Blurb. "Run, Zayne, run! Do not look back, keep running." Those were the last words Zayne's father spoke before chaos and bloodshed took over everything. From a young age, Zayne lived his life hiding his identity, he never for once revealed himself as an alpha. After the mysterious attack in his village, one that claimed the lives of his parents and many other villagers. He spent all his life hiding and determined to take revenge on whoever might have killed his parents and took his right from him. Life in the city came with a lot of pleasure and pain. Amidst all, he found love, and stumbled across some wicked packs of hidden werewolves that attacked the city most night, leaving no trace behind. Will love be enough to overcome the fire of revenge burning in Zayan's heart? Will his encounter with these hidden werewolves affect his stay in the city? Will he be able to avenge the murder of his parents and gain his right place as the alpha? The Hide is a story of loss, revenge, love and what it means to rise again from the ashes. Summary. The story begins in a small, remote forest, where an alpha king, his queen, and their young son, Zayne, live peacefully, rulling a small village with wisdom, and kindness. But, tragedy strikes the village when it gets attacked by a mysterious and savage force claiming the life of many including the alpha king and his queen, leaving Zayne as the sole survivor. Forced to flee, he escaped into the city, determined to uncover the truth behind the destruction of his family and village. In the city, Zayne meets Aria, a strong and mysterious lady who captures his heart in a way he can't explain. One night, Zayne stumbles upon a horrifying scene: a pack of wolves feasting on a body. This shocking discovery changes everything. He tried to leave the scenes quietly, but, unfortunately, he was seen by one of them, they pursued him, but Zayne was lucky enough to escape. So, they began hunting him relentlessly. Unknown to the both of them, Aria is a member of the very pack hunting Zayne, while Zayne hides his identity as the rightful Alpha. As their love deepens, the truth about each other comes to light. Zayne got to find out that the pack's ruthleseader, Draven, his Father's distant brother, was behind the downfall and attack of his village. Usurped Zayne's rightful place as Alpha and forced him into exile. When Draven discovers Zayne and Aria's relationship, he kidnaps Aria to lure Zayne into a final confrontation. Zayne must fight to protect his love, reclaim his birthright and save himself at all cost. Resolution: In a dramatic turn of events, Draven got betrayed and poisoned by a member of his own pack. With their leader gone, the pack disbanded, and many wolves pledged their loyalty to Zayne. Zayan returned back to his birthplace with Aria, where they rebuilt the village and established a new life under Zayne's rightful leadership as Alpha. Characters & Characterization Zayan: the male lead. Age: 24 Appearance: Zayan is tall with broad shoulders and muscular features. He possesses a keen jawline, penetrating blue eyes and voluminous dark hair that carries an aura of effortless charisma. Besides all of the above, he has a scar going diagonally from his left brow, which he received from the tragedy that broke his village. His movements are quick, and in a predatory fashion, which suggests an underside alpha character in him. Personality: Zayne is reserved, calm, cautious, kind and mysterious. He's fiercely loyal, intelligent, and resourceful, with a deep moral compass despite his thirst for revenge. He is also impaired on vulnerability and it is a characteristic to keep people at bay rather than to share it with them. Lastly, when he loves, he does that with everything within him, with the whole of him. Backstory: Zayne was born into an alpha bloodline, and was raised with the expectation that one day, he'd make a successful Alpha and lead his pack. He grew up getting his father's lessons in leadership and loyalty. However, the sudden tragedy that struck his village and family, changed everything, forcing him to flee as a child. He managed to slip into his native city under cover of secrecy and learned to conceal his authentic self in the world of man. Motivation: The propellant of his action is to expose the [perfect truth], and to reclaim his alpha status. At first, he was motivated by vengeance, but over and over, his passion for Aria, and a love of the innocent, gradually began to direct his attention toward justice and helping people heal. Aria. (Zayne's lover) the female lead. Age: 23 Appearance: Aria is a small but fit girl. She possesses an attractive personality which goes well with her figure. Her full, glossy, dark brown hair enshrouding her rounded face in such a delicate way, and her dark brown eyes has the power to
Chapter 1 A DAY IN THE FOREST
The sun filtered through the leafy crown of the trees and cast a dappled mosaic of shadows onto the nearby forest floor. The sound of birdsong, the sound of leaves and the low murmuring of a stream all mingled to fill the streets with sound, flowing gently through the center of the village. This was not an ordinary forest, it was alive and extraordinary in a way that only those bound by the blood of wolves could understand.
