Chapter: 10 ***** TALON: As consciousness slipped away, darkness enveloped me, swallowing my thoughts and fears. I felt weightless as if floating in an endless void, far removed from the chaos I had just experienced. This nothingness offered a strange comfort, but it didn't last long. I jolted awake, gasping for air, my body rigid with panic. Blinking against the harsh light, I struggled to make sense of my surroundings. The familiar scent of pine mingled with something metallic—a stark contrast to the earthy warmth of the cave. I found myself in a dimly lit room, the walls lined with rough-hewn timber, and the floor felt cold beneath my bare feet. "He's awake!" A voice cut through the haze. I turned to see one of the Betas from earlier leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips. "Welcome back, Talon." I recoiled at the sound of my name; the way it rolled off his tongue sent a shiver down my spine. "Where is my Uncle?" I croaked, my throat dry a
Chapter: 11 ***** TALON: My heart ached at the sight of Altair. He lay so still, and I couldn’t help but wonder how long he had been like that. What had happened to him? The room was as quiet as the boy resting in the bed, the only sound the soft crackle of the fire in the hearth. “Altair,” Dirk whispered, kneeling beside the bed. He brushed his hand over his son’s forehead, feeling the warmth of his skin. “I’m here. We’re going to bring you back.” I lingered near the doorway, uncertainty etched on my face. “Is he… is he going to be okay?” I asked, my voice barely above a whisper, my heart breaking at the sight of him. Dirk turned to me, his expression softening. “We’re going to do everything we can. But you need to understand, Talon. You have a role to play in this. You must be strong for him.” I nodded, swallowing hard. “I’ll do whatever it takes. I’ll stay away from him. I won’t hurt him again.” Dirk could see the sincerity in my eyes, but he knew that words alone were
Chapter: 12 ***** TALON: His words echoed in my head, reminding me of my place and purpose within the Pack. My role was not to become friends with Altair or to get close to him; it was to ensure that the boy recovered fully and never fell into a deep slumber again. That was my purpose, and I needed to stick to it. Shaking the pain from my heart, I turned toward the door, wanting to hide my hurt from the boy. I longed to beg for his forgiveness, but how could I do that when he clearly didn’t remember me? Vale had summoned me that awful afternoon, and when I arrived in my confused state, I was taken aback by the sight of a child. But my hunger drove me insane, and my actions became my sin. I had met Vale when I was the same tender age Altair is now, and the wolf had marked me. At that time, I had no idea that the wolf who marked me would be the same one born to my uncle years later. It wasn't until my uncle became pregnant that my life took a drastic turn. Each time the mark burn
Chapter: 13 ***** TALON: As I walked alongside Knight, the weight of uncertainty hung heavily in the air between us. The corridors of the Manor stretched endlessly, though we had only been walking for a few minutes. I kept my head bowed, avoiding the gaze of him and anyone else. Each step echoed my internal turmoil. Altair's face lingered in my mind—his hopeful eyes, sparkling with a mix of confusion and something deeper, something I couldn’t quite grasp. The memory stung, a bittersweet reminder of what I was leaving behind. Being back here should have offered me a chance to understand our bond better, but instead, I felt like an exile. I had been sent away to keep Altair safe, yet my presence was still required within the Pack's territory. What I had done to him... was it so grave that it could cost him his life? I knew I had acted foolishly, terrified that I had killed him. Now, seeing that he was not dead but cast into a deep slumber, I could only conclude that my action
Chapter: 14 ****** TALON: The towering peaks of the mountains loomed above, their jagged silhouettes etched against the vibrant blue sky as I tried to make my way through the sprawling grounds of the Riverbay Pack Camp. My heart raced, a mixture of excitement and apprehension coursing through me. Laughter and the sounds of training echoed around me, yet I remained shrouded in silence, my thoughts a whirlwind of uncertainty about what lay ahead. Knight, who had left me as soon as we arrived, found me and began to escort me deeper into the camp. A figure of strength and authority, his presence commanded respect. His muscular frame was draped in the sleek, tactical attire worn by the pack’s elite trainers, and his piercing gaze seemed to assess every corner of the camp with practiced ease. No matter how beautiful the grounds appeared, the weight of my new reality pressed heavily on my shoulders, denying me the moment to appreciate the structure of this place. As we approached the
Chapter: 15 ***** TALON: As Lira stepped back, her eyes sparkling with excitement, I felt a wave of loneliness wash over me. “I can’t wait to train with you!” she chirped again, her enthusiasm infectious, yet it felt like a distant echo in my mind. I offered her a faint nod, struggling to find the words that eluded me. “Anyway, if you need anything, just ask Zora here. If she can't provide it, she’ll send a signal to me. We’re all here to help!” Lira added, her smile unwavering despite my silence. With one last glance at me, she turned to leave, her footsteps echoing softly in the hallway. As the door slid shut behind her with a gentle hiss, an unexpected stillness enveloped the room. I stood in the center of my new quarters, the air thick with unspoken thoughts. The vibrant atmosphere of The Elysium, with its camaraderie and laughter just beyond the door, felt worlds away. Here, in this solitary space, I was faced once again with the reality of my situation. I sank ont
Chapter: 16 ****** TALON: The darkness of the room was still thick when I was jolted awake. A soft, melodic chime pierced through my dreams, followed by a soothing voice that filled the space. “Good morning, Talon,” Zora said, her voice smooth and warm, like a gentle breeze on a spring day. “It is now five o'clock in the morning. Time to get out of bed.” Who wakes up at five in the morning?! I blinked, disoriented for a moment. Glancing around the room, I noticed the dim light from the digital displays casting a soft glow. Reality rushed back to me, and with a groan, I pushed myself up, the remnants of sleep clinging to me like a fog. “It’s orientation day; you don’t want to be late,” Zora informed me, and Lira’s words from yesterday echoed in my mind. “You have thirty minutes to complete your morning routine. Please proceed to the closet for your training uniforms.” I rubbed the sleep from my eyes, still trying to shake off the remnants of my dreams. “How do I–?” I murmure
Chapter: 17 ****** TALON: My heart sank, the weight of their hatred crashing down on me like a tidal wave. I stood frozen, bile rising in my throat as I heard words that cut deeper than any blade. Memories of the world I had tried to escape flooded back, filled with the pain of rejection and the fear of being hunted. I felt utterly alone, surrounded by a sea of hostility that seemed to engulf me. “Silence!” Knight’s voice boomed, but it was drowned out by the jeers and shouts. “You all need to listen!” The crowd continued to shout, their emotions raw and furious, and my chest tightened. I could feel the weight of their disdain— a palpable force that made it hard to breathe. I had hoped for acceptance, for a chance to prove myself, but instead, I stood as a target, the embodiment of their worst fears and prejudices. Then, as if summoned by the chaos, Knight shifted. In an instant, the Beta transformed into his massive wolf form, his fur rippling like shadows beneath the mornin