Chapter 2

THE BLOOD OF THREE

By Nyla Noir

Chapter Two — The Secret Beneath Her Skin

Seraphina woke to the sound of someone arguing.

"She cannot stay here."

"Lower your voice."

"With all due respect, Alpha, have you forgotten what happened tonight?"

A pause.

Then another voice, colder than the first.

"Nobody leaves this room until I say so."

Seraphina kept her eyes closed.

Her head throbbed. Her body felt as though she had been dragged through a storm, and every breath sent a dull ache through her chest.

She didn't know where she was.

But she knew one thing.

She was no longer in the forest.

"She's awake."

The words were quiet, but they silenced everyone.

Seraphina opened her eyes.

A wooden ceiling stretched above her. A fire burned in a stone fireplace, casting orange light across the room. Heavy curtains covered the windows, and the air smelled of smoke, herbs, and something sharp she couldn't identify.

She tried to sit up.

Pain shot through her arm.

"Easy."

Alpha Rowan stood beside the bed.

Seraphina stared at him.

For several seconds, neither spoke.

Then she remembered.

The forest.

The creatures.

The violet light.

Kael.

She immediately looked down at her hand.

The mark was gone.

Her palm was smooth, without a scar or burn.

But she could still feel it.

Something beneath her skin.

Something awake.

"What happened to me?"

Rowan pulled a chair closer to the bed.

"You collapsed."

"That isn't what I asked."

His expression tightened.

Seraphina pushed herself upright.

"Where's Kael?"

A strange silence followed.

Rowan studied her face.

"Why are you asking about him?"

"Because he was there."

"He brought you here."

Seraphina looked toward the door.

"Is he still here?"

"Yes."

"Then I want to see him."

Rowan sighed.

"Seraphina—"

"Please don't start telling me I need to rest. I'm tired of people telling me what I need without explaining what's happening."

Something shifted in Rowan's expression.

For a moment, he looked almost ashamed.

Then the door opened.

Kael stood in the doorway.

His dark hair was slightly disordered, and his black shirt was rolled up at the sleeves. A faint scratch marked one side of his face.

His eyes were normal now.

Dark.

Human.

But Seraphina remembered the gold.

She remembered the way the creatures had fled from her.

And she remembered what Rowan had said.

The Veil was supposed to hide you forever.

Kael looked at her.

"You're awake."

Seraphina folded her arms.

"Apparently."

His gaze moved briefly to her hand.

"How are you feeling?"

"Like everyone in this house knows something about me except me."

Kael glanced at Rowan.

Rowan looked away.

Seraphina let out a bitter laugh.

"Wonderful. At least you're all consistent."

She pushed the blankets aside.

"I want answers."

Kael stepped away from the doorway.

"Then you should hear them."

Rowan stood abruptly.

"Not here."

Kael's expression hardened.

"She deserves to know."

"And if she hears the truth before we understand what happened, we could lose everything."

Seraphina stared at them.

"Everything?"

Neither answered.

She swung her legs over the side of the bed.

"Fine. If nobody is going to tell me anything, I'll find out myself."

She stood.

The room tilted.

Kael moved instantly, catching her by the arm.

For one strange second, the moment his fingers touched her skin, warmth spread through her body.

Not ordinary warmth.

It was as if something inside her recognized him.

Her breath caught.

Kael went completely still.

His fingers tightened around her arm before he released her.

Seraphina stared at him.

"What was that?"

"Nothing."

"Don't lie to me."

Kael's jaw flexed.

Rowan watched them with an expression Seraphina couldn't understand.

Fear.

That was what it looked like.

Not fear of Kael.

Fear of what had happened between them.

Before she could demand an explanation, someone knocked sharply on the door.

"Alpha."

A man's voice.

Rowan turned.

"Come in."

A warrior entered.

He was tall, with a broad chest and short brown hair. Seraphina recognized him from the training grounds.

Darian.

His gaze went straight to her.

For a moment, he appeared relieved.

Then his eyes moved to Kael's hand, which was still close to her arm.

His expression darkened.

"What is he doing here?"

Kael didn't respond.

Darian looked at Rowan.

"The pack is waiting."

"Waiting for what?" Seraphina asked.

Darian hesitated.

Then he looked directly at her.

"For you."

A chill moved down her spine.

"Why?"

Nobody answered.

Darian exhaled.

"Because everyone heard the howl."

Seraphina looked at him.

"What howl?"

"The one that came from the forest."

He glanced at Rowan.

"Every wolf in Alderfen heard it. Some say it came from the eastern boundary. Others claim it came from inside the territory."

His gaze returned to Seraphina.

"But all of them felt something."

She swallowed.

"What?"

Darian's voice lowered.

"Power."

The word hung in the room.

Seraphina shook her head.

"I don't have any power."

Darian looked at her palm.

"Then explain what happened in the forest."

She couldn't.

Because she didn't understand it herself.

Rowan stepped between them.

