And the thought made me shiver.I held back my vomit as I tried to wriggle my way through the crowd, squeezing through a great wall of bodies, taking a step here, two there three light taps on my toes, then a small jump over a crumpled juice box, careful incase there was still liquid inside, so the owner wouldn't turn the crowd's attention to me. I kept moving, bending, squatting, and looking for actual ground to walk on, treading through a sea of people, with no lone island in sight. I moved swiftly yet slowly, with my hands tight beside me, and gaining minute energy, as my fears reduced slightly knowing they hadn't killed her yet. I was happy she was still alive, and as I kept moving through the crowd, I felt a sense of hope; that it was not too late, and that all was not yet lost.I felt a relief, and I gingerly moved to go down a flight of stairs to the lower section, when a hand grabbed me from behind.“Psst…” came a voice I flipped around.“Slow down friend…” It was Colin, a
Elder Jacob came out from a doorway the height of three men, decorated at the sides with wood carvings of previous Alphas, and two guards in human form.He wore his usual pure white robe, that was accompanied by a purple sash around his abdomen, and he moved like a ghost on wheels as he made his way up a short raised platform leading to where Vrax stood.He held a long sceptre, and I stood, watching him use it as a walking stick. I squinted hard, trying to make out the color of it, as it held a smoke-like tinge, yet it was shiny, reflecting ever slightly in the sun. I thought it was coated ash; but with the Elders general title and his personal hubris, I doubted it.I moved down the steps cautiously, as these were the last flight that led to the center, and if I moved too fast, I would be noticed. As everyone else was standing still, chiming a loud, and disturbingly vainglorious song.I moved lightly, but hearing Colin's steps still behind me, my peace fell.My mind began racing with
“What?” I asked, even more confused than before“I don't understand either, Alpha.” Colin replied with a snort “I was going to ask you, because I know that's impossible. No wolf can be in both worlds at the same time…”My eyes remained on him, and his did the same. “So you, tell me Alpha…” he said slowly. “What did happen?”I froze at the question, suddenly trying to remember an event I hadn't even the vaguest idea took place. My face went to the floor, squinting, thinking, trying to recollect.But I couldn't.All I could see in my head were bright flashes of light and myself passing out on seeing it. There was nothing else asides pitch black. “I don't know Colin…” I groaned, in frustration at myself and my foggy memory.“I really don't know…”As Colin moved to speak again, a sharp sound cut through the air like a bullet.We both turned and saw Vrax’s axe now wedged between a log of wood, and him letting go of it, before standing back, and folding his hands with a smile. He then wen
The clouds in the sky floated like dead leaves on the ground, moving slowly, as though in fatigue, while the sun stood motionless, bathing the arena with hot, unforgiving light.I had my hand to my face, and they buried my expression, as I tried to piece together what Colin had poured out of the abundance of his heart with utmost heartlesssness. I sat, wearisome, picking at my thoughts anxiously.“What?” I asked, almost for the hundredth time.“He wants to be Alpha!” Colin repeated, and without hesitation. “He's wanted it ever since he was younger, I would wager."And I stayed frozen, defining immobile, with hands still clasped together on my face. “But he wasn't part of the Alpha bloodline, and he knew he could never be what he desired…”Colin continued, unrelenting. “He didn't relent however. He knew he wasn't of royal blood, like you, and yet he is willing to get the throne through other means, be it rebellion in the pack or taking the life of an innocent girl. And I'm sure he has
I ducked out of the way, as the blade swung past my nose, almost kissing it. Vrax let out a groan of anger and swung at me again. I then doubled backwards as the axe came for my head, with his muscles swaying in tune with his weapon.“What sorcery is this?” I yelled in surprise. Vrax's strength seemed to have doubled in intensity since Elder Jacob used that weird scepter on him. It was as though he was being controlled by another force—or he most probably was. The Vrax I knew was ruthless, but he would never even dream of attacking an alpha.The crowd that had gathered had disbanded now, screaming and trying to get away from the ongoing battle between my head and Vrax's axe. In the corner of my mind that wasn't populated by surviving the blows, I marvelled at how cowardly they were. They were willing to sacrifice me to the enemy without even batting an eyelid.He swung another heavy blow, that could have taken my arm off if it landed, but I darted left, and out of the way, then crouch
Up to this moment, the crowd had been silent as a graveyard. Their breath hanging in the air, and their eyes fixed, unable to do anything asides watch.I pulled my hand away from Jacob's scarred head and blood dripped from my hand and to the floor in slow taps, as his body fell back languid. I could hear a ringing in my ears, and I staggered back slowly, feeling myself daze, and tip on the balls of my feet.The deed had been done.Jacob was dead.Not by my desire, but by the force that had given me a strength I couldn't have fathomed possible. It had broken me out of Jacob's spell, that stood corroborated with silver; a wolf's known nemesis, and helped me overcome the force of its nature, despite the impossibility.I wavered mentally, my mind shaken; trying to comprehend what had just happened, and what I had just done.Everything—From Vrax's attack to Elder Jacob's death—seemed to have happened between one breath and another.I staggered again, falling to one knee, and then the other
The atmosphere hung stiff, as though the sky itself was now airtight. The people froze, unable to breathe; aghast at the atrocity.The axe had hit its target, point blank and straightforward, with no two ways about it.Even I acknowledged the accuracy with a smirk; watching satisfied as her head broke in a flowing movement.Free of the ropes that held her.Her body leaned back in a tired slump to the ground; stressed but free, and with her hands still clasped behind her back, she gave the image of a package that had been manhandled into a carton, now happy to finally be opened.I dropped the axe, and moved swiftly to her, growing claws on my right hand; again involuntarily, and in one swipe, her wrists were released. I then shook the blades away, before gently peeling off the tape that held her mouth, revealing lips that challenged strawberry pie. I paused for a fraction of a second, watching them shiver; shaking from trepidation that had seemingly reached her soul. There were mud sta
Alpha Noah's POVI breathed in sharply and let the air out through my mouth, as a slow gust of wind whistled around the arena. Sharp and piercing; almost freezing, making me stand cold.The whole atmosphere was low; lacking height, and felt as if I could touch it with my hands if I raised them just a pinch over my head. I was thoughtful, holding a strong mind, but a heavy heart; facing the lost people, all expectant for an explanation.And I had none.Or I hadn't come up with one.My thoughts were still jumbled; and even after the voice had assured me of doing the right thing. Because now I wondered if Jacob's death was a part of it. I had seen the anger in his eyes, the desperation, the hunger, the unwavering willingness; and exactly the willingness Colin had said he possessed. He was proud, he was crazy, and his eyes had even gone blue. Something I had never seen before.I might have shown no fear during the fight, but I was baffled irrespective; wondering what force gave him that
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