Alpha Thane spent a sleepless night. He sat on his bed, alone, having coldly dismissed his third wife, whose turn it was to sleep with him. His mind reeled with the implications of the discovery he had just made, and he knew that with the High Priestess already disgruntled with Lunarville, revealing the truth and making amends would be the best way to try and salvage things.All through the night he thought of Lylah, and how their relationship had come to an abrupt end. "I had no choice, things weren't this complicated when I made the promise to her," he repeated to himself, but that did not ease the burden of guilt he felt at having impregnated her and left her to her fate.Two years had passed since he last visited Ravenhurst, since he'd last seen her. How could it be that the child he conceived with her, in secret, without even knowing that a seed had been planted, would turn out to be the child announced in the prophecy? Thane paced his chambers restelessly, his mind racing. Some
RAVENHURST CLANThe winding road that led to Ravenhurst's Alphahold bustled with life as the warm sunlight cast a golden glow on the landscape. Thane smiled wistfullu he strolled along. The scene used to be a very familiar one, but it had been two years since his last visit, and the surroundings appeared a bit strange.Passers-by greeted him with respectful nods and bows - his attire, adorned with the intricate silver embroidery that signified his status as an Alpha, commanded attention and reverence. Councillor Tudor and two wardens walked with him, their small entourage exuding an aura of authority and power. News of Thane's arrival preceded him, such that by the time he got to the Alphahold, it was already abuzz with activity. In the spacious sitting room, Alpha Asher, Luna Poebele, Cormac, and a young woman stood, smiling graciously as Thane and Councillor Gallum walked in. "Greetings, Alpha Thane," Alpha Asher said, walking towards Thane and stretching his hand for a handshake.
The tension in the sitting room was palpable, the air thick with a mix of confusion and anticipation. All eyes were fixed on Thane, who sat with his head bent low. Councillor Tudor nudged him softly. "My Alpha..." he said in a low voice, "Perhaps I should speak?" Thane nodded slowly, his head still bent low. Councillor Tudor stood and bowed to Alpha Asher once more. "Alpha Asher, with due respect to your Luna, to your son and to his mate, I crave your indulgence. I will speak for my Alpha." Alpha Asher was looking at him, visibly perplexed. "Go on." he said. "Actually, there's no easy way to say this," Councillor Tudor started, his voice measured and cautious, "but it'll have to be said all the same. You may have seen how my Alpha was affected by the news about Lylah, your son's ex wife, that is because our visit to Ravenhurst has everything to do with her."Alpha Asher's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm listening." Councillor Tudor hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "The thing
LUNARVILLE CLANThe sitting room was bathed in the soft, warm glow of candles, their flickering flames casting a tranquil ambiance over the space. The room was quiet, the only sound the occasional crackle of the fire in the hearth. Thane sat on a plush armchair, his eyes fixed on the floor as he listened intently to Aurora, the Chief Scout, who sat facing him. Her expression was somber, her voice low and measured as she delivered her report."You mean there is no credible news, then?" Thane asked when she had finished. Aurora's voice was firm but apologetic. "I'm afraid not, my Alpha. But we will continue to ask around and search. It'll only be a matter of time before we hear something."Thane nodded gravely, his eyes narrowing slightly. "What about Villapaw? Did you extend your search there?" Aurora heaved a sigh. "Yes, we did. Discreetly, though. Our spies there have heard no news about Lylah over the years." Thane's face fell, his shoulders sagging in disappointment. "Very well,
The huge, automated gate of the Janeerad Foundation slid open sideways, and a small car chugged in, spewing a faint hum of exhaust fumes behind it. The driver, a stoic-looking man with a weathered face, emerged from the vehicle and trudged to the back door. He swung it open, revealing a tiny, dark-haired boy. Kael tumbled out of the car with an excited squeal, running straight to his mother, who stood expectantly in front of the imposing building. Lylah's eyes shone with anticipation and happiness as Kael hurtled towards her, and she swept him up in a warm embrace, inhaling the sweet scent of his hair."Oh, Sweetie!" she cooed, her voice husky with emotion. "How are you? How was your first day of school?" Kael's face lit up. "I made friends with a boy named Max, and we played with Lego blocks!" He paused, taking a deep breath before launching into a joyful babble. "And we had juice boxes and animal crackers, and the teacher read us a story about a big, red dog!"Lylah listened inten
Through the bedroom window, which directly overlooked the perfectly manicured lawns of the building, Lylah gazed out, feeling the warm sunlight cast a golden glow over her face as the sun began to set. The scent of freshly cut grass wafted in, mingling in with the faint hint of disinfectant that lingered in the air. Her thoughts were a jumble of concerns, centered around Kael, who was playing excitedly on the floor, surrounded by a scattering of toys, oblivious to his mother's worries. He looked so happy, the soft hum of his toy car punctuating the silence as he rode it back and forth. Occasionally he would giggle and mutter to himself, the sound of his voice creating a sense of tranquility that Lylah couldn't quite grasp. She felt like an outsider, watching her son's carefree happiness through a pane of glass. For a moment Lylah was tempted to adopt Kael's reality and pretend that all was well, they weren't trapped in a building far away in New York City, with mysterious forces con
