The grand hall of the Alpha’s Court was alive with murmurs as the pack members filled the rows of wooden benches. The disputes were minor but significant enough to be heard in the presence of witnesses. The Alpha and Luna sat at the elevated table, flanked by their council, but today was different: Lisa was at the center of the proceedings, a position typically reserved for higher-ranking wolves.She stood poised beside the Alpha, her head held high, a quiet confidence in her stance. Her father, the Beta, had entrusted her with handling these cases, a trial to prove her ability to lead and mediate. The pack whispered, some skeptical of her youth, others intrigued by her presence.“Let the first case be heard,” the Alpha announced, his voice commanding the attention of the room.Two wolves stepped forward, their faces tense with frustration. One was Mason, a farmer with a stout build and a weathered face, and the other was Clara, a younger wolf with fierce determination in her eyes.“T
The Luna’s chambers were a whirlwind of activity. Swatches of fabric, complex invitations, and a large board with detailed sketches of decorations filled the space. Lisa stood at the center, her sharp mind focused on the tasks at hand while Luna paced anxiously.“This is not just any celebration, Lisa,” Luna Margot said, her tone clipped with urgency. “It’s the prince’s eighteenth birthday, the day he steps into his role as the future Alpha. Everything must be perfect.”Lisa glanced at the sketch of the grand ballroom pinned to the board. It was an elaborate design with golden banners, cascading floral arrangements, and a towering cake. “It’s coming together well, Luna. The florists are set to deliver tomorrow, and the invitations have all been sent. We’ve ensured the guest list includes allies from neighboring packs.”The Luna stopped pacing and placed a hand on Lisa’s arm, her eyes softening. “I trust you, Lisa. You’ve been my rock through all of this. But…” She hesitated, her voice
TWO WEEKS AGOThe library at Sherlock High School was unusually quiet for a Saturday afternoon. Oliver sat at one of the corner tables, books spread out before him, but his eyes weren’t on the pages. Instead, they stared blankly at the wooden tabletop, his mind tangled with worries.“Why are the days so fast? This is getting nearer than expected,” his mouth moved along with his thoughts.The Alpha fitness tests loomed over him. It was a constant weight pressing on his chest; he couldn’t think of anything aside from that. He had tried to push it aside and focus on his studies, but the knowledge of what awaited him after his eighteenth birthday was inescapable.“Do I really have to do this?” his thought consumed him until the tiny voice growled a bit underneath“I know. Just calm down. I know it’s my responsibility; I just don’t think I’m confident at this point,” he responded to his who responded with a cold silenceThat was Rye’s way of silently supporting him. He was already havin
The midterms were finally over, and the air at Sherlock High School was lighter with relief. For Annabel, Ali, and Oliver, it was a perfect opportunity to step away from the grind of academics and visit someone who had been on their minds for weeks, the boy who had recently woken up from his coma.They made their way to the rehabilitation center, where Darren was undergoing therapy. The halls smelled of antiseptic, and the muffled sounds of soft voices and whirring machines filled the space as they walked deeper into the building.He had been moved from the intensive care unit to the normal ward a few weeks ago but they couldn’t come visit. However, Oliver had been in communications with him, encouraging him to try his best at living once again. They decided to keep things between them about his waking up and going through therapy until he was ready to come out about it. When they entered Darren’s room, he was sitting in a wheelchair by the window, staring at the rain outside. His t
When Oliver was found hours later, slumped against the tree, he was barely conscious. His body was bruised and bloodied, but his spirit remained unbroken. Rye stirred weakly within him, murmuring words of encouragement.Annabel had waited for him to bring the book and ended up going to get it by herself when she saw the book on the floor, torn and marched with dirty feet.“What went down here?”She bent down to pick up the book and saw the small paper bracelet she had made for him in the afternoon lying on the floor, dirty. No one needed to tell her that something dangerous had happened.“I hope he didn’t shift this time around." she rushed outShe had ransacked all possible rooms and joints where they could bully people but she couldn’t find him anywhere. Her anxiousness rose with every passing second, the thought of him shifting and ruining everything weighed on her mind.The sudden howl that echoed through the air as she ran towards the dining hall made her feet halt midway“The f
|Oliver|I went back to class like nothing happened after straightening my shirt and Annabel welcomed me with a warm smile, which I returned cheerfully. It would be a hassle if she finds out Bernard had disturbed me once again so I decided to just put an act up.During the classes, I could sense Bernard’s eyes on him. He kept staring at me and anytime I turned back to confirm, I was right.“It’s best you enjoy the fear of the unknown,” the end of my pen connected with my mouth as I chewed on it wickedly.****After school, I realized that my mother had sent over invitations for my birthday to the school. Only specific people were invited and I realized that Annabel and Bernard had gotten an invitation, thanks to their parents’ influences.“I still have to give her one by myself.” I concluded and waited in front of the dining hall till she came for dinner“My birthday is next Saturday. I am inviting you as my special guest, do you want to come?” I extended the red envelope to her in f
