Chapter 7

Denise looked at Kael, her eyes wide with surprise. "What do you mean I'm a werewolf?" Her voice was shaking as she asked. Kael had a composed look on her face. "You're a descendant of the ancient lunar pack," he said. "Your family has been keeping it a secret from you, but it's time you knew the truth." It seemed as if someone had hit Denise in the stomach.

Was she a werewolf? It resembled something from a fantasy book. However, she could tell that Kael was telling the truth because of the seriousness in his eyes. Denise's origins were further explained by Kael while they strolled through the woodland. He explained to her how the ancient lunar pack was related to the moon.

He explained to her her abilities and how to manage them. Denise listened carefully, questions and feelings rushing through her head. In addition to being intrigued and eager, she was also afraid and uncertain. Kael took Denise to a remote area as the sun started to drop.

A gigantic tree with branches that resembled giant arms reaching the sky stood in the middle of the clearing. "This is the heart tree," Kael declared in a respectful tone. "For our type, it's a hallowed site.

You'll be able to unleash your abilities and connect with your inner wolf here. Denise was filled with wonder as she got closer to the tree. A rush of energy swept through her as she extended a hand and touched the trunk. Kael moved in closer, his gaze fixed on hers as she stood there. Kael was standing inches from Denise's face, and she noticed it with a flutter in her chest. Kael remarked, "I'm glad you're taking this well," in a quiet, husky voice. "I was worried you'd be scared or overwhelmed." Denise grinned as a wave of serenity passed over her.

The statement, "I'm trying to process everything," arrived. "But I have to admit, it's kind of cool being a werewolf." Kael's eyes wrinkled at the corners as he laughed. "I'm glad you think so," he offered. The air seemed to thicken as they stood there, tense with electricity. With her heart thumping in her chest, Denise felt as though she was melting into Kael's stare. Without thinking, Kael leaned in and gave her a kiss.

Even though the kiss was tender and delicate, Denise felt a chill. Denise felt as though she was on cloud nine as they withdrew, struggling to breathe. She had never experienced such a profound, primordial connection with someone before. However, Denise heard a stirring in the bushes as they stood there, enjoying the glow from their kiss. As she turned, she noticed a figure coming out of the darkness.

Lucian was there, his enraged eyes flashing. His voice was low and threatening as he screamed, "What's going on here?" When Denise discovered Lucian had witnessed her kissing Kael, she became extremely afraid. She was at a loss for words and explanations. However, Kael moved forward and fixed Lucian with his gaze before she could respond. "This doesn't concern you, Lucian," he stated firmly. Lucian's features curled in a scowl, and his eyes narrowed. "Oh, but it does concern me," he was saying.

Denise is not your typical werewolf, you see. She has the secret to a long-forgotten prophecy that will decide our planet's destiny. When Denise learned the reality, her eyes widened in shock. She was not merely a werewolf. In a far bigger game, she was a pawn. And Lucian's eyes appeared to shine with a malicious light as she stood there, paralyzed by doubt. His words, "You're coming with me, Denise," were laced with hate. "We must fulfill our destiny."

As Lucian's comments lingered in the air, Denise experienced a wave of anxiety. After what Kael had told her, she was certain she couldn't trust him. Kael, however, moved closer before she could respond, his eyes burning with a ferocious resolve. "I don't think so, Lucian," Kael replied in a threateningly low voice. "I am now protecting Denise." She won't go anywhere with you." With a grimace on his face, Lucian sneered. He spat, "You think you can protect her?" "Kael, you're just a stupid little wolf. You're not aware of the challenges you face. Anger flashed in Kael's eyes as he stepped forward, his hands clenched.

However, Denise stepped in with a steady, calm voice before things got out of hand. "Wait," she murmured, gesturing with her hand. "We shouldn't argue over this. What do you want from me, Lucian? What is this prophecy you are referring to? Lucian's face shifted, and a calculating light shone in his eyes. "Ah, Denise," he murmured, his sincerity evident in his voice. "An old prophecy that will greatly strengthen and magnify our globe can be unlocked with your help.

