SIX MONTHS EARLIER.
The air in the clearing was filled with anticipation as werewolves-male and female, alphas and omegas, from different packs, far and beyond, - all gathered as one, chanting and screaming, eager to witness the battle of Alpha supremacy.
The Lycan Trial, fought under the light of the full moon, promised the arrival of a new Lycan king that will continue to strengthen and protect the years’ long bond between packs of the West region.
Velkan of the Goda pack, stood at the edge of the window, awaiting the rise of the full moon to seal his fate. It wasn’t supposed to be like this, he thought, glaring down at the clearing. His dead father had been the Lycan king, loved and most importantly feared by all. His older brother was supposed to be in line for the position but he too had died on that fateful night, leaving him now , to have to fight and prove he was worthy of the position.
“If I didn’t know better, I would have said you were nervous.” He turned to the voice. Aiden, he smirked. The only person apart from his mother that he felt he had left in the world.
“Nervous? Ha. I’m just angry I have to prove to these mutts that I am their king.” He answered. “I mean, I have the blood of Lycaon flowing through my veins.”
“There is the cocky bastard. You know, Ryder is one of the best Gammas in the West regions. He might put up a real fight.”
Velkan laughed. “That is because of the Elder’s Clan. They so badly wanted this trial to happen. Gives them something to be excited about.”
The position of Lycan king had been passed from Alphas to their first-born sons in the Goda pack for hundreds of years. Following the death of his brother, the Lunar trial had been proposed to pick a new one but nobody had dared to contest, so, the elders had presented Ryder from the Farkas pack.
“I’m surprised they hadn’t picked the Alpha of…” The loud cry of the blow horn cut him off.
Velkan walked to the shelf in the room, picked up the gin he had left brewing and raised a toast to Aiden. “It’s time. After three strikes of Ryder’s blood, we celebrate.” He drank it and walked out with Aiden following.
****
“I haven’t seen this much wolves in one place.”
“Well, the trial doesn’t happen often.”
“Yeah, the last one was over 400 years ago.”
“I hope Ryder wins, He is strong.”
“For a warrior, yes. But Velkan is trained for this.”
Velkan smiled at the comments from the spectators, as he climbed unto the clearing and transformed into his wolf, Rex, a towering figure with silvery fur that glittered in the moon lights. Yes, he was trained for this, but he would have preferred to have his brother here, in the presence of their father and pack members, being crowned the new Lycan king.
Ryder, his opponent, a lean looking wolf, known for his fast pace and sharp claws climbed onto the clearing. “Your Highness,” Ryder lowered his head to him. “May the best wolf win.”
Without warning, Ryder lunged at Velkan, pushing him to the far end of the clearing, causing an uproar in the crowds. It’s on, Velkan thought as he struck out his front paw, claws sharp across Ryder’s face, making him bleed. Strike one. Ryder loosened his hold on him, so he pushed back against him.
The two wolves circled each other. Ryder howled and lunged but Velkan dodged to the side, leaving him with the opportunity to swipe claws on Ryder’s side drawing blood again. Strike two, this was too easy, he thought, third strike and this fight will be over. They tumbled on the floor, claws clashing when Ryder used his fangs to sink into Velkan’s side, tearing off his flesh. He pushed him off, whimpering in pain on the floor.
Ryder howled and Velkan looked into his eyes. They were red, almost blood like. Something was wrong, he thought. The trial rarely ended in death, but as Ryder circled him, he feared for his life. When Ryder lunged for his neck and sank claws deep, he could hear him clearly in his head say, “Time for you to join your dead father.”
The crowd screamed in excitement as Velkan fought for his life. He tried to fight off Ryder but felt his spirit dying. How could this be? He has been in worse positions. A scent caught his nose and he realized, Ryder has stained his claws with wolfbane and was chanting in the old tongue while choking him.
It was now or never.
He gathered sand from the ground and threw into Ryder’s eyes, causing him to fall back, losing his grip. Staggering, he lunged unto Ryder, striking him for the third time, drawing blood. He rolled off him and stood, still in pain from the wolf bane.
