Colin's Pov “Perhaps a royal procession would be in order…” I laughed heartily. “Maybe even a parade?”“Don't push your luck Colin…” Flanagan smiled now. “A Knight having done a task of the most honorable order doesn't mean he would be given the king's crown…” he answered. “And besides...you've been away for a long time, many of the people don't even remember you…”And the last word slapped my consciousness back into reality; dimming my smile down to a forceful grin. It was harsh to think I could so easily be forgotten.“Well I hope I'm not too much of an outcast to my own people as well…” I shrugged. “Because that would be double dishonor…” I flew.But Flanagan turned away and to his men; holding onto his belt for a sudden support, like a drunk holding onto thin air to stop him releasing his dinner on the breakfast table.“A shame that would be surely…” he replied, with his back to me.His words were strangely weighed and intoned to stress. He sounded intentionally bland, and it dis
Noah's Pov I burst into the room with no brakes or second thoughts. As the door slammed on the wall next to it; spreading wide and making a loud boom as I entered the chambers.I thought to see many heads seated behind the High table, but was surprised when only a few unknown men sat there; themselves surprised and looking at the empty seats. I stood breathing heavily, realizing the reason for the absence of gasps or even reprimand for seemingly breaking into the room. And I squinted, glancing everywhere, wondering what was going on?"Where are the rest?""I'm afraid we're not aware..." one of the men answered immediately. His eyes were owl-like; arching like brows but with a lens and retina. His brows themselves looked scanty and spread out roughly, and with such strange eyes for a person, he looked like a man who held a high sense of self-superiority."They seem to be held up by activities...""What activities?!" I yelled belligerently. "Didn't Richard inform them this was importa
Noah's PovAs I mentioned the title, the door burst open behind me. With Richard and the guard side by side, walking briskly towards me.“Sire?” he called.His face was reddened, and the veins in his neck were slightly strained, as he called lightly. His bow tie was bent sideways in the wrong direction and his suit coat looked rumpled and dust covered. I frowned seeing him haggard and it worried me.“What happened Richard?”He came up to me suddenly and fell to his knees, stumbling; holding onto my arms for support as he groaned, and began sobbing.“The Council is dead…”The words dropped me stone cold and I froze. As the three men sitting behind me on the high table gasped again. And the guard that had brought him in almost fell to the floor in shock.“What?” I asked.“Their bodies were found in the lake…” he stuttered.“All tied with ropes that glowed strangely...and when I tried to remove them, they only grew tighter…” he spilled out. “They were stabbed and some were drowned...All
Colin's Pov The entire space was as tense as a tiny shelter in the midst of a hailstorm. As I stood facing Flanagan with his thirty students behind him; all sitting on the edge of their wooden seats, with arms folded and bodies sweaty; holding special hilted swords in sheaths that rested on their sides. The statement he made was strangely unexpected, and it disturbed me. I had been betrayed and I wasn't taking it lightly."Well that's...I'm sure you haven't forgotten, but that's not what we previously agreed on?" I said, frowning."Well, times change Colin..." he replied. "Priorities deepen and power is key I'm sure you understand..." he smirked."I've been the one holding this pack together since its inception, I am the one who led our first insurrection, and I've been the one keeping the peace amongst the people ever since we lost...'' he explained, boldly. "The rightful leader here is obvious, and I only promised it to you; the position, that you would have increased motivation f
Noah's PovI came out of the courtroom, exploding from the inside out. I burned with rage and pain, and loss and chaos. I didn't know what to feel as I felt a million things at once. The Council was dead. And I just couldn't comprehend it. It came as a devastating blow. And one I never expected to hit this hard.I made it through the hallway, past the cooks and cleaners as they sauntered around in their duties. They all frowned at me; some freezing and some greeting, while others were busy trying to get out of my path as I didn't seem to mind walking through them. I held the scroll in my hand with my grip like a vice, as I pounded down the hallway, and out to the courtyard again; now almost in a maze of movement. I made it out into the blazing sun, but this time, my body overcame the heat as I trudged on, choosing to not be disturbed by the rays.I slid down the stairs and turned down a third path of many. And now headed to the place I had thought I wouldn't return to ever again:The
Flanagan's PovI wasn't expecting the response, and my brows furrowed immediately. As I held the man by his collar and jerked him up wildly; with rage building in my eyes."What happened to her?!" I yelled.His entire frame shook in my hands as beads of sweat jumped across his forehead. He stuttered as he tried to get his words out, and I gripped onto his shoulders, suddenly piercing his skin with my claws. He squirmed and stood on his toes in pain as he finally answered, and in a tone like pressured air released from a container."She's unconscious sire..." he squealed. "Some of my men said she transformed into a monster before she lost her balance and fell..." he explained, almost bursting. "We don't know what happened, we weren't there when it did, we only heard a loud boom..."My frown deepened as his words sounded like a bad joke. And I grimaced wondering if he was trying to be funny; as I gripped his hands tighter, sinking my claws farther in his flesh."Is this a joke?" I frow
