The air in the room had suddenly gone cold as Kael sat in his bed, listening as Justine told him all about werewolves. Justine was still speaking, his voice laced with bitterness. "And you know what's even more proof of how terrible werewolves are? The way they treated your mother. Did she tell you that her own clan, her own beloved people, banished her? What sort of people banishes a pregnant woman and leaves her out in the wild?" He spat out the word "beloved" with sarcasm, emphasizing the irony. Kael's eyes darted to the floor, his face burning with shame. Truly he'd had questions about his mother's banishment, but he hadn't thought about it this way. Justine's voice rang on in his ears, dripping with conviction. "None of the clans she went to would accept her. They all rejected and cast her out. She was forced to wander around, alone and pregnant, until she collapsed by the wayside. If my men and I hadn't found her, she would have died. And you, Kael, would never have been born.
Near the glass window of the largest room on the second floor of the JANEERAD Foundation's Massive mansion, Kael sat comfortably in a sleek, silver chair. He gazed cheerfully around the spacious laboratory, taking in the array of the state-of-the-art equipment. He had been in here only once before, two years ago.Dr. Ganner and Justine usually did their day-to-day work on the smaller labs and offices on the first floor, but from the way this particular lab was heavily guarded, and the strange equipment Kael saw positioned all around it, he could tell that only the important, complex works were done in here. Six years had passed since he got the revelation about being a werewolf, and his life-changing conversation with Justine. Now a proud 15-year-old, Kael had grown into a very good looking high school sophomore, navigating the challenges of adolescence with a newfound sense of confidence. "Nice place." He grinned, nodding at Dr. Ganner, who was standing over a metal box on the long
Lylah's eyes blazed with fury as she stood before the open door, her gaze piercing past Kael to Dr. Ganner. Her long, curly black hair was disheveled, and her face was flushed with anger. She wore a crumpled blue blouse and a pair of black jeans, her feet clad in scuffed sneakers.Kael, taken aback by his mother's sudden appearance, stood frozen in place, his eyes darting nervously between Lylah and Dr. Ganner."Mom?" Kael called, his voice firm but cautious. But Lylah's anger was palpable. "Go to your room, Kael!" she spat, her voice venomous. "We'll have a little chat once I'm done here."Kael hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do, but Lylah's glare left no room for argument. He turned and walked off, casting a worried glance at Dr. Ganner, who still stood unflinching, his expression neutral.When Kael had disappeared from view and they could hear his footsteps echoing as he descended the stairs, Lylah's voice erupted in a high frenzy. "You think I don't know what you're doi
The door to Kael's room was half open as Lylah stormed down the hallway. She pushed it ajar without bothering to knock and stepped in, her anger radiating like a palpable force. Kael, seated at his desk, looked up from his laptop, his eyes narrowing slightly as he took in his mother's expression."We need to talk," Lylah said, her voice low and trembling with suppressed emotion.Kael closed his laptop, his eyes never leaving his mother's face. He turned to face her, his expression cautious. Lylah's eyes was flashing with anger, her vexation simmering just below the surface. "Kael, it seems like everything I've taught you, everything I've told you since you were a child, has been a waste of time," she said, her voice cracking with emotion.Kael's brow furrowed in confusion. "How?" he asked, his tone innocent.Lylah's annoyance flared, her face reddening. "What do you mean 'how'? What did I tell you about getting too close to Justine and Dr. Ganner?" She said, her voice rising. "You're
The first rain of the year had just ceased, leaving behind a serene and tranquil atmosphere. The air was crisp and clean, filled with the sweet scent of wet earth and leaves. The sky was a deep shade of grey, with clouds that seemed to stretch on forever, their soft, white peaks still lingering.The streets of Lunarville were empty, save for the occasional puddle that reflected the sky above, creating a mirror-like effect. The sound of raindrops dripping from the eaves of the buildings was the only sound that broke the silence, a soothing melody that seemed to lull the world into a peaceful slumber.At the entrance of his courtyard, Alpha Thane stood deep in conversation with Councillor Gallum. The councillor stood against a walking stick, listening with rapt attention to Thane. There were several new outlines of silver on his hair, and the fact that he needed a cane to support his weight showed how much he had aged. Their conversation was hushed, the words indistinguishable to anyon
