CHAPTER ELEVEN
-ESTRADA-
It was the evening, and the sun had begun to set. Its fading orange light bathed Estrada's room in a soft warm glow. Her bag lay packed against the door, ready for departure. Estrada cast one last look around the room, her gaze lingering on the drawings that decorated the walls.
"Estrada," Arwen's voice came from the hallway. "It's time to go, sweetheart." Her voice was gentle, but Estrada could hear the hitch in her throat that betrayed her fear.
Estrada's heart tightened at her mother's words.
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-Hugo clutched Arwen and Estrada closer to him, his body tense with protectiveness. He snarled at Trisha, baring his teeth in warning."Oh, defensive, are we?" Trisha toyed, her eyes glistening with malicious amusement. "Pity. Here I was about to make you an offer you couldn't refuse.""Shut your mouth, filthy mutt!" Hugo barked with venom in his voice, his eyes flaring with frenzied wrath.The moment Hugo spoke those words, the air tu
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-I slowly opened my eyes, feeling disoriented and confused. I took in quick, shallow breaths as I scanned my surroundings with wide eyes, my heart racing against my chest like a wild animal trying to break free from its enclosure.It dawned on me. That I had a nightmare. The memory of that night still haunted me. That heart-rending goodbye, their terrified faces and Trisha's cold, unyielding grip were just as vivid in my mind as if it had only happened yesterday.I stole a quick glance at the desk
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-The history of witches was as captivating as it was chilling. My heart ached reading about the turmoil, the conflicts, and the persecution that surrounded them.Yet, oddly enough, the thought of being a part of that world held a certain allure, a promise of something more than the mundane rhythms of my life. It was the idea of belonging somewhere, anywhere other than here.I was so lost in my own thoughts that I didn't even hear the door open. Suddenly, a familiar voice called out my name. "Estra
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-Nightshade petals were the main ingredient for the Potion of Charm. Without them, I could not make the potion. The Luna Mother would be furious. I closed my eyes, trying to think as the panic crept through me.Then, I remembered the small patch of nightshade that grew in the heart of the Dark Woods, a place not many people dared to venture in. A wave of fear and excitement washed over me, but I knew what needed to be done, even though the thought of stepping into that otherworldly abyss filled me with dread.
CHAPTER ONE-WILHELMINA-The long-awaited day had arrived, heralding the commencement of the revered Alpha Games. Participating in this event was a dream come true for me. Imagine this – if I win, I’ll be crowned the Alpha of the legendary Gravemaw Hounds! It's been my ultimate dream since I was knee-high to a grasshopper. I've always had my sights set on leading the pack, ever since I can remember. And now, with victory in my sight, that dream feels closer than ever.Excitement pulsed through my veins as I paced back and forth in the locker room, eagerly anticipating the start of the games. The early morning light filtered in, casting a soft glow on the empty space around me. Just a few early risers were scattered about, like eager bees buzzing before the hive comes to life. But soon enough, the place would be bustling with energy and anticipation as all the other competitors arrive. The calm before the storm, they say. Well, I can’t wait for the storm to hit!The locker room burst o
CHAPTER ONE-WILHELMINA-The Alpha Games had been going on for approximately one week now, and today marked the final showdown. The competition had initially consisted of over a hundred highly skilled and experienced alpha werewolves. But as the days passed, that number steadily decreased until only three remained. Boris Gravemaw was an expected finalist, known for his incredible strength and clever tactics. However, I, Wilhelmina Growler, was a surprising addition, using a combination of intelligence and brute force to succeed. And finally, my older brother Weldon - a master strategist - completed the trio.The final event was set at midnight during the full moon, when our transformations were at their peak. The rules were simple; whoever could retrieve the Alpha's Crown from the heart of the treacherous Dark Woods and bring it back to the pack grounds was the new Alpha. The Crown, a symbolic relic, was set deep within the forest, surrounded by traps and challenges designed to test o
CHAPTER ONE-WILHELMINA-The storm was a monstrous entity, a simmering chaos that loomed above the forest. It seemed to echo the tumultuous fury within my heart, thundering with all the passion and determination that drove me forward. Despite the storm’s rage, I pushed on, my paws sinking into the sodden earth with each determined step. Suddenly, there it was - amidst the riotous weather and foreboding wilderness - a shimmering glint caught my eye.Through the heart of the storm, nestled between the gnarled roots of an ancient oak was the Alpha's Crown, gleaming with an ethereal light that cut through the darkness. The Alpha's Crown – a legendary artifact of our kind, imbued with the collective strength of countless leaders. It was said to hold the essence of every pack leader who'd ever worn it. Now, it sat nestled between twisted roots, caught in the spectral dance of lightning that fractured the darkness every few moments. The crown was an intricate weave of silver and gold, studde
CHAPTER ONE-WILHELMINA-"Wilhelmina, you can't beat me. Just give up," His voice was grating, like stones scraping against each other. It sent shivers coursing down my spine. But his words — his taunting — only served to ignite a spark within me, a spark that fanned the flickering embers of my will into a blazing defiance. The wolf inside me snarled, refusing to bow to the likes of Boris, refusing to be tamed by the tormenting poison."Never," I spat out, my voice raspy but charged with defiance.Suddenly, without warning, my legs gave out from under me. I collapsed onto the forest floor, the icy storm soaking into my fur. My trembling muscles rebelled against every attempt to rise as the venom continued to spread its numbing tendrils through my body. Slowly, my body started to change. My fur disappeared, replaced by skin pale as the moonlight that filtered in through the stormy canopy overhead. My paws shrank, forming into hands and feet. My muzzle and ears shortened, the elongated
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-Nightshade petals were the main ingredient for the Potion of Charm. Without them, I could not make the potion. The Luna Mother would be furious. I closed my eyes, trying to think as the panic crept through me.Then, I remembered the small patch of nightshade that grew in the heart of the Dark Woods, a place not many people dared to venture in. A wave of fear and excitement washed over me, but I knew what needed to be done, even though the thought of stepping into that otherworldly abyss filled me with dread.
