It was a warm, peaceful autumn day. Birds were chirping and children were playing. The compound was lively, bustling with joy and laughter as usual.
Yet behind the closed doors of the Alpha's personal workshop, there was a sudden chill in the air which disrupted the calm in that particular room. Lycurgus and his father Zeev were talking about the recent rogue attacks that have been occurring.
The pictures they were looking over were sending chills down even these strong warrior's spines. The gruesome and horrifying aftermath they've personally witnessed themselves were still with them and still leaving them feeling uneasy.
"We just got word that it was a lone wolf outside of Soteria's forest that was attacked." Blaidd told them as he rushed to the drawing table where they were currently looking over maps and pictures.
They were doing everything they could to find clues about these rogue attacks. Trying desperately to find out what they wanted and where they were going to strike next.
Blaidd was Lycurgus's right-hand man and one of his two Zetas or generals as they were sometimes referred to as.
"Two rogues were killed while one got away. We looked into the family that was attacked but couldn't find anything that would make any sense of this. It was on a seemingly random family" he continued with a worried tone.
Blaidd was a small guy compared to the other men in the pack, but he was a fierce and mighty warrior. Standing at 6'6'' with short, shaggy, sandy blonde hair that just barely covered his crystal blue eyes. No single female stood a chance against his boyish charm and bright smile. Up until recently he was the jokester of the group, but things have gotten so bad with the rogues lately that not even he laughs or jokes much anymore.
"Maybe they got in the rogue's way somehow?" Zeev wondered.
Zeev was the Alpha king. Alpha of all deemed Werewolf. Which included the alphas of the other territories and types of werewolves. His job was to make sure all of them kept with their peace treaty. He was currently training his son, Lycurgus, to take his place so that he could ascend to his position as lead gamma.
He couldn't wait to be sitting with the other elders reminiscing, but these rogue attacks have changed things greatly.
Zeev and his son Lycurgus belonged to one of the oldest pure blood Lycan families. Though you'd never hear them boast about it. If you were to ask any of the thousands of people who lived on and around their compound, they'd tell you that both Zeev and Lycurgus earned the right to wear their titles and to be called their Alphas.
It wasn't until last year that the rogues began attacking again. The devastation from the war almost 20 years ago was still fresh in Zeev's mind.
The Rogue War started one morning when everyone had woken up to find that most of the Purebloods from different fractions all over the world, were targeted and slaughtered. The quick and silent attacks left the entire supernatural world shaken up. A war ensued after that against rogues of all kinds, vampyrs, werewolves, witches.
It was what lead to the supernatural peace treaty. All of the fractions teaming up together, fighting for each other. After a war that had lasted for over five years the rogues had seemingly vanished without a trace.
Until a year ago when they began burning towns to the ground and leaving unimaginable damage everywhere they go. So many of the people who've suffered by their hands now resided within the compound. What started with a few people building homes around their family castle has turned into a thriving kingdom. Their compound has tripled in size in the last year. People have come from all over to build their homes in the safety of their compound.
Zeev took in a long, deep breath. The room smelled of wood shavings and Blaidd's over powering cologne. He had just been working on a rocking chair he wanted to give to the nursery when the men had rushed in with this urgent news. He let out a sigh "Maybe the rogues just went there to ransack their home for supplies not thinking anyone would be living out there?" He brought his hands up to rub his temples. "It is in the middle of nowhere."
"It doesn't make any sense for them to even be near that territory." Radulf said pounding his hands on the table. "For the past few months, the break-ins and the murders, they have been to find something or to take out a pure blood family. We know that the rogues are working together but why?! Why this random attack? Why only the werewolf fractions?" Radulf asked the group of men but didn't expect an answer.
Radulf or Rad as he was normally called, was Zeev's only Zeta. He was also the one training Blaidd and Baddulf to take his spot when Alpha Zeev retires and they both become elders. Something Zeev looks forward to far more than he did.
"Why this family?" Lycurgus asked as he pushed his curly black hair back with his hand. Frustration filled the room.
"Who was the family that was attacked?" he continued looking at Blaidd.
"It was Alarick Custos and his daughters that were attacked sir." Blaidd answered. Zeev and Radulf exchange worried glances. "Only a human girl was injured but we don't know why they were attacked." Blaidd continued on without noticing the exchange.
The glance between Zeev and Rad didn't go unnoticed by Baddy though who quickly asked,
"What was that look?" the question hung in the air for a stale moment before Zeev finally spoke.
"Alarick is a dear friend to both of our families..." he paused for a moment before finishing.
