Chapter 1

"Rena!" A voice pulled her from her mussing. When Serene~Rena for her friends~ Daria looked at who was calling her, it was her mom. 

Celeste Daria looked at her only daughter and smiled. As the only Alpha Female of the last line Were Dires, she never expected to have a female child who hates going out. At the age of 37, she was way past the stage where eligible males will notice her. And she like it the way it is. 

"Mom?" Rena removed her headset and looked at her mother. "Is something wrong?", she asked. 

Going further into the room, she looked around. Her walls were a mixture of black and grey. An odd combination for a girl, but it works. Two tall bookshelves were on the right side of the room. The bed was at the opposite of it. Her computer and table were near the open window facing the trees looking out the forest in their home. Beside the shelves, were a work table where she makes her kirigami projects. 

The table was devoid of cutter. Meaning either she was bored, or her current project was finished. Celeste remembered the first time she saw her daughter with a hobby knife. Rena was ten when she discovered her love for crafts. From paper to wooden. She loved how each piece was put together and how beautiful they were once the piece was done. Of course, being ten, she needed supervision, that was when her husband, Mackenzie volunteered, he too was hooked. And as they say, the rest was history. 

"Nothing is wrong, pumpkin. Your dad just asked you to get his weekly supplies of yarn. He forgot to ask his supplier to deliver it again.", Celeste said, putting her hand on her only child's shoulder. She has grown up so fast. So strong. She thought. 

The only offspring of the Daria clan, Serena was an anomaly that no one was expecting, and yet she is loved by everyone. As every council member said, Mackenzie, your daughter is a breath of fresh air. And we promise to protect her. And that they did...but for how long?

Rena stood up and looked up to her mom. She was small even for were standards. And it made her look weak. But when you look at her eyes, intelligence and cunning can be seen. 

"Again?", She said in groaning. "This is like what? The seventh time IN THIS YEAR?", Using air quotes to prove her point. 

Her mother laughed. Knowing her husband can hear them. Sure enough, Kenzie shouted, "I heard that!" Heavy footsteps can be heard lumbering to her room. Seconds later, Mackenzie Daria, stepped inside.

Serena looked at her parents. They both have the air of royalty. They weren't snobs, they were in fact the most kind-hearted people in their province. 

The Daria Clan is a part of the Altered Wolves. A rare race of werewolves that are born with the ability to change into a wolf at will. As the lore goes, some of the were scientist said that their ancestors might have eaten or digested something that altered their genetic composition.

Mackenzie was originally from Scotland, think of Henry Cavill but less bulky, with that highland accent. Eyes is a combination of silver with a dash of green in the iris. Hair as black as night with some curling around the edges. When he smiles, the world lights up. 

Celeste, on the other hand, is a typical Filipina woman. Slender, tall, with fair-colored skin. Sharp hazel-colored eyes, with a cute button nose and sensual lips. 

Whenever they are side by side, Celeste would only reach Kenzie's shoulder. And Rena? Let's just say...she is the smallest. 

"Can you blame your dad for being forgetful?", He wined. "With all the orders I have to make, I can barely eat." 

"Oh, yeah, that's why is saw a box of pizza on the table with some stitch markers on them," she replied. "Like seriously, dad, how do those get there?" 

"Ughh," his face flushing. 

"No, forget I ask. I do not want to know," she said. 

Celeste laughed, and patted her daughter's head saying, "It is okay, honey. Your dad wanted to know how sturdy the markers were so used the pizza. Don't ask me why, I had a hard time cleaning his mess after." 

"Hey! It is not my fault that the product was defective," he said.

"They were supposed to be used on fabrics and yarns, dad. Not food," Serena stated dryly. 

"Point taken," he said. "Anyway, you need to pick up some yarns and some of our supplies. Mom has the list, I'm going to start the car for you," he kissed his daughter on her forehead before leaving the room. 

Celeste gave the list to Rena, whose eyes bulge with the number of things she has to get.

"Is it typhoon season? Why all these things? I mean, I just saw our pantry two hours ago and it's still full," scratching her head in wonder. 

"Oh, you know your dad, he gets a bit cranky and wanted all those things. Don't worry, dear, dad will be giving you the black one. He wanted those things. I think he will be using the big truck too." Celeste turned around and started walking out of the room. 

"Mom," called Rena. 

"Yes, dear?" 

Rena hugged her mom. The kind that was rare for a mom and child would do. Celeste tried hard not to cry. It was such a sweet moment and she doesn't want to ruin it. "I love you, my child. Remember that." 

They separated and Rena went down the stairs. Celeste lingered on the doorway of her daughter's room. With a few wave of her hand, an invisible ward sealed the room. 

"Seal this room, until the owner comes back.

Make it unseen to eyes meant to harm.

Serene my daughter, I give you my gift of foresight. 

As soon as I die, I degree that my powers will transfer unto you. 

From how to use. To how to control, I bestow upon you. 

My darling daughter, this I said, so shall be."

As soon as the door closed, it blended into the wall. Like it never existed. As Celeste walk down the stairs, she slowly cast magic on the entire house. Protecting the things that need to be sealed. 

At the opening of the house. She saw her husband, her mate, giving the black card to Serene. And a hug. 

Once she was out of view, she hugged her husband,  her best friend, and her forever from his back. "It was the only way we can save her," she said. 

Kenzie, entwined thier hands. Taking a deep breath, he howled.

