The air in the library seemed to grow heavier with each passing second, the dim light casting long, unsettling shadows across the floor. I glanced at Harry, who had gone unusually quiet, his eyes darting around the room as if he expected something—or someone—to emerge from the darkness. The ancient book lay closed on the desk between us, its secrets locked away for now.

"Okay, we're being ridiculous," I mumbled. "It's an old book and we're just weirded out and stressed."

"Yeah. That's it," Harry mumbled back, his mouth full of my sandwich.

But the sense of foreboding hadn't lifted. If anything, it felt stronger, as if the very walls of the library were holding their breath. My heart pounded as I took a step back, my hand instinctively reaching for the book again, drawn to it despite the dread twisting in my stomach. Harry stood up and walked around to the other bookshelves, dragging his finger along until he pulled down a rather delicate-looking gold book. He blew off the dust that had settled on it, causing a small cloud to form in the dim light of the library.

"Try this one," he said, handing it over to me. "I think it might have some answers for you."

I took the book from him, feeling the weight and age of it in my hands. The cover was intricately designed with swirling patterns and a small, crescent moon embossed in the center. Carefully, I opened it, the pages brittle and yellowed with time.

As I began to read, Harry plopped back into his chair, finishing off the sandwich. "Anything interesting?"

"There's a section here about a prophecy," I said, tracing the faded text with my finger. "It speaks of an alpha rising to become the Lycan King, destined to lead the packs to victory against a great evil."

Harry's eyes widened with curiosity. "A Lycan King? That sounds epic."

I nodded, engrossed in the words on the page. "It says that this alpha will possess unmatched strength and wisdom, uniting the fractured packs and restoring balance to our world. The prophecy hints at a time of darkness, where a formidable enemy threatens to destroy everything we hold dear."

"Well, read it to me."

"The whole thing?" I asked him.

"Uh, yeah. The whole thing."

"Okay. If you insist. In the time of the blood moon, an alpha shall rise. Born of strength and spirit, marked by the stars, this alpha will possess the heart of a lion and the wisdom of the ancients.

With courage unwavering and spirit unyielding, the Lycan King shall emerge to unite the fractured packs. He shall forge bonds of brotherhood where division once festered and restore the balance long forgotten.

The Lycan King will face a formidable enemy, a great evil that seeks to destroy the light and goodness of our world. In the final battle, the Lycan King, with the unity of the packs, will stand against this darkness. Through trials of fire and blood, the Lycan King will lead the packs to victory.

In the wake of his triumph, a new era of peace and unity shall dawn, the legacy of the Lycan King etching a new chapter in the annals of history. The packs, forever united, will thrive under his guidance, and the balance between the lycans and the natural world will be restored."

"Do you think it's real?" Harry asked, leaning forward.

"I don't know," I replied, my voice barely above a whisper. "Aiden mentioned something about a prophecy shortly after we met. I'll bet he knows something."

As I closed the book, Harry squinted at it, a puzzled expression on his face. "Wait a second," he said, taking the book from me. "Look at this."

He pointed to the spine of the book. "It's got a double spine. There's a seam right here."

Curiosity piqued, I watched as Harry carefully took a small knife from his pocket and began to cut along the seam. The hidden compartment opened, revealing additional pages tucked between the two back covers.

Harry handed them to me, his eyes wide with excitement. "Looks like we found something important."

I unfolded the hidden pages, the paper slightly crinkled but intact. As I began to read, the prophecy unfolded in meticulous detail:

The Prophecy of the Lycan King:

In the time of the blood moon, when shadows cloak the land and the cries of the fallen echo through the night, an alpha shall rise. Born of strength and spirit, marked by the stars, this alpha will possess the heart of a lion and the wisdom of the ancients.

With courage unwavering and spirit unyielding, the Lycan King shall emerge to unite the fractured packs. He shall forge bonds of brotherhood where division once festered and restore the balance long forgotten.

The First Sign: The Shattering of the Moonstone

When the sacred Moonstone shatters, it will mark the beginning of the Lycan King's journey. The Moonstone, hidden in the heart of the ancient forest, holds the essence of our ancestors. Its breaking will awaken the spirits, guiding the chosen alpha to his destiny.

The Lycan King, guided by visions and dreams, will embark on a quest to gather the pieces of the Moonstone. Each fragment will reveal a part of his power and a lesson in leadership. Alongside his trusted companions, he will navigate treacherous paths and face formidable foes, proving his worthiness.

The Gathering of the Packs

As the Lycan King collects the Moonstone fragments, the packs will feel the stirrings of change. Leaders will be drawn to him, recognizing the signs foretold in their own legends. Old rivalries will be set aside as the packs unite under a single banner, their loyalty sworn to the Lycan King.

