"Artemis, please…" Haelyn's voice cracked as she reached out, clutching at his sleeve. Her pale face was slick with sweat, her body still trembling from the torment she'd endured through the night.
Artemis crouched beside her, his brows knitting together in concern. "Haelyn, you're not well. I can't keep this from Archer. He has to know something's going on."
"No!" Haelyn's voice was sharper than she intended, and she winced, her strength fading fast. "You can't tell him. Not yet."
Artemis studied her, his lips pressing into a thin line. "Why? He's the Alpha. If anyone should know, it's him."
She shook her head, the movement small and weak. "I'll figure it out myself. Just… please, Artemis. Promise me you won't say anything."
His jaw tightened, but the desperation in her eyes softened his resolve. "Fine. But if this gets worse, I'm not staying silent."
"Thank you," she whispered, her body sagging against the headboard.
Artemis stood and glanced around the disheveled room. The claw marks on the floor and the faint coppery smell of blood were all too telling of what had happened. "You need rest, Haelyn. I'll be back."
But when Artemis returned hours later, the room was empty.
His heart sank. "Haelyn?"
He scanned the space, noticing the rumpled sheets and the window left slightly ajar. A breeze rustled the curtains, sending a chill down his spine.
"Dammit," he muttered, turning to leave. He didn't make it far before colliding with Archer in the hallway.
"Watch where you're going," Archer said coldly, his golden eyes narrowing. "What's your problem?"
Artemis hesitated, debating whether to explain. "Have you seen Haelyn?"
Archer's expression darkened. "Why? She's supposed to be in her room."
"She's not," Artemis said flatly.
A flicker of annoyance crossed Archer's face, but he masked it quickly. "She'll turn up. Stop worrying so much."
Artemis glared at him, his fists clenching. "She's not just missing, Archer. Something's wrong. And you'd know that if you actually paid attention."
"Careful," Archer warned, his tone low and dangerous.
Before Artemis could respond, a voice interrupted them. "Alpha."
Both men turned to see Xander approaching, his face grim.
"What is it?" Archer asked.
Xander hesitated before leaning in to whisper something in Archer's ear. Whatever it was, it made Archer's expression tighten.
"Artemis, drop it," Archer said, his tone final. "We have more important things to deal with."
Artemis opened his mouth to argue but thought better of it. He watched as Archer and Xander disappeared down the hallway, frustration boiling beneath his skin.
---
In the dense woods outside the mansion, a lone figure moved stealthily through the shadows.
"I've got news," the wolf muttered, stepping into a clearing where an older man waited.
Haelyn's father, his face lined with age and power, turned to face the wolf. "Speak."
"She's… different," the wolf said hesitantly. "Something happened last night. I think she transformed."
Her father's eyes gleamed with interest. "Good. Keep watching her. And report the moment there's any sign she's pregnant. I need to know."
The wolf hesitated, but a sharp look from Haelyn's father silenced any doubts. "Yes, sir."
With that, the wolf turned and disappeared into the shadows, leaving the older man to his thoughts.
---
Back at the mansion, Artemis moved quietly through the halls, his mind racing. He needed answers, but he couldn't risk Archer finding out. He slipped out a side door and into the garden, where Rowena was waiting.
"You're late," she said, her tone playful but her eyes sharp.
"I didn't exactly have an easy time sneaking out," Artemis replied tersely. "Thanks for coming."
Rowena shrugged, her cloak billowing around her. "What's this about?"
"It's Haelyn," Artemis said, glancing around to ensure no one was listening. "Something happened to her last night. I need you to check her out."
Rowena raised a brow. "And why the secrecy?"
"Because Archer doesn't know," Artemis said bluntly. "And I'd like to keep it that way for now."
Rowena smirked. "Always the protector, huh? Fine. Where is she?"
"Follow me," Artemis said, leading her toward the hidden room where Haelyn had retreated.
When they reached the room, Rowena stepped inside and immediately frowned. The lingering energy in the air was thick, almost suffocating. She approached Haelyn cautiously, her experienced eyes scanning her pale, fragile form.
After a long silence, Rowena turned to Artemis. "It's her first transformation. That's why it's so rough."
"And?" Artemis pressed, sensing she had more to say.
Rowena hesitated, her hand instinctively resting on Haelyn's abdomen. "There's… something else. A new life is forming."
Artemis blinked, stunned. "A new life? You mean…"
Rowena nodded. "A wolf. It's… unusual. But it's there."
Artemis ran a hand through his hair, pacing. "What does that mean for her?"
Rowena's face grew serious. "It could complicate things. A newborn wolf forming so soon after her first transformation… her body might not be able to handle it."
She paused, her gaze flickering with something unspoken. Deep down, Rowena knew this revelation would change everything. If Archer discovered what was happening, his hesitation to use Haelyn for the ritual would only grow.
Artemis frowned. "What aren't you telling me?"
Rowena shook her head. "Nothing. Just… keep an eye on her. And don't let Archer find out yet. Not until you're sure of what's happening."
As they left the room, Artemis couldn't shake the gnawing feeling in his gut. Something told him this was only the beginning of far greater trouble.