As the sole surviving member of the ancient lunar pack, you have a unique gift that will enable you to decipher the prophecy's mysteries. Denise's mind was buzzing with questions as her eyes narrowed. How did this prophecy relate to her, and what was it? And what was this unique present Lucian was referring to? But Kael cut her off with a stern voice before she could raise any questions.

"Don't listen to him, Denise. He is merely attempting to control you. Denise held up a hand while speaking calmly, while Lucian's eyes flared with rage. "Kael, no. I want to hear what Lucian has to say. I'm curious about this prophecy and how it relates to me. Lucian's face altered, and a triumphant light shone in his eyes. He responded, "Ah, Denise," with a tone of delight in his voice. "You really are a smart girl. Okay, I'll explain the prophecy to you. But you have to accompany me first." Uncertain of what to do, Denise hesitated.

However, she realized she needed to make a choice when she noticed the worry in Kael's eyes. After inhaling deeply, she nodded in a firm voice. "Kael, I'll accompany him. However, you must assure me that you will always be there to keep me safe.

Despite the angry flashes in his eyes, Kael nodded and spoke firmly. "I swear, Denise. No matter what, I'll be there to keep you safe." With her heart thumping in her chest, Denise turned to face Lucian. "Let's go," she stated firmly. With satisfaction shining in his eyes, Lucian turned to guide her away, with Kael at his heels. Denise couldn't get rid of the sensation that she was entering a trap and that Lucian's comments were full of manipulation and dishonesty as they strolled. But she also understood that, despite the risks, she had to find the truth.

The trees became taller and the shadows heavier as they traveled farther into the forest's center. Denise knew she was coming closer to the truth because she could feel the prophecy's weight pressing down on her.

However, Denise noticed something that made her heart skip a beat as they got closer to a clearing. In the middle of the clearing stood a figure that appeared to be composed of darkness and shadow. "Who is that?" Denise's question was hardly audible above a whisper. A malicious light glowed in Lucian's eyes. "That is the person who has been anticipating your arrival, Denise, my love. The one who will claim you as their own and divulge the prophecies' secrets." Denise's eyes widened in dread as the apparition started to approach her, an unimaginable evil emanating from its presence.

She was aware that she was in serious danger and that her only chance of survival was to act quickly. However, a hand on her shoulder stopped her as she turned to run. It was Kael, with a furious determination in his eyes. He added, "I won't let them hurt you, Denise," in a low, threatening voice. "I'll protect you with my life." As Denise gazed at Kael, her heart grew grateful. She was confident that she could rely on him and that he would take every precaution to protect her. But as they waited there, paralyzed by doubt, the figure drew nearer, its presence bringing an unimaginable evil into the atmosphere.

Denise could sense its gaze piercing her heart. She was aware that she needed to move quickly to avoid being engulfed by the darkness.

Denise shrugged from Kael's grasp and looked at the stranger, her adrenaline pumping. With her heart racing in her breast, she stood erect and gazed directly at the figure. She said, "I'm not afraid of you," in a forceful voice. Instead of answering, the apparition caressed Denise's face with a shadowy hand. A shock of electricity shook Denise, and all of a sudden she was filled with pictures and visions.

She pictured herself as a young girl playing with her parents in the forest. When she first realized she had magical abilities, she pictured herself as a teenager. And she pictured herself as a young lady, facing the dark figure while standing in this exact clearing.

However, the visions continued. Denise caught glimpses of a dangerous and unpredictable future that she couldn't comprehend. She saw a sea of flames in front of her as she stood on a cliff. She noticed that she was up against a horde of dark things. And she noticed that she was standing by herself in a pitch-black and hopeless world. As the sights dimmed, Denise staggered back, unable to breathe. It was as if someone had hit her in the stomach, knocking the wind out of her.

