Chapter 139 - The birthday

KELLY THOMPSON'S POV 

One year later, it was our son's twelveth birthday. How fast Eden had grown up. My husband Alpha King Jason organized in the palace a grandiose celebration where all the South pack members attended and with a few guests from allied packs.

The palace was alive with joyous celebration as we gathered to honor our son Eden's twelfth birthday. The grand halls were decked in vibrant colors and twinkling lights, creating a warm and festive atmosphere. The air was filled with the laughter of children, the chatter of excited guests, and the delightful aromas of the feast being prepared.

As the Alpha King, Jason had spared no expense in ensuring this day would be a memorable one for our son. Streamers and banners adorned the walls, each one emblazoned with the crest of our pack, a symbol of the unity and strength we had forged through our trials.

I stood beside Jason, beaming with pride as we welcomed our guests. Neighboring packs had sent representatives to join in the celebration, a testament to the alliances we had built over the years. It filled my heart with joy to see our community come together to celebrate the life of our beloved son.

"This is quite the gathering, my love," Jason murmured, his arm wrapped around my waist as we greeted the arriving guests. "Eden is going to be overjoyed."

"He deserves nothing less," I replied, my gaze scanning the crowd for a glimpse of our son's familiar face. "He's grown into such a remarkable young man, and this day is a celebration of all that he has accomplished."

As if summoned by my thoughts, Eden suddenly appeared, his eyes wide with wonder as he took in the grandeur of the celebration. "Mom! Dad!" he exclaimed, rushing over to us. "This is amazing!"

I embraced him tightly, pressing a kiss to the top of his head. "Happy birthday, my darling," I murmured, my voice thick with emotion. "We wanted to make this day extra special for you."

Eden beamed up at us, his smile radiating pure joy. "Thank you, both of you. I can't believe all of this is for me!"

Jason chuckled, ruffling Eden's hair affectionately. "Of course it is. You're the most important person in our lives, and we're honored to celebrate you."

As the festivities commenced, Eden was swept up in a whirlwind of activity. He was showered with gifts from our pack members, each one a testament to the love and respect they held for him. He eagerly opened each present, his face lighting up with delight as he discovered the thoughtful treasures within.

I watched, my heart swelling with pride, as Eden interacted with our guests, his natural charisma and warmth drawing everyone to him. He had grown into a confident and compassionate young man, qualities that I knew would serve him well in the years to come.

As the evening wore on, the palace was filled with the sounds of music, laughter, and the joyful chatter of our pack. Eden danced with his friends, his steps light and graceful, a testament to the training he had received from our warriors.

Amidst the revelry, I caught a glimpse of Jason, his eyes shining with a mixture of pride and contentment. He caught my gaze and smiled, his hand reaching out to intertwine with mine. In that moment, I felt a deep sense of gratitude for the life we had built together – a life filled with love, resilience, and the unwavering strength of our pack.

As the night drew to a close and the guests began to depart, Eden approached us, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Mom, Dad, thank you for this incredible birthday celebration. I feel so lucky to be a part of our pack."

I pulled him into a warm embrace, my heart swelling with emotion. "We're the ones who feel lucky, my love. You have brought so much joy and light into our lives. We are honored to call you our son."

Jason joined us, wrapping his strong arms around both of us. "You are the future of our pack, Eden. Your courage, your compassion, and your unwavering spirit are a testament to the strength of our unity."

Eden beamed up at us, his expression filled with a maturity beyond his years. "I promise to always uphold the values of our pack, to fight for our family, and to stand strong against the darkness that threatens us."

In that moment, I knew that our son was ready to take on the challenges that lay ahead. He had grown into a young warrior, imbued with the same determination and resilience that had carried our pack through the darkest of times.

As we made our way to our private quarters, I couldn't help but reflect on the journey that had led us here. The battles we had fought, the bonds we had forged, and the legacy we were building – it all seemed to culminate in this moment, a testament to the power of our unity.

"The Black Faes will come for us again, won't they?" Eden asked, his voice tinged with a hint of worry.

I paused, meeting his gaze with a reassuring smile. "Yes, my love, they will. But we are ready. Our pack is stronger than ever, and we will face whatever challenges come our way, together."

