Chapter 1 Under the Moonlight of Silver Ridge

Third POV

The Silver Ridge pack stretched across the northeastern part of the Emerald Mountain Range, its peaks perpetually shrouded in silvery mist.

Steep cliffs and dense primeval forests dominated the landscape, with the Silver Snake Creek winding through valleys below.

The pack's settlement, Silver Blossom Valley, occupied a basin halfway up the mountain. The central pack hall stood proudly at its center while pack members' homes radiated outward in a circular pattern.

Several werewolf packs bordered Silver Ridge, but none matched the prestige of the Moonfall pack deep within the Emerald Mountains.

As one of the most ancient packs, the Moonfall pack's influence and numbers dwarfed Silver Ridge's modest community.

Under former Alpha Ron Stone's leadership, Silver Ridge had maintained peaceful relations with neighboring packs. Quarterly joint councils ensured cooperation and mutual prosperity.

But when Ron died unexpectedly and his son Blake inherited the position, everything changed. Blake gradually withdrew from council affairs.

This caused relationships with powerful packs like the Moonfall to deteriorate. The once-thriving community was now hemorrhaging members.

Younger wolves increasingly sought to join more stable packs. What remained was a hollow shell of Silver Ridge's former glory.

Blake's most destructive contribution came when he discovered blood bat flowers deep in the forest—blood-red blooms with dark purple veins along their bat-shaped petals.

Under moonlight, these flowers emitted an eerie red glow and a stimulating scent. From these, Blake crafted Shadow Brew.

This potent alcohol temporarily enhanced sensory perception while hurting werewolf's wolf.

Traditional Moon Goddess ceremonies were abandoned in favor of wild drinking parties that left half the pack incapacitated the following day.

The sacred connection between werewolves and their patron goddess faded as Shadow Brew took hold of Silver Ridge.

Lily's POV

I've always had a way with plants. Mom says it's a gift from the Moon Goddess, though we don't talk about Her much anymore—not since Blake became Alpha and declared the old ways "outdated."

Not since Dad started drinking Shadow Brew. My father, Jack Grey, was once Silver Ridge's finest hunter. Wolves and humans alike respected him.

I remember how he used to carry me on his shoulders, pointing out medicinal herbs during our forest walks. "Look, Lily," he'd say, "this one stops bleeding, and this one eases pain."

That was before. Now he staggers home reeking of Shadow Brew, his eyes bloodshot and vacant. The father I knew disappeared sip by sip.

He's been replaced by a stranger who makes my mother flinch when he enters a room. Mom tries to hide her bruises, but I see how she winces when Silver hugs her too tight.

The light in her eyes dims more each day, leaving only exhaustion and worry in its wake. She's a ghost of the woman who once sang during full moon gatherings.

Every morning, I make sure Silver eats breakfast before I go gathering herbs to sell at the market. At six, my little brother shouldn't have to know which floorboards creak.

He shouldn't know how to hide when Dad comes home in one of his "moods." But he does. Our stilted house sits far from the pack hall—close enough to hear the drunken howls during Blake's parties.

These thoughts circled my mind as I walked home from the forest, a small bunch of wild berries clutched in my hand—my own birthday gift to myself. Fifteen years old today.

In the old days, this would have been cause for celebration, a step toward adulthood in the pack. Now, it was just another day to survive.

"Lily! You're back!" Silver bounded toward me as I entered our home, his small face lighting up. "I made you something!"

He proudly presented a crude necklace made from twine and forest stones. "It's beautiful," I said, genuinely touched as I slipped it over my head.

Mom emerged from the kitchen, her smile tight but warm. "I saved a little flour," she whispered, nodding toward a small, flat cake on our worn table.

No candles—those were luxury items we couldn't afford—but it was more than I expected. "You shouldn't have," I said, but my heart swelled.

"Fifteen is important," she insisted, quickly hugging me before returning to the table where Silver was eagerly waiting.

The three of us gathered around the tiny cake. Silver's eyes were wide with excitement—treats were rare in our household. Mom squeezed my hand as Silver helped me cut the first slice.

"Make a wish, Lily!" he whispered loudly, bouncing in his chair.

I closed my eyes, pretending to wish for something wonderful. What could I possibly wish for that would actually come true?

Our small celebration was interrupted when the front door crashed open. The sickly-sweet stench of Shadow Brew filled our home as Dad stumbled in.

He swayed in the doorway, his gaze fixing on the three of us gathered around the table. "What's this?" he slurred, poking at the cake with a dirty finger.

Mom stood up slowly. "Jack, please. It's Lily's birthday. We're just having a small celebration."

"Birthday?" Dad's laugh was hollow. "We can barely afford food, and you waste resources on this shit?" With a sudden sweep of his arm, he sent the cake flying against the wall.

Silver whimpered, shrinking behind me. I immediately turned to him. "Go to your room," I whispered urgently.

"But Lily—"

"Now, Silver. Like we practiced." I gave him a gentle push toward his bedroom as Dad advanced toward Mom.

"You've been with that woman again," Mom said, her voice barely audible. "I can smell her on you."

The accusation hung in the air like poison. Everyone knew Blake's sister supplied Dad with extra Shadow Brew in exchange for... services.

Dad's face contorted with rage. "What I do is none of your fucking business!"

I made sure Silver was in his room before quickly locking his door from the outside—our long-established routine whenever Dad came home drunk.

"It is when you spend our food money on that witch and her brew!" Mom's voice rose with rare defiance.

I saw it coming before she did—the tightening of his jaw, the way his fingers curled into fists. When he raised his hand, I didn't think, just moved.

"Dad, stop!" I positioned myself between them, feeling Mom trying to pull me back.

His bloodshot eyes focused on me, narrowing dangerously. "You ungrateful little bitch. After everything I've done for this family!"

I heard Silver crying behind his door. "It's okay," I called out to him. "Stay there, Silver. Don't come out."

"Who do you think you are?" Dad snarled, his grip bruising my arm.

"Jack, please!" Mom threw herself at him, trying to break his hold on me. "She's just a child! It's her birthday!"

His attention shifted to her, releasing me to grab Mom by the throat. "A child? She's old enough to learn respect!"

"Mom!" I screamed, clawing at his arm.

He backhanded me hard enough to send me sprawling across the floor. Through blurred vision, I saw Mom struggling in his grip, her feet barely touching the ground.

"Run, Lily!" she gasped, her eyes wide with terror not for herself, but for me.

I froze, torn between helping her and escaping. Dad threw Mom against the wall with a sickening thud, then turned toward me.

His expression was no longer human. "You're not going anywhere," he growled.

Mom somehow found the strength to lunge forward, wrapping her arms around his waist from behind.

"Lily, GO! NOW!" she screamed. "Think about Silver! He needs you! Please, just go!"