Filed to story: When The Moon Hides Crown
A cold chill ran down my spine. “That means..” I realized something.
I didn’t wait. I took off again, flying down the empty hall. The moment I crossed the rear courtyard, the air changed.
It was quieter. Too quiet.
Then I saw it-the abandoned building tucked into the far side of the academy grounds, half-swallowed by shadows and wild ivy. Windows boarded up. Doors hanging half off their hinges.
Without wasting another second, I shoved the door open and stepped inside.
My heart stopped.
Finn was there.
He was on the floor-bleeding-his arms shielding his head as a group of Alphas surrounded him. Each one taking turns landing kicks or laughing.
And among them-
Reed and Cassius.
My stomach twisted.
Finn’s blood was on their fists.
I couldn’t breathe. Couldn’t speak. My body locked up.
They didn’t see me at first. My eyes were glued to Finn-his swollen Lip, the deep purple bruises already blooming on his cheek, the crack of blood on his brow.I stepped in slowly.Then Cassius looked up, and that sickening grin spread across his face.
“Well, look who finally arrived,” he sneered.
Reed turned slowly, grinning wider. “You’re late, tiny motherfucker.
The show’s already started.”
I did not look at them. I could not.
All I could do was stare at Finn-slumped, gasping, but alive.
They all looked at me up and down as I continued walking in slowly.
“Hey Seth!” Alpha Asher stepped through the doorway, his presence like a blade slicing through the thick air.
The Alphas froze.
Even Reed’s smug grin twitched into uncertainty.
Cassius narrowed his eyes. “You brought help? Really?”
Another one snorted. “Can’t even stand up for your weak little friend without crying for backup?”
Reed glared, “Let me guess, this time Ronan refused to help you so you brought another one? Do you think you will be able to get out of here alive?”
But Asher didn’t say a word. His sharp eyes took in the scene-Finn on the ground, my rigid stance, and the circle of wolves that had clearly expected to have more time.
His gaze flicked to me, “Seth.”
“Alpha Asher,” I cut him off and tilted my head to meet his gaze, “Can you do me a favour?”Asher raised a brow, his posture casually unreadable. “Go on.”
“Take Finn.” My voice didn’t shake. “Get him to the trial grounds. His name’s being called. The instructor is waiting.”
The room silenced even further if that was possible.
Asher froze in surprise.
Reed scoffed. “Hey, you think you can walk out so that you can go and play? Don’t be so cocky little fucker. You are not leaving.”
“Who said I am leaving?” I quipped, not even sparing them a glance. ” I’m sending Finn away seeing as I am here now, he does not need to be here. You wanted me here, right?” saying that I turned to Asher again, ” Please take him.”
Asher looked at me for a long moment-calculating, unreadable-then nodded once.
I strode forward and everyone had to make space for him. No one dared stop him.
Because challenging Asher was as good as walking into your own execution.
He moved forward, helping Finn to stand up. He was still dazed, his breath shallow, but his eyes flickered open the second he sensed movement.
When Asher carefully pulled him to his feet, Finn stumbled but caught himself.
Then his hand shot out and caught mine, gripping it tightly.
“Come with me,” he said hoarsely. “You can’t stay here. Let’s go-now.”
I smiled at him, small and warm. “Soon.””Seth-no-
“Finn,” I cut in softly. “You have to go. They’re calling your name. You have to show up. The instructor is waiting. If you don’t go now… they’ll disqualify you. And.remember I am not letting you win so easily,” I grinned.
He pursed his bleeding lips, eyes full of resistance and fear-for me.
But finally, slowly, he nodded.
Asher wrapped Finn’s arm over his shoulders and began to lead him toward the door. The Alphas stepped aside without a word, their sneers long gone.
The moment they passed the threshold, I was alone in a room full of Alphas with unfinished business.
Eight Alphas stood before me, shoulder to shoulder, forming a wall of muscle, ego, and bloodlust. Their sneers curled like smoke.
“This is where you die, motherfucker,” Cassius taunted, cracking his knuckles. “And no one will even know.”
” told you it would not end there,” Reed growled at me. “But if you lick my shoes I might let you live.”
They all laughed-cruel, unafraid, and confident in their numbers. I stared at them blankly.
But then, as if struck by an invisible force, their laughter faltered.
One by one, their grins slipped away, and their eyes shifted past me.