As Emory stepped out of the vehicle, the cool evening air brushed against her skin, causing her to tighten her cloak. Lanterns hung from the eaves of quaint shops and cosy homes, illuminating the streets of Kedar, and it felt both familiar and alien at the same time. The town was decked out for hunter’s moon.

A squadron of Whitecrest Gammas flanked her as they escorted her through the streets. It would have been easier for them to drive her right to their destination, but she wanted to walk the rest of the way. She wanted to see everything, feel the town’s pulse and its people. Walking through the streets allowed her to observe the details, catch the whispers of conversations, and truly experience the energy that flowed through the town during the hunter’s moon celebration.

As they led her through a meandering path, heads turned in recognition and surprise at her. They curtsied as soon as they realised she was a Chav’re. Emory reciprocated their respect with a warm smile. Whispers followed them like shadows, with curiosity and concern, as the community stared in awe at the presence of another Chav’re.

They were headed to Council Hall, a new landmark for Emory. When she was here, her dad usually met with the Wolf Council in the Chav’re compound. Climbing the stairs of the pure white hall, she was amazed at what her brothers had accomplished. At the top of the steps, she took a moment to look around. The legacy her family had built was impressive, but she couldn’t shake the regret of not being able to contribute and be a part of it.

The hallways inside were bright and welcoming. When they walked into the grand hall where the council was gathered, it fell silent. A crowd of Wolf Alphas and Thetas turned to look at her. As soon as Trey’s emerald eyes met hers, she recognized him.

When their eyes met, a strange sensation churned in her stomach - an indescribable blend of love, relief, and warmth, with a tinge of bitterness for keeping her away from home.

A smile spread over Trey’s face as he stepped down from the podium. “Goddess! You look just like mum,” he said.

The shock in his eyes almost made her smile, recalling Aunt Kinshra’s frequent comparisons. Like their mother, Emmeline Chav’re, she had fiery red hair and vibrant green eyes against delicate ebony skin. Aunt Kinshra often told her that her eyes were like two emeralds set in her heart-shaped face. He looked the same way Aunt Kinshra did when she got to Broiia. Kinshra’s mouth gaped open in disbelief when she stepped off the bus.

Taking her into his arms, he squeezed her tightly as he embraced her. She laughed, inhaling his scent and enjoying his warm embrace. She was startled by an unexpected mental growl that came out of nowhere. Goddess! That was Trey’s voice through the Alpha’s mind link, reconnecting with her. Since leaving Kedar, she hadn’t felt that connection. Reconnecting with Trey through the Alpha’s mind link brought a rush of nostalgia and a renewed sense of belonging. Once again, she was part of the pack, connected to their emotions and thoughts.

It’s good to have you back, Red.

The sound of his voice filled her mind and almost brought tears to her eyes as Trey’s hug tightened. They were in each other’s arms for a while, then he pulled away to look at her again. She smiled at him. Trey looked totally different from the teenager she remembered.

“You got big,” she told him.

Trey laughed. “Yeah, I guess I did. So did you, Red.” He kissed her head, and Emory felt a warmth spread through her heart. That pet name “Red” was a nickname their dad used to call her. Hearing Trey use it brought back fond memories of their father.

Then he took her hand and led her to the council’s round table, where she sat next to him. He put his arm around her shoulder and gave her a gentle squeeze.

“Thank you all for waiting. For those of you who aren’t familiar with her, this is my sister Emory Chav’re,” Trey introduced.

“Welcome home, Lady Chav’re,” greeted one of the two Thetas at the table, his smile reaching his eyes.

Home. There it was again, that word. What did that word mean to them? But what else could she do except smile and nod?

She forced a polite response, simply saying, “Thank you,” and pushing away any emotion that threatened to show on her face.

“Emory, you’ve been away for a long time, and I am sorry you’re returning on the eve of Larc’s wake. But there are developments concerning the upcoming Hunter’s Moon, and we needed you here before the event,” Trey said.

Nodding, she asked, “How are you coping with Larc’s death?”

Trey looked away for a moment, then said, “I’m coping as best as I can.” He took a deep breath, then continued, “But I don’t know if I’ll ever recover. I barely recovered from Nolan.”

Her heart sank when she saw Trey’s pain. Larc’s death shattered not just her world, but Trey’s too. She held his hand tightly, trying to comfort him, feeling his pain through their bond.

Emory glanced over the assembled council, noting the three Alphas and two Thetas and Rodyn’s absence. He was the only Alpha who wasn’t there. It would have been nice to have a little more privacy to talk to her brother.

“I’ll do my best to explain the situation to you,” Trey continued. “You’re a crucial piece of the upcoming Hunter Moon festival, and I really don’t know how to tell you this.”

“Would you prefer if we gave you room to discuss this privately, Alpha?” one of the Alphas asked Trey.

Emory quickly replied, “Yes.”

Trey nodded in agreement. The Council rose and left the hall, giving the two a chance to talk privately.

“Kinshra said the Lycans are after me. See, I thought it had something to do with being a Chav’re, but I’m not so sure any more. I need to know why.” Emory dove straight into her concerns.

“You don’t waste time, do you?” He smiled.

“Can you blame me?” Emory countered. “It’s like I’ve been living under a rock for the past decade. I’m clueless about the war, the dynamics between wolves and Lycans” everything.” She paused, her eyes searching his. “And it feels as if that was exactly what you intended when you sent me to Broiia. I need to know,” she said. “What is going on? And by Aworyn, why did you send me away?”

He sat there in silence for some time. Finally, he took both of her hands in his, his touch comforting. “Do you remember anything about the last Hunter Wolf prophecy?”

“Barely,” Emory admitted with a shrug.

The legend of the last hunter was well known in the Empire of Morrian, but Emory didn’t believe it. One hunter couldn’t have changed the course of a war that had decimated Hunters. They barely made a dent in this war. They only did what they could to keep the Lycans out, not attack them full-scale.

“Red, our lineage brought the first Hunter Wolf—a Chav’re. The prophecy predicted that the last Hunter, born of the Ultima bloodline, would unite wolves and Lycans. It’s been our guide through generations,” Trey explained. “Way before dad was’” He swallowed and Emory offered a small, comforting smile as Trey faltered, mentioning their father.

Trey continued. “We’ve been in a silent battle with the Lycan Council for over a decade. The Lycans have been trying to prevent the prophecy by wiping out all the Chav—res and finding you. Our brothers” they gave everything to protect you, to ensure you were safe until the Hunter’s Moon.”

Her eyes widened in shock. “What? So you think I’m the last hunter?” she whispered in disbelief, and he nodded. Her heart pounded out of her chest as she shook her head.

There was no way! Standing suddenly, she paced and tried to understand what Trey said while her head was spinning with confusion.

“I don’t believe that. There’s no way the goddess believes one hunter can change the course of this war or that I am it,” Emory challenged as she stopped pacing to face him, hanging her hands on her hips.

He hesitated before answering, “It’s true, Red. The prophecy” foretells you mating with the Lycan King on the night of the Hunter’s Moon.’