Chapter 9: It has been days since the fight happened between Caden and the rogue alpha. The pack was in a state of uncertainty and shock. The news that Aria has not been seen for days kept on spreading like wild fire throughout the entire dark wood pack Some were relieved that the coursed omega who is destined to be the Luna of the pack had disappeared into thin air. While others were worried for her and for the pack, because although, Omegas are not important in a pack, they are still needed for the survival of that pack. The absence of Aria stirred up different feelings among the pack, especially for Caden. Caden did not want to totally accept the fact that he has been worrying for Aria since she disappeared. He called it a thing of nature to notice someone’s absence and to want to know where or what happened to the person. Being Proud and selfish, he kept on resisting the thought to be worried about someone someone that he publicly humiliated and rejected. The figh
Caden has decided to take matters into his hands and bring darkwood pack under control again. He felt that darkwood pack is beginning to think about things that don’t matter anymore, also sharing false and unimportant rumors throughout the whole village. The sudden disappearance of Aria seemed to be the center of discussions in darkwood. Aria and her sudden disappearance seems to be the topic of discussion for everyone in darkwood Starting from how she was being treated when she was still a servant girl to Caden, to when she was chosen as a mate for Caden who despised her so much, also to how Caden held the mating ceremony only to publicly disgrace, reject and humiliate her in front of the whole darkwood. And also to her sudden disappearance after the rejection ceremony. The pack was in great turmoil as they continued hearing these rumors, both the true and false ones. Elderly women(Mothers) of the pack seemed to be talking more of how Aria has always been badly treated by Cad
Caden has gotten to his father’s room and saw his father sitting quietly. He folded his hands and was lost in thoughts. The button of his shirt was opened, exposing some part of his breast but he didn’t mind that. That was the least of his problems at the moment, and it was just him and his son. “Daddy you called for me.” Caden said as he reached out for a seat to sit. “Yes, I did. I want us to have some father and son discussion. Tell me, I’m all ears. What’s going on?” “Dad, all I’m saying is that I’m not okay with the disrespect and lack of trust I’m getting from the park. Rumors can’t be flying around just because I refused to mate with someone I don’t have any atom of feeling for. I need to bring order and sanity to darkwood pack, that’s why I’m their leader and Alpha.” Caden said On hearing this, Caden’s father took a deep breath and signed. He was tired of the whole situation but he still spoke: “Listen son, I have nothing against you and I don’t want to force you into
As they saw Caden approaching, the noise and loud whispers gradually faded, and silence filled the whole arena. They all stood up to welcome their king whom they had been waiting for, for the past half an hour.“Long live our Alpha. Long live the king. Long live Caden. Long live darkwood park”They all echoed, bowing down to Caden as he got to the center of the arena.“Long live darkwood pack, you all should settle down…” Caden responded.“Hope you all are good and healthy?Today is a very important day in darkwood…”As he spoke, everyone fixed their eyes on him and were focused on listening to him.His parents were also present, they folded their hands and steadied their gaze on him. His father had the look of pity on his face. His mum though not comfortable with what’s going on, still tried to give off a faint obvious smile.Elder Throne also sat, speechless but just listening. He had mixed feelings about the gathering. He somehow believed that the gathering has something to do wit
They were all anxious, no one knew what was going to happen next or what to expect. The only thing they knew for sure was that, Elder Thorne has just landed himself in a big trouble for taking that bold step.Everything was going just fine before he raised his hand in opposition to the Alpha.All eyes were on him as he proceeded to the center of the Arena. His heart was racing and his soul was almost jumping out of his body. Though scared, he was determined to do this.He counted his steps, his movements were faltering as if each step pained him. He dragged and forced himself to get to the center of the arena, with his face facing the earth.Elder Throne was ready to stand for what is right.He didn’t want to be part of the wolves that will be deceived and controlled by a selfish king. He stood his ground to make things right, but if he fails, then he’ll separate himself from them.It wasn’t too late to turn back and forget that he ever raised a finger against Caden, but he was deter
How can an Alpha decide to appoint a new Elder all in the name of being the head of the pack?Caden didn’t hesitate to look for a replacement for Thorne, cause Thorne decided to stand for the truth.Everyone still waited to hear who will be called as the replacement for Thorne. Caden’s Parents were overwhelmed with everything. They couldn’t do anything at this point, they just kept looking and observing.Thorne has gone back to the spot where he sat before he went to the center of the arena.While Caden was trying to figure out who to appoint.“Elric!” Caden Called with smile on his face“Can you come up here please.”All the wolves in darkwood let out a loud howl, raising their heads to the sky, with their eyes shining bright, as though welcoming him into his new position. That was their normal ritual for anyone who was given a new position.They all knew immediately Caden called his name that he was the one.Elric took the steps of joy to the center of the arena. The pride and ego
