Chapter 30 The Gates of Moonvale

The gates of Moonvale loomed before us like ancient sentinels, carved with runes older than memory. From the valley below, the forest spread like a green sea, peaceful at first glance—but I knew better. Peace in lands ruled by packs was fragile, easily shattered by the wrong move. And Kael’s reputation? That alone could ignite war.

Dorian walked ahead, stiff, controlled, every step deliberate. Behind me, Kael’s heat brushed against my arm, the faint sheen of dried blood still clinging to his side. I could feel every taut muscle in him, every coil ready to spring. My fingers tightened around the strap of the Codex in my pack, its warmth pressing insistently against me, silent but alive.

A figure emerged from the gatehouse shadows, boots echoing against stone. His armor caught the midday sun, and his eyes scanned us sharply, carefully.

“Dorian…” The voice was low, cautious, almost reverent. Recognition flickered across his face.

Dorian stiffened, jaw tight. “I’ve returned,” he said calmly, but his voice held caution. “I come with respect.”

The man’s gaze flicked to Kael. His jaw clenched. “And… him?”

Kael stepped forward, claws scraping the stone floor with subtle menace. “I am Kael, Alpha of Bloodmoon,” he said, his voice sharp, unwavering. “I am not here for your pack. I am here for her.” He gestured to me, golden eyes burning as fiercely as fire.

The guard’s expression darkened, and I felt the chill of history pressing down. Even one night of slaughter left scars no pack could forget… and for me too, because I was the last of the Silverfangs, the only one left alive, hating Kael yet now walking beside him.

“You bring him here?” the guard hissed, teeth clenched. “Do you think we’ll welcome a monster across our threshold?”

I swallowed, trembling despite Kael’s silent warning to stay calm. I tried to explain our arrival, my words faltering, but Kael’s hand on my arm stopped me. He didn’t speak—instead, his gaze locked sharply onto the head guard, eyes blazing with silent warning.

“Stay calm,” Kael murmured, low and raw. “Do not let them see fear.”

“I’m not afraid,” I said, though my voice wavered. “I just… please, let us in. We don’t have time to waste.”

Dorian’s hand brushed mine briefly, a grounding touch that steadied my racing heart. “Neither am I,” he said quietly. “We only need a chance to speak.”

The guard’s gaze didn’t leave Kael. “Bloodmoon,” he spat. “The one who ended Silverfangs in a single night. Expect hospitality?”

“I ask for nothing,” Kael said, his voice low, every word sharp as a blade. His golden eyes locked on the guard, unflinching. “All I demand… is that she survives this. That she finds safety here, under your pack protection. Nothing more. Nothing else matters.”

The tension pressed down on me. One wrong move, one careless word, and Kael’s reputation could ignite the valley. My pulse thundered, Codex vibrating faintly against my side as if it sensed the storm.

Then, from the gates themselves, a figure emerged. Tall, cloaked, hood casting shadows over silver-glinting eyes. The presence radiated authority, impossible to ignore.

“So…” The voice was deep, calm, and every word weighed heavy. “The Wolf who abandoned his pack returns… bringing two hearts bound by fire and blood.”

Kael’s golden eyes snapped to the figure, warning sharp and barely restrained. Dorian’s hand twitched near his blade, muscles coiled. My chest hammered as I gripped the Codex, alive beneath my fingers, whispering, warning.

“I… we…” Dorian began, voice steady but strained. “We mean no harm.”

The hooded figure’s gaze flicked between us, lingering like a judge weighing our worth. “Interesting,” the voice said, soft but sharp. “So many flames in one place. Which will burn first? Perhaps… the girl will decide.”

Kael growled under his breath, golden eyes narrowing. “Do not toy with her.”

Dorian’s hand brushed mine again. “Then we face it together. Whatever comes next… we face it together.”

The figure melted back into the shadows. The guards were tense, silent, eyes flicking between us. I swallowed hard, the heat of Kael beside me, the steady strength of Dorian grounding me, and the Codex warning me of choices yet to come.

The gates finally opened with a low rumble, echoing across the valley. I followed Kael and Dorian into Moonvale, flanked by tense but watchful guards. The air smelled of pine and grass, fresh and deceptive in its calm.

Then, a tall man stepped forward. Relief flickered in Dorian’s posture, and I noticed it.

“Darius,” he murmured, disbelief and relief lacing his voice.

Darius, broad-shouldered with streaks of silver in his dark hair, approached. His gaze softened when he found his younger brother. “Dorian… at last,” he said, voice breaking slightly. “After all these years…”

Dorian’s lips curved into a tentative smile. “It’s been too long.”

Kael stiffened beside me, amber eyes glinting, silent warning in his posture.

Darius turned to the guard. “Allow them entry,” he commanded, leaving no room for argument. The commander bowed and signaled the way clear.

“Welcome home, brother,” Darius said again, extending his hand. Dorian clasped it without hesitation. “And… friends,” he added, glancing at Kael and me. His eyes lingered on Kael but did not speak of the danger beneath that gaze. Kael only grunted.

We walked further into Moonvale. The forest opened into a green clearing. The village seemed small, simple, peaceful—but I knew peace was never guaranteed.

“This is… peaceful,” I whispered.

“Safer than most places we’ve been,” Dorian said quietly, brushing his hand briefly over mine. I felt the warmth linger.

Kael snorted. “Safe, maybe. Quiet? Don’t expect it.” His voice was sharp, annoyed at the formation of guards around us.

I tugged his arm. “Don’t growl at them. They’re just doing their job.”

“They watch me like a caged wolf,” Kael muttered, eyes narrowing.

“Especially when injured,” Dorian added, soft, protective. “We’ll get him settled.”

Darius turned to me. “And you… survived the storms of two packs, yet stand beside him?” His eyes were sharp but curious.

“I am,” I said simply. “I’m with him… and with Dorian.” My words were careful. I felt Kael’s tension spike at the last part, but he didn’t protest.

“Then you’ll be safe here,” Darius said. “Stay in my family home. Food, rest, protection. Kael will be watched, to heal properly. Nothing more.” He gave Kael a teasing smirk. “Not as fearsome when weak, eh?”

Kael grunted.

“You’ll survive,” Darius added firmly. “For her sake, behave.”

I exhaled slowly, letting myself breathe, though my instincts stayed alert. Peace here was fragile.

The Hale family home was sturdy, wood and stone, smoke curling from the chimney, scent of bread in the air. Dorian’s lips twitched into a small smile. “You’ll like it here,” he said softly, taking my hand briefly. “Calm… for now.”

Kael muttered but paused, eyes scanning the house, perhaps considering the rare possibility of safety.

Darius led us inside. “Eat, rest, recover. The rest… we’ll figure out later.”

I followed, chest tight, aware of the quiet fire simmering between Kael and Dorian, and the Codex, silent yet insistent. For now, I allowed myself a moment of respite, but a whisper ran through my mind, The choices you delay will decide everything…

And as we crossed the threshold, the glow from the Codex pulsed faintly in my pack. I couldn’t shake the feeling that someone—or something—was already watching, waiting for me to slip, for one wrong move that could burn everything.

The village might be safe. But I wasn’t. Not really. Not yet.