Oliver had noticed Annabel’s sudden coldness. She barely acknowledged him in class; her once warm and teasing remarks were replaced by curt responses or complete silence. But he didn’t let it get to him. He understood the situation and figured out that her engagement to Bernard was more than just a formality so it would make no sense to let him shake her.It was an unspoken boundary and a reminder of the impossibility of what he wanted. He respected that, even if it hurt badly.He tried to keep his interactions with her light, as if her coldness was nothing more than a passing mood. Every time she ignored him, he reminded himself of her obligations and of the weight she carried as her father’s heiress.If she needed to distance herself from him to fulfill those expectations, he wouldn’t make it harder for her. Still, her distant gaze and clipped words gnawed at him more than he cared to admit.****The day of his eighteenth birthday arrived, and the entire pack was abuzz with prepara
The party was in full swing, but Oliver’s sharp senses remained attuned to Bernard’s every move. Bernard’s smug demeanor and territorial attitude grated on his nerves so he didn’t let him escape his radar.This was Oliver’s night, his chance to set the tone for his future as Alpha, and Bernard needed to be reminded of that. However, he was doing all he could to hold back since he wouldn’t want to put the whole pack in danger just because of his own greed.He was coming back from where he went to greet the elders of the council when he witnessed Bernard dragging Annabel to the quiet side of the hall. Quickly, I followed them to see what it was all about and ended up hearing him lash out at her.“You told me that you were done with him? Why are you suddenly rushing to greet him alone back there? Were you hoping he would hug you and hold you in his arms?”Annabel didn’t say a word to all that he was saying. She just folded her arms across her chest and watched him fume and rant till he w
Oliver walked through the school’s tennis court, the crisp autumn air swirling around him as the golden leaves crunched beneath his boots. The day had been uneventful so far, but he could sense something different. It felt like something would happen before the end of the day but he wasn’t sure what it would be.He had a match session with Ali so they could unwind after hours of reading. They were about to turn to the dorm when the security informed him that he has a visitor. He realized that he had put his phone on silent and didn’t check it even after the match.Lisa had called him multiple times and had to wait for him after confirming that he was in the school’s premises.“Lisa.” He ran to where she was. She sat near the fountain, her long, auburn hair catching the sunlight, making it glow like fire. Her face was softer than he remembered, as if she had shed the weight of resentment she once carried. As he approached, she turned, meeting his gaze with hesitation.Her fingers were
Oliver walked into his quarters with a heavy sigh, running his fingers through his disheveled hair. The tension from the royal court was still going through his system, but as soon as his eyes landed on Ali, standing near the grand window with his mouth agape, a small chuckle escaped him.“A bug will get into your mouth at this rate,” he said as he closed the distance between themAli turned abruptly at the sound, his dark brown eyes wide with fascination. "Dude, this place is insane!" he exclaimed, taking slow steps forward as he turned in a full circle. "I thought werewolf packs lived in ancient castles or wild forests, but this—this looks like a damn elite town!"Oliver smirked. "I told you, we’re not as different as humans think. We adapt, just like you do. You were the one reading meaning into it."Ali’s gaze swept over the towering bookshelves, the sleek leather couches, and the delicately woven tapestries depicting battles and victories from centuries past. The walls were adorn
Lucas settled in his seat and the meeting commenced. The elders whispered amongst themselves for a few minutes before elder Lionel stood to his feet and turned to face the Alpha where he was sitting with the Luna and his two princes.“My Alpha. Given the fact that Prince Oliver is yet to bring home his mate and the pack is going through such a hard time, we decided to have a meeting that lasted all night long and came to a conclusion that will benefit both the pack and the royal house” Everyone paid rapt attention to the elder talking as they anticipated what the conclusion was. Some of the elders sitting were also whispering inaudible things but not loud enough to tamper with the meeting’s focus.The elder cleared his throat and continued. “We need the Alpha to step down as soon as possible due to tradition. Also, he need to take care of his health, he had been on the throne for years and it’s time for him to take the deserved rest. Prince Oliver who should succeed him seems to be h
