Chapter 29: Shadows Rising
The moon's red glow faded to silver as Liana and the triplets stood together, their new tie humming between them like electricity. "This is weird," Jace said, rubbing his forehead. "I can feel all of you in my head." Liana nodded, feeling strange currents of emotion that weren't her own. Kael's fear felt like a heavy stone. Rowan's curiosity sparkled like stars. Jace's excitement bubbled like a stream. "Try thinking something directly at me," she suggested. Can you hear this? Kael's voice rang clear in her thoughts. Loud and clear, she replied, making him jump. "This is incredible," Rowan whispered.
"The legends mentioned mind-links, but nothing like this." Talia ran up to them, her eyes wide. "The load is almost here! And Darius's rogues are closing in from the east." "We need to get back to the estate," Kael said, taking charge. "Father will know what to do." They moved quickly through the forest. Liana stumbled on a root, and immediately felt strength flow into her legs—Kael's strength, shared through their bond. She sent back thanks, and his surprise tickled her mind. "We can share abilities," she realized aloud. "Kael just gave me some of his strength without even trying." Jace grinned, his usual spark returning despite his near-death experience. "Does that mean you three get some of my amazing charm?" "Heaven help us," Rowan grumbled, but his amusement flowed through their bond. Suddenly, pain cut across Liana's palm. She gasped, looking down at skin that remained uncut. "What's wrong?" Kael asked, taking her hand. "I felt—" Rowan hissed, holding up his wounded hand. "Branch caught me." "I felt it too," Liana said. "We feel each other's pain." The four traded worried glances as the full meaning sank in.
Their bond was strong but dangerous—they would share everything, good and bad. Howls exploded behind them. The rogues were gaining ground. "Run!" Kael ordered. They raced through the forest, their breathing synchronized. Liana had never moved so fast, taking Jace's natural speed. Through their bond, she guided them around hidden obstacles that only her enhanced senses could spot. The Alpha's house came into view, but something was wrong. Guards ran in fear. Wolves howled in fear. "Something's happened," Kael said, his fear flowing through all of them. They burst through the gates to find chaos. Warriors rushed back and forth, screaming orders. Blood stained the steps of the main house. Elder Mira ran toward them, her face ashen. "Thank the Goddess you're back! It's your father—" Kael pushed past her, the others following close behind. Through their bond, Liana felt his fear spike so sharply it made her dizzy. They found Alpha Thorne in his rooms, lying in a pool of blood. Pack doctors worked frantically to save him, but Liana could smell death coming. "Father!" Kael dropped to his knees beside the bed. Alpha Thorne's eyes fluttered open. "My son..." His voice was barely a whisper. "Who did this?" Kael demanded, anger building like a storm. "Celeste," Thorne gasped. "She came with... shadow things. Said the true order... must be restored." Liana felt the triplets' shock reflect her own.
Celeste had actually attacked the Alpha directly—an unthinkable crime. "We need to hunt her down," Jace growled. "Later," Thorne whispered. His hand weakly grasped Kael's. "First... I must pass the power." The room fell silent. Even the doctors stepped back, knowing the sacred moment of Alpha transition. Thorne's eyes found Liana. "Come here, girl." She approached nervously, feeling the triplets' love flowing through her. "The Goddess chose well," Thorne said, studying her face. "I was wrong to doubt." His hand reached for hers, then for Kael's, joining them together. "I recognize this omega, Liana, as the rightful Luna of Shadowfang Pack." Power surged through the room—ancient magic recognizing his words. "And to you, my son," Thorne continued, his voice getting fainter, "I pass the mantle of Alpha. Lead wisely. Lead with strength. Lead with heart." Golden light flowed from Thorne's chest into Kael's. Liana gasped as she felt the power through their bond—like drinking liquid fire. Kael's back raised as the Alpha power filled him. "The pack is yours now," Thorne whispered. Tears streamed down Kael's face. "Father, please don't—" "I am proud of you," Thorne interrupted. "Proud of all three of my boys." His eyes moved from Kael to Jace to Rowan, then back to Kael. With his last strength, he pulled his son closer. "Beware the shadow under the moon," he whispered. Then Alpha Thorne, head of Shadowfang Pack for thirty years, took his final breath. Grief burst through their bond—four hearts breaking as one. Liana couldn't tell whose tears were falling faster. A howl built in Kael's chest, rising up through his throat. When it burst free, it carried the obvious power of an Alpha. The other wolves in the room dropped to their knees. "Alpha Kael," Elder Mira said, bowing her head. Kael stood slowly, his sadness transforming into something harder. Through their bond, Liana felt his determination crystallizing like ice. "Gather the pack," he ordered.
"All of them. Now."
As warriors rushed to follow, Liana reached for Kael's hand. He gripped it tightly, drawing strength from her touch. We stand with you, she sent through their link. She felt Jace and Rowan's agreement flow alongside her words. I don't know if I'm ready, Kael admitted quietly to them. Nobody ever is, Rowan replied. We'll figure it out together, Jace added. Outside, wolves gathered by the hundreds, pulled by the Alpha's death and the call of their new leader. The triplets and Liana stepped onto the porch overlooking the main courtyard. "Shadowfang Pack," Kael called, his voice carrying with new power. "My father has been murdered by traitors among us." Growls and whines rose from the crowd. "I stand before you as your new Alpha. At my side stands your Luna." He raised Liana's hand. "And my brothers, who will serve as my commanders." Through their bond, Liana felt something strange—a ripple of darkness touching the edges of their link. She looked at the others, but they seemed focused on the pack. "Tonight we mourn," Kael continued. "Tomorrow, we hunt those responsible."
The pack howled their support, the sound echoing through the night. As they turned to go back inside, a chill ran down Liana's spine.
She looked up at the moon, now clear and bright after the blood moon rite. For just an instant, she saw it—a shadow passing across the silver surface, shaped like a dog with too many legs. "Did you see that?" she whispered. "See what?" Jace asked. The shadow was gone, but Liana couldn't shake her fear. Thorne's final warning echoed in her thoughts. Beware the shade under the moon. Something ancient had woken, just as the last chapter had warned. And it was coming for them all.