Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Twila’s POV

I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. As I looked behind me, I could see them. They were closing in on me. I needed a miracle or I’d be dead in minutes.

“This is when shapeshifting is useful, but no!, Twila, you decided to be the pack’s weirdo who can’t shapeshift even at the age of twenty!!” I said to myself.

I’m already twenty and I have never shapeshifted once. My youngest brother shapeshifted when he was fourteen, my older brothers at ages sixteen and fourteen. My older sister was the earliest, at age twelve.  I was the only different one. Sometimes, I doubt I’m a werewolf  because I’ve never even heard my wolf speak. She’s been so quiet since forever.

Well, my life is on the line right now, so I increased my pace.

As much as I knew they’d soon catch up with me, I still ran… I mean, what else could I have done, wait and be killed. Nahhh.

Suddenly, my dress got stuck in a twig. As I struggled with it, I felt them getting closer.

“Oh damn this dress!” I cussed. This was why I hated wearing dresses. “So much for being prim and proper!” I rolled my eyes as I tore away that part of the dress. Now, I was free from the twig, but back to facing my major problem.

I looked behind me and I saw him. Ryker. The heir to the Western Empire.

He was said to be selfish, and ruthless just like his father… or maybe worse. I never believed the rumors until today, when he and his warriors attacked my pack and killed everyone I called family, destroying what I knew as home.

I panicked as he stood in front of me. He was in his wolf form, his eyes glowed with rage. He was a ravaging beast, ready to devour me.

I staggered backwards as he moved closer. He got so close that I fell, leaving him towering above me.

He placed a paw on my chest, crushing the life out of me. And then, for some reason, he just stopped.

The angry look in his eyes was replaced with a confused look. And just like that, he left.

‘Am I hallucinating or did Ryker just let me go?’

I stood up, carefully and tried to find my way out of this dark forest I was in.

I walked until my legs could no longer carry me, so I stopped in a cave to pass the night.

The next morning, I started walking again. I had no idea where I was going, but I needed to go far, somewhere safe. As I kept walking, I came across some guys. They seemed like people from the Southern Empire from the way they were dressed.

“Well well well… what do we have here?” One of the guys spoke. He had blonde hair. They walked closer to me.

“She’s pretty, don’t you think?” Another asked.

“What are you waiting for….” The blonde one spoke again and like they had communicated through telepathy, all four of them took steady strides towards me.

I staggered backwards and fell again. I wasn’t much of a fighter, I could barely defend myself. What chances do I have against four male wolves?

“Stand down!” Someone ordered and they all did immediately. “Here..” He offered me his hands.

I took it and he helped me up.

“Sorry about the guys.” He began. “I’m Thane, Beta of the Southern Empire.” He introduced. I nodded in response. No wonder he commanded such respect, he was an important figure.

“Now tell me..” He continued, “What is a lady doing in this part of the forest so early in the morning?” Only this time did he fix his eyes on me.

‘This is probably it! The miracle I needed.’ I thought. ‘Maybe they can help me.’

“I’m Twila Vesper, daughter of Lord Fredrick Vesper.” I introduced myself. I wasn’t sure if he would know my dad, after all, we were just a small pack in the Western boundaries.

“Hmmm” He scrutinized me. He didn’t seem to know my dad as expected, but he didn’t question me. “So, what brings you to the forest?” He asked.

Then a wave of sadness washed upon me. I haven’t been able to mourn my family since I lost them, I’ve been busy running for my life.

A tear escaped my eyes. I wiped it away. Thane watched my every move, his face expressionless.

“My clan, a small clan at the boundaries of the Western lands, was attacked and destroyed by the Western Empire. I am the only survivor.” I replied.

His brows knitted in a frown. I couldn’t guess what he was thinking about.

“What caused the rift between your clan and the Western Empire?” He asked. I studied him carefully. He had no expression on his face, not even the slightest ounce of curiosity. I sighed tiredly.

“I need help. I want to see the Alpha.” I replied instead. He stared at me for a while, his expression still impossible to read, then he spoke to his guys.

“Let’s head back!” He ordered.

“But we still haven’t….” One look from him made the guy trying to argue keep shut.

