Chapter 1

CALISTA awoke after having a dream about Prince Joven, their clan's founder. The nights she dreams about him become increasingly frequent for no apparent reason.

She turned to the bed next to hers when she heard her closest friend Hera grumbling. She was talking in her sleep again.

She grinned and shook her head before turning to face Althaia's bed. She was dumbfounded when she realized she wasn't there.

Even though it was late at night, she had no worries for her cousin because werewolves were known to roam at such times, especially when the moon was full.

She was about to return to sleep when she noticed a shiny object on the table, resting on a cushion. It was her crown. She sighed as she pondered the responsibilities that will befall her as the new queen of their tribe starting tomorrow.

(Flashback)

Werewolves were cheerfully celebrating the Queen's 108th birthday in the large yard of her home in the heart of the woodland of Montgomery. Aside from the moonlight, lanterns hung from trees, poles, and banners provided additional illumination to the dark surroundings.

Calista, Hera, and Althaia were happily chatting at their table while sharing the prepared food. Calista glanced over at their Queen Mother, who was sitting in the large, polished chair they had prepared for her, in the middle of their discourse. The Queen smiled as she examined her present, it was a headpiece composed of flowers she had picked from their school's garden.

Despite her age, the queen maintains a youthful appearance and a healthy physique. After a while, she stood up and walked up to the small stage in the center of the yard. Her two granddaughters, Calista and Althaia were visible in her peripheral vision.

"Good evening," her opening greeting. "First and foremost, I truly appreciate you; your preparations are excellent..." she paused and looked at her entire tribe. Everyone was attentively listening to her speech. "I understand that the goal of this gathering is to celebrate my birthday... But I would want to take this opportunity to inform everyone that I have decided to abdicate my reign."

Everyone was temporarily silent at what the queen had said. Calista and Hera exchanged shocked looks. Just like the other werewolves, they had not expected their Queen Mother to retire so quickly. Despite her age, they know she is healthy and still capable of leading their tribe.

After some moment, the Queen called out to Calista authoritatively, "Calista, my child, come here."

Calista was taken aback and stared at Hera and Althaia, puzzled. Everyone else in the yard was also staring at her.

"Go on, Calista," Hera urged, her face beaming.

Calista reluctantly followed the queen onto the stage. As she faced everyone, the queen extended her hand and smiled. "I am thrilled to announce that I had chosen my granddaughter Calista as my heiress."

Calista's eyes expanded to the size of fists as she gaped at the Queen Mother, who was now praising her with an ear-splitting smile.

Calista's hearing appeared to fade as she watched her fellow tribesmen applaud her. She couldn't believe what had just occurred. She looked at their table for her peers, but all she saw was Hera, who was also cheering her on from the crowd. She looked for her cousin Althaia but couldn't find her.

Calista never imagined herself as the tribe's queen. She acknowledged that their Queen Mother had chosen her to be the heiress to the throne as a tremendous honor, but she was also cognizant of the duties that came with it by the time she sat on the throne. Another concern she has is that taking this role will require her to give up her dream of living a normal life.

(End of flashback)

Calista came to a halt in her thoughts as she heard something outside. She could hear practically everything, even if it was far away because werewolves had exceptionally strong and sensitive hearing. She flinched when she heard a whimper.

She snatched up the black cloak that hung from her chair and went outside. As she stepped outside their house, she was greeted by a fierce chilly wind. She could only see big trees and her neighbor's houses, all of which had their lights turned off.

She went for a walk while wearing her hood. She came to a screeching halt when she walked by the trees and heard another whimper. She moved her gaze to their Queen Mother's residence. She was perplexed and afraid of what might happen next for some unknown reason.

She could still hear the whimpering sound as she crossed the trail towards their Queen Mother's house, but eventually, it had diminished. She continued to walk despite her knees shaking from her unreasonable anxiousness. When she saw the queen's large home, her nervousness increased. The lights were still on when she peeked out the windows of the house.

She was ready to take another step when she noticed a tall person rushing away from the queen's house, into the woods.

She scowled as she fixed her gaze on it. She recognized the red robe the person was wearing. "Althaia?" she said. She was sure it was her because that robe was the present she had given her on her previous birthday.

She was ready to follow her when she noticed something strange in the yard of the Queen Mother.

From the corner of her eyes, she cautiously turned there. Her eyes widened in terror, and she stumbled to her feet when she saw the horrifying scene that would haunt her for her whole life.

The poor Queen Mother was pierced through the iron bars of the yard's gate. She was lifeless to look at, even though her eyes were wide open.

"No!" she screamed.