The forest bowed in silence as Queen Rowan stepped into the clearing. Her gown rippled like woven moonlight and her silver hair drifted as though underwater. Stacy, Olivia, and Nessa stood shoulder to shoulder, their magic humming. Rowan's eyes swept over the three women.
"Rhiannon has woven destiny into your bones." she said. Her voice vibrated like the chime of crystal. "and now you must understand what you are".
"Long before the Courts were formed, before wolves received the Blessing of the Moon, there existed the First Veil- a barrier separating light and shadow, reality and spirit, life and memory." She circled them slowly, her steps leaving glowing prints in the grass.
"When the Veil was broken, the realms began to bleed into each other. That tear gave birth to beings touched by both sides- some blessed...others monstrous" Her gaze drifted to Olivia. "You, Shadow-Marked, were born of that tear. Not cursed, not tainted, but chosen to bridge what was broken." Olivia trembled, shadows shifting gently behind her.
"And you, Moon-blessed" Queen Rowan said, turning to Stacy "were born carrying a shard of the original light. You are living moonfire." Stacy felt warmth ignite beneath her skin.
"Separately" the Queen continued "your powers are unstable. One too bright, one too deep. Together, however...you are the Twinned Veil incarnate. You are the key to restoring balance."
"And the prophecy's final line-'Seek the Betrayer who broke the Veil"-refers to a force still moving in your world"
Stacy's brows knit in worry "The one who betrayed my parents?"
"No" the Queen's voice darkened. " He was merely a pawn of something far more ancient."
Queen Rowan lifted both hands. The air trembled, the ground hummed, the moon brightened-in broad daylight- as though it was watching.
"Your training must begin immediately" she said "But your magic-both moon and shadow- is too volatile to practice unshielded. Your powers could wound each other...or yourselves." The Queen lifted her palms to the sky.
"Astralyn, Varoveth, Elaris- Weave the Circle, bind the harms, Let power grow yet none be scarred."
The clearing exploded with light. Streaks of silver, violet, and sapphire shot out, spiraling upward, weaving themselves into a perfect ring of floating runes. They hovered ten feet above the ground, rotating slowly, humming with layered magic.
The earth inside the circle turned soft and luminous, glowing like moonlit sand. The air felt thick, responsive and alive. Olivia stepped back. "What...what is this place?"
Queen Rowan smiled. "This is a Sanctuary Circle. A training sphere used only by the highest born fae. Within it, every spell cast is absorbed, redirected, and reflected harmlessly. Not even death magic can kill here."
Stacy touched the glowing boundary. Her fingers tingled. "But we can still feel the power?" she asked.
"Yes" the Queen replied. "You will feel what you cast, what you summon, and what you unleash. But nothing here will break your body or your soul." A swirl of silver dust floated above them, showing faint outlines of wolves, fae, ancient sigils, and the Veil itself.
"The circle also awakens your instincts. Moon-magic grows more precise. Shadow-magic becomes more obedient, and when the two of you train together..." The runes pulsed-half silver, half black "your combination becomes strong enough to influence the Veil itself."
Colt stood in the center of the training field, boots planted, arms crossed, his dark eyes tracking every movement around him. He was young for an Alpha, but the way power clung to him left no room for doubt. A storm simmered beneath his skin-strength, command, and the fierce determination to rebuild what had been broken.
A shimmer of silver light spilled beside him, swirling like wind through leaves. Niall appeared in a blink-lean, sharp featured, unmistakably fae. His auburn-gold hair lifted in the breeze created by his own magic, and mischief glowed in his emerald eyes. "You're early." Niall teased, nudging Colt's shoulder. "Didn't think Alphas woke up before noon."
Colt snorted. "If you had a pack depending on you, you'd get up before the sun too." Niall's grin widened. "If I had a pack depending on me, they'd be in trouble."
Warriors began to gather-wolves of different ages and skill levels, some nervous, some excited, all curious about what an Alpha-Fae duo would bring to training.
Colt stepped forward, voice carrying across the clearing. "Today is the start of something new. Our enemies have changed. Their tactics have changed. We don't get to be comfortable-not anymore." He jerk his chin toward Niall "And this menace is going to help me make sure every one of you can survive the next battle."
