Zariah stared up at the masterpiece that was the crimson barrier of the Crimson Moon Pack.
2 metres thick of pulsing element energy, stretching out for as far as 8000km, completely surrounding the Crimson Moon territory.
The crimson barrier was impenetrable, no amount of direct onslaught could bring it down or tear a rip through it and the energy sensors on the barrier would immediately detect any attempt at breaking through.
Although Zariah was the only one who could open the barrier and grant entry to outsiders who were not of crimson bloodline, all crimson wolves of crimson bloodline could pass through the barrier without being restricted.
However even then, Zariah would feel the entrance and exit of each crimson wolf that passed through the barrier.
Zariah wondered just what method an outsider had used to infiltrate this barrier, no matter how Zariah thought of it...it all went down to the fact that the barrier must have been opened from within.
For the crimson barrier to be opened from within and without Zariah's knowledge, it could only mean two things...
First, Zariah was not the only one who could open the barrier to outsiders, secondly...there was most likely a traitor in crimson moon, neither of these options sounded pleasant to Zariah.
"What is on your mind?" A voice reached Zariah through the haze of her thoughts and Zariah glanced over her shoulder.
"Nile...I did not hear your approach." Zariah said as she nodded in greeting to the spirit guide.
Nile Castiel was the highly respected spirit guide and one of the five element lords of crimson moon.
A spirit guide was what the other wolf packs could call an oracle or the Creator's eyes.
The wolves of the Crimson Moon Pack were the first blood Lycans, they shared a close bond with the Creator and were blessed with the gift of command over the elements.
The crimson territory was extremely vast and rather than a pack, one could say the Crimson Moon was a kingdom or a world of it's own.
The territory of the crimson moon was divided into five citadels according to the five elements, each citadel was commanded by an element lord and all five lords answered to the Alpha of crimson moon.
The first citadel was called the Flame Den, territory of the flame wolves, governed by the fire element lord, it was the home of the crimson wolves blessed with the gift of fire.
The second citadel was called the Waterfall Hill of the water wolves, governed by the water element lord, it was the home of the crimson wolves that commanded the element of water.
The third citadel was known as the Earth Fortress, governed by the Earth element lord, it was the home of the crimson wolves that commanded the earth element.
The fourth citadel was the Whirlwind Cliff, governed by the air element lord, it was the home of the crimson wolves of the air element.
The fifth and final citadel was called the Spirit Trail, this was the citadel of the spirit elemental wolves and the spirit element lord was known as the spirit guide, the most powerful spirit elemental of crimson moon.
Nile Castiel had emerged the Lord of spirit trail at a young age and had served as Zariah's spirit guide since she assumed the position of Alpha after her father's passing.
To Zariah, Nile Castiel was a trusted friend and confidant...in her past life, Zariah had watched Nile backed against a cliff by the intruders who had demanded for his staff of authority as they had from the other element lords, acquiring trophies of their kill.
Zariah had watched Nile jump off to his death... choosing to end his own life than hand over the staff of authority of the spirit guide.
Although the crimson moon territory was mostly said to be divided into five citadels, there was one last portion of the crimson moon territory and it was called the Alpha's domain,
This was precisely where the Alpha's quarters and Zariah's home was located, the pack warriors, trackers, patrol team and all other duty wolves resided here.
The Alpha's domain was the part of the crimson moon territory that was not particular to any element, all crimson wolves could easily access the Alpha's domain.
"I would not expect you to, you seemed lost in a world of your own Alpha." Nile replied as he headed up to the element barrier and placed a hand in it, his eyes fluttering closed.
"It is nothing to be concerned about ... just a little distracted lately." Zariah said with a shake of her head as she watched the spirit guide inspect the barrier.
"Do you have a particular reason you suspect the strength of the barrier has waned?" Nile asked as he moved along the barrier, trailing his hand across the surface.
Zariah opened her mouth to speak but realizing her suspicion was yet to take place, her mouth snapped back shut.
The only reason Zariah had wanted the crimson barrier inspected was to get a better understanding on how that false mate of hers had gotten past the barrier without alerting any of the energy sensors.
However as of now, this event was yet to take place and so Zariah had no methods of explaining her thoughts to the spirit guide.
"None... just a nagging feeling." Zariah replied, the spirit guide hummed softly in response.
"The fluctuations of the element energy is as powerful as it always has been... the barrier is in good condition." Nile reported.
"Then...is there any methods that allows for an outsider to get through this barrier?" Zariah asked again,
Zariah still could not reconcile with the fact that someone had so easily gotten through this barrier in her previous life.
Nile fixed Zariah with a strange look before he shook his head slightly.
"None that I know of, however if there was such a thing, there would surely be a record of it in the ancient texts." Nile said, Zariah nodded in understanding.
"Thank you for taking the time out to meet me, I understand you must be swamped with handling the affairs of Spirit Trail." Zariah said gratefully.
