CHAPTER 1.
The Curse
It was exactly 9:30 a.m., yet the weather condition was already superheated despite the turbulent weather that occurred the previous day. One would think the morning would be welcomed by a heavy downpour.
Just like every other morning, Alpha Diego was seated happily in his beautiful garden, feeding his eyes on his beautiful Royal Castle. Most of them are all amongst other packs. Blue Moon Pack is a magnificent and attractive edification, built with fortified gigantic walls that usually prevent opposition wolves from trooping into the royal Castle unannounced.
While Alpha Diego was seated in his beautiful garden, meditating and taking pleasure, a strange person found her way to the Blood Moon pack without his consent. No one saw her walk inside despite the massive male wolves safeguarding the castle walls. It was as though she came in like the wind. Narrowing her gaze at the environment, she sniffed the atmosphere and shook her head in pity. "Hmm! Drastic attention needs to be taken. I smell danger. Real danger that may wreck the Alpha's lineage."
"Hey, you. Stop it right there. Where are you going? I need you to run an errand for me. Are you free?"
She points at a staff passing by.
"No, I'm not. I'm so starving right now. I just need to get something to eat before I perish. I starved myself to sleep last night," the young girl suspected to be Alpha Diego staff responded.
"Your food can wait. You can do that some other time. But right now, I need to speak with the Alpha. It's an emergency. I bring him a message that's more important than feeding your empty stomach. Now depart immediately without hesitation before I lose it completely," the moon guardian ordered but the staff refused and insisted on being fed before running errands for the moon guardian even when Alpha Diego was involved.
"You must be a fool to think I'll ever let you go. How dare you defile my orders? Go call the Alpha this moment if you don't wanna see the other side of me. I can be very dangerous. I'll ensure the Alpha punishes you severely for disobeying me. The choice is yours to make. I'm not gonna put the pressure on you. I'm not asking you, this is me telling you to do this and you're gonna obey me," she threatened the chef sending shivers down her spine. This time, the chef obeyed and immediately stormed to the garden to fetch the Alpha.
"Are you blind? Can't you see I'm observing my quiet time? How dare you interrupt my hour? Have you suddenly lost respect for the Alpha's privacy? Now I get it. You're tired of your duty. You want a dismissal?" Alpha Diego yelled at his staff after hearing that his attention was needed at the pack.
"I apologize for invading your privacy. It wasn't intentional. But the moon guardian sounded so urgent. She wouldn't leave until you showed up. You may wanna consider her request, my Alpha."
"The moon guardian? What does she want at this hour? Isn't too early to visit? Hmm! You go tell the moon guardian I'll be there shortly. You can leave," Diego instructed.
"But she demands to see you immediately, my Alpha,"
"One more word from you and that's the end. I'll dismiss you without pay. That's not all. I'll ensure no one associates with you in this pack. Now get the fuck out of here," Diego threatened him. Immediately, she took to her heels and dashed back to the moon guardian.
"I just spoke with the Alpha. He'll join you shortly. Your message was delivered. Can I leave now?"
"Hmm" nodding her head in affirmation, the moon guardian replied.
"What a pleasant surprise. I wasn't expecting to see you this early.
What is conveyed by the Moon guardian to my pack at this hour? We all know you rarely visit, but when you do, it calls for swift attention. I want to believe this isn't a friendly visit, right? What message does the moon goddess have for me this time," walking majestically to his sacred throne and accompanied by his BETA, Jayson, Alpha Diego tossed the question at Arindia, the moon guardian? He can't seem to recall the last time she visited the pack, let alone at this hour. His instincts tell him there is a situation on the ground that requires drastic attention, but he just can't decipher. Hopefully, Arindia would spill.
"Good to see you again, Alpha Diego. You may not be far from the truth, Alpha. Wait for it! You have plenty of time to ask questions. Smart of you to know I rarely visit, but when I do, then it calls for urgent attention. I doubt if you're ready for what's coming your way."
"Coming my way? Now I'm getting scared. I can't seem to comprehend what you're talking about. Please be seated let's dwell on this extensively. What do you care for? I could ask my staff to get you something.
I'm completely in the dark. A little explanation would do." Diego was puzzled. He strives to discern the aura hovering around him, but he just can't wrap his head around it.
"So generous of you Alpha, Diego. I'm indeed honored by your act of generosity. But I prefer to stand and divulge the divine message sent by Selene, the moon goddess. I didn't come here to be entertained like a special guest. I was just sent by the moon goddess to deliver an important message. Once that is accomplished, I'll leave." Politely, she refused. Narrowing her gaze into his blue eyes, she frowned and looked away.
