Ulrich sat on his bed, his eyes staring into emptiness, his face hardened by the weight of the grief that plagued him. However, the mourning that weighed on him was no longer solely for the loss of his Luna Lyra and their heir, but for the succession of tragedies that had befallen his reign.
After Lyra, came Selene, Artemis, Celeste, Nyx, Diana, Sable... One by one, his Lunas were chosen from the slaves of his harem, each one pregnant with his child, each one taken by death in childbirth or shortly after that, taking with them the fruit of his hope.
Now, Ulrich was feared not only for his strength or cruelty, but for a terrible reputation that spread throughout the kingdom: the Cursed King. Every time a new Luna ascended in his harem, fear, and anguish spread among his subjects and beyond; even the alphas of other packs feared that their daughters would be chosen by him, preferring to get rid of them than risk the uncertain fate that awaited any woman selected by Ulrich.
The situation became so desperate that Galadriel, the respected leader of the elders, called for an urgent meeting among the council members. It was time to discuss the future of the kingdom, as it seemed that Ulrich was doomed to misfortune.
Galadriel rose among them, his voice echoing through the hall with authority and determination.
"Brothers and sisters of the Northern Vale," he began, his voice resonating with solemnity. "We are facing an unprecedented crisis. Our Alpha King, Ulrich, is cursed by a terrible fate that takes the lives of his Lunas and their heirs."
Murmurs spread among the elders, echoing the concern that weighed on everyone present. It was evident that something needed to be done before Ulrich's curse consumed his chosen ones and the entire kingdom.
Galadriel looked around, meeting the worried gazes of the elders.
"It is our duty as guardians of this kingdom to find a solution to this curse. We must act for the people and the stability of our Vale."
Discussions extended into the night, with the elders debating possible courses of action. From ancient rituals to alliances with other clans, all options were considered in the search for an answer to the terrible curse that plagued Ulrich and his kingdom.
Galadriel stared at each of the gathered elders, his firm gaze reflecting the seriousness of the situation. It was time to face the truth about the curse that plagued the kingdom and find a solution for the future of the Northern Vale.
"The truth is clear," Galadriel began, his voice echoing through the room. "When Ulrich decided to decimate the Gray pack in the Silver Fang Vale, a curse befell him and the entire kingdom. The price we are paying now is too high to ignore."
The elders exchanged glances, understanding the gravity of Galadriel's words. Eldrus stood up among them, his expression marked by perplexity at Galadriel's proposal.
"But what are you suggesting, Galadriel?" Eldrus inquired, his eyes seeking answers in Galadriel's determined expression.
Galadriel met his gaze firmly, not backing down from the objections. "The truth is clear, my brothers. Ulrich can no longer lead our kingdom. His curse threatens us all, and we must act for the survival of the Northern Vale."
Eldrus widened his eyes, visibly shocked by Galadriel's suggestion. "This is treason!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the room with indignation.
Galadriel remained impassive in the face of Eldrus's accusation.
"It is not treason, Eldrus. It is a desperate need to protect our people. If we do not act now, we will be condemning everyone to the same fate as Ulrich."
Theron, another respected elder, intervened in support of Galadriel.
"Galadriel is right. Furthermore, we cannot forget that Ulrich usurped the throne of the Northern Vale through violence, and now we are paying the price for it. We cannot allow our kingdom to be consumed by the curse that haunts him."
Eldrus frowned, feeling the pressure of his fellow elders' words.
"You seem to forget what Ulrich is capable of when he feels threatened," he warned. "He will not hesitate to retaliate against each of us if he knows we are conspiring against him."
"If you wish to leave this meeting, Eldrus, feel free. But do not forget that your reluctance to act puts the entire kingdom in danger," Galadriel fixed his gaze on Eldrus, his unwavering determination.
Before Eldrus could respond, the door of the room opened and the beta Turin entered, his serious expression indicating that something important was happening.
"What is going on here?" Turin asked, his voice echoing with authority through the room as he prepared to face the revelations that awaited.
***
Ulrich remained seated on his bed, his mind immersed in somber thoughts as he held the metal cup between his hands. Turin's presence by his side brought an unwanted interruption, but the urgency of the matter compelled him to listen.
"I don't want to see anyone, Turin," Ulrich murmured, his gaze fixed on some distant point.
