The air felt trapped in Seth's chest. It was like it was stabbing his lungs. He gasped and felt a sudden bitterness in his throat. The bitterness was everywhere.Seth had heard about Julie's punishment from Oscar. It was a terrible punishment, but deserved. Then he asked himself, could he take that punishment? Because he realized that not protecting Era was an unforgivable mistake."Do you have any idea what punishment I should give you?" Oscar asked.Seth bowed his head even lower. "Alpha, I—""Philo!"Philo replied immediately, his body tensing. "Yes, Alpha?""Clear Bogy's schedule for the next month. I want him to train Seth specifically. Tell him that if Seth doesn't make progress, he should be prepared to accept punishment from me."Philo's tension disappeared. The others relaxed as well. Meanwhile, Seth reflexively lifted his face again.Seth looked at Oscar with a trembling tongue. "A-Alpha, I—""Suffer your punishment with all your heart, Seth. Make it a time of reflection. Ma
The excitement that surrounded the Xylvaneth Pack Palace in the early morning gave off an aura of happiness. People who had been asleep suddenly awoke as the good news spread from mouth to mouth. They immediately left their rooms and saw Landon rushing to Oscar's room.The good news was indeed true. Era, the future Luna of the Xylvaneth Pack, had come out of her coma. All the anxiety and worry that had plagued her days had vanished in an instant, leaving no trace behind."So how is she, Landon? Is she okay?"Landon finished his examination of Era. Then he turned to Oscar with a beaming smile. "Of course, Alpha. Era is perfectly fine now. You don't have to worry anymore."Oscar felt an immense sense of relief. He closed his eyes in gratitude and instinctively hugged Landon. "Thank you, Landon.""You're welcome, Alpha," Landon replied with a nod. Then he turned back to Era. "Welcome back, Era."Era smiled weakly, but felt happy. "I seem to have inconvenienced you for the umpteenth time.
Era's eyes closed briefly as she felt the morning sun wash over her entire body. It felt truly refreshing and made her wonder for a moment, does the morning sun always provide such peaceful warmth like this?See? Didn't I tell you? The sunlight here is so refreshing, but you didn't believe me before.Era smiled. This time not only because she appreciated the sunlight on her skin, but also because she could finally hear the voice of her wolf spirit again. After days of silence, she could hear the hustle and bustle again.I miss you.Era's wolf spirit startled. W-what? You miss me?Era replied. Very much. So, promise me. Never leave me. My world is really empty without you. You've always been by my side, so never leave me.Of course, Era. I'll never leave you. I'll always be with you. We'll always enjoy the morning sun like this. What do you think?A smile spread over Era's face. Of course. That's a great idea.Era spent her morning sunbathing in the palace garden. She believed that her
Ursa greeted Era's arrival with a broad smile and open arms. Then she hugged Era tenderly. Era closed her eyes and smiled as well. The warmth of the embrace made Era feel calm.One reason Era has always believed to be the cause of her calmness when she was with Ursa was her longing for a motherly figure. In addition, Ursa always had her own way of soothing Era's fears. There were times when she felt a gentle vibration emanating from Ursa's body, then spreading through her own body, and all her anxiety instantly disappeared. As if all the complications in her life had vanished without a trace through Ursa's warmth and love."You will never know, Era, how grateful I am for your recovery," Ursa whispered as she released the embrace. She created some distance so she could look at Era. "Thank you for coming back to us."Era smiled with mixed emotions. On the one hand, she felt guilty for worrying so many people. On the other hand, a part of her felt happy. Now there are so many people who
The world seemed to spin in Oscar's eyes. He took a deep breath for a moment to regain his disturbed concentration. He tried to concentrate again, but it turned out that he couldn't.Oscar closed his eyes. He pushed the laptop away from him. "Give me another task, Philo. I've been staring at that laptop screen for almost fourteen hours straight today. I'm sure if I look at the laptop screen any longer, your face will soon turn color in my eyes.""Sorry, Alpha," Philo said as he approached Oscar, who was sitting behind the desk. He glanced at his watch. "How about you go home now, Alpha? It's almost midnight. I think this work can wait until tomorrow."Oscar groaned and also looked at his watch. "The tomorrow you mean is only eight minutes away, Philo.""You need rest, Alpha, and even though there's a lot of work to be done, your health is the priority," Philo continued as a sudden thought crossed his mind. So, he spoke again, albeit with an uncertain expression. "Besides, I think you
Oscar could feel it, his blood began to boil. There was something in Era's words and manner that ignited his natural instincts. So, he remained alert, preparing himself for any possibilities that might unfold.Trying to calm himself amidst the onslaught of intuition that instantly awakened his wolfish soul, Oscar took a deep breath, trying to contain the sudden rush in his chest. He persisted and decided to halt his steps, unwilling to risk approaching Era any closer for fear that a misinterpretation of his instincts might cloud his judgment."Actually," Oscar said, furrowing his brow for a moment. He could not believe how his voice was shaking. Then he cleared his throat. "What do you want to say, Era?"Era let out a long sigh. Then she stood up and approached Oscar with a confused expression on her face. "I don't know. I just realized something after I woke up from the coma.""What is it?""There were some voices and emotions that felt strange. They weren't mine, but I could feel th