Niall bowed with an overly dramatic flourish, sparks of blue magic flickering from his palms. A few wolves stepped back instinctively. "Relax," he said lightly. " I only set warriors on fire...occasionally"
"Not helping" Colt muttered. But the tension eased; a few chuckles rippled through the group. Then Colt's aura flexed in command "Pair up. Form a ring. We're starting with reflex drills." Niall clapped once "Reflex drills? Let's make it interesting"
Before anyone could blink, he snapped his fingers. Illusions burst into life- shadows darting between the warriors, shaped that looked like enemies but dissolve into smoke when touched. They moved fast, unpredictable, forcing the wolves to react, shift, dodge. Colt watched the wolves struggle, then adapt. He couldn't help the pride that stirred in his chest.
"You're using too many illusions" Colt said under his breath. "Building confidence," Niall replied "But don't worry. I'll make it harder soon."
"As long as they don't die."
"They won't" Niall said with a smirk "Probably"
A warrior lunged at an illusion that suddenly split into three. Niall laughed, Colt sighed. The training field field crackled with energy-wolves shifting mid-air, Niall weaving spells, Colt barking commands that sharpened every instinct. Then Niall's tone shifted "Colt."
Colt followed his gaze to a group of small, slender figures that stood just beyond the shadow of the pines-the rescued fae children. Their big eyes glowed softly, cheeks marked with faint silver runes that had survived captivity. Some clutched wooden practice swords. Others held handmade bows that looked far too heavy for their thin arms.
Their unofficial spokesperson, a tiny girl with pale-blue hair and a stubborn chin, stepped forward. She bowed "Alpha Colt, Warrior Niall." Her voice trembled, but it didn't waver. "We want to train too."
The wolves stilled.
Colt felt his chest tighten-admiration, concern, pride, all tangled together. Niall blinked hard, his usual grin fading into something more protective. "You should be resting" he said gently "Your magic is still recovering."
A boy beside her lifted his chin. "We don't want to hide anymore."
"We want to help." another added "So no one else gets taken like we did," whispered a third.
That hit everyone.
Colt stepped forward slowly, lowering his posture to their height. "You don't have to prove anything to me." he said "Or to anyone here"
The blue-haired girl met his eyes. "Maybe not. But we want to prove something to ourselves."
The wolves exchanged glances-respectful, uncertain, humbled.
Niall inhaled deeply, then nodded once, decisively. "If they're willing," he said quietly to Colt "I can adapt training. Their bodies are small, but their magic...it's still fae. Still strong. Fighting may help them heal."
Colt studied the children-the mix of fear and fire behind their eyes.
He straightened.
"Then you're welcome here" he declared, voice carrying across the clearing. "You'll train alongside the wolves. You'll learn to defend yourselves, your friends, your future." A ripple of energy passed through the circle.
One of the wolf warriors raised a hand. "We'll partner with them," he offered. Another nodded "We can adjust drills."
Even a training sergeant grunted. "They've survived worse than any test we've got."
Niall clapped his hands once, sending a soft silver pulse across the field. "Alright, little stars," he said, warmth returning to his voice. "Let's see what you can do."
Stacy had barely taken three steps into the training grounds before the sound hit her-laughter. Real laughter. Nessa and Olivia walked beside her, chatting about runes, but the moment they reached the crest of the hill overlooking the training field, all three women stopped dead in their tracks.
Nessa blinked, Olivia's jaw fell open, Stacy pressed a hand over her heart. Down below, the training yard was alive-buzzing, glowing, a tapestry of movement and magic. Fae children. Wolf pups. Training together.
A tiny fae girl darted between wooden dummies, illusion sparks flickering at her fingertips as a wolf pup tried-unsuccessfully-to catch her. Another fae boy practiced with a short bow, a wolf warrior behind him guiding his shoulders. A group of teenagers paired off- one wolf, one fae-practicing stances, footwork, spell-light and muscle memory weaving in perfect tandem.
Down in the center of the yard, Colt and Niall were in the middle of a demonstration-Colt pushing a heavy weighted barrel uphill while Niall used bursts of controlled wind magic to increase resistance.
"Colt is going to regret letting Niall help him," Nessa muttered with a grin. Stacy snorted. "He already does."
Across the wolf territories Alpha Richard learns the truth.
Alpha Richard stormed into his war room, the heavy oak doors slamming against stone with a crack that echoed through the hall. His Beta flinched but dared not speak. Richard's aura pulsed...with barely contained fury, his eyes flashing the deep, dangerous black that surfaced whenever his temper slipped its leash.
"Say it again," he growled.
The scout swallowed hard. "The Moon Goddess herself intervened, Alpha. Olivia was taken to the Thunder Heart pack- wrapped in moonfire. No one could touch her. "