Turin, however, was not dissuaded by Ulrich's refusal. He knew the matter was crucial and needed to be addressed, regardless of the king's reluctance.
"The matter is essential, my king," Turin insisted, standing firm before Ulrich.
"What do you want, Turin?" Ulrich questioned, his voice tense.
Turin approached the king, his expression serious reflecting the importance of what he had to say.
"I found the elders gathered in the throne room in a secret meeting," he began, his eyes fixed on Ulrich.
The mention of the elders' meeting made Ulrich narrow his eyes, his demeanor becoming even darker.
"And what were they discussing?" he inquired, his curiosity mixed with a hint of suspicion.
Turin remained steadfast under Ulrich's penetrating gaze.
"They were talking about the possible curse that has befallen the kingdom, or rather, you, after the battle against Alpha Gray's pack," he replied, choosing his words carefully.
The mention of the possible curse made Ulrich tense even more, dark memories of Gaia's prophecy echoing in his mind.
"Did they say anything else?" he asked, his voice laden with a mixture of concern and irritation.
"No, I made sure to disperse those superstitious fools myself," Turin explained, shaking his head in denial, his loyalty to Ulrich evident in his words.
Ulrich pondered Turin's words, a feeling of unease settling in his chest.
"Turin, during that battle, Gaia warned me of a curse that would befall me if I emerged victorious," he revealed, his voice echoing with a somber tone.
Turin frowned, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
"And what are we going to do about it?" he asked, his gaze seeking guidance from Ulrich.
Ulrich took a deep breath, his gaze distant as he pondered the situation.
"There is a way to break this curse."
Ulrich took a deep breath, his mind working quickly to find a solution to the dilemma they faced.
"I need to find my destined mate," he declared, his determination clear in his words.
Turin nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
"And where do we start?" he inquired, ready to act according to Ulrich's instructions.
Ulrich reflected for a moment, his mind calculating the next steps to be taken.
"Begin by searching for any woman with black hair and blue eyes," he ordered, his voice firm and decisive. "That is how the women of my pack were."
Turin nodded, understanding the importance of the mission assigned by Ulrich.
"Understood, Majesty. I will start immediately."
Ulrich watched Turin leave the room, his mind immersed in thoughts about the kingdom's fate and the search for his destined mate.
***
The tension in the air was palpable as the elders entered the oval room where Ulrich sat on his throne, emanating authority and power. Galadriel, Eldrus, Theron, and the other elders were met with a cold stare from King Alpha, who awaited an explanation for the secret meeting they had held.
Galadriel was the first to break the silence, staring at Ulrich with a serious expression.
"What does the king want with us?" he inquired, attempting to maintain composure under Ulrich's intense gaze.
Ulrich observed Galadriel with an implacable expression and replied firmly,
"I have learned of the elders' secret meeting, Galadriel."
Galadriel swallowed nervously, feeling uncomfortable under Ulrich's direct accusation.
"It was not a secret meeting, Majesty. We simply did not wish to disturb you in your time of mourning," he justified, trying to keep his voice steady.
Galadriel's response did not seem to satisfy Ulrich, who narrowed his eyes suspiciously.
"Very well, then you can tell me now what the agenda of this meeting was," Ulrich demanded, his voice filled with authority.
Galadriel glanced briefly at the other elders before responding.
"They were only routine matters, Majesty," he replied evasively.
Ulrich raised an eyebrow, his patience quickly wearing thin.
"So, you consider it routine to discuss the curse that hangs over me?" he questioned, his voice laced with disdain.
Galadriel held firm under Ulrich's piercing gaze.
"I would not use such terms, Majesty. As you know yourself, we do not believe in superstitions," he replied, attempting to deflect the subject.
Ulrich moved closer to Galadriel, his expression hardened with anger. He gripped Galadriel's neck firmly, demanding a direct answer.
"If you do not believe in a curse, then tell me what solution you have found," he ordered, his voice threatening.
Struggling to breathe under Ulrich's grip, Galadriel responded with difficulty.
"We... we have not... come to a... conclusion..."
Galadriel's evasive answer infuriated Ulrich, who tightened his grip around Galadriel's neck, demanding the truth.
"You are lying," he accused. "What was the elders' decision?"
Theron, standing beside Galadriel, could not contain his outrage at Ulrich's behavior.