Jason placed a comforting hand on Eden's shoulder, his expression filled with determination. "The darkness may threaten us, but our light will always shine brighter. As long as we stand united, we cannot be defeated."

Eden nodded, his posture straightening with resolve. "Then I'm ready. I'll fight alongside you, Mom and Dad, and our pack. We'll protect our home and our future, no matter what."

As we retired for the night, I couldn't help but feel a sense of hope and anticipation. The road ahead would not be easy, but I knew that with our family and our pack by our side, we could overcome any obstacle. The darkness may loom on the horizon, but our unity would be the beacon that guided us through the storm.

In the days following Eden's birthday celebration, a palpable energy of anticipation and preparation hung in the air. We knew that the respite we had enjoyed would not last, and that new adversaries would soon come to test the strength of our unity once more.

Jason and I discussed with our top advisors, strategizing and fortifying our defenses. We reinforced the borders of our territory, deployed additional scouts, and ensured that every warrior was ready for the impending battle.

Eden, now a young man on the cusp of adulthood, was eager to take on a more active role in the defense of our pack. He trained tirelessly, honing his skills under the watchful eye of our most experienced warriors. I could see the determination in his eyes, the unwavering resolve to protect our family and our home.

"I won't let any foe take us by surprise again," he declared, his voice filled with conviction. "We'll be ready, and we'll fight with everything we have if necessary."

 

For a while, peace reigned over our pack until one fateful afternoon a witch showed up to the royal palace pretending she was coming for helping us against maleficent spirits But something about her presence felt off, a chill that slithered down my spine as she stepped into the grand hall. Her dark cloak billowed around her, and her piercing gaze seemed to see right through me. I instinctively took a step closer to Jason, feeling the protective aura emanating from him as he assessed this newcomer.

"Who are you?" I demanded, trying to keep my voice steady despite the unease growing within me. "What do you want?"

She smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "I am Isolde, a humble witch seeking to aid your pack in these troubled times. I've heard whispers of the darkness that threatens your home, and I come with knowledge that may help you prepare."

Jason narrowed his eyes, his instincts on high alert. "We don't need help from strangers, especially not from someone who hides in shadows. We've faced the darkness before, and we are more than capable of defending ourselves."

Isolde's expression shifted, the smile fading slightly as she regarded him with an almost amused look. "Ah, but you misunderstand. I am not just a stranger. I possess knowledge of the Black Faes that even you might not have. Their new leader named Baddy, grows more powerful by the day. If you wish to protect your pack, you must listen."

Eden stood close to my side, his youthful face scrunched in concentration as he absorbed the tension in the room. I could tell he was trying to gauge whether this witch was friend or foe, just as I was. "What do you know about them?" he asked, his voice steady despite the uncertainty that hung in the air.

Isolde's eyes flickered with interest, and I felt a shift in her energy, as if she were considering the weight of our question. "I can reveal their plans, the alliances they are forming, and the dark magic they are conjuring. But knowledge comes at a price," she said, her voice smooth like silk but laced with underlying danger.

"What kind of price?" I inquired, my heart racing at the thought of what she might demand.

She leaned closer, her eyes gleaming with an otherworldly light. "I seek a small token of trust—a sample of your pack's essence. Just a drop of blood from each of you, and I will share the secrets I possess."

The air in the room grew thick with tension as Jason's jaw tightened. "Absolutely not. We will not sacrifice anything to gain knowledge from someone we do not trust. Blood is a sacred bond, and you would seek to manipulate it for your own gain."

Isolde straightened, her demeanor shifting from charming to menacing. "You misunderstand the stakes, Alpha King. The darkness is gathering, and if you refuse to take my offer, you will find yourselves unprepared for the storm that is coming. The Black Faes will not wait for you to strengthen your defenses."

I could feel the unease in the room thickening, and I stepped forward, my voice steady but filled with caution. "What do you propose we do then? We need information, but we cannot compromise our integrity. There has to be another way."

Her gaze flickered to Eden, and for a moment, I felt a wave of protectiveness surge within me. "I offer you a chance to save your pack, to save your son," she said, her tone softening. "But you must be willing to pay the price."

Jason's eyes blazed with defiance. "We will not barter our blood. If you truly wish to help, then find another way. We will not be swayed by threats or manipulation."

