The Amaryllis Pack
Miriam Amaryllis was the daughter of a famous Alpha in the Western Continent, Gran Amaryllis. The Amaryllis Lycan Pack was also the largest Lycan Pack on the West Continent, although it was smaller than the Almandine.
Unlike in the Euclase Imperial Continent, in the West Continent, Lycans were considered evil monsters and hated by everyone. And because of that, the entire life of Miriam and her Pack was nomadic. They were always hiding from ordinary people.
Their pack was very famous and always escaped humans who would hunt them at sight. However, one day, Miriam was kidnapped by the Western Continent's Royal Prince, Prince Julian Hyacinth of the Central Hyacinth Kingdom.
Miriam's father and his entire Lycan family did everything they could to save Miriam, but unfortunately, Alpha Gran failed and died in an all-out fight.
By taking Miriam hostage and catching Miriam with a binding spell, Julian Hyacinth used the Amaryllis Lycan army to orchestrate a sneak attack on the Euclase Imperial Continent. Julian took her to the Western Continent and treated her family members as slaves and chess pawns that could be thrown away at any time.
Because of the cruel prince's magical talent, and with Miriam in his hands, no one could go against his orders.
But then came a Knight on a black horse who interrupted his plans, Heath Goldlane.
"Are your wounds healed?" Miriam asked the man who had been holding her hand the whole time.
Heath led Miriam down the halls of Almandine Castle, following Daniel leading their way.
Heath turned to her and smiled awkwardly.
"I did almost die. But apparently, thanks to Lycanthropy, I survived, and my wounds healed quickly," explained Heath.
Miriam blinked. Heath didn't seem to mind at all after turning into a monster. Miriam also noticed Daniel who was leading their way. She knew the man was a Lycan too.
And this castle… was also the castle of a Lycan.
On the Euclase Imperial Continent, Lycans didn't seem to be as hated as they were on the Western Continent…
They reached Heath's room, and the man's body began to stiffen. Daniel turned to them and smirked.
"Are you familiar with the imprinting process, Young Lord?" the man asked.
"I've read books about Lycans… but what if I make a mistake?" asked Heath, clearly unsure.
Daniel laughed blandly, not knowing what to do. He knew the Old Duke and Madam were very busy at the moment. And Young Lord Liam…
"Young Lord," Daniel came closer, hinting that he was going to whisper something, and Heath put his ear closer.
Meanwhile, Miriam, who was already very familiar with the Lycan imprinting process, blushed. It wasn't until he finished hearing Daniel's whisper that Heath himself blushed a terrible red. The tall black-haired youth nodded once and cleared his throat.
Daniel clapped his hands once and smiled widely. "I'll be standing guard outside. You can start doing it, and if anything goes wrong, I'll be right here. Good luck!"
"Why do you have to stand guard outside?!" Heath protested, confused.
"Have you forgotten what happened when you were out of control and turned into a wolf?" Daniel asked back.
Heath flinched. So there was a chance he transformed in the middle of the ritual? The young man immediately looked at Miriam seriously and turned back to Daniel.
"Wouldn't Miriam be in danger too at this rate?" Heath asked.
Daniel nodded seriously with a faint smile. "That's why you have to control your emotions well so as not to harm your mate."
Heath furrowed his brows and became doubtful again. It was then that Miriam touched his arm gently. The two looked at each other again and Heath was surprised to see Miriam's big, sparkling eyes staring at him with confidence.
"I trust you," the young girl said softly.
It was like an arrow of love piercing Heath's breath. His heart was beating wildly, and his body was starting to heat up. Heath furrowed his brows to control himself.
"Ahem."
Daniel's cough interrupted the pink atmosphere between Heath and Miriam. Inevitably, they entered the room awkwardly.
"That means my brother is involved in this big problem," said Harriet solemnly.
The Old Duke nodded behind his desk. The man saw Harriet staring out the window at the rising sun.
"My child, Harriet, the prince of Central Hyacinth who is holding Miss Miriam hostage and is controlling Miss Miriam, is a mage," the Old Duke continued.
He explained that the prince had bound Miriam with the spell, but when Heath suddenly appeared, Heath injured him and cut off his right arm, breaking the binding spell and releasing Miriam from his grip.
