THE MOON DESCENDS TO EARTH
THE MOON’S SEAL
CHAPTER 1 — THE MOON DESCENDS TO EARTH
That night, the Moon looked larger than usual.
The people of the Northern Forest thought it was merely an illusion created by the clear sky. Old wolves sat on the wooden steps of their homes, watching the silver light filter through the trees. Young wolves ran deep within the forest. Children gazed at the sky from their windows, wondering why the Moon was shining so brightly.
No one knew the true answer.
For while the wolves on Earth gazed at the Moon, the Moon was gazing back at them.
And that night, it would not be content with merely watching.
A member of an ancient lineage—one spoken of only in legends for thousands of years—was about to descend to Earth.
A woman bearing Selene’s blood.
Daughter of the Moon.
Lily.
⸻
“I’m saying this for the last time.”
Lily smiled when she heard the voice behind her, but she did not take her eyes off Earth.
“That’s the fourth time this evening you’ve said ‘for the last time.’”
Elowen stepped up beside her.
“This time, it really is the last.”
“You said that the last time, too.”
“Lily.”
“Fine.”
Lily finally turned to face her.
Elowen had been a part of Lily’s life since childhood. She had been her teacher, her protector, sometimes an older sister, and at other times, a thorn in her side.
Her long, dark hair was pulled back tightly. Her gray eyes held their usual serious expression.
Lily looked at her face and sighed. “You’re going to want me to repeat the rules.”
“Yes.”
“I’ve memorized them.”
“Repeat them.”
“Elowen…”
“Lily.”
The two women looked at each other for a few seconds.
Lily finally gave in.
“I won’t reveal my identity.”
Elowen nodded.
“Go on.”
“I won’t use force unless it’s necessary.”
“Go on.”
“I won’t interfere in the wolves’ internal affairs. I’ll complete my mission. I’ll find the moonstone, and I’ll return when the designated gateway reopens.”
Elowen waited.
Lily pressed her lips together.
“You forgot one point.”
“I didn’t.”
“Then say it.”
“I don’t like it.”
“That’s exactly why I want to hear it.”
Lily rolled her eyes.
“I won’t form an attachment to Earth.”
Elowen raised an eyebrow.
“Only to Earth?”
Lily remained silent.
“Lily.”
“I won’t form an attachment to those living there, either.”
“Especially the wolves.”
Lily looked back at Earth.
“Who could I possibly get attached to in three days?”
Elowen didn’t answer.
That silence caught Lily’s attention.
“What?”
“I know you.”
“That didn’t start very reassuringly.”
“You chase after anything that sparks your curiosity.”
“Curiosity isn’t a bad trait.”
“If I told you something was forbidden, you’d be even more curious.”
A small smile played on Lily’s lips.
“Maybe.”
“When you see someone in need of help, you forget about your own safety.”
“That’s not bad, either.”
“And you have a natural talent for finding trouble.” “So, the compliments are finally over.”
Another voice echoed in Lily’s mind.
*I agree with her.*
Lily closed her eyes.
“Stay out of this, Rosa.”
For the first time, a faint smile appeared on Elowen’s face.
“Rosa agrees with me too, doesn’t she?”
*Absolutely.*
“No.”
Lily’s answer came so quickly that Elowen laughed.
“Lily.”
“What?”
“Your face changes when you lie.”
Lily grumbled.
“You two are insufferable when you team up.”
Rosa stretched contentedly deep within her mind.
Lily could always sense her presence.
Rosa was no ordinary wolf.
With her silvery-white fur, a body nearly twice the size of a normal wolf, and silver eyes, she was a sacred Moon wolf—descended from the first wolves Selene created.
Lily had been bonded to her since birth.
Two separate souls.
One body.
Wolves in the world knew of such wolves only through ancient tales.
Most didn’t even believe they truly existed.
That’s why Rosa was as much a secret as Lily’s own identity.
Elowen’s expression turned serious.
“Lily, listen to me.”
“I’m listening.”
“Most wolves in the world revere Selene. But we don’t know how they’d react if they found out you were truly descended from her.”
“You think they’d be afraid of me?”