"That's enough."

Darian's expression tightened.

"Alpha, the council has already gathered. They want to know why an unknown supernatural force was released inside our territory."

"Then they can wait."

"They won't."

For the first time, Rowan looked genuinely angry.

"They will."

Darian lowered his head.

"Yes, Alpha."

But before he left, his eyes returned to Seraphina.

There was something different in his expression now.

Suspicion.

And something that looked dangerously close to fear.

When the door closed, Seraphina turned to Rowan.

"Take me to them."

"No."

"Why?"

"Because I won't allow them to question you."

"They're questioning me whether I'm there or not!"

Rowan said nothing.

Seraphina stepped closer.

"Alpha, I've lived in your pack for eighteen years. I've trained with your warriors. I've followed your rules. And now everyone is looking at me like I'm some kind of monster."

Her voice broke.

"Please. Just tell me what I am."

Rowan's expression softened.

For a moment, he looked at her as though she were the little child he had once carried through the gates of Alderfen.

Then he sat down.

"There's something you need to understand about the pack."

Seraphina remained standing.

"I'm listening."

"Every wolf is born with a bloodline. Some are ordinary wolves. Others inherit unusual abilities. Rarely, a wolf may be born with a second nature."

Kael leaned against the wall.

"Lycan blood."

Rowan nodded.

"Yes."

Seraphina frowned.

"What's the difference?"

"An ordinary wolf shifts into a wolf. A Lycan possesses a more powerful and ancient form. Their strength, instincts, and abilities are different."

She looked at Kael.

"You're a Lycan?"

He nodded once.

Seraphina thought of his golden eyes.

The way the forest creatures had reacted to him.

The way his presence had silenced the training yard.

"And what about witches?"

Rowan's expression changed.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because of the symbols. The wolf, the moon, and the eye surrounded by flames."

Silence.

Kael straightened.

Rowan stared at her.

"You remember the symbols?"

"Yes."

He closed his eyes briefly.

"Then the awakening has already begun."

Seraphina's stomach tightened.

"What awakening?"

Rowan stood.

"Long ago, before the packs divided the territories, there were beings whose power existed beyond the understanding of ordinary wolves."

He paused.

"Some could command the elements. Some could communicate with spirits. Others possessed bloodlines that should never have existed together."

Seraphina's voice was barely audible.

"Three bloodlines."

Rowan looked at her.

"Yes."

The room seemed to grow colder.

She glanced at her palm.

"But I'm not a wolf. I can't even shift."

"That was the purpose of the Veil."

Kael's expression darkened.

"Explain."

Rowan looked at him.

"The Veil is an ancient spell. It conceals a person's supernatural nature. It can suppress their scent, hide their abilities, and prevent their bloodline from being detected."

Seraphina stared at him.

"You put a spell on me?"

Rowan shook his head.

"No. Someone did."

"Who?"

"I don't know."

"Then how do you know about it?"

Rowan hesitated.

"Because I was there when you were brought to Alderfen."

Seraphina felt the floor shift beneath her.

"Brought?"

Rowan nodded slowly.

"You were a baby."

Her mouth went dry.

"You told me I was born here."

"I know."

"You told me my parents died."

"I know."

"You lied to me."

Rowan lowered his gaze.

"Yes."

The honesty hurt more than another excuse would have.

Seraphina stepped away from him.

"Why?"

"Because I promised to protect you."

"From what?"

Rowan looked toward the window.

"From the people who wanted you dead."

The words struck her like a physical blow.

For several seconds, she couldn't speak.

Then she whispered, "Who wanted to kill me?"

Rowan didn't answer.

Kael moved away from the wall.

"Alpha."

Rowan looked at him.

"Not another word."

Kael's eyes flashed.

"She's already awakened. Hiding the truth won't protect her anymore."

Rowan's face hardened.

"And telling her everything won't bring her parents back."

Seraphina froze.

"My parents?"

Rowan went silent.

She turned toward him.

"What do you know about my parents?"

He looked as though he wished he could take the words back.

But it was too late.

Seraphina stepped forward.

"You said you didn't know whether they were alive."

"I don't."

"But you know something."

Rowan's silence was answer enough.

Her throat tightened.

"Tell me."

He walked to the fireplace.

For a long moment, he watched the flames.

Then he spoke.

"Your mother came to Alderfen eighteen years ago. She was injured, frightened, and carrying you."

Seraphina could barely breathe.

"Was she a wolf?"

Rowan shook his head.

"No."

"A Lycan?"

"No."

"Then what was she?"

Rowan turned toward her.

"I don't know."

Seraphina stared at him.

"You don't know?"

"She never told me."

"What was her name?"

Rowan hesitated.

Then he said, "She called herself Elara."

Seraphina repeated the name silently.

Elara.

It meant nothing to her.

Yet something inside her stirred.

A faint warmth spread across her chest.

Then the voice returned.

Mother.

