Four

Aurelius POV

“Okay, we have one last thing to take care of”, My beta, Lynch told me from behind as I exited my office.

I ran my hands through my hair in frustration, and gave a low growl, but didn’t bother answering. He also didn’t push it as he had guessed that now is not the time.

No time is ever the time this period in fact, the pack had been busy since the last moon fall ceremony, and as the alpha, I had lots of things to do, papers to sign, alliances to take care of, and also pack matters to look into.

I had a beta to help but it was still a lot to handle, especially since the last alpha died, which is my dad. Everything had been placed on my shoulders and I had to show that I’m a responsible alpha, capable enough to handle the biggest and strongest pack among all wolves.

It had not always been like this for my pack, The Crescent Pack, in fact, it had never been like this since the Great War. But when we started receiving intel on the humans and the existence of their new allies, the witches, we knew that no matter what a war was going to surface again.

“I’m going out for a run”, I bobbed my head slightly to look at my beta, “I don’t think I’ll deal with anymore pack issues till next week”.

He just rolled his eyes, but I was serious, that did not stop him from giving me a slight punch.

Beta and cousin privilege, if it was another person that did that, I would have ordered for his arms to be cut off.

I was tagged the strict and ‘no mercy’ alpha but I did not care, as long as people feared me, whatever floats their boats is what they can call me.

They wouldn’t dare disrespect me. The royalties of the Crescent pack are direct descendants of the first werewolves and every pack member must partake in the moon fall ceremony where a blood oath is renewed among all pack members.

That way, we all share the same blood and strengthen our bond with the moon goddess.

“Before you tell me you deserve a 2-months break, I want you to know that this is important”, he paused waiting for me to speak but I did not so he continued, “The Nightshade Pack have sent another invitation again, to join their pack ceremony again, words are out there that they want to form an alliance with us”. He took another paused and I tilted my head slightly, furrowing my eyebrows.

I’ve heard of the Nightshade pack but I’ve never been there, the Crescent Pack never visits other pack, whenever a neighboring pack need help, they come to us for help and we offer them. We’ve also never formed alliance with any Pack as we are strong on our own.

The Nightshade Pack asking for alliance would be in vain but I wondered, why the sudden interest?

In inviting us to their Pack ceremony, why the sudden hospitality?

“Their Pack is really strong, so whatever they have for us, we should to hear it”, Lynch said.

I nodded in agreement, though I’ve always had my reservations about the pack, I’m aware that they are strong, and I’ve heard stories of how they defeated rogue packs and how they managed to climb their way to become one of the biggest Packs amongst the wolves. Though not all their ways were pure, it didn’t really matter as they got power and respect.

I turned my head to look at our third company at my left, my personal security, Will. I did not need one, but it was just protocol and Will was one of the strongest men I have.

With a small wave of my hand, I dismissed him and he stopped following us, then bowed and returned to his position which was back to training young recruits into our pack soldiers.

We’ve also had problem with security ever since we started seeing unwanted strangers in the Pack, even though they were caught and were exposed to be spies from humans, I knew we had to strengthen our security.

The Pack’s council members voted on recruiting young Omegas as guards and the stronger wolves will be made soldiers. I knew omegas were the weakest but it wouldn’t hurt to make them useful.

Will is there commander of every guard and soldiers around the Pack so he was placed in charge of training them.

So far so good, we don’t know how much time we have to prepare for whatever was coming, but we knew we had to get ready for the worst, especially when the humans are increasing in power, tools and alliances.

The guards ahead of us, by the giant pack door, also bowed upon our arrival and one of them opened the door revealing the beautiful scenery of the outdoors.

A fresh wave of roses and lilies, mixed with damp wood and nature hit my nose as I took the breath in.

From the rear of my sight, I could see Lynch’s pupils dilate as we stepped out. Nature was home for all wolves, it was where we belonged, where our wolves belonged.

My wolf let out a loud howl and Lynch’s wolf followed, removing my eyes from the beautiful sight, I looked at Lynch smiling.

“It’s been many weeks now?”, I asked.

He understood that I was asking about how long it has been since we stepped foot out of the pack house.

Shitload of work had us bury our noses indoors, and every other errand that was not administrative was taken care of my our delta and other members of the Pack Council, with our permission, of course.

“Two weeks, 5 days, 17 hours, 24 minutes and counting”, Lynch stared at his watch and answered playfully and I laughed.

Then his eyes perked up in excitement, “I have an idea”.

I shook my head, I could already guess what the idea was.

“You want to race me? Oh please”, I scoffed.

“Afraid you’ll get your ass whooped”, he challenged me and my wolf growled, he was very competitive, just like me.

I narrowed my eyes and faced him squarely, “You’re on”.

Before I could finish talking, he had already transformed into his wolf.

The cracking of his bones were in the twinkle of an eyes and the once human form of Lynch was now a dark amber wolf, staring at me with challenging green pupil.

He gave my knee a slight nudge as his canines showed slightly, his face formed a snarl like look but I knew better, that was his wolf smiling.

‘Fuck it’, I thought as I took off my shirt and placed them on a nearby rock before transforming into my wolf.

The silver fur of my wolf’s skin stared back at me as I howled. Standing on four paws, I was still very tall and large and the ground didn’t seem close enough, i clenched the sand with my paws getting used to the feeling of me being all fours on the ground.

The magnificent scenery of the area became even more beautiful as my wolf wagged his tail in joy.

Amidst the serene, untouched wilderness, tall emerald trees stand as ancient sentinels, their lush canopies forming a verdant tapestry that stretches towards the azure heavens. Sunlight filters through the leaves, dappling the forest floor with a gentle, golden glow.

My wolf’s looked ahead at its beauty, his vision going even more father than mine.

Wildflowers of every hue adorn the landscape, a riotous celebration of nature's palette, exuding a sweet smell of the petals.

While a babbling brook weaves its way through the scene, its crystalline waters shimmering under the receding sunlight.

Before I could even take in the feel of nature, dust filled my vision and I could see Lynch’s rear already far ahead of me.

‘That cheat’, I thought as my wolf growled.

But before I could take to my heels, I felt a sharp sense of panic. Coming from Lynch’s wolf.

My ears perked at the sense of trouble, with a shiver running down my spine, my once laying silver fur stood on the end and as sharp as spine.

“There’s trouble”, Lynch’s voice evaded my mind without warning causing my wolf to growl sharply.

I could feel him alerting other pack members, definitely soldiers through mind link as I made my way to where he was.

My wolf’s teeth bared as I responded, “I know”.