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Chapter 3

30 years later

The private island of the Tyrant King really was situated in the Middle of Nowhere, and in that nowhere I found peace. All around the state sized island was ocean, but on a very clear day, the North Sea would bring a sweet salty breeze. It caressed my olive skin as I meditated.

Today was the last day I would be here…. The last day before I truly test myself and my ability.

I’d learned how to teleport, summon a staff that was part of my very being, and breathe fire. Magic was Hard… He didn’t explain things well being an endless fountain of energy…. Nor did Uncle Xaxas help much on summoning my inner weapon... also, he didn’t hold back during training…. It made me Strong.

The staff was forged by grandfather, the Horned One, for me, though he didn’t help either…. Nor did they know how to teach me. It was because I was part mortal, but also because they were Horrible teachers. At least they meant well…

I also wouldn’t be able to use any of that in the tournament… but being myself… knowing what I can do gave me peace as I let my thoughts roll like the waves freely.

My eyes were closed, hearing the surf and gulls, while the faint touch of mist caressed me every so often. I almost didn’t notice my uncle’s general next to me, as he was so quiet.

Eskaal, the Beast Prince was also my uncle’s Second in command. He however, was not the strongest. He earned that position by being his most intelligent commander, and I spent a lot of my time with him, learning my limits. The dark skinned, yellow eyed elf breathed calmly, cross legged in the sand next to me. He looked about 20, though he was at least ten or fifteen thousand… probably more.

Old Ones do not like to share their age, nor can they die being forces of nature…. though many were born before men lived in cities.

In the old times, this man was responsible for nearly every mortal war up until to I believe the signing of the 1605 Treaty as well as organizing the Black Death…. My uncle waited for Harmony, but while he slept, humans and supernatural creatures alike still fought. After all… none could stop him in his rampage. The only thing that made him rest was the promise of a mate.

Before that, Eskaal made tensions worse back then both passively and directly. His name was an actual spell, so all what he did not plot, was indirectly done. When spoken around mortals, mortal wars started. He was son to King Rau, the Beast King, but unlike him, he did not tame mindless beasts.

Instead, he got his title for his ability to ‘make men beasts’… he could draw out the best and Worst attributes of a man, especially leaders, and during the war, that was what he did. In the war my uncle campaigned, it was because his mother, the Moon Goddess was held captive.

Grandmother loved the Horned One. Arviel, the Lord of Light did Not want this for his eldest daughter… So Arviel took her prisoner, which forced the Horned One to relinquish his title of Half King of the Universe…. but that did not stop her from birthing my father or uncle…. It did not stop their love, because it was true.

After all, she was the Only goddess who could make True soulmates, being the inventor of it.

My father was even put in a werewolf form as a baby so he could live in peace….So many died, countless hundreds of thousands perished in an attempt to get her back after the Light stole her…. Because the Horned One, the Lord of Night was her mate. My grandfather traded half the universe for her safety during her captivity, that she be unharmed during that turbulent time…..

The other half is still ruled by the Lord of Light, though now that all the fighting is over, there is peace. The Horned One’s position as the other half was restored some decades ago, but he does not smite the innocent anymore. Each ruler of the universe stays in their own realms. Humans are left ignorant for their safety, while Xaxas is here on earth with his mate.

My father has nothing to do with any of this, even though him, and my uncle the God of Death Both hold mortal mates as well, and ranks of 4 and 5 strongest beings in existence… they let Xaxas handle our realm, so they can have what they want… peace with their mates. Below them are the other races of men and beast…..

The Kings of the individual supernatural races originally fought Xaxas to try and save the world. They could not defeat him. Even with all of them using their enormous strength as the First of their peoples, none could best him.

It was why they promised him a mate in the first place … but now they meet with him, and they all work together. It was why he was gone today. Usually, he didn’t involve himself with them, but about once a year, they’d all meet, and he would listen to their troubles.

He listened to mine too… It was why I was here on his private island, on his beach, trying to meditate. I was 99 now…. For 79 years I didn’t have a mate…

An entire human lifespan went without Really feeling the weight of that statement… until a few years ago…every night since then I would dream of being in the arms of a man I could not see…

…. How cruel would it be to make a werewolf that couldn’t bond with her own people….

But who would they even Be?

I had to be honest with myself… I didn’t Want a weak wolf… I want a man who can be my equal. I want someone who is capable, just as I am. An Omega, a wolf who can’t shift would be hard to live with. I suspect someone that weak would be afraid of me as many often are….

