CHAPTER 2: DAMIAN

The sun rose over Cold Valley with a gentle golden glow, filtering through the curtains of Alison’s bedroom. She blinked awake, the remnants of the dream still tangled in her mind like a whispered secret she couldn’t quite grasp.

Sitting up, Alison rubbed her eyes and caressed instinctively for the silver crescent moon bracelet on her wrist. It was cold against her skin a reminder of that strange, ancient feeling that had been haunting her nights for as long as she could remember.

Downstairs, the restaurant was already alive with the morning rush. The smell of fresh coffee mingled with the sizzle of frying bacon, and the clatter of plates filled the small space with a comforting rhythm.

Mr. Fisher stood behind the counter, pouring coffee with practiced ease. His face brightened when Alison entered, already dressed and ready for the day.

“Morning, Dad,” Alison said, trying to shake the shadows of the night from her mind.

“Morning, Ally. Didn't sleep well?” he asked, wiping his hands on a towel

“ Yeah, same dream,” she admitted quietly, sitting at the small table by the window.

“The forest. The woman calling my name… Althea. I don’t understand it. And the howls, I'm going crazy” Ally sighed

“ Maybe it's stress, you are nearing your final exams and you must be tired and stressed.” Mr Fisher suggested with a worried look

“ I think so too,.. After everything is done I will rest well ” Ally promised her father

Mr. Fisher gave a soft nod, a faraway look in his eyes as if he, too, felt the weight of the forgotten story. He raised her for fifteen years, she was his daughter even if his blood didn't pass through her veins. They were connected by the years they spent together, and whatever she felt he felt it too, from happiness to sadness.

“You want to rest today? You know I can handle it alone,” he said.

Alison looked at him and smiled, “ No dad, I like being here, working with you. You know soon I'll be leaving for university, so I want to spend time with you ”

“ That's why I love you,” He smiled

“ I love you more, come on let's work ” Ally put on her apron and went to the clients

Alison spent the rest of the morning pouring coffee, scribbling orders, and exchanging warm smiles with regulars. The bustle of the diner was familiar and grounding a place where people shared small talk and pancakes, where life felt safe and predictable.

Around lunchtime, she tied her apron on a hook, grabbed her worn denim jacket, and left for the market to restock some supplies.

“ Dad I'm going to the market ” Ally announced

“ Do you have money? ” Mr Fisher asked

“ I still have some left,” Ally assured him and left with her bicycle

The ride through Cold Valley’s streets was peaceful, lined with sleepy shops, autumn trees just starting to turn gold, and the occasional rustle of wind whispering through the leaves.

She passed Mrs. Calloway’s flower stall and waved. “Still haven’t killed that succulent you gave me!”

The old woman grinned, “You’re a miracle worker, dear!”

Alison was loved throughout the small town of Cold Valley, she was respectful, helpful, hard working and her silver eyes gave her so much popularity amongst the people of the town. Guys tried wooing her but she was always busy with her studies and work.

At the town square, Alison spotted Kira and Sara near the fruit stand, deep in conversation over which apples were best for pie.

“Should I even ask?” Alison teased as she approached.

Sara spun dramatically. “Alison! Save me from Kira’s weird obsession with sour apples.”

“Sour apples are superior,” Kira argued, crossing her arms.

“You two should start a cooking show,” Alison said, rolling her eyes fondly. She loved her friends, them and Mr Fisher were the only people in her life that mattered.

The girls laughed, and for a moment, everything felt blissfully normal. They talked about the ending of high school, upcoming exams, and the camp trip they’d been planning for months a weekend escape into the forested hills of Cold Valley.

“ I can't believe it, we're finally finishing high school. I can't wait to be a university girl ” Sara excitedly spoke

“ I know right, we will be leaving Cold Valley and go for the big city. Imagine the handsome city boys ” Kira squirked like a happy squirrel

“ Kira, you always think of boys ” Ally complained

“ Pleasee” Kira spun dramatically

“ So are you guys excited for the camping trip after dumping high school? ” Sara asked them excitedly

“ I am, but I'm not sure about Ally. Will she even come ” Kira asked

Alison... wasn’t sure. The dreams, the howling, the strange weight in her chest Cold Valley was starting to feel less peaceful and more... restless, and she needed to relax and this trip with her friends might be a good idea.

“I’ll come,” Alison said after a pause. “Could use a break.”

Sara blinked. “Didn’t expect that. You sure?”

“Yeah. Just... feel like something’s waiting out there.”

“ Now that's more like it, we are going to have so much fun. I can already imagine it, I heard there will be handsome guys too ” Kira screamed cheerfully

“ Handsome boys will be the death of you ” Sara mocked

Far from Cold Valley, past the veil that separated the human world from the supernatural, lay the Kingdom of Arvendale, the ancient realm of wolves. Towering castles carved into black stone mountains stood surrounded by endless forests and silver rivers that shimmered under the eternal pull of the moon.

Within the high walls of the royal training grounds, Damian Kael Draven, prince of the realm and heir to the Alpha throne, swung his blade lazily in the air. Sweat glistened on his skin, his golden eyes burning with frustration rather than focus.

“Again,” came the voice of Commander Argor, grizzled and unyielding.

“Alpha training is not just tradition, it’s survival. One day the packs will follow your lead, or fall because you failed.” Argor scolded the uninterested prince

Damian threw down the sword. “One day. Not today. I’m not interested in learning how to posture like a king when I’m barely allowed to breathe without permission.”

Argor frowned but said nothing. He knew better than to argue when the prince’s temper simmered. Instead, he gestured to the royal balcony, where King Varkas and Queen Selene watched their son in silence.

“He needs discipline,” the king muttered.

“He needs purpose,” the queen replied softly, watching her son with pain in her eyes.

Inside the palace, Damian stormed through the halls, pulling the collar of his training tunic loose. The walls, though gilded and proud, felt like a cage. Every day was a cycle of duties, rituals, and responsibilities he never asked for. Lessons in politics, pack history, war strategies... alliances, Luna selection, breeding expectations. All of it made his wolf restless. Caged.

At the edge of the royal courtyard, he met his friend Kevin, leaning casually against a marble pillar.

“You skipped council briefing,” Kevin said.

Damian rolled his eyes. “Because they’d rather I mate with Betha, who's not my mate and attend meetings than breathe air that isn’t pre-approved.”

“ Kevin gave him a look. “You’re the prince, Damian. You can run the kingdom one day, but only if you stop running away from it.”

“Maybe I don’t want to run it. Maybe I want to see what the rest of the world is like. Maybe I want a life that’s mine. I just want freedom even if it's for a while, I might meet my mate ”

Kevin arched a brow. “So what? You’re planning to disappear into the human world?”

There was silence.

Then Damian smirked. “Exactly.”

Kevin’s expression shifted. “You’re serious.”

“Dead serious.”

The prince looked toward the forest beyond the palace walls, where the veil shimmered faintly under the sun. “I’m tired of being watched. Tired of Betha pretending she’s already my Luna, when she's not even my mate. Tired of rules that chain me to a fate I never chose.”

Kevin hesitated. “You know your parents will lose their minds.”

“Then let them.”