The morning sun bathed Cold Valley in soft amber light, casting long shadows through the windows of Cold Valley High School. The bell rang sharply across the courtyard, scattering sleepy students to their classes with half-zipped backpacks and unfinished breakfasts.
Alison moved down the hall, a worn-out textbook clutched to her chest. She was dressed simply in black jeans, an oversized navy hoodie, and sneakers. But her silver eyes, even dulled with lack of sleep, still caught attention as they always did. If it wasn't for her father, she would have hidden these eyes with a contact lens. But he always said her eyes were his favourite view, now how could she deny the man who raised her well and with so much love and care to see her eyes. “Alison!” Kira’s voice echoed across the hallway, followed by the thud of her boots. “Hey,” Alison turned, catching up with her friends Kira and Sara who were waiting at her locker. “You look like you saw a ghost,” Sara noted, tilting her head. “Another night of weird dream?” “Yeah,” Alison muttered. “Same one. Forest. Woman calling me ‘Althea.’ And last night…” She paused, unsure whether to say it aloud. “What?” Kira leaned in, curious. “I think I saw a wolf outside the diner.” Sara blinked. “A wolf? Here in Cold Valley? Girl, that’s your imagination. Or you stayed up too late watching horror movies again.” “Maybe,” Alison said. “It just felt… real.” “Anyway,” Kira looped her arm through Alison’s, “we’ve got bigger problems. One week until final exams. Then we’re officially out of here!” “Yeah, and into the big city,” Sara added, wiggling her eyebrows. “New life, new vibes, and hopefully hot city boys.” “Please don't start,” Alison groaned with a small laugh. “ We should get you a hot city boy ” Kira suggested “ Not my type ” Ally argued “ Do you even have a type Ally? ” Sara asked “ I don't think so, I never had time to think of those stuff ” Ally explained to her friends “ Knew it, mother Teresa. ” Kira teased “ Don't worry, you will get one soon. I can feel it,” Sara laughed The girls spent the morning going from class to class, math reviews, English essays, and college prep meetings. The end of high school loomed like a distant promise, and though Alison was usually focused, her mind drifted constantly. When lunch came, they sat under their usual tree in the school courtyard. The warm spring air buzzed with chatter and plans for graduation. “ I already got a dress for the graduation ” Sara announced “ I will get mine tomorrow, what about you Ally” Kira asked their non challant friend “ I don't know, dad said he will get me a dress ” Alison replied “ I'm sure it will be pretty, ” Sara spoke “I can’t wait for that camp trip,” Kira said between bites of her sandwich. “Two weeks in the woods, no teachers, and no alarms? I’m so ready.” “Same,” Sara grinned. “But I’m mostly going to escape my mom’s lectures and maybe flirt with someone who doesn’t use TikTok to flirt.” Alison chuckled. “You guys are hopeless.” “You say that now, but wait till you meet a cute loner boy with messy hair and a dark secret,” Kira teased, nudging her. Alison rolled her eyes but smiled. Deep down, she wondered if the dreams and the wolf sightings were leading to something, some kind of change. Something felt like it was shifting inside her, but she couldn’t explain it. Meanwhile, in a neighboring town… At a cozy street café hidden behind ivy-covered walls, Damian sat slouched in a wooden chair, sipping iced black coffee with barely disguised disgust. “This tastes like disappointment,” he muttered. Kevin laughed. “That’s because your royal tongue only knows moon-nectar and blood-orange wine. Welcome to the human world freedom seeking Prince.” They were seated casually, both dressed in clean-cut black uniforms, their new school’s requirement. It was strange, fitting in like humans, but Kevin looked relaxed. Damian, less so. “ By now the whole palace is in chaos, their favourite prince has escaped ” Kevin chuckled “ Serves them right for caging me, and I was very tired of everything. All they talk about is responsibilities and duties of being an Alpha king, then there's the forcing of having Betha as my mate. The moon Goddess hasn't even once showed me my real