Axel's eyes suddenly turned wild and unhinged, her pupils dilating as she gazed at the scepter in her hand. She raised it up, her arm trembling with an otherworldly energy, and a black smoke erupted from the scepter, striking the nearby Alphas.The air was filled with the sound of screams and groans as the Alphas fell to the ground, unconscious. The room descended into chaos, with pack members running for the doors, desperate to escape the madness that had consumed Axel.Alpha Kieran, Axel's mate, shouted for help, his voice hoarse with desperation. "Someone, please! Help her!" he cried, his eyes fixed on Axel in horror.Axel's feet lifted off the ground, her body suspended in mid-air as she continued to channel the dark energy of the scepter. Malcolm, Thane, and Attila approached her cautiously, their eyes fixed on the scepter as if it was a snake that might strike at any moment.River, who had been watching the scene unfold, quickly removed her Luminari chain and pointed the pendant
River Ravenwood wiped tears and snoot from her face. It was her twenty-first birthday as a wolfless wolf. She had spent the previous night in the forest, under the full moon, begging the Moon Goddess for a wolf, all to no avail. Now with swollen eyes, she stared at the mirror, envisioning her hopeless future as a wolfless first daughter of the pack’s alpha.Suddenly, the door of her room burst open without warning and River quickly sat up on the bed. Her step mother, Cecilia strutted in, with Lily, her nineteen year old daughter.“It’s your twenty-first birthday River. Did you get your wolf?” Cecilia asked.Before River could answer, Lily moved to River’s bed and yanked the cover off her. She checked River’s body, chest, arm, thigh and hair. Lily hissed and shook her head.“No wolf, Mother.”“You never cease to disappoint me, River.” Cecilia said in a triumphant tone.River bowed her head in shame as she awaited more insults from her stepmother.“I had my suspicions about you before,
River quickly freshened up and put on her favorite dress, its blue patterns matched her eyes. She rushed down to the throne room where her father usually hosts guests. Nothing seemed out of place until her eyes landed on a stranger sitting beside her father.“What took you so long, River? Come closer.” Cecilia, her step mother, rushed up to meet the hesitating River, whose steps had faltered as she looked at the seventy year old wolf, on the right side of her father. She wondered if he was the one they wanted her to marry.“Come sit here, Daughter.” Her father, Alpha Raymond, lovingly beckoned to her as he patted the seat to his left. River started sweating, her heart in her mouth, she felt like fainting but willed herself against it. Something was terribly wrong. Her father had never called her daughter in public, he definitely had never have her sit beside him. Was she being sold? She tightened her fists, swallowed hard and focused on her father, as she quickly obliged.“River, gree
Thane Thunderhoof, successor of the Lunar Pack, sat within his room staring at the moonlight filtering through his window. The outside world was once his battleground. He had been the perfect warrior: strong, fast, ruthless. Now, his legs, shattered by a brutal rogue battle, were glued to a wheelchair. His pride was gone, his confidence gone, his strength gone.This once mighty warrior, the future Alpha of the Lunar Pack, was no more than a ghost of what he used to be: broken and useless, he felt. The future of his pack seemed so bleak. The rogues; those no-good, damned creatures, were once more on the rise. It wasn't the pain of the wounds that troubled him.; it was the pain of abandonment and helplessness that was tearing at his heart.Axel was a fated mate who had left him for dead in that loneliest cold corner of his mind, and now everything associated, even with the memories of their love, was bitter, taunting remarks as far as his frailty was concerned.“What's the point of bei
“Is this a joke or a mockery? Why did nobody tell me you’re wolfless?”Thane growled at River, his red hair standing on end, his grey eyes turned yellow as his wolf strived to come out.“No wonder, I could not smell you. You really are wolfless?”Enthralled by Thane’s bright red hair and his eyes that changed colors, River was giddy at his beauty, showing even in his anger and in spite of his disability. Her heart melted a little more at the sound of his voice, though angry, it was music to her ears.“I will call off this insulting alliance.” Thane declared.River placed her hand on his and smiled at him.“Your father said you don’t need an energetic mate presently, just a good companion. How about we try out this companionship for some time? If it doesn’t work, we can always nullify the alliance. I can run away to the capital, if it will make you happy.” River suggested, determined to stay in Lunar pack and unravel the mystery of her lineage. There was a task waiting for her, which s
River put her worries aside and went to the dining room. It was a quiet, wordless breakfast where neither of them spoke much, only occasional politeness and response to Thane’s father, who ate with them. Afterward, River went outside, walking in the garden. The air was brisk that morning, full of flowers and the earthly smell of wet soil. Peaceful, a contrast to the turmoil in her head. She needed space; a space to think, to breathe, and figure out what was to come.Outside, the walk into the garden was suddenly a blur of flowers and trees and sunshine, but her mind weaved its way back to what was found in the attic: old journals, books, and letters, her mother's, written before she died. River had been too young when her mother died, and she remembered little, only whispers, rumors: most from her father and her stepmother, Cecilia.They told her that her mother was a healer, a Luminari, but from the manner in which they spoke, it would have seemed as if she was some sort of mistake t
Thane slumped in his cushioned chair, surrounded by the familiar walls of his room. The window's gentle sunlight streamed in, highlighting his confinement and mocking his lost freedom. His gaze drifted to his legs, once strong and sure, now limp and useless.He had dreamt of Axel again, his first love and fated mate. in his dream, they were hunting together under the full moon, they snuggled and kissed as they chased their prey, shifting from wolf to human forms and back again. Thane wished he never woke up from the dream.How could Axel leave him, when he needed her most? Didn't their bond mean anything?He recalled their first hunt together, their first kiss under the full moon. The memories now taunted him, a bittersweet reminder of what he'd lose.Thane's thoughts darkened. What if he couldn't recover? What if he was stuck in this wheelchair forever?Axel's words echoed in his mind: "I don't know if I can see my future with a mate in a wheelchair."Was he no longer worthy of love?