And so, on we went to the Southern Empire to meet with the Alpha.

Orion’s POV

I was just stepping out of a seven hours meeting with the elders and all I wanted was to rest.

“So much for being an alpha.” I said as I walked into my chambers. Things weren't looking good for us here in the Southern Empire. Though I tried my best to rule as a good King, yet there’s a lot of wrongs in the land.

There was a pandemic and it was killing my people. If we do not act fast, we might all die from the plague.

I sighed as I dropped on my bed. Like a plague wasn’t enough, we were at the verge of war with the Western Empire. All these and more was discussed in the seven hours meeting and now, I just need sleep, some peace and quiet before waking up again to face my troubles.

I closed my eyes, slowly drifting into the dream world when a knock brought me back to reality.

“Urggghhh!!!” I groaned. Thane, my Beta walked in. “It better be important.” I warned as he got to my bed. I would definitely kill him if it wasn’t something I’d be interested in hearing.

Then he told me something that surprised me. A girl from the West comes all the way to the Southern Empire and demands to see me. What a nerve!

We headed to the throne room and when I was fully settled, I asked that she be brought in.

“Greetings Alpha.” She said as soon as she got in. I was surprised when she raised her face to look at me.

“It is her!!” My wolf exclaimed. He was overly excited. “Are you sure about that?” I asked him. “Why can’t we smell her.. I mean, shouldn’t we be able to tell from a distance?”

“Believe you me, she definitely is the one.” He said. I could feel him smiling. I cleared my throat and asked…

“Who are you, and what brings you here?”

“I’m Twila Vesper, daughter of Lord Vesper and I’ve come to ask for your help.” She replied. Her voice was a bit shaky. She is definitely not the one. She was supposed to be strong, brave and most importantly noble…. but this here, not a chance.

I laughed, though it wasn’t funny. I just needed to look more domineering.

“And why would I help you?” I asked. “Who the hell is Lord Vesper anyways?” I faced Thane this time. He didn’t respond, he just watched on.

“We are of a small clan at the borders of the Western Empire.” She explained. “Earlier this week, we were attacked by the Western Empire.”

Shit!! Why did it have to be the Western Empire. They were our enemies too and sooner or later, we would war.

“How long has your clan stayed at the borders of the Western empire?” I asked.

“Since the days of my Great grandpa.. Lord Hendrick.” She replied. I studied her carefully. She didn’t seem like she was lying.

“And you weren’t mobilizing an army to fight against them and maybe take over?” I pressed. She shakes her head negatively. One glare made her reply with her voice.

“No.. no, we never had such intentions. We did all they asked.. offered tributes and all. Then they suddenly attacked.” She sniffed in. ‘Was she crying?’ I frowned. ‘Why would the Western Empire attack a small clan that has lived on their borders for a while now…? That was weird’ I thought to myself. So, I asked the question in my mind.

“What did you do to trigger the wrath of the Western Empire?” I asked. This time, I focused my gaze on her eyes, boring holes into them.

She played with her fingers before speaking. “They believe we have it.” She started. “The moonstone, granted to Lord Zarin by the moon goddess.”

“Interesting…” I rubbed my jaw thoughtfully. There were no beards there but who cares… it’s how guys think.

“Where is it?”

“What…what are you talking about?” She seemed confused.

“The moonstone. Where is it?” I asked again, as I stood up and walked closer to her.

“I don’t know.”

“Don’t you dare lie to me!” I thundered. She flinched in fright.

“I swear I don’t know!!” She replied. “I have never seen it before. I always thought it was a myth.”

“She’s telling the truth.” My wolf spoke. I frowned. “Don’t involve yourself in this.” I warned and he went silent. He would probably shut me out for days.

It’s how different we were.

“The Western Empire must have seen something to make them believe it was in your clan.” I said to her, then I faced Thane. “If the stone really exists, then we must find it. It might be our only hope.” I said and he nodded before walking out.

Natasha walked in.

“Prepare a room for the guest.” I told Natasha, then I faced the girl. “You’d better not be lying to me.” I said sternly before walking out.

“The one my ass!” I swore as I walked into my chambers.