By the time Timbre reached the grand hall, dusk had already settled over the pack’s territory, painting the sky in hues of deep purple and grey. The oppressive weight of her encounter in the forest clung to her like a second skin, and though her limbs felt leaden with exhaustion, she knew there was no time to rest. Her steps were purposeful as she crossed the clearing toward the hall, though her heart thundered with uncertainty.Inside, the council members had gathered, their faces etched with concern. The air was thick with tension, a palpable unease rippling through the room. Xavier sat at the head of the long wooden table, his golden eyes fixed on her the moment she entered. He looked stronger, more present than he had in days, but there was still a shadow behind his gaze—an echo of the darkness that had been consuming him. Alison stood beside him, her silver eyes studying Timbre with a mixture of worry and curiosity.Timbre hesitated only for a moment before stepping further into th
The days that followed were a blur of intense training and preparation. Timbre could feel the weight of the power inside her growing stronger with each passing moment, as if the ancient energy was slowly waking up, stretching its limbs after centuries of sleep. But despite the growing intensity, she still had no idea how to control it.Alison had taken the lead in guiding her, bringing forth old texts and artifacts the pack had kept hidden for generations. The forgotten wolves were an enigma, even to the most learned among the council. Their legacy was shrouded in mystery, with only fragments of stories passed down through whispers and shadows. But what was clear was that they were beings of immense power, beings who had once stood at the top of the natural order before their fall.“The forgotten wolves weren’t just feared for their strength,” Alison explained one evening, her voice quiet but firm as they sat in a secluded part of the pack’s vast library. Scrolls and ancient manuscripts
The weight of the revelations still hung heavily on Timbre’s shoulders as she made her way back to the main hall, her mind spinning with the images she had seen in the vision. The rise and fall of the forgotten wolves played over and over again in her head, each scene more haunting than the last. The echo of their destruction, the devastation they had wrought upon the land, clung to her thoughts like a persistent shadow. She couldn’t help but wonder: would she follow the same path as her ancestors, consumed by the power that now thrummed through her veins? Or would she be able to control it, to wield it without falling prey to its destructive potential?As she entered the hall, she was greeted by Xavier, who stood at the far end of the room. His tall, imposing figure radiated authority, but there was a softness in his eyes when they landed on her. He had been waiting for her.“Timbre,” he said, his voice calm but laced with concern. “Alison told me what happened. You saw them, didn’t yo
The night was thick with tension, the air sharp with the scent of fear and uncertainty. Timbre stood at the edge of the clearing, the full moon casting an ethereal glow over the pack. Shadows danced among the trees, whispering ancient truths she had only begun to understand. Her fingers trembled as she traced the lines of energy that pulsed beneath her skin—an energy that now felt foreign, even to her. She had spent the last few days learning to harness the ancient power within her, with Alison guiding her every step of the way. But tonight, she faced the impossible truth. In order to save Xavier, in order to save herself, she would have to let go of the very thing that now made her whole.The pack gathered around her, their eyes full of suspicion, fear, and something else—hope. They knew Xavier was close to breaking, his episodes growing more violent with each passing day. The Alpha they once revered as an untouchable force of nature had been reduced to a shadow of himself, his mind t
~Timbre~ “Watch where you’re going, woman!” The angry voice of a taxi driver slammed against my ears, jolting out of my thoughts and throwing me into reality. I was lost thinking about how to survive another day without food or shelter that I didn’t realize I was making my way across the road. “Sorry!” I yelled back, immediately running off the road. Getting to the other side of the street, I caught people staring at me and even covering their noses with their hands. It wasn’t a surprise, given that I was wearing a tattered black dress, my face and other exposed parts of my skin were covered with dirt. I couldn’t even remember the last time I washed myself. I had always roamed the streets of Hamburg, Germany this way for more than ten years. I lost my parents and elder brother at age seven, in a fatal accident on our way to a family picnic. I survived this accident and I hate that I did. I went to our pack and extended families after the incident, but they all chased me away, t
~Xavier~ As the world blurred around me, I felt my heart pounding in my chest, threatening to burst free. A cold sweat broke out across my forehead, and my hands trembled uncontrollably. It started as a subtle unease, a flicker of anxiety that swiftly transformed into a suffocating wave of panic.A sharp pain stabbed at my chest, radiating through my body like an electric shock. I let out a cry of pain and fell as the ground beneath me seemed unsteady. It was happening again. That saddening story of my life I never want to share with anyone. I could see her beautiful smiley face, the face I always wished never left me. Grabbing my head in agony and regret, I felt my fingers elongate into sharp claws, capable of rending flesh and tearing through obstacles. Fur erupted from my pores, making me growl loudly again. Suddenly, I heard something from a distance. A soft yet distinct rhythm permeated the air. It started as a faint whisper, like a distant drumbeat carried on a gentle bre
~Timbre~ As the first rays of sunlight tiptoed through the curtains, gently illuminating the room, consciousness emerged from the depths of my slumber, like a delicate flower unfurling its petals to greet the day.My eyelids, heavy with remnants of rest, fluttered open, revealing a world refreshed by the night's embrace. My vision adjusted to the gentle morning light, bringing clarity to my surroundings.From the moment my eyes swept across the room, they were greeted by a symphony of lavishness. The walls, adorned with richly textured wallpaper or intricate paneling, created a backdrop of sophistication. Glimmering chandeliers hung from lofty ceilings, casting a soft, golden glow that danced upon meticulously polished surfaces.“What is this place?” I pondered.I had never been in such a beautiful place my whole life. While trying to recall the events from the previous night, every movement I made was met with a gentle responsiveness, with the bed accommodating shifts and adjustmen
~Xavier~ Upon entering my room, I discovered Alison, my stunning girlfriend, reclining on my bed with her back displaying graceful curves. A year ago, I encountered Alison in Europe, and her beauty immediately captivated me. Her intellect and sophistication were incredibly appealing, and I decided to pursue a relationship with her.Since she didn't wish to be alone in Europe, I brought her back to Germany. Both of us attended the event the night before when I encountered that peculiar girl. Due to the situation with the girl, I instructed my bodyguards to arrange for Alison to be taken home in a separate car.Since we returned from the event last night, she has isolated herself and not spoken a word to me. It's evident that she's angry about me bringing a woman home without discussing it with her beforehand, but I didn't see the need to inform her.I felt the need to take immediate action, and that's what I did. I couldn't find any fault in that decision.As I approached the bed, I