The other side of the river was known as the Forbidden Forest, a home for rogues who left their packs due to their own personal circumstances.
The Palace declared a clean-up of the forest years ago and tried to use the land for inhabitation, but all their attempts failed.
The reason was the rogues had become one big family and decided to live on their own terms without following specific rules.
"You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough."
That was the rogues' motto, passed on for years. However, they didn't condemn wild rogues who only wanted harm to others.
Hence, the Palace decided to halt their clean-up project and create a deal with their Chieftain to keep the peace between the two packs. However, only the two groups knew about it to prevent the other packs from rebelling.
The Chieftain agreed since she wouldn't have to worry about getting her people killed and living their lives in peace.
The Palace then announced fake information about the dangers of the Forbidden Forest, which the people believed, and they avoided the area ever since.
"No one can return back once you step inside the forbidden forest." Has spread like wildfire.
***
During the time of the attack, Chieftain Tonya was standing by the edge of the river overlooking the dark smoke engulfing the clouds.
"The Palace is in trouble," Tonya murmured in concern. Her hands trembled anxiously, for the fall of the Palace meant their peaceful lives would be over when other packs decided to strike them.
"Moon Goddess, what is happening?" Tonya whispered and looked at the moon, which was covered by clouds.
The current in the river started to get aggressive, which made Tonya nervous. She decided to stay even when the rain started pouring in. Something in her intuition told her she needed to be there and wait.
"Is there something you need me to do, Moon Goddess?" Tonya said while trying to keep her eyes open toward the river current, even when the wind was forcing her down.
That was when Tonya spotted a tiny makeshift boat floating on the river.
Without hesitation, Tonya hurriedly grabbed a stick nearby to save the boat since it was a bit far from her. She lay flat on the ground for stability while she tried her best to poke the boat with her stick.
"Yes!" Tonya exclaimed happily when she managed to stop the boat from floating away, but the stick broke due to the currents.
Tonya gasped but didn't give up after seeing a hand sticking out of the makeshift boat. She hurriedly transformed into her chocolate-colored wolf and jumped into the water.
It was harder to swim, but Tonya managed to bite on the boat and carried it to the land.
"Ah! That was insane!" Tonya exclaimed after she transformed back into her human form. She was naked, but that didn't bother her.
Tonya's attention was on the figure before her. She unwrapped the cloth and saw a sleeping baby holding the necklace's pendant.
"You…" Tonya gasped upon seeing the symbol on the necklace. She touched the baby's cheeks and sighed in relief when she felt it breathing.
"Don't worry; I'll take you home," Tonya muttered as she hurriedly ran to the deepest part of the forbidden forest, where their home was.
When Tonya arrived home, she slammed the door open. "Danny!" she shouted to call out her mate.
Danny, who was cooking in the kitchen, rushed to see what his mate was calling him for. His eyes widened when he saw a baby in her arms.
"Who's baby did you steal!? And why are you naked?" Danny exclaimed and hurriedly closed the windows to prevent others from seeing them.
"I didn't steal it! I saw this baby drifting in the Nechtan river inside a makeshift boat!" Tonya rolled her eyes at her husband's overthinking.
"What!?" Danny exclaimed in shock. Then he saw the makeshift boat on the corner where Tonya threw them. There was also a wet bag on the side. "How can a baby be in that awful river?"
"I don't know, but I'm sure this one is not an ordinary baby," Tonya said, showing Danny the necklace with the blue gem with a dragon symbol at the center.
"That's the royal family's crest," Danny whispered as his knees buckled upon knowing the truth.
"Yes, today was supposed to be a celebration for a child to be born in the royal family," Tonya said while wiping the baby dry. She also opened the wet bag and saw the high-grade supplies inside.
"I saw the dark smoke coming from Palace and several of our Scouts reported seeing DarkMoon's warriors in the Empire's territory," Danny informed with sadness in his eyes.
"I see. This child was supposed to be the heir," Tonya said, touching the baby's cheek, which moved a little.
Danny and Tonya stared at the baby with adoration. They couldn't help but feel joy having a child in their arms.
"Well, that baby can be ours now. We can stand as a parent," Danny stated and sat beside his mate.
Tonya's eyes grew bigger. "Are you sure?" she asked in concern.
"Well, we could never have a child on our own. Maybe the Moon Goddess blesses us to have one! An unexpected blessing!" Danny exclaimed and hugged Tonya. "So, what should we name him?"
"Maxim," Tonya replied, showing Danny the name written with blood on the cloth. "Maxim Elsher."
"That's a unique name. He will grow up handsome like his dad! Haha!" Danny laughed brightly while pointing at himself, which made Tonya chuckle.
"But let's not tell anyone about Maxim's true identity. Others won't like it, and I don't want Maxim to grow up being bullied by the pack," Tonya stated uneasily. She already saw Maxim as her own child and wanted the best for him.
"Of course, let's just say he's a commoner's child you found after his mother left him," Danny kissed Tonya's forehead before standing up. "Now, you need to dress up and eat. I'll take care of Maxim."