Molly woke to the cold bite of stone walls and the hum of magic. Her wrists were bound with glowing ropes that tightened with every struggle. She groaned and rolled onto her side, brushing dirt from her hair.
"Seriously," she muttered, "captured already? And on a full moon? Couldn't they have waited until tomorrow morning?"
Two RedFang guards prowled the small cell, whispering as they tightened the ropes. Molly's green eyes sparkled with defiance. "You really think this will hold me? Cute."
Suddenly, the door opened. The guards froze. From the shadows stepped a tall figure — silver-black hair catching the torchlight, eyes sharper than any wolf Molly had ever seen.
"Move," he said softly. His voice was calm but carried a weight that made the guards flinch.
"What?" one of the soldiers whispered.
"Do not touch her," the figure commanded. "Not one step closer."
The soldiers hesitated. Something in the Alpha's presence made them obey instantly.
Molly stared at him, trying to take him in. Tall, commanding, and yet… his gaze didn't hold the anger or cruelty she had expected. Instead, there was curiosity, awe, and something unspoken.
"Who… who are you?" she asked cautiously.
"I am Simon," he replied. "Alpha of RedFang. And you, Beta of SilverClaw, are… unusual."
Molly raised an eyebrow. "Unusual how? Are you just here to compliment my style, or are you going to let me escape?"
Simon allowed a small, almost imperceptible smile. "Not yet. First… you must understand what you carry."
He reached into his coat and produced a small, dull-grey stone. "The Eye of Life."
Molly blinked. "Eye of… what now?"
Simon knelt beside her, holding the stone out. "Many have touched it—priests, warriors, even kings. None awakened it. None made it respond. I believe… it may respond to you."
Molly leaned back on her elbows, wary but curious. "And why me? I'm just a Beta. Unless you're about to tell me I'm secretly an Alpha. Again."
Simon shook his head slowly. "Not an Alpha. Something else. Something… powerful. I sensed it the moment you were captured."
Molly frowned. "You sensed… what exactly?"
Simon's sharp eyes never left her face. "Potential. Strength beyond rank. Courage that defies expectation. And a soul that is… rare."
Molly smirked despite the ropes. "Rare, huh? Sounds fancy. Can it get me out of this mess?"
Simon's gaze softened, almost imperceptibly. "Soon. First… we see if the stone recognizes you."
He extended the stone again. Molly hesitated, eyes flicking to the guards. They still stood frozen, clearly unsure if they should intervene.
"Go on," Simon said quietly. "Touch it."
Molly rolled her eyes, leaned forward, and placed her fingers on the stone.
The moment she did, the grey surface ignited with bright, swirling emerald light. It wasn't gold. It wasn't silver. It was a vivid green, glowing and pulsating as though alive.
Molly gasped. "Okay… that's new."
Simon's eyes widened, the first hint of astonishment crossing his normally calm features. "Emerald… the Fifth Star. I've only heard of this color, never seen it. It is… remarkable."
Molly's lips curved into a sly grin. "Remarkable, huh? Good thing I'm used to being extraordinary."
Simon chuckled softly, standing and surveying the cell. "I should have known… no ordinary Beta could produce this."
Simon Acts
By the time the emerald light faded, Simon had already formulated a plan. "Guards," he said calmly, "free her. Then, bring me the cloaks and the horses."
Molly blinked. "Free me? You're… serious?"
"Completely," Simon replied. "You are not to be harmed. Not tonight."
The guards obeyed, clearly intimidated by Simon's authority. Chains fell from Molly's wrists, and she stretched, rolling her shoulders with a satisfied grin.
"Finally," she muttered. "About time someone did the sensible thing."
Simon extended his hand to help her to her feet. "We move quickly. Your pack may not know where you are, but others will come for you."
Molly's eyes narrowed. "Others? You mean… Xavier?"
Simon's expression hardened slightly. "Yes. He is aware. And he will send every knight he trusts to find you. But we are faster."
Molly smirked. "Good. I like fast."
They moved together through the forest, swift and silent. Molly had always been a warrior, but even she couldn't deny the strange sense of awe she felt in Simon's presence. He was older, calmer, more controlled, yet powerful beyond imagining.
Back in Xavier's Kingdom
Xavier slammed his fist against the map table, frustration etched across his face. "Molly was captured?!"
The messenger quivered. "Y-yes, Alpha. RedFang soldiers have her."
"Then summon every knight. The strongest, the fastest, the most loyal!" Xavier roared. "We leave at dawn. No one returns without her!"
The room fell silent, tension thick in the air. Xavier's obsession wasn't subtle; every Alpha, every Beta, even the guards, knew that he didn't just want to rescue her — he wanted her for himself.
Unbeknownst to him, Simon had already moved. Molly had been freed from her cell, hidden under dark cloaks, and riding swiftly through the forest. By the time Xavier's knights reached RedFang territory, she was already gone.
Molly's First Lesson
As they rode through the night, Molly glanced at Simon. "You really don't give a little warning, do you?"
Simon smirked faintly. "Where's the fun in that?"
Molly laughed. "Fair point. But next time, maybe a heads-up? Chains, traps… not exactly my idea of a warm welcome."
Simon's expression softened. "You handle yourself remarkably, even when bound. It is… impressive."
Molly's grin widened. "Impressive, huh? That's a new compliment. Thanks, I'll add it to my list."
For the first time since her capture, Molly felt… in control again. Even if danger lurked around every corner, even if Xavier was surely planning a rescue, even if her destiny was tangled with powers she didn't yet understand…
She was Molly the Brave. Molly the Beta who fought like an Alpha. And with Simon's help, she was ready for whatever came next.