“Some would.”
Elowen stepped closer.
“Some would kneel before you.”
Lily’s face tightened.
“I wouldn’t want that.”
“I know.”
“Some?” Elowen’s voice dropped even lower.
“Some want to use your power.”
Lily’s silver eyes flashed for a moment.
“No one can use me.”
“I know.”
Elowen placed her hand on Lily’s cheek.
“But being powerful doesn’t mean you won’t get hurt.”
Lily’s expression softened.
“Three days.”
“Three days.”
“I’ll find the stone and come back.”
Elowen nodded.
Lily hugged her.
Elowen was startled for a moment.
“What are you doing?”
“Hugging you.”
“I realize that.”
“You could do it too.”
“Do you have to annoy me before you leave?”
“Yes.”
Elowen finally wrapped her arms around her.
“Be careful.”
“I will.”
“Listen to Rosa.”
Lily pulled away immediately.
“Not *that* much.”
Rosa grumbled in her mind.
Smart woman.
Before Lily could reply, a silver light appeared in the middle of the balcony.
The Moon Gate was opening.
The time had come.
Lily took a deep breath.
Her heart beat faster than she expected.
Elowen noticed it.
“Are you scared?”
“A little.”
“You can turn back.”
Lily shook her head.
“No.”
She looked toward Earth.
“I want to go.”
Elowen smiled.“I knew it.”Lily walked toward the doorway.Just as she was about to step through, she turned back.“See you in three days.”Elowen nodded.“Three days.”Lily stepped into the light.⸻Her first experience of Earth was not exactly magnificent.
Her foot sank into the mud.
Lily looked down for a few seconds.
A huge brown stain marred the hem of her white dress.
Silence.
Then Rosa spoke.
Let’s go back.
Lily burst out laughing.
“We just got here.”
I’ve seen enough.
“It’s just a bit of mud.”
There is no mud on the Moon.
“That’s exactly why Earth is interesting.”
I wasn’t interested.
Lily lifted her skirt slightly and started walking.
After a while, she stopped complaining.
Because the forest was beautiful.
From the Moon, Earth looked silent.
But here, everything was alive.
The scent of the earth.
The sound of wet leaves.
A stream flowing in the distance.
The heartbeats of small animals.
The wind humming as it passed through the pine trees.
Lily closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“It’s beautiful.”
Rosa didn’t answer.
“You liked it too.”
No.
“Liar.”
I don’t lie.
“Sure.” Lily started walking again.
Her mission was simple.
A moonstone lost on Earth centuries ago had started emitting energy again just a few days earlier.
The stone wasn’t dangerous.
But it couldn’t fall into the wrong hands.
Lily was to find it and take it to the Moon.
Three nights.
That was all.
After about half an hour of walking, she stopped abruptly.
A scent.
Metallic.
Intense.
Blood.
Rosa sensed it at the same moment.
No.
Lily furrowed her brows.
“I haven’t said anything yet.”
I know that look on your face.
“Someone is hurt.”
It’s none of our business.
Lily stepped toward the source of the scent.
Lily.
“Maybe they need help.”
What did Elowen say?
“She said a lot of things.”
The third rule.
Lily sighed.
“I won’t interfere in the wolves’ internal affairs.”
Good.
“Maybe it isn’t a wolf.”
Rosa fell silent for a few seconds.
A wolf.
Lily started to run.
Rosa growled in anger.
That was the exact opposite of what I said.
“They might be dying!”
The smell of blood was growing stronger.
Lily sped through the trees.
Finally, she reached a small clearing.
And stopped.
A massive black wolf lay on the ground.
Its fur was matted with blood.
Deep claw marks ran from its shoulder down to its chest.
An even worse wound marred its flank.
Lily took a step closer.
Rosa warned her immediately.
Careful.
“It’s alive.” And powerful.
Lily could sense it, too.
Despite being wounded, the wolf’s energy filled the entire clearing.
“Alpha.”
Yes.
Lily crouched down.
The wolf’s golden eyes snapped open.
A deep growl rose.
Lily paused.
“Hello.”
The growl intensified.