"In this case I don't think it's what they know but who they know." Zeev explains "Rick was an ally to all. After his wife died in the rouge wars years ago, he left with his two daughters and became his own wolf."
"Like a rouge traitor!" Baddy growled pounding his fists on the table and interrupting Zeev.
"Alarick is nothing like a rouge!" his father Rad growled back at him which caused Baddy to step back a little bit. Baddulf may be the biggest of them all but respect meant everything to wolves. Baddy kneeled his head in compliance and let Zeev continue.
In a gentle tone Zeev began again.
"Alarick left with my permission and our whole packs respect. He was a noble man who was too haunted by memories that he couldn't continue to be here without his mate.
After he left, he helped any and every wolf that needed his aid. A few years along the way he became more and more of a recluse. Buying land off the grid to raise his two daughters. No one even knew where. Not even us. Before he moved there, he said his goodbyes and then cut all ties with his former life."
"What would the rogues want with him?" Lycurgus asked his father.
"I don't know Luke, I have no idea what our old friend has been up to for all of these years." Zeev replied.
"but we need to find out."
"Luke, Baddy, Blaidd, you heard your order, go down there and make sure everything is secure. Find out anything you can as to why they might have been attacked. Get in and out quickly. We just need info on the attack." Looking directly at Blaidd.
"No fraternizing, get in and get out." he went back to looking at all of them.
"The rogue that got away was badly injured. If you find him, bring him back alive. We have a few questions for him." Rad instructed. He also advised them to leave at once.
"Try and get on it while the scent could still be in the air. Baddy, as always, make sure everyone comes home. Dismissed."
Although their pack was known for being filled with the mightiest of warriors. Baddulf stood out from the rest. He was the tallest and leanest in any form. The only person to even come close to his size is his father Rad. Which could also account for how he became such a mighty warrior at such a young age.
Baddulf had been trained since birth to fight for the young alpha Lycurgus or Luke, as he perfered to be called.
His father Radulf, had always put a lot of pressure on him to ensure that Luke always came back unharmed. He was the packs future. Whether they were off playing as kids or off to battle. He always had his father's words echoing in his head. He tried to listen to his father, but Luke wouldn't have it. While Baddy was being trained to look at Luke as his leader and to do as he commands, Luke looked at him as his best friend, his brother.
Soon, both of them forgot about silly titles and became stronger warriors because of the strength of their friendship.
With their bags quickly packed up, they were off on the 22 hour drive to Soteria's Forest. It was a beautiful place filled with forests and lush green pastures but completely deserted. Rumor has it that the goddess herself protects the land. Any intruders with impure hearts were forbidden to stay. Any that tried would get lost or swallowed into her forest in order to protect those who were pure. The closest town was a few miles away from the border. Just across a bridge that would take them to the island that Soteria was on.
Luke and his friends were used to travelling a lot. They were constantly helping other packs. Freeing them from tyrannical alphas or aiding in rogue attacks. Lately it's been fighting, eating, sleeping, and traveling again just to do it all over. They were all hoping this trip would give the guys some much needed down time. Just being able to sleep for a straight six hours would be nice.
This small rouge attack was nothing like what they are used to. Right now was definitely pretty nice. Baddy driving, Blaidd in the front passenger seat making a playlist and Luke in the back with a jerky stick. Just relaxing and listening to the music.
"Do you guys ever think about what it would be like to eventually find our mates?" Blaidd asked the guys after a while of silence. He was known for his hopeless romantic ways. Both of his parents were alive and fully in love.
He was a charmer himself and dated but he always wanted the real deal. Just like them. His mother Nashoba was a Phi, a lower ranking wolf but a beloved teacher of the pups and most of the pack. He met Baddulf when they were pups themselves in her class. They became fast friends. Eventually becoming Luke's friend as well. It was that friendship in which he decided as a youth that he would do anything to protect the kind and courageous young Alpha.
As a child he dreamed of one day earning the right to be his Zeta. Which if you were to ask Luke, he has earned over and over again throughout their years. Blaidd's father was disappointed when he first found out that his son had been accepted into the Soldiers of The Moon. He had hoped he would become a Lambda like him.
Lambdas are the stealthiest and most agile wolfs who are best suited for hunting. Which Blaidd was a natural at. It was these skills that helped him rise up the ranks of the Knights so quickly. Soon it was obvious to everyone that Blaidd was best suited to be in the trio with Luke and Baddy.
Watching while he used the Lambdas training in combat, it was hard for his father not to be filled with pride for his amazing son. His father is now working as a Kappa, which are the lead hunters. He's often found boasting about his son, the stealthiest and youngest Zeta in history.
