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Chapter 1

“Again!” my father roared from where he stood; about a few feet from me and my brother. He was making us practice Neacela. It was a martial art that focused on tiring out your opponent through quick movements. Flexibility was greatly required for this technique and father wouldn’t let us rest until we perfected it.

“We’ve been-” Zayne started, but father raised a hand telling him to keep shut.

I never understood why he was making us train this much. Yes, we were in a world where fights broke out very often, but this was just too much. He would make us wake up as early as 6am and begin to train. It was tiring.

“I said again!” This time, we fought each other. If Zayne was to hit me, we would start again and vice versa.

The only good thing about this technique was the fact that it let you exploit your opponent’s deflection, making them change their stance and give you the upper hand. The disadvantage was that it made you feel in control.

“Valerie, get your head in the game!” father angrily yelled and I groaned in frustration. We had been at this for four hours. I was hungry.

“Father, I apologize, but I can’t go on. I am exhausted and must rest.” I walked over to where he stood.

“You wouldn’t tell that to your enemy, would you? You have no idea why I’m doing this so I suggest you get back there. Now, Valeria.” He growled out, leaving no room for arguments.

“Yes, father.”

Feeing angrier than before, I took a fighting stance in front of Zayne, who looked just as tired as I was. We both had bags under our eyes and looked like zombies. Not quite a look for royals.

“Begin.” Father ordered.

<<<>>>

I was now twenty-one years old and like every other werewolf; I was in search of my mate. Father never liked me talking about finding my mate, and it bothered me. Given the way he was making me and my brother train every day without fail, something was definitely wrong. Zayne and I started training the very day we turned fourteen. There had to be a reason for such training.

“Hey, V,” Zayne sat down beside me on the bench. We had finished training about thirty minutes ago and now I was relaxing. My muscles ached and my head hurt.

“Hi.” I inhaled deeply, looking up at the orange sky.

“Do you have any idea why father is training us with so much intensity? I mean, I’m happy he takes his time to train us, but this is crazy. I’m mentally and physically exhausted.”

“Zayne, I don’t know. I feel like he’s hiding something from us and I’m going to find out.”

He leaned closer, and I pushed him away. He laughed, “Why did you push me?” he placed a hand over his chest as he laughed.

“You were too close for comfort. Besides, I hate that you smell like strawberry.”

He looked at me in disbelief. “You hate strawberry scented shampoo?”

“Yes, Zayne I-”

My hands shot up to my shoulder when I felt hot white pain spread through my body. I had been shot with a wolfs bane laced arrow. Wolfs bane was a mixture of silver and other poisonous plants. It was toxic to werewolves.

“Valeria!” Zayne gripped my shoulders tightly as his eyes roamed my face.

Blood seeped out my shoulder, but that was the least of my concerns. Biting pack the pain was barely an option as pain spread all over my body. I felt on fire. I took a deep breath and shifted my attention to finding who had shot me. How on earth did they get past the guards at the border?

“Did you see anyone?” I asked, trying to remove the arrow from my shoulder.

“No, I didn’t.” he turned to me with concern written all over his face. “Are you okay?”

I pulled out the arrow and immediately regretted it. My vision was blurry, and I became teary-eyed. I always heard people say wolfs bane was really harmful, but this was way more painful than I thought.

“I think I’m fine. I just want to rest my head.” I started walking toward our home. Without warning, Zayne swept me off my feet as he carried me bridal style to the pack hospital.

“Dude, put me down.” I said weakly.

“Stop being a stubborn mule and be quiet. Save your strength, you’ll need it.”

“Yes, sir.” I leaned my head against his chest and listened to his heartbeat. My eyes were starting to close on their own accord. I couldn’t fight it even if I tried, so I welcomed the darkness.

“Doctor Steve!” I heard my brother yell before I lost consciousness.

<<<>>>

Men and women were gathered around, all having smiles on their faces. I felt odd being in such a gathering because I had no idea what was going on. I looked up and gasped when I saw the moon was as red as blood. I looked around as I studied the expressions of the people around. For them to be this calm, it had to be a good thing.

The next thing I saw were two figures circling the red moon like yin and yang. It felt so unreal to me. Soon, the two figures descended from the sky in all their glory. One had a muscular build, fairly tall with silver, long hair that hung over his charming face. Blue eyes watched warmly over the people that had gathered around. He gave off a feeling of peace and comfort.

The other one however was the total opposite. He had black, curly hair that almost covered his eyes. I found myself wanting to know the color of his orbs and when I did, I involuntarily stepped back. His orbs were a pitch black with red rings around them. Hatred and anger danced in his eyes as he looked around, as if searching for someone.

“I love everything about today.” A she-wolf said from beside me. She was talking to her friend.

“Me too. The Aima fengari happens once in two hundred years and I’m glad I get to witness it.” Said the other girl.

Aima fengari? What could that possibly mean?

I felt something urge me to look toward the dark-haired man. There was something strange about him. It made the hairs on my skin rise.

“We are here concerning the punishment that was given to Ophelia and Darius King.”

Darius King and Ophelia? What were these strange men talking about?

“The goddess was disobeyed, and she is not pleased.” He continued, “Because of this, there shall be a price to pay.”

I was so confused. What year did I land in, and why wasn’t I feeling pain in my shoulder? Was I dead? I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard the dark-haired man speak. Something about those words sent a chill running down my spine.

“When the first one is born, a curse shall soak the soil with blood.”

The strange man with black hair looked around until his eyes landed on me. “I’m coming.”

<<<>>>

“She’s awake.” Zayne announced when I fluttered my eyes open. My head felt as if it was going to explode. I heard shuffling and soon, my father’s face came into view. There was fear and worry written all over his face.

“Valeria, are you okay?” he stroked my hair like he always did when I was sick or got scared. It didn't happen very often, but he was always there. He was a mother and father to my brother and I.

“I think so.” I tried getting up, but Zayne stopped me.

“Your shoulder is still healing.” He informed me.

My mind drifted back to what I had seen. Something told me father had an idea of whatever that was. “Father,” I called, and he hummed a response. “What is the Aima fengari?”

His hand stopped moving on my head, and he gulped. He definitely knew something.

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