Chapter 1- Framed

Zephyra

They called me a cursed wolf. They said that I am unfit to lead my pack, but my father never believed that. To him, even without my wolf, I was still a blessed daughter of the moon. Yet right now, my thoughts betray me too. Today, for the countless time, I believe it myself—that I am not worthy to rule. I am not strong enough to lead this pack.

“Are you sure about this?” Elder Gareth snapped me out of my thoughts, his voice sounding so worried. I know that he wanted to be sure that I really wanted to give my position as the next Alpha to my mate, Eryc.

I nodded slowly and gave him my answer. “Yes, Elder, I am sure. Eryc is better suited to be the Alpha of our Pack. I want to give him my rights.”

Elder Gareth looked at me with his tired honey-brown eyes. “I don’t have anything against my son,” he said. “And yes, I know that he is your mate and I will want nothing less for him. But you remember what your late father said before he died? He wanted you to be the next Alpha of the Stoneheart Pack. It was his wish.”

I lowered my eyes and stayed quiet for a moment. He is right, that was my father's wish. But how will I lead and protect this pack without a wolf? Worst of all when the others don’t see me as their leader.

I know that my father wanted this for me. But Eryc is more suitable. He is stronger, a warrior and he is well respected by our people. It can only be him.

I looked towards my step mother who sat gracefully by the side of the door entrance. Her grey eyes locked with mine. With a small nod from her, I could tell that she was with me in this decision.

Also, Eryc stood close by. His eyes were fixed on me too. Beside him was my stepsister, Naya. She also looked at me, waiting for me to make a move. Both of them were there to witness something very important in my life.

I knew what I was about to do was risky. If I gave my right as Alpha to Eryc, I could never take it back. But why would I want to take it back?

Eryc was my mate, and we loved each other deeply. Tomorrow, we were going to be joined together in a bonding ceremony, so it felt right to me.

Elder Gareth let out a deep breath. “My duty here is to make sure that your father’s wish comes to pass,” he said gently. “Sadly, your father is no longer here to see it himself. But if you insist, and you are sure that you are doing this from your heart, then I will accept your choice and decision. I will put the Red King’s seal on this old scroll of our ancestors right now. But remember, if you change your mind before Eryc’s coronation, I can still change it back. I will keep the scroll safe until the ceremony, just in case.”

“I am sure, Elder Gareth,” I said quickly, before I changed my mind as my heart raced faster. “I want you to stamp it,” my voice was stronger this time. “This is truly what I want.”

As the next Alpha, I was supposed to be strong, brave, and able to shift into my wolf. But I was not. When I turned eighteen, I waited for my wolf to come like everyone else’s did, but it didn’t. I was never born to lead and I have learnt to accept that truth.

My father always told me not to worry. He said my wolf would come later and it would make me even stronger. I wanted to believe him so badly. But now, I am twenty years old and still, there was no sign of my wolf.

I know my father loved me deeply and always wanted the best for me. Still, I couldn’t stop believing what people said.

I was born on an inauspicious day, under the Crimson Moon. The elders claimed that only the cursed are born beneath such a sky.

My father never believed in that omen. He stood by me and protected me until the day he died. Not only did he refuse to see me as cursed, but he also tried to make our people let go of that foolish belief.

Sometimes, it hurts deeply, especially whenever I remember how my people stare at me. They see me as a disaster.

But I was lucky to have Eryc who did nothing but love me, support me, and never made me feel less because of it.

Elder Gareth’s old voice broke into my thoughts again. “If this is truly your wish, then who am I to refuse?”

I smiled softly at him. “Thank you, Elder Gareth. I’m so grateful that you understand,” I said with true relief in my heart.

Eryc moved away from the wall and came to my side. His warm and strong arm wrapped gently around my waist. I felt protected in his embrace.

Turning slightly to look at him, his deep blue eyes stared into my crimson eyes. My heart leapt and for a moment, I felt like nothing else mattered, but him.

“It is done,” Elder Gareth announced in his low, steady voice.

He stood up from my father’s big chair, holding the old scroll in his hand. He gestured for me to take it. My hands trembled a bit as I took it from him.

Looking at the scroll, the red King’s seal was stamped clearly on it. I turned it to show it to Eryc, and he gave me a small, proud smile.

Handing the scroll back to Elder Gareth, I whispered again. “Thank you, Elder,”

My stepmother, Luna Mirella, stood up gracefully from the couch.

She walked closer to us, her long red dress brushing the floor. “Thank you, Elder Gareth, for respecting my daughter’s wishes,” she said warmly. “You have always been a true friend to our family, and to my late husband.”

“You are welcome, Luna,” Elder Gareth replied with a small bow. “I just did what I had to do. Now, please excuse me. I would like to go home and rest.”

Eryc stepped forward quickly. “Let me walk you out, Father,” he offered politely.

Elder Gareth nodded, and together they left the room.

As the door closed, my stepmother hugged me tightly. “Congratulations, my dear. You have done what your heart wants. I’m so proud of you,”

My stepsister, Naya, came closer and smiled. “I’m happy for you too,” she said softly, her golden eyes looking darker.

My body felt lighter, like a big weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

…….

Later that day, I went into the kitchen and made liver and kidney soup. It was the same soup I always made for my father and for Elder Gareth whenever he visited. Cooking it made me feel close to them.

When it was ready, I carried the bowl to Elder Gareth’s house. His mate, Araiah, Eryc's mom, opened the door with a gentle smile.

“Here, please give this to Elder Gareth,” I said. “I know he loves it and I just wanted to thank him properly for today.”

Araiah looked at me kindly. “Our princess is so generous and caring,” she said. “You really are just like your father, the late Alpha. It still feels unreal that he’s gone…”

Her eyes grew sad, and I didn’t know what to say. I felt pain swell in my heart because it felt like a piece of me was gone.

My beloved father shielded me from the harshness of my pack in the way he could and now he wasn’t here with me.

Blinking away the tears, I nodded silently, then turned and left before the sadness could weigh down my heart.

When I got back to my room, nervousness pushed out my grief. Tomorrow was my bonding ceremony with Eryc, and the waiting will be over. My heart ran fast just thinking about it.

Maybe if I got mated to one of the strongest warriors in the pack, the others would see me differently? I could only wish.

Time seemed to slow down as I lay on my bed. I hugged my pillow and closed my eyes, trying to calm my racing thoughts.

But then, loud voices interrupted my resting time. People were shouting, and I heard footsteps rushing in the hallway. My chest pounded from the fear that invaded me.

Getting up as quickly as I could, I ran out of my room. My bare feet felt weak as I hurried into the big parlour.

There, I saw guards in green royal uniforms holding a scroll. It still bothered me how we still make use of scrolls in this new age but now was not the right time to discuss it. What were they doing here?

I looked at the guards as they argued with my stepmother, Luna Mirella. Her face was pale and worried.

One of the guards suddenly turned and looked straight at me. As soon as he found me, his eyes flashed with anger.

“There she is!” he shouted. “Murderer!”

What? I couldn't believe what he just called me. My body froze right on the spot as I tried to understand what he meant by that.

Murderer? Who were they talking about? What had happened?