Royal's POVThe sun dipped below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the sprawling fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. I adjusted the rearview mirror to get a better look at my two-year-old son, Aiden, who was strapped securely in his car seat. His tiny hands held onto his favorite stuffed toy, a worn-out teddy bear named Mr. Cuddles, as he stared curiously out the window, enjoying the view and excited to see his uncle and aunty."We're almost there, Aiden," I said, a smile playing on my lips. "Can you see the moon rising?""Moon!" Aiden squealed in delight, pointing at the pale sliver of silver beginning to appear in the sky. "My favorite thing in nature!""That's right, baby. The moon is saying hello to us," I replied, my heart swelling with love for this little boy who had brought so much joy into my life.He stares at the moon, waving at it like he did ever since he was born. We were on our way back to the Silver Lining pack, a community of werewolves living ha
Royal's POV Rico's question hung in the air, unanswered. No one knew who could have done such a terrible thing to the two men. Devi, wiping away the tears from her eyes, took a deep breath to compose herself. "I-I don't know, Alpha Rico," one of the guards stammered, her voice shaking with emotion. "We found them like this, at the borders, as if they were caught by surprise. And they aren't our pack members?" "They aren't?" I asked, in confusion looking at Rico and Devi and then back at the guards. "Then why were their bodies found at our pack borders? Were they killed there? Or did someone dump it there on purpose?" "But how could this happen?" another pack member asked, his voice filled with fear and anger. "Dumping their bodies there is accusing us! And that is almost the same as attacking us. Who would dare do this?" "I don't know," Rico said, my mind racing to find answers. "But we must remain vigilant and united. We cannot let fear or anger divide us. We need to investigate
Royal's POV"I don't know Royal," Rico answered with throbbing veins on his head. "This is not just about us. Someone is doing this to all the packs, but why?" I asked. "Why are you killing rogues and dumping them at the border of each pack? Is it a warning?"As I spoke, Rico leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on the ceiling as if searching for answers among the swirling patterns of the office's ornate decor. "I wish I had the answers, Royal. But it seems like every pack is facing the same gruesome fate. It's as if this is a coordinated effort to send a chilling message to all of us. But what message?"He sighed heavily, rubbing his temples again. "I've been trying to figure out who could be behind this, but so far, I'm hitting dead ends. We need to be cautious and vigilant. This isn't just an attack on one pack. It's a declaration of war against all of us."I clenched my fists, "Are the neighborhood packs here on bad terms with someone?""No. None that I know of. But there's o
Royal's POV"But the witches have been eradicated ever since the battle with that bloodthirsty Alpha. The Alpha Chase of the Crescent Moon Pack! Could they have survived?" Another asked, mirroring my thoughts.Rico shot me a grave look. "Looks like it's not all of them that died. Some might have survived, or there could be new ones hiding among us. We can't rule anything out at this point. We all need to be vigilant!"I nodded, realizing the severity of the situation. If witches were indeed involved, it meant dealing with a force beyond our understanding. It was a threat to me and others alike.The story of the war with Chase flooded my mind. It was known to be brutal, and the losses were immeasurable. The thought of facing witches again made me happy and scared. Happy to see my kind and scared for what they were doing as it seemed like revenge for almost eradicating us. The same revenge, Lillian wanted."We need to gather more information about these witches," Someone interrupted me
Royal's POVThe phone calls continued throughout the night as we tried to reach out to various packs and rogue communities. Rico, with a determined look in his eyes, made some of the calls himself, speaking with leaders and members alike. Each conversation was filled with tension and apprehension, as we probed for any information that might lead us to the culprit behind the mysterious dumping of bodies.In one call, Alpha Rico spoke to Alpha Lydia of the neighboring Moonshadow Pack. "Lydia, we need your help. We've found evidence that someone, possibly rogues, has been dumping sick bodies at our borders. Have you experienced anything similar?"Lydia's voice held concern as she replied, "No, Rico, we haven't encountered such a situation. But if there's anything we can do to assist you, count us in."In another call to a nearby rogue community, Alpha Rico's stern tone demanded answers. "This is Alpha Rico of the Silver Lining Pack. We've discovered a troubling situation, and we need to
Royal's POVThe pack member took a moment to catch their breath before replying, "It's Lady Emily's husband. It is the Beta, Alpha Rico. He's showing the same symptoms as the others."My heart sank at the news, and I exchanged a worried glance with Alpha Rico. "We need to act fast," he said firmly. "Gather the medical team and isolate the infected immediately. We can't risk this spreading further."I nodded, immediately relaying the orders to the pack house staff and the medical team. The situation had become even more dire, and the urgency to find a cure intensified.Alpha Rico looked at me with concern in his eyes. "Royal, we must be thorough in our investigation. I'm afraid we have to test the Beta and his family for the infection too. It's crucial to identify the source and contain the spread."I understood the gravity of the situation, but it was a difficult task. The Beta and his family were like family to us, and having to potentially deliver such devastating news weighed heavi
Royal's POV"Royal?" he called out again and I looked at him.I raised an eyebrow, surprised by Alpha Chase's request. "But why would he want the healer to come there in person? Did he say why? It's risky, and we don't know what kind of illness they're dealing with."Alpha Rico nodded in agreement. "I share your concerns, Royal. It's indeed risky, and we must prioritize the safety of our pack. However, Alpha Chase sounded desperate, and he assured me that they have taken necessary precautions to ensure the healer's safety. It's the same illness we are facing here, Royal. The moon goddess has blessed you with the ability to help others. Don't do this because of your feud with Chase.""I don't trust him, Rico," I said firmly, crossing my arms. "He might have other motives for wanting us there. We should focus on our pack and continue to help those in need here. If he needs help, he should come here instead.Alpha Rico leaned back in his chair, deep in thought. "I understand your apprehe
Royal's POV"Yes," came my short and unsure answer and he nodded.The pack members around us cheered and waved as the convoy started moving, making its way through the dense forest. Along the journey, I kept Aiden entertained with stories and songs, ensuring he felt comfortable and safe despite the unfamiliar surroundings.As the hours passed, the landscape gradually changed, and the tall trees of our territory gave way to a more open expanse. I took my cloak and wore it, covering my face to avoid being recognized when we arrived.Soon, we entered Alpha Chase's territory, and the convoy's pace slowed as we approached the heart of the pack.Upon reaching the pack's main settlement, the driver parked the truck and I took a deep breath preparing myself for what was to come.I stepped out of the truck with Aiden in my arms, and I couldn't help but feel proud of how far we had come. The last time we were both in this lack was a few years ago when I was pregnant and now, he's in my arms, lo