Chapter 2 : A Meeting of Destiny

Secluded in his enclosure, Xavier Westwood casually leaned against a tree with his eyes closed, appearing to be asleep, but far from reality. The Alpha of the Westwood Pack never let his guard down and was aware of everything around him.

He could hear birds and squirrels moving in the trees above him, and the hissing of insects hiding in the bushes. He could smell the scent of the forest and easily distinguish each scent. He knew there was a field of flowers a mile away, and a dead animal in the opposite direction; it didn't bother him much because the scent wasn't particularly strong.

Not only were his main senses alert, but so were his wolf instincts. How else could he keep track of so many female werewolves wandering around him? He noted their progress as he searched for the perfect mate, one who was strong and intelligent, cunning and strategic.

When Xavier thought it was time to find a mate, he had used his aura to call out to all mature and pureblood female werewolves within a few miles who were willing to fight for the right to be the Luna of the Westwood Pack, his mate. He would accept only the best.

Opening his bright golden eyes, the handsome man looked up at the afternoon sun. Soon, he thought. Blocking the sunlight with his closed eyelids, he expanded his senses to learn about the fights of the female werewolves as the day passed and to gauge their strength. His senses were alerted to a late arrival.

Focusing more on this latecomer, he thought to himself, this one is late, but suddenly he was surprised when he realized that she wasn't just an ordinary female werewolf. No, her aura was pure—she was the only half-wolf girl with spiritual power, Karenina Mason!

Although he could not see her due to the distance between them, his gaze was in her direction. Her spiritual power was undeniable. Then he considered the implications. Only a pure-blood she-wolf would be strong enough to break through his barrier. How could this hybrid manage to break through it? he frowned and rose from his seat to face an unexpected and perhaps unwanted guest.

Walking calmly at first, he soon picked up speed, running towards her with his increasingly pure aura. His mind was filled with unanswered questions and perhaps a little curiosity.

He didn't understand. He had set up his barrier to remain undisturbed, and yet this girl, a mere female hybrid and half-wolf, had somehow managed to break through it. Unless she was allowed in, his mind told him regretfully. But how could that be? Why was his barrier letting her through? Not getting any answers with his current thoughts, he became more focused on approaching her as he felt the surrounding aura increase and knew the girl was attacked.

Not wanting to lose the only answer to his questions, he quickened his pace. Passing the oak trees at an incredible speed, he suddenly caught a new scent that made his eyes widen in disbelief and almost caused him to stumble rudely to the ground, but he quickly regained his composure, his face cool.

How could this little girl, a hybrid and half-wolf, have made it here? If she's here, she can't be far, he thought with a hint of annoyance.

When he reached a small open area, he slowed his pace to a walk until he reached the edge of the forest. The first thing he saw was the girl's back and the dust raining around her dark brown hair and partially exposed body. He could see that she was still wearing the too-short and revealing clothes that showed too much skin and clung to her body like a second skin.

He then became aware of the force that filled the air with spiritual energy. He could easily feel the flow of energy that surrounded him, and he could feel it flowing through his senses as she was defeating her enemies. Despite the fact that her spiritual aura was now asleep, her spiritual aura was waiting to be called upon by its user. He couldn't remember her being that powerful. In fact, Xavier hadn't seen her for a long time, but even then he didn't pay much attention to the girl or her friends, except for his little brother, whom he asked about his whereabouts or when he beat the guy mercilessly to watch his strength increase.

Then the man saw Karen's body tense and her grip tighten on her familiar weapon, the Moonbow. Her powers surged as she quickly turned to face him, bow ready and an arrow glowing with pure light. Her eyes widened at the sight of him standing there, and he could hear her whisper his name.

"Xavier!"

The man immediately noticed that she did not use the honorific when addressing him—whether intentionally or not, he could not tell, as this little hybrid girl rarely added it.

Noticing her clothing again, he could clearly see her bosom and thin waist. Most of her legs were exposed to his sharp eyes. Not wanting to be accused of staring too closely, he looked into her brown eyes and told her, "Calm down, sweet little girl," with a smirk directed at her.

It was a command as well as a jab at her, and she knew she had to comply or face Xavier's wrath.

The Westwood Alpha's hair glowed like a crown around him, its glow fading as the morning wore on, but still bathing him in a bright yellow light. It would have been a beautiful sight if her had paid any attention to it at all. Still slightly stunned, she lowered her weapon and let go of the bowstring. Cautiously, she sheathed her arrow, knowing it was no match for his speed, and waited for him to speak.

"How did you manage to pass through the barrier I created, little girl?" he demanded, not needing to wait long as he wanted her answer now.

She looked at him in confusion, and she replied with a clever answer. "Barrier? What barrier?"

Xavier was silent for a moment, digesting the girl's answer. He examined her carefully, looking for any signs of deception, and did not find any. Hmm. Did this little girl really not know? When he saw the emotions clearly written on her face, it was unlikely that she would lie about the sincerity of her words.

He then wanted to know how she managed to get here and asked, "How did you get here? Where is Rylan?"

Karenina was confused by his question and answered as best she could. "Uh, well, you see, I was on my way back to Moonlit Grove after visiting the house where I'm staying now, and then I felt someone calling for me." She spoke a little faster because of her nervousness and couldn't stop. "But I didn't see or feel anything else, but I felt compelled to follow it. So here I am. "She laughed nervously, then scratched the back of her head and smiled mischievously at him.

Then a thought occurred to her, "Although I'm sure I've heard that voice before. I thought it was my imagination. It said, 'Come to me'. Strange," she whispered.

Frankly, he was surprised because it was an inappropriate expression. The only sign of surprise he showed was a slight widening of his eyes, but after that he quickly composed himself, looked at the little hybrid and half-wolf girl again, and watched her while staring deeply into her eyes. So she answered my call, too. Interesting.

Raising the corner of his lips, he left with the words, "Let the game continue."

Karen didn't know whether the girl should follow him and demand an explanation or run in the opposite direction if he decided to come back and kill her. She was sure that the second option was better for her well-being. So she walked, yes, walked, and didn't run like a fool and stumble in a hurry in the opposite direction.

Then, as her arrow struck another she-wolf, a sharp scream split the air. As she held her wounded and bleeding shoulder in her hand, she could barely see the wound through the blood, and it hurt like hell!

She tore off her other sleeve to make a makeshift bandage to stop the bleeding. Then she tied it with her hand and her teeth.

She made herself comfortable behind a tree to regain some of her strength and thought about the four recent battles she had to face after her encounter with him, and how each battle was stronger than the one before. Taking deep breaths to calm herself, she looked up at the evening sky and thought, What is this? A Karenina attack day? This is getting ridiculous! How many of them are there, and why are they all after me?

They didn't seem to be interested in the sacred moonstone around her neck, since no one asked her to surrender it.

Oh, Rylan, where are you? Hurry and find me? she sighed softly. But the choice was taken away from her when she felt the aura of another she-wolf coming closer to her. With a tired sigh, she stood to face her next opponent, bow and arrow ready so she wouldn't have to change into her wolf form.