“Hey brother!” the girl slid the door with a full smile on her face, only to be met with Ali’s horrified faceShe was puzzled at first and thought she was in the wrong room until Gary signaled to her from the side of the room.“What are you doing here? Was my brother the friend you have here?” she asked, pointing from Ali to Gary, who slowly nodded.“You are his sister?” Ali managed to ask after blinking several times for his brain to get focusedShe nodded slowly, clutching the bag in her hand tightly. The moment was so awkward that none of them knew how to behave. Gary released a cough to ease the tension and Oliver took it up.“Now that you know, we can have a proper introduction. There’s no reason to be shocked for a very long time,” Oliver remarked and Ali made way for her to come in properly, muttering a low “sorry” since he had stood there, preventing her from entering the room.“You know them?” Gary chuckled, grabbing the bag she handed over to him.She had stopped to shop for
Due to some internal issues, the school decided to move the examinations up by three weeks so the students would be able to focus, catch up, and thoroughly prepare for the finals. However, they knew the school’s excuse was not a genuine one; some big parents have called the shot due to the recent dramas that kept happening.“You really had to make me find you. All you had to do was persuade her. I guess it would be difficult too, considering how bitter the bond that ties you is.” The double-colored eyeballs girl came up to Oliver, who was finalizing the study material he wanted to give Gary later in the day.The words were sudden and unclear. Also, prior to that conversation, they didn’t have any form of relationship. Although she had always been an odd one to Oliver. There was something about her that he couldn’t fathom. Her aura was different from others and it felt like she had so much to hide.“I don’t quite follow. What do you mean?” he raised his head and she chuckled as she fol
“You cannot enter. He’s currently sleeping.” The guard stretched his hands to stop her, but she delivered a loud slap on his face.Lisa’s chest rose and heaved as she fumed in anger. “If you don’t want me to break this door down, open it at once,” her voice rang through the hall as she protestedThe frustrated guard stood on his words and insisted that he had received instructions to not allow anyone in, so there was little to what he could do concerning her situation.“Where is there so much noise? Let her in,” the voice commanded from inside and the guard opened the door finallyLisa’s huge strides swallowed the distance between them within seconds. She was pissed up to the point where her sweat was dripping. Throwing her phone on the table, she asked, “What is this? How are you going to explain this?”He only glanced at it from afar, but he knew what the content was. “So, what’s the ruckus about?” his voice unapologeticHer lips parted in shock. “What do you mean by the ruckus? Is
They all ran to the field where Lucas had decorated in advance with the help of the underlings he had there. Everywhere was looking bubbly and beautiful as he waited for her with a bouquet of flowers and ring. The students were oblivious to the fact that he was Oliver’s brother, aside from Bernard and some of his men.“He’s really doing too much. I thought this was a joke. It’s getting a little bit serious,” Bernard remarked, anger turning his face red“I don’t even understand what’s going on anymore. This drama is too much,” one of Bernard’s men sighedThe girls got there around the same time Oliver showed up. He was beside Bernard and was watching what was about to unfold.“Are you not going to stop it?” Bernard asked, glancing at him“Why should I ruin it? There is another perfect place to ruin it better,” he smirkedAt the sight of Annabel, Lucas rushed to where he was and gave her the bouquet. “Happy birthday, my queen” and kissed her foreheadThe other students melted with his g
Oliver made sure to study every day with Gary and Ali as the exams approached. They tried everything from online sessions to the physical meetings and Gary caught up faster since he was an intelligent student.During the weekend, Oliver paid Nyssa a visit at the pack. He was ushered in by the old woman, who has been battling a cold for a while.“I have always known you to be healthy. It’s weird seeing you on the sick bed like this, considering how you have all the cure on your herbal shelf,” he remarked as he saw her on the wooden bedNyssa only chuckled a bit before the cough took over. “No one is above death or sickness. Also, I am only human and not some god.”“Do you feel better or should I arrange for you to be taken to the pack’s hospital?” he proposed and her hand flew up in the air. “Don’t! Even if I’ll die, it will be in this place,” she counteredHe had no choice but to drop it since she wasn’t interested. He settled on the chair he drew out for himself and faced the frail w
For hours, Ali didn’t wake up from his unconsciousness. Gary also fell unconscious when he realized what had happened. He had tried running away in horror but as Oliver ran after him, fear took over and he fainted.Luckily, he had shifted to his human form before the nurse came to the rooftop with other nurses. Rye couldn’t keep his laughter as he watched the drama he had caused unfold.“You think this is funny?” Oliver lashed out at him but he kept snorting“Why? Should I have watched him jump over the rooftop? You hesitate for what I don’t understand. If I didn’t take over, he could have really died. Also, I was able to do that because you allowed it!”“I understand that but why do you keep laughing in such a serious situation? Both of them fainted,” I argued and Rye released another round of laughter“You would have done more than that if it were you. How do you explain a human shifting into something enormous in front of you? Let them have their moment of fear. Don’t worry, they w