Pollux PoV
The next morning, I gathered a small group around the fire, my mind filled with the knowledge I carried. My mother had once told me about ancient legends while I was searching for Godiva’s whereabouts. Back then, I thought it was just folklore among werewolves, but the pieces began to fall into place as we faced this current situation.
“There is a legend I once delved into,” I began, recalling the words of a scientist from the alliance. The legend speaks of a dark spell, magic cast by witches who betrayed their own kind. The spell requires the blood of the Lunas. If the Sanguine Shadows are truly behind the recent surge in vampire activity, then we’ve unraveled part of the tangled web.”
Godiva’s eyes narrowed. “What does this spell do?”
“If completed,” I explained, “the spell will plunge all living creatures under its influence into eternal darkness. In this case, it would empower vampires while weakening werewolves. The only way to find answers is to follow Aldric’s suggestion: we must go to the Temple of the Moon Goddess. Incidentally, I’m due for a chat with my mother-in-law.”
A heavy silence fell over the pack. Castor, ever the strategist, broke it with a furrowed brow. “I’ll divide the group. Luna Godiva and Alpha Pollux will head to the temple in the Chiri Forest. I’ll stay here to protect the pack and gather intelligence.”
Godiva nodded. “Alpha Pollux, we only have a one-day truce. We need to reach the temple quickly.”
I agreed, and our team prepared without delay. Supplies were gathered, and farewells exchanged with quiet urgency. By midday, Godiva and I set out for the northern forests of Trionia, where the Chiri Forest lay cloaked in shadows.
The journey to the temple was marked by an uneasy silence. The forest seemed alive, its trees arching and creaking as if forming a canopy of secrets. Godiva led the way, while I sharpened my wolf senses, accompanied by five warriors trailing us.
“Do you feel that, Alpha Pollux?” Godiva asked after hours of quiet travel.
I nodded. “Yeah, we’re not alone. Their scent is revolting.”
Before I could finish speaking, a piercing shriek echoed from the treetops. Pale figures descended with supernatural speed-Death Sanguines, their glowing red eyes gleaming with bloodlust.
I reacted instantly, hurling my dagger and striking one of the vampires square in the chest. Godiva shifted seamlessly into her wolf form, her silver fur glinting as she charged another attacker. The forest erupted into chaos as the vampires fought with alarming cunning and coordination, disrupting our ranks.
One of the vampires lunged at me, fangs bared. I ducked and drove my fist into its ribs, sending it crashing into a tree. Godiva’s claws raked another vampire, her growl reverberating through the air. Despite their numbers, the vampires fell one by one, unable to match our strength and skill.
When the last vampire hit the ground, I leaned against a tree, catching my breath. “These creatures are getting faster,” I muttered, helping Godiva to her feet.
Godiva shifted back to her human form, her eyes blazing with determination. And more organized. The Sanguine Shadows must know we’re heading here.”
Wiping blood from my cheek as it healed naturally, I stood tall. “Then we needed to move faster. Stay sharp, Moonstone warriors!”
As night fell, we reached an open clearing where the temple’s towers loomed halfway to the sky. The ancient structure bore remnants of stone walls etched with runes that shimmered faintly in the moonlight. Vines crept along its base, but the surrounding air thrummed with an otherworldly energy.
“We’re here,” I said quietly.
Godiva stepped forward, her hand brushing against the temple’s surface. The runes glowed momentarily, as if recognizing her touch. Light radiated from her, forming a connection to the Moon Goddess herself. But the moment didn’t last. From deep within the temple came a low, menacing growl.
I extended my claws, instincts on high alert. “Damn it! How many enemies must we face? It’s making me want to tear them all to pieces.”
I was wrong. The shadows within the temple shifted, coalescing into a massive form-a black wolf with silver eyes. The creature let out an ear-splitting howl, its claws scraping the stone floor.
Godiva raised her hand. “Wait. It’s not attacking.”
She stepped closer, her courage unwavering. The wolf’s gaze fixed on her, unblinking. Slowly, she knelt and bowed her head. “I am Godiva, daughter of Selena, the Moon Goddess. I seek guidance from the Moon Goddess to protect my pack and halt the darkness.”
The creature hesitated, then bowed its head in acknowledgment. The air shimmered around us, and its form dissolved into silvery light, revealing a staircase descending into the temple.
I retracted my claws and patted Godiva’s shoulder. “Looks like you passed the test, Luna Godiva.”
Godiva gave a faint smile. “Not yet. My mother’s always been complicated.”
“You’ve met her before, sweet pea?” I asked, letting the tension ease for a moment.
“In dreams, or something else. I’m not sure. Her energy feels different whenever I encounter her. Like now… the air is colder than it was earlier.”
“Is she strict?”
“Yeah, maybe if there’s a second or third Benedetta,” she quipped.
I smirked, feeling slightly called out. I’d apologized to her, but it seemed women never forgot their mate’s mistakes. I guessed she’d keep bringing this up in the afterlife.
We continued down the staircase. My brow furrowed as I considered the potential traps or dangers ahead. Ancient places were far more terrifying than Godiva’s sharp remarks.
When a stone step beneath me made a strange sound, I instinctively lifted my foot. Stepping back, I watched as the section collapsed. Curious about what lay beneath, I cautiously approached to inspect it.
“Fucking hell! There’s a chasm below us.”
My heightened senses detected the cold air and the abyss Godiva had mentioned earlier. Knowing there was a deep drop beneath the stone steps, I glanced at my pack members. Their faces were slightly pale.
“We’re not done yet. Let’s keep moving!” I encouraged them.
Together, we descended the staircase with trepidation. As Alpha, I couldn’t show fear-not for my pack’s sake. The battle was far from over, but we’d taken the first step toward uncovering the secrets that could save us all.
“Something’s coming,” Godiva said.
She looked to our left. I followed her gaze, sharpening my vision. Suddenly, the atmosphere brightened, and the air grew warmer.
When the presence came into view, the heat intensified. Instinctively, I stepped back to maintain distance. Before I could retreat further, Godiva was flung against a pillar with a resounding crash.
“Godiva!”