It’s been months since Aria’s flight from the pack, darkwood has become a history for her. She has journeyed through thick and thin with her mum, looking for safety and survival. Her mum’s health was gradually deteriorating, but Aria kept on pushing, not knowing what awaits her in the thick forest she has been traveling through, for months. Aria’s love for her mum couldn’t let her just abandon her, even when she was becoming a great burden to her. “I did all of this for mama and I just can’t give up now.” She thought to herself. Aria has been in the forest for months, not knowing where to go or what to do. She fed on decayed fruits that fell by the tree side, and dead animals. Sometimes, using her wolf power she would go hunting, looking for meat to eat and to feed her mum with. Aria’s heart still felt betrayal from Caden’s public rejection and humiliation of her at the arena, the rejection ceremony. As she moved forward, each step she took reminded her of everything that hap
Aria’s long-lasting prayer has been answered. Her mum who was sick and was a great burden to her, has been magically healed by the powers that came within her.Mira was so happy to be a normal mum once more. She was determined to help her daughter find her purpose and destinyAria’s mum Mira, has always known that Aria was not just a normal omega wolf, or the lowlife omega that the dark wood pack addressed her as, including Caden their AlphaMira was happy and delighted that her powers were coming to light and Aria was beginning to discover herself.“The moon goddess is within her.” Mira always found hope and encouragement in these words.She was so proud of her daughter.Aria has been encouraged and was eager to know more.Now, it seems like the course of her journey has changed: from fleeing from Caden and Darkwood to finding purpose and discovering her real self.The forest which was once a night mate for her in her early days of journey, now felt more like a hole and a place to be
**The Ritual's Failure**Caden and Elder Thorne stood before the altar, their hands trembling slightly as they clutched the intricately woven ceremonial cords that bound the sacred herbs and objects. The flickering candlelight cast dancing shadows across their faces, illuminating the beads of sweat forming on Caden's brow. They had spent countless hours in preparation for this pivotal moment, meticulously gathering the rare herbs known to possess potent healing properties, laying out an array of sacred objects that resonated with the ancient power of their lineage, and engaging in deep purification rituals filled with intense prayer and meditation.As they recited the final incantations of the ritual, a palpable energy surged from the altar, spiraling into the air like a vibrant wind infused with whispers of the past. Caden and Elder Thorne opened their eyes, hearts pounding with anticipation, expecting to witness some profound transformation or at least a sign that their efforts had
**The Connection Revealed**Caden sat in the dim light of his chambers, the flickering candles casting long, dancing shadows that seemed to mock his turmoil. His brow was deeply furrowed, an embodiment of the chaotic whirlpool of thoughts and emotions swirling within him. For days, he had wrestled with a troubling enigma, a sickness sweeping through his pack like a dark plague, and its malevolent link to the moon goddess’s ancient curse gnawed at his conscience. Just when despair threatened to pull him under, a sudden clarity erupted within him, striking like a bolt of lightning in the night.A vivid memory surged forth, piercing through the haze of his mind: the way he had treated Aria, his fierce and spirited counterpart. The rebellion that had coursed through him at the thought of choosing her as both his mate and the Luna of the pack had scarred him with doubt, driving him to a self-imposed exile of pride. He had been so blinded by his own desires, so ensnared in his arrogance, th
**Tensions Rise**The pack's den was enveloped in an oppressive atmosphere thick with worry and dread. Nestled in a corner, Elara, the pack's esteemed healer, lay feverish on a makeshift bed woven from the soft furs of past hunts and fragrant moss. The vibrant fire in her spirit had dimmed significantly, snuffed out by an insidious illness that clung to her like a shadow. Caden, her closest ally and protector, paced the confines of the den with a sense of mounting distress, while Lily, her devoted apprentice, stood by with her brow knitted in concern. Together, they were entwined in a desperate struggle, their minds racing as they searched for a solution that felt increasingly cruelly elusive.Caden moved like a caged wolf, his heart heavy with the weight of his anxiety. Each pacing step reverberated through the silence of the den, a stark contrast to the soft, sorrowful whimpers that escaped Elara’s lips. His brow was furrowed, deeply creased as if the very act of thinking brought hi
**Elara Falls Ill**The once-bustling den of the pack, a place of laughter and camaraderie, had transformed into a sanctuary of despair, shrouded in a somber stillness that was almost palpable. In the heart of this space, nestled among the softest of grasses and verdant leaves, lay Elara, the pack's esteemed healer—her presence a calming beacon now