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-The history of witches was as captivating as it was chilling. My heart ached reading about the turmoil, the conflicts, and the persecution that surrounded them.Yet, oddly enough, the thought of being a part of that world held a certain allure, a promise of something more than the mundane rhythms of my life. It was the idea of belonging somewhere, anywhere other than here.I was so lost in my own thoughts that I didn't even hear the door open. Suddenly, a familiar voice called out my name. "Estra
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-I slowly opened my eyes, feeling disoriented and confused. I took in quick, shallow breaths as I scanned my surroundings with wide eyes, my heart racing against my chest like a wild animal trying to break free from its enclosure.It dawned on me. That I had a nightmare. The memory of that night still haunted me. That heart-rending goodbye, their terrified faces and Trisha's cold, unyielding grip were just as vivid in my mind as if it had only happened yesterday.I stole a quick glance at the desk
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-Hugo clutched Arwen and Estrada closer to him, his body tense with protectiveness. He snarled at Trisha, baring his teeth in warning."Oh, defensive, are we?" Trisha toyed, her eyes glistening with malicious amusement. "Pity. Here I was about to make you an offer you couldn't refuse.""Shut your mouth, filthy mutt!" Hugo barked with venom in his voice, his eyes flaring with frenzied wrath.The moment Hugo spoke those words, the air tu
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-It was the evening, and the sun had begun to set. Its fading orange light bathed Estrada's room in a soft warm glow. Her bag lay packed against the door, ready for departure. Estrada cast one last look around the room, her gaze lingering on the drawings that decorated the walls."Estrada," Arwen's voice came from the hallway. "It's time to go, sweetheart." Her voice was gentle, but Estrada could hear the hitch in her throat that betrayed her fear.Estrada's heart tightened at her mother's words.
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-As the sun gracefully rose above the horizon, its golden rays filtered through the delicate lace curtains of the Evercrown cottage. The warm light danced across the walls and finally settled on young Estrada's face. She stirred from her slumber, her long lashes fluttering open to reveal inky black eyes that sparkled in the sunlight.She raised a delicate hand to shield her eyes, the events of the previous night feeling like an eerie dream. A sigh escaped her as she stretched like a dozing kitten. The delicate aroma of breakfast floated in through the
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-Estrada's heart raced as she watched Mrs. Gravemaw converse with her apprehensive parents."We weren't trying to leave, Luna," Arwen said, her voice rising in pitch. Her mama always sounded like that when she was anxious.Mrs. Gravemaw didn't look convinced. Her cold gaze flitted between Hugo and Arwen. "Lying to the Luna," she scoffed, her face scrunching up in irritation. "Can lead to severe consequences, as you very well know." Her voice was as icy as her stare, sending a chill down E
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-It had been about a week since Estrada had overheard her parents' hushed conversation. The memory of their furrowed brows and tense voices was still fresh in her mind, but she couldn't quite recall what they had been discussing. Despite this, she couldn't shake off the lingering worry that seemed to have settled in the house like a heavy fog.As each day passed, Estrada couldn't help but notice the increasing concern and stress etched onto her parents' faces. She attempted to comfort them with small gestures of kindness, but their troubled expression
CHAPTER ELEVEN-ESTRADA-The Gravemaw Hounds' territory was basked in warm, golden sunlight under a cloudless spring sky. Giggles echoed through the air as three young girls, 4-year-old Estrada Evercrown and her best friends Bellatrix and Rae Greymane, sat in the woods behind the Greymane family's home.With a firm grip, Estrada held Rae's chestnut locks in her small palms. She skillfully weaved dainty primrose petals from the nearby fields into the cascading brown strands. Her attentive gaze was fixed on creating a stunning floral creation.