My eyes widened, horrified as I looked at Ajax. "No, stop him! Don't let her go!"
All eyes came to me as in an instant, Ren appeared and caught me, bringing me to Ajax immediately. Trembling, I almost kneeled to Ajax as I begged, "Stop him! Don't let Ether go!" Were they really planning to give her to the enemies? Why? Why would they do that? Ajax ignored me, much to my disappointment, as I turned to look and saw Ether being dragged to the center. The Crown Prince, the royal blooded human, was silent for some time before he finally spoke. "And what of this person?" Ajax replied, "She will speak the truth to everyone." Murmurs began to rise and I held my breath, only staring at Ether who was standing at the center, face expressionless. I wasn't sure if it was just me or I noticed Ether glanced at something from the crowd before she finally opened heClaireI had always loved the scent of sandalwood and rain.Even when mother said I wasn't allowed to play more than an omega should for a day, whenever I took a glimpse outside and saw the members of our pack - playing under the rain with their brightest smiles - I couldn't help but feel comforted. Most especially when my eyes would land on him.Ajax Larwoods.The smell of rain and wood, the colors of the sky that turned into a mellow orange hue that always made ways in giving my heart a touch of comfort, drizzled by unspeakable flying insects as he spoke to me with his low, husky voice. From my birth to my current self, these crazy thoughts were brought upon by my affection toward one person―Ajax.This was especially not easy for the fact that I was an omega and Ajax was an alpha. He was the son of the current Alpha King of the Crescent Glacier Pack in the Northern Woods, the biggest territory in this place. Being the n
The scent of sandalwood and fresh soil trickled by raindrops wafted through the air, gently attacking my nostrils.I followed Ajax through the woods which I realized were already near and almost reaching the boundary the pack's Alpha King had previously placed. There were thorns and strong scents of Ajax's father in this kind of boundaries to, of course, declare territory and possession."A-Ajax, where are we going?" I asked him as I warily looked around. There were no other werewolves aside from us.Ajax stopped abruptly and glanced at me from the side.Did something happen? Did Ajax do something and wanted my help? Questions began to swirl in my mind, wondering why Ajax suddenly wanted to take me here.For the record, Ajax only treated me as someone he could order around. Both in the academy and at home, as an omega, I heeded and obeyed to every order of the Alpha King's family, particularly of the Alpha Prince Ajax.Ever since
"Claire, do you want to know where your mother and brother are?" A woman's voice asked me. I could hear her well but I couldn't see her.There was a wisp of light in the center of the dark - this dark place to which I assume was a room. There were no walls, ceilings, nor floors. It was plain darkness tinted by one single light coming from the small wisp like a candle flame at the center."Yes. Please tell me where they are," I responded. Unexpectedly, my voice sounded calmer than I thought it would be.I remember making a huge scene earlier, after all. My emotions were all over the place and my fear for my family's lives made me even more anxious. I couldn't help but lose my sanity and myself back then."They are in a safe place, Claire. But I am afraid to tell you, you can no longer see them in the world you're living in," the voice continued to explain to me."What do you mean?" I asked."They are not de
My mind was too hazy and I could feel my bones tightening against my skin. Just how did I end up here? Who brought me here? Ajax―why in the world would he...?To my surprise, Ajax, with his magnetic and low voice, asked, "Where do you think you're going?"I almost jumped out of shock. "Y-You're awake?""The entire time," he said. His tone was serious and held no humor in it. Slowly, he got up, revealing his naked chest and six pack abs.I hesitantly looked away, covering my own self with some apprehension. With my chest pounding a little louder than before, I asked, "Why... am I here?" What did the Alpha Prince want me, a mere omega, here for?I did not want to see his expression so I remained looking far and away from him. I could feel he was already standing and in the middle of getting changed. His movements didn't comfort me nor made me think I was safe.In a while, I heard him finally respond.With an icy tone,
In the South Eastern woods, near the river that connected the two biggest lakes in the world, lived the Thornwheel Clan―or in the wolf term, the Crescent River Pack.Just like Larwoods family or the Crescent Glacier Pack, Ajax's clan in the North, Elias Thornwheel was a part of the Thornwheel Clan occupying the largest area in the South Eastern Woods they had claimed as their territory. Elias, similar to Ajax, was also someone next to the throne and was prophecied to become the next Alpha King. Both Elias and Ajax were responsible to rule, especially when the Alpha King suddenly went missing.Just as what was currently happening.I later found out that the Alpha King Thomas disappeared after battling a group of humans with lethal weapons while trying to scout the barriers of the place where everyone in the pack resided. According to Kid, the beta and right hand of our Alpha King Thomas Larwoods, the humans tried to use their bullets and s
