The tension in the sitting room was palpable, the air thick with a mix of confusion and anticipation. All eyes were fixed on Thane, who sat with his head bent low. Councillor Tudor nudged him softly. "My Alpha..." he said in a low voice, "Perhaps I should speak?" Thane nodded slowly, his head still bent low. Councillor Tudor stood and bowed to Alpha Asher once more. "Alpha Asher, with due respect to your Luna, to your son and to his mate, I crave your indulgence. I will speak for my Alpha." Alpha Asher was looking at him, visibly perplexed. "Go on." he said. "Actually, there's no easy way to say this," Councillor Tudor started, his voice measured and cautious, "but it'll have to be said all the same. You may have seen how my Alpha was affected by the news about Lylah, your son's ex wife, that is because our visit to Ravenhurst has everything to do with her."Alpha Asher's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm listening." Councillor Tudor hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "The thing
LUNARVILLE CLANThe sitting room was bathed in the soft, warm glow of candles, their flickering flames casting a tranquil ambiance over the space. The room was quiet, the only sound the occasional crackle of the fire in the hearth. Thane sat on a plush armchair, his eyes fixed on the floor as he listened intently to Aurora, the Chief Scout, who sat facing him. Her expression was somber, her voice low and measured as she delivered her report."You mean there is no credible news, then?" Thane asked when she had finished. Aurora's voice was firm but apologetic. "I'm afraid not, my Alpha. But we will continue to ask around and search. It'll only be a matter of time before we hear something."Thane nodded gravely, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What about Villapaw? Did you extend your search there?" Aurora heaved a sigh. "Yes, we did. Discreetly, though. Our spies there have heard no news about Lylah over the years." Thane's face fell, his shoulders sagging in disappointment. "Very well,
The huge, automated gate of the Janeerad Foundation slid open sideways, and a small car chugged in, spewing a faint hum of exhaust fumes behind it. The driver, a stoic-looking man with a weathered face, emerged from the vehicle and trudged to the back door. He swung it open, revealing a tiny, dark-haired boy. Kael tumbled out of the car with an excited squeal, running straight to his mother, who stood expectantly in front of the imposing building. Lylah's eyes shone with anticipation and happiness as Kael hurtled towards her, and she swept him up in a warm embrace, inhaling the sweet scent of his hair."Oh, Sweetie!" she cooed, her voice husky with emotion. "How are you? How was your first day of school?" Kael's face lit up. "I made friends with a boy named Max, and we played with Lego blocks!" He paused, taking a deep breath before launching into a joyful babble. "And we had juice boxes and animal crackers, and the teacher read us a story about a big, red dog!"Lylah listened inten
Through the bedroom window, which directly overlooked the perfectly manicured lawns of the building, Lylah gazed out, feeling the warm sunlight cast a golden glow over her face as the sun began to set. The scent of freshly cut grass wafted in, mingling in with the faint hint of disinfectant that lingered in the air. Her thoughts were a jumble of concerns, centered around Kael, who was playing excitedly on the floor, surrounded by a scattering of toys, oblivious to his mother's worries. He looked so happy, the soft hum of his toy car punctuating the silence as he rode it back and forth. Occasionally he would giggle and mutter to himself, the sound of his voice creating a sense of tranquility that Lylah couldn't quite grasp. She felt like an outsider, watching her son's carefree happiness through a pane of glass. For a moment Lylah was tempted to adopt Kael's reality and pretend that all was well, they weren't trapped in a building far away in New York City, with mysterious forces con
THE HEARTWOOD FOREST - WEREWOLF REALMThe delegation from Lunarville sat in the waiting area of the Lunar Sanctum, surrounded by the soft glow of luminescent orbs and the gentle pulse of the large crystal at one corner of the space. Councillor Tudor fidgeted with his cloak, his eyes fixed on the intricate patterns woven into the rug. Warden Loshra stood tall, his hands clasped firmly together, as his gaze scanned the room with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Aurora, the Chief Scout, sat cross-legged on the floor, her eyes closed, her breathing steady, as if meditating.The silence was broken by the soft rustle of silk as Zular emerged from the inner sanctum. His eyes swept the room, coming to rest on the delegation. "The High Priestess will see you now," he announced, his voice low and melodious.The delegation rose, smoothing their clothing, and followed Zular into the inner sanctum. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of incense and something else, something ear
The fluorescent lights overhead cast a sterile glow on the laboratory, illuminating rows of sleek workstations and humming equipment. The air was thick with the scent of disinfectant and the faint tang of metal. Dr. Ganner, syringe in hand, was bent over Kael, who sat rigidly in a chair, his eyes scrunched up in discomfort.Dr. Ganner's gloved hands moved with precision, the needle glinting as he inserted it into Kael's vein. The boy's face contorted, his blue eyes welling up with tears, but he sat still, his slender body tense. Justine, standing beside Dr. Ganner, watched with an intent gaze, his eyes flicking between Kael's face and the needle. He offered Kael reassuring nods and smiles, his voice soft and soothing. "Almost done, kiddo. Just a little longer."Kael's eyes locked onto Justine's, and he took a deep breath, his body relaxing slightly. Dr. Ganner withdrew the needle, and a tiny droplet of blood welled up on Kael's skin. The doctor pressed a cotton swab to the puncture si
