Aiden's eyes lifted from the papers in front of him, his expression turning from surprise to curiosity as he took in our serious faces. "What's going on?" he asked, setting his work aside.

Harry and I exchanged a look before stepping into the room. "We found something," I said, holding up the old book. "Something important."

Aiden's brow furrowed as he gestured for us to sit. The counsel members shifted in their seats, sensing the weight of the moment. I looked from Aiden to Saunders and over to Carlisle. They weren't smiling.

I carefully placed the book on the table, opening it to the hidden pages. "Do you remember telling me about that prophecy about a Lycan king?"

Aiden nodded his head.

"This book contains the prophecy," I continued, my voice steady despite the rush of adrenaline. "The prophecy that you know and in the back here is a more detailed explanation of it. I don't think anyone has read this part in a very long time."

Aiden's eyes widened as he leaned forward, scrutinizing the ancient text. "This... this is extraordinary," he whispered, tracing the delicate lines with his fingers. "Where did you find this?"

"In the library," Harry replied, his voice tinged with excitement. "There was a hidden compartment in the spine."

Aiden sat back, his mind clearly racing. He picked up the book and examined the spine, shaking his head. "Incredible. How have we never noticed this?"

"It was really hard to miss," I said. "Harry only noticed because he had his head on the desk."

Aiden nodded slowly, his eyes never leaving the book. "We need to decipher every detail. This could give us a lot more insight into whatever this prophecy is and when it might happen."

The room fell into a thoughtful silence, the gravity of our discovery settling over us like a heavy cloak. The path ahead was uncertain, but one thing was clear: our lives, and the fate of our world, were about to change.

"I think it's going to come true within the next week."

"What?" Saunders asked, staring at me. "Why do you think that?"

"It mentions the Blood Moon. The day that Aiden and I are having our marking ceremony."

"That would make a lot of sense," Carlisle spoke up. "There hasn't been a Blood Moon in hundreds of years."

Aiden's gaze flicked to me, then to Harry. "We need to assemble all of the pack leaders. They must see this."

Harry shook his head, frowning. "Are you sure? What if they don't believe it? What if they think it's just another old legend?"

Aiden stood up, the determination in his eyes unmistakable. "They have to believe it. This prophecy isn't just any legend. It's specific, and it's happening now. We don't have time to waste."

I nodded in agreement. "And we need to keep this within just the leaders. If word gets out too soon, it could cause an unnecessary panic amongst everyone. We need to keep things calm and peaceful until we can't."

Harry leaned in, his eyes glittering with excitement. "So, what's our first step?"

Aiden sighed, running a hand through his hair. "We need to gather the pack leaders together. We'll need their support if we're to fight back."

I nodded. "We should also start looking for the Moonstone. If it's as significant as the prophecy suggests, finding it could be crucial. I mean maybe we could even stop it from happening?"

Aiden agreed. "Elara, you and Harry continue studying it. Look for any clues about the Moonstone's location. I'll arrange a meeting with the pack leaders. We need to act quickly." He handed us the book with the pages.

Harry grinned, standing up. "Consider it done. We'll start immediately."

As Harry and I left Aiden's office, the tension between us had turned into a shared sense of anxiety. "You think he's the Lycan King?" Harry asked as we walked back to the library.

"I don't know," I admitted. "But whether he is or not, we have to follow this prophecy. It's our best chance to prepare for whatever's coming and maybe stop it before it does."

As Harry and I returned to the library, I just looked around the room at the rows and rows of books.

There's no guarantee that what we're looking for is even here. And if it is....there are so many books.

The shelves loomed around us, filled with centuries of knowledge and mystery waiting to be unraveled. We settled back into our chairs, the old book open before us, its yellowed pages holding secrets that could alter our destinies.

The text was dense, some of it was written in a language that seemed almost familiar yet eluded easy translation. We traced lines with our fingers, deciphering passages that spoke of celestial alignments and ancient rites.

Harry eventually got up and started perusing the other books in the room. As the hours passed he'd gone through at least a hundred books looking for anything that matched or seemed to have anything to do with the Moonstone or old stories about kings and evil.

"I think I found something," Harry murmured, his voice breaking the silence. He leaned closer, pointing to a passage that described a ritual involving the Moonstone. "It mentions a hidden grove under the light of those who howl at the moon."

My heart quickened as I read over his shoulder, the words sinking in. "A hidden grove... those who howl at the moon? That is the most obscure thing I've ever heard."

"Of course it's obscure they couldn't make it easy to find," Harry replied, his eyes scanning the text eagerly. "So we need more details. How do we find this groove? And why is this stone so important? What is it? Who or what made it?"

I shrugged my shoulders, flipping through more pages in books that were near the one Harry found in search of clues. Each line seemed to speak of a destiny intertwined with ancient prophecies and the power of the blood moon. As we delved deeper, the library around us faded into obscurity, our focus solely on unraveling the secrets before us.

Hours turned into nightfall, the soft glow of the library lamps casting long shadows across the pages. We barely noticed the passage of time, consumed by our quest for understanding. Finally, just as fatigue threatened to overwhelm us, my finger traced over a faded illustration—a map tucked into the back pages of the book.

"Harry, look," I breathed, my heart racing. "It's a map."

Together, we studied the intricate lines and symbols, tracing the path that led from the heart of the forest to a marked clearing. Symbols of ancient origin adorned its edges, hinting at wards and protections that guarded whatever lay hidden within.