"No one can be swamped with duties more than yourself Alpha, most especially with the coming of age ceremony approaching...there must be a lot to prepare." Nile said with a fond smile.
Zariah quirked a brow at Nile's words before it clicked and Zariah's eyes widened slightly.
"You forgot about it, didn't you?" Nile asked in amusement, Zariah nodded hesitantly.
"When last did you visit your office Alpha?" Nile asked with a raised brow.
"I am not even sure, four days... perhaps five." Zariah replied, running a hand through her hair.
"Well then, it is no wonder the citadels have yet to receive your approval on the name lists we have sent in. I imagine your desk must be swamped with reports." Nile said, laughing softly as he walked up to Zariah and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you truly sure you are fine? You seem rather absent-minded, it is unlike you Zari." Nile pointed out in a concerned tone, Zariah permitted a small smile.
"I am fine Nile... I will get about the reports immediately, convey my apologies to the element lords." Zariah said as she took one last look at the barrier and hurried back to the Alpha's domain.
Zariah did not bother shifting into her wolf form but settled to run through the forest instead,
As an Alpha, Zariah's human form had been trained as brutally as her wolf form was.
Zariah's speed in her human form had been honed to it's peak and was just a little ways off from her speed in her wolf form.
Ever since she had woken up four days back, Zariah had only spoken to her wolf once.
Although Zariah could feel Torin's presence in her mind, she could also feel her wolf's weakness and so Zariah could not bear to shift into her wolf form, not until Torin had fully recovered her strength.
It took Zariah a little over an hour to arrive at the Alpha's domain from the barrier and Zariah walked into her quarters, heading up to her office.
Zariah paused briefly at the familiar wooden double doors that led into her vast office, the center of command of crimson moon and where Zariah handled all affairs of the pack.
Zariah turned the nob and stepped into her office, taking a glance around the familiar environment, unwanted memories invaded Zariah's mind.
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Flashback
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"Caid... the pack affairs need to be attended to." Zariah said in a disapproving tone as Caid trailed his hand down her back, his touch leaving an electrifying trail behind.
"I know Zari...let me share in your burden, that way we can finish up more quickly and I could have more private time with you." Caid pleaded earnestly.
"You know I cannot do that, the pack still distrusts you. It is not yet time to get involved in pack affairs." Zariah deflected his proposal in a distracted tone as she flipped through the file on her desk.
"And you?...Do you also not trust me?" Caid asked in a quiet tone thick with sadness.
Zariah heaved a deep sigh as she glanced up at the teary eyed male who stared down at his feet, avoiding her gaze.
"Come on my precious, you are my mate...a part of my soul, how can I not trust you?" Zariah asked tenderly as she placed down the file and rose to her feet.
"Then is it because I am an omega?" Caid asked again, his voice hoarse as though he was barely holding himself together.
Zariah heaved another sigh as she lifted Caid's face up so his eyes met hers.
"Why would you even think that?" Zariah asked in bafflement.
"The crimson wolves say only an Alpha is worthy to be your mate...they look down on me and detest me." Caid murmured quietly and Zariah released a quiet growl.
"Who? Who said this to you?" Zariah asked in a low and dangerous tone.
"The head warrior... your cousin." Caid reported hesitantly, Zariah ran a hand through her hair in frustration.
"Darren? Why would he even..." Zariah cut herself off, biting her lip to swallow down the rage bubbling up within her.
"Alright... I will take care of it. Now you listen to me, I do not care if you are an Alpha, beta, warrior or omega,"
"Hell you could be a human or from another specie and I still would not care for it, all that matters to me is the fact that you are my mate...mine, don't you get it?"
" I Alpha Zariah Torin Moonstone loves you Caedmon Grey... nothing and no one can change that." Zariah whispered affectionately as she slowly caressed his face.
Caid's lips stretched into a wide smile as he tilted his head down and claimed Zariah's lips in a passionate kiss whilst slowly backing her against the edge of the desk.
Zariah reached a hand back and swiped off the contents of her desk, she could hear the files clatter to the ground but she did not care for it.
"Then Alpha Zariah Torin Moonstone...let me make love to you." Caid whispered in her ears stirring up the fiery passion that had already consumed her veins.
"To everyone else, I am Alpha Zariah...but to you my precious, you only need to call me yours." Zariah moaned out quietly as Caid trailed soft kisses down her neck.
"Mine!" Caid growled out in a possessive tone as Zariah felt her clothing ripped open, leaving her bare to his hungry gaze.
And as Caid trailed searing kisses down to her pleasure trove where she dripped in her desire for him, a loud moan escaped Zariah's lips as his lips latched unto her dripping core... drinking in her wetness like a starving man.
Zariah felt her mind go blank of every other thought save for one.
'I love him...I love him with all that I am'
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Flashback Over
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