Right in the middle of this serene paradise, a boy dashed through the trees, his laughter ringing like a sweet melody in the air. His joyful sound echoed to the ears as a light tune floating on the breeze. Zayne's bare feet made almost no noise as he hopped over roots and sidestepped low hanging branches and his blue eyes bulged in delight as he pursued a butterfly with strikingly colored wings against the olive green scenery.
"Zayne!" A booming, authoritative voice rattled down the path ahead, and halted him dead in his tracks. Turning, his face brightened on seeing his father appear from afar.
"C'mon, boy." Alpha Orion told him, gesturing with his arms.
Alpha Orion stood tall and imposing above Zayne, his broad shoulders framed by the sunlight that seemed to bow to his presence. But, his expression softened as his gaze landed on his son.
"Father, you're here," Zayne, with a smile, leaped to his father. Orion chuckled, ruffling the boy's unruly hair.
"A future Alpha is not supposed to chase butterflies in the woods, son. He learns how to boss," he remarked, smoothing the top layer of his cheeks as he smiled knowingly.
Zayne pouted, crossing his arms. "But I'm not an Alpha yet, father."
"Not yet," Orion said, bending down to meet his son's eye. "But one day, you will be. And when that time comes, you'll need to know the value of strength, wisdom, and kindness. he added.
As the words settled in Zayne's mind, another figure approached from behind his father, her presence was as calming as the gentle breeze that swayed the trees in the cool of the day Queen Liora, her golden hair catching the sunlight, joined them with a smile that could soothe even the most restless of hearts.
"Still teaching life lessons, Orion? she jokingly said, wrapping an arm around her husband.
"Always," he replied, pulling her close.
Zayne observed his parents with a blend of admiration and curiosity. They were the pillars of his world, their bond was unshakable, and their strength was unmatched. It's been more than ten years he had been living in the same house with his parents, and he could not pick out a day he had ever seen them have a misunderstanding.
He wanted to be just like them-wise like his father, compassionate like his mother, and fearless like both.
"Come, Zayne," Queen Liora said, holding out her hand. Come on, let's go have something to eat now before your father decides to transform this forest into a giant lecture hall", she quipped and they both laughed.
On their way back to their home, a majestic, yet simple, dwelling among the trees, the villagers offered them with those smiles and courteous bow as marks of their welcome. The village was a tight-knit community, bound not only by their shared blood but by love and their unwavering loyalty to the Alpha family.
"Mother, I wanna be like you and father when I'm older" Zayne confessed, looking up to his mother.
"What do you mean, Zayne? She was amused but curious to know what he meant.
"I wanna be strong, kind, and fierce like father, then loving, compassionate, and fearless like you, mother.
Queen Liora saw Zayne's face light up with such an intense sincerity as he spoke.
"You're a good boy, Zayne. And, your father and I are so proud to have you as our son. she said. However, she could perceive how his face shone with such joy.
The walk back home was filled with ecstasy between the two, they got home and Zayne was made to take a cold bath.
Over a simple but hearty meal during the evening, the family laughed and shared stories. Orion then told the story of his maiden hunt and added just the tiniest fabrication so as to make Zayne's eyes bulge with surprise.
"Did you really fight off three bears at once? Zayne asked, his voice full of awe.
"Mother, is that true, did father really fight three bears? He asked, his voice filled with awe and curiosity.
Orion smirked, looked at Liora, but she made a face. "Not three, maybe, but still a doozy."
Zayne leaned forward, hanging on to every word. His heart swelled with pride, imagining himself standing tall and brave like his father.
"Eat up, son. Your food is getting cold. Queen Liora said, breaking the stillness that had lingered for some seconds.
"Okay, mother." He responded. And the dinner was enclosed by the sound produced by the spoons and plates.
On that night, underneath the starry skies and the sound of the forest as a life song emanating from the other villagers. Zayne lay on his bed, staring out of the window reminiscing about how his day went, from the butterfly that caught his attention with its vibrant colours in the woods, to the moments shared with his parents. He smiled as the memories of everything flooded his mind, he smiled, and whispered a silent promise to himself.
"One day, I'll be the strongest Alpha this forest has ever known." He said, standing up from his bed, gesturing with his hand like a fighter, a warrior, a strong man. But, falls back to his bed in exhaustion. He turned to the oil lamp beside him and blew some air to it and watched as it extinguishes.
But as the forest sang Its lullaby, a shadow passed silently through the trees, unseen by all but the moon and the shimmering stars. The tranquility of the night remained unbroken, but the air carried an unspoken warning: something was coming, a tragedy, one that would change everything, and no one was ready for that which is to come. No one, not even Alpha Orion.