Chapter 1: War

The moon shone brightly tonight. A blue moon shone down on the Northlander werewolves' castle: the ground, the Northlander wolves' castle, and even the vast forest illuminated by its powerful rays. The moon becomes blue once a year, and every wolf loves it. They would love to stare at it and howl a song that only the moon will understand.

Zehra, the princess of the Northlander kingdom, would love to do that, but tonight is not an ordinary night. She could see wolves on all fours running towards the dark part of Tempest Forest, the part that no wolves ever tried to explore. Her heart dropped, knowing some of them would never leave the forest alive. 

In the distance, she could hear the cries of widowed women and children asking for their parents. Naher bubbled inside her, just thinking of the man behind it. How could someone be selfish and cruel? He was killing so many for what? Just to claim someone who doesn't mean to be with him. 

She can't take it anymore. It has to be stopped. 

Zehra knew about the wild wolves living in those dark parts of the forest. Her father told her it was a home for the Lycans, a werewolf species that has been mutated and adapted to their surroundings. Her father said Lycans blend with humans, contributing to their mutation. Instead of standing with their four paws, their two behind legs developed into leg-like feet, which made them able to stand just like a human. Their front paws were developed into two hands equipped with long sharp claws for whatever purpose they were. The only wolf-like part of their body that didn't evolve were their heads. It remained a wolf head which Zehra's people recognized as part of the werewolf species. 

According to her father, they used to be like them, but when they decided to blend with the humans centuries ago, their wolves evolved. It seemed like their adaptability changed when they chose to live in their usual habitat. But that didn't change their ability when it came to fighting. They were monsters who ripped everything that came in their way, including her kingdom. 

The only thing that changed when they evolved was their ability to reproduce. And that's why they needed women like her. 

But nobody really saw those beasts nor how they shifted. It was just speculation since these beasts fight in their human form. 

Zehra has been seeing men arriving at their castle for years, discussing something with her father. And the last time they came in, her father threw a fit. Two days after that, her father prepared for war. And she learned that those beasts' king wanted her, but her father refused. 

"Princess, you haven't slept yet?" A voice called out from behind her as she stood up, turning to face the servant, Ember, as she kept the glass of hot milk beside her bed.

"I can't sleep. I can't eat…these make me sick," Zehra admitted as she walked to one of the couches, sitting down and letting her hands cover his face. 

"Zehra, don't do this to yourself, please."

Ember's voice is soft, almost pleading with Zehra to throw away the guilt that has been haunting her for the past weeks. 

"I can't take it anymore. I have to end this. I could sleep thinking and hearing about those loved ones gone. I can't pretend I didn't hear those howls of sadness every time warriors brought their comrades' dead bodies," she said before standing up. Her conscience can't take it anymore. Sadness and guilt pierced her heart every time her fellow wolves would go and leave for war.  

"Zehra! You are going to…to give yourself to that monster?" Ember's eyes widened as I looked at her. 

"I had no other option. He wasn't going to stop and father," she said, tears started to stream down her eyes. "Father and this kingdom will end up completely destroyed if this is carried on. I can't let anyone die again. This has to be stopped," she said, picking up her scarf. She wrapped it around her head, letting the gold material cover her white curls and shoulder. 

She stepped out of her room as Ember, nervous. 

"Princess, I don't know if your idea would be okay with the king. Please, don't do it."

Zehra walked faster until she reached her father's room. She knocked, and the guard announced her arrival, letting her in. Her heart broke at the sight of her father, who seemed like he had tripled his age due to the pressures of everything, including the war and casualties. She even saw how his ministers shook their heads while looking at their war board. They were all hopeless.

"Call the war off, Father," she said, her words ringing in the room, making everyone in the room look at her, shocked and confused. 

"This is a serious situation, Zehra. Go back to your room," her father spoke, waving his hand at her. 

"Father, it's enough," she replied. "I don't want any more deaths from our warriors and our side. Please, give me to him. And everything will be back to normal," she added. 

Tears filled her eyes as he looked at her father pleadingly. 

The king looked at her, trying to see if Zehra was only saying this because of her impulse, but all he could see was her seriousness. He knows this war will only stop if he hands his daughter to the enemy. 

"But…he will have you. How about your mate? Just give it a few days, and we'll think of a better solution," the king said, but he was unsure. 

"Father, please no more. Enough is enough. Hand me to the enemy to stop this war. I'm begging you, Father. My heart can't take any more howls of sadness from our people. I'm begging you, Father," Zehra pleaded. She decided to be selfish and that she will give her life in exchange for hundreds. Even if it means she'll sacrifice her happiness, mate, and fate. She doesn't know what future will be waiting for her, but she's ready.