Chapter Title: Echoes of Forgotten Bloodlines
Rosa's POV
The scholar's home was carved into the edge of the palace cliffs, half-hidden behind moss and ivy, with its walls made of weather-worn stone and arched windows that flickered with candlelight. It didn't look like much to the average passerby, but to those who knew, this was a sanctuary of forgotten truths.
I didn't bother concealing who I was. My cloak was royal blue, the emblem of the palace sewn onto the hem. If I was going to seek the truth, I would do it boldly, but quietly.
"Master Elian?" I called gently as I entered. The door creaked behind me, and the warm scent of spiced wood and parchment wrapped around me like a memory.
The man who emerged from behind a wall of scrolls and books looked old enough to have written the stories himself. He had a beard streaked with gray and eyes like clouded glass—sharp despite the years.
He blinked, surprised to see me. "Your Majesty."
"You know who I am?"
He bowed slightly. "It's hard not to recognize the Luna. Paige spoke of you, but I never expected… What can I do for you?"
"I need information about the Red Blossom Pack," I said directly. "Everything you know. And please—this visit must stay between us."
Elian studied me a moment longer, then motioned for me to sit across from him at a narrow wooden table. He poured two small cups of steaming cider and placed one before me.
"The Red Blossom Pack," he repeated. "Most won't speak of it. But I suppose if you've come to ask, you already know it's not just an ordinary Pack."
I nodded. "I've lived there. I know it fell. But I don't know why."
Elian sighed and leaned back in his seat. "A century ago, the Red Blossom territory was part of something bigger—Silver Moon Pack. Back then, it wasn't called Red Blossom. It was known as the Crimson Vale, a lush and fertile region under Silver Moon's domain. It was known for rare herbs, silk trading, and its warrior women."
I leaned in, my heart pounding.
"But then something happened?" I asked.
He nodded. "Yes. A rebellion. The Crimson Vale grew strong, and with strength came the hunger for independence. The leaders of the Vale accused the then Alpha of Silver Moon—Cedric's grandfather—of corruption and greed. They wanted to break away."
"And did they?"
"They tried. The rebellion nearly succeeded. But in the end, Silver Moon crushed it. And the punishment was severe. The territory was renamed—Red Blossom. Stripped of its history, forced into silence. The people were made to believe that rebellion would only lead to erasure."
I sat there stunned. The rivalry between our Packs wasn't just old—it was built on betrayal and blood.
"And now?" I asked. "Why did the Pack fall?"
"That," Elian said, "remains the biggest mystery. All recorded documents were destroyed during the coup. No one knows who orchestrated it. It happened too quickly, too neatly. Almost… intentional. As if someone wanted the Pack—and its past—completely erased."
My fingers tightened around my cup.
"Who do you think could be responsible?"
He didn't hesitate. "If I had to guess… the threat still lies with the Silver Moon. They've always feared Red Blossom's return to power. Perhaps someone saw an opportunity to make sure the Vale never rose again."
I swallowed the lump in my throat. That explained the tension, the fear, the secrecy. It also explained the fire in my veins.
"I need to know more," I said.
Elian nodded. "I will find what I can. But this… this is dangerous knowledge, Your Majesty. The past has claws, and it rarely stays buried."
"Then I'll face it," I said. "No matter what."
As I left the historian's study, the chill of the night air brushed against my face. Behind me, the flickering candlelight disappeared as Elian closed the door.
But the truth? That was just beginning to open.