Holding her steady, Kael grabbed her arm. His voice was worried as he said, "Denise, what's wrong?" To get rid of the cobwebs, Denise shook her head. She continued, "I saw things," in a voice that was almost audible above a whisper. "Dreadful things. a perilous and unpredictable future." Kael's face was fixed in a determined attitude, and his eyes narrowed. His words were, "We'll face it together," "We'll face whatever the future holds, side by side."

Denise was filled with appreciation for Kael. No matter what, she knew she could rely on him. However, she noticed something that made her heart skip a beat when she glanced up at him. Behind Kael stood a figure that Denise had assumed to be her ally. It was Lucian, with a malicious light shining in his eyes. The words "I'm afraid Kael is not what he seems," came out of Lucian's hateful mouth. "He's been playing both sides all along, waiting for the perfect moment to strike." Denise looked at Kael, her eyes wide with surprise. Was it accurate? Was she always being played by Kael? Although Kael had a fixed appearance of determination, Denise noticed a glimmer of doubt in his eyes. He added, "Denise, I can explain," in a quiet, desperate voice.

However, before he could continue, Lucian held up his palm and Kael was hit by a burst of power. Kael attempted self-defense, but the magic was too strong. He staggered back and hit the floor. Denise ran to Kael's side and yelled. She yelled, "No!" and her scream reverberated throughout the jungle. "You can't hurt him!" A malicious light glowed in Lucian's eyes. He responded, "Oh, but I can," in a voice full of hate. "I will, too. Denise, you see, you're not your typical werewolf. An old prophecy that will grant me authority over both realms can be unlocked with your help."

Denise looked at Lucian, her eyes wide with dread. She was aware that she needed to move quickly to avoid being a pawn in Lucian's power struggle. However, she noticed something that made her heart skip a beat as she glanced down at Kael. Kael's body was motionless, his eyes closed. Denise was by herself, and he was unconscious. She was aware that she needed to leave the area in order to avoid Lucian's grasp.

However, a hand on her shoulder stopped her as she turned to run. It was Lucian, with a malicious light shining in his eyes. His words, "You're not going anywhere, Denise," were laced with hate. "You're going to stay right here, and fulfill your destiny." Despite Denise's best efforts, Lucian was too powerful. She was stuck, and she realized that if she wanted to get out, she needed to act quickly. She noticed something that made her heart skip a beat as she glanced up at Lucian. Denise had believed the figure standing behind him to be dead.

Her mother was there, her eyes shining with a furious resolve. "Let her go, Lucian," she whispered in a low, threatening voice. "Or face the consequences." Denise looked at her mother, her eyes wide with surprise. Was she still alive? However, how? Lucian's eyes tightened and his features twisted into a scowl as she gazed at him. He spat, "You think you can stop me?" "The ancient ones' strength is on my side. I can't be stopped." Denise's mother grinned, a ferocious spark glinting in her eyes. She held up a hand and murmured, "We'll see about that," Magic blasted toward Lucian, but he was too fast. He sidestepped the blow and fired back with a blast of his own.

Her eyes widened in surprise as Denise's mother staggered backward, taken by surprise. Denise took advantage of her opportunity. She fled to her mother's side after escaping Lucian's hold. Their eyes were burning with resolve as they approached Lucian together. "You're not going to hurt us," Denise stated firmly. Lucian's eyes were bright with ill intent as he sneered. He held up a hand and remarked, "We'll see about that," However, a man with enraged eyes rushed into the clearing before he could strike. It was Kael, with a snarling twist on his face. "Leave them alone, Lucian," Kael snarled in a low, threatening voice. Lucian's features curled in a scowl, and his eyes narrowed. "You think you can stop me, Kael?" He yelled. "The ancient ones' strength is on my side. I can't be stopped." Kael grinned, a ferocious spark glinting in his eyes. He held up a hand and remarked, "We'll see about that," Magic blasted toward Lucian, but he was too fast. He sidestepped the blow and fired back with a blast of his own.