Lylah walked Kael straight to her chambers, the door slamming shut behind them. She quickly pulled a huge cushion from the couch and dragged it across the floor, using it to barricade the door. Her chest heaved with exertion, her eyes blazing with a mix of fear and anger. Kael watched her, his eyes wide with confusion and fear. "Mom?" he ventured, his small voice trembling.Lylah turned to him, her face softening as she took in her son's scared expression. She knelt down beside him, her hands grasping his shoulders. "Kael, baby, I'm so sorry. I should have been there to protect you."Kael looked up at her, his eyes welling up with tears. "What happened, Mom? Why were you fighting with Daddy? And why were you yelling?"Lylah took a deep breath, trying to calm herself down. "I was yelling because I was scared. I saw you in the lab with him, and I didn't know what was happening."Kael's face scrunched up in thought. "But I always go to the lab with him, mom, I like to watch the equipmen
LUNARVILLE CLANThe air inside the courtyard was thick with anticipation and a buzz of activities as a few of the councillors sat on the wooden chairs round the ornate table. Their voices rose and fell in excited conversations, and all eyes were fixed on the door that led into the hallway. "He should be out anytime now..." Councillor Tudor was saying, looking sideways at the Shaman who was seated just beside him. "I hope he has everything he needs." The Shaman smiled knowingly. "He will be. He's had four years to prepare, he won't fail his clan." Councillor Tudor's expression became wistful. "But do you think things will still be the same? I mean, what if Lylah is no longer in New York? What if something has happened to her or the child in the interim? It's been almost four years since Aria revealed her location. We should have gotten to her since, it's taken too long." The Shaman heaved a thoughtful sigh. "You can't really blame the Alpha for not setting out immediately. If he ha
The sight of Justine's figure in the open doorway made Lylah's heart sink, her alarm turning into terror as she realized that with this intrusion all her effort to convince Kael and make him see reason - which seemed to be working - might just be washed down the drain with Justine's sudden appearance. Justine took a few steps inside, his eyes scanning the room with an air of authority. Lylah stood up abruptly, a cold sweat breaking out on her forehead as Justine's gaze settled on her."What have you two been discussing?" Justine asked, his voice cold and detached.Lylah tried to brace herself, her voice firm despite the fear that threatened to overwhelm her. "What I discuss with my son is none of your business, Justine."Justine's smile was a thin, cruel line. "As long as you're in my house, it's very much my business.""Ha!" Lylah exclaimed, her eyes flashing with anger. "Your house?" She shrieked. "Like I asked to be locked up in this glorified prison! Why don't you call your guards
Lylah stood outside Kael's room, her hand hovering over the door handle as she gathered her thoughts. She still felt groggy and tired from the uneasy sleep she'd had the night before, however her conversation with Angela had sparked a determination within her. She took a deep breath, her resolve solidifying, and knocked on the door.The door swung open, and Kael stood before her in a bathrobe, wiping his damp hair with a towel. A warm smile spread across his face as he caught sight of her. "Mom." He beamed, "How are you? I stopped by your room last night to check on you, but there was no answer when I knocked."Lylah forced a smile. "Everything's fine, sweetheart. I was just out for a walk in the yard."Kael's eyes narrowed slightly, his gaze piercing as he searched her face. Despite her reassurance, the tension in her shoulders and the faint crease between her eyebrows betrayed her true emotions. "You look a bit troubled," he said, his voice gentle. "Do you want to come in and sit do
The sky above had darkened to a deep shade of indigo as Lylah spoke, and stars were beginning to twinkle like diamonds scattered across the canvas of the universe. The air had grown cooler, bringing back the scent of damp earth and the distant hint of rain. Angela stood facing Lylah, taking in the outlines of her face in the bright lights surrounding them, a lot of questions on her mind. She reached out and took Lylah's hand. It was soft and tender. Angela squeezed it gently, as though trying to convey her support and understanding without words."Well, what happened then? How did you manage?" She asked, keeping her voice as soft and encouraging as possible. "It wasn't easy at all," Lylah said, gazing down at her feet which was beginning to hurt. "Naturally my parents were summoned. It was a very uncomfortable scene. My mother was disappointed, yes, but wanted me to just say the truth so that she could find a way to help me. My father on the other hand, well, I think his anger was m