THE HEARTWOOD FOREST - WEREWOLF REALMThe delegation from Lunarville sat in the waiting area of the Lunar Sanctum, surrounded by the soft glow of luminescent orbs and the gentle pulse of the large crystal at one corner of the space. Councillor Tudor fidgeted with his cloak, his eyes fixed on the intricate patterns woven into the rug. Warden Loshra stood tall, his hands clasped firmly together, as his gaze scanned the room with a mixture of curiosity and caution. Aurora, the Chief Scout, sat cross-legged on the floor, her eyes closed, her breathing steady, as if meditating.The silence was broken by the soft rustle of silk as Zular emerged from the inner sanctum. His eyes swept the room, coming to rest on the delegation. "The High Priestess will see you now," he announced, his voice low and melodious.The delegation rose, smoothing their clothing, and followed Zular into the inner sanctum. The room was dimly lit, the air thick with the scent of incense and something else, something ear
The fluorescent lights overhead cast a sterile glow on the laboratory, illuminating rows of sleek workstations and humming equipment. The air was thick with the scent of disinfectant and the faint tang of metal. Dr. Ganner, syringe in hand, was bent over Kael, who sat rigidly in a chair, his eyes scrunched up in discomfort.Dr. Ganner's gloved hands moved with precision, the needle glinting as he inserted it into Kael's vein. The boy's face contorted, his blue eyes welling up with tears, but he sat still, his slender body tense. Justine, standing beside Dr. Ganner, watched with an intent gaze, his eyes flicking between Kael's face and the needle. He offered Kael reassuring nods and smiles, his voice soft and soothing. "Almost done, kiddo. Just a little longer."Kael's eyes locked onto Justine's, and he took a deep breath, his body relaxing slightly. Dr. Ganner withdrew the needle, and a tiny droplet of blood welled up on Kael's skin. The doctor pressed a cotton swab to the puncture si
NEW YORKThe boardroom lights cast a sterile white sheen across the long transparent table. Around it sat the core of the operation: Commander Harris resplendent in uniform, flanked by his top lieutenants; logistics and transport heads; medical coordinators; and Dr. Ganner, seated near the far end with his tablet idle before him.At the head of the table, Justine stood tall, sharp in a dark tailored suit, a digital schematic glowing behind him.“In five days,” Justine was saying, voice clear and commanding, “we launch the final phase of this mission.”Silence reigned as all eyes locked onto him.“The Kyrexin-X dispersal device is now fully functional. We've confirmed its efficacy across every tested sample. One release—just one—is potent enough to wipe out ten thousand werewolves. We’ve engineered ten additional refills, each safely contained and shielded until needed.”He tapped the screen, cycling through projected maps of the werewolf realm.“Deployment will be centered in the Hear
The Living Room was quiet now. The hearth still crackled faintly, the scent of warm bread still lingered in the air, but the room felt hollow—emptied of voices, of presence.Thane stood alone, arms folded behind his back, staring once more through the tall arched window. Outside, the silver dusk had begun to descend over Lunarville, and the faint sounds of training echoed in the far distance—arrows thudding into wood, warriors barking commands, the occasional howl cutting through the wind.But inside him, there was only silence.He no longer had a Luna to speak with since his two mates got lost to fate and the last ran for her life. Drena, too, hadn’t visited in a while. He’d never minded the solitude before. He’d built his rule on decisiveness, not public opinion. And yet, now… he longed for a voice to complement his own. A physical presence. A confidante. And it was in that yearning that his mind drifted, once again, to Lylah.The ache came softly, like fog curling through the crac
The days that followed the quiet meeting in the strategy chamber were anything but quiet.Thane, together with Alpha Billam and Alpha Cochram, wasted no time. With the alliance now formed—small as it was—they began fortifying Lunarville and their own clans. Patrols were doubled. Old signal towers were repaired and rekindled. Hidden caches of silver-resistant armor were dug up from storage, and training resumed with renewed intensity.Archers were drilled from dawn till dusk, their arrows tipped with sharpened obsidian and infused with wolfsbane extracts in case of ambush. Gauntlets—thick, rune-etched iron bracers designed to deflect both blades and bullets—were redistributed to front-line fighters. Trap-masters, a nearly forgotten order from the First Hunt Era, were summoned back into service to lay intricate trigger snares through the outer paths of the Heartwood.Fire pits laced with scented herbs to mask scent trails were dug near every village boundary. Night sentinels were traine
