Chapter 2 The Mark That Shouldn't Burn

The Silver Mist Pack slept quietly beneath a dull sky. Morning had not yet broken, but Aria's bones felt like they had already lived an entire day.

Her cloak billowed behind her as she emerged from the forest and crossed the invisible border that separated peace from chaos. The Shadow Moon's darkness still clung to her, like soot she couldn't scrub off her soul.

She didn't head straight to the healer's tent. Her feet carried her in the opposite direction, toward the stream-the one that glistened like stars when the moonlight hit it right.

The moment she reached the water's edge, she dropped to her knees. Her breath hitched.

The burn on her wrist had worsened.

With trembling fingers, she yanked back her sleeve-and gasped.

The familiar mark of her pack-a silver crescent moon wrapped in vines-was no longer alone. Shadow-like tendrils had begun to curl from its edges, inky and jagged, branching up her arm like wild roots. They shimmered faintly under the moon's retreating glow, as if alive.

She tried rubbing it. Cold water. Dirt. Even her fingernails. Nothing worked.

This wasn't natural. This wasn't her pack's doing.

She'd touched something back in the Shadow Moon woods-something ancient. Something that had touched her back.

And now, it wouldn't let go.

A sharp sound broke through the hush of the trees-a snap. A twig, maybe. Or a footstep.

Aria froze, every instinct on edge.

She scanned the trees. Nothing moved. No scent in the air except damp moss and night.

Still, her skin prickled. She wasn't alone.

She stood slowly, letting her wolf senses stretch out like invisible threads. But whatever it was, it had already gone.

She exhaled shakily, tucked her wrist under her sleeve again, and ran toward the camp.

The healer's tent was half-lit, filled with the bitter scent of herbs and the quiet murmur of healing spells. Luna Lyla lay unconscious on the low cot, skin pale, hair plastered to her forehead. Her mate, Alpha Rowan, sat beside her, eyes hollow.

Aria didn't pause to explain. She crushed the moonshade petals she'd risked her life for, mixed them into a bowl of glowing blue water, and placed her hand over the mixture.

"Spirits of the mist," she whispered. "Cleanse and restore."

The water shimmered and calmed.

She poured it carefully over Lyla's forehead. The Luna's body twitched... then stilled. Her breathing, once ragged, slowly evened out.

Rowan let out a low breath. "Thank the Goddess."

"You did it," came a voice behind her.

Aria turned. Riven leaned against the tent pole, arms folded, his expression unreadable.

She nodded, but she didn't smile. Not yet.

"She'll need rest," Aria murmured. "But the poison's broken."

"You crossed into Shadow Moon territory," Riven said, too quietly.

Rowan's head snapped up. "You what?"

"I had to," Aria said quickly. "The petals only grow in that region. I masked my scent-no one followed me."

"You could have been killed!" Rowan barked. "If Kael found you-"

"I know the risk." She met his gaze. "But I won't apologize for saving her."

Riven stepped closer. "Still... something's changed in you."

She flinched. "What do you mean?"

"You're not just stronger. You're different." He sniffed slightly. "Darker."

Aria's jaw tensed.

He added, "Something followed you back, Aria. Maybe not with feet... but it's here."

She looked away. "I don't have time for riddles."

Suddenly, Lyla gasped.

Her eyes flew open. Her body jerked.

"Lyla!" Rowan reached for her. "Lyla, I'm here."

But she wasn't looking at him. Her gaze locked directly on Aria.

"You were never meant to come back," Lyla whispered hoarsely.

Aria's blood ran cold.

"What do you mean?" she asked.

Lyla's eyes were glassy, unfocused-yet sharp. "They tried to erase you... before your first breath. But the bond... it found you anyway."

Rowan leaned in. "Lyla, what are you talking about?"

Aria moved closer, heart racing. "What bond?"

"The Lost One," Lyla rasped. "The Luna... with the cursed blood. You were never one of us."

Silence swept the room.

Riven shifted behind her.

"I-I don't understand," Aria whispered.

Lyla suddenly grabbed her wrist-the one with the mark-and hissed as her fingers touched the skin.

A spark erupted between them. Lyla's pupils dilated. Her breathing calmed. Her voice became eerily clear.

"You carry the mark of two bloodlines. Silver Mist... and something darker. Older."

Aria backed away, her head spinning.

"No," she muttered. "This isn't possible."

But Riven was no longer leaning casually. He stood stiff, tense, his eyes now glowing amber-gold.

And then, he said it-quietly, bitterly.

"You weren't supposed to survive the prophecy."

Aria froze.

"What did you say?"

He tilted his head. "The Elders thought you were stillborn. Your birth was hidden. Buried. And yet here you are-walking around with a forbidden mark."

Her chest tightened. "How do you know this?"

Riven smiled coldly. "Because I'm the one who helped bury the truth."

Rowan growled. "Riven-what the hell-"

"Don't," Riven snapped. "You knew the stories. You all knew what would happen if she came into her power. You just didn't think it would be her."

Aria took a step back. "You're with them."

He didn't deny it.

"You brought something back from Shadow Moon, Aria," he said. "Something that woke up the curse. And now, the Alpha... your true Alpha... is coming for you."

Then he vanished-shifted in an instant-leaving behind a gust of cold air and a room full of broken truths.

Aria stood frozen.

Her heart pounded against her ribs. Her wrist burned. Her past unraveled.

And somewhere, beyond the border...

Kael was stirring.