"We do not speak that name, child," Lucille hissed.

Rommik averted his gaze to the floor. "I apologize."

Seconds ticked away, and the silence stretched before Lucille took a deep breath. "Alright, I'll tell you," she exhaled. "But remember, this story is not to be repeated." The warning was evident in her voice, and he nodded in understanding.

"Moira was very beautiful and full of life. She was dreamy, curious about anything and everything. The smile on her face never faded." Lucille sported a calm smile as she reminisced. "Every unmated wolf in the pack vied for her attention."

Rommik did remember that. Moira had been one of the most sought-after females in the pack. She'd been known for her flawless beauty, which turned heads wherever she went, including Konrad's.

"Your brother wanted her. And she found herself drawn to him as well. She could have had any wolf in the pack, but she chose him. Young love, you see." She chuckled. "They started off very happy, but things changed once they were mated. He was so in love with her, he feared what would happen if he lost her. This fear warped his mind. He began to control her every move. He dictated whom she could speak to and where she was allowed to go. Any unauthorized pack member who approached her was punished. Then, one day, she left." Lucille took a sip of her tea before continuing again.

"We never found out what caused her to leave, but your father saw it as a betrayal." She stared out the window, a distant look on her face. "Especially once they learned Moira was with child. That made Eiran and Konrad furious. She'd taken something that belonged to them. As your father's successor, Konrad's child would be the next heir, you see."

Rommik swallowed the discomfort unsettling his nerves. He remembered the chaos well. Konrad had gone berserk when he couldn't find Moira in their home. He'd been furious when he realized she'd run away of her own free will.

"Your father and brother searched for her for months. They sent a message to all the surrounding packs. But she'd hidden her tracks well, planned her escape perfectly. Our hunters were met with dead ends. Your father had even begun to think she was already dead. But then, one day, a pack far to the south sent a message saying they'd spotted a female wolf in the city."

Lucille's features hardened.

"That same night, they attacked and killed Moira, along with the man she'd been hiding with, before taking the baby away."

Eiran had passed away shortly after that, and Konrad had become the next alpha of the pack. So much had happened since then.

Rommik was worried because Kiara was far from a dominant wolf. She was clever and kind, but there wasn't a single mean bone in her body. While Rommik understood why Konrad was being extra hard on her, he could tell it was mostly misplaced anger. He was still hung up on his mate's betrayal.

As Rommik sat there, finishing his tea, he hoped her transformation would help Kiara find her place in the pack. Maybe things would change after all. But Kiara was female. There had never been a female alpha of the pack before.

"Whenever anyone leaves this pack, death and heartbreak follow. Change does not come easy." She finished her tea. "Anyway, you should go, help prepare for Kiara's eighteenth birthday and transformation."

Rommik nodded. "Thank you, Lucille. I appreciate your time."

"Anytime, boy."

Rommik's mind was still in turmoil when he left Lucille's house. It seemed like there would be no salvation for his pack. He blew out a breath. Only time would tell what awaited his niece.