Chapter 16: Alpha Raven

The moon shone brightly above, while below, flames lit up the night. At the territory of the Blood Moon pack, all the fierce warriors had returned after a resounding victory.

Alpha Raven, the supreme leader of the pack, strode with commanding presence through the ranks of his warriors. A cloak of black leopard fur billowed behind him with each step, and his body, clad in leather armor reinforced with metal, exuded raw power and dominance.

He ascended a high platform, drew the sword from his side, and pointed it forward. The blade gleamed in the firelight, casting flashes through the darkness.

“From this day forth, the Gloomwood Forest shall no longer bear the presence of the Dark Eclipse pack. My warriors, tonight, we revel in our triumph!”

Immediately, howls echoed through the forest, as an anthem of conquerors ringing out into the night.

Raven's amber eyes sweeping across the warriors cheering under the flickering firelight. For the first time in two years, his heart felt light. He had finally avenged his father.

Two years ago, during the fiercest phase of the war between the two packs, he had suddenly gone missing for over two months. When he returned, he learned that his father had been killed by Alpha Gerano, and the Blood Moon warriors had been utterly defeated, forced to retreat back to their territory.

After that battle, the Blood Moon pack lost nearly half of their hunting grounds to the Dark Eclipse pack in exchange for two years of peace.

Raven took his father’s place as the next Alpha. For the next two years, he and his warriors endured in silence, quietly rebuilding their strength, until they struck with a single, devastating blow, catching the enemy completely off guard and reclaiming their honor.

In the final battle at the Dark Eclipse pack house, he took his wolf form and sank his fangs into Genaro’s throat, just like Genaro had once done to his father.

The moment the enemy’s blood filled his mouth, a surge of exhilaration and deep satisfaction washed over him, finally easing the hatred that had long tormented his heart.

He lifted his gaze to the silver moon above, a proud smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

“We’ve taken back what was rightfully ours,” Raven said, his deep voice rumbling like thunder through the night. “The warriors who fell did not die in vain. Their blood has soaked into this land, making the soil richer, the trees more vibrant, the prey more abundant. And we, the wolves who remain, will only grow stronger. Unstoppable!”

As his final word echoed, the territory of the Blood Moon pack erupted in sharp, triumphant howls. Birds scattered from the trees, livestock huddled in fear.

The warriors began to celebrate. Bonfires flared across the open ground before the pack house, golden-roasted meat crackled over the flames, and jugs of honey mead were passed from hand to hand.

Raven jumped down from the platform and joined his pack, not as a distant Alpha, but as a warrior among warriors.

They feasted on meat, drank wine, and sang together around the bonfire to celebrate their victory. The entire Blood Moon territory was wrapped in a jubilant, joyful atmosphere.

Draken, Raven’s closest beta, raised his bowl of mead toward his Alpha. Raven smiled and lifted his own, the two cups clinking before they tilted their heads back and drank it all.

The sweetness of honey mixed with the burning bite of alcohol, just like the blend of triumph and vengeance that stirred in his heart.

Draken glanced at the wolves reveling in wild celebration by the fire, a faint smile flickering in his eyes. After a moment, he spoke,

“Alpha, our prison is bursting at the seams. What should we do with the prisoners?”

“Draken,” Raven said, his voice deep and weighty. “We need to show everyone that we are not like the Dark Eclipse pack. Genaro was a bloodthirsty wolf, he waged war for the sake of killing. But we fought for peace.”

Alpha Genaro was a well-known figure among the wolf packs of the Gloomwood Forest. He was aggressive, constantly picking fights wherever he went, and had wiped out many smaller packs.

Wherever he passed, blood flowed like rivers. He never left his enemies a way out.

Thankfully, the Blood Moon pack was strong enough to withstand his attacks. Though their hunting grounds had once been pushed back, the people here had remained safe, until now.

Draken looked into his Alpha’s amber eyes, sensing the deeper meaning behind every word. He asked,

“What exactly do you mean about the prisoners?”

Raven explained plainly,

“The fiercest ones are already dead. What’s left are mostly low-ranked fighters and civilians. We’ll give them a chance. As long as they truly submit and can form a bond with the Blood Moon pack, they’ll be allowed to join. Just this once. Let them see that we don’t live only by ruthlessness, but by mercy, when it’s needed.”

“And what about those who can’t form a bond? The ones who won’t ever trust us?”

Raven turned back to him, his eyes as sharp as blades.

“No mercy. Kill them all.”

Draken nodded again, signaling his understanding. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, he asked,

“Alpha, one more thing. What do we do with Genaro’s daughter?”

Raven frowned, a shadow of displeasure flickering in his eyes.

“Didn’t I give the order to eliminate all of his kin?”

Genaro had taken the only family Raven ever had—there was no way he would let any of Genaro’s blood live.

Raven paused for a moment before explaining,

“The she-wolf was locked away in a remote room of the pack house. She wasn’t found until much later. She’s a weak omega, didn’t fight back at all, so the warriors couldn’t bring themselves to kill her.”

His brows drew together again as his voice dropped,

“Where is she now?”

“She’s in the prison, Alpha.”

Raven set his bowl of mead down, his gaze turning cold as midwinter frost. He stood and said to Draken,

“Come. Let’s send Genaro’s daughter to join him.”

***

Author: They're about to meet again. Are you excited?