Things falling apart.

Moonstone Pack

Xavier’s POV.

Slanting sun rays poured through the open windows of my office, further lighting up the entire space for another day had dawned. Behind a stacked desk, full of paperwork that demanded careful review was none other than me, for not even the previous sleepless night was enough for me to finish going through the waiting papers.

At least I was doing something useful, for nothing else have I ever touched had prospered. As I ignored the slight pounding in my head, my narrowed eyes continued to scan the paper in my hands keenly, careful not to skip any detail that’d be fatal later on. A soft knock on the door caught my attention, and I looked up, spotting my beta lazily slipping in.

He was a tall fellow, dark with a bulk frame that slightly surpassed mine. We grew up together and literally had been through thick and thin as we watched each other’s backs. He was a tough fellow that had my utmost trust, he was more than a best friend-he was a brother.

Sporting a disturbed look, he sauntered towards a couch nearby and threw himself on it with a long sigh. “Man!” He groaned.

I knew what to expect, and with that look, there was no beating around the bush. I fixed my gaze on him, braising myself for the worst, “Just tell me. I know it’s not good news.”

He straightened his back, meeting my gaze with a rather grave expression, “Alpha Kenneth has just declared war on us since we rejected the merging offer. He kicked me out of his office like I was nothing and called us names... I don’t even want to remember. Alpha Cole and Jason have shunned us from the alliance. Alpha Max is out of the equation. I'm afraid this leaves us without external protection.”

I sighed, running my hand through my hair in exasperation. I glanced at the man, sensing he wasn’t done. “Keep going, Ben.”

“You officially have a bounty on your blond head; it’s reasonably handsome. And we don’t know who really set it.” He informed.

I pursed my lips, curling my hand into a tight fist that my knuckles turned white. Perhaps this is it. I’m not doing anyone a favour by staying alive; I’m a total disappointment.

I keep on asking myself, every day, where is the damn Moon Goddess during these moments I need her the most? She’s supposed to look after us and interfere whenever the situation gets unfairly out of hand.

Then again, perhaps I’m not worth it in her eyes. “I don’t know what to do anymore, Ben.” I confessed.

“I have a plan,” he announced after a brief silence.

Narrowing my eyes in concentration, I nodded for him to continue.

“Alpha Miguel. Does the name ring a bell?”

“Sure,” I replied.

“He might be of help to us. He is known to be very fair and has always been against hostile takeovers, because that’s what’s going to happen, Xavier.” He muttered, concern marring his face.

I thoughtfully shifted my gaze to the window nearby, for something baffled me. Why all of a sudden, all the packs near mine want nothing to do with me? Could it be they all have made a pact against me? But for what reason? Why do they want to destroy me? Would Alpha Miguel truly be of any help? He’s at the other side of the country; it’s quite a distance if you ask me. “Problem is, he is at the other side of the country” I voiced my concern as I stared at space.

“We can go there.” He suggested. “It’s an emergency after all, and we need to act on it.”

“How can I leave my pack in a middle of a crisis, Ben?” I objected, jerking my head to meet his gaze.

“We don’t have a choice. Desperate times call for desperate measures. In fact, your brother-in-law is around, right? He can be in charge for a while, and Bruce can help him out.”

I wasn’t so sure about John, even though he is my brother-in-law, there is something about him that doesn’t settle quite right with me. Perhaps it’s because I never had time to get to know him better due to my busy schedule. But Bruce was good enough, he would definitely be able to properly oversee everything during my absence.

“So..?” He pressed.

Sagging my shoulders in defeat, I nodded at my only friend to affirm his request, and a couple of hours later, we were on the road to the other side of Canada.

*

Unknown POV

A twig snapped under my paw as I slowly made my way towards my log cabin home. I shifted back to my human form the moment I set foot on my porch and sat on the terrace, never minding my naked state. My eyes took in the familiar trees surrounding my premises, and I heaved a sigh.

This is my life now, seemingly peaceful and quiet, but in reality, it’s full of dark tunnels. You wouldn’t know where to begin, and you’d definitely have no idea where you’re heading or where you’ve stumbled up to. It’s a complete maze. A maze I only know my way through.

Thinking back at the time I lived an ordinary life, something deep down within me churned. Perhaps that was Meghan, but she ceased to exist the moment she lost two people that taught her what peaceful life truly is. Now, now I’m only a monster—a masterpiece of doom.

I rose to my feet and wandered into my premises. I needed a refreshment, for my last task was rather filthy. I blurred through the entryway and the stairs towards my bedroom where I went straight for the bathroom. I walked back into my room a couple of minutes later, dripping wet-refreshed with a dry towel in my hands, running it all over my body.