The pale sun was now dipping below the horizon, transforming the lawn into a warm, golden oasis. Sharp lights flickered to life all over the mansion, casting a gentle glow over the lush greenery and the delicate flowers waving up into the sky.Lylah stood watching them, her hands folded over her chest, and her eyes fixed on Angela's face as she pondered whether she could trust her. The fading light danced across Angela's features, illuminating her hazel eyes and bold smile. Lylah's heart swelled with a mix of emotions - fear, uncertainty, yet a deep longing for connection."My life has been a series of events that I never could have imagined," she began, blinking at the dahlias which were swaying lightly in the evening breeze. "You must know by now that I grew up among my kin, werewolves, that is?" She asked, turning to look intently at Angela, who nodded vigorously. "Well," she continued, averting her gaze once more, "I had only heard of other humans who weren't werewolves in storie
The heavy rain that had been falling for most of the day had stopped at late afternoon, leaving behind a faint scent of wet earth and a sky that was slowly clearing. A weak sun had appeared in the sky, casting a pale glow over the mansion's lawn, where droplets of water clung to the blades of grass like tiny diamonds. The automated gate swung open to receive Angela as she walked in, stepping gingerly on the gravel path. As she approached the lawn, she spotted Lylah standing at the far end, strands of her long hair being blown into her face by the soft breeze that followed the rain. Lylah was gazing out absent-mindedly at the flowers that bloomed in soft hues of pink and yellow. There was a distant expression on her face as she looked at the flowers, as though she wasn't seeing them at all. Angela's heart swelled with a mix of curiosity and empathy as she drew closer to her. Her thoughts had been reeling from the conversation she had with Kael, all the while contemplating what he sai
Kael's expression was guarded, his eyes narrowing slightly as he shifted uncomfortably on the bed. The way the visit was unfolding was definitely different from the picture he'd had in his mind all day. He felt like he'd rather not talk about his mother, but Angela's expectant stare and the resolute twist of her lips conveyed to him that he had no choice. He heaved a sigh, and started. "My mom has her issues. Thing is, she can be a bit paranoid sometimes, most of the time, really," he said, his voice low and hesitant.Angela's gaze remained steady, her eyes locked on his. "Paranoid?" she repeated, her voice neutral. "In what way?" Kael looked up at the white ceiling, squinting his eyes at the lights becoming more pronounced in the room now that the rays of the sun was dying away. "Has to do with her history, and the circumstances surrounding my birth, I think. She's always been a bit...overprotective, I guess. And Father...Justine, he's just trying to keep us safe."He looked down t
NEW YORK The large laboratory on the second floor had seen increased activity over the course of the months. It had actually been converted into a state-of-the-art research facility, its sleek workstations and cutting-edge equipment a testament to Justine's commitment to his mission. The soft glow of the overhead lights lit up the place, though it was nothing compared to the brightness of the morning light filtering unobscured through the large large glass windows. Serious-faced technicians in white lab coats moved around the expanse of the room, each focused on his task. At the far end of the room, behind a small table sat Justine, his gaze steady on the laptop in front of him. Beside him sat Kael, eyes glued on the screen as well, taking in all he was doing. Occasionally Justine would explain and point out some things, while Kael would nod, his face set in the most intense concentration. This intense focus, however, was ruffled when towards midday the door opened and a petite-lo
"Roughly eighteen years ago, my brother, Ryker, the Alpha of Lunarville, died." Thane began, his voice echoing through the great hall. "Surely many of you sent your condolences when this happened, and some even came to console me in person. But the fact remains that most of you have been running with the narrative that he died from a horrible accident while hunting." Thane chuckled slightly, a dry, mirthful sound. Then he stretched out his right hand and picked up one of the silver bullets sitting idly in the tray in front of him and held it up. The room was silent, the Alphas' eyes fixed on the bullet as if mesmerized."It was this bullet that killed my brother," he said, his voice low and measured, "Ryker met his death at this hands of this little object in my hand." The room erupted into a cacophony of shocked gasps, horrified whispers, and stunned silence.Alpha Asher's eyes widened in horror, his face pale. "How on earth did someone deep in the werewolf realm come to be shot wi
LUNARVILLE CLAN The warm rays of sunlight filtered through the large open windows of the great hall in Lunarville, illuminating the long table and chairs that had been arranged for the Alpha Convention. Thane, the host Alpha, sat at the head of the table, discussing in low tones with Alpha Billam who was sitting beside him, their voices barely audible as they waited for the other Alphas standing around in discussion and personal greetings to take their seats. Alpha Asher of Ravenhurst, much more advanced in age, walked slowly towards the table. His frail body was supported by Cormac, his son and Ravenhurst's next Alpha. His silver hair was thinning, and his eyes didn't appear as sharp as it used to be. He nodded briefly at Thane and Billam, who returned the gesture respectfully. Cormac didn't spare Thane as much as a glance; he just helped his father into a seat, then turned and left the hall. Next to sit was Alpha Walter of Waterville, who, immediately he sat, started asking Alpha