Flanagan's Pov“Is she okay?” I asked, frowning.The two women were scared stiff as I had jumped them suddenly. And they sat flustered as they looked at each other then to me, nodding shakily.“Yes sire…” one answered.She held black short hair and dark bags under her eyes. She was old and it wasn't hiding. Age wasn't on her side, and as an enemy, it was attacking her viciously.The other was younger, and I felt, an assistant. As she held youth and the innocence of a toddler even though higher grown. She nodded as the elderly did too, following carefully.“What happened?...” I asked now.“She absorbed too much energy..." the woman answered, slow but pert. "And because it came in a sudden burst, it affected her…” she added. “The energy wasn't hers...well it was...but she had not the slightest idea about it, and it had not been previously trained or controlled, so it overwhelmed her…” she explained. “The goddess herself seemed to have possessed her and taken control of her body in a br
Noah's PovI stood atop the execution block; looking down at all the men with their eyes all raised to me. Them watching in anxious itchiness and me in worried urgency. My heart was heavy as I had a lot to say and I feared there wasn't much time left to say it. Because I didn't know if death would strike me as I stood here. If the end would come before I even began my speech. And I could feel the teeth of conflict bite at my tongue, as I could hear the voice of sorrow whisper in my ears. I looked around at all the men and knew we wouldn't all make it. The boat would contain us all, but wouldn't bring everyone back. I knew the wind wouldn't favor us as well. As if it blew in the right path, it was inevitable to war; but if it blew in any direction the opposite, it would take us to cowardice. "Men!" I boomed suddenly.I was arching in my stance but straightened now, as the soldiers jumped to salutes at the spontaneous call."I thank you all for gathering here..." I said now, and in a
Noah's PovThe last moments were glorious. The flash of white and the deafening sound of a strange ringing that pierced through my ears was divine.As a huge monster, and one bigger than anything I had ever laid my eyes on stood just ahead of me. Towering over seemingly all existence like a god in the flesh. It's height was closer to the sun than the clouds themselves; and if it made the effort, it's head alone in the right position could cause an eclipse. The sound of it's footsteps were like bombs dropping intermittently. And the claws that grew out of it's hands and body were the size of spears; the tips specifically sharpened for killing dragons. With it's skin white as chalk and scaly as a fish's hide.I laid flat on my back as Flanagan's blade had stopped halfway at the sound of the creature's roar. I was saved. And I stayed motionless; reeling in pain from the excess gratitude.The monster roared again, and the leader of the Rogues stood with his mouth agape as he dropped his
Noah's PovEverything else that happened after my claws tore through his flesh felt like a passing scenery. As I lost full control of myself, and my wolf instincts took full control of my entire being.Colin's loud yelling had attracted surprisingly hundreds of guards. But sadly they all ended in a similar fate. As I tore through and out of the dungeons with rage being my fuel and motivation. I chopped off heads and dismembered arms and legs, leaving corpses in my wake as I burst out into the sunlight. Only dimmed by smoke from burning houses and soldiers trampling stalls with maces.I roared loud and everyone's attention turned to me frantically. They all drew their swords with fear in their eyes as they looked up at me towering over them. I laid waste to more than I could count. As they kept coming in waves after wavesand kept dying in the same succession. My anger had reached a point never before seen, and now I was thirsty for blood.And blood did flow...As I tore through entire
Noah's Pov"Colin?" I asked, frowning."In the flesh..." he answered, gesturing. "And my oh my, isn't that such a dilemma..." he smiled."Your very own handyman turned against you?...""How could you do this?" I asked, groaning."It's simple really..." he shrugged. "Personal interest, isn't it obvious?..." "What did they promise you?" And now he laughed loudly. His voice booming as it reverberated across the hollow and cold walls of the dungeon. He chuckled and held himself with both hands clasped together, smiling. "They didn't promise me anything, Noah..." he replied. "Well they did. But that was simply a superficial desire. Because I'm not here for anything they can offer..." he answered. "They don't even possess anything of my interest to give. Because as it stands... everything is already mine." My hands were hurting and now my soul was burning. I was confused as to why Colin could be working with the enemy? I was losing blood flow in my arms as I wondered why my own frien