I can hide my aura but not who I am.

That isn’t fair either…

And I feel like an Alpha would be too stubborn if I were stronger than him. He wouldn’t want to admit a woman could best him. Gods forbid if my mate’s a Wolf King’s Council Member. Those old farts worked with my mother, and all my life, all I’ve ever heard about them, and later saw for myself, was how Fucking Sensitive they are. Their pride is so grand I doubt they’d kneel to the All King if they couldn’t feel how strong Uncle Xaxas was….

That would be Annoying.

“What’s on your mind?” Asked Eskaal.

“The War.” I said not opening my eyes, but also leaving out my last string of thought.

“The Master declared it Over. Strike it from your mind. I know that isn’t the only thing either.” He said amused.

“…. I don’t know how much you’ll understand, but I… but I made my peace with it...” I said holding my head low.

He hummed. “I do and you Haven’t. You’re a werewolf as much as you are the old master’s blood. On this island, I tend it in the young master’s stead, but You are here little wolf because unlike the other residents... you are Lost.”

“Lost?’

“Lost.” He said firmly. “I see it when you look at couples. I see it when you think of your people’s most basic drive. I see it when you try to remain in denial. I cannot help with That… but I can sate your desire to learn your limits.” He said tapping my shoulder; he pointed at the horizon.

I opened my eyes, and I saw the overcast sunrise… It was truly a sight to behold. The people who tended to the island were of nearly every race, but no one was out here. It was as if time was stopped a moment, feeling the warmth of the sun on my cold legs.

“But I am on the right path. I know it.” I said confidently.

“Then march it Lady Grace. I’m glad you stuck with your training, and soon, you’ll get a taste of knowing your true potential.” He smiled. “I already found and booked my virtual ticket on the supernatural site. I bet 3 pounds of gold on you.”

“Thank you Eskaal. A year ago, I asked myself, ‘What’s the point of being here if I don’t Use the strength I gained?’ I mean… I worked so hard.” I said looking at the sunrise… it almost felt like a sin to enjoy it, being a child of the Night Father.

There was a deep hatred between both the Horned One and the Lord of Light, one that could not be mended, but they kept to themselves for peace’s sake… and ours. Their children and grandchildren live here, so more war would only harm everyone.

… But that was Their troubles…… Mine had a solution laid before me, but it wasn’t a bad one. I wouldn’t be some hesitant little girl about it either.

I’m beating the ass of any takers.

And if they can best me, they’re probably my mate.

What’s the point of training nearly every day for years if I daintily pretend to be weak to stroke someone’s ego?

“Good, good. I’ll have the servants finish packing your bags my lady. The Master already arranged a hotel and your registration. He also informed me that he will personally get you there.” He said leaving.

“Knowing him, I’m going to be teleported across the globe.” I said half as a joke, knowing I was right.

His silence said paragraphs. I could hear his slow steps in the sand until they disappeared, so I was probably right.

I sat in the sand, holding this private moment for myself. I let the high tide’s waves wash my legs, and allowed the loose ends of my hair to float in it.

This kind of journey was Normal for my people. Leaving to find a mate was the number one reason some migrated packs. It was why the Harvest Moon Fest always has so many attend. It felt like I knew that this would lead me to my one, albeit a strange way to go about it.

But I was not ‘normal’. Waiting at the pack, or visiting others hadn’t worked for decades.

“Ready to go?” Asked my uncle, who sat cross legged next to me. He’d teleported to me like he usually does.

“Yes, and thank you... Meditating before battle is nice.” I smiled.

“I would do anything for my niece…. Except interfere with your happiness.” He patted my head. From any other, it would be offensive, though he meant it for comfort, not belittling.

I gave him a hug, which surprised him, because most held a deep distrust for one so old. “I think I can handle whatever life throws at me.” I assured him.

“I’ll teleport you inside your hotel room. I already put your packed bags there. But after that, I want you to at least attempt to teleport yourself to the venue. It’ll be downstairs. There’s a tunnel that runs across the street to the arena’s entrance. Use that as a point to land.” He smiled.

“I’ve only ever gone a few feet…” I admitted.

“I know. That’s why I got a hotel so close.”

“Also thank you for taking the time to help.” I said with a smile.

“It’s what a good uncle does.” He grinned. “Plus, if I didn’t, Everyone would’ve probably tried to kill me.”

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