CHAPTER ONE

As the full moon shone and covered all the darkness in moon city, Tessa Randolph wandered around the whole area, as she glanced through the whole forest like she was searching for something.

Each moment the wind made a noise, it sent some kind of hungry anticipating into her. Like she was eagerly waiting to hear the supernatural.

As she stood in the dark, her smooth ivory skin made her glow in darkness, while her hair sharply blended with the darkness.

Just like a wolf who had its prey in sight, she had her mind focused in her immediate environment.

In the moon city, Tessa was one of the most respected politician and shifter. She had been given the assignment of unveiling the mystery that surrounded the sudden disappearances in the city.

As each day passed, a new event of a missing person would be recorded. To worsen the matter, even domestic animals weren't safe.

Tessa's father, who was the Alpha of the Crimson Eye pack, suspected that the Greyhound pack had a hand in all the happenings. 

Well, Tessa knew better than that.

If truth be told, she had grown up with Damon Mickelson, the Greyhound pack's future Alpha, before the heat of their family rival cut off their relationship.

Suddenly, a rustling sound which came from under the bush, caught Tessa's attention.  Immediately, she stood at attention, ready to shift at any moment.

Immediately, she crouched in anticipation, ready to shift.

Her wolf sense's felt a prickling sensation, as she noticed the presence of another shifter. 

The atmosphere vibrated in uncertainty, as Damon Mickelson, emerged out of the darkness.

Immediately, their eyes were locked up into each other's warm gaze, as the thoughts of the past overwhelmed the moment.

Even though Tessa's instincts smelled something fishy, she still had to maintain her grounds. 

After all, the security of Moon City and its inhabitants depended on them and their ability to work together. 

"Damon, why are you here?" Tessa asked him with authority.

Damon looked away for a few seconds, before flexing his huge shoulder which was covered by his thick black jacket. "The same reason you're here. Maybe, to find a solution for all the mysterious disappearances."

"You came alone?" Tessa asked him with a blank expression.

Damon responded with an arrogant smile. "I'm not an infant, Tessa."

Their confrontation came to an end, after they heard the howling of the wolves from the distance.

Tessa's heart skipped for a moment.

 It was the packs call for a gathering. 

Now, the present issues at hand were the sudden disappearances.

"Seems like our parents just called for us," Damon said, as he glared at the moon searchingly.

Tessa nodded her head in confusion.

As usual, the meeting was going to be a show of power and superiority among the pack leaders.

Well, no one was prepared for what laid ahead of them.

They both had to work together to find a solution to the sudden evil disappearances that had taken over Moon City.

Just as the departed to their various abode, Tessa couldn't shake off the feeling that she was being trailed by Damon.

Even though their complicated past had threatened to disrupt their alliance, Tessa was willing to sacrifice her last blood to the cause.

Tessa's mind was filled with confusion, as she made her way back to the Crimson Eye pack's headquarters.

To make matters worse, her father's deep words kept playing and replaying in her mind. "Tessa, we're at the verge of losing moon city. You have to work with Damon, so that we can find a solution."

Immediately, she pushed open the door of the grand hall, where her father and other pack elders were waiting. 

As she entered, her father John Randolph, was standing tall in anticipation, like he had been waiting for her arrival.

"Tessa, come here," he spoke with a firm baritone voice 

"Father, the disappearances are everywhere," She began with a firm tone. "To worsen the matter, there's been no trace of the victims. Like they vanished into thin air..."

Immediately, her brother John Jr, cleared his throat. "Must be the hand work of Greyhound pack. It must be!"

Almost immediately, their gaze met each other's. "We can't conclude very fast. Damon is also part of the investigation."

Just at that moment, their father's expression turned stern and angry. "The son of an imposter is an imposter. We can't trust Damon Mickelson."  

As her father spoke, Tessa felt some kind of string of defensiveness in her.

Even though her past with Damon didn't work out, she knew how loyal Damon was to his pack.

The meeting ended with a clear agreement. She must work with Damon, to uncover the mystery behind the sudden evil.

Her mission was easy. 

They had to put behind their indifferences, and work together.

Immediately Tessa stepped out of the hall, her mother, Silvia, swiftly walked up to her.

"Tessa, you have to be very careful," Silvia whispered in her ears, as she scanned through the entire hallway. "Always remember that Damon isn't the only person with a secret."

Her mind flew, but before she could ask any questions, her mother disappeared into the crowd.

As Tessa walked back to her crib, the cold and chilly breeze, sent shivers down to her bones.

To worsen the matter, the mysteries that surrounded moon city had intensified, and she was now part of the unveiling process.

Immediately she walked into her room, a knock on the door broke the silence.

"Tessa?" The voice called out.

It was Jordan Jones, her closet friend. She stood at the doorway with a look of concern in her eyes.

"What is the matter with you??" Tessa asked her with a concerned voice.

Jordan paused for a while before speaking. "I overheard something about an ancient curse, and the involvement of witches."

Tessa felt numb at that moment.

Witches in moon city?

How possible?

"Continue, please," Tessa asked her with a curious voice.

Jordan whispered to her, "Let's meet at the abandoned vine tree, tomorrow night. I'd tell you all that I know."

Immediately, Jordan vanished into thin air, while leaving Tessa with more confusing questions.

As the moon shined, it left some kind of light for Tessa.

Tessa's encounter with Jordan, further heightened her fear.

She wondered how possible that it was for witches to be in moon city.

Even though it sounded quite difficult to believe, Tessa knew for sure that Jordan wasn't kidding her.

Immediately nightfall came, Tessa made her way to the abandoned vine house, while still being security conscious. 

On the other hand, Jordan waited in calm anticipation.

"So, tell me... What did you hear?" Tessa asked with every bit of curiosity.

Jordan paused for a second before responding. "My father is up to something. You won't believe that he's been meeting with Mario Anderson, the chief wizard."

Tessa jolted in shock. "What deal do they have together?"

"I don't know, but I also heard them talking about breaking an ancestral curse, and the need to erase all the wolf packs."

A sudden fear of uncertainty engulfed Tessa. "We have to tell our parents about this."

Immediately, Jordan softly patted Tessa's shoulder. "Shhhh! At this moment, we can't trust anyone."

Tessa nodded in agreement. "I'd tell Damon."

Jordan's countenance changed immediately. "Tessa, you have to be very cautious. Remember, Damon's loyalty is tied to his pack."

With the light from the night moon, Tessa sensed a shadow following her immediately she left the abandoned vine house. 

With the sense of urgency, she quickened her pace.

Suddenly, a figured emerged from the darkness.

It was Damon.

"Why are you following me?," Tessa scoffed in anger.

Damon had a blank expression. "Do I need to answer?" 

Tessa felt shivers run down her spines. "How may I help you?" She asked him with a sigh.

Suddenly, Damon looked deeply into her eyes. "I want to know your deep secrets."

Immediately, Tessa knew that something was up. 

What was Damon up to?

Immediately she opened her mouth to speak, an ear deafening scream shook the entire atmosphere.

Suddenly, a strange figure emerged out of nowhere.

"It's here," the figure spoke with stammering.

Tessa's mind flew away. "Who is here?"

The figure glared into Tessa's eyes, before responding.

"The Destroyer!"

Immediately the strange figure vanished into the night darkness, Tessa passed out.