"Hmm! Quite fascinating.
Your words convey profound utterances that could only be understood by the wise. I'm afraid I cannot understand the in-depth meaning. I am not loving the suspense, either. Please speak and quit playing with my emotions," Diego sparked outrageously. He doesn't appreciate being kept in suspense for too long. Especially in a situation like this involving the moon goddess. From the tone of her utterance, Diego could discern an impending storm lurking in his pack. But whatever that is, he's willing to find out.
"Now you're beginning to act like your male wolves. You're the Alpha of the Blood Moon pack. You're the strongest of them all. Why shiver? Don't be scared. Be courageous and patient, my Alpha. When it comes to issues of the supernatural, absolute patience is required to aid easy comprehension," Arindia made an upraised hand to calm Diego and allay his fears.
"Then speak! Why take forever to spill it already? It's not that difficult, is it? You've been here for over an hour, yet you haven't disclosed anything. I'm gradually losing my patience. Argh!" He flared and frowned at the prolonged silence. He doesn't understand how long it takes to disclose a message.
"Fine! I'll speak before it gets worse. I can see your rage. I know your anger is like a burning furnace." The moon guardian conceded and sighed. She paused a bit and continued. "Many years ago, your great-grandfather desecrated this land and offended the moon goddess when he framed an innocent woman for a crime she knew nothing about just because she turned down his marriage proposal. He further banished her into the woods, where she was neglected to suffer and die of starvation. Before her death, she placed a curse that none of his generation would surpass the age of 30. Unfortunately, your great-grandfather died without breaking this curse." The moon guardian unleashed the shocking bombshell that nearly had the Alpha pee in his panties.
"This is nothing but a mad joke. It sounds like some fairy tale told to kids beneath gigantic trees. I refused to be misinformed.
Tell me this story isn't real. How come no one told me about it? Neither my father nor my grandfather mentioned it to me. Why would they hide such sensitive information from me?" Diego questioned and doubted the authentication of the revelation.
"It wasn't their fault. Your great-grandfather lost his life trying to break the curse. He couldn't tell his son, your father because he was trying to protect him from the fear.
Now the curse has been passed to future generations, including you. If you fail to act fast, I'm afraid your lineage will entirely be wiped out from the earth's surface. Royalty will stop existing from your lineage."
she added. Diego was still in shock and disbelief. He didn't find the information quite worthy and considered it a mere hallucination. But after deep thought, he came to realize the moon guardian was right after all. His father died at 25, while his grandfather got struck by lightning when he was just 28. Now, the Alpha just turned 27 a few weeks ago. His death is fast approaching, too, if he fails to swing into action.
"Oh, no. I know that look on your face. Do not be dismayed, for there is a solution to your problem." She allayed his fears and conveyed his hopes of staying alive.
"Wow! Finally, a relief to stay alive. At some point, I thought I was gonna die. What's the solution? Please tell me. I wanna experience longevity. I haven't accomplished anything yet. I could give up an arm right now to stay alive." Diego spoke hurriedly as the situation sent shivers down his spine. He hasn't been this scared in his entire life.
"Don't make empty promises, my Alpha. Be careful of what you wish for." She cautioned.
"Empty promises? You have no idea what this is all about. I'm being condemned to die untimely. How do you explain? You would do worse if you were in my shoes. Forget about me. What's the solution? I'm curious to know."
"Hold on a sec while I converse with the moon guardian," For a few minutes, she was quiet. Her eyes widened and turned red. Narrowing her gaze into the dark clouds, she shouted in a mysterious voice. "All hail Selene, the Moon Goddess. Diego has sought a lasting solution to his problem. He shouldn't suffer for a crime he knows nothing about. What can be done to break the curse?"
"Thank you, the moon goddess. I've always known you're merciful and considerable," Arindia nodded her head in affirmation as she turned to face Diego fully. "Your freedom all depends on you. Are you ready to pay the price?"
"I'm down for whatever. I can pay whatever price it is," Diego replied with confidence.
"Good! I admire your courage. This was the Alpha I knew. The moon goddess has instructed you to go find a teenage girl and make her your bride. Once she bears you a son, the curse will be lifted. But, you need to thread carefully to avoid the wrath of the moon goddess. Good luck in your quest," Arindia vanished after revealing the solution to his concerns. Yet again, Diego was confused and needed answers to the thousand questions lingering in his heart. Placing his hand below his jaw, he ponders, flinching at the tone of his voice. "Why do I need to find a teenage girl? Is there no other way?"