As we stepped out of the council room, Harry let out a big breath, his shoulders visibly relaxing as if he had been holding his breath the entire time. The moonlight poured through the tall windows of the ancient manor, bathing the corridors in a silvery glow. Shadows danced across the walls, casting an eerie yet oddly serene atmosphere over our departure.

"Crimson Moon," Harry muttered, his voice barely above a whisper, as if speaking too loudly might disturb the solemnity of the night. "I've heard stories about it, but I've never been there."

I nodded in agreement, my thoughts drifting to the tales I had heard since childhood about the legendary sanctuary of the Crimson Moon. "It's said to be heavily guarded. If anywhere can keep us safe and allow us to continue our research undisturbed, it's there. It's a shame that Conrad isolated the Howlers from every single freaking pack. We could have already known everyone in that room."

Harry's brow furrowed slightly, betraying his underlying concern. "Are we truly in danger, though? I mean, chasing after a mythical artifact... it feels like we're walking a fine line between adventure and the absurd."

I sighed, my breath misting in the cool night air. "Who knows. I mean we're either dealing with something really serious that we probably should pay attention to or we're chasing a pipe dream. At least it's keeping us busy."

He nodded solemnly, placing a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "We'll figure it out. Together."

"Oh, Goddess, have you talked to Dad? Do they know where you are?"

"Yeah. I gave him a call this morning. Told him I was out camping," Harry laughed.

Before I could respond, our conversation was abruptly interrupted by the sound of rapid footsteps echoing down the stone hallway. Ciara stormed towards us, her expression a mix of anger and frustration.

"Harry!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing off the walls. "Where the hell have you been all day? I woke up this morning, and you're just gone! Nobody would tell me where you're at, and then I find out you're in council with her and Aiden?"

Harry's shoulders slumped slightly, caught off guard by Ciara's sudden outburst. "It wasn't just us," he defended himself, his tone tinged with exasperation. "All of the pack leaders were summoned. It wasn't something I could skip out on."

Ciara's eyes narrowed, her frustration unabated. "So now you're part of their councils? You're involved in all this pack business?"

I stepped in, trying to diffuse the tension. "Ciara, it's not what you think. We're helping Aiden and the other Alpha's with something really important. He's not just goofing off or avoiding you."

She scoffed, crossing her arms defiantly. "I'm not so sure about that. It seems like everyone's keeping secrets from me."

"I promise nobody is keeping secrets from you. We just can't discuss anything right now," I said.

"Oh, so now you're included in stuff like that?" She glowered.

"Calm down, Ciara. She is the future Luna. Like Elara said, we're just helping Aiden with something."

"What? What are you helping my Alpha with? You're not even from this pack!" she screeched.

"You need to take that attitude and quickly readjust it," Harry said in a very low and stern tone.

I rolled my eyes as she kept yelling at Harry. She was so loud I didn't hear the footsteps approaching from behind me.

"What the hell is going on out here?" Aiden said sternly. "You realize we can hear every single goddess damned word you're screeching right?"

"Alpha Aiden! I am so sorry," she groveled, looking like a pup who just got a swift kick in the butt.

"Whatever your issue is, Ciara, I highly suggest you get over it. Now. You need to realize you are not the center of the universe and I needed Harry today. Do you understand?"

She kept her gaze to the floor and nodded her head silently.

"Good. If I hear another peep from you yelling at Harry or saying anything nasty to my Luna it will be the last time you ever step foot in the pack house. Do you understand?"

She, again, nodded her head silently.

"I want to hear you say you understand, Ciara."

She swallowed hard, still not looking at Aiden. "I understand, Alpha."

"Good. Now go."

With that, we parted ways for the night, each of us retreating to our rooms to rest.

Glad I'm not her. I thought to myself as I kicked off my shoes while crossing the bedroom to the bathroom.

A nice hot bath is just what I need.

I sank into the bathtub, feeling the tension melt away as the hot water enveloped me. The gentle scent of lavender filled the air, mingling with the steam rising around me. Closing my eyes, I let out a contented sigh, allowing myself a rare moment of peace. The day's events replayed in my mind, but the warmth and calm of the bath made everything seem distant, almost surreal.

The sound of the door opening drew me back to the present. I opened my eyes to see Aiden standing there, his presence filling the room with an unmistakable aura of authority and concern.

"Elara," he said softly, his voice a soothing balm to my frazzled nerves.

"Aiden," I replied, managing a small smile. "You're done with the pack leaders already?"

"For today. They're going to stay in the packhouse tonight and leave sometime tomorrow."