"I've been thinking a lot about what Alpha Zeev said, about how Alarick couldn't handle being at the compound without his mate. I've always thought about how strong the love is but never once about the loss." Blaidd told them as he stared out the passenger window.
Baddy just shrugs in response to the question and says,
"Not really something that keeps me awake at night or something I care to deal with." Baddy has been a warrior his whole life. He was raised by his widowed father, the one and only Radulf.
He was a hard man to follow behind. Which is why Baddy didn't have time to think about mates or families, even if he wanted one or not.
Not when he's trying to be a better warrior than his dad is. A legend to live up to. He only cared about fighting beside Luke and going down in their packs history as one of the greatest Zalmoxian warriors. It has always been the way it's supposed to be.
"What about you Luke?" Blaidd calls over his shoulder. "Don't you want to find a mate? Give the pack a new Luna?" Luke leans in so Blaidd could hear him better.
"Why? Who needs that to weigh you down and hold you back? Even if it was great or whatever, you still have something to lose or be used against you. When I think of a mate bond, that is what pops into my head. That and a picture of a collared dog. It all just seems like too much effort for me so, no thank you. I'd rather be a mighty beast ruling alone." he laughs. "I'll just stick with Cora, she annoys the shit out of me, but she helps out with my more primal needs." Luke lets out another laugh as he leans back again.
"You guys suck. I think it would be great to feel that true connection. The bond, the dancing of the mates. Even with the risk of such a great loss, I feel the risk of never knowing that great connection would be far worse." Blaidd told them with a hint of sadness in his voice. The car went silent again.
The car went on being quiet for a few hours. Just the sound of the music and the tires humming on the highway. All of them being left to their own thoughts.
The sun was just setting when they had finally made it to the old farm house in the middle of nowhere. The house was big, creepy, and utterly abandoned. Taken over by vines. It reminded Luke of the horror films he'd watch as a pup. A big red beat down old barn was across the way. Behind it was a thick dense and eerie forest. Luke shuddered with the feeling of being watched.
He tried to take in the perimeter as they drove up the gravel drive way to the house but everything was too dark. Even for his wolf's night vision.
Leaving them to be completely blinded. His father warned him that Soteria's forest played tricks on anyone who enters to ensure the safety of those protected on her land.
"It looks like no one is home." Blaidd whispered as they all got out of the car.
"Everybody be quite and be on your toes. Baddy, you take the back of the house, Blaidd, take the front. I'll go check out the barn. Meet back here in fifteen minutes, got it?"
"Got it." They said in unison as they set their watches.
Baddy stepped very carefully around the house. Making his way slowly and quietly down the side of the house towards the back door. 'If anyone is home, they would have heard us as we pulled up.' He thought to himself.
As he reached the back door he pauses for a brief moment. Suddenly feeling light headed as a tingling sensation began to erupt from his chest.
Reaching to place his hand over his now racing heart, he takes a deep breath to calm and steady himself.
Shaking his head to shake off these feelings as he reaches for the door handle.
The second the door opened, he locked eyes with the most beautiful pair of jade green ones he'd ever seen. She was the most beautiful creature he had ever laid his eyes on. He stood stunned for a moment, caught up in her beauty. Dark brown hair, caramel skin, bright eyes, and beautiful pouty lips.
Quickly grabbing onto the trim of the doorway to balance himself.
He felt as though all of the air had been knocked out of him in that moment. He needed time to take in all of her beauty. She looked like an angel in her white summer halter dress. Even holding a metal baseball bat, she looked like a goddess. Wait . . . bat?! He thought now noticing the metal bat that she was currently holding, ready to swing.
They were both frozen still. Both in utter shock of what they were both obviously feeling.
Diana had been waiting for this moment for her entire life. The dance of the wolves, the instant knowing of the mate bond. He was so handsome with long dark hair down past his chest, deep chocolate eyes and muscles bulging from everywhere. Their inner wolves we're racing and howling together.
Diana mentally cursed to herself. She was sure she had just found her mate in a deadly rogue who was probably there to kill her and her whole family but oh gosh was he the most handsome man she'd ever seen in her life.
'Damn it Diana!' She scolded herself again as she gripped the bat tighter with her now sweaty hands. Within what felt like only a few breaths, they were in each other's arms. Diana's bat making a loud obnoxious clanking sounds after it slips from her sweaty hands and crashes to the pavement floor of the washroom. Both unsure about how they had gotten so close but neither one wanting to break their connection.
Passion and desire were taking control over them and they were allowing it. Allowing their hands to caress and discover each other's bodies. Letting their lips to discover each other's lips.