"This is an outrage!" he exclaimed, his voice echoing through the room. "You have no right to treat the elders this way!"
Ulrich released Galadriel and turned to face Theron with a cold stare.
"What did you say?" he questioned, his voice low but authoritative.
"I said I find it an outrage how you treat the elders," Theron held Ulrich's gaze firmly.
Eldrus, speaking up, attempted to defuse the situation.
"The elders' meeting discussed... the possibility of... removing you from the throne..." Eldrus confessed, his tone revealing apprehension.
Ulrich approached Eldrus, fixing him with an implacable stare.
"And what do you think of that?" he asked, his voice echoing in the tense atmosphere.
Eldrus, visibly uncomfortable, responded cautiously.
"I... am here... to serve the king..." he murmured, avoiding eye contact.
"And I say we are not afraid of you! And it's an outrage how you treat the elders!" Theron confronted Ulrich defiantly.
Ulrich surveyed the gathered elders, evaluating the situation with a calculating expression.
"How many of you share Theron's thoughts?" he asked, his gaze sweeping the room for an answer.
Theron raised his hand, followed by other elders showing their support. Galadriel and Eldrus remained silent, watching the scene with a mix of concern and resignation.
Ulrich observed the elders who stood against him, his expression impassive.
"Take them to the dungeon," he ordered his guards. "And let them have time to reflect on their choices."
The guards acted swiftly, escorting the rebellious elders out of the room. Theron, however, stood firm before Ulrich.
"You do not intimidate me," Theron stated, facing King Alpha with defiance.
Ulrich did not hesitate to respond to Theron's insolence, moving closer to him.
"I do not want your fear," Ulrich said, his voice as cold as the steel of his sword blade. "I want you to serve as an example."
Without further words, Ulrich placed his sword against Theron's abdomen, his gaze relentless as the blade pressed against Theron's skin. The silence in the room was deafening, all present watching the scene with a mix of shock and fear.
Theron stared at Ulrich with surprise and indignation in his eyes, refusing to submit to his dominance. But deep down, he knew he faced a king willing to do anything to maintain his power.
Theron fell to the ground, life slipping from his body as Ulrich remained unmoved, his expression cold and merciless. It was a clear warning to those who dared challenge his authority: under King Alpha Ulrich's rule, betrayal was punished by death.
The throne room was heavy with the weight of spilled blood as guards hurried to remove Theron's body, the latest victim of Ulrich's wrath. King Alpha, undisturbed, cleaned his sword with precise movements, his eyes fixed on Galadriel and Eldrus, the elders who remained before him.
Ulrich looked up, his intense gaze fixed on the elders before him.
"Do you have anything else to say?" he asked, his voice as cold as the steel of his blade.
Galadriel exchanged a nervous glance with Eldrus before responding.
"No, King Ulrich," he replied, attempting to maintain composure before the irascible sovereign. "If there is anything we can assist with, please let us know."
Ulrich sheathed his sword and returned to his throne, his penetrating gaze fixed on the elders.
"I need to begin an expedition," he declared, his voice echoing through the hall.
Surprise spread across the faces of Galadriel and Eldrus at Ulrich's unexpected revelation. Galadriel stepped forward, her expression concerned.
"King Ulrich, is it truly wise to embark on a new expedition at this time? Considering the delicate situation we are in?"
"This expedition is not for the colonization of new packs," explained Ulrich, fixing Galadriel with a firm stare. "It is a search."
Eldrus frowned, perplexed. "A search for whom?"
Ulrich cast a meaningful look at the elders before responding. "For my destined mate," he revealed. "My next Luna."
Surprise overtook Galadriel and Eldrus, both speechless at Ulrich's revelation. Eldrus stepped forward, determination filling his expression.
"If that is what you desire, we will do everything to help you find your Luna," he affirmed with conviction.
Ulrich nodded, grateful for the elders' cooperation. "My next Luna must have black hair and blue eyes," he specified.
Galadriel furrowed his brow, genuinely puzzled by Ulrich's specific description.
"I have never heard of a female with those characteristics," he admitted, sincerely confused.
"Believe me, she exists," Ulrich asserted firmly. "She is out there, somewhere, waiting for me."
Ulrich cast one last determined look at the elders before exiting the hall. His heart burned with the certainty that his Luna was out there, somewhere, waiting for him. And he would not rest until he found her.