When I was finally dry, I rummaged through my chest of drawers in quest for something simple to wear and fished out a short black dress with spaghetti straps that I instantly slid on, letting it fall to the middle of my thighs. I unwrapped the towel on my head, letting my long straight hair fall to the middle of my back and discarded the towels before I walked back down to the ground floor. A new thought came to my mind as I made my way towards the living room but before I could do anything, I abruptly came to a halt as a foreign voice infiltrated my head.

“Lilith! Mother of the darkest fortune, I summon thee. Please hear my call..!”

Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and focused on the voice--connecting to the soul that was summoning me. It didn’t take long to grasp their essence, their emotions, their Desire. Their urge was so strong, so was their determination. I could sense desperation and depression, that was all I needed.

Detlev Grossmann, 32.

That was all it took for anyone at the other side to take the call. What I planned to do could wait, I had a job to do. With that, I accepted the call and felt my surroundings change.

The night’s cool air brushed my skin and my toes curled to the feeling of sand beneath me. My hair blew back with the passing breeze and the feeling of remoteness washed over me. Fluttering my eyes open, I took a look around me, taking in the desert-like area that was rather familiar to my eyes. I’ve been there countless times before, and there I was again.

A couple of metres upfront was a small bone fire; its flames burning with something that called to me, stirring something dark and sadistic within me. Within a millisecond, I was finally standing in the middle of crossroads, staring at a man across me who stood so close to the fire between us revelling at the warmth it provided.

He slightly jumped at the sudden sight of me appearing before him but he quickly recovered as I dazzled him with a friendly smile. His eyes darkened, as he took me in and I had to hold my surfacing urge, even though his growing desire was tempting. His soul was off limits for now.

I zeroed at his dishevelled state, and the dark circles under his eyes. I could see he was fighting against himself to do this, but his desire was so strong. He was heartbroken, and he sought solace-something that his God wasn’t able to grant him. “What can I do for you?” I softly asked him.

“M-my name is...” He started only for me to interrupt him.

“I know who you are, Detlev.”

He slightly paled but was quick to compose himself. Maintaining a smile, I nodded at him, encouraging him to speak on, He nervously gulped, “I want money and power.” He revealed, “I’m tired of being poor and unappreciated. I have always been a hard worker, but it has never been enough. The projects that I worked so hard to accomplish were easily swindled from me by powerful and rich men. The woman I truly loved...” he paused as a solemn tear trickled down his face, “... left me for a rich man. I’m so tired. I want to be rich, even richer than him, than all those who abused me.”

“And what will you offer me in return?” They all know the answer to the question. The problem arises on when, no one is ever ready to surrender when the time is up. Looking at his aura, he seemed to have quite a long life ahead of him--and that was my weapon, knowing.

“My soul. I offer my soul to you.” He desperately said.

“You’ll die twenty years prior your scheduled date, and the Dark Lord shall have your soul for eternity.” I spoke my terms.

He remained silent for a few seconds, contemplating on what he just heard. “Ten, please...”

He unknowingly had a weapon; a power of negotiation. All humans had the upper hand when offering their souls. They could sternly declare a mere month decrease from their mortal years and that would be it, for it isn’t really them that are desperate, but the Dark Lord himself. He was the one truly desperate for souls, slaves, and he’d do anything to get them. It only took consent and a simple mark.

A mark of doom.

Tricks exist for a reason and mine was on my sleeves. I could feel my eyes burn and satisfaction bubbled up inside me as I saw him shake with evident fear in his bulging eyes. He dropped onto his knees, “Please, make it fifteen. I swear I’ll be ready and waiting for you to come and collect.”

My eyes flashed back to normal, and my smile returned, “Deal.” He has just thrown away half of his remaining life.

I rounded the fire, stalking closer to him as I extended my hand. He stared up at me with confusion and conflict, not knowing if he could really touch me or staying the way he was, was a better option. As I halted before him, I reached for his bicep, and watched him visibly shudder. Heat ebbed from my hand and slowly sipped into him, becoming unbearable for him to bare as seconds blurred by, and before he knew it, he dropped to the ground, his consciousness lost. I withdrew my hand, leaving behind a mini-sized symbol; the underworld mark that marked not only his body but also his soul to only belong to the deepest depths hell.

My work was done, and the contract was sealed by the mark. I would perhaps see him when his time comes, the time when he realizes life is too sweet and too precious to let go.

I turned around and walked into the gloomy night. Conquering the weird roads that led to nowhere seemed like a nice idea. No need to rush home; I was in the mood for games. For who would resist a woman dressed in black in the middle of nowhere?

My body buzzed with excitement as I slowly walked into the night.