The surroundings became hazy and my mind paused from thinking countless things, including my current position.I couldn't see the expression on Ajax's face but I could feel his anger as in a swift movement, he appeared to my side and grabbed my arm. He probably was furious for seeing such a scene caused by an omega... Especially with the fact that there were two visitors, too...Unexpectedly, I didn't hear any word from Ajax after that as he only seemed to have stared at me and my body, as if checking something from head to toe which I couldn't comprehend, before releasing me from his hold. Immediately, I was escorted by two omegas, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere, back to the room I woke up in earlier.While on our way, I heard the omegas whispering behind my back."Is she really the one...?" One of them asked."Sshh, we're not allowed to talk about her. You already know that," another said.Two were female omegas I h
I met Ajax when I was six years old. He was seven that time but among all the other alphas born, he was the smallest and weakest in looks. Naturally, even betas began to question whether he was a real alpha or not.During those times, I still didn't know the line between alphas and omegas. All I knew was I was a kid and he was a kid. And no kids deserved to be treated harshly, whether by actions or words.When the kids went away and all that was left was Ajax, I hid myself from one of the trees, peeking and waiting for him to get mad or cry after being bullied. I waited and waited, but the birds flew and the clouds changed their colors, yet Ajax remained silent.I realized he wasn't the type to cry nor get mad easily.Even when people began questioning his abilities when he turned sixteen and transformed, Ajax only silently listened to them. On the day of the annual battle training, he defeated the same people who had doubted his s
"No."In the midst of almost being controlled by whatever it was that enveloped me in this dark place, I clenched my fists. My desire of wanting to know more lessen as my mind kept going back to Ajax's eyes that stared at me with warmth.No matter how little, no matter how absurd, I must cling onto it and not let it fade."Claire...!" The voice called me once more.But I remained unbothered. How can I listen to these voices when I didn't even know them? What if they were only lying and trying to control me?I wasn't born to be someone to let that happen.More than anything and anyone, I knew myself and understood what I wanted.And right now, I chose and want to understand Ajax.With a resolute mind, the voice of Ursula who claimed to be a witch and member of the Jaderoot Order, slowly faded. In another second, my eyes opened."Ah, you're awake!"A voice of a young w
My eyes widened, horrified as I looked at Ajax. "No, stop him! Don't let her go!"All eyes came to me as in an instant, Ren appeared and caught me, bringing me to Ajax immediately.Trembling, I almost kneeled to Ajax as I begged, "Stop him! Don't let Ether go!" Were they really planning to give her to the enemies? Why? Why would they do that?Ajax ignored me, much to my disappointment, as I turned to look and saw Ether being dragged to the center.The Crown Prince, the royal blooded human, was silent for some time before he finally spoke. "And what of this person?"Ajax replied, "She will speak the truth to everyone."Murmurs began to rise and I held my breath, only staring at Ether who was standing at the center, face expressionless.I wasn't sure if it was just me or I noticed Ether glanced at something from the crowd before she finally opened he
Witches took time to heal. I had learned from Shila and her books that most of the time, it took months and years for witches to recover once they were hurt or injured."I'm sorry it took me so long. Anyway, Claire, I must inform you beforehand that I and the rest of us could not help you with our magic for now. It took enough too much of our power to break the chain that stops us from communicating you. All we can do is guide you with our knowledge," Alix explained."It's okay," I replied. "As long as none of you got hurt."After exchanging information on what occurred since the day we parted, I slowly began to realize my captivity wasn't as simple as I thought it to be."You must prepare yourself, Claire." Jaderoot's founder, Minerva, advised. I could only count with my one hand the times she spoke to me before. It must really be an important matter for her to speak directly to me now. "The
We both turned our heads immediately at the voice, finding an unexpected guest standing on the doorway of the highest floor of the tower."E-Elder Zarah..."Looking away, I slowly let go of the servant. If there was another person aside from Ajax and the servants who always come and go in this tower, it was Elder Zarah."You can go," Elder Zarah said as I felt the servant gave me a look before leaving through the door."Claire," she called and gestured to sit in front of her on a table. For the past weeks, Elder Zarah had been trying her best to talk about Ajax, her beloved grandson, and the Moon Goddess. On and on she wanted me to understand fate, of all things, and everything related to it.And by all means, my heart refused to understand even a single bit of those things. If there was one word I hated the most, it was that―fate."I heard you asking about marks and the ways to erase them. And here I thou