Serene, with her headset on, did not hear her dad's anguish cry. 

~~~~

An hour after her departure. Men clad in black combat gear entered the property. They slowly approached the homestead. Mackenzie was already waiting for them.

"Mackenzie Daria? We are here on behalf of the Were Council. We would like to know your stand on the revelations of our kind," said the leader of the group.

Mackenzie, ever the Alpha, stood with his arms across his chest said, "My stand is still the same as I told your Council a week ago. NO." 

The leader of the group raised his gun and continued to talk, "You do know the consequence, of your decision, Alpha. My council does not accept no for an answer."

"My husband is well aware of the setback. And we are ready whatever you and your men will do," Celeste said, as she stood beside her husband.

That was when the first shot was fired, she got hit on the shoulder, instantly taking her down. Enraged, Kenzie roared in anger and change into a massive dire wolf. Unable to help her husband, and knowing at the outcome, all Celeste can do was cast the final spell:

"May the right justice be served, oh mother hear my plea. 

Let someone righteous be sent to help my family. 

Amas, deity who moves to pity, love, unity, and peace of heart, help my daughter find what she is looking for. Branwen, see to it that her mate will be sent.

By the power given to me when I was born,

I release you from my body and choose your master who you will serve.

Make sure the chosen one is worthy of thy power, 

For it not, all of you will be lost,

This I degree as the master sorcerer, so mote it be."

As she said the last word, another bullet hit her, piercing her heart instantly taking her life.

Kenzie felt the loss of his mate tried to go to her side, but his enemies shot him repeatedly. Each bullet caused him to slow down. But he was determined to reach his mate. 

"Stop shooting!" The leader said. He looked at the last remaining Dire wolf. Struggling to reach his mate. As he reach the landing of the house, he carefully lifted his mate and cradled her lifeless body against his bloody one. 

"My life and yours are forever entwined," he whispered softly, "We shall see each other again, on the other side."

The men looked at the couple with cold eyes. Ignoring the fact that they just killed two innocent lives.

"Search the place," he commanded. "Make sure that you burned all the files you find." 

But as the men approach the homestead, they were unable to set foot even on the first step of the stairs. As if an invisible wall was around it not even a bullet can hit the two dead occupants. 

Frustrated the leader commanded his troops to withdraw and never tell anyone what happened that they weren't able to get the things that they need. And just like that, they disappeared.

All that was left were two creatures, mated until their last dying breath. 

~~~~~

As Serena pulled the outskirts of the nearby town, she pulled the grocery list again. She shook her head. Canned peaches, an assortment of nuts, orange, pineapple, and cranberry juice. She shuddered. Why the heck would mom and dad buy these? She thought. Opening the door of the car she step out of the car, all the while grabbing her phone, and headed to the grocery. Hoping upon hope that there are few people inside. 

Halfway thru her shopping, she felt a twinge on her chest. Not a painful one, but more like a sudden stab in the heart. I wonder how mom and is, thinking about her parents. She stopped at the chocolate aisle. Her mom and dad love it. While her mom goes to the traditional chocolate mix. Dad makes his own and it's not for the faint-hearted. She remembers eating a chocolate bar with jalapeno and learned to label all her dad's chocolate creations. 

With all the things on the list on her cart, she proceed​ to the check-out counter. She pulled her dad's black card. But when her finger brushed the name of the card, it changed. She slowly looked at the card, her heart thudding loudly. "No," she whispered. On the black American Express card, was not her father's name, but hers. 

She waited anxiously as each of the items was scanned, sensing something was wrong. She hurriedly put all the groceries in the car and speed away from the mart. About a mile from her house, a spark suddenly appeared on the side. 

"Lem?," She said, the spark turned into a little man, with pointy ears and glowing red skin. Hands shaking she let it land on her upturn palm. "Why are you here? You should be with mom."

The spark closed its eyes and a single tear fell, as three more sparks showed themselves, "Lina? Beth? Mac? Why are you showing yourselves to me?". She quickly restarted the car and drove quickly to her house. "Please, please be okay. I need them to be okay guys. Please tell me they are okay." Tears have started to fall on her eyes. Her hands gripping the wheel tightly. 

By the time she reached their property, everything was quiet. There was no wind in the air, the birds that usually chirp​ing when twilight falls were absent, even the crickets were not heard. It was then when she saw them.

Slumped on the wall near the doorway were her parents. "No, no, no, no," she said repeatedly as she ran to them. She stopped at the foot of the stairs. Her father in his changed form, cradling her mom, their hands entwined, his head resting on hers as if they were just sleeping. But the pool of blood surrounding them said a different story. 

The four sparks, surrounded them, landing on the blood, the shoulder of the Alpha male and female. Magical cleaning the blood. 

"Mom, dad?" Slowly she knelt near them, touching, telling herself, that it is just a dream they are not dead. I'm just dreaming. But when her hand touch her mom's hands, they were cold. "Mom, wake up, please. I brought you some chocolate, I'm sorry I took the last one, please wake up." Her tears have started to fall down as she talked to Celeste. When she reached her father, his fur was still warm, but no heartbeat. "Dad? Please wake up, please," she pleaded. "Don't leave me, please..." A sob broke out as she continues to talk, "you were supposed to teach me woodwork dad... please wake up...dad." another sob follow, as she touched her mom's hand, "you are supposed to tell me about my mate mom..." She was sobbing uncontrollably as she sat beside her dad. Burying her face on his furry she cried and cried until a scream of anguish escaped her lips. 

Her scream resonated the whole world, a sign of death. A resonant that can only be done by the sole Alpha and heir of a were clan.

Once it was released, Serena hugged her parents' lifeless bodies, crying her loss as the four little sparks hovered, crying with her.

~~~~

Somewhere in Scotland.

Two phones rang at the same time. One was answered, while the other one continued to ring. The man standing in front of the window closed his eyes and offered a silent prayer. He wasn't expecting such a thing could happen. Not with this Alpha.

The resonance had reached him, and it wasn't a normal death. He took a deep breath, pulled his mobile from his pocket, and dialed one single number. He waited, when the person at the end of the line answered, he said, "My friend, I need your son."