Prologue

"Verity, my dear," she said, her voice low and gentle, "do remember that. It is imperative that your mate be a Lycan," the mother spoke with a tinge of sorrow lacing her words. The woman's voice carried a hint of melancholy, yet her tone was unwavering.

With a grave expression etched upon her face, she spoke with a sense of urgency. "Do not venture down the path that I have taken, no matter the cost," she warned, her words carrying a weighty emphasis. The mother seemed frail and somewhat fragile due to her thin frame. She appeared as if she may be taken from them at any time.

Verity, a young girl of twelve, stood there in stunned silence, her mother's words leaving her utterly speechless. She offered a silent nod, her voice seemingly lost in the moment. The girl's face was awash with tears, her grip on her mother's hands unyielding.

The year prior had been a tumultuous one, marked by the devastating departure of her dear father. And now, as if by some cruel twist of fate, her mother's days were also numbered, drawing ever closer to their inevitable end. She stood there, solitary and forsaken, with nothing but the piercing gaze of judgmental eyes to keep her company.

Her mother's voice was a soothing balm, as she whispered to her beloved daughter, "Always remember, my dear. No matter the difficulties that may come your way, it is essential that you prioritize your own well-being above all else. It is advised to take a lycan as your life mate if you want an easy and comfortable existence," Her mother's voice was soft and gentle as she spoke, "My dear, I implore you not to make the same mistake I did. Learn from my experience and avoid it at all costs."

Her life was a never-ending battle, fraught with challenges at every turn. Her mother had made a fateful decision to choose a human father over a lycan, a being of superior strength and power, for their family. This choice had far-reaching consequences that would shape her destiny in ways she could never have imagined.

The child's voice quivered as she pleaded with her mother. "Mama," she implored, "I beseech you to refrain from uttering such words." The young girl's voice was filled with desperation as she pleaded with her mother. "Mama, please," she said, her eyes wide with longing.

The young girl's eyes were filled with desperation as she pleaded with her mother, her voice trembling with urgency. The grip of solitude's fear was tight around her, making it impossible for her to even fathom the idea of being alone.

The elderly woman, the head of the family, moved her head in a gradual, deliberate motion, her countenance betraying a feeling of disillusionment. Her lips parted, and a raspy cough escaped, shattering the tense silence that had settled over the room.

With a heavy heart, she spoke the name of her dearest friend. "Verity," she began, her voice soft and pained, "you are well aware that my time is limited." Her mother's voice was soft and reassuring, even as defeat loomed over them. "I have faith in your ability to handle any situation," she said, her smile kind and unwavering. The girl's eyes were awash with tears, cascading down her cheeks like a waterfall, as her mother imparted the knowledge of survival upon her.

As she stood there, her eyes fixated on her mother's frail and feeble form, she realized that not even a glimmer of happiness could be summoned within her. The hues of the world had faded away, leaving her with a desolate and uncertain tomorrow.

Verity felt the weight of solitude bearing down on her as she navigated through a world teeming with people who were all too eager to pass judgement and engage in frivolous gossip about her. She found herself in a state of utter confusion, unsure of how to bear the same struggles that her mother had once endured.

Verity's mother gently cautioned her to stay away from Alpha Astadel. It was said that meeting his gaze was a grave mistake, one that could bring about dire consequences. The mere act of locking eyes with him was enough to incur his wrath, a force to be reckoned with. It was a well-known fact that one must never dare to meet his gaze, lest they invite trouble upon themselves. 

"If destiny should bring you into his path, run as fast as you can and don't look back." Verity's mother's voice trembled with fear as she warned her daughter of the dangers that lurked in the shadows especially Alpha Astadel. 

"Beware of the cold-hearted murderer," she whispered, her eyes darting nervously around the room. "He is a lycan, with no empathy for humans. He preys on the innocent and shows no mercy." Verity could feel her mother's concern for her safety, and she promised to be careful as she ventured out into the night.

The mother let out another cough, her hand reflexively moving to prevent her mouth. With a delicate movement, she unfurled her fingers, revealing a telltale mark of deep red. It was a clear indication of the blood that had trickled from her mouth, leaving a stain on her palm.

"Mama!" The young girl's heart was heavy with grief as she let out a mournful cry. She hastily caressed her mother's hand, her fingers trembling as they traced the familiar contours.

Pressing her lips against her mother's hand, she whispered a silent prayer, hoping that her mother could hear her from beyond the veil. The mother's delicate touch came to a halt as she intercepted her daughter's hand, shaking her head in a gesture of disapproval.

"Verity, there is no need to trouble yourself," she said, waving her hand in a dismissive manner. The wise words of Mama were always at the forefront of their mind. "Promise me, Verity," she implored, her gaze scanning hers for any hint of reluctance.

She looked up at him with pleading eyes and whispered, "Please, make me a promise." The mother's hands trembled as she clasped her daughter's shoulders, her eyes brimming with tears. "Please," she pleaded, her voice barely above a whisper. Verity's face was awash with tears, each droplet tracing a path down her cheeks.

With a confident tone, the girl replied, "I promise, Mama."

The woman's eyes sparkled with warmth as she gazed upon her daughter, her lips curving upward in a gentle smile as she listened intently to the young girl's response. With a tender touch, the mother delicately arranged her child's locks, smoothing each strand with utmost care.

With a gentle touch, she leaned in and pressed her lips against the child's rosy cheeks and soft forehead, leaving behind a trail of tender kisses.

The mother reclined on her bed, sinking into the softness of the mattress, and cast her eyes upward to the ceiling. The plaster above was pockmarked with a constellation of holes, each one a testament to the passage of time and the wear and tear of daily life. She shut her eyes with a calculated sluggishness.

With a long, deep breath, she drew in the crisp autumn air, savoring the scent of fallen leaves and the promise of change. A small smile graced her lips, a subtle expression of contentment that belied the weight of responsibility she had carried for so long.

The child was now capable of fending for herself, and though it was bittersweet to let go, she knew it was time.

At that precise moment, a piercing cry echoed throughout the boundless expanse of the wild, untamed land. The air was filled with mournful cries that seemed to pierce through the night. They grew in intensity, reaching a crescendo that echoed through the empty streets. The sound was haunting, as if it was coming from a place beyond this world. And then, just as suddenly as it had started, the cries began to fade away, leaving behind an eerie silence that hung in the air like a heavy fog.

Verity stood by her mother's side for three long days, her unwavering presence a testament to the depth of her love and devotion. She refused to leave her mother's bedside, even for a moment, as if her very presence could somehow heal the woman who had given her life. Verity's eyes never left her mother's face, watching for any sign of improvement or change.

She spoke softly to her mother, telling her stories of their life together, of happy memories and moments of laughter. And through it all, Verity remained steadfast, determined to see her mother through this difficult time.

Verity stood resolute as the time arrived to bid her beloved mother farewell. She approached the task with a quiet determination, refusing any aid in this solemn duty.