It was midday and the ruffling of scrub could be heard through the entire woodland as wolf fighters raced to their pack boundary. They had been notified about the rogues that had come to disturb the serenity of the pack. They howled, making a long, loud cry expressing anger. The howlings creak like the sound of wounded animals whose blood spurted from the gash.Taking the lead was Aurora's wolf. Her wolf scooted as she gave a lengthy distance from the shifters, indicating she was faster than them.Apart from her speed, she was also a wolf tracker prompting her to earn the leader of the wolf fighters. Although her wolf was a little bit fragile and wasn't as strong as the male shifters, one could tell she was brave and so was her wolf.Getting to the border of their pack, they stopped at their track when they felt the presence of the rogues. Aurora roared and the rest did the very thing since they couldn't catch sight of rogues, only their scent. "Stay put." Aurora mind-linked her adhe
It was an hour before midnight and Aurora had just finished wearing down her dinner since she and her grandmother had made sure they designed her birthday cake in a glamorous layout to indicate her twenty-first birthday. She looked across the dining table to see Fennick engrossed in playing games while he dipped into a burger beside him. He had been in her cottage for the past an hour, helping them out with gifts and decorations.That had always been her birthday routine every year and she had always had fun. She stood up from her harness and strolled to the sitting room to meet her best friend."It's almost midnight," Fennick uttered sniffing her beside him, his gaze on the motor game he was playing. "I know, I need to rest a little bit." She conveyed hugging the couch pillow to her chest. Fennick stole her glance and returned to his game. "This is your first time complaining on the night of your birthday. What's up with you?" He inquired.Aurora shrugged, "You're ethical, I feel w
Standing at the far end at the top of the mountain, Sage could see his mate, playing and laughing together with another person. He was in pain. He felt like something had just been stung into his heart and he couldn't pluck it out. He was trying hard not to believe what he just heard. For the past five years being out of his pack, he'd always craved to return home and find his precious mate, maybe he had her at his home. However, he'd returned and he'd found his mate the moment he came back which has been the easiest way ever but then, his mate didn't want him.He had come to visit his favourite place which was the spring after missing it for so many years. But, while enjoying the blowing breeze and atmosphere, he smelled the tastiest cherry he had ever smelled. His wolf dangled in his head at the scent and he knew instantly that the scent had come from his long-found mate. He sprang up immediately from where he sat and headed down the mountain where the scent was coming from, hittin
The strong tasty aura hit him and flinched at the feeling that his mate was moving toward the pack building. Although he was standing in the middle of the hall inside the pack building, a bit far from her, he feared she would also smell him as far as he could. Why was she going into the pack building? The aura was getting stronger and stronger indicating she was getting closer and he had to quicken his conversation with the King. "Are you sure about this, Sage?" Alpha Cowell asked. His expression showed that he was bothered. "Yes, Alpha," Sage answered, his head bowed as always. "It's not as easy as you think." Alpha Cowell bellowed."I would love to know the feeling." He uttered, curving a deep smirk on his face. With his voice, Alpha Cowell could detect that he was anxious as well determined."I can't stop you, Sage but you have to think twice about it. Why don't you confirm it with her? She might have her reasons, whereas you don't know who she is yet, you are making rational de
Gwen crossed his legs over each other, his cup of coffee still in his right hand. He tried harder to think of a way out for Sage but Sage's opinions were still the best way to know about Aurora's wish. "It wouldn't be easy when you need your scent back." He conveyed and sip from his cup while Sage watched him. "What you want to do is between life and death," Gwen warned like how Beta Craig and Alpha Cowell did."I'll give it a try." He conceded, making himself comfortable on the sofa."It's not about giving it a try, it's about the consequences.""Do you advise me to give up on her?""I'm not. I only need to remind you that the last person who has hidden her scent from her mate didn't make it when she needed it." Sage groaned. Although it has been years yet, the event played in his mind like it was seconds ago when Gwen mentioned it. As a pup, the teen had hidden her scent from her mate who was once her enemy. She ended up falling in love with him and needed her scent back to feel an
It was some hours passed midday and Aurora called a gathering to her acquaintance outside the pack building to address them. They all assembled in a well-arranged consecutive line with vast poses making the hundredth warriors look coordinated due to how they practiced their tradition in the Lock Hearts pack. Lock Hearts pack was one of the most effective packs in Austin, Texas. It had an enormous number of shifters of both adult wolves and pups. They were up to three hundred and they were ruled peacefully by their powerful and caring Alpha Cowell with his companions including Aurora, the brave commander of the pack fighters.Even when Aurora was looking minor, the toughest wolves and pups honoured her as their commander. They all hearkened to her and no one dared to defy their duties because she was a female wolf. As she ascended onto the altar located at the front of the pack building where decrees were made and given, instruments and chorus was played to give her a birthday ceremo