Lily raised an eyebrow.
“Nice to meet you, too.”
The wolf bared its teeth.
Rosa spoke with disdain.
*Male.*
Lily almost laughed.
“What does that matter?”
*He’s dying, yet he’s still trying to look intimidating.*
Lily took another step closer.
“Look, I’m going to help you.”
The wolf growled again.
“I might change my mind because of that attitude.”
The wolf tried to stand.
Its wound reopened.
Blood dripped onto the ground.
Lily’s playful look vanished.
“Alright. That’s enough.”
She reached out her hand.
The wolf suddenly tried to attack.
Lily didn’t budge.
Her eyes turned silver.
The air grew heavy.
The wolf froze in place.
Its golden eyes widened in astonishment.
Lily’s voice was calmer now.
“Don’t do that a second time.”
Rosa murmured with satisfaction.
*Scare him a little more.*
“No.”
The wolf’s ear twitched.
Lily closed her eyes.
“I said that out loud again.”
Yes.
“Great.”
Lily eased up on her power.
She knelt beside the wolf.
“I won’t hurt you.” She placed her hand on the wound.
Silver light spread from between her fingers.
The wolf’s entire body tensed.
“Relax.”
The light spread over the wound.
The bleeding slowed.
The torn tissue began to knit together.
Lily didn’t use her full power.
If she healed the wound completely, it would be impossible to explain.
But at least he wouldn’t die.
A few minutes later, she pulled her hand away.
“There.”
The wolf was still watching her.
Lily frowned.
“Stop staring.”
The wolf blinked.
“It’s unsettling.”
Rosa laughed.
*I think he likes you.*
“Rosa.”
The wolf’s ear twitched again.
Lily looked at him.
“You really are too curious.”
She stood up.
“You’ll live until morning.”
She turned to leave.
She had taken three steps when she heard the sound of shifting bones behind her.
Lily stopped.
She closed her eyes.
“Of course.”
Rosa grew excited.
*He’s shifting.*
“I know.”
Lily didn’t turn around.
A few seconds later, a deep male voice spoke.
“What are you?”
Lily raised her eyebrows.
“A strange way to say thank you.”
Silence.
Then:
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.”
“Are you going to turn around now?”
Lily tilted her head slightly to the side but didn’t look back.
“Do you have anything on?”
“No.”
“Then no.” The man laughed.
Lily tried to tell herself she didn’t like that sound.
Because it was too pleasant.
“You rendered me unable to move with just a single glance a moment ago, yet now you’re shy?”
“I’m not shy.”
“You turned your back.”
“It’s politeness.”
Lily took off her cloak.
She tossed it behind her.
“Here.”
The man caught the cloak.
“Thanks.”
Lily crossed her arms over her chest and waited.“Okay.”She turned.And forgot what she was going to say.The man was younger than she had expected.He looked to be in his mid-twenties.He was tall.Quite tall.
His black hair fell messily across his forehead. A few days’ growth of stubble accentuated his sharp features. Despite his injuries, his broad shoulders and muscular frame clearly marked him as a powerful warrior.
Lily’s cloak was wrapped around his waist.
Lily’s gaze involuntarily dropped downward.
Then quickly darted back up to his face.
The man noticed.
The corner of his mouth lifted.
“Politeness?”
Lily’s cheeks flushed.
“I was looking at my cloak.”
The man looked down.
“While it was around my waist?”
“Yes.”
“Right.”
“I might reopen your wound.”
The man laughed.
Rosa was laughing too.
Handsome.
Lily’s eyes widened.
“Are you serious?”
The man raised an eyebrow.
“I didn’t say anything.”
Lily closed her eyes.
“Today really isn’t going well.”
The man’s smile broadened.
“What’s your name?”
Lily hesitated for a few seconds.
“Lily.”
The man’s gaze remained on her face.
“Lily.”
He had spoken her name slowly.
Lily didn’t understand why it affected her so much.
“And you?”
“Darian.”
“Lily.”
“What?”
“You were supposed to say my name back.”
Lily looked at him.
Darian was trying to look serious.
Lily laughed despite herself.