When our eyes met, a howling sound of a heart full of despair resonated the place. Ajax knew where it came from, of course he knew.Everybody knew.But knowing didn't mean answering and never would it mean saving.There were two kinds of people in this world according to the founder of Jaderoot Order, Minerva. One was the person who suffered and the other was the one who watched."Luna Claire, please eat your food. The Alpha King would come soon. This servant begs, please eat your food."My eyes didn't leave the view outside the window, looking at the birds that continued to fly up in the sky. It was a sunny day and the air left no room to think of any possibility of rain.Pleased at the thought, my eyes followed the direction of the birds more."Please, Luna Claire," the servant, someone I didn't even know the name of, continued.Slowly, my head turned to look, assessing her from
The sun looked down and the wind became humid. Ajax moved closer as he looked at me with a pair of serious, blue eyes."Follow me."Waking up from my surprise and fear mixing in to freeze me on the spot, I slowly moved my hands and pushed Ajax away from me. I looked around, trying to calm my nerves down, only to have my heart dropped the second my eyes caught sight of something...There were about twenty or more wolves present. On the trees, behind the bushes, on the grass... And in a distance away, there was Lagand. Then there was Lena and the rest... All of them were knocked unconscious and unmoving.I felt my body began to tremble as I muttered under my breath, "Let them go..."I couldn't help but feel my fisted hands trembled vehemently as I shot Ajax a glare when he didn't answer nor moved. "I said let them go, you monster!""You..." Ren exclaimed looking at me with so much anger and was about to attack me when Z
"Claire-""Stay back!" I exclaimed, in a swift movement pulling my blade and placing it just an inch away from Elias' throat as I pulled him down the horse with me."Claire, Claire, please calm down, let me explain first," Shila said, eyes looking at me filled with emotions that I was extremely familiar with."What's wrong with you?" Elias whispered."You did this on purpose, didn't you? You're giving me away to those... those liars!" I told him, pointing the knife closer to his throat.Elias' voice became much lower, almost in disappointment as he said, "What are you saying? I was only going to ask for further directions and to rest. This isn't the Fifth Town yet. You can look at the sign on that roof."Frowning as I felt confused, I looked at the said sign at the right side just slightly above the house. On a board said the words "Blue Moon Tavern".A tavern...?"What, is that person
The next day, I was awakened by the sound of a howl. When I went to check, it was coming from the wolf from yesterday."Why are you howling of a sudden? They'll find you if you keep doing that," I said with a yawn. "I guess you feel better now huh?"Then as I went to stand up, the wolf suddenly moved and I felt my body pushed down to the ground. Its face, although not friendly nor hostile, was full of curiosity as it just stared at me."I'm a bit similar to you so there is no need to attack me," I told the wolf. Then I smiled unconsciously, my hand moving up as I began to pat its head like I always did with Lagand. "I'm glad you're okay. Do you feel hungry?"For a minute, the wolf looked horrified at my sudden action, probably due to the physical contact. I immediately retracted my hand and got up from the ground and began to pull out some food from my bag."Here," I offered, my hand open with the food on it. In the werewolf language, an open
"Go! Run, Claire, Run!!"My legs had always been shorter than the rest as they had described them as. I couldn't run as fast as the betas and never would I be able to run as fast as the alphas.But as I saw a familiar insignia printed on that carriage a few distance away from where I stood with Lena and Sky, all blood drained out of my face and my legs immediately moved on their own.It was a symbol of the Larwoods Family. A red flower and a moon, drawn together and became widely known as one of the strongest packs in the world. It made others look away or bow down as respect upon knowing.When I saw that symbol, I heard a voice in my head that screamed to run. Run faster than anyone could.I heard Lena and Sky calling me out but I didn't look back. More than fear for myself, I feared that I would be captured and not be able to come for other omegas anymore. When I imagined myself chained by the person who hated my kind as m
"Lagand!"Who else would it be if not the man-child Lagand, the one whom I had treated as my own brother, the most innocent and the purest omega in our pack?"C-Claire?? I-Is it really y-you?"I almost felt my entire body jumped in joy as I hugged Lagand and patted his back. "It's me, it's me."Then I felt familiar arms circling around me. "C-Claire it's really you! It's you!!""So you two know each other?" Sky asked with a raised eyebrow."You know him?" Lena asked me as well."He's my brother," I simply told them. Lagand didn't seem to mind as I never did.Soon, we were already on the table and Lagand was drinking the soup I prepared and was letting out a sigh. I could already feel my insides beginning to throb at the sight of him who had visibly became much thinner than the last time I had seen him on our pack."Lagand... What happened? Where are the others?" I had to ask him no mat