“Young Alpha?” Thane heard the hesitant voice of his maid, Zara. Theresa got up and patted Thane on the shoulder. “I just returned from Bloomberry pack. I will go freshen up and give Father the reports. Be good, Brother.” Thane nodded as Theresa opened the door and went out of the room, letting in the hesitant Zara. Zara, his loyal maid, attended to his needs, her gentle touch a comforting solace. To take his mind off his troubles, he decided to chat with the maid. “Zara, how are things in the pack?” He asked. Zara hesitated, not knowing how much of the activities going on to talk about, in order not to worry her master. “Normal daily pack life, Young Alpha.” She eventually replied. “Give me the details.” Thane insisted. “Ryker trains the warriors every day. The guards go on patrol, the tutors train the pups. They are preparing for another age group rite of passage.” Zara concluded. That pained Thane. He was the one in charge of decisions on such things. Normally, he would
Axel's eyes suddenly turned wild and unhinged, her pupils dilating as she gazed at the scepter in her hand. She raised it up, her arm trembling with an otherworldly energy, and a black smoke erupted from the scepter, striking the nearby Alphas.The air was filled with the sound of screams and groans as the Alphas fell to the ground, unconscious. The room descended into chaos, with pack members running for the doors, desperate to escape the madness that had consumed Axel.Alpha Kieran, Axel's mate, shouted for help, his voice hoarse with desperation. "Someone, please! Help her!" he cried, his eyes fixed on Axel in horror.Axel's feet lifted off the ground, her body suspended in mid-air as she continued to channel the dark energy of the scepter. Malcolm, Thane, and Attila approached her cautiously, their eyes fixed on the scepter as if it was a snake that might strike at any moment.River, who had been watching the scene unfold, quickly removed her Luminari chain and pointed the pendant
As they arrived at the Council chambers, Zara couldn't help but feel a sense of awe at the grandeur of the setting. The Council met in a central location that connected all the boundaries of the 7 packs, a neutral ground that was revered by all.The chamber itself was a large, circular room with a high, domed ceiling. The walls were made of a gleaming white stone that seemed to absorb the light, giving the room an ethereal glow. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and parchment, a reminder of the countless meetings and decisions that had taken place within these walls.At the center of the room, a large, ornate table stood, surrounded by seven chairs, each one representing one of the packs. The chairs were arranged in a semi-circle, with the chair of the Council leader, Alpha Gavin, at the center.Gavin, the oldest alpha of the region, sat in his chair, his eyes piercing and wise. His silver hair was long and flowing, and his face was etched with deep lines, a testament to hi
Attila smiled, and Zara's heart melted. She couldn't believe that he was asking her to accompany him. As they walked together, Zara stole glances at Attila. She had always admired him from afar, but being close to him like this made her feel like she was walking on air.Attila, too, couldn't help but notice Zara. He had seen her devotion to the family, the way she worked tirelessly to ensure their comfort and happiness. He had also seen the way she assisted River in treating his mother, and how she had helped to nurse her back to health. Her kindness and compassion had touched his heart, and he had found himself drawn to her more and more with each passing day.But Attila had been reluctant to approach her. His past was sordid, and he was a child of Malcolm born out of wedlock. He didn't feel worthy of someone as pure and kind as Zara. Yet, as he walked beside her, he couldn't help but feel a sense of connection, a sense of belonging.As they approached the Council's chambers, Attila
Alpha Thane’s maid, Zara, saw as the family hurried into the carriage and headed towards the Council chamber. She caught up with Beta Ryker just as he mounted his horse.“Beta Ryker, what is happening? Where is everybody going? Do I need to prepare something?”Ryker stopped his ever horse from trotting and answered Zara.“It’s about Axel and the scepter she snatched from us. Our alpha has been summoned along with other alphas to sit on the case. Alpha Thane and Luna River already went ahead.”Zara nodded in understanding and was about to wave Ryker goodbye when something occurred to her.“Atilla is part of the alpha family, should he be informed?”“Yes. I totally forgot. Tell Atilla to join us at the meeting. His witness is of utmost importance.” Ryker told her.Zara hurried through the pack house, her heart skipped a beat at the thought of seeing Attila. She had been crushing on him for what felt like an eternity, and every time she saw him, her emotions went into overdrive.She foun
