Prologue

RULES AND ROSES

A story in three acts.

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This novel contains scenes that some might find disturbing and may not be suitable for younger readers. This book revolves around a world dominated by patriarchy and their views are very constricting to women.Discretion is advised.

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Our history teaches us that love makes monsters out of us.

They make it sound pretty in the history books.

In the past, when there were no rules to govern us and we can roam freely, they divided the land of werewolves into three powerful nations; Sem, Niju, and Cinco.

Sem was the land beyond the forests, where the night was shorter, and the days were longer. The people who used to live here had dark curly hair and skin that made it look like they were gold crafted directly from the sun. They were tall and muscular, to tend to their powerful herds of cow and sheep. They were a rich land full of the most expensive minerals. Their people can grow crop even in the most barren of lands.

Niju was the land near the sea, where most of the people knew how to swim days after they were born. The people who used to live here had black hair and had skin kissed by the sun itself. They had slender bodies that made it easier to dive into the deepest trench in search of treasures beyond what the eyes can see. They were a rich land full of spices and fishery. Their people could make food out of scratch.

Cinco was the land within the forests, they were the strongest out of the nations. They had experienced hunters who could catch even the smallest of creatures. They didn’t need to fish or to mine just to bring food to the table. All they need to do is to hunt. The people who used to live here had light-colored hair and fair skin. After all, it’s easier to hunt for prey at night when they’re vulnerable. They were a rich land, full of mercenaries and weapons. Their people can kill anything they set their sight on.

Their strong military base was what the Alpha of Cinco used to overtake Sem and Niju.

Of course, werewolves are strong beings that are difficult to defeat. Lorenzo, the Alpha of Cinco, knew this. However, he is as smart as he is strong. He knew he can achieve every nation and prove that he was the strongest werewolf by doing the most barbaric act within the werewolf community.

The history books tell us that Lorenzo ordered his men to execute every mate of those with Alpha blood in the lands of Sem and Niju. After all, werewolves have predestined mates with which they bond by soul, heart, and spirit. If one of them dies, the other will die of sorrow.

That wasn’t what had happened. The history books never tell you that Lorenzo also ordered this in his own nation, Cinco. The only difference is, he ordered his military men to execute mates of those Alphas who were not his allies. Plenty of women and unborn children died during these times, but of course, the history books never tell you this.

The history book told of the story of his Mate who had to die because of his love for his greed and selfishness. They executed her, the history book says. 

The truth is uglier than that. 

They didn’t just execute her; they made her suffer emotionally, mentally, and physically for months. The day she died was the day the Alpha of Cinco had fallen–but that was before he tried severing their mating bond forcefully. Urging the speed of her death, while Lorenzo slowly becomes better.

The remaining Alphas figured out what he was doing so when he was vulnerable, they attacked. An Alpha killed him from the lesser-known region of Cinco, Alpha Arman Lacroix killed him.

Niju and Sem never got their democracy back, even after Lorenzo’s downfall. Alpha Lacroix was so charismatic that he could convince the entire community that a nation ruled by only one Alpha would be better since there would be fewer wars. Although that made sense, it also welcomed poverty in the areas that aren’t near the capital of Cinco.

He also ordered new rules that he promised would ensure that a war like that would never happen again. He issued a new constitution that separated the entire nation into towns and cities, appointing remaining Alphas and those with Alpha blood as leaders.

With this change, the Alphas had become a dying breed.

This constitution also introduced a new set of genetically engineered women that share Alpha blood. Since the remaining Alphas no longer want to find their mates due to what happened during the war, Alpha Lacroix decided that the next thing that can help them with their population is to hybridize. They first tried to mate with Betas, however, their genes weren’t compatible with that of the Betas and they cannot form any offspring. With the Omegas, it was much worse. They formed offsprings, however, because of the strength of Alpha genes, the baby was always stillborn. That was until they realized they needed a certain DNA pattern to produce a werewolf that had enough Alpha genes to be worthy of being a Luna- the Royal Consorts.

Being a consort means financial stability, and in a nation where riches and resources are only being used by those in power, everyone wants to be one. But not everyone can. In the land of Cinco, they strive to never again repeat history. No matter what it takes.

I don’t believe love makes monsters out of us.

Love makes us worse.

It makes us the weaker versions of ourselves.

We forget the one thing we should have learned by birth, that we came into this world alone, we will leave it alone.

Wolves are free creatures that cannot be tied down by rules and guidelines. War happens because of greed and selfishness. Why are the Alphas letting other wolves suffer for faults made entirely by their own? 

Lorenzo was the one who started the attacks, and Alpha Lacroix is punishing every werewolf for one Alpha’s mistake.

We cannot shift anymore. It is forbidden.

They forget one thing; I am a wolf, and they will not cage me.