The crowd erupted in cheer for Velkan’s win, but Ryder, half blind screamed as if possessed and lunged for Velkan again, but he dodged, causing Ryder to go over the edge of the clearing, falling to his death.
The energetic crowd went silent, a few gasps here and there, everyone shocked at the turn of events.
An elderly woman climbed unto the clearing, joined by two men who looked just as old as her. “Today, we have witnessed a display of power and supremacy, as is the purpose of the Lycan Trial.” said the old woman, her voice very loud.
She walked to Velkan who had changed to his human form and raised his left hand to the sky. “Under the light of the full moon, Under the blessing of the Moon Goddess,” A bowl with red substance was presented to her by one of the men by her side. She placed a finger in it and rubbed on Velkan’s forehead. “I, Hati, Elder of the West Region crown you Velkan, Lycan King.”
The silent crowd erupted, clapping and blowing horns in celebration, obviously neglecting that they had all just witnessed the death of one of their own.
“Velkan, Oh, Velkan. I knew you could do it.” His mother, Leia, rushed to him. Velkan fell to the ground, his body reacting to the wolfbane flowing in his vein. “Velkan, Vee, Velkan, are you….” His mother’s concerned voice was the last thing he heard as he faded into the darkness.
“Ohh, this is so exciting. My friend is going to be the new Lycan Luna. Haaaa.” Anna squealed with delight, knocking over a glass of wine. “Oops, sorry.” She murmured when Mia, the Alpha’s daughter of Montana Pack, eyed her. “Where is your maid when you need her?” Anna looked towards the door.“I haven’t been selected yet, Anna. And she went out to get my dresses.” The door creaked open. “There she is.”Chanda, Omega to the Alpha daughter, walked in trying to balance the pile of dresses on one hand and a box of jewelries on the other. “My princess, your dresses as you requested. Also, Alpha sent these jewelries for you.” She moved to drop the dresses on the bed when she slipped on the spilled liquid.Clothes and jewelries flew in different directions. Just my luck, she thought as her bottom landed on the floor and she braced for the rain of insults from the ladies, especially Anna.“Oh, pray me, you are so clumsy and blind now too, it seems.” Anna yelled.“Let her be. Chanda, pick the
It was a long journey to the Goda pack but Chanda was in an utmost state of bliss. She stuck her head out the window of the car, letting the fresh breeze wash over her face as she admired the dusty roads and beautiful mountain tops. They drove past lakes and fields while she imagined herself running out the car, heading straight for the fields, never having to think of going back to the Montana pack.“Close that window, omega. Mia is going to catch an illness from all that dust.” Sera said, spoiling her daydream.“Yes, my lady.” She responded.The car came to a halt at the front of a checkpoint and they were approached by men dressed like guards. Sera held up a card and announced proudly, “I am Sera, Luna of The Montana pack and that’s my daughter, Mia. We are here for the Luna Ritual.”“Who’s the red haired?” He asked pointing at Chanda.“Oh, a nobody. Don’t mind her presence. She is my daughter’s personal servant.” Chanda sighed at the description, Sera sure knew how to make her fee
The morning sun shining through the window felt like burning fire on Chanda’s face as she tried to use her hand to somehow block the headache she was waking up to. She knew she needed to get up before her Luna woke up, but the comfort of being wrapped in strong arms was a feeling she was not eager to lose.Wait? Wrapped in strong arms? Her eyes shot open and she looked beside her.She was very naked, wrapped in the arms of a very handsome but very asleep man, in a very strange but very beautiful room.No, no, no, no, this can’t be happening, she thought as questions raced through her mind. Just how much did she drink yesterday? And how did she end up here with this man? Where is Mia? Did she just loose her virginity to a stranger?She moved to get out of the man’s embrace when his eyes shot open. He instantly wrapped his hands around her neck, pinning her to the bed.“Who sent you?” His eyes were fiery red and his grip was hard on her neck.“No... no... no..one.” She choked out.“Why