Seraphina gasped.

Kael immediately moved toward her.

"What is it?"

She pressed a hand against her chest.

"I heard something."

Rowan went pale.

"What did you hear?"

She looked at him.

"A voice."

"What did it say?"

Seraphina hesitated.

Then whispered, "Mother."

The fire in the fireplace suddenly turned violet.

Everyone froze.

The flames rose higher, twisting into strange shapes.

For one terrifying moment, a woman's silhouette appeared inside the fire.

Long hair.

A pale face.

Violet eyes.

Seraphina stumbled backward.

The woman looked directly at her.

And smiled.

"My little star."

Seraphina stopped breathing.

The image vanished.

The flames returned to normal.

Nobody moved.

Then Rowan whispered, "Elara."

Seraphina turned toward him.

"That was my mother?"

Rowan looked devastated.

"I don't know."

She shook her head.

"You keep saying that."

"Because I don't have the answers you deserve."

"Then help me find them!"

Her voice echoed through the room.

The windows rattled.

A glass vase shattered against the wall.

Kael caught Seraphina's wrist.

"Enough."

The moment he touched her, the room fell silent.

The air settled.

The strange pressure disappeared.

Seraphina stared at his hand.

Kael slowly released her.

Neither spoke.

But Rowan had seen it.

And the fear in his eyes had deepened.

Because whatever had awakened inside Seraphina was responding to Kael.

And that was something the old stories had warned him about.

Something he had hoped would never happen.

A sharp knock interrupted the silence.

This time, nobody waited for permission.

The door opened.

An older man entered, dressed in a dark coat. His hair was silver, and his face was lined with age.

Two warriors followed him.

Rowan straightened.

"Elder."

The old man ignored him.

His eyes were fixed on Seraphina.

For a moment, he looked confused.

Then his nostrils flared.

He took one step backward.

"No."

Seraphina frowned.

"What?"

The elder's hands began to shake.

He looked at Rowan.

"Tell me this isn't true."

Rowan said nothing.

The elder turned toward Kael.

"You brought her here?"

Kael's voice was cold.

"She lives here."

The elder shook his head.

"Not anymore."

Seraphina felt her stomach drop.

"What does that mean?"

The elder looked at her.

His expression was no longer confused.

It was filled with something ancient.

Something close to terror.

"That girl cannot remain in Alderfen."

Rowan stepped forward.

"Watch your words."

The elder ignored him.

"Her presence will draw every bloodthirsty creature within a hundred miles. The moment the other packs discover what she is, they will come for her."

Seraphina swallowed.

"What am I?"

The elder looked directly into her eyes.

And whispered, "A prophecy."

Silence filled the room.

Then he continued.

"An ancient prophecy speaks of a child born with three bloodlines. A child whose awakening will either unite the supernatural world or destroy it."

Seraphina shook her head.

"No."

The elder's expression hardened.

"The child was believed to have died eighteen years ago."

Rowan closed his eyes.

Seraphina looked between them.

"You knew about this?"

Nobody answered.

Her voice rose.

"You all knew?"

The elder took another step toward her.

"Your existence is a threat to every pack in these territories."

Kael moved between them.

"That's enough."

The elder's eyes narrowed.

"Move, Lycan."

Kael didn't.

For several seconds, the two men stared at each other.

Then the elder looked toward Rowan.

"If you refuse to surrender her, the council will remove you as Alpha."

Rowan's jaw tightened.

"Then they'll have to try."

The elder shook his head.

"You're choosing one girl over the entire pack?"

Rowan's voice was quiet.

"I'm choosing the child I promised to protect."

Seraphina felt something break inside her.

For eighteen years, she had believed she was ordinary.

Now she was being told that her existence could destroy an entire world.

She looked down at her hands.

They were trembling.

"I didn't ask for this."

Nobody answered.

"I didn't ask to be born with three bloodlines. I didn't ask to be hidden. I didn't ask for any of this!"

The air began to vibrate.

A faint violet glow appeared beneath her skin.

Kael turned toward her.

"Seraphina."

She looked at him.

For one brief moment, she saw something strange in his eyes.

Not fear.

Not suspicion.

Something almost protective.

But before he could speak, the elder suddenly dropped to his knees.

Everyone froze.

His head bowed.

His voice trembled.

"The third blood has awakened."

Seraphina stared at him.

The elder lifted his face.

And whispered the words that made Rowan go completely still.

"May the Moon Goddess have mercy on us all."

Far beyond Alderfen, a horn sounded across the mountains.

Once.

Twice.

Three times.

Kael's expression changed.

Rowan turned toward the window.

The elder began to pray.

Seraphina stood in the center of the room, surrounded by people who feared her, protected her, or wanted her gone.

And for the first time, she understood the terrible truth.

Her awakening hadn't just changed her life.

It had announced her existence to the entire supernatural world.

Somewhere in the darkness, something had heard.

And it was coming.

End of Chapter Two