Chapter 423 - If your son ever falls for her...

Flashback Continues

Luna Kylie parted her lips, ready to fire off another question that was burning on her tongue. Before she could get a single word out, Noelle reached over and lightly touched her arm, her face unusually serious and tense.

"There’s something I need to tell you."

Kylie glanced over at Humphrey, who gave her a small, encouraging nod. "I’ll be right back."

The two women quietly slipped outside the shaman’s hut. The cool evening breeze brushed against their faces as they walked a short distance away, making sure they were far enough that no one inside could possibly overhear them.

Noelle looked around one last time, double-checking they were alone, before lowering her voice to almost a whisper.

"Luna..." She hesitated for just a heartbeat. "I think I’m carrying the gifted wolf."

Kylie’s eyes flew wide open in pure shock. "What?"

Noelle nodded with total confidence, her expression steady and sure. "I have the crescent moon mark too." She smiled faintly, almost shyly. "It’s on my lower back." Her hand instinctively moved to rest near the back of her waist. "The mark has been passed down through the women in my family for generations."

She made sure to mention the exact location on her lower back because she knew Kylie well enough to understand the Luna would never ask to see something so private.

Kylie slowly let out the breath she’d been holding, massive relief washing across her face like a wave. "Thank the Moon Goddess." A genuine smile finally broke through. "I was terrified we’d never find the gifted she-wolf."

Her shoulders visibly relaxed as the heavy weight started lifting from her heart. "But it looks like the Moon Goddess has already arranged everything perfectly."

She laughed softly, the sound full of heartfelt joy and gratitude. Humphrey’s voice suddenly echoed through her mind link, urgent and clear. ’Kylie. Come back inside. The shaman isn’t finished.’

She immediately turned to Noelle. "We have to go back. There’s more."

The two women hurried back into the hut. The moment they stepped inside, the old shaman slowly lifted her head.

Her cloudy eyes rested on them for a moment, almost like she had known exactly where they had gone and what they had talked about, before she continued speaking.

"But be warned." Her voice grew much heavier and more intense. "There is another wolf. The Fenrir Wolf."

The room instantly grew deathly silent. Everyone straightened up, tension crackling through the air.

"She will be born around the same time as the gifted white wolf." The old woman’s gaze settled heavily on Humphrey. "If your son ever falls for her..." She slowly shook her head, her expression full of dread. "No one will be able to save him."

Humphrey’s face darkened with worry. "What exactly is the Fenrir Wolf?"

The shaman’s face became unusually grave and serious. "The Fenrir Wolf is dangerous, deadly, and cunning." Her tired eyes reflected generations of hard-earned wisdom.

"You won’t recognize her by her appearance. Only her wolf will reveal what she truly is." She sighed deeply, the sound heavy with sorrow. "To everyone else, she’ll appear completely harmless, kind, and even fragile. A smooth talker who’s capable of earning anyone’s trust without even trying."

Her expression hardened like stone. "But beneath that innocent face, she carries poison." The words sent icy chills racing through every person in the room. "Everything she touches will slowly be destroyed."

Silence swallowed the hut whole. The old woman kept going, her voice low and grave. "The Fenrir Wolf should never remain inside a pack. She must become a rogue... or a lone wolf for a decade of her life and if she survives, the moon goddess will show her mercy and give her another wolf."

Humphrey frowned deeply, his mind racing with the terrifying possibilities. "What if she has a child?"

The shaman stared into the dancing flames of the fire. "If she becomes pregnant..." Her voice softened just a little. "Her evil may be restrained. Not because she truly changes, but because motherhood might force part of her darkness to stay buried for the sake of her pup. Only what she carries in her heart would determine if she should be completely destroyed or given a chance to change. Mind you, she can only be defeated by the white wolf."

Humphrey exchanged a quick, meaningful glance with Kylie before looking back at the elderly woman, determination blazing in his eyes. "Then we’ll identify her as early as possible and remove her before she has any chance to destroy the pack."

The shaman slowly nodded. "That would be wise." A sad smile crossed her wrinkled face. "But unfortunately, I won’t be here to witness any of it. I only have a few hours left in this world."

No one knew what to say. The old woman smiled peacefully. She wasn’t afraid at all. "My journey is ending." She looked directly at Humphrey and Kylie with deep trust in her eyes.

"You are both wise leaders. I trust you." Her gaze lingered on them for a long moment. "But remember one thing. Don’t place your trust in people too easily." She gently tapped her chest with one frail hand. "And never ignore your instincts."

Those were among the very last words she ever spoke.

The following morning, the entire pack gathered outside the shaman’s hut after she failed to answer anyone’s calls. When they finally opened the door, she was lying peacefully on her bed.

Her eyes were closed, and a gentle smile remained on her face. It looked as though she had simply fallen asleep. But her long journey had already ended. The Moon Goddess had called her home.

The entire pack mourned her passing with heavy hearts. A burial worthy of the oldest and wisest shaman was immediately arranged. Every single member of the Centenary Pack attended to honor the incredible woman who had protected and guided them for so many years.

End of Flashback.

The memories slowly faded away, pulling everyone back to the present.

Back on the yacht, everyone remained unusually quiet, the weight of the story still hanging over them. No one spoke for several long moments as they processed everything.

Voren and Seraphine were finally starting to put the pieces together. Everything that went down between Seraphine and Ravyn wasn’t some random mistake. Ravyn was the one who fucked up, and now he’d have to bear the consequences.

Voren got it now, why the moon goddess let him and Seraphine go through all that pain. He had stepped into territory that wasn’t his. Seraphine had belonged to Ravyn for a long time, but Voren was sure the moon goddess was done with Ravyn too. If not, why would she make him Esperanza’s new daddy?

He wasn’t even mad about the revelation. The description was spot on. He had a real talent for spotting the good in people, and when he did, he went after what he wanted. Just like he’d claimed the only woman he’d ever loved, ever since they were kids.

He still had Ravyn to thank for it, because if it wasn’t for him, Voren never would’ve met Seraphine at all.

Kylie looked at Madison with eyes full of deep confusion. "So..." She slowly exhaled. "How do you have the same crescent moon mark?"