Flanagan's Pov THE NEXT MORNINGI sat in my chair with its stand creaking and myself leaning back even further, uncomfortable. I could hear the hummingbirds tap on the trees outside, and I could feel my bones ache as I had sat down here all through the night. Myra had fallen asleep after I tipped an artery in her neck. And I had gone to count sheep too, but after brooding for almost an hour.I woke up groggy now; groaning as I got out of the chair. I swiped the bell on my table and stood up to my feet in one movement. Soldiers would be here in a moment's notice; and I made to wake up my daughter. Finally seeing her bundled up in blankets and sleeping; for the first time in over thirty years.It felt strange because I never expected this to happen. I never thought I'd see her again. And I thought she had died with her mother when she refused to run away with me. But the universe and the goddess seemed to have other plans; and I was willing to accept them.I reached her slee
Colin's PovThe sun peeked through the blinds and almost made me blind. As I groaned out of the couch, with heavy eyes and my robe still tied around me. I felt lightheaded and my head hurt seemingly everywhere. I stood up slowly, with my hands at the back of my head, feeling a sore growing there. I could sense it was late morning, and I wondered how long I had slept?Or what made me fall asleep?As the last I remember I had been talking to Noah, standing by the fireplace; not in bed, or on the couch?I turned around and saw my kitchen. And I frowned, moving slowly, past the living room and reaching the counter. I remembered what had happened yesterday, and was surprised as I saw the rubble cleared. There were no broken pieces of plates and glass and wood or red blood?Noah had been true to his word, and had called the cleaners to clear the mess. He had been here last night; in the pouring rain, and now was gone in the morning sun. And it disturbed me. As I was still wondering what had
Myra's PovThe roads were strange, and tents seemed to grow out of the ground more than grass itself. Everywhere I looked they were dark triangles raised up every square inch; there was hardly room to even move. As the tents occupied almost acres, as far as the eye could see. And now I realized father wasn't lying when he said there were a million more just outside...But that wasn't why I hated walking around here. No. It was something else. It was the stares. The gawking eyes. The way people stared at me like I was some god or a royal statue, as the guards escorted me through the area. I was surprised as there were actually many more places and sights than I thought. And my eyes widened as they glanced through mini markets and filled to the brim stalls; smithies, and horse trainers in jousting lanes?I was surprised at the noise and chattering everywhere. Everyone, even though they were looking at me, weren't. They were focused on me yet busy with other things; only taking weird gl
Noah's PovI remembered when father once said; that sometimes the little mistakes we make are the ones that receive the greatest punishments. And the tiny details we leave with unpaid attention, are sometimes the things that bring even the greatest of men to their knees...And now I think I understood that.As I sat in bed now with my hands over my face, frustrated; thinking of all the little mistakes in trust I had made and how they were now being punished. All the little details in the character and attitude, and the tone of him I had given no attention to. And how they were now causing my mind to crumble to its knees. I had never been more confused in all my life than I was now. As everything just didn't make any sense. And everything just wasn't right or even easy to believe. Because to think that Colin was an Omega was a thought I would have laughed at if anyone had proposed it in the past. Yet now it didn't look as much of a joke anymore. And it wasn't even funny.Now I knew t
Myra's PovThe words hit my ears and I raised myself in anger. I didn't know when my eyes suddenly turned full white and my bones jerked back in a jolt. But the pain of seeing a child lose his life, and the murderers get away with it, made something suddenly rise up inside me. And the fact that it was for something as stupid as a kite; made something else appear from thin air.And my back arched in a hump as I gasped, and scales suddenly grew out of my spine. I felt spear long claws crawl out of my fingers; and my legs grew bigger and held talons. The man beside me lost his calm composure as his eyes bulged. He pulled away and fell to the floor, losing his balance; trying to paddle himself backwards as fast as he could. I felt my whole body bursting with energy as I transformed into something I didn't even understand. And I lost touch with myself as I suddenly rose up and roared.I heard screams erupt from everywhere beside me. As children and women shrieked in horror. I turned and al
Colin's PovThe steed was a beast on the path. Tearing through the forest and thudding through the terrain like its life depended on it. I could sense it's thirst to return home, and the thirst built up inside me as well. The journey would be long, I knew; but lacking treacherous. As all the roads and shortcuts held a striking resemblance with the back of my hands.I rode through the muddy and dry ground as the sun rose higher in the sky. Early afternoons had a knack for turning rainy nights into excessively hot mornings. As the wind hardly blew even as I rode down streets of vegetation and vines, over arched bridges and nature's own mini archipelagos. The horse's legs jerked and vibrated, and I could feel it in my legs too as I held onto the reins and my feet bounced inside the stirrup irons. We had covered a good distance already, but it was still a long way down to where we needed to go, because I wasn't taking the usual route.The guards lined up in the trees at the pack border ma
Noah's povI ran as fast as my legs could take me. As I crossed paths with Richard and informed him of the task. He was to organize the immediate meeting of the Council, as well as inform them of its importance. I gave no detail as to why, but sent him to it irrespective. Because they needed to know.They needed to know there were still Omegas alive. And they needed to know they were more than they could even imagine. I took a sharp left and tumbled down the path that led to the pack border. I skidded on the slippery mud and swerved in; taking my heels to my head. I sped all the way down, and as I reached the bottom I raised my voice high into the trees."Soldiers!" I yelled. "Soldiers!!!"My throat almost broke down as I barked into the trees and waved up my hands wildly. I yelled almost a dozen more times again before I heard the rustling of leaves and ropes dropping down to the ground. Three men were the first reconnaissance, as they held onto the ropes and came sliding down imm
Flanagan's PovI stood out in the wider terrain, right in the middle; talking and gesturing to men who looked as fierce as their wolf forms. All gathered in a circle in front of me. And ready for the day's training.I walked in front of them holding a pebble in my hand and tossing it slightly in the air; and it momentarily kissed the wind before gravity brought it back down in sharp intervals. The men watched me attentively and it pleased me. As that was the purpose of today's training. Focus.They all rested on seats of tree stumps, chopped to size by their own hands with axes sharper than an eagles gaze. The sun was high and radiating in full force; making their bodies leak perspiration as they breathed with effort, sitting in discipline through the discomfort.“Now men, what again is the most important thing in battle?” I asked, for the third time.“Focus!” They boomed in unison.Their gullets retracted from the yell as they swallowed saliva, trying to save as much water as they co
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