Chapter 4
SHANE
I could hear her heart racing, could feel her fear coursing through her veins. I wanted to soothe her, to tell her she had nothing to fear from me, but I knew that wouldn't be enough.
I had already hurt her - not physically, but emotionally. I had hurt her, and now she was terrified of me. I could not blame her.
I had to find a way to show her that I meant her no harm, but I did not know how. I did not know how to make things right.
I stood up, feeling the energy of the full moon coursing through my body. I remembered the night it all began, the night I lost my throne.
I remembered the betrayal, the pain, and the rage that had consumed me. I remembered the blood that had coated my body, and the darkness that had filled my soul.
I walked down the long hallway, my bare feet feeling the cold stone floor. The curtains billowed in the wind, and the moonlight poured in through the windows, illuminating my scarred and blood-stained body.
As I reached the end of the hallway, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was my sister, Lauren, her head bowed low.
"Greetings, brother," she said, her voice filled with reverence. "I have gathered the pack as you requested."
I followed her into a large chamber, where dozens of wolves were gathered.
The room was alive with the sound of their breathing and the rustling of their fur. There were different kinds of wolves - alphas, betas, omegas, and more. But I was the most powerful of them all.
As I entered the room, the wolves all bowed before me. I could sense their fear and their respect. There were at least ten thousand of them, and they were all under my command.
I took my seat on the throne, and Roy, my beta, stood beside me. He was a loyal and devoted servant, and I trusted him implicitly. I looked out over the room, surveying my pack.
I had spent many years building this kingdom, and it had taken a great deal of blood, sweat, and tears. But it was all worth it, for this was my legacy. This was my empire.
I rest my head on my hand and sluggishly stared at the crowd.
“Why have you guys called me here?” My voice intimidating.
Two old beta elder wolf walked forward.
"We have called you here for a reason, great Alpha," one of the elders said, his voice quivering. "You have built an empire, a mighty kingdom, you’re very strong, every one in the whole territory and world fears just your name alone, but there is one thing that you still lack."
I leaned forward, intrigued by what the elder had to say.
"And what is that?" I asked, my voice deep and commanding. The elder's eyes widened, and he began to tremble.
"You do not have a mate," he said, his words barely above a whisper.
"What are you talking about?" I demanded, my anger simmering beneath the surface. "Why would I need a mate? I am perfectly capable of ruling my kingdom on my own. I do not need anyone else."
But the elder continued, his voice shaking with fear.
"Please, great Alpha, hear us out," he said. "We mean no offense. But the truth is, your power is beginning to wane. Without a mate, you will eventually lose all your strength."
I was about to order Roy to attack the elders, when a thought occurred to me. Could they be right?
Roy took a step forward, his claws out and his fangs bared.
"How dare you speak to the Alpha in such a manner?" he snarled. "I will show you no mercy!" But I raised my hand, stopping him in his tracks. "No, Roy," I said, my voice firm. "Let them speak."
The elder continued, his words coming out in a rush.
"The moon goddess has spoken to us," he said, his voice trembling. "She says that you must find a mate, or you will lose your strength and your power.”
“In how many days time?” I glared at the elder.
“3 days great Alpha.” The elder cried, falling to the floor.
As the crowd began to murmur amongst themselves, I stood up, unable to contain my anger any longer.
I let out a roar that shook the room, and everyone fell silent. I turned and left the chamber, my sister and Roy following close behind.
I stormed into my chambers, my mind racing. I couldn't believe what I had just heard. Was it true? I had never heard of such a thing before.
I sat down on my bed, my thoughts in turmoil. How could I find a mate in just three days?
I dismissed my sister and Roy, needing some time alone to think.
I lay down on the bed, my thoughts swirling. As I began to drift off to sleep, I heard a sound in the distance - a sound that grew louder and louder, until it was almost deafening.
I sat up, in a haste, my heart racing, and I went to the window.
Outside, I saw a sight that made my blood run cold. Rival packs were attacking my castle.
I ran down the stairs, my heart pounding in my chest. As I got closer to the main floor, I saw the bodies of my pack members, their lifeless eyes staring at me.
I had to stop myself from vomiting, the sight so gruesome and horrifying. When I reached the main floor, I saw a sight that made me freeze.
My friend Roy was there, holding my sister in his arms. His claws were digging into her neck, and she was struggling to break free.
"You traitor!" I yelled, unable to contain my anger.
But as I took a step towards Roy, two wolves leaped at me, trying to restrain me. I easily threw them off, my rage giving me strength.
I moved towards Roy, ready to attack, not until he pulled out a knife and slashed my sister's throat.
I screamed as she crumpled to the ground, her blood staining the stone floor. My anger exploded.
I fell to my knees beside my sister's body, her blood spreading across the floor.
“There’s no way she’ll heal from that. I poisoned her with wolfsbane.” Roy chuckled. I knew there was nothing I could do to save her, and the pain was almost unbearable.
I felt as if I had lost everything, and I wanted nothing more than to kill Roy. He stood there, watching me, a cruel smile on his face.
I stood up, my fists clenched, and I ran at him, determined to make him pay for what he had done.
"You want to fight me?" he taunted, his eyes glinting with malice. "Let's see what you've got, weak Alpha."
I lunged at Roy, my fist connecting with his jaw. He stumbled back, but recovered quickly, swinging at me with a powerful punch.
I dodged it, and countered with a kick to his stomach. He grunted, but then slammed his elbow into my side.
I felt a sharp pain, but I ignored it, focusing on defeating him. He kept taunting me, his voice goading me on.
"You're weak, Shane," he sneered. "You're nothing without your pack."
I felt the familiar fire of my wolf inside me, and I let it take over.
As the fight went on, the moon shone brighter and brighter, its light bathing the room in silver. We kept going at each other, breaking through walls and furniture, neither of us willing to give in.
I felt my wolf take over, my body becoming faster and stronger. My anger and pain became a blur, as I focused all my energy on beating Roy.
I was losing myself in the fight, and I didn't care.
I raised my fist, ready to deliver the final blow, when something stopped me. I hesitated, my wolf raging inside me, but I couldn't bring myself to kill him.
I wanted justice, but not like this. Roy sensed my hesitation, and he smiled.
"You're too weak," he sneered. "You'll never be able to kill me." He leaned in close, his eyes boring into mine.
And then, I saw his eyes start to change. They went from blue to a deep red, just like mine. I felt a shiver run down my spine, and a terrible realization hit me.
He’s taking away my power. His hands were driven right through my stomach, my blood dripping effortlessly on the floor.
I knew I had to get away from Roy, or he would take all my power from me.
I pulled my stomach out from his hands, turned and ran, feeling the last of my strength draining away.
I could hear Roy's laugh behind me, his voice taunting me.
"You have three weeks, Shane," he called after me. "And then, I will come for you." I kept running, putting as much distance between us as I could. I had to run away from him.
I ran and ran, until I reached the edge of a cliff.
My legs faltered, and I tripped, falling over the edge and tumbling down the side of the cliff. I hit rocks and branches, my body taking a beating.
I couldn't stop myself, and I was powerless to stop my descent. I closed my eyes, bracing for impact. But it never came.
I felt my body dive into the water. I can’t swim!
I opened my eyes, and I was underwater. I felt myself sinking, the darkness closing in around me.
Just as I was about to give up, I saw a light above me. I kicked my legs, trying to reach the surface.
And then, I felt someone grab my arm. I looked up, and a woman was looking down at me. She was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
She smiled, pulling her face closer to me and then she kissed me. Everything went black.