Thus, the prince fled from there and most likely returned to the Western Continent. While Heath, who finished the fight, was badly injured and passed out on his horse, running back to the Western Fort where Harriet was guarding as the Lord of the Regions at the time.
Even the confused Lycans and Miriam troops didn't know what to do on this foreign continent. They were on high alert after being abandoned by Prince Hyacinth after he had been defeated by Heath, and they intended to fight it out if anyone attacked them.
"So when you investigated the Dark Forest they were in, they immediately attacked your troops and started a war?" asked Harriet.
Old Duke nodded.
"Things could end very badly," muttered the old man with grey hair covering his entire head.
The Old Duke and Almandine Duchy Pack were the only Lycan Packs recognized by the Euclase Imperial Continent. They were also the Lycan Warriors who defended this continent when it was attacked from various sides by other continents.
After the laws regarding Lycans were regulated, the spreading of Lycanthropy was strictly prohibited and that was also why no new Alphas and Packs were born on this Euclase Empire Continent. As per the Old Duke's agreement with the former Euclase emperors, the Almandine Duchy Pack only developed through natural reproduction, not transmission through physical attacks.
"Fortunately, after Miss Miriam heard that Heath was safe, she was willing to persuade her family to surrender and become our captives," said the Old Duke. "I proved Heath's safety by bringing her here straight away, and not forgetting to treat her and her family with respect."
Harriet nodded.
"Does this mean my little brother will become their new Alpha?"
Harriet's question made the Old Duke chuckle.
"Well, it depends on whether your brother can take on the responsibility and convince Miss Miriam's family to submit to his order," the Old Duke explained.
Harriet understood.
"This is really a big problem," she whispered with a sigh.
The Old Duke laughed again.
"Could you discuss this with the Emperor, Harriet?" asked the Old Duke then.
Harriet had guessed that this was where their conversation would end up.
"But didn't you say you would be the one responsible?" asked Harriet in protest, feeling unfair.
The old man smiled widely.
"The Emperor hates me, but he likes you. I'll take the responsibility, and you persuade him. Inevitably, we must now receive a new Pack in the Euclase Empire," said the Old Duke.
Harriet groaned softly in annoyance.
The Old Duke let out a long breath. And he knew that Harriet would probably pull out as many cards as she had to persuade the Emperor.
"Don't forget that you are Almandine Duchy's daughter-in-law now," the old man said.
Harriet turned to him, blinking her wavering eyes.
"Of course," said Harriet and stared coldly out the window. "I will make good use of my new status."
The Old Duke smiled proudly. This was the reason he chose Harriet.
Because Harriet always knew what to do.
Harriet suddenly slapped her forehead hard as she realized she had just forgotten something.
"I'm sorry, Your Grace, I'm going to leave first. Let's talk more later after you rest. Good night… I mean, good morning," said Harriet frantically.
The Old Duke raised his hand to stop Harriet, but the woman had already walked away quickly. The old man was at a loss as to what Harriet was thinking. He couldn't fathom what made his tough and calm granddaughter-in-law suddenly panic to such an extent.
Meanwhile, Harriet, who had just come out of the Old Duke's study immediately ran towards the tower. She climbed the spiral staircase, panting heavily, and opened the door to the top room hastily. When she looked inside the room, Liam was lying back in his bed peacefully.
Harriet slowly walked over and saw that there was a piece of paper tucked into the man's fingers. Grabbing the paper and reading it, Harriet blinked.
[You forgot about me TT^TT]
Harriet narrowed her eyes, not knowing how to react to the text message her husband had written on this slip of paper. She felt guilty, but she couldn't help but laugh. Why was the message so adorable?
The woman sat on the side of the bed and took a deep breath. Her husband had helped her control her brother's rampage and even help her awaken her brother. Harriet never thought Liam could wake up today at such a crucial time because yesterday he woke up and had lunch with her...
"What must I do to return the favor to you, Milord?" asked Harriet in a soft whisper.
Suddenly, Liam's hand grabbed Harriet's hand, causing her to fall into his arms. A surprised Harriet looked up, where Liam was faintly smiling while his eyes were still closed.
"Accompany me to sleep, Madam," the man whispered.
When Harriet saw him again, Liam seemed to have fallen back asleep.
Harriet gave up. She herself also needed rest, so she too fell asleep by her husband's side that morning, until the sun rose high to the peak of the horizon.