Every single female wolf dreams of her mating ceremony, when she would marry her mate or at least someone she loves, leave her pack or family and start a new life. Chanda always knew that might never happen for her, being a lowly omega and all. But she never in her life imagined being forced to become the Lycan Queen.She stood naked, in front of a mirror, in the room prepared for her to get ready to wed the Lycan King, staring at her reflection. Bruises were all over her back and arm from the beatings she had gotten from Sera and Velkan.“Chanda?” Mia walked in. “When do you plan on covering up? Everyone’s waiting.” She said.Chanda ran and dropped at her feet. “My Lady, please forgive me. I beg you. I still don’t understand what happened.” She pleaded.Mia stepped away from her. “It’s a really good plan I must say. I’m even surprised my mother didn’t think of it herself. You were always a clever sort.” She walked to the window, staring outside. “I remember I warned you to not make
Chanda stood at the exit of the clearing, behind a tree, watching guests leave after the end of the ceremony. She was hoping to see Mia and speak to her, hoping she can get Mia to listen to her and maybe help her.“I believe the Luna of the Montana pack had something to do with this, I mean, why did she bring a servant here?” An older lady whispered to a younger looking lady, perhaps her daughter. They stood in front of the tree, so they didn’t see Chanda behind them.“But why would she? I heard rumors that The Lycan favored her daughter to be his luna.” The younger lady replied.“Rumors also say that Velkan is evil, see what happened even after Ryder tried to kill him? Maybe she was scared to marry her daughter to him and decided to use the maid instead, as long as her pack becomes the chosen one.”They walked away when a guard signaled to them.Chanda felt like screaming because her heart was heavy. How could people think like that? she wondered, they didn’t even let her say her si
Chanda didn’t think she had tears left in her body to cry anymore.She had cried when Velkan stormed out of the clearing after marking her. She had cried when Mia had walked past her without even glancing her way. She had cried while Sera had rained curses on her for bringing shame to their pack.She had cried herself to sleep on the floor in the Luna’s chamber after Leia had left her.Now, she laid on the floor, hugging herself, wishing this was all a nightmare and her life will go back to normal.‘My Lady!” A young maid opened the door, looked in and rushed when she saw Chanda, laying on the floor. “My Lady. Are you alright? Are you hurt?” She ran her hand over Chanda’s face to see if she was alive.Chanda only whimpered and stared at her in response.“Oh, I need to get the Lycan.” The maid turned to the door.Chanda gripped her arms in fear. “No, no, no. Please. I will get up.” She hurried to her feet, eyes pleading. She looked around the room, sad to see she was still living this
Velkan stormed out of Chanda’s room into the hall way, leaving her on the floor, unconscious. He leaned against the closed door, clutching his arm to his chest, trying to calm himself. “Mate.” His wolf, Rex purred restlessly in his head, clearly eager to go back to Chanda. “She is our mate.” Velkan tugged on his hair strands in an attempt to silence the pleas of his raging wolf.“I must be losing my mind, this can’t be. How can she be our mate? Lycan Kings are cursed to not have a mate.” Velkan insisted.“I don’t know, My Alpha. All I know is that she is our mate.” Rex growled. “You almost killed our mate.”Velkan banged his head repeatedly against the door, groaning in pain. He stopped when he heard an ‘ahem’ sound beside him. Two guards stood at the end of the hall way, staring at his little display.Frustrated that he had been seen in a weak state, he backed away from the door and strode to the guards. “Get the doctor and instruct him to tend to the Luna. Now!” He yelled when
‘It’s been exactly six days’, Chanda thought as she laid on her bed and stared at the ceiling of her room. Six days since she became Velkan’s Luna. Six days since she had come so close to tasting the freedom of death at the hands of Velkan.Six days since she has been waiting in fear of his return.“Rise and shine, my Luna. It’s time!!!” A young maid came into the room, singing at the top of her voice.Chanda got to her feet. “Time for what, Mariam?”Mariam was the new maid that Leia had assigned to her. She was a young teen with a bubbly energy that always amused Chanda.“Time to show the world, the beauty that is the Goda Pack’s Luna.”“Very funny.” Chanda smiled at Mariam and sat back on her bed.“See, I told you. Your smile is really pretty.” Mariam pouted. “Maybe if the Alpha went to bed every night looking at your face, he might actually wake up in a good mood for once. Who knows? he might even fall in love.” Mariam joked.Mariam was a die-hard romantic who believed that Velkan
