Chapter 3: The Warning

Nyra’s POV

The moment we got back home, I secured the lock, I dashed to my bedroom with Auren right behind me. My hands were shaking so hard as I stuffed the suitcase with clothes. It was like an automatic action because my heart was beating fast from the attack earlier.

The apartment quietness that I usually loved felt choking today, making it hard for me to breathe.

Auren sat on the couch near the bed, his face was pale and confused danced in his eyes. He held on tightly to his favorite toy, an old action figure he had owned since he was a toddler. He never slept without it.

“Mom,” he said in a soft tone, breaking the heavy silence. “What happened back there?”

I zipped the suitcase with a sharp tug, trying to steady my voice. “Nothing you need to worry about, baby.”

He frowned. “But I didn’t mean to do that. The wolves were coming, and I was scared… then it just happened.”

I walked to where he was sitting and knelt in front of him, cupping his face in my hands. His hazel eyes that are just like mine were filled with fear and guilt, causing my heart to ache.

“You did nothing wrong,” I said firmly. “You were protecting yourself. That’s what matters.”

“But I hurt them,” he whispered.

I pulled him into a hug. “Listen to me. We have to leave for a while, okay? Just until it’s safe.”

Auren nodded against my shoulder, but I could feel the tension in his small body.

The fear gnawed at me, sharp and relentless. I had spent years building a new life, hiding from the supernatural world. I thought I was safe. But today proved otherwise. The rogues had found us. And worse, Auren’s powers had revealed themselves.

There was no going back to normal now.

I stood, forcing myself to think clearly. “Go grab your backpack, Auren. Pack your favorite things. We need to move fast.”

He hesitated. “Where are we going?”

“I don’t know yet,” I replied to him, and it’s true, I have no idea where we will go.

His lips trembled, but he didn’t argue. He ran to his room, leaving me alone with my spiraling thoughts.

I began paving around the living room, trying to think of a solid plan. The rogues wouldn’t stop at one attack. They had seen Auren’s power. They would tell others.

And I knew exactly who would come next.

Kael Nightbane.

Just the thought of his name sent a cold shiver down my spine. He was a ruthless and cunning wolf, one without any moral compass. If he gets to find out about Auren, he would stop at nothing to get his hands on him.

I couldn’t let that happen.

As I began throwing more essentials into a duffel bag, a sudden knock at the door made my entire body go rigid. I froze, and my heart hammered hard against my chest.

Auren peeked out from his room. “Mom?” He called in a scared voice that caused my heart to twist.

“Stay there, baby,” I whispered, trying not to look scared.

I hurriedly grabbed a knife in the kitchen drawer and slowly approached the door like a predator would do for its prey.

“Who is it?” I demanded in a hard voice.

“Nyra Storm.” The voice was low, steady. “I’m here on behalf of Crescent Moon.”

I froze but then anger took over instantly, every muscle in my body was tensing. Crescent Moon. I hadn’t heard that name in years, and I had no wish to hear it now.

 Especially not now that my son is in danger again.

“Go away,” I said through the door.

The voice didn’t waver. “You need to hear this. Your son is in danger. Kael Nightbane is coming for him.”

My blood ran cold.

“How did you know about this? Who sent you?” I asked.

“Nobody sent me. I know because I see things before they happen, but I belong to no pack. I have only come here to warn you.” The man said and continued without giving me a chance to ask another question.

"The Crescent Moon is the only safe sanctuary for you and your son. And even if you don’t go, the Alpha Crescent Moon might end up summoning you because of something ancient." The man said in an urgent voice.

Draven.

The name found a way to the crevice of my mind, digging up memories I had fought so hard to bury all these years, his rejection, the humiliation, the betrayal.

I gritted my teeth. “Tell Draven I’m not coming back.” I shouted, not caring whether the man was a part of his pack or someone mysterious.

Silence stretched on the other side of the door. Then: “You’ll regret it.”

The weight of his words pressed down on me, but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going back. I can’t go back to the world that found joy in destroying me without mercy. I can’t go back to the world where every corner is stained with an enemy. Where friends can suddenly turn to a foe in the blink of an eye.

I will never go back there.

I didn’t move from where I was standing until the mysterious man’s footsteps faded down the hallway. It was then I finally lowered the knife. My pulse was becoming fast and quickened, my breathing shallow.

Auren crept into the room, his eyes wide. “Who was that?”

“Nobody important,” I lied. “Go back to your room.”

He didn’t move. “Mom, are we in trouble?”

I swallowed hard. “No. Everything’s fine.”

But as the night dragged on, doubt crept in. I paced the apartment, unable to sleep. The man’s warning echoed in my mind.

Kael Nightbane is coming for your son.

My instincts screamed that I should run. But where? How far could I go before they found us again?

I stared out the window, the city lights flickering like restless stars.

“Mom?” Auren’s voice trembled behind me.

I turned, my heart sinking at the fear on his face.

He pointed to the window, his voice barely a whisper. “Someone’s out there.”

My breath caught.

I spun back to the window, and froze.

Glowing eyes gleamed from the darkness below, cutting through the night like beacons.

Fuck! They had found us.