chapter 1

Noah’s POV

I never thought it would come to this. Me, Noah, the alpha of the Red Moon pack, forced to flee from my own home. It was all because of Marcus, my closest friend and confidante. He took what was rightfully mine, stole my place as pack leader, and left me with nothing. Betrayal doesn’t even begin to describe what I feel.

I wandered for days, my thoughts consumed with anger and vengeance. That was until I stumbled upon a small human town. As a werewolf, I should have avoided human settlements at all costs, but I was desperate for refuge.

It was there that I met Sophia, a human woman who lived on the outskirts of the werewolf community. She didn’t seem afraid of me like most humans would be. Instead, she offered me a place to stay and tended to my injuries.

But my mind was too consumed with thoughts of revenge to truly appreciate her kindness. I couldn’t help but think about how Marcus had betrayed me, and how I would stop at nothing to get my rightful place back.

As I brooded over my situation, Sophia told me about a recent attack on a pack member, which had left the victim severely injured. It was then that I realized that my problems were not just my own. The pack was in danger, and I needed to take action.

I made a decision that day. I would find a way to get my pack back, no matter the cost. And I knew that Sophia could help me do it. Little did I know, that decision would lead to a journey full of danger, betrayal, and unexpected love.

I was lost in thought, replaying the events of the past few days in my mind. The betrayal of my closest friend, Marcus, had left me reeling. How could someone I trusted with my life turn against me like that? The pain of his betrayal was still raw, and I couldn’t shake the anger and bitterness that filled my heart. In my reverie, the popular melodies we used to sing when we are being trained as young werewolves played in my mind, it is a song of betrayal depicting the experience of Adam Bosch, the first Alpha(My great grandfather) of the red moon pack, when he was betrayed by his council members. The song goes thus;

Betrayal, a word so sharp and cold

It strikes the heart with a blow so bold

The pain it brings, a bitter sting

A wound that bleeds, an endless thing

My friend, my brother, my confidante

You were the one I trusted most

But now I see, the truth so clear

You stole from me, my rightful post

A pack, a family, a bond so strong

But you tore it apart, with lies so wrong

You took my place, my throne of gold

And left me with nothing, bitter and cold

But I will rise, I will not fall

I’ll fight for what’s mine, I’ll stand tall

I’ll find a way, to take it back

And bring you down, with a fierce attack

For betrayal may wound, but it also fuels

A fire in me, that cannot be cooled

I’ll fight for justice, I’ll fight for pride

And in the end, I’ll stand by my side

So let the winds of fate, blow as they may

I’ll never falter, I’ll never sway

For I am the alpha, the leader of all

And I’ll never let betrayal make me fall.

The words keep repeating itself in my mind, even though my great grandfather was able to overcome his betrayals, it gives me hope that I can too. I was so lost in my reverie that I didn’t even notice Sophia come into the room. She jostled me out of my thoughts with her soft voice, asking why I seemed so distant. I looked up, surprised to see her standing there, her eyes filled with concern.

“Sorry, I didn’t hear you come in,” I said, shaking my head to clear my thoughts.

“I can see that,” Sophia said, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips. “What’s going on? You look like you’ve got the weight of the world on your shoulders.”

I sighed, not sure if I wanted to confide in her. After all, she was just a human, and the last thing I wanted was to burden her with our pack’s troubles. But something about her kind eyes and compassionate expression made me want to open up to her.

“It’s Marcus,” I said, my voice heavy with emotion. “He’s betrayed me. Stolen my rightful place as alpha of the Red Moon pack.”

Sophia’s eyes widened in surprise, and she took a step closer to me.

“That’s terrible,” she said, her voice filled with empathy. “What are you going to do?”

I shrugged, feeling helpless and lost.

“I don’t know yet,” I admitted. “But I won’t let him get away with this. I’ll find a way to take back what’s rightfully mine.”

Sophia nodded, her expression serious.

“I believe in you,” she said. “If there’s anything I can do to help, just let me know.”

I looked at her, feeling a warmth in my heart that I hadn’t felt in a long time.