Isolde's smile returned, but it was colder this time, more calculated. "Very well. But remember my words, for they may haunt you. I will leave you to your pride, and when the darkness descends, you may find yourselves wishing you had taken my offer."

With that, she turned on her heel, her cloak swirling around her as she made her way toward the exit. The tension in the room hung heavy, and I could see the uncertainty etched on the faces of our warriors.

"Do you think she's telling the truth?" Eden asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"I don't know," I admitted, my heart heavy with the weight of the unknown. "But we need to remain vigilant. The Black Faes will not take long to regroup, and we must prepare ourselves for whatever comes next."

As Isolde exited, I felt a sense of foreboding settle over me. I could sense the darkness lurking just beyond the edges of our camp, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. We needed to act, to fortify our defenses and strengthen our alliances.

In the days that followed, we doubled our training efforts, sharpening our skills and preparing our warriors for the impending confrontation. The atmosphere was tense, but there was also an unyielding determination among our pack. We had faced darkness before, and we would face it again, united.

Eden threw himself into training, eager to prove himself as a warrior. I watched with pride as he trained alongside the older warriors, his spirit unyielding. He was becoming a beacon of hope, embodying the strength of our legacy.

But as the days turned into weeks, the unease grew. I could feel the tension in the air, a storm brewing on the horizon. The Black Faes were out there, plotting their next move, and I knew we had to be ready.

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the camp, Jason and I gathered our top advisors for an urgent meeting. The flickering candlelight danced across the walls, illuminating the concerned faces of our trusted warriors.

"We must devise a strategy," Jason began, his voice steady and authoritative. "Isolde's warning may have been a threat, but we cannot ignore the possibility that the Black Faes could strike at any moment. We need to be prepared for anything."

I nodded in agreement, my heart racing as I considered the implications. "We should strengthen our border patrols and increase our scouting efforts. Knowledge is power, and we need to know what they are planning."

One of our new advisors, a seasoned warrior named Cerritos, spoke up. "We should also reach out to our allies. The more packs we can unite, the stronger we will be against the darkness. We cannot fight this battle alone."

Jason exchanged glances with me, and I could see the determination in his eyes. "Agreed. We will send messengers to our allies, urging them to gather and unite against the threat of the Black Faes. We will not let them take our home again."

The meeting continued late into the night, our plans taking shape as we strategized and prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. I could feel the weight of responsibility pressing down on me, but I also felt a flicker of hope. As long as we stood together, we could face whatever darkness awaited us.

Days turned into a blur of training, planning, and preparation. Our pack was stronger than ever, and the bonds between us grew deeper with each passing moment. We were ready to face the storm.

But just as we thought we had a handle on the situation, an unexpected visitor arrived—our ally, Alpha Markus of the North-east pack. He arrived with urgency etched across his face, his breath coming in heavy bursts.

"What is it?" Jason asked, concern lacing his voice. "What news do you bring?"

Markus's gaze was serious, his voice low as he replied, "The Black Faes are rallying their forces. I've seen their numbers growing, and they have allied with other dark creatures. They plan to attack soon—much sooner than we anticipated."

A chill ran down my spine at his words. "We need to act quickly. Gather the warriors, reinforce our defenses, and prepare for battle. We cannot let them catch us off guard."

As the urgency of the situation unfolded, I felt the weight of our impending battle settle over me like a heavy cloak. We would stand together, united against the darkness, ready to protect our family and our home.

The night before the anticipated attack, I gathered with Jason, Eden, and our trusted warriors around the fire, the flickering flames casting shadows on our determined faces. "Tomorrow, we fight for our future," I said, my voice steady despite the fear swirling within me. "We fight for our pack, for our families, and for the bonds that bind us."

Eden looked up at me, his eyes filled with determination. "I won't back down, Mom. I'll fight alongside you."

I smiled at him, pride swelling in my chest. "I know you will, my love. We are stronger together, and we will face this darkness head-on."

As the stars twinkled overhead, I felt a sense of resolve settling within me. We had come too far to turn back now. The darkness may threaten us, but our unity would shine brighter than any shadow.

With our hearts intertwined, we prepared for the battle ahead, ready to face whatever challenges awaited us. The time for fear had passed; it was now time to rise against the darkness, together.