The old priest, Arin, spoke up, his voice filled with a sense of reverence. "Yes, Alpha Thane is correct," Arin said, his eyes shining with a sense of wonder. "The prophecy speaks of a great leader, one who will unite our people and bring peace to our kingdom. And it is said that this leader will be chosen by the Moon Goddess herself, and that he will wield the power of the Sacred Scepter."Arin paused, his eyes closed as if in reverence. Then, he spoke, his voice filled with a sense of awe."'When the moon is full and the stars align,A leader will rise, with power divine.A Luminari mate besides;He will wield the scepter, as the right owner;And unite our people, forever to last.'"The elders nodded, their faces filled with a sense of wonder and awe. They knew that the prophecy was ancient, passed down through generations of Lycans. And they knew that Thane was the chosen one, the leader destined to fulfill the prophecy.Thane's eyes shone with a sense of determination, his jaw cle
The morning sun cast a warm glow over the pack house as Thane gathered the pack elders in the grand hall. The air was thick with anticipation, and the elders' faces were etched with concern as they took their seats.Thane stood before them, his eyes scanning the room as he began to speak. "Elders, I've called this meeting to inform you of a matter of great importance. It's about the Sacred Scepter."The room fell silent, and the elders leaned forward, their ears perked up in interest."As some of you may know, our Luna, River discovered an ancient map that supposedly led to the scepter's location," Thane continued. "My father, Malcolm, and my sister, Theresa, embarked on an expedition to find it. They were successful in locating the scepter, but unfortunately, Axel and her followers ambushed them, stealing the scepter and escaping."Thane's voice grew darker, his eyes flashing with anger. "As we speak the scepter is still in Axel's possession."The room erupted into a chorus of gasps
River's eyes sparkled with intensity as she leaned in closer to Thane, their voices hushed in the darkness of their chamber. The flickering candles cast eerie shadows on the walls, but River's gaze remained fixed on Thane's, her expression unwavering."I'm telling you, Thane, Lunos is sensing something," River said, her voice low and urgent. "He's been stirring within me, restless and agitated. I think he's trying to tell us something."Thane's brow furrowed, his eyes narrowing as he concentrated. Suddenly, a low, rumbling growl emanated from within him, and Lunos, his wolf, stirred to life."Ah, Lunos is waking up," Thane said, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "Let's see what he has to say."As Lunos's presence grew stronger, Thane's eyes seemed to gleam with an inner light, and his voice took on a slightly rougher, more primal tone."Lunos says that Selene is stirring too," Thane said, his words barely above a whisper. "She's sensing something, a disturbance in the balance of
Not long after the weddings, Thane lay awake, his mind racing with thoughts and concerns. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was off, that there was a lingering threat to his pack and his kingdom. He tossed and turned, his restlessness disturbing the peaceful slumber of his mate, River.River stirred, her eyes fluttering open as she sensed Thane's troubles. She reached out, her hand finding his in the darkness. "What's wrong, my love?" she asked, her voice soft and soothing.Thane sighed, his chest rising and falling with a deep breath. "I don't know," he admitted. "I just feel... uneasy. Like there's something out there, waiting for us."River's grip on his hand tightened. "We'll face it together," she said. "Whatever it is, we'll confront it as a team."Thane smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards his mate. She was always there for him, always ready to offer her support and guidance.As they lay there, River's mind began to wander back to the prophecy she had learned
Meanwhile, Malcolm was rediscovering his love for Ayla. He had never forgotten her, and now that she was back in his life, he realized that his feelings for her had never gone away.As they spent more time together, Malcolm and Ayla's relationship blossomed. They would take long walks together, talking and laughing, and Malcolm would look at Ayla with eyes that shone with love and adoration.Finally, one day, Malcolm took Ayla to the same spot where they had first met. He got down on one knee, pulled out a small box, and asked Ayla to marry him.Ayla was overwhelmed with emotion. She had never thought that she would be happy again, but now, as she looked at Malcolm, she knew that she had found her true mate."Yes, yes, a million times yes!" she exclaimed, tears of joy streaming down her face.Malcolm grinned, relief and happiness washing over him. He slid the ring onto Ayla's finger, and they shared a long, passionate kiss.Their wedding was a beautiful, joyous occasion. The entire pa