Chopter 162
Chapter 162
ELENA
+26 BONUS
There was something timeless about the way twilight draped over Moonstone, blurring the edges of old stone walls and new laughter, Children darted through the shadows like fireflies, some already clutching small scrolls, others bouncing with anticipation near the Lama’s makeshift game table—an ornate stand piled high with parchment, ribbons, and silver moon–shaped tokens.
The crowd had shifted into a wide semicircle, forming a natural ring around the lawn Torches lined the perimeter, casting flickering amber light on excited faces. My mother stood at the center of it all, commanding the space with the case of someone who had orchestrated a hundred of these nights.
She clapped her hands once, sharp and clear. “Children of Moonstone and visiting friends,” she added with a wink, “our Moonbinding scavenger hunt begins now!”
A cheer went up.
“You’ve each received your first clue,” she continued. “Solve it, and you’ll find your second. There are five total. The first team to finish wins a prize fit for a young Alpha.”
Alden squeezed Derek’s hand tightly, practically vibrating
“And remember,” my mother said, smiling, “you each have an adult helper. They can carry things, hold flashlights, and keep you safe–but no solving clues for you. This is your hunt.”
The children scattered like leaves in the wind.
“First clue,” Aiden read aloud as he and Derek ducked into the crowd. ““To find the start, go where wolves go, to sharpen teeth and strike a blow.“” He looked up. “The training ring!”
Derek grinned. “Let’s go.
They took off, and I followed slowly, letting them get a head start. From a distance, I could watch them–Derek carrying Aiden’s clue scroll and a tiny burlap bag to hold items, Aiden leading the charge, pointing at every landmark like a general issuing orders.
They moved with ease around each other, Derek stepping aside when Aiden wanted to sprint ahead, catching him when he stumbled, letting him figure out each riddle but gently redirecting when needed. It was–honestly- adorable.
And then came the tantrum.
Aiden came in second. Second out of twenty–three kids.
And he was furious.
“This isn’t fair!” he shouted, arms crossed. “We solved them so fast! That last one was hidden under the elderberry bush, and nobody would’ve thought of that except me!”
Derek crouched beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. “Hey,” he said firmly. “Look at me.”
རྦ ༤
Aiden did, red–cheeked and scowling
“You did amazing. Seriously. I don’t think anyone’s found a Moonstone clue that fast in years.”
But-
Chapter 162
+25 BONUS
“But you didn’t win. And that’s okay.”
Aiden huffed. “But I should have.
Derek raised an eyebrow. “You’re allowed to be disappointed. But you’re not allowed to be disrespectful. Got it?”
Aiden looked down, chewing his lip.
ou win?”
“Come on,” Derek added, softer now. “What’s the point of doing something fun if it only matters when you
I saw my father watching them, arms folded. Not sternlyst observing. And when Aiden finally nodded and uncrossed his arms, Derek ruffled his hair and said, “Let’s go find your mom and get you some moon ple.”
Aiden trotted off ahead.
My father stepped beside me. “He’s good with him.”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“And firm,” my father added. “That’s rare.”
I didn’t respond. I didn’t need to.
The moment spoke for itself.
By the time the last kid crossed the finish line, the adults were raring to go. The lawn glowed with lantern light, and laughter rolled through the crowd like a tide. Some wolves were already shifting for the moonlight run, but most were waiting for what came next.
My mother stepped up again, hands raised. “And now… the traditional scavenger hunt.”
Cheers and groans erupted in equal measure.
“That’s right,” she said with a mischievous grin. “You must participate. No excuses.”
More laughter.
She pulled out a dark velvet sack and held it aloft. “Inside are the names of every adult present. One name per strip. We’ll draw pairs at random. The hunt begins in ten minutes. Finish quickly–or be prepared to face the consequences.”
A collective gasp. Someone shouted, “Tell us what the punishment is!”
“Nope!” she called back. “That’s part of the fun.”
I joined the line of participants and reached into the bag. My fingers brushed parchment, curled and stiff. I pulled one out, unrolling it slowly..
Derek King
I froze.
When I looked up, he was across the lawn, casually waiting to see if he needed to take a turn.
We met eyes.
He smiled, crooked and surprised
Chapter 162
Oh, Moon Goddess.
Looks like we’re a team,” he said, walking over.
“Try not to slow me down,” I said, slipping the parchment into my pocket.
He held up his hands. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
+25 BONUS
We were handed our first clue by a grinning eller and a burlap sack much like the ones the kids had used.
Item–based?” I asked.
“Items, riddles, and two photo clues,” the elder confirmed “And one team challenge.”
Derek glanced down at the list. “We can do this.”
The first clue was a poem:
“Where fire meets moon and stories flow,
Find the stone that glows below.
Mark the words, then make your way,
To where the elders come to play.”
I grinned. “The storyteller’s ring”
We raced down the path, dodging lantern poles and startled guests. At the fire ring, we found a small silver rock with a word etched into it: Loyalty.
The next clue was under the stone, leading us to the elder’s tea garden where we had to retrieve a packet of dried moonflower petals.
“Careful,” I said, crouching to snatch one.
“I’m not touching anything,” Derek said. “You’re clearly the expert.”
We hit every challenge with surprising ease–riddles hidden under chairs, clues pinned to the tail of a carved wooden wolf, a moon–glazed crystal hidden inside a hollow tree near the sparring ground. Derek carried the sack while I sprinted ahead, then we switched.
At one point, we had to pose in front of the old well for a ‘lunar bond‘ photo–me holding a polished stone while Derek acted out a dramatic moonlit proposal. I laughed so hard I nearly dropped the clue in the well.
“We make a decent team,” he said as we climbed the final ridge toward the finish line.
“I hate how true that is.”
“Rude,” he said, and I chuckled.
We burst through the last checkpoint, laughing and breathless.
Only to find… no one there.
The table was empty.
Chapter 152
+25 BONUS
The torches had been lowered.
And a large painted sign now stood in the middle of the staging area:
“WELCOME, LAST PLACE TEAM,”
My mouth fell open.
Derek blinked. “Are you kidding me?
“How did –? We were flying through those clues!”
Behind us, someone let out a delighted cackle. My mother.
She stepped forward with the grace of a queen and the wicked glee of a prankster. “You two certainly committed to the journey. So committed, in fact, that every other team arrived fifteen minutes ago.”
I groaned. “What’s the punishment?”
“Oh no spoilers,” she said, grinning ear to ear. “But let’s just say…it’s going to involve music. And performance. And possibly the garden fountain.”
Derek raised an eyebrow. “That sounds…public.
“Oh, it will be.”
A drumbeat echoed behind us.
And a crowd began to gather.
