Prince Ares, who had gone hunting with his father, suddenly noticed that the pendant was glowing brighter than ever. He kept staring at the pendant on his neck.
"What is wrong, son?" Alpha Demetri asked his son who looked distracted.
"Father, the pendant is glowing," Prince Ares replied. He was now a ten year old boy.
"It has always glowed, son"
"Not this time father… It's unusual and it feels as though it wants to lead me somewhere" Prince Ares said, mumbling the last part to himself.
"I have told you several times to let go of that pendant. You are supposed to be the future alpha of this pack. Get this childishness out of you as soon as possible " Alpha Demetri, looking at his brooding son.
Prince Ares tuck the pendant back into his shirt and he nodded to his father's words. Although he wanted to tell his father that he wasn't the only son. He wasn't even interested in the throne.
But he knew better than to keep his mouth shut. He watched keenly as his father shot an arrow that hit a sparrow without missing. His eyes shone in admiration.
"Father, how did you do it?"
Alpha Demetri smiled at his son, " Diligence and perseverance. You have to wait for the right moment to shot. Make sure you have your target in your mindset."
" Can I try?" Prince Ares asked.
His father did not answer but signal to a guard nearby. The guard brought a smaller bow and arrow for the Prince.
"I made this for you. It's your birthday present, son" Alpha Demetri said to his son.
Prince Ares didn't like celebrating his birthday but he would never refuse a birthday present like this!
He smiled widely at his father, collecting it quickly." Thank you father! Can you teach me now?"
Alpha Demetri watched his son's excitement and was about to teach him when his butler walked up to him. He turned to look at him.
"Alpha, I think there is chaos amongst the pack members close to the sacred cave" Beta Adeline said, bowing to him.
" Chaos? Is it about the rogues? " Alpha Demetri asked.
" One of the guards around the place said the pack members are about to kill a couple and their new born child. They claim the child is a demon" Beta Adeline explained.
" A demon child? Are they sure?" Alpha Demetri asked.
" For that, your majesty, we have to find out ourselves "
Alpha Demetri nodded. He turned to the guards and was about to order him to take the young prince home. Prince Ares immediately clung to his father.
" I am going with you, father" he said, holding his father.
There was no time to waste as he immediately changed to his wolf and allowed his son to hop on him. Prince Ares hasn't gotten his wolf yet.
Something in that little prince's heart tells him to go and see the baby. His pendant has stopped glowing.
******
Meanwhile in the cave, the couple were filled with joy at the blessing from the moon goddess. She was the cutest pup they had ever seen.
"Laila, the gods must have found us worthy to grant us the opportunity to take care of this baby. I wonder who she truly is" Alvin said, gazing at the baby whose eyes were staring at him.
"I don't care who she is in the immortal world. All I know is that she is my baby. My own child, my Helena"
"Helena?"
"Yes. The moon goddess gave her the name immediately she helped me give birth" Laila said, smiling at her husband.
"Helena… our daughter. No one would take you away from us. We would rather die with you" Alvin said, caressing the baby who cackle softly.
As he was talking with his wife, numerous footsteps were heard coming to the cave.
"They are here, Alvin. I won't let them take my baby!"
Laila held her baby tightly as she shivered in fear. The villagers who were led by the midwife were shouting and cursing.
"Bring out that demon child! She is a curse! We need to burn her!"
Alvin and his wife refused to come out as they feared what the villagers might do to their child. They prayed for the Moon goddess to save them.
"If you don't come out, we will burn you and that cursed demon!" The midwife said in annoyance.
They were getting impatient as they threatened the couple inside.
"Please, don't let them take my child away!" Laila sobbed, clutching her baby to her chest.
As the noise grew louder, they started to push their way into the cave with stones laced in wolfsbane. They were determined to kill the baby and the parents.
Suddenly there was a loud growl. They all cowered in fear at the voice. The Alpha and his Beta were here. The news must have gotten to them.
"Who gave you the right to pass judgement on my people? Now get lost! All of you!"
Alpha Demetri's voice brought shivers to all of them as they scrambled out of the cave, leaving the midwife to face the alpha's piercing look.
"Your…your majesty! The child is a demon! Her eyes!" She said, falling on her knees under the overwhelming aura from the alpha.
"Are you the priest of this pack?"
"I…I am sorry, Alpha"
"Now…all of you…get lost!" Alpha Demetri bellowed as they all scrambled out in fear.
Alpha Demetri walked closer to the shivering couple. He could see that they were frightened yet they held onto the child tightly.
"Let me see the child"
The couple looked at each other before presenting the baby to the alpha. One look at the child and he was filled with fear. Indeed the eyes were the strangest he had ever come across.
But strange as the eyes, she was such a pretty baby. She was as fair as the first rise of the sun with hair so white it can be mistaken for a bed of snow. Her lips were small but delicately luscious. How could a baby who was barely a day old look so beautiful?
There was another pair of eyes staring at the baby. The green emerald eyes of Prince Ares remained locked up at the baby. There was another strange thing. The pendant on the Prince's neck began glowing like when he was hunting with his father earlier.
No one noticed the glow except for the little Prince who tucked it into his shirt. He stretched his hands to touch the baby but at the last minute, he turned around and left the cave.
Before leaving, Alpha Demetri turned to look at the baby.
Could she be….?