Lucas
Sixteen years ago
"Stay with the group," Daddy says, looking very serious. His inner wolf is big and brave, but my inner wolf feels scared when he tells me this.
"Yes, Papa," I answer, my voice wobbly.
We're going on a hunting adventure – my first one as a wolf! My inner wolf showed up just a few months ago, and I've been practicing really hard ever since.
I hope to be as strong and fast as Daddy someday. I want him and everyone in our community to be proud of me. But it's such a big challenge; I never seem to make him happy enough.
Our pack goes into the woods, filled with excitement and nervousness. The smell of the wild tickles my nose, and the fun of soon-to-be hunting makes me tingle. My young wolf spirit is ready to show everyone what it can do!
We follow the rules by staying close to our packmates. We stroll through the forest listening to crunchy leaves beneath us and distant animal sounds bouncing around in this ancient place. Above us, there's a pretty light from the moon on this quiet night.
Suddenly, a special scent grabs my attention more than anything else ever has. I can't help but check it out. Even though Daddy told me not to stray away, I just have to follow this amazing smell.
As I walk deeper into the forest maze, my eyes find a magical sight: A boy about my age with amazing amber eyes and a playful smile. There he is in a clearing that feels both like home and a mystery at the same time.
I hide behind trees in my small wolf form – shy and careful – so he doesn't see me. Curiosity pushes me closer while I watch him walk up to a pond for a drink. His skin is so pale; his hair's as dark as night, and his eyes are completely enchanting.
Still captivated by how he smells, I keep following the boy. He marches on, not bothered at all, until he arrives at a place we're not supposed to go: the Crescent Moon territory.
I remember Daddy's warning when I see the boy sneak into a hidden opening on their well-protected land, which no one should ever be able to get into easily. This just makes me want to know more about this strange boy and his secrets.
Even though it might not be the best idea, I choose to follow the boy in my wolf shape, quickly moving through the woods under the cover of night. He walks like he knows this forest super well – as if it's his own backyard!
Soon, we get to the edge of Crescent Moon territory, and a secret entrance appears – it's a hidden passage that my pack has no idea about. My heart goes fast, with both a little bit of fear and excitement running through my body.
Carefully, I go into the entrance, and all my senses are on high alert. Moonlight comes through the tree leaves above us, making spooky shadows on the ground. As I explore deeper into our enemy's place, I start feeling like I don't belong here and that I'm somewhere I shouldn't be.
I see glimpses of the boy between trees while walking. He is so confident even though he's so young! It seems like he knows nothing bad will happen to him in these woods because he knows all the secrets of this place.
Finally, we arrive at a small opening with moonlight lighting it up. Right in the middle is an old cabin that looks like it hasn't been used in forever. The boy goes up to the door, waits for just a second, and then goes inside.
My curiosity is just too strong, and it takes over any feelings of being careful. Slowly moving closer, I can't take my eyes off that cabin. The boy's familiar smell is mixing with all the forest smells around us.
Should I go inside after him? Should I let him know I'm here?
It's a tough choice to make, but deep down inside me something tells me I need to find out what secret stories are being kept in that old cabin. So nervously stepping forward, I go past the door–not sure what's waiting for me there.
I understand if they see me, I could be in big trouble or captured, but all I want is to learn more.
I want to find out why the Crescent Moon pack is so bad and get to know this boy better.
Present.
I spring up from my bed, the dream of the past clinging to my mind. "What the heck," I exclaim, brushing hair away from my face.
Catching my breath, remnants of the dream linger, blending nostalgia and intrigue. Memories of encountering that boy in enemy territory resurface, leaving a sense of unfinished business.
"Why am I dwelling on the past?" I mumble to myself, allowing the words to hang in the air, unanswered. The dream has awakened a desire within me to comprehend those events shaping my present life.
Glancing around the room, on this second day of the summit, I find myself disinterested in the so-called "activities."
I long to return to my community.
I've had enough of these pretentious people who pretend we are unified. In reality, the werewolf community consists of individuals pursuing their own agendas and fostering rivalries.
For years, I've harbored animosity towards the Crescent Moon pack. As a child, I was taught to hate them by our elders; now, hating Gabriel has become second nature. Our rivalry remains unyielding and ever-present.
My disdain for the Crescent Moon pack isn't entirely baseless - Ethan's betrayal long ago still stings. Channeling that hurt into hatred for Gabriel has served me well.
My phone rings on the bedside table as I snatch it up to reveal Aria Blackthorne calling. Answering her call, Aria - my adept hunter and tracker - speaks with a steely focus: "Lucas, I've discovered something that may intrigue you."
"What is it?" I respond, curiosity piqued by Aria's well-known resourcefulness and thoroughness. When I learned about the attack on the Crescent Moon pack, I called her immediately. Though Gabriel assumes it's me behind it all, my curiosity drives me to uncover whatever is happening.
Aria continues with a mix of excitement and worry, "I've found information that could shed light on the recent attack. There are whispers suggesting an external force might be responsible for the assault on the Crescent Moon pack."
My curiosity is immediately sparked. An outside force? This surpasses our pack's rivalry. I must learn more.
"Share all the information you've gathered," I urgently command.
Aria begins to relay the facts she's collected from her vast network of connections and informants. She speaks of hushed conversations about a secretive group called the Nightshade Syndicate, which supposedly orchestrates assaults on various supernatural factions.
"The Nightshade Syndicate consists of influential individuals with their own motives, aiming to upset the balance of power among supernatural entities," Aria elaborates. "There are accounts of them partaking in undercover operations and employing manipulative strategies."
As I soak in Aria's words, a blend of fury and fascination arises inside me. It isn't just about our pack's dispute or individual grudges anymore. We're dealing with a more substantial threat that endangers the whole werewolf society.
"I want to learn more about this Nightshade Syndicate," I assert, conviction filling my tone. "We have to acquire as much data as possible and thwart their plans."
Aria concurs, and together, we devise a strategy to further probe the enigmatic group. It's time to put personal animosity aside and concentrate on a shared adversary.
Upon concluding the call, determination engulfs me. The animosity that has gripped me for so long now channels towards a loftier cause—unearthing the truth, safeguarding my pack, and delivering justice to those behind the Crescent Moon pack assault.
The fact that they're targeting the Crescent Moon pack implies we could be next on their list.
I refuse to be anyone's target.