Noah's PovI regained my consciousness in pure darkness. The only light being the torches that spread out amongst gray walls, giving vision as little as bird seed.The side of my head hurt with a sharp pain as blood flowed down my face, trickling to the floor. I felt dizzy and every part of my body hurt. I couldn't see, so I tried to move my hands. But the only sound I heard was the creaking of bones and the jingling of metal. I frowned as I slowly craned my neck upwards. And found myself being held captive by a set of chains connected to the damp wall behind me. I shook my head in pain and frustration, realizing I wasn't just in this place, wherever it was. But I was stuck here too.My mind went through its own pain as I suddenly thought of what had happened? Where am I now? And if we had lost?The fight was something I vaguely remembered. And the only thing that stood out was the impact I made before everything went black. I looked down at myself now with the slightest glance and w
Noah's Pov I released a yell as I lunged forward; swinging my sword with all my weight behind it. I didn't aim. I didn't plan. I just moved to strike. And learnt too late that that was ignorant.As I saw him dodge the blow and myself become open for one. When I felt the full force of the steel fist he sent to my ribs. That cracked them in pieces like twigs.I fell to the floor, coughing blood. And air left my lungs as if it was being pumped out of my body. The pain was immense and it shot through my entire frame, making me keel over on the sand. Shellshocked. The horseman walked up to me till he got close enough to stand over me. I could see him smile down as I groaned in pain and his mouth revealed a row of jagged teeth. He held his sword by his side, then slowly sheathed it back. Now folding his arms and squinting at me.“Your time has come Alpha…” his baritone voice boomed. “I suggest you give up now while you still can, and maybe you'll be spared.” he said.”You are not winning
Noah's Pov I grinned as I stood up slowly. Then got up to my feet and smiled wide, nodding to the boy in respect. As he had just saved me the vain effort of chasing down a phoenix.He nodded back and as the man wanted to get up the second time; Danny instantaneously turned, aimed and fired again. Taking him to the ground in a louder groan.I was surprised at his speed. As I didn't see anything happen until the arrow had already hit its target. The boy folded his hand in a fist and gestured in victory. As the man on the floor now fell flat on his face.“I did it Alpha!” Danny yelled now. “I took him out!” he jumped, celebrating.“I did it!”He jumped and threw fists in the air, and even dropped his bow and did a dance in between. But I frowned as I would have loved to believe that too...Because the two arrows had landed closely together, and now looked like antennas sticking out of the man's back. And my brows raised in confusion and doubt. As I didn't believe he could be taken out t
Noah's PovTWO CYCLES LATERThe day the war began was one I would never soon forget. The day the morning sun became a gloomy circle in the sky. And the wind blew strong and rough; almost changing its form to the waves of a raging storm.I was out on the field with a regiment of men at the forefront, while reinforcements laid hiding in plain sight. I held my sword and shield, but they felt burdensome. As I hadn't held even a stick in a good year.Yet I stood at the gates of the pack house. Directly in front. Holding the fort as the leader. And desirous to land the first kill. My blood was pumping, adrenaline raging and annoyance building. I was here to fight alongside my men, and to the death if it meant it.We had spread out in units; some on the ground, some in the trees, and some underground. The plan had been relayed, reiterated, and understood. And the day to implement had come. It was finally time. The moment of truth.The day of Reckoning…I felt strange yet confident. As inside
Moon Goddess's PovEverything was finally unfolding. The foretold destiny was being unveiled. And soon death would rain like fire. Yet new life would be born and watered from its ashes.The birth of a new generation was already at its wake. The drums of fate and the inevitable hands of time have brought into the present the catalyst for a future never expected. The world would see new light and a new peace. But only if it can survive the old darkness.Great things come after arduous hardship. Great men are forged through the cold of trials and in the furnace of tribulations. And the stars of men can only shine under the cover of darkness.The Alpha had done well to heed my voice.He had done well to not people please, and was wise to not have chosen to do what would make others clap, over what his heart felt was right. A true man with a true heart. And with as many allies as enemies.Yet the deaths of the people he killed which have come and gone still linger in his mind… As he still
Flanagan's PovI rode back to the training field and boiled. With my anger reaching the clouds in the sky, yet its power originating from hell. I was angry, and wielding my sword with enough force to crack the hilt in two. And I gathered speed as I climbed up and came down the hill that led to the training area.I powered down the dusty path, seeing the hoof prints of the men who came before to inform me of my daughter's health. And it hurt me to see her sick and forlorn. Because she was important and I needed her. I could sense she had a versatile power in her. And one that would be important to our victory.Yet now she has been sidelined and put aside by illness...And Colin was to pay.My anger doubled as I powered down and reached the men. Who now looked at me with their eyes wide as I doubled in size in their vision. I rode even though close, and at full speed; only stopping after ramming into a soldier and sending him flying into a tree, landing with his back first. And from th