“My shoulder feels like it’s about to fall off.” Chanda whined as Fang, assisted by a guard, laid her down on a sleeping bag. “It hurts badly.”“Of course, it hurts, you dummy.” Fang lashed at her.“I would go get the doctor.” The guard walked out.“Tell me, Serafina.” Fang started pacing the room. “Was that stunt you pulled part of the plan or have you gone completely nuts?”“Stop yelling at me.” Chanda groaned. “I am in pain and you are making it worse.”“You haven’t seen pain. Thank the goddess, the Lycan didn’t sink that sword deep into your neck.”“Leave me be.” She pleaded. His voice was causing her a headache. “Go away if you won’t help me.”“The doctor is coming.” He said. “But really, how could you do that? Just because you have won a few battles in the training against some of the weak warriors doesn’t mean-”“I have won against you too.” Chanda murmured.“Doesn’t mean,” Fang continued, ignoring her jab. “That you can go challenging the Lycan to a one-on-one match. He could
“Velkan, wait.”Velkan turned back to see his mother, Mia and Sera running after him.“Slow down, Son.” Leia called out to him, but he just fastened his pace. He badly needed a drink to cool his anger. He barged into the house and headed for the bar, taking out a bottle of whiskey, but Mia was fast and she took it from him.“Let me pour you a glass, Alpha.” She smiled. Velkan just nodded and moved aside.“Son, are you okay?” His mother finally appeared beside him.“My lord.” Mia offered him the glass. He downed in a gulp. “Another.” He said, handing the cup to Mia.“No. You shouldn’t drink that much.” Leia took the glass from him. “Come, sit.” She led him to a chair. “Talk to me. Are you okay?”“How would he be?” Sera erupted in anger. “Can you imagine the nerve of that… that female? Daring to challenge her Luna to be, my daughter in front the pack like that?”“Mother.” Mia warned.“It is absurd.” Sera snapped. “Who knows what would have happened if the Lycan hadn’t defended your hon
Chanda stood in the middle of the ring, stalking his every step as Velkan climbed into the ring.“You want to battle the Luna?” Velkan’s voice echoed around them.“Yes, Lycan.” Chanda responded, determined to hold he ground. He wasn’t going intimidate her now. Not when she was so close getting payback. “This competition is meant for we the slaves to show loyalty to Goda. Surely you would except such loyalty from your bride?”“She isn’t as trained as you are.” Velkan stood so close to her. “Would it be a fair fight?”“One would think after your marriage to the late Chanda,” She challenged him. “You would want a brave luna by your side this time around.”Chanda couldn’t explain it, but she could swear his eyes darkened as she mentioned that name. Did he still hate her that much? “Fine.” Velkan whispered and stepped back. “Since this is about proving loyalty and showing bravery, then I will grant your choice of a change of opponent.”Yes. Chanda glanced over to where Mia sat. Payback ti
The adrenaline was high in the camp and around the pack was on the high, as everyone went about in preparation for the events of the day.Chanda too was busy getting ready for her… plan.She was hurdled at the back of the camp, carefully applying the poison she had made on every inch of her sword’s blade. She had waited till the morning of the competition to make it, so as to prevent anyone from accidently using it. That would have been disastrous, since she didn’t bother with making an antidote to the poison.There was no need. Her plan was simple.Most Alphas in the West region train their female children to have simple fighting skills, and Mia had not been exempted from said training. So, Chanda was going to challenge Mia to a duel, and all she had to do was make sure to cut Mia with the blade, ensuring the poison mixes with her blood.Then she would feign defeat and simply wait back for the announcement of the sudden death of the new Luna to be.“I wonder if Velkan would get backl
