The invitation was unlike any Selene had ever seen.
A black parchment sealed with the mark of the Shadow Fang—a blood-red fang biting into a silver crescent moon.
The message inside was brief:
"The Shadow Fang requests the presence of the Alpha Queen and her Council at the Crimson Veil Estate. Tonight. To discuss peace. To bury the past."
Selene held the note carefully, eyes narrowing.
"Peace?" Jace scoffed, standing behind her. "From the Shadow Fang? That's a lie wrapped in a serpent's tongue."
She nodded.
"But if they want a meeting, we can't ignore it. Not when the Council's lives are at stake."
The Crimson Veil Estate was located deep in the Blackthorn Forest, a fortress rumored to be impenetrable, shadowed by dark magic and guarded by mercenaries loyal only to the Shadow Fang.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, Selene prepared to attend with a small contingent: Jace, Korren of Bloodfang, Saria of Nightmist, and a select few trusted warriors.
The moon hung heavy in the sky, casting long shadows over the twisted trees as they approached the estate.
Selene's heart pounded—not from fear, but anticipation.
She knew this night could change everything.
The gates of Crimson Veil opened with an eerie creak.
The estate's walls were obsidian black, etched with ancient runes that pulsed faintly with crimson light.
Inside, the grand hall was vast and dimly lit by chandeliers of black crystal.
Figures cloaked in midnight gathered around a long table—faces masked, voices low and cold.
At the head of the table sat a figure in a cloak of silver fur, a mask shaped like a wolf's skull hiding their identity.
Selene's eyes locked on the figure.
"Alpha Queen," the voice was smooth, almost hypnotic. "Welcome to our home."
Korren stepped forward, hand on his dagger.
"Show yourself," Selene commanded.
Slowly, the figure removed the mask.
Revealing the pale, sharp features of Kaelen, leader of the Shadow Fang.
His dark eyes glinted with amusement.
"Peace requires trust," he said. "And trust begins with truth."
Selene felt a chill.
"Then speak," she said.
Kaelen smiled. "The Shadow Fang never sought to destroy the Royal Blood. We sought to protect it—from corruption. From darkness within. Your mother's death was not a betrayal, but a necessary sacrifice."
Selene's eyes flashed with disbelief. "A sacrifice to what end?"
"To prevent a greater war. Damien's father, Rhylen Thorn, wielded powers forbidden. Dark magic that threatened to consume not only our world, but the spirit realm itself."
Saria gasped softly.
Kaelen continued. "The Council fractured because it feared what would happen if such power was unchecked. We stepped in to maintain balance."
"By killing my family?" Selene spat.
Kaelen's smile faded. "By any means necessary."
She clenched her fists.
"Then why summon me now? Why offer peace?"
"To prepare you," Kaelen said. "The true enemy approaches—the Abyssborn. A force beyond Shadow Fang and Royal Blood alike. They rise from the void between worlds, hungry for domination."
Jace's hand went to his sword hilt.
"The prophecy is true," Saria whispered.
Kaelen nodded. "We must unite—or perish."
Selene's mind raced.
Was this an alliance—or a trap?
Her wolf growled inside her mind.
"Danger. Lies."
She drew Moonfire slowly, its blade shimmering with silver light.
"Your words sound like mercy," she said coldly. "But your history screams betrayal."
Kaelen's eyes darkened.
"Then let us test your resolve, Alpha Queen."
With a sharp motion, he snapped his fingers.
The hall doors slammed shut.
From the shadows, warriors clad in black armor emerged—Shadow Fang elite.
Korren and Saria readied their weapons; Jace moved to protect Selene.
A battle ignited, steel clashing against steel, magic sparking through the air.
Selene moved like the moonlight itself—swift, graceful, deadly.
Moonfire cut through darkness, slicing through foes with radiant strikes.
But Kaelen vanished into the chaos, leaving his warriors to fight in his stead.
Selene locked eyes with Korren.
"We cannot let them surround us."
Together, they fought through the ranks, carving a path to the estate's massive windows.
Jace shattered the glass with a powerful strike, and the group leapt into the cold night air.
They ran into the Blackthorn Forest, branches slashing at their faces as they fled.
Behind them, the estate's gates closed with a heavy clang, sealing off the Shadow Fang's lair.
Breathless and bloodied, Selene gathered her allies.
"We survived because we fought together," she said, voice steady despite the pain.
"But Kaelen's words… the Abyssborn. If they are real, then we face a threat unlike any before."
Korren grunted. "Then we'll need every pack standing with you."
Saria placed a hand on Selene's shoulder.
"Your journey has only begun, Alpha Queen. But you have the strength—and the heart—to face whatever comes."
Selene looked up at the moon.
Her wolf's howl rose in her chest.
The fight for unity, for survival, for the throne… was far from over.