With each new alliance, the Lycan King's strength will grow. He will learn the customs and secrets of each pack, forging a bond that transcends bloodlines. The united packs will become a formidable force, their combined strength unmatched by any enemy.

The Great Darkness

In the darkest hour, a shadow will rise from the depths of the abyss. This great evil, born of chaos and destruction, will seek to engulf the world in darkness. The enemy, known as the Shadow Lord, will command legions of dark creatures, spreading fear and despair.

The Lycan King will confront the Shadow Lord in a battle that will determine the fate of all. With the power of the Moonstone and the unity of the packs, he will stand against the darkness. The final confrontation will test his courage, wisdom, and strength, pushing him to his limits.

The Triumph and the New Dawn

Through trials of fire and blood, the Lycan King will lead the packs to victory. The Shadow Lord will be vanquished, and the darkness will recede. In the wake of his triumph, a new era of peace and unity shall dawn.

The legacy of the Lycan King will etch a new chapter in the annals of history. The packs, forever united, will thrive under his guidance. The balance between the lycans and the natural world will be restored, and the spirits of the ancestors will watch over them.

Harry and I exchanged glances.

"This changes everything," he said quietly.

I nodded, feeling a real sense of dread. "We have to find Aiden. He needs to see this."

Harry stood up and slapped his hands on the table. "Let's go."

"Easy does it," I mumbled, reading over the passage again. "Just give me a second."

Harry sighed and sat down, rolling his eyes. He leaned forward, putting his chin on the table and staring at me.

"I mean, come on," he said, exasperated. "You're the one who said we need to find Aiden. What are we waiting for?"

"I know, I know," I said, flipping back through the pages. "It's just... I need to make sure we don't miss anything important. If this prophecy is as significant as it sounds, we need to understand every detail."

Harry groaned but nodded, understanding my caution. "Fine, but can we at least get moving while you read?"

I nodded, feeling the urgency in my gut. We stood up together, and I grabbed the book, tucking the hidden pages back into their compartment. As we left the library, I kept the book clutched tightly in my hands.

Walking down the hallway, the prophecy kept repeating in my mind. "What if Aiden already knows about this?" I mused aloud.

Harry shrugged. "Then he'll confirm it. But if he doesn't... Well, then we're one step ahead, aren't we?"

We reached the main hall, the grand staircase looming ahead. As we descended, the echoes of our footsteps seemed louder than usual, amplifying the tension between us.

"Aiden mentioned something about a prophecy shortly after we met," I said, more to myself than to Harry. "But he never went into detail."

"Maybe he was waiting for the right time," Harry suggested. "Or maybe he didn't think it was real."

I shook my head. "No, Aiden wouldn't dismiss something like this. He's always been serious about the legends and the old ways. There's a reason he kept that library so well-maintained."

Harry was silent for a moment, lost in thought. "You think he could be the Lycan King?"

The question hung in the air, heavy with implications. I didn't have an answer, but the thought had crossed my mind more than once.

We reached the bottom of the stairs, and I paused, looking at Harry. "We need to be careful about how we approach this. If Aiden doesn't know, we can't just spring it on him. We need to give him the information gradually. I mean this is a lot to process. I'm still not sure I understand as well as I should."

Harry nodded. "Agreed. But we need to move fast. If the prophecy is true, then the blood moon is a critical time. We can't afford to waste any more of it."

As we made our way to Aiden's study, the anticipation built within me. I could feel the significance of the moment, the weight of our discovery, and the potential impact it could have on our world. Every step seemed to echo the urgency of our mission, and I clutched the book tighter, its ancient pages a testament to the gravity of our quest.

"Oh my Goddess. Harry."

He turned to look at me, concern etched across his face. "What is it, Elara?"

"The Blood Moon. That's when we're having our marking ceremony."

Harry's eyes widened as he processed the significance of what I had just said. "Oh. What are you going to do?"

I shook my head, a horrible knot forming in my gut. "I don't know. What can we do?"

Harry placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "The Blood Moon is a powerful symbol for our kind, Elara. Good and bad I suppose. If the prophecy is right, then you're going to have one hell of an interesting night."

I nodded, my thoughts racing. "What do we do if something happens?"

"We'll need to prepare carefully," he said. "I'm sure Aiden will figure something out."

I sighed, the weight of the situation pressing down on me. Reaching Aiden's office, I knocked on the door, my heart pounding. After a moment, the door creaked open, and I saw him sitting with his counsel.

I stepped inside, feeling a mixture of excitement and anxiety. "Aiden, we need to talk," I said, holding up the book. "We found something important."

Aiden's eyes narrowed as he took in the sight of the book and the seriousness in my expression. "What is it, Elara?"

"It's about that prophecy you told me about," I began, handing him the book. "The Lycan King, the Blood Moon... it all ties together. We need to discuss this before the marking ceremony."