The tickling sensation Era felt suddenly disappeared. Her expression slowly changed. She looked tense and anxiety was visible in her eyes.Oscar knew that Era was in a difficult situation. All of fate and reality came so suddenly that Era was on the verge of uncertainty. He just hoped that Era would slowly accept it as time went on.Oscar's hope began to show signs of becoming reality when he received information from Ursa. Era's desire to learn and train to become a full werewolf was a good sign. However, he did not want to be too arrogant and assume that it was also a sign that Era had accepted herself.Era's reaction reinforced that thought. So, Oscar smiled and tried to suppress the disappointment that began to rise in his chest. He reassured himself that he was okay; after all, Era would still be completely his."Calm down, Era. You don't have to be so tense," Oscar said with a thin smile. In his heart he prayed that his expression did not show any signs of disappointment. "You c
EpilogueDate 14th. The peace and tranquility that had enveloped the Xylvaneth Pack’s Palace felt different this time. The reason was unknown, but nature gave clear signs.The night breeze blew with soothing waves, barely a whisper, as if to ensure that its caress wouldn't harm anyone, including the old leaves struggling to cling to their branches. It brought a coolness that would surely bring serenity.At the same time, the sweet scent of wildflowers and fresh grass wafted along. They were like natural perfumes that would delight anyone who caught a whiff.The small river behind the Palace didn't want to be left out. It added to the ambiance of the night with its constant babbling. Its sound was melodious, like a soft musical melody.Above all, the full moon shone brightly that night. Its light shone so beautifully, casting lovely shadows on the trees like a seductive living painting.One of a thousand nights, rarely would a night feel as magnificent as this one. Its uniqueness felt
The sound of a heavy thud echoed as a brown-maned wolf was violently thrown to the arena floor. It whimpered quietly, but a second later it rose quickly. Strengthening its initially wobbly legs, it then leapt, intent on retaliating against the golden-maned wolf that had made it the object of ridicule for the past ten minutes.The golden wolf dodged effortlessly, as if the brown wolf's attack was nothing, completely harmless. It showed no fear and instead continued to attack with bold courage.The golden wolf's movements were very agile and nimble, causing its mane to flicker and shed shafts of light everywhere. It seemed to light up the dimly lit battle arena. Its attacks were precise, full of accuracy and power. As a result, the brown wolf was cornered, and the spectators were filled with awe.The golden wolf's claws sliced through the air with incredible speed. The brown wolf could not dodge. It chest was ripped open. It blood vessels burst.But the golden wolf didn't stop. It contin
The previous nights had indeed been painful. Era was always worried about the condition of the people around her who were experiencing bad things because of her. But at least she could still sleep, even if she woke up feeling tired. Now, on the contrary, she couldn't even close her eyes for a minute.Era's feelings were truly uncertain. Even words like anxious, uneasy, worried, or scared couldn't describe her feelings now. She was adrift, trapped between waves that kept trying to pull her into an endless ocean.Era gave up. Trying to sleep was useless. Closing her eyes only made her more exhausted. So, she got out of bed.There was only one thing Era could do now, and that was to occupy herself. She had to distract her mind. She had to keep herself busy or the clock on the wall would explode from the constant staring.Era grabbed her pajama robe and quickly put it on. Then she left the room and wasn't surprised at all to find Aaron there."Luna," Aaron greeted as he folded the newspap
Oscar was determined not to let Era's worries and fears come true. So, he made the most of the time he had left. He trained diligently, perfecting all the techniques and strategies he had learned over the years. He wouldn't let any weakness get in the way of his goal. He had to return with his life intact.However, Oscar didn't just focus on himself and the upcoming fight. He wouldn't neglect something far more important, even more important than his own life.Oscar gathered several people in his office. It was just before they left for Riverdale Bluffs.Everyone gathered. Tension hung in the air. Their faces were filled with apprehension."Tonight," Oscar began, looking at each of them. His expression showed utmost seriousness. "I am going to Riverdale Bluffs with Philo, Thad, and several warriors. Although this is a one-on-one fight between me and Nicholas, no enemy can be trusted. So, vigilance is paramount."Oscar was determined to fight with determination and not allow Nicholas t