After spending most of the past few days, listening to talks about how Mia was the perfect Luna for Goda, Chanda was filled with overwhelming anger and burning desire to hurt something. Anything.And only available victim was the poor punching bag she was currently pummeling.“Evil! Evil! Evil.” Chanda repeated while throwing jabs at the bag. “Evil!”“It’s just a punching bag, Serafina.” Mariam sighed from under the tree shade where she was lounging, idly flipping through the pages of a book. “How evil could it possibly be?”“I am just so… Arggh!” Chanda screamed at the top of her lungs.“I can see that. But it’s not just you.” Mariam closed the book and sat upright. “Ever since that witch and her mother moved into the pack, I have felt the urge to squeeze the life out of everything.”Assuming the witch to be Mia, the cause of her despair, Chanda turned her attention fully to Mariam.“Witch, you say?”“She couldn’t even wait for the official announcement of her engagement to the Lyca
“I have only been here for a few days, but I think I am already in love with Goda.” Mia chuckled.“Hmm.” Velkan answered absently, as they strolled around the pack.His mother had insisted he ask Mia to accompany on his daily morning walks. She claimed it will help the pack members get used to seeing her in the pack with him, since he was yet to make an official announcement of their engagement.He thought it was her sneaky ploy to make him spend some alone time with Mia. Mia as always had been delighted to tag along.“The air here is just different. The scenery is breathtaking.” Mia continued her praises on his pack. “The people are friendly and hardworking. You must take great pride in leading them and I am deeply honored to become their Luna. Thank you for accepting me.”“You are welcome.” Velkan responded, pleased with her manner. He didn’t really mind being around Mia. She was pleasant and always said the right things, as if she was born to be a Luna. She was also beautiful.She
Chanda sat on a tree stump, legs crossed watching Fang train and trying so hard to find answers to the question she had plagued herself with all through the night.What kind of wicked game was the moon goddess playing with her?Wasn’t she supposed to find Mia and awaken the Moon powers, so they can defeat Velkan together?Wasn’t that the reason she was brought back to life?Then…“Why? why? Why?” Chanda yelled to the sky.“Okay, that enough.” Fang sat beside her. “I have had it with you. What is going on?”“Everything is wrong.” Chanda cried, burying her face in her hands. “It’s all wrong. I can’t do this anymore. I just can’t.”“Is this about our plan to escape? We haven’t even gotten our positions among the selected warriors yet. There is no need for tears.” Fang rubbed on her back to comfort her. “You are doing very well already. Just work hard to get the spot and I believe we would get out of here together, Serafina.” He lifted her face up to look at him. “So, stop whining already
Velkan hadn’t slept a wink throughout the night. He had been tossing and turning in his bed, as his thoughts had continuously drifted between how much he missed Chanda, Aiden’s last words and surprisingly enough, Serafina.He couldn’t understand what was so intriguing about a mere female rogue wolf, that he felt so drawn to her. Or was he just attracted to the lowest kind of females, like Chanda?He has a beautiful Alpha’s daughter, a true royal blood, throwing herself at him and he had rejected her without a thought, under the pretense of respecting Chanda’s name. But he was almost certain, if Serafina was the one being offered to him, he would not have said no so easily, no matter how much he missed Chanda.That was what bothered him the most.“F***!” Velkan cursed, sitting up on his bed. Even though his room was pitch black, he could tell it was morning as the alarm had been blaring a few minutes ago. The maids should come in any minute now, to prepare his bath and set out his clo
We can’t go in?” Chanda asked with a puzzled look on her face Her excitement was cut short upon getting to the guest house, when Snow instructed them to stop at the front of the gates.“No, you can’t. You two will guard the house from the outside while they,” Snow pointed to the other warriors standing beside him. “Will stand guard from inside the compound.”“But-.”“We can’t afford taking any unnecessary risks now,” He eyed Fang. “Can we?”“But-.” Chanda repeated.“Don’t argue with me on this, Serafina.” Snow shut her down firmly. “I will be on my way.” Snow nodded to them and walked away. The two other guards walked into the compound and shut the door, leaving behind a stunned Chanda and an annoyed Fang outside.Thirty minutes later, and Chanda was still complaining, much to the determent of Fang.“Will you please stop whining?” He groaned.“No!” Chanda slid to the floor. “This is not fair!” She banged on the gates, loudly.“Why do you even want to go in so badly?” He eyed her. “Ar