Chapter 9 The Place They Hid Her

The sun was still low in the sky when Selene and Caius moved again. The Crescent Moon Pack lay just ahead, quiet and still. The guards had walked past them minutes ago, but Selene knew more were nearby.

"There's a tunnel," she whispered to Caius. "It's behind that old tree near the left wall. We used it as kids. It leads straight to the healer's hut."

"Perfect," Caius said. "Let's use it."

They moved quickly and quietly, crouching low as they ran between trees. Selene reached the tree first and pushed aside a thick patch of vines. Behind it, a wooden door, half-buried in earth, lay hidden. She yanked it open. Dust and darkness rushed out.

Caius lit a small torch from his belt. "After you, ghost girl."

Selene didn't smile. She crawled in first, the stone tunnel cold against her palms. It smelled like earth and rot, but she kept moving. Caius followed behind, the light from his torch casting long shadows.

They reached the end in less than five minutes. Selene lifted the old trapdoor above them and peered out. The healer's hut was just a few steps away.

"Clear," she whispered. They climbed out and ducked behind the wall.

The healer's hut looked exactly the same as she remembered. Stone walls. Straw roof. A small wooden door that creaked in the wind. Memories hit her all at once running here with scraped knees, her mother cleaning wounds, laughing softly.

"What now?" Caius asked.

"We listen first," Selene replied.

They stayed hidden beside the hut. After a while, they heard voices from inside. Selene leaned closer.

Two people were talking. One voice was old. Tired.

"We can't keep it a secret forever," the old man said.

"Lucian said she stays hidden until the end," the second voice replied. "She's the only proof left. If the truth comes out, the pack turns against him."

Selene's eyes widened. She looked at Caius, who nodded.

"They're talking about your mother," he whispered.

Her fingers dug into the dirt. Her mother was alive. She was here. Hidden.

"Where is she now?" the old man asked.

"Still in the old dungeon, under the west wing. Only the Alpha and Lucian have the keys."

Selene's heart dropped. The west wing. That was deep in the center of the territory.

"We need proof," Caius said softly. "Something."

Selene nodded and moved around the hut. She pushed open the back door slowly. Inside, herbs hung from the ceiling. The room smelled of smoke and dried roots. She searched quickly, eyes darting across the shelves.

Then she saw it.

A silver bracelet with small blue stones.

She picked it up. Her hand shook.

"My mother wore this every day," she whispered.

She held it to her chest, eyes burning. Caius stepped in quietly, saw the bracelet, and looked away, giving her a moment.

"We should go," he said gently. "We can come back with a plan."

Selene nodded, wiping her face. "Let's move."

They slipped out the back door and ran toward the tree line. But just before they reached it, a sharp voice shouted, "Hey! Who's there?"

A Crescent Moon warrior had seen movement.

Caius grabbed Selene's hand. "Run now. Or we both die."

And they ran.

They sprinted across the clearing, weaving through trees. The sounds of shouting grew behind them. Feet pounded the earth. More voices joined in. The chase had begun.

Selene's heart thundered in her chest. She gripped the bracelet tightly in her fist, refusing to let it go.

"This way!" she yelled, turning sharply left. She remembered a narrow creek path just ahead one that curved around the camp and led into thicker woods.

Caius didn't question her. He followed close behind, fast and silent.

They jumped over a log and slid down a small slope, feet kicking up dirt. The trees here were older, closer together. The light grew dim.

Behind them, the sound of warriors chasing faded a little. But Selene knew it wouldn't last. She stopped beside a thick patch of brambles.

"In here," she whispered.

Caius ducked down, and they crawled under the branches. Hidden. Safe for now.

They sat still, breathing hard. Selene pressed her back against the tree and looked at Caius.

"We were close. Too close."

He nodded. "Next time, we don't stop to talk."

She let out a shaky laugh. "I needed that bracelet."

He looked at her. "I know. I would've grabbed it too."

They sat in silence for a moment.

Then Caius spoke again. "You okay?"

Selene opened her hand. The bracelet rested there. She turned it over slowly.

"No," she said. "But I will be. When I see her. When I free her."

Caius leaned back against the tree, watching her with quiet respect.

After a few minutes, Selene stood up. "Let's circle back. I need to see the west wing. Even from a distance."

Caius raised an eyebrow. "Now? You sure you don't want to rest first?"

"No resting. Not until I know what I'm facing."

They moved again, slower now. The sun had risen higher. The pack would be alert. Selene led them through an old orchard trail, mostly abandoned. The air smelled like wild apples.

Finally, they reached a small hill that overlooked the west wing. They lay flat in the tall grass, peering down.

Selene's breath caught.

The building was long, made of grey stone. Guards stood at every corner. No windows. Only one heavy door at the front.

She counted at least eight guards. All strong. All alert.

"She's in there," Selene whispered. "I feel it."

Caius watched the guards. "That's no ordinary lockup. It's a fortress. We'll need a real plan. Maybe even help."

Selene nodded slowly.

Then she looked at the sky. The moon was still dark, even in daylight.

"The Moon won't let them keep her hidden forever," she said.

Just then, a bell rang from inside the camp. The sound echoed across the hill.

Caius frowned. "That's not a warning bell. That's a council bell."

"What does that mean?"

"It means Lucian is calling a meeting. Something has changed. They know we were here."

Selene's eyes narrowed. "Then they'll be watching. We can't stay out here."

Caius nodded. "Let's go. But Selene-next time, we're not sneaking in. We're breaking in."

She didn't answer.

She looked one last time at the building where they were hiding her mother. Her eyes burned, but her voice stayed calm.

"Next time," she said, "we will burn the door down."