17: The Stranger from the North
The first snow of the season fell softly over the Shadow Pack territory, blanketing the forest in pristine white. Nyx Aria stood on the training grounds, breath fogging in the cold air as she guided a group of young wolves through shadow manipulation drills.
"Feel the darkness, don't force it," she instructed, her voice calm but commanding. "It's part of you, not a weapon to wield."
At twenty years old, Nyx had fully grown into her role as the pack's future Luna. Her presence alone inspired awe—tall and lithe, with raven hair braided down her back and those unmistakable eyes: one midnight black that swallowed light, one silver that seemed to reflect it.
The pups obeyed instantly, shadows rising from their palms in gentle waves rather than violent bursts.
Nyx smiled faintly. Progress.
But her own shadows felt… restless today.
A faint pull, like a thread tugging at her chest.
She dismissed it as leftover sensitivity from childhood dreams.
Kaelan watched from the sidelines, arms crossed, pride shining in his eyes. Elena stood beside him, hand resting on the slight curve of her belly—she was pregnant again, a late surprise that had the entire pack celebrating.
"She's ready," Kaelan murmured.
Elena nodded, but worry lingered in her gaze. "I hope the world is ready for her."
A sudden howl from the border watch cut through the air—urgent, three sharp notes.
Intruder.
Kaelan's shadows flared. "Stay with the pups," he ordered Nyx before shifting and racing toward the sound.
Nyx ignored him, of course.
She followed, shadows propelling her faster than any wolf could run.
By the time she arrived, Kaelan and a dozen warriors had surrounded a lone figure at the border.
A man.
Tall, broad-shouldered, with white-gold hair tied back and eyes the color of glacier ice. He wore furs of the northern bears, stained with blood—his own and others'. Wounds marred his arms and torso, but he stood straight, unafraid.
He carried no weapons.
Only a message.
Kaelan growled, shadows coiling threateningly. "State your name and purpose, or die where you stand."
The stranger's gaze swept over the warriors, lingering on Nyx when she arrived.
His ice-blue eyes widened slightly.
"I am Thorne of the Ice Fang Clan," he said, voice deep and steady despite his injuries. "Bearer of bad news from the North."
Kaelan didn't relax. "Speak."
Thorne's eyes never left Nyx. "The Eternal Frost has cracked. Ancient prisons beneath the glaciers are failing. Things that were sealed before your Void war… they wake."
Elena arrived then, having followed more slowly. She gasped.
"The Light Devourer," she whispered.
Thorne nodded grimly. "It feeds on pure light magic now. Entire clans vanished overnight. Their essence drained. Only husks left."
He finally looked at Kaelan. "The seers say only tri-blood power can stop it. Power that balances both shadow and light."
All eyes turned to Nyx.
She felt the pull again—stronger now.
Not from the Void.
From something opposite.
Cold. Hungry. Endless.
The stranger—Thorne—extended a bloodied hand.
"I was sent to find the one with midnight and silver eyes. To bring her north before it's too late."
Nyx stepped forward, shadows and light swirling gently around her.
"And if I refuse?"
Thorne's expression softened—just a fraction.
"Then the North falls. And it will come south next. For you. For your family."
Kaelan moved between them, growling. "No one takes my daughter."
Nyx placed a hand on his arm. "Dad. I have to go."
Elena's face paled. "Nyx…"
"I'm not a child anymore," Nyx said firmly. "This is what I was born for. Balance isn't just keeping peace here. It's answering when the world needs it."
She turned to Thorne.
"I'll go. But not alone."
Thorne's lips curved—the first hint of emotion.
"I expected nothing less from the Tri-Blood."
Preparations began immediately.
Nyx packed light—silver blades, moon-blessed herbs, her mother's old cloak.
Kaelan and Elena insisted on sending warriors.
Thorne accepted with a nod.
But as they stood at the border at dawn, ready to depart, Nyx felt it.
The pull wasn't just duty.
It was something else.
Something about the stranger with ice eyes.
Through her tri-blood senses, she felt his power—cold, vast, contained.
And lonely.
Very lonely.
Thorne met her gaze.
"Ready, Tri-Blood?"
Nyx smiled—small, determined.
"Call me Nyx."
His eyes flickered with something unreadable.
"Nyx."
They stepped into the snow.
Behind them, Kaelan and Elena watched until they vanished into the white.
Elena leaned into her mate.
"She'll be okay," Kaelan said, voice rough.
Elena nodded, hand on her belly.
"She's our daughter. She was born for this."
But deep in the North, beneath endless ice…
Something ancient opened its eyes.
Pure white.
Endless hunger.
And it knew she was coming.
The Tri-Blood.
Its perfect opposite.
Its perfect meal.
Or perhaps…
Its perfect match.