LUNARVILLE The hearth crackled quietly in Lunarville's strategy chamber, its warmth casting shifting amber light across the stone walls. Afternoon sunlight filtered through high windows, illuminating the maps and war tokens spread across the long table.Alpha Thane sat at the head, jaw tight, eyes on the flames rather than the two Alphas seated with him. The silence between them was heavy—not hostile, but thoughtful.It was Alpha Billam who broke it.“I know it felt like last week's convention was a failure,” he said, his voice calm but firm. “But don’t let that deter you. All isn't lost yet.”Thane didn’t respond at once, but his eyes flicked briefly toward Billam.Billam continued, “For what it’s worth, I stand with you. And you know I mean that fully. Unity is the only way forward, and though the others can’t—or won’t—see that yet, some of us do.” He glanced at the other man across the table. “Cochram agrees.”Alpha Cochram gave a short nod. “I do. After I slept on it, I couldn’t
The sterile air in the lab still shimmered faintly with the heat of success. The scientists’ footsteps had barely faded from the corridor, and the applause they had given still rang in Justine's ear. The moment had felt victorious, but Dr. Ganner's last words were now threatening to throw him off balance. He had remained where he stood, his hands behind his back, eyes fixed on the matte-black weapon at the center of the table. Beside him, Dr. Ganner was no longer smiling.“Well?” Justine asked, his voice low. “What kind of problems?”Dr. Ganner didn’t answer immediately. He moved to a nearby screen, fingers tapping with habitual precision until streams of data and gene sequences rolled into view. His expression was taut.“I’ve encountered challenges with developing the antidote,” he said. “Serious challenges.”Justine’s brow furrowed as he turned toward his friend. “Peter, you’ve had weeks. You've had Kael’s blood for ages, full lab access, state of the art equipment, financial suppo
The research lab on the second floor buzzed with quiet urgency. Blueprints were spread across metal tables, glowing monitors tracked chemical reactions, and at the center of the room sat the Kyrexin-X—a matte black, angular device. Its surface was fitted with slim vents and illuminated digital panels that pulsed with soft blue light, casting a faint glow onto the surrounding equipment.A group of white-coated scientists moved with precision around the device, performing final checks and calibrations.In the far corner, Justine stood beside Dr. Ganner, observing the work going on before them. Right behind them, Kael stood in front of a desk, watching them with apprehension.“I believe we should move in a week,” Justine said, his voice calm but resolute. “They’re tightening their patrols. Harris’ intel confirms it. If we wait too long, we lose the element of surprise.”Dr. Ganner stroked his grey-speckled beard thoughtfully. “And I believe a fortnight is more prudent,” he said with gent
Kael closed the door to his room behind him, leaning against it as a long, shaky breath escaped his lungs. The silence was deafening. He pressed his palms into his eyes, trying—and failing—to shut out the memory of Lylah’s anguished cries, the pain in Angela’s eyes, the sound of the tray crashing to the ground.Why did everything feel so wrong?He paced the room, restless, agitated. Losing sight of the fact that he had been preparing to go out earlier, he pick up a book from his nightstand and pried it open, but the words blurred uselessly before him. He turned on his computer, then shut it off almost immediately. His chest felt tight, his mind a whirlwind of guilt, anger, confusion. He couldn't focus, couldn't be himself.Without even consciously deciding, his feet carried him down the hallway. His pulse hammered in his ears. His heart twisted with a feeling he didn't want to name. Before he could second-guess himself, he reached Angela’s door and, without knocking, slid it open.Ang
Lylah’s morning began with silence, save for the occasional sound of the kitchen clock ticking rhythmically in the background. She stood by the stove, preparing a breakfast as if it were any other day, as though her world hadn’t gotten even worse over the last few weeks. The aroma of crispy bacon, sizzling eggs, and freshly brewed coffee filled the kitchen, offering a fleeting comfort in an otherwise bleak atmosphere. But the food wasn’t for her; it was for Kael.She carefully arranged the tray—scrambled eggs, some bacon, a slice of buttered toast, and a cup of coffee—and, once everything was set, carried it from the kitchen with quiet determination. As she passed through the hallway, a security guard, who had been standing outside the door like a silent sentinel, followed her closely. Lylah didn’t mind the guard, though; she had grown used to the twenty-four hour surveillance. What she couldn't get used to was the coldness in Kael’s eyes every time he looked at her, as if she were n
A heavy silence cloaked the Great Hall after Thane's words. For a brief moment, it seemed the weight of truth might bind them.Then Alpha Hijar of Villapaw leaned back, one brow raised, voice laced with pointed skepticism. “You speak of unity as though it’s a simple thing, Thane,” he said. “But the clans are autonomous for a reason. Always have been. Your... noble motive notwithstanding,”—he tilted his head with a wry smirk—“suggesting that we all come together might sound heroic, but it’s just like telling us Alphas to give up our autonomy, and that's not the way of our kind.”Thane’s eyes flared, his patience strained. “This isn’t about anyone giving up his autonomy, Hijar! It’s about survival. About werewolves standing as one realm against a common enemy. Humans don’t care which banner we raise or which clan they attack first, they want us all gone.”Alpha Renosh raised a calming hand, his voice the most level among them. “I understand you, Thane. I truly do. But I also understand