I nodded my head. "You didn't want to relax with them? Have a drink or something? Do whatever it is Alpha's do?"

He chuckled lightly while crossing the room in a few strides, pulling up a stool beside the tub. "I wanted to check on you. It's been a long day."

"Yeah, it has. Ciara didn't make it any easier," I said with a sigh.

Aiden's jaw tightened. "She'll learn her place soon enough. I'm sorry you had to deal with that."

"It's not your fault," I said, reaching out to take his hand. "We're all under a lot of pressure. I feel bad for Harry. He has to put up with her for the rest of his life."

He squeezed my hand gently. "I think he'll be alright. He seems to be able to keep her under control most of the time."

I leaned back, feeling the warmth of the water and the comfort of his words. "I hope so. Do you believe all of this?"

"All of what?"

I relaxed deeper into the bathtub, the warm water soothing my muscles as I mulled over the weight of our conversation. "The prophecy. The Moonstone. Do you think it's all legit?" I asked, the words hanging in the steam-filled air.

Aiden's expression turned thoughtful as he leaned forward, his hand trailing through the water. The ripples danced around his fingers, reflecting the moonlight filtering in through the frosted glass window. "Yes and no," he began slowly, his voice a deep rumble that resonated with uncertainty. "Our history, our traditions—they're steeped in legends and prophecies. Some have proven true over time, guiding our decisions and shaping our beliefs. But..." He paused, searching for the right words. "More than anything, I hope not."

I nodded, understanding the conflict within him. "It's hard to separate what's real from what's myth," I murmured, trailing my fingers along the edge of the bathtub.

Aiden's gaze softened, his eyes meeting mine with a depth of understanding that spoke of shared concerns and unspoken fears. "I know," he admitted quietly. "But regardless of whether it's true or not, we have a duty to our pack. We must prepare for all possibilities."

I sighed, leaning back against the porcelain as the warmth of the water cocooned me. "I just wish there was a clearer path forward. Something concrete to grasp onto."

"We will find it," Aiden reassured.

His confidence was a lifeline in the uncertainty that surrounded us. I nodded gratefully, feeling a renewed sense of purpose settle over me. "Thank you, Aiden," I whispered, grateful for his steadfast presence and unwavering belief.

He smiled softly, a gesture that eased the tension in my shoulders. "Anytime, Elara. We'll figure this out, one step at a time."

He leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. I closed my eyes once more, letting the warmth of the bath lull me into a peaceful state. For now, in this moment, everything felt right.

I finished up and climbed out of the tub, grabbing the fuzzy robe off the back of the bathroom door. The warmth of the bath still lingered on my skin as I stepped into the bedroom, the soft glow of candlelight casting gentle shadows across the room.

"Aiden," I called out softly, my voice carrying through the quiet space. "I was thinking..."

I paused mid-sentence as I saw him facedown in the bed, deep in slumber. His strong, rugged form looked peaceful amidst the tousled sheets, his chest rising and falling rhythmically with each breath. A small smile tugged at the corners of my lips as I approached, admiring the tired lines etched on his face, testament to the weight of his responsibilities as Alpha.

"Poor thing," I whispered affectionately, kneeling beside the bed. Gently, I reached out to untie his shoes, careful not to disturb his rest. As I covered him with a blanket, I couldn't help but marvel at the contrast between his fierce presence during the day and this vulnerable moment of sleep.

Once he was settled, I straightened up and moved to the dresser, pulling out my favorite pair of pajamas. They were soft, offering a comforting embrace as I slipped into them. The familiar routine of preparing for bed helped soothe the lingering tension from the day, grounding me in the quietude of our shared space.

With a sigh of contentment, I climbed into bed beside Aiden, mindful not to disturb him. The warmth of his body radiated beside me, a reassuring presence in the darkness. I adjusted the pillows, finding a comfortable position as I lay on my side, facing him. His features softened in the dim light, the lines of worry easing in sleep.

As I watched him, my thoughts drifted back to the events of the day—the council meeting, Ciara's outburst, and the daunting prospect of the Moonstone. So much rested on our shoulders, yet in this moment, nestled in the safety of our sanctuary, I allowed myself to push aside the weight of responsibility. Here, with Aiden beside me, I found solace and strength.

The flickering candle on the nightstand cast a gentle glow over us, creating a haven where worries seemed distant and troubles fleeting. I reached out, tracing the curve of Aiden's jaw with a light touch, marveling at the tenderness that underlined our connection. His breathing remained steady, undisturbed by the chaos of the outside world.

With a sigh, I closed my eyes, allowing the tranquility of the night to take over. Sleep beckoned, a welcome respite from the trials of the day.