Pack members began to troop into the pack Academy. The Academy, located in the middle of the woods, was the biggest building compared to the packed building where the Alpha stays. It was built for the activities being held. It was a place where wolves are trained, especially the pups. They were taught in the academy in groups how to control their wolf and how to do the combat fight when they can't shift, maybe due to how weak their wolves are. The teaching was always section by section. Adults and pups have different stages they learn from before prompting to the next stage. Then, after the teaching, everyone would gather and talk about what they'd been taught. Most times, training takes place in the night for those who need to go for a run or the night watch.The Alpha King Cowell had built the Academy making the pack a very special one different from other packs and members of the pack had fallen in love with his intelligence. Occasionally, he visits the Academy, during a full moo
"I'm Aurora." She introduced herself to Sage through the mind link as they strolled side by side in the woods. After Sage has introduced himself, Aurora calmed her nerves seeing that he wasn't there to harm her. Her anger had turned to warmth, seeing how protective he could be. "You're the pack fighter, I know you." He implied and she stopped on her track which he also did. Her wolf turned to him, wiggling her tail in anxiety. "How come I don't know you and you're a pack member?" She asserted, using her eyes to roam over his brown wolf. He looked handsome with a tall and muscular figure in his wolf form and she imagined how he would be in his human body. She felt goosebumps building beneath her furs."You don't know everyone in the pack, do you?" Sage inquired and started to walk away.Aurora fumed when she saw he wasn't giving her the respect she deserved. She was a leader and he was walking away from her not telling her who he was and why he had approached her.She scurried after
Sage stood in his office, his mind made up. He would leave for the mystic world tonight and nothing was going to stop him.Rae stood before him, his eyes still filled with concern. "Alpha, are you still certain?" He questioned for the hundredth time but Sage wasn't going to be reluctant to answer him. He knew how worried his Beta would be so there was nothing to be upset about. "Yes," Sage replied, his hoarse voice filling the room. "I must do this, Rae. For the Pack's future."Rae hummed. “You mean your future?” He retorted and Sage threw him a glare. Rae sure doesn't know what he was saying. If he and the Pack lose Aurora, wouldn't it be a great demise? “Both your Alpha and your Luna are your future, right?” He stated and moved to the standing wardrobe in his office to pick out a shirt. Thank goodness he has some clothes in the office. How was he going to face Aurora if he was to return back and dress up? Rae nodded, understanding what he actually meant by his words. "I'll start
Sage stormed into his office as he found the switch on the wall to light the place. Everywhere was silent and the only sound that could be heard was that of a ticking clock on the wall. He staggered his way to his chair located in the middle of his office and slumped himself down into it, his elbows on his desk, head in his hands as the weight of his actions bore down on him like a physical force.The memory of Aurora's shocked face when he threw her across the room kept flashing into his thoughts. The way her eyes, once full of love and trust held fear and disappointment . His heart ached as his mind replayed the scene in vivid detail. He was frustrated. Furious. Downcasted. He had never intended to hurt her that way after promising her he would protect her for his entire life yet, who could believe he would end up disappointing her. His wolf's strength had taken over, betraying his gentle intentions and he wished she would understand the reason why he had to flare up but he knew it
The full moon shone brightly over the Grand Oak, where the Pack elders had gathered including Beta Craig, Sage's father who sat among them, his face showing years of leadership. Everyone looked serious, knowing the meeting was important having heard from Rae why it was organized.Sage stood up straight, looking around at everyone. His eyes met Aurora's, and she gave him a supportive glance from the edge of the clearing. He then began to speak. "Thank you all for coming," Sage began as always, his voice clear and strong. "Tonight, we will discuss our Pack's security. Recent attacks and advice from neighboring Packs emphasize the need for vigilance.” The elders nodded in agreement, their expressions grave. "Though, we've been able to create a certain way to block them from going in but to ensure the Pack's deep safety, we need to do more which is why I have called everyone to come and suggest the best way we can do it better.” Elder Thompson spoke first. “I love the way you do call us