mate but they are already forcing me to accept a power obsessed girl,” Damian complained Across the street, two girls giggled and stole glances at them. “Yep. Day one and you’ve already got fans,” Kevin said. “I hate it,” Damian replied. “You should try smiling.” “I’d rather eat rocks.” Kevin sighed. “We start school tomorrow. Just keep your aura low and don’t punch anyone.” “No promises. Hey Kevin, I want to drift and drive at a high speed. Come on ” Damian urged his friend and he agreed Back in Arvendale… Storm clouds rolled low over the silver peaks of Arvendale. Inside the great stone halls of the royal palace, Queen Selene sat silently beside her mate, King Varkas. Their eyes burned with worry. “He left a note,” the Queen said, holding the folded parchment tightly. “He’s gone to the human realm.” “The boy has no idea what kind of danger he’s putting himself in,” the King growled. “He’s searching for freedom… or his mate,” Selene whispered. King Varkas stood abruptly. “Send the scouts. Quietly. If word spreads that the Alpha Prince is missing, it will stir unrest in the packs. If only he was not the selected Alpha by the Moon Goddess, I would have never given him the position of King ” “ Don't say that my King, he's just overwhelmed and wants to feel freedom before he ventures into this heavy responsibility of being an Alpha King ” Queen Selene defended her son, as a mother she understood how her son felt and tried to reason with the father Later that day… Betha strolled confidently through the palace gardens, her crimson gown sweeping across the stones like fire. She had arrived for a casual visit to remind Damian that she was Luna material. She had dreamt of being a Luna Queen for years and she was obsessed with Damian even though he showed no interest in her. She was lucky the King and Queen liked her, well it's all thanks to her fake personality which she shows to them. Instead, she found his chamber empty. No guards. No scent. “Where is he?” she asked coldly. The guards fumbled. “He left… last night.” Betha’s green eyes narrowed. Rage flared in her chest like wildfire. “You fools let him run away?” she hissed. “He’s mine. He’s supposed to be mine!” Without waiting for permission, she spun on her heel and stormed back to her car and drove to meet her people. There, she summoned her most loyal spies, dark wolves who moved without sound and answered only to her. “Find him,” she ordered. “Search the human towns. Track his scent. I don’t care how long it takes or who gets hurt… Damian will be mine.”Damian stood tall in his wolf form, Lexus, white fur streaked with blood, his golden eyes burning bright in the shadows of the forest. Around him, a circle of rogue wolves and bears snarled, advancing slowly.He lunged first powerful, precise.His claws slashed across the chest of a rogue wolf, sending it flying into a tree. Another rogue charged from the left but Lexus dodged, spun mid-air, and bit deep into its neck.One by one, they fell. Growls, bones snapping, fur flying. But they just kept coming.“You don't quit do you, come on!” Lexus roaredHis breathing grew ragged, movements slower. Cuts opened on his flanks. Blood stained his fur. Still, he didn’t stop. Couldn’t. He had to get back to her.A massive bear leapt at him, Lexus tackled it head-on, both crashing into a bush. The bear howled. Damian ripped its throat open and stumbled back, panting.Then a sudden silence. He shifted back to human, sweat and blood dripping, his bare chest rising and falling with strain.From behi
The day began like any other. Sunlight filtered through the windows of the diner, and the warm scent of grilled cheese, fresh pie, and brewed coffee filled the air. Alison moved between tables, taking orders with her usual bright smile, her apron tied neatly around her waist. From the kitchen, Mr. Fisher shouted playful instructions and hummed along to an old radio tune.“Dad two pies and two cups of black coffee” Alison announced “Okay dear, give me two minutes” Mr Fisher replied Alison’s phone buzzed in her pocket. She wiped her hands, pulled it out, and saw "Stream boy“ Damian's name flashing on the screen.“Morning moonlight, how's your morning?” Damian asked “Great, it's strange you are not here already or are you scared my dad will make you do the dishes again” She teasedDamian chuckled, “No, I was busy preparing something” “What's it?” “Come meet me by the lake where we had our picnic… just before evening. I’ve got a surprise for you.”Her heart fluttered. “A surprise? I’
