Chapter 2 The weight of a choice

The rain showed no mercy. It lashed against the old man’s face as he hurried through the narrow forest path, the infant held tightly against his chest beneath his cloak. Each step felt heavier than the last.

Behind him, his daughter’s cries still echoed in his ears. “Father! Please… bring her back!” He squeezed his eyes shut. “Forgive me,” he muttered, though he wasn’t sure whether he was speaking to his daughter… or to himself. The baby remained strangely quiet. She didn’t cry. She simply stared up at him with wide golden eyes, as though she knew nothing of the burden she had brought into the world.

The old man looked away. “Don’t look at me like that.”

His voice cracked. “I’ve buried my wife. I’ve buried friends. I’ve watched this kingdom demand sacrifices all my life. I won’t bury the rest of my family too.”

Lightning split the sky. For a brief moment, the forest was bathed in silver light. He stopped walking. The child stirred in his arms. His trembling fingers brushed against her tiny cheek. She wrapped her little hand around one of his fingers. The old man’s heart clenched. “You shouldn’t have been born tonight.”

A tear escaped the corner of his eye. “If only you had been a boy…” He let out a weary sigh. “You would have grown beside the prince. You would have laughed together. You might even have become brothers.” His voice grew softer. “But the Moon Goddess chose differently, I hope she protects you."

He resumed walking.

The deeper he went into Blackwood Forest, the quieter the world became. The rain softened. The wind died away. Even the wolves had stopped howling. Only the sound of his footsteps remained.

At last, he reached the ancient Moon Willow, its silver branches stretching across the clearing like open arms. Every child in Ravencrest had grown up hearing stories about the sacred tree. Some said the Moon Goddess herself had planted it. Others believed it had stood there since the first Alpha King. The old man looked at the sleeping infant. “I cannot take you back. I cannot let the Crown find you.” His breathing grew uneven. “And I cannot watch my daughter lose everything.” He knelt beneath the great tree.

For several moments, he simply remained there, unable to move. The baby opened her eyes again.

She smiled. The old man covered his face with one hand. “Don’t… You’ll make this harder.”

Slowly, he removed his cloak and wrapped it carefully around her tiny body to keep out the cold. “I have nothing else to give you.” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small silver pendant engraved with the family crest. It had belonged to his late wife.

After a long hesitation, he placed it beside the infant.

“So that… if fate is kinder than this old man has been… you’ll know where you came from.” He rose to his feet. His legs refused to move, He looked back one last time. “May the Moon Goddess judge me as she pleases.” Without another word, he turned and disappeared into the darkness between the trees.

For a long while, the clearing remained still. Then…

The baby let out a soft cry. It echoed beneath the ancient willow.

Far away, something answered. A long, haunting howl drifted through Blackwood Forest. The old man stopped in his tracks. His eyes slowly widened. “That… was no ordinary wolf.” He stood for seconds, listening as another howl rolled through the night.

Then he forced himself to keep walking, never daring to look back.

The pounding on the cottage door did not stop. “Open in the name of the Crown!” The young mother collapsed onto the muddy floor, her sobs drowning out the sound of the rain. “My baby… Please… Bring my baby back…” The elderly midwife knelt beside her, wrapping an arm around her trembling shoulders ignoring the poundng “Child…” Before she could finish, the wooden door swung open.

Five royal guards stepped inside, their silver cloaks dripping with rainwater. The captain’s sharp eyes swept across the room. The overturned chair.

The soaked footprints leading to the back door. The young woman crying uncontrollably. He already knew something had happened. “Who is the head of this household?” he asked. The old midwife slowly stood.

“He has gone.” “Gone where?” She looked toward the open back door. “He took the child.” The captain narrowed his eyes. “The Moon’s Chosen?”The old woman nodded “He said he would do what was necessary to protect his family.” The captain remained silent. Another guard stepped closer. “So… the matter has been settled?” The midwife lowered her gaze.

“The old man knows the Law of the Moon.” “He has lived under it longer than any of us.”

The captain studied her for a long moment before giving a slow nod. “I understand.” He turned to two of his men. “Search the surrounding woods. If you find nothing, return immediately.” The two guards disappeared into the rain. The captain looked back at the grieving mother. She could barely lift her head.

Tears soaked the blanket she still clutched against her chest, as though refusing to believe her daughter was no longer in her arms. The captain’s expression softened for only a heartbeat. Then duty reclaimed him. “When the old man returns… tell him King Aldric commands his presence at the palace tomorrow morning.” The midwife bowed her head. “I will deliver the message.” He went outside.

The guards remained outside the cottage long after the cries inside had faded. Rain poured from the dark sky, soaking his silver armor as his eyes stayed fixed on the narrow trail leading into Blackwood Forest. One of the guards stepped closer. “Captain… shall we follow him?” The captain looked toward the ancient forest. Blackwood was feared even by seasoned warriors. Few entered it willingly after nightfall. “He knows what the Law demands,” the captain replied. “If he intended to return, he would have returned by now.” The guard lowered his head. “And the girl?” The captain said nothing. He simply looked once more at the empty path before turning toward the cottage. Inside, the young mother knelt on the floor, her shoulders shaking with grief. The blanket that had wrapped her daughter was still clutched tightly against her chest. The elderly midwife remained beside her, gently stroking her back while whispering prayers to the Moon Goddess. The captain pointed toward two of his men. “You two remain here until sunrise. If the old man returns before then, escort him to Ravencrest Palace.” “Yes, Captain.” The remaining guards mounted their horses. Within moments, the sound of galloping hooves faded into the storm.

Hours had not yet passed, yet the celebration in Ravencrest already felt like a distant memory. Outside, the storm still raged beneath a moon hidden behind thick, dark clouds. The palace had grown quiet. The music had ended. The banquet tables had been cleared. The banners that had celebrated the birth of the prince now hung motionless in the cold morning air.

Inside the throne room, King Aldric sat upon the throne. Seer Maelis stood beside The elders remained gathered in the throne room, waiting for the captain’s report. No one spoke.

The great doors opened. The captain entered, removed his helmet, and dropped to one knee. “Your Majesty.” King Aldric looked down at him. “You have returned. What news do you bring?” The captain bowed his head. “We found the household.” “And the child?” “The girl’s grandfather carried out the Law before we arrived.”

A long breath escaped the king. “What is the old man’s name?” “Garrick Ashcroft.” Recognition flickered across King Aldric’s One of the elders nodded.“Garrick… I know him. He has served Ravencrest faithfully for many years.” “He is an honorable man. He has never placed himself above the kingdom.” The king rested one hand against the arm of his throne. “Then summon him. I would hear his account myself.” The captain bowed again. “The order has already been given, Your Majesty. My men remain at the cottage. They will escort Garrick Ashcroft to the palace the moment he returns" He rose and quietly left the throne room. The elders began discussing preparations for the prince’s naming ceremony.

Only Seer Maelis remained still. Something tugged at her spirit. A feeling she could neither explain nor ignore. Slowly, she walked toward the towering palace windows. Beyond them, Blackwood Forest stretched across the horizon beneath the fading crimson moon.

Her cloudy eyes narrowed.

Then… Her breathing caught. “No…” One of the elders turned toward her. “Seer?” She didn’t answer.

Her hand pressed against her chest. Deep within her heart, she could still feel it. A tiny heartbeat. Weak…

But alive. Her lips parted in disbelief. “The Moon’s Chosen… still lives, I will let destiny decide itself this time.”

Outside, somewhere beyond the reach of the palace… A lone wolf lifted its head toward the lying baby and howled.