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
Era stepped out of the Opulence Bistro; her breath ragged. The sound of her sneakers scraping the pavement matched the rapid beat of her heart. The cold night air had no power to quell the fire of anger burning in her chest."Bastard," Era muttered, her lips pressed tightly together. Her frustration was so intense that it felt suffocating. She glanced back at the entrance of the Opulence Bistro for a moment before continuing on to her car. "I shouldn't have met him."You're right, Era. You shouldn't have met him. Didn't I tell you not to go? Oh God, I don't know what will happen if Oscar finds out what you're doing now.Suddenly Era's eyes closed dramatically. She responded to the words of her wolf spirit. Be quiet. I don't want to talk now.Era felt so stupid. How could she trust Freddy? She had been so naive, thinking that meeting him would lead to him releasing Amias.It wasn't that simple. The realization hit Era hard. Even if Freddy had Amias, that didn't mean he would just let h
Freddy was still in the Opulence Bistro. He stood in the corner of the room and stared at the table where he had met Era earlier. His wine glass was still there, its contents untouched.Freddy's breathing was heavy. His chest rose and fell with uncontrollable emotions. He could barely contain himself when Bernard finally arrived, his head bowed."Bernard," Freddy growled, his face flushed with anger. His hoarse voice made the air around them feel sharp and tense. "You really made a fool of me!"Bernard mustered the courage to speak. "Alpha, I—""You said the potion would take effect in ten seconds. But what happened?" Freddy's eyes widened in anger. His jaw clenched as the memory of what had happened earlier rekindled the fire of his anger. "The potion was useless. Era wasn't affected at all."Bernard looked stunned; confusion evident in his gaze. "That's impossible, Alpha. The potion—""Enough!" Freddy snapped, his anger spinning out of control. Reflexively, he grabbed Bernard by the
A grin appeared on Freddy's face. His happiness was written all over his expression. He casually leaned back in his chair and let the satisfaction flow through his entire body.Era's voice still echoed in Freddy's mind, repeating over and over like a victory melody. The wave of satisfaction became almost overwhelming, making it impossible for Freddy to hold back. A small laugh escaped his lips—a soft chuckle, but full of meaning.The plan had gone smoothly, even better than Freddy had imagined. His threats had backed Era into a corner. In the end, she had no choice but to follow his orders. Era had moved exactly as he had wanted.The room seemed to warm up, radiating an air of triumph from every corner. Freddy rose from his chair and walked to the large window that framed the dark night sky. He slipped both hands into his pants pockets while his eyes stared far ahead, brimming with confidence.Freddy had won the first stage of the game. The euphoria filled him with a passionate burst
The voice crept into Era's ears like a sharp knife, slowly slicing, creating invisible wounds that burned every nerve. It made Era's heart pound violently through words that carried an implied threat.A chilling sensation appeared, piercing Era to the bone and freezing her. Her body stiffened completely, unable to move in the face of the terror that gripped her.The atmosphere changed instantly. The air grew heavy, thickening within seconds.The walls of the corridor seemed to close in. They moved slowly, pressing mercilessly against Era, suffocating her with their closeness."Era, are you listening to me?" The voice came back, softer and yet sharper. It brought a wave of fear that crawled over every inch of Era's body, making her breath catch and her blood run cold.Era's hand holding the phone began to sweat, and the perspiration only got worse. That voice was no ordinary threat—it was a certainty of the disaster soon to come.Era’s throat tightened. Her tongue felt numb. Yet she
Oscar lay motionless on the bed. All of his wounds were hidden under layers of bandages. His chest rose and fell slowly, each breath sounding labored, as if his body was still fighting the exhaustion that consumed it. He looked exhausted. A pale hue colored his face, one that usually radiated the strength of an Alpha. Even his once strong fingers now rested limply, as if surrendering to time.Beside Oscar sat Era, who had been at his side the whole time. She sat close to the bed, her fingers lightly stroking the back of Oscar's bandaged hand.The worry inside her was relentless. Fear hovered like a specter, always looming. No matter how many times Landon and Philo tried to reassure her, Era couldn't calm her mind. For her, the only way to get all the dark thoughts out of her head was to see Oscar regain consciousness.For this reason, Era stayed close to Oscar. She wouldn't go anywhere until he woke up. She even refused Aaron and Ursa's pleas for her to rest. It was impossible for her
The darkness of the night began to fade. The glow of the full moon was no longer as bright as it had been. The sky gradually shifted, leaving a gradient of purple that slowly turned into orange streaks on the horizon.The morning breeze carried the scent of damp leaves and fresh dew, soothing the weary souls that had endured the long and harrowing night. Sunlight began to creep through the tall trees, illuminating tired faces now covered in gratitude. The atmosphere, once tense and heavy, gave way to a deep silence filled with meaning.The Lunaria Forest felt desolate. The scent of earth mingled with the metallic taste of blood, leaving haunting traces of the battle that had just ended. Tall trees, usually standing proudly, appeared damaged—some with broken branches from the fury of the brutal clashes.In the midst of all the destruction, Era felt a surge of emotion well up in her chest. Her heart pounded wildly—not with fear, but with an indescribable relief.Era’s tired eyes scanned
Instinct had already sounded its warning. An uneasy feeling clung to Oscar's mind ever since he received Nicholas' challenge to a fight to the death. He knew there would be parties trying to take advantage of the situation, and his suspicions proved correct. Information leaked. No one knew who was behind it, but the supposedly private fight to the death at Riverdale Bluffs had turned into a spectacle that drew a large crowd. Oscar couldn't even keep track of which packs were present.Unfortunately, the problem didn't end there. Bad news arrived just as Oscar was preparing to face Stephen. The palace had been attacked by the Phydaron pack. As a result, Oscar left the arena in a hurry. He ignored Stephen's taunts. It didn't matter if he was branded a coward for leaving the fight. After all, he didn't owe Stephen anything, and what mattered most was Era's safety—his top priority above all else.Oscar jumped effortlessly into the helicopter, followed by Philo, Thad, and the Warriors. As
Throughout her life, Era had witnessed and endured countless chaos. Her life had never been peaceful. More often than not, problems would come crashing in and leave her life in shambles. But of all the turmoil, none was more terrifying than what she was about to face.Era was shaken. The chaos wasn't just the physical destruction or the deafening noise—it was far more than that. It carried with it the threat of death everywhere, a fear so palpable and overwhelming that it felt like invisible chains wrapped around her entire body.The air grew heavy. Pressure from all sides. Amidst the relentless cacophony, Era felt small, fragile and utterly powerless.The Palace of Xylvaneth, long a symbol of strength and protection, was on the verge of collapse—both literally and symbolically. The tremors that rippled through the ground, emanating from the battle in Lunaria Forest, seemed like a harbinger of the disaster that was about to unfold there.The rumble of wolf paws pounding the earth in t
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