Einar sat across from me, his weathered hands spread over the map on the scarred wooden table. His sharp eyes bored into mine, as though he was searching for something hidden deep within me—something even I wasn't sure existed. The silence between us was heavy, broken only by the faint crackle of a distant torch. This wasn't a routine conversation. I could feel it in my gut: something big was about to change.
"You know, Sigrid," Einar began, his voice low and deliberate, "werewolves aren't the only threat we face."
I narrowed my eyes, leaning forward slightly. "I know. Vampires, demons, other things… they're all brutal. But I don't care about them. I only care about Fenrir."
Einar's lips curved into a faint smile, though there was no humor in it. "Always focused on Fenrir, aren't you?" he said, almost wistfully. "I can't blame you. But you need to understand—if we want to win, we can't ignore the other threats."
He pushed the map toward me, his rough finger pointing at several red circles scattered across the parchment. "Look at these. Every one of these marks is a place that's been wiped out. But notice something—werewolves didn't attack alone. Vampires and demons have started moving, too."
---
**The Creatures of Darkness**
"Vampires are different from werewolves," Einar continued, his voice steady and measured. "They're not wild and feral like Fenrir and his pack. They're… organized. Vampires live in massive castles, ruling like kings and queens. They don't destroy cities the way Fenrir does—they enslave humans, keep them alive, and use them as blood sources."
I bit my lip, anger simmering at the thought of what those monsters did to their captives. "So they're more dangerous because they're smarter?" I asked, trying to keep the edge out of my voice.
"Smarter, but not as brutal as Fenrir," Einar replied, his gaze growing darker. "That doesn't mean they're easier to deal with. Without silver or special wooden weapons, we don't stand a chance against them."
He sighed heavily, his finger tracing the map to another area marked in black—an ominous region long believed to be cursed. "And demons… they're chaos incarnate. They don't have a hierarchy like werewolves or vampires. They come in waves, destroy everything, and leave nothing but ruin. Nobody knows why they capture humans or what they do to them. But they're a threat we can't ignore."
I frowned, the weight of his words sinking in like lead. "So we're not just fighting one kind of monster. We're fighting all of them."
Einar nodded, his face grim. "Exactly. And if we want to survive, we have to understand who our enemies are, how they think, and what they want. Do you understand, Sigrid? This isn't just about revenge. This is about survival."
His words stung, though I wasn't sure why. I stared at the map, my hands gripping the table's edge. "Survival," I echoed, the word tasting bitter on my tongue. "But for me, revenge is survival."
---
**Werewolf Dominance**
My gaze drifted back to the map, stopping on a large area marked with a darkened border—the lands controlled by Fenrir and his pack. "But the werewolves… they're still the biggest threat, right?"
Einar nodded. "They control more territory than the vampires or demons combined. And Fenrir is the reason why. He's not just any alpha, Sigrid. He's a leader who uses brutal strength and a deep understanding of pack dynamics to maintain his dominance."
My fists clenched under the table, the familiar anger rising in my chest. "I know who he is," I muttered, my voice trembling with barely contained rage. "I know what he's done."
Einar watched me carefully, his silence heavier than his words. He knew my hatred for Fenrir was what kept me going, but he also knew it was a dangerous fuel to rely on.
I stared at the map, my eyes locked on the territories ruled by the creatures of darkness. The world had become a living nightmare, with humans reduced to prey. But beneath the fear and hatred burning inside me, something else began to grow—a resolve to fight back, no matter how impossible it seemed.
---
The Werewolf Hierarchy
Einar's voice broke through my swirling thoughts. "Fenrir isn't just a threat because of his strength," he said, his tone sharp and deliberate. "He's a threat because he knows how to use the structure of his pack to dominate this land. Their hierarchy doesn't just keep them organized—it makes them nearly impossible to defeat if you don't understand how it works."
I lifted my head, raising an eyebrow. "Hierarchy?"
Einar nodded. "Yes. Werewolves live in a strict pack structure, with every member assigned a role. That role isn't based on age or experience—it's based on strength."
He gestured to a set of handwritten notes spread across the table. "Their hierarchy has three main tiers: alpha, beta, and omega. I'm sure you've heard those terms before."
---
**The Werewolf Pack Hierarchy**
I nodded slowly, though my understanding was limited. "I know the alpha is the leader. That's about it."
Einar gave a faint smile and began explaining. "You're right. The alpha is the pack leader. They're the strongest, the most feared, and they hold absolute control over the entire pack. Fenrir is the perfect example of an alpha—powerful, ruthless, and capable of commanding his subordinates with just his voice."
I clenched my fists in my lap, my teeth grinding at the mention of Fenrir's name.
"The beta," Einar continued, "is the alpha's second-in-command. They're not as strong as the alpha, but they're the enforcers. They keep order within the pack, and they carry out the alpha's orders without question. In Fenrir's pack, betas are often the executioners."
"And the omega?" I asked, my curiosity piqued.
"Omegas are the lowest in the pack hierarchy," Einar explained, his voice tinged with pity. "They're often mistreated by the others, used for menial tasks like guarding territory or cleaning up after battles. But don't underestimate them. Even omegas are far stronger than any ordinary human."
---
I mulled over his words, piecing together what they meant. "So, everything revolves around the alpha?"
"Exactly," Einar confirmed. "The alpha is the core of the pack. If you want to break the pack, the best way is to target the alpha. But it's not as easy as it sounds. An alpha like Fenrir has strength far beyond that of a beta, and the loyalty of the pack makes them willing to die to protect him."
"Then why don't they rebel against him?" I asked, my brow furrowing.
Einar's expression darkened. "Because the alpha's power isn't just physical. They have… a mental connection to the pack. They can control the betas and omegas with their voice, even from a distance. That's why Fenrir can lead such a vast territory."
My grip tightened on the edge of the table, my teeth clenched. All of this only underscored how formidable my enemy was.
"But that same hierarchy also has a weakness," Einar added. "Without the alpha, the pack falls apart. If Fenrir goes down, his system will collapse. But remember, Sigrid—killing Fenrir doesn't mean the fight is over. Another werewolf will rise to take his place. This is a war with no end."
---
**End of Chapter**
I nodded slowly, committing every word to memory. Einar was right—killing Fenrir wouldn't be the end. But for me, it was the beginning.
"Fenrir won't lead forever," I said, my voice low but firm. "I'll make sure of it."
Einar studied me, his eyes searching for any sign of doubt. "I believe you will try, Sigrid. But you need to learn more before you step into this war."