“Darian.” A glint appeared in the man’s golden eyes.
“There.”
“You’re like a child.”
“You just saved my life. Let me be happy for a moment.”
Darian took a step.
His face suddenly tightened.
His knees buckled.
Lily instinctively lunged forward and caught him.
Darian’s hand rested on her waist.
Lily’s palm pressed against his bare chest.
They fell silent at once.
Lily could feel his heartbeat beneath her palm.
Fast.
Very fast.
She felt even more flustered when she realized her own heart was racing just as quickly.
She looked up.
Darian was gazing at her.
This time, the teasing smile was gone.
His golden eyes remained fixed on hers.
Then, they slowly drifted down to her lips.
Lily’s breathing slowed.
Darian’s hand was still on her waist.
His fingers radiated warmth through the thin fabric of her dress.
Lily knew she should pull away.
But she didn’t.
Darian leaned in slightly.
The distance between them narrowed.
Rosa’s voice echoed in her mind.
Lily.
Lily pulled back as if waking from a dream.
Darian’s hand dropped from her waist.
“Your wound.”
That small smile reappeared on Darian’s lips.
“What about it?”
“You need to rest.”
“You weren’t saying that a second ago.”
“I wasn’t speaking a second ago.”
“True.”
Lily turned away.
She hid the smile forming on her lips.
“Come.”
“Where to?” “If you stay here, you’ll start bleeding again by morning.”
Darian began walking behind her.
“Does that mean you’re worried about me?”
“No.”
“You’re lying.”
Lily didn’t answer.
“Does your face change when you lie?”
Lily stopped abruptly.
Darian nearly bumped into her.
“What?”
Darian looked innocent.
“I didn’t say anything.”
Lily started walking again.
Rosa was laughing in her mind.
*I really liked him.*
“You like everyone too quickly.”
*No.*
“You wanted to bite him just a moment ago.”
*I changed my mind.*
“Your opinions aren’t reliable.”
*Are yours any more reliable?*
Lily didn’t answer.
Because she remembered how, just minutes ago, she hadn’t pulled away when Darian leaned in close.
Three days.
She was staying for only three days.
She wouldn’t let a man’s smile change anything.
⸻
Late into the night, they found a small cave.
Lily lit a fire.
Darian leaned against the wall.
“Who are you, really?”
Lily’s hands paused.
“I’m not answering that question tonight.”
“Tomorrow?”
“Maybe.”
Darian smiled.
“So, you’re with me tomorrow, too.”
Lily looked at him.
“I’m going to check your wound.”
“Sure.”
“I don’t like that look on your face.”
“What kind of look?”
“Like you think you’ve won.”
Darian rested his head against the wall.
“Not yet.”
Lily asked, despite herself:
“Not yet?”
Darian looked at her. Golden eyes looked darker in the firelight.
“Goodnight, Lily.”
Lily waited a few seconds.
Then she moved to her own side.
“Goodnight, Darian.”
After a while, Darian’s breathing slowed.
He had fallen asleep.
But Lily couldn’t sleep.
She looked at her from across the fire.
Rosa was silent.
Finally, Lily said:
“What?”
I didn’t say anything.
“But you’re thinking.”
I could say the same to you.
Lily pulled her knees to her chest.
“Only three days.”
Yes.
“We’ll find the stone and come back.”
Yes.
“I won’t see him again.”
Rosa didn’t answer this time.
Lily lifted her head and looked at the Moon visible from the cave entrance.
The promise she had made to herself was very simple.
Three days.
The mission.
The return.
Nothing else.
Then her eyes drifted back to Darian.
The mocking expression on his face had vanished while he slept.
He looked younger.
More vulnerable.
Lily watched him for a few seconds.
Then she quickly turned her head away.
“Nothing else.”
Rosa’s voice sounded quite amused this time.
Sure.
Lily closed her eyes.
But the last thing on her mind before falling asleep wasn’t the Moonstone.
It wasn’t Elowen.
It wasn’t his job.
He was a black wolf with golden eyes.And though Lily didn’t know it yet, one of the promises she had made on her first night on Earth had already begun to crack.