The sun over Cold Valley was golden and lazy, but in Mr. Fisher’s home, it felt like time was moving too fast.At one of the table in the diner, Alison, with her laptop open and documents scattered everywhere, was applying to universities. Her friends kira and Sara sat beside her, filling forms and comparing essays. Their excited chatter filled the room.“Emerald Coast University just replied!” Sara squealed, her eyes glowing. “They’re reviewing everything!”Alison smiled. “That’s amazing!”“You’re applying too, right?” Kira asked, her legs tucked beneath her on the chair. “Don’t even think of ditching us.”Alison nodded. “Of course I’m coming. The city… it’s going to be a new chapter for all of us. And it has been our dream for a long time to study at the same university”Behind them, Mr. Fisher stood quietly at the counter, a towel in his hand, watching them. The joy in his daughter’s voice made him smile, but the thought of her leaving tugged heavily at his chest.“My little girl,”
The next day arrived like a gentle kiss.Sunlight spilled through the curtains, and with it came excitement and nerves.Alison stood in front of the mirror again, brushing her hair and tying it back with a soft ribbon. She wore a simple baby blue dress this time, with a light sweater and the silver ring still resting on her finger and the moon bracelet on her wrist.She looked at herself and whispered, “Second date huh?... what are you doing to me, Damon?”She smiled and went down the stairs where Damian was already there with Kevin, “Before night arrives, this Cinderella should be back home” Mr Fisher warned “Of course Mr Fisher, I will bring her back before the moon rises” Damian assured “And darling, you look beautiful! I can't believe you're now old enough and going out on dates” Mr Fisher said“Dad, I am 18 but you're treating me like a 5 year old” Alison complained “You will always be my baby” Mr Fisher said“Mr Fisher, can you take me in as your son” Kevin asked “No!” He d
The next morning, the sun was soft, filtering through the windows, golden and gentle.Alison dressed carefully. She brushed her hair, put on a soft lavender coloured dress, her silver bracelet always on her wrist and light makeup. Her heart was still haunted by the dream and what she saw by the window. Was it still a dream or was it real? She looked at the mirror, smiled her heart nervous but excited.She went down the stairs gracefully, Mr Fisher looked up and froze.“Sweetheart, you look like a painting.”Alison blushed. “Dad…”“Wow,” he breathed when he saw her.Mr. Fisher raised a brow. “Bring her back before the moon rises.”“Yes sir,” Damian said, offering his hand to her …….They rode to the edge of Cold Valley, where a quiet hidden lake shimmered beneath the morning sun.A picnic wooden table sat beneath a flowery tree, flowers surrounded the spot like a fairy painting, set with a basket filled with fruits, food and drinks. The breeze smelled like honeysuckle.Alison’s eyes w
Far away in a castle cloaked in darkness and arrogance, Betha screamed like a maniac, a psychopath.A glass cup smashed into the wall, the shards sparkling briefly before hitting the cold stone floor.“A girl?!” Betha screamed, her voice echoing off the marble as she threw a golden goblet across the room. It hit the wall and shattered into glimmering pieces.Her long hair whipped behind her like a storm as she kicked over a velvet chair. “Damian was with a girl?! During the camp?!”She tore off her gloves and flung them across the room. Two servants ducked behind the door, afraid to breathe too loudly.“And now he’s vanished again?! After all I’ve done to find him, after all I’ve given to become the only Luna, he picks some... human girl?!” She paced, her green eyes wild, lips curled with fury.She kicked over another chair. The fire crackled higher as her magic surged with rage.“Find her!” she ordered her shadow spy. “Find this pathetic human girl he’s so fond of, this human girl