Prologue

“Boom” Another explosion. The fire sizzled, devouring the last bit of my pack. I listened as pierced screams filled my ear. The fire mercilessly swept across the land, like an orange dragon, breathing balls of fire, engulfing any signs of life. I watched as black smoke floated in the air, choking me slowly.

More houses started to collapse, creating heaps of mess. I was petrified, witnessing my packhouse being burned to the ground. I coughed involuntarily and felt my eyes start to water due to the burning. Lifeless bodies covered the whole ground, blood soaked the grass, the scene was horrific.

“Mum… Where are you?”

I couldn’t hide my fear, I circled the pack ground, desperately trying to find a living soul. What just happened? My eyes finally landed on a figure lying near the pack house door. She had the same blond hair as me, and emerald eyes that were once filled with warmth and affability were now hollow as ever. Her once beautiful face was now stained with blood and dirt, barely recognizable. I immediately ran to her side, holding her and resting her head on my lap. 

“Mum! Mum! Wake up!” 

I cried frustratingly, angry tears welling up. I let out a hopeless scream, letting the sound echo.This moment came too suddenly, I couldn’t even register what happened. I just recalled seeing a wild slaughter while getting closer to my pack.  When I finally looked up, through my dewy-eyed orbs I could see a red crown imprinted on the door. I didn’t remember our pack door ever having this symbol. I stood up and wobbled towards the door. I gingerly touched the red paint. Surprisingly, the red paint smeared on my hands. Who left it here? I wondered.

Just when I was about to step closer to take a better look. A strong and rusty smell that made me feel weak filled my nostrils. Someone is approaching. I knew that I couldn’t leave this place, I couldn’t leave my home, I couldn’t leave the members here without any proper burial. But the smell warned me that it was not someone I would want to face today. I watched as his figure slowly started moving toward me. I took one last look at the symbol, before slipping away as silently as possible.

After I knew I was safe, I turned around. The pack house was no longer within sight. I took a quick sprint, trying to get as far as possible. I vowed to take revenge when I was ready. I would find out the truth. I would kill whoever slaughtered my pack members. My pack may be destroyed, but as the last descendant, I would never fall back. Because I was Layana Yarrow.