Chapter Two: The Shifters Council

Sera’s POV

Mating Grounds, Werewoods

I turn to find Alpha Lucian and his men watching us with disdain. He is the major Alpha opposing my position as Alpha. Lucian has eyes on my pack and hopes to add it to his ever-expanding territory. He has been challenging weaker alphas and taking over their territory. He is the Alpha with the largest territory.

“Are you also here to find a mate, Alpha?” He had a frown on his face.

His men all burst into laughter. They are his usual crew, and he takes them everywhere he goes. Their job is to boost his prestige and intimidate others whenever appropriate. I roll my eyes at the thought.

“What’s with this dreary outfit? Are you still in mourning?” He eyes my outfit in distaste.

My plain clothes must look lame to such an over-the-top individual. He dresses in grand attire that announces his presence at every event. My outfit must look like rags in his eyes.

I ignore him and wait for Millie to pack the van properly. She comes down, and we proceed to the mating grounds, leaving Lucian screaming.

“Just you wait! I would take you as my mate and take over your pack!” Lucian says as we leave.

We arrive at the hunting grounds just in time for the opening ceremony. All eyes turn in our direction, and I feel dread in my stomach. My blood pumps faster, and my heart beats loudly in my ears. They are all watching and accessing me, and I know it. The Shifters Council’s arrival interrupts the moment.

We all rise from our seats and bow in deference and submission. My wolf feels their presence and acknowledges it, just like others. The members of the Council hold great power, and all, including alphas, respect them. They could bring an alpha to submission just by their aura alone. They represent the alphas of alphas, and their word is law.

I glance at the only female among them, Selene. I have seen her as a role model since I was a pup. It is so ironic now that I am standing as Alpha. I am only facing a fraction of what she must have faced back then as an alpha female, and it redefines my respect for her struggles.

She looks in my direction and smiles at me. I freeze in shock and then smile back. It is an honor to be recognized by Elder Selene! I wipe the smile off my face when Elder Derek, the head of the Council, steps forward with a severe expression. He is a taciturn man, but his expression today spells trouble.

“Before the mating hunt, we have an important announcement for you. There is word that the Maniac Rogue is on the loose, and his whereabouts are unknown.”

Murmurs fill the mating grounds. I glance at Millie, and she looks at me. The Maniac Rogue has threatened the Werewoods for some years now. The deadly massacre of the Rose Moon Pack members still haunts the memories of everyone. His enemies know him to be cunning and fatal.

No one knows his identity, and the mystery behind the Rose Moon Pack’s end remains unresolved. He made sure of that by killing every single witness to the massacre.

“Silence!” Everyone goes quiet under Derek’s stern gaze.

“There is no cause for alarm. You must tighten your pack’s security and remain alert to danger.”

The look on the other Elder’s face says otherwise. It appears the impending danger is not so small.

‘Now, let the mating hunt begin!’

The grounds erupt in cheers as Elder Derek returns to his seat. Various alphas shift to their wolves and race into the woods for a potential mate.

My focus is on the members of the Council. I am going to have an official meeting with them today. As I am debating approaching them, an attendant invites me to meet the Council.

I enter their tent, and I’m directed to a seat facing the five members of the Council, including Selene. She gives me a comforting smile, and I immediately feel more relaxed. I notice the absence of the honorary member of the Council, Alpha Draco, the Alpha of the Silva Moon Pack. Many have never seen him, as he rarely attends council meetings. The Council awarded him the title of an honorary member for his fighting prowess as the strongest shifter in all the Werewoods.

“I presume you are Serafine, the new Alpha of the Still Moon Pack?” My thoughts get interrupted by Elder Derek’s question.

“I am Serafine Nerva, alpha of the Still Moon Pack,” I respond, trying to sound confident.

I stand still as the elders all observe me with varying expressions. Derek’s face is impassive as usual. Selene looks at me with approval. Louis has a stern frown, and the other two look uninterested.

Derek said with a frown, “I hear you are accepting new members into your pack?”

I understand his worry, given the current state of the Werewoods. The hidden danger of the Maniac Rogue makes my decision seem careless. However, without new members to defend and help rebuild the pack, we are still easy prey to the Maniac and his Rogues.

“We need to rebuild the pack and its enforcers to ensure the security of its members. It is a necessary risk.” I replied, hoping to convince them it was a wise choice.

“Hmph, why struggle so much when you can leave the job to the men? My nephew Lucian is a brave warrior with a vast, flourishing pack. Why not become his Luna and hand over the pack to him?” Elder Louis is Lucian’s uncle, so I expect nothing less from him. He always supports and protects Lucian with the Council, so he gets away with everything he does. I ignore him and glance at the other elders.

“You must be careful when selecting new pack members and ensure you screen them thoroughly before accepting them,” Elder Selene said. I nod as I glance at her in appreciation. I am assured that at least one person supports my decision.

“That’s all for now. We will summon you for any other inquiries. You may go enjoy the hunt now.” Elder Derek dismisses me, his face still impassive.

I bow and turn to leave, not believing the dreaded meeting to be over. I walked out in a daze.

Millie is waiting for me outside the tent. She glances at me, a curious expression on her face. I give her a brief rundown of my meeting with the Council.

“I told you there was no cause for worry,” she said. I smile as I realize she is right. Although I didn’t receive a warm reception from the Council, they were not disapproving of me either. I feel so relaxed; a sense of calmness washes over me. I could breathe properly now. I sigh deeply in contentment.

I suddenly feel a pressing need to shift, take a run, and enjoy the mating hunt, as Derek suggested. I want to let my wolf free and race through the woods, and I do just that, leaving Millie staring at me in shock.

I ran into the woods as I shifted, the excitement of shifting outweighing the pain. I give complete control to my wolf as I race through the woods. My wolf is a massive white wolf with little black stripes. In my wolf form, my eyes are different colors. My right eye is a piercing green, while my left is pure white. My eye color remains a mystery to my family today.

I have heightened senses in wolf form. My eyes pierce the dark woods, and my nose takes in the sweet scent of flowers. I prick my ears at the distinct sounds coming from the woods. My wolf stretched happily and sighed in contentment. I named her Amaryllis because, with her pure white fur, she stands as noble and elegant as the flower itself.

I relax and give Amary complete control. It feels nice to let someone else have control for once. Amary comes to the forefront, and I retreat to enjoy quiet time. As we go deeper into the woods, Amary becomes more restless. She moves with a purpose, as if in search of something.

“Amary, what are you doing?” I asked. My voice fills with suspicion, and a bad feeling creeps up my heart as I study her. She ignores me as she moves forward with intent.

She suddenly howls in excitement as I glance around in confusion. Suddenly, it hit me. A very woodsy, musky scent hit me, and I was shocked at its potency. An enormous back wolf appears before us, and my wolf’s excitement is plausible. As it approaches us, the wolf has a dangerous look in its grey eyes.

I am frozen in shock as my wolf yells, “Mate!”