"This must be it," Harry murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "The grove where the Moonstone rests."

I nodded, the realization sinking in. "But how do we get there? And where is it? The territory doesn't look familiar at all."

Harry's gaze met mine, determination flickering in his eyes. "We'll figure it out. This is probably older than what the packs are. Tomorrow, we'll bring this to Aiden and the pack leaders. They need to see this map."

"Older than the packs?"

"Yeah. We used to be just one big kingdom. There were old stories told. We'll have to find something about the legends of how we came to be."

"Um, okay?"

"I can't remember the exact story. I wasn't paying attention when I heard it."

"Of course you weren't."

As we closed the book and made our way out of the library, I couldn't focus on anything. This was all so much.. The path ahead was uncertain, fraught with challenges and dangers yet to be revealed.

As Harry and I emerged from the library, the moon hung low in the sky, casting a silvery glow over the courtyard of the pack house. Aiden's office was a beacon of light against the darkness, drawing us toward it with a sense of purpose that seemed to resonate within the very air around us.

Inside, Aiden was waiting, his expression a mix of anticipation and concern as we laid out the ancient book before him once more. The pack leaders had gathered already, their presence a solemn reminder of the weight our discovery carried.

"I guess we're not waiting for tomorrow," I whispered to Harry.

"Guess not. I didn't think they would get the pack leaders together this fast."

"Notice anyone missing?"

"Conrad. Of course," Harry mumbled, rolling his eyes.

"We found a map," I began, my voice steady despite the rush of excitement and apprehension coursing through me. "It's connected to the prophecy. It shows the location of a hidden grove where the Moonstone is said to rest."

Aiden leaned forward, his eyes scanning the map with intensity. "This is remarkable," he murmured, tracing the lines with a careful finger. "What the hell is this?"

"Yeah, so apparently this map is older than the packs? And it's the original territory of a kingdom or something," I said. "Harry kind of knows about it, but we have to find text about the original kingdom."

The elders exchanged glances, their expressions reflecting a mix of skepticism and cautious hope. The notion of ancient prophecies and mystical artifacts was a lot to digest, even for those who had lived among the lycanthrope clans for centuries.

"We have books about it in Crimson Moon," a man about Aiden's age said.

"Thank you, Alpha Xavier."

"But how do we know this map is accurate?" one of the other elders spoke up, his voice gruff with years of wisdom and skepticism.

Harry stepped forward, his demeanor earnest yet resolute. "The book we found—it's ancient, but its contents are specific. It speaks of rituals and alignments that coincide with the blood moon. The map, we believe, marks the culmination of those rites."

A murmur of discussion rippled through the room, arguments and questions colliding like waves against the shore. Some voiced concerns about the dangers of pursuing ancient relics, while others saw an opportunity to strengthen their position in the shifting dynamics of the packs.

"We cannot ignore this," Aiden interjected, his voice cutting through the debate. "The Blood Moon approaches swiftly. If there is a chance this prophecy holds truth, we must prepare."

The room fell into a thoughtful silence, the weight of their decision hanging heavy in the air.

"I don't mind going to Crimson Moon tomorrow," I said. "Since I've already been doing a lot of the research I can continue."

"We," Harry added, "I'll go too."

Aiden sat back, a thoughtful frown on his face as he pursed his lips. "I don't know."

I gazed at him, my eyes pleading for him to understand. "Aiden, I really think it's important for us to go. We've been working on this for so long, and it's crucial for us to follow through. I know you're worried, but Crimson Moon is a safe pack. We'll be protected."

Aiden's expression softened slightly as he looked at me, though doubt still clouded his eyes. "I just can't help but worry about you. It's not just about safety; it's about being far from you."

A reassuring smile curved my lips. "I get it, I hate the thought of being away from you to, but it's not just about me. It's about the bigger picture and ensuring everything is in place for our future. Besides, we've got Harry with us. He's more than capable, and I promise we'll be cautious."

The older Alpha who had spoken earlier, Alpha Graham, chimed in. "I think that's a good idea."

"Why, Graham?" Aiden questioned.

"Like she said, they've already been doing the research. Crimson is a very safe pack. They have some of the best guards, so your future Luna and, um, the guy she's with will be safe."

"Oh, I'm Henry. Future Beta of the Dark Moon Howlers. I'm the future Luna's brother."

Alpha Xavier's eyes widened as he turned his head slowly to look at Harry. "Does your Alpha know you're here?"

Harry and I exchanged a quick, apprehensive look before he shook his head.

Aiden chuckled softly, the sound carrying a mix of amusement and relief. "That matters not. He's here and he's needed. I agree with Alpha Graham. Crimson is extremely safe, so you'll both be fine. Not that I'm worried about Harry. I'm sure he can handle himself."

Alpha Xavier cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention back to the matter at hand. "Then it's settled. You two will head to Crimson Moon at first light. We'll continue to prepare here and keep the packs informed."

I nodded, feeling a mix of relief and apprehension. As we prepared to leave, Aiden's voice stopped us at the door.

"Be careful," he said, his voice filled with a tenderness that made my heart ache. He stepped closer, his gaze unwavering as he gently cupped my face in his hands. "Promise me you'll stay safe. I don't know what I'd do if anything happened to you."

I placed my hand over his. "I promise. I'll be careful. And I'll come back to you, Aiden. I have to."

His eyes searched mine, a look of profound affection and worry mingling in his gaze. "I'll be counting the moments until you're back."

With a final, lingering kiss, we parted.