District Marindale, more precisely in the Falindor Forest—Ryloston Pack Palace.Freddy was inhaling the aroma of an 18-year-old single malt whisky that had just been poured into a rock-cut crystal glass by Peter McKay—watcher—when Bernard arrived. He knew that Bernard must have important news. But that didn't mean Bernard's arrival should interfere with his desire to relax.The crystal glass turned slowly. There was a soft clink as the ice hit the sides, creating faint ripples in the whisky. Freddy closed his eyes and savored the first sip. So did he, not wanting to miss a single taste sensation in every drop of whisky.Bernard, understanding Freddy's nature and character, decided to remain silent for a moment. He stood still, not saying a word until Freddy finally spoke."How is it, Bernard? Any news from Xylvaneth?"Bernard lifted his face slightly. He watched Freddy, eyes closed, still enjoying the whisky. "Nothing, Alpha."The spinning of the crystal glass stopped. Freddy's relaxe
Getting enough rest was never the answer to Era's anxiety; she had proven that. No matter how often or how long she slept, it didn't make her feel better. In fact, it only made her feel worse. When she slept, she was trapped in nightmares, and when she woke up, she was faced with a grim reality."Oscar?"Era looked around to find the room silent. She was alone; Oscar was not there.A heavy feeling made Era catch her breath. It was as if hundreds of tons of weight were trying to render her powerless. However, she managed to move her body, albeit with great difficulty. She got out of bed and at the same time Aaron entered the room."Luna." Aaron approached and helped Era. "How are you feeling?"Era winced slightly. She sat down and Aaron quickly prepared a glass of warm water. "I've never felt so bad, Aaron." She accepted the warm water and took a few sips. "According to Landon, I'm fine. I just need to rest, but why does my body feel completely powerless?"Aaron took the glass back and
Era remained silent as she felt the change in the atmosphere of the room. She cleared her throat, took a deep breath and scanned her surroundings. She saw Philo, who had just said something completely absurd. I am the last descendant of the Selunar Pack? Impossible.Era then turned to Dom. She remembered that just moments ago, maybe only a few minutes before, Dom had asked her about the possibility that her parents were not her biological parents. How could he ask such a strange thing?Finally, Era looked at Oscar. She paused for a moment before finally speaking in a low voice. "No, Oscar." She shook her head. "That's not me. I don't know anything about the Selunar Pack. It's completely unfounded gossip. I am the daughter of Amiass Ross and Sylvie Blair."This time, Oscar said nothing. He just stared at Era intently without blinking. His gaze was unreadable, which made Era feel uncomfortable.Era bit her lower lip. She tried to control herself as the discomfort made her act strangely.
Day after day passed with increasing agony. The Palace of Xylvaneth was filled with an atmosphere of tension. Not only Era and Oscar, but everyone felt anxious and on guard for any possibility that could happen at any time.Era tried not to think about the terror the Ryloston Pack had caused. She knew that Oscar had already ordered Philo to go to the Ryloston Pack's palace. So, all she could do now was wait for news from Philo.Unfortunately, bad thoughts kept creeping in and trying to shake Era's composure. What if Philo's arrival only made the situation worse?Era.Era blinked. The voice of her wolf spirit echoed in her head. I am really scared.Calm down. There is nothing to be afraid of. Oscar will take care of everything.Era winced. I know that. Oscar will take care of everything, but I am really confused as to why this is happening. Dad and Dree have already been affected. What if the same thing happens to others?Era, calm down. I promise you; everything will be fine. This wil
Philo understood, four in the morning was not a usual time to check out, but that was exactly what he did. All his belongings were neatly packed into a 20-inch suitcase, and then he left the room. He took the elevator down to the lobby and checked out with the desk clerk. Then he left the hotel.Philo's car moved smoothly through the still empty streets. His intention was to reach The Palace as quickly as possible. He had to report his findings as soon as possible.Philo stepped on the accelerator. The car's speed increased and suddenly his phone vibrated. At the same time, the dashboard screen lit up, indicating an incoming call, and the name displayed made him pull over immediately. He pressed the green button on the touchscreen and answered the call."Philo."Philo's brow furrowed slightly as he answered. "Hello, Alpha." Oscar's voice sounded different, indicating tension and anger. So, he asked quickly, "What is it, Alpha?""I order you to go to Ryloston Palace immediately."That
It was not unusual for Oscar to reassemble Dom and the others after the attack on Irene. He questioned Irene thoroughly, making sure nothing was overlooked. He made sure that nothing was done hastily.Oscar wouldn't keep quiet, that much was certain. Irene wasn't hurt, but the actions of the Lynoria Pack were like a blatant confrontation, an act that shouldn't have happened. Therefore, he made sure there would be a response to any form of threat they faced."Not just intercept and attack," Oscar growled after hearing Irene's full report. His face reddened, indicating immense anger upon realizing that his emissary had been sneakily attacked. "Even a single word of mockery must be answered."If anyone understood the terrible consequences of war, it was Oscar. He had felt the sadness and agony of war, convinced that nothing good could come of it. Loss was an inevitable price to be paid by all parties. So, he vowed to avoid war as much as possible.Oscar hated war, but at the same time he