“Thank you,” I said, my voice soft. “That means a lot to me.”

Sophia smiled at me, and for a moment, the weight of my troubles lifted just a little bit. Maybe, with her help, I could find a way to defeat Marcus and take back my rightful place as alpha of the Red Moon pack.

Sophia told me that there was a grand opening at the museum tonight and she had managed to secure two tickets for us. At first, I was hesitant to go, but Sophia’s enthusiasm was infectious, and I found myself agreeing. Maybe a night out would do me some good, take my mind off my troubles for a while.

As we caught our breath, Sophia turned to me with a mischievous glint in her eye. “So, ready for a night out on the town?” she asked.

I groaned inwardly at the thought of being surrounded by humans and their incessant chatter, but I knew I couldn’t let my personal feelings get in the way of my mission. “Lead the way,” I said, offering her my arm.

As we made our way to the museum, I couldn’t help but feel self-conscious. Despite being in human form, I still towered over Sophia, and I knew that we attracted more than a few curious glances as we walked through the door. But Sophia didn’t seem to care. She was smiling, her eyes shining with excitement, and for a moment, I forgot about everything else.

The museum was a sight to behold, with gleaming marble floors and sparkling chandeliers casting a warm glow over the exhibits. As we wandered from room to room, admiring the priceless artifacts on display, Sophia regaled me with stories and anecdotes about each piece, her passion for history and culture infectious.

For a few brief hours, I forgot about the weight of my responsibilities and the looming threat of Marcus and his allies. It was just me and Sophia, lost in the wonder and beauty of the world around us.

But as the night wore on and the crowds grew thicker, my senses began to prickle with unease. I could sense the eyes of the other patrons on me, their curiosity and suspicion piqued by my heightened senses and inhuman strength.

I knew it was time to leave. As we made our way towards the room exit, a group of rowdy teenagers jostled past us, their laughter grating on my nerves. And that’s when I heard it – the unmistakable sound of a werewolf’s growl.

My instincts kicked in, and I spun around just in time to see one of the teenagers transform into a snarling wolf. The other teenagers backed away in fear as the werewolf lunged towards us. I reached for my hidden knife, but before I could even draw it, Sophia stepped in front of me, holding out her hand in a calming gesture.

To my surprise, the werewolf paused, his eyes flickering between us. And then, as suddenly as he had transformed, he reverted back to his human form, panting heavily. Sophia spoke to him in hushed tones, her voice low and soothing. I couldn’t hear what she was saying, but the werewolf’s tension seemed to ease, and he backed away slowly before turning and running off into the night.

I looked at Sophia, my mind reeling. How had she known how to calm a werewolf? And why had that particular werewolf been targeting us? There were so many questions buzzing in my head, but before I could ask any of them, Sophia grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the exit, a determined look on her face.

“Come on,” she said firmly. “We have a museum opening to attend.” And with that, we stepped out into the cool night air, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As we walked back towards the museum main auditorium, I couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that had settled in the pit of my stomach. I had been so consumed with my own troubles that I hadn’t paid much attention to the world around me, but now I was acutely aware of the danger that lurked in the shadows.

Sophia must have sensed my apprehension because she gave my hand a reassuring squeeze. “Don’t worry,” she said softly. “I’ve got your back.”

I smiled gratefully at her, feeling a flicker of hope in my heart. Maybe, just maybe, I could trust her.

We arrived at the auditorium and were greeted by the sound of tinkling glasses and lively chatter. The grand opening was in full swing, and people were milling around, admiring the artwork on display.

Sophia led me towards the bar, where she ordered us each a drink. As I sipped my cocktail, I couldn’t help but feel a little out of place. I was used to spending my nights prowling the forest, not mingling with high society.

But Sophia seemed right at home. She chatted animatedly with the other guests, her laughter ringing out like music.

The museum was packed with people, and it took us a while to make our way through the crowds. But eventually, we found ourselves standing in front of a glass case that held a beautiful ancient artifact. It was an intricate silver bracelet, covered in tiny rubies and sapphires.