Chapter 3

The moon hung heavy in the sky, its silvery light filtering through the dense canopy of the forest. I stood beneath its glow, my breath visible in the chill night air. The trees seemed to lean in, their branches whispering secrets that only the wind could understand. But tonight, I wasn’t here for secrets. I was here for answers.

“Liam,” I sent through the mind-link, my thoughts careful and precise. “Meet me at the library. Now.”

There was a pause, a flicker of curiosity from his end, but he didn’t question me. “Understood, Luna.”

I slipped through the shadows, my footsteps silent on the gravel path. The pack house loomed ahead, its tall spires reaching toward the moon like skeletal fingers. I avoided the main entrance, instead making my way around the side to a small door hidden behind a waterfall. It was a secret entrance, one few knew existed. I had shown it to Liam once, during a training exercise, and he had never forgotten.

As I stepped inside, the cool night air gave way to the musty scent of old books and dust. The library was a labyrinth of shelves and scrolls, a treasure trove of knowledge that few in the pack bothered to explore. I moved swiftly, my eyes adjusting to the dim light, until I reached the restricted wing—a section cordoned off from the rest of the library, where sensitive information was kept under lock and key.

“Luna,” Liam’s voice called softly from the shadows.

I turned to see him approaching, his eyes gleaming with a mix of curiosity and concern. He bowed slightly, his posture respectful but his gaze intense. “What is it? What did you find?”

I didn’t waste time with pleasantries. “I need your help. There are things… things I didn’t include in the video. Things that need to be found.”

Liam nodded, his jaw tight. “Tell me what you need.”

“I need the journals,” I said, my voice low. “My private journals. They’re hidden in the restricted wing, along with the access codes.”

Liam’s eyes widened slightly, but he didn’t hesitate. “I know where they are. Follow me.”

He led me through the winding shelves, his steps sure and confident. We stopped in front of a nondescript bookcase, and he pressed a hidden latch. The case swung open, revealing a small compartment. Inside lay a stack of leather-bound journals, their covers worn and familiar.

I reached for them, my fingers tracing the embossed patterns on the covers. These were more than just diaries—they were my lifeline, my confidants during the darkest times. And they held the key to everything.

“The access codes are hidden in the margins,” I explained, my voice steady despite the storm raging inside me. “They’ll lead you to the rest of the evidence.”

Liam took the journals, his hands reverent as if he held sacred texts. “I’ll find them, Luna. I promise.”

There was a pause, a heavy silence that hung between us like a challenge. Then, without another word, we parted ways, each of us disappearing into the night, driven by our separate but intertwined missions.

***

The security room was a fortress of screens and wires, humming with the quiet intensity of machinery. I stood outside the door, my heart pounding in my chest. This was it—the moment of truth.

“Liam,” I sent through the mind-link, my thoughts focused. “I’m in position. How’s your end?”

“I’ve bypassed the outer cameras,” he replied, his voice steady. “You’re clear for entry. But hurry—the system will flag the anomaly soon.”

I nodded, though he couldn’t see me. Taking a deep breath, I pushed open the door and slipped inside.

The room was dimly lit, the only sound the soft hum of the monitors. Two Omegas sat at the central console, their eyes fixed on the banks of screens showing feeds from all over the pack grounds. They didn’t notice me, too engrossed in their game of dice in the corner.

I moved swiftly, my footsteps silent on the carpeted floor. My target was a row of servers against the far wall, their LED lights blinking like tiny eyes. I knew what I was looking for—the surveillance tapes from the cabin.

As I reached for the first server, a voice froze me in place.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

One of the Omegas had turned, his gaze narrowing as he took in my presence. I didn’t hesitate.

“I’m here for the tapes,” I said, my voice calm but firm. “The ones from the rogue cabin.”

The Omega’s expression shifted from confusion to hostility. “You can’t—”

“I have Alpha clearance,” I lied smoothly, pulling out a fake ID card from my pocket. “Check the system if you don’t believe me.”

The Omega hesitated, clearly torn between his duty and his desire to avoid confrontation. I took advantage of the pause, striding forward to pull out the first tape. As I turned to leave, I caught a glimpse of something on the screen—a figure, tall and imposing, standing just beyond the reach of the camera. Christopher.

“Keep her quiet,” his voice said, low and cold, as the tape continued to play.

I froze, my heart pounding in my chest. It was him. It was always him.