The room fell stunningly silent at Chief Candar's last words, the only sound being the heavy breathing of its three occupants. Thane's eyes narrowed, his jaw clenched in confusion. Drena's face paled, her eyes wide with alarm. Chief Candar's expression was grim, his eyes clouded with a deep intensity."How did you get this news, Candar?" Thane asked, his voice low and urgent. "Are you very certain of what you're saying?" Chief Candar's gaze met Thane's, and he nodded fervently. "I have a very reliable source in Andalonne." he said, his voice measured. "It happened towards midday today. Three victims, a man and his two sons, discovered close to their farms, lying awkwardly with blood oozing from their wounds."Drena gasped, her eyes widening even more. "Three... victims?" she repeated, her voice trembling.Chief Candar nodded, his expression grim. "Yes, three. The whole family was alarmed, of course. They're werewolves, and they should have started healing automatically even though th
Lylah stood in front of the mirror in her room, her green eyes sparkling as she gazed at her reflection. Her black hair, now thicker and more luscious with age, curled up and dropped past her shoulder, framing her beautiful face. Her full, Ruby red lips still complemented the oval shape of her face, but the passing years had etched fine lines around her eyes and mouth.At 38, Lylah's body had undergone subtle changes. Her curves were softer, and her skin smoother. But her face hadn't changed much, neither had her stature. She turned away from the mirror, her thoughts turning to her son, Kael. It had been three years since his last outburst against werewolves, but Lylah hadn't given up. She had still been trying to disengage and break his closeness and belief in Justine and Dr. Ganner, to save him from their destructive ideology.However, as she thought back on all the arguments and issues this had caused between both herself and Kael, as well as Justine and Dr. Ganner, she realized t
Lylah paced the length of her room, her eyes darting anxiously every now and again to the clock on her nightstand. 11:45 PM. Just a little more time. She had been awake, waiting for the right time, her mind racing with anticipation and nerves. 12:00am. The security men stationed inside the mansion retire to their quarters at midnight. They should be going in right about now, leaving the halls and offices relatively unguarded. Lylah paced a bit more. She would give them an hour to clear of completely before making her move.1:00am. With a deep breath, Lylah grabbed a black scarf on her bed and tied it loosely over her head, knotting it just below her chin. Next, she grabbed the small flashlight on her dressing table and a pair of gloves from under her bed. She listened for any sound in the hallway, and, satisfied that it was deserted, she pushed open her door, her heart racing with excitement.She moved swiftly, her eyes scanning the shadows for any sign of movement. When she reached
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
The warm, amber glow of crystal lanterns hung from the high arched ceiling of the Great Hall, casting soft light over the polished timber walls and intricately patterned stone floor. The space was grand yet refined, a testament to Lunarville's blend of tradition and progress. The long council table, carved from a single ancient tree, stretched the length of the hall, surrounded by high-backed chairs marked with the sigils of each clan.Seven Alphas sat in their respective seats, their faces drawn with the gravity of the moment. Though the Great Hall buzzed faintly with the low hum of energy panels lining the edges—hidden cleverly behind natural textures—the air was heavy with silence. Tension rippled beneath the surface.At the head sat Alpha Thane, his expression as resolute as the blade of a warrior who has seen too many battles. His eyes swept the room before settling briefly on the youngest Alpha among them.“I want to acknowledge Alpha Cormac of Ravenhurst,” he began, his voice e
The boardroom was quiet, lit by the soft afternoon glow filtering through the tall glass windows that lined one side of the room. The city skyline framed the background in still motion. Justine stood by the windows, one hand in his pocket, the other loosely holding a glass of water he hadn’t touched.He heard the door open behind him.“Commander,” he said without turning.“Yes, sir,” came Harris’s voice, steady but laced with fatigue.Justine turned to face him. His expression wasn’t angry. It was more measured, and sounded even a little tired. “You’re back.”“I am,” Harris nodded.Justine looked him over, then quietly asked, “How many of your men made it back with you?”There was a pause.“Seven,” Harris replied. “Seven, out of eleven.”Justine’s gaze lingered on him. “I heard.”Harris gave a small nod, saying nothing.“What happened to the others?”“They… fell behind,” Harris said. He ran a hand across his brow. “Didn't run fast enough. Things got messy. If we’d stayed or waited for