Rowena's parting words echoed in Artemis's mind as he walked her to the door. "Whatever happens, don't let anyone push her too far. It could destroy her. Or worse… destroy all of us."
—--------------
---
The night was unusually still, save for the soft rustling of leaves as a cold wind swept through the woods. Archer stood on the balcony of the pack's manor, his golden eyes scanning the distant mountain range. A low, mournful howl pierced the silence, sending a ripple of unease through the air.
It wasn't the full moon. It wasn't even close.
Yet the howls grew louder, echoing across the valley, joined by others in an eerie symphony that made the hair on the back of Archer's neck stand.
"What the hell is this?" Xander said, stepping out beside him. His face was pale, his usual calm replaced with uncertainty. "The mountain wolves never gather without reason."
"I don't like this," Archer muttered, his hands gripping the railing. "Send the sentries to double patrols. No one sleeps tonight."
Xander nodded and turned, barking orders to the pack members below.
Archer and Artemis made their way through the forest, their senses heightened. The howling had stopped as abruptly as it started, leaving an oppressive silence in its wake.
"It's too quiet," Artemis said, his voice low.
Archer nodded, his eyes narrowing. "This feels like a warning, but I don't know what they're warning us about."
The two men reached the base of the mountain where the howls had originated. The scent of wolves lingered heavily in the air, but there were no signs of an attack, no tracks leading toward their pack's territory.
"They just… howled and left?" Artemis asked, frowning.
"Or they're still watching," Archer replied, his voice grim. He scanned the treeline, his fingers twitching with the urge to shift.
"Should we send a scout?" Artemis asked.
Archer shook his head. "Not yet. Let's see if they make the first move."
The unease in his voice was clear, but he didn't linger. Turning back, he gestured for Artemis to follow.
By the time they returned, the pack was on high alert. Sentries patrolled the perimeter, their sharp eyes scanning the darkness. The tension in the air was thick, and Archer's mind churned with unanswered questions.
"I'll check in with the guards," Archer said, glancing at Artemis. "Make sure everything's locked down."
Artemis nodded but didn't move toward the patrols. Instead, he headed for the room where Haelyn was, his gut twisting with an unshakable sense of dread.
The moment he opened the door, a growl erupted from inside.
"Haelyn?" he called, stepping inside cautiously.
The room was in chaos. Furniture was overturned, and deep claw marks marred the walls. Haelyn stood in the center of the destruction, her back to him. Her breathing was ragged, her shoulders hunched.
"Haelyn?" Artemis repeated, his voice softer this time.
She turned slowly, and Artemis froze. Her eyes glowed an unnatural amber, her pupils narrowed into slits. Her hands were curled into claws, her nails elongated and razor-sharp.
"Stay back!" she snarled, her voice guttural and inhuman.
"Haelyn, it's me," Artemis said, raising his hands in a placating gesture. "You need to calm down."
"I can't!" she screamed, clutching her head. "It's too much. I can't control it!"
Her body trembled violently, and she let out a feral growl that shook Artemis to his core.
He had to act fast. Reaching for the silver chains hanging by the door, he stepped closer, his movements slow and deliberate.
"Haelyn, I'm going to help you," he said, his voice steady despite the fear gnawing at him.
She lunged at him suddenly, her claws slashing through the air. Artemis dodged, barely avoiding her attack.
"Haelyn, stop!" he shouted, his heart pounding.
But she wasn't listening. Whatever was happening to her had consumed her completely.
Artemis gritted his teeth and moved swiftly, wrapping the chains around her wrists. She thrashed and growled, her strength almost too much for him to handle.
"I'm sorry," he muttered as he secured her to the heavy iron bedframe.
Haelyn let out a heart-wrenching scream, her body writhing against the restraints. Her glowing eyes locked onto Artemis, filled with a mix of rage and despair.
"Artemis…" she whispered, her voice breaking. "Help me."
His chest tightened. "I will. I promise. Just hold on."
---
Meanwhile
Archer sat alone in his study, staring at the map spread out before him. His thoughts were a chaotic whirlwind. The wolves' gathering, Haelyn's absence,why he suddenly hadn't seen her for hours, the unrelenting tension in the pack…it all felt connected, but he couldn't piece it together.
A soft knock on the door broke his concentration.
"What is it?" he asked, not looking up.
Xander stepped inside, his expression unreadable. "Rowena's here."
Archer's brows furrowed. "Why?"
"She said Artemis called her to check on Haelyn," Xander replied.
Archer's eyes darkened. "Why wasn't I told?"
"She just arrived," Xander said quickly. "Do you want me to bring her in?"
Archer hesitated, his instincts screaming that something was off. "No. I'll handle it myself."
—-------------
Artemis had invited Rowena again to check on Haelyn because he didn't know what else to to
As the tension back in the room Haelyn was reaching a breaking point, a distant howl echoed through the night, low and haunting. It wasn't coming from the mountain this time.
It was closer. Much closer.
Rowena's eyes snapped to Artemis, her voice barely above a whisper. "They're here."