When the Moon No Longer Answers the Wolf Chapter 3

At her words, both Kaelen and Seraphina froze.

For weeks, Aurora’s hostility toward Seraphina had been palpable; she had never once greeted her willingly.

Seraphina was the first to recover.

She stepped forward and took Aurora’s hand, a gentle smile on her face. "Aurora, don't listen to Kaelen. We haven't had our union ceremony yet. He only called out to you because he was worried, seeing you all alone."

Her soft expression seemed to soften Kaelen's harsh features.

Aurora nodded. "Yes, I know."

Just then, a servant entered the manor and bowed.

"Alpha Kaelen, the Council Elders request your presence on an urgent matter."

Kaelen nodded, then turned to Seraphina with a warm expression. "I've ordered breakfast. You eat first. I'll be back soon."

When his eyes shifted to Aurora, his face became cold and serious again. "If it's not urgent, stay here and keep Seraphina company."

A knot formed in Aurora’s chest, and she was about to refuse.

But Kaelen was already gone.

Seraphina pulled her to the dining table and, after some small talk, smiled brightly. "Kaelen seems so aloof, but he's actually very thoughtful. He's been showering me with gifts, and in the human world, he even took me to a church to pray and watch fireworks and floating lanterns."

"Everyone says he loves me so much, but I still feel a little insecure. Aurora, you know him best. Do you think he truly likes me?"

Seraphina’s joy and worries were things Aurora had once desperately craved but could never have.

Now, she forced her heart to remain still. "I… I've never seen Kaelen care so much for another woman. I think he truly likes you."

A blush crept up Seraphina’s cheeks, and she covered her smile with a napkin. "Hearing you say that puts my mind at ease."

Aurora lowered her eyes and said nothing more.

Soon, the servants brought out breakfast.

The table was filled with all of Seraphina’s favorite foods, without a single dish that Aurora liked.

A lump formed in Aurora’s throat as a familiar sourness rose in her chest.

She remembered how Kaelen, no matter how busy he was, would always eat with her, and the table was always laden with her favorites.

He had said that since her parents and pack were gone, he didn't want her to feel lonely. He would always be with her.

But after she confessed her feelings, Kaelen rarely even returned to the manor, let alone shared a meal with her.

Now, there wasn't even one dish she liked…

Aurora picked up her silver fork and forced the food down, each bite tasting like ash.

She couldn't take another mouthful.

"Lady Seraphina… I really do have something to attend to. I must go. Please, enjoy your meal."

Seraphina smiled and nodded, not stopping her.

Aurora fled Blackwood Manor as if escaping a fire.

She took a bottle of elven wine and returned to the Silvermoon territory to visit her parents.

With no one left, the territory of the Silvermoon pack had become a ruin.

Hundreds of tombstones, large and small, dotted the rolling hills.

Aurora knelt before the two largest ones at the front, slowly pouring the wine before them.

"Father, Mother, your daughter has come to see you…"

"I'm sorry. I failed to honor your final wish for me to live a simple, carefree life. The Shadowfang King plans to unleash the Crimson Curse, plunging the world into chaos and slaughtering everyone. The blood of the Silvermoon pack flows through my veins. With parents like you, I cannot stand by and do nothing."

"Sacrificing myself will save our people. If you were still here, you would be proud of me, wouldn't you?"

"In six days, I will complete the Moon Goddess Ritual. I will wear Mother's armor and wield Father's blade to slay our enemies… If I fall, I will meet you in the Hall of Heroes."

"When the time comes… don't forget to welcome your daughter home…"

Aurora bowed her head deeply before the tombstones, lingering for a long time before she finally rose to her feet.

By the time she returned to the manor, a full moon hung high in the sky.

Back in her room, she gathered and threw away a few more small items, making the space feel even more empty.

It made her realize with stark clarity that for the past five hundred years, she had only been a guest here.

Late that night, she drifted into a restless sleep.

Her bedroom door was never locked. Suddenly, she heard it creak open and was instantly awake.

But before she could cast a defensive spell, a familiar, alcohol-laced scent washed over her as someone found her in the darkness and pressed their lips against hers.

*Kaelen?*

At the same instant, Aurora felt the thread of Kaelen's life essence within her stir violently.

She froze, then shoved him away in a panic.

But as their lips parted, before she could speak, she heard Kaelen’s hoarse, low whisper.

"Seraphina, I love you."