|Two days Later|A knock came on the chamber’s door and Aurora, who was busy arranging the room rushed to answer though she already smelt Rae's scent. She carefully opened the door and Rae with his big smile on his face greeted her. “Good Morning, Luna,” he lowered his head as usual. Aurora tapped his shoulder, ushering him into the chamber. “Morning, come in dear.”Rae entered as she closed the door behind. Then he turned to face her. “I came to see the Alpha. A message came in and it's urgent,” he relayed and Aurora nodded, stretching her hands to the sofa for him to take his seat as she made her way into the room to meet Sage who was still fast asleep. She sighed seeing his tired look. She didn't want to complain and yes, she would resist herself from doing that but how could she possibly let him know that he was an Alpha and he mustn't break down. It would be a very terrible thing to have happened. The former Alpha was sick which was why he had to vacate his seat and now Sage w
It was very late that evening and Sage had just finished his training with Fennick when the rain started pouring out heavily. They both rushed out of the field and made their way into the Pack's house. Once they were in, Sage turned to Fennick. “Have dinner with us,” he proposed and he nodded as they both trotted towards the Pack dining room. Aurora has already mind linked him to invite him as she has prepared enough. The guards pulled the dining room open and Sage took the lead. He roamed his eyes around to see maids already arranging their meals on a large ergonomic table and the aroma of roasted meats filling the room. They got to the table and Sage took the crown seat while Fennick took his seat beside him. The large door was pulled open again and Rae entered, rushing towards them. Once he got to the table, he lowered his head in greetings. “Good evening, Alpha, Fennick.” He greeted and also took his seats at the right hand side of the table. “You're joining us for dinner tonigh
Sage was more determined than ever. He was ready to master his skills to break the curse that stopped him from fully making Aurora his. She and her mother have said theirs, the Seer has also confirmed it but was he ready to make it slide just like that? Was he ready to lose his mate all because of a curse she knew nothing about? No! He was never going to let it be. Even if it takes ages, he would definitely get to the root of what was happening. Each morning, Sage trained alone and by evening, he would train with Fennick. If Fennick wasn't available, he would ask his mate to do it herself. He practiced his strength, speed, strategy each passing day and he was getting better day by day, surprising even his teachers that they always wondered why he was so adamant and determined to train on the Combat skills that weren't really useful.Everyone shifts into their wolves when it comes to fighting except for guards that train with skills so it was bothersome to see an Alpha ready to master
Sora's eyes locked onto Sage's, her voice barely above a whisper. "An evil sorcerer cast a spell on her because of her mother's wrongdoing," Sora started, her face turning all gloomy instantly. Someone could tell that she was deeply hurt by what happened to Aurora. She added. “My innocent granddaughter knew nothing about the agreement both the witch and her mother had but she's the one suffering from it,” she countered, her gaze lowered to the cup of coffee she was holding. Sage's grip on his cup tightened as she said those words to him. Aurora's mother? Having a deal with a Sorcerer? "I don't understand, Sora. What exactly did her mother do and what bargain did she have with a sorcerer?" Sage asked, his tone urgent.Sora's expression turned grave. "I don't know what happened exactly between them but all I can say is that the sorcerer believed that she was betrayed by Octavia, Aurora's mother,” she relayed. “But I’m sorry, I can't tell you more than this,” she concluded, trying not t
Days passed, and Aurora's hopes for Sage's progress were met with caution. She had no idea what he was up to but she decided to be patient with him. He wasn't someone who could act rashly but the fact that he wasn’t letting her know anything was what was getting at her yet, she chose to be calm for the meantime since she could feel the pressure of responsibility pulling on him so much. She knew he had to stand tall at that moment and also build his confidence to achieve his goals. Meanwhile, Sage started his training with Fennick, making sure he was pushing himself off limits. Luckily, under the watchful eye of his new mentor, Sage learned to harness his strength and agility. His movements became fluid and strong. He mastered the basics skills better and was moving into the next phase. "Fennick, I need to learn more," Sage would always say, his eyes locked onto his new mentor."You're progressing, Alpha. But there's much to learn," Fennick answered. Their training sessions were str
After Fennick left, Sage shifted his gaze to the cluttered papers on his desk. The weight of his responsibilities as Pack Alpha suddenly settled heavily upon him. He bit as the thought of how he had neglected Pack matters for too long clouded his mind. Looking upon the paperwork arranged neatly on the table, they somehow threatened to engulf him. All these while he had neglected Pack duties for his mate's sake. He had refused to check out how the Pack was doing and even piled up things that were meant to be done. He sighed and started to pick the files one after the other yet, something told him he wasn't going to do anything if he kept checking through the books. He decided to sort for his Beta. “I need you in my office,” he commanded with a swift mindlink. Only Rae could help him out with things.Rae arrived promptly. "Alpha, what's urgent?" Rae asked, shutting the door behind him.Sage gestured to the sea of papers. "This,” he countered. “This is wrong. I've not touched them or g