muted by the grasp of illness. A heavy silence enveloped the den, punctuated only by her shallow, labored breaths and the anxious shuffling of her companions, Caden and Lily, who were desperately trying to provide solace during this harrowing time.Elara’s condition was alarmingly frail; her once-bright eyes, vibrant with life and wisdom, had sunk deeply into her skull, and her coat, which usually shimmered like polished obsidian in the sunlight, now hung limp and matted as if stripped of the very essence that had animated it. Weak, rasping coughs escaped her lips, each shallow breath echoing within the confines of the den, sending icy chil
**The Puzzle Deepens**Caden and Lily huddled together in the dimly lit confines of Elara's hut, a sanctuary brimming with decades of wisdom. The low warmth of the flickering candle cast dancing shadows across the walls, which were lined with bundles of dried herbs, intricately woven charms, and ancient artifacts that whispered stories of old. Each corner of the room felt alive with the echoes of countless rituals and remedies, creating an atmosphere that both comforted and heightened the tension in the air. On the worn wooden table before them lay the cryptic clue that Elara had unearthed earlier that fateful evening. Its enigmatic words seemed to swirl in their minds, an intricate puzzle just out of reach, waiting to be deciphered. Despite the hours that had slipped away in the silence of the room, they had made little headway, their frustration palpable in the fading light.“I just don’t get it!” Lily burst out, her voice tinged with exasperation as she ran a hand through her tangl
**The Cryptic Clue**Elara sat at her sturdy oak desk, which had borne the weight of countless studies over the years, surrounded by a teetering mountain of ancient tomes and meticulously rolled scrolls. The room was thick with the musty scent of aged paper—a fragrance imbued with the echoes of history—and the faint, lingering aroma of crushed herbs from her recent experiments wafted softly in the air, mingling to create a unique and unmistakable atmosphere of scholarly pursuit. The flickering candlelight danced across the room, casting restless shadows against the battered stone walls, illuminating her furrowed brow as she hunched over each text, her keen eyes scanning for any fragment of knowledge that might lead her to a cure for the insidious sickness that had begun to ravage her village, like a dark specter claiming the vitality of her community. Days had slowly melted into nights, blending into a relentless cycle of toil, frustration, and despair, and yet, her efforts had yielde
**Morale Hits an All-Time Low**The pack's den, once a vibrant sanctuary echoing with laughter and camaraderie, was now steeped in a suffocating silence that enveloped it like a heavy fog. The very air felt thick with despair, a tangible force that pressed down on the remaining members, who were all too aware of the affliction that had swept through their midst with ruthless efficiency. Sickness had infiltrated their ranks, leaving behind a calamitous trail of anguish and suffering that numbed the hearts of the strong who clung desperately to the vestiges of hope.Caden and Lily tread softly through the dimly lit den, their steps muffled by the bedding of fur that lined the cold ground. The flickering shadows cast by the flames in the far corner revealed the stark reality of their situation—a once-bustling haven for wolves now lay transformed into a somber tableau of weakness and despair. The sick and frail members of their pack lay on makeshift beds, their bodies limp and defeated. H
**The Moon Goddess's Silence**Caden and Lily sat in the heart of the pack’s sacred circle, nestled deep within an ancient forest. Towering trees, their trunks gnarled and thick, loomed like sentinels around them, their leaves swaying gently in the whispering wind. The scent of damp earth mingled with the faint perfume of wildflowers, creating an atmosphere both serene and charged with anticipation. They had come to this hallowed place seeking the guidance of the moon Goddess, desperate to lift the curse that had befallen their pack — a curse that had plunged them into despair and sickness.Elara, their pack's wise seer, had spoken of the moon Goddess's power, claiming that only through her favor could they hope to lift the dark shroud that lingered over them. Yet Elara had offered no clarity on how to appease the divine being. With determination ignited in their hearts, Caden and Lily resolved to take matters into their own hands, imploring the moon Goddess for mercy and healing.As
**The Sickness Deepens**As the cold night unfurled its dark wings, an oppressive silence set in, wrapping itself around the pack like a shroud. The condition of their once-mighty group continued to deteriorate, an unrelenting shadow creeping stealthily among them. The sickness advanced with alarming rapidity, leaving behind a harrowing path strewn with the weakened and incapacitated members of what was once a vigorous clan. The lively howls that once rang through the woods were now replaced by soft whimpers and coughing that echoed in the dimly lit den, a haunting testament to the distress that hung heavily in the air.Caden and Lily moved swiftly among their ailing companions, urgency propelling them forward. Their faces, usually bright with energy, were marked by lines of worry as they tended to those stricken with the mysterious illness. The atmosphere was thick with the scent of medicinal herbs and a mélange of teas brewing over low flames. They worked with steadfast hands, apply