Chapter 12Xander's povBeing engaged with her had brought her nothing but pain and somehow I felt guilty.The sun hung heavy in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the clearing. It was still the morning of the Triumph procession a celebration of strength, unity, and the ancient bond that tied the Black Pool Pack together. Outside of my building, the werewolves of the pack were furious because of the recent event. No one liked Leila anyway and there seemed to be rumors that it may be postponed again if she wasn't found.A decision that was met with a chorus of disapproval.Down at the fields;"What’s the point of this charade?" growled Eldric, his fur bristling with annoyance. 'She’s just a pup. She’ll be back.'"Or maybe she won't," countered Lyra, her silver eyes glinting with worry. "The forest is a dangerous place, even for a wolf.""Dangerous? Come now, Lyra," sneered Eldric. "We’re not talking about some delicate human girl. Leila is a werewolf! She can handle herself."The whi
Chapter 13Xander's pov"only Leila can bring peace to this pack," I replied to him.****Romero's povBlack pool pack of werewolves yearned for a change of a representative. They had grown weary of the interminable waiting for a Leila to grace their presence. With determination coursing through their veins, they resolved to take matters into their own paws and compose a petition to convey their pressing concerns to my Alpha.The process of crafting the petition was going to be an arduous one. I thought the moment I found out. Under the guidance of Lycan, one of the wisest and most experienced members of the pack, they gathered in a secluded clearing beneath the watchful gleam of the cloud.Lycan, his silver fur glimmering under the daylight, addressed the assembled wolves with a solemn voice. "My fellow wolves, we have endured this interminable delay with patience, but our patience has reached its limit. We must now take a bolder step to assert our voices but this will only work if y
Chapter 14Xander's pov"I need to see the high priestess," I ordered through the mind link.****The scent of pine and damp earth mingled with the sweet, heady aroma of incense, forming a heady cocktail that swirled around the High Priestess as she headed the sprawling palace grounds. Her bare feet, calloused from years of walking the forest paths, whispered against the cool stone of the ancient courtyard. A low hum, barely audible above the rustling of the leaves in the surrounding trees, emanated from her, a constant presence that resonated with the ancient magic she wielded. Her journey to the heart of my pack palace had been long, a journey across treacherous mountains and through dense, whispering forests. She’d carried with her not only the sacred tools of her craft but also the weight of responsibility – the wellbeing of the pack rested on her shoulders.I, her Alpha, a man of broad shoulders and fierce eyes, had made the unusual request. I believed his pack's prosperity was
Chapter 15Xander's povShe was a mighty woman. If there was bad luck, she would be sure to evade it.I then thought of Carlson. The last time I visited, I could still sense the loyalty in him. I was then convinced that he had nothing to do with Leila's disappearance."Release him!" I said as I communicated through the mind link. I then made my way to the Red Den.On getting there, Romero and some special guards were at the gate already waiting for me. I opened it and they followed me in.****Carlson's povThe iron bars of the red cage rattled as my alpha pushed them open. The air outside was thick with the musk of the pack and the damp smell of the approaching storm. I stepped out, the sun warm against my fur, but the warmth was a poor substitute for the comfort I once felt in the pack's embrace. The cage, my prison for a fortnight, had been a constant reminder of my folly, my humiliation. I had been one of the pack's champions, one of the strongest, one of the most feared. Now, I w
Chapter 16Carlson's povBeta Joe was a beta like me. He was second to me and was my best friend.He has been my best friend for as long as I could ever remember.Though I was shocked to see him. I expected him to desert me just like everyone else."hi Carlson," he said to me and I smiled happily before hugging him."hello Joe!""Good to have you back bro!" he hugged me.We got in, had a small discussion and soon he left for something very important.Sitting on my couch, I couldn't believe the gist Joe told me at first. My wife? I was speechless. So if she was in Red Den, what about Amelia?I wondered where Amelia wandered to. Why couldn't she at least wait for me? I thought, feeling tired already. Amelia was my favorite daughter. She could help me find her step-sister. I thought as I then decided to move around to find her first. ****The scent of woodsmoke and damp earth clung to my fur as I paced the whole pack and headed toward the forest. I was a wolf, my senses heightened, th
The path ahead was long and dangerous, but I would face it. I would find Leila, and then, with a heart full of relief, I would finally turn my attention to Amelia, my wayward daughter. Amelia was the one who always found her way back home every single time. Only the moon goddess knows where she always came back from. I knew, deep down, that she would be alright, but the frustration and the gnawing worry would not leave me until I found her, until she was safely tucked in her bed, the scent of lavender soap filling the air around her.****Xander's povThe air hung heavy, thick with the humid scent of honeysuckle and the approaching dawn. I sat on the edge of the pool, my bare feet sinking into the cool, slick tiles. The water, still and reflective, mirrored the luminescent glow of the moon, a silver disc hanging low in the sky. Liela's father, the esteemed beta of my pack, was out there, prowling the moonlit woods, searching for Leila. But I knew he wouldn't find her by just moving ar
Xander's povIt was already night but I still didn't think I wanted to leave the pool. Making up my mind, I jumped into the pool and made my way through the waters.The water, cool and refreshing, provided a welcome respite from the pressures of governing my sprawling pack territory. As I glided through the water, my mind was surprisingly at ease. A rare moment of peace in my otherwise demanding life.Suddenly, a blinding flash of white light erupted in my mind, jarring me from my tranquil moment. It was a vision, stark and vivid. I suddenly saw a group of strange, unfamiliar figures, their faces hidden in shadows, infiltrating the Red Den. Their movements were swift and calculated, their purpose clear - to break someone out of his strict custody. The vision was fleeting, gone as quickly as it had arrived, leaving me with a gnawing sense of unease.I surfaced from the water immediately, shaking the water from my hair and letting out a long exhale. It was unusual for visions to be so s
Xander povMy voice, filled with honest anger, resonated with power, sending shivers down the spines of those who heard me. The pack, sensing my determination, responded with a resounding roar of agreement. They were ready to follow their leader, to fight for their territory, for their pack, for me, their alpha.The night air crackled with anticipation, the scent of danger mingling with the scent of the pack's collective determination.The rival pack, calling themselves The Shadow pack, had dared to challenge my dominion over the territory. Their message was simple: yield, or be defeated. For me, this wasn't just about territory. It was about respect, about proving my pack's strength, about reaffirming my role as Alpha. I wouldn't back down."The Shadow pack awaits," I barked, my voice a deep rumble that resonated through the forest. "they wait for us to fight on their terms. But we are the black pool. We do not succumb to intimidation.'A chorus of growls echoed back, each wolf's eye