Chapter 4

Xander's pov

I sat in my office going over some documents with my beta,Magnus Kane, and younger brother, Rowan Blackthorn. There are 10 packs in Lycara — the werewolf continent.

Blackthorn pack in the center, this is my pack, directly run by me. Silverclaw pack in the north,

Stormfang pack in the east, nightshade pack in the west, blood moon in the southwest, iron claw pack in the south east, wildheart pack right next to us her in the central region, Ashville pack in the northwest, thornspike pack in the northeast and lastly rainville pack in the far east.

Each pack has their own unique specialty. Silverclaw pack has elite warriors and high endurance to cold weather, stormfang are known for their agility and naval navigation, nightshade are known for their impeccable stealth and mastery of poison, bloodmoon for warfare, iron claw for blacksmith and weapon forgery, wildheart animal taming and archery, ashville explosive making, thorn spike traps and ambush, rainville healing and herbal medicine then blackthorn handles all the political aspect.

Each pack contributes greatly to the growth and development of Lycara. It was a lot to handle but with the aid of my beta and gamma things ran smoothly.

“The warriors should be arriving any moment from now.” Magnus said from his position on the chair in front of my desk.

“Rowan, where is Lyra?” I asked turning to my younger brother.

“She's with the werewolf council and each pack’s representative discussing what pack needs more servants and who would be getting entertainers.” Rowan replied.

“Okay,” I said. “Mind-link her and tell her to get here before the warrior’s arrive, I do not want my castle crowded with humans all because we have to wait for her.”

“Okay.” Rowan replied. His eyes glazed over as he mind linked her.

Werewolves in the same pack have the ability to mind-link, it's a form of telepathy that enables you to talk to one another through your mind. Werewolves with royal blood have a stronger mind link than regular pack members, regular pack members can only mindlink members of their pack, unless they create a bond with a non-pack member they won't be able to mind link.

Royals can mind link anyone from any pack at any time, although distance can hinder the strength of the connection. They can also let others see through their eyes momentarily to let them know where they are or what they have seen.

Their wolves were also bigger than other pack members and had unique intricate stripes and partners on their fur. Ancient folklore says the stripes show where their ancestors had been injured during the battle.

“She'll be here very soon.” Rowan said.

I gave him a nod in response before turning back to my work.

“Magnus, have the enforcer's and gamma Draven heard anything about the rogue movement recently?” I asked, turning to my beta.

Magnus Kane is my one and only friend. He has been with me through thick and thin ever since his mom ran into our pack holding him in her arms bloody after rouges attacked her and his father, eventually killing his dad. My father, the former alpha king Lucian Blackthorn, saved him and his mom and killed the rogues who had attacked her.

One of the rogues used his claw to swipe at Magnus’s neck, it was a fatal wound that would have claimed his life that day. It was only by the moon goddess’s grace that he survived that day. He still has a scar from the encounter.

He was all but three years old at the time, an additional three years plus extensive treatments before Magnus could talk again. The trauma of that day left a scar much deeper than the physical one on his neck. Kids shied away from him due to his scary scar and the fact that he wouldn't talk. After three years of being unable to talk he got used to not talking, till date he only talks when it's necessary.

Most of my childhood was filled with training, after my mother died Magnus was the only one who sat beside me on silent nights, not saying anything but simply being there. Over the years we trained together, fought together and shared our traumas. He was more than a friend to me, he was my brother as well.

“They have been quiet.” He said, short and precise.

“Okay.” I replied.

A knock cut through the silence in the study, “come in.”

The door opened revealing Captain Cyrus Maximus, one of my pack warriors.

“Greetings your Majesty.” he said with a bow. “The warriors from the silver claw pack just arrived with the new human selection.”

“And the others?” I ask.

“They had arrived earlier but your sister, Lyra, had said not to inform you until all the humans had arrived from their various settlements by each pack. Silverclaw was the last to arrive.”

“Thank you, Captain Maximus. I'll be down shortly” I said and with one final bow he left the study.

Gathering up my things, I neatly arrange them on my desk sorting them by importance.

“Let's go.” I said, and with that we all left the study to welcome the new human selection.

Something strange began to stir inside me, it made my steps flatter for a brief second but that was enough for Magnus to notice and he sent a questioning look my way with his brows raised.

I didn't understand what just happened so I shook my head in response, telling him it was nothing. Whatever it was, was clawing its way to the surface, like something ancient coming to light.

What is this?... I thought to myself.

Whatever it was unsettled my wolf and made him stirr within me. It wasn't an emotion but whatever it was, was demanding my attention. I didn't realize that I had been standing frozen, staring at a blank wall until Rowan cleared his throat, my eyes snapped to him and he also had a curious look on his face.

I didn't know what it was or why it was happening today but I'll have to sort it out later, right now we had some humans to welcome.

I straightened my spine then walked out of my office.