Chapter 1: Pilot
The dense forest around the Crimson Night Pack's central clearing was alive with the chatter of the pack members.
They had gathered for a pack meeting.
"Woah," Felicia dropped her jaw seeing how many people had gathered there. She felt like a mouse amid cats. Even though they were all of the same pack and her late father was a respected member of the pack who served the previous Alpha, Felicia is dubbed "The wolfless wolf" for her inability to transform.
Most children awaken their wolves between the ages of 12 and 15, while prodigies awaken between the ages of 7 and 10. Felicia, who was 18, had lost all hope of awakening her wolf.
Why were the pack members gathered here today? It was because of a life changing declaration that was about to be passed.
Lector, the pack's Beta, stood on the raised platform, his stance firm and his face serious.
The Beta's role was to represent the Alpha's decisions and announcements, and Lector did this with confidence and respect.
As the last of the evening's chatter died down, Lector raised his hand to call for silence. "Attention, everyone!" he shouted. The murmur of the crowd faded into a respectful hush.
Lector took a deep breath, his eyes scanning the sea of eager faces. Among them was Felicia, an orphan whose past was marked by loss and service. She stood on the edge of the crowd, her posture tense and her eyes fixed on the Beta. Felicia's parents had served the previous Alpha faithfully, and their memory lingered in the pack's history like a quiet shadow.
Lector's voice broke through the silence.
"Tonight, I have the honor of sharing important news. Our Alpha has chosen his mate, and the bonding ceremony will be held under the next full moon. This is a significant moment for our pack, one that represents unity and strength."
A wave of excitement swept through the crowd. Whispers of curiosity and speculation spread quickly, as the Alpha's choice of mate always attracted attention and had a big impact on the pack's future.
Felicia's heart pounded. Her life had always been closely tied to the pack's history, but she kept her distance, staying out of the spotlight.
Now, she couldn't help but wonder who the chosen mate was and what it would mean for her.
Lector's voice rose above the buzz. "And now, let us welcome our Alpha." He stepped aside, and the crowd parted respectfully.
The clearing grew quiet, except for the gentle rustling of leaves and the distant sounds of nighttime creatures. Every eye turned toward the entrance where Alpha Tyrus would appear.
Alpha Tyrus stepped into the clearing, his presence commanding attention. He was a large, strong figure, his dark fur streaked with silver that gleamed in the moonlight. His powerful aura demanded both respect and awe.
Tyrus walked confidently to the center of the clearing, his eyes scanning the pack members. Without hesitation, he lifted his head and let out a powerful howl, a sound that echoed through the forest and bounced off the trees.
The howl was a sign of his leadership and his deep connection with the pack.
One by one, the pack members joined in, their voices blending into a powerful chorus that filled the night air. The howls were full of pride and excitement, celebrating their leader's news.
As the howling died down, Tyrus's intense gaze briefly rested on Felicia before he turned back to the pack. Felicia felt a shiver run down her spine at the Alpha's glance, a mix of nervousness and curiosity filling her.
Lector stepped forward; his voice clear. "The Alpha has spoken. We look forward to the bonding ceremony under the full moon. Until then, let us prepare for this important event."
The pack members began to leave, their excited chatter filling the night. Felicia stayed behind, her mind racing with questions and emotions.
The upcoming ceremony promised to be a turning point, and she couldn't shake the feeling that her own story was about to change in unexpected ways.
As the last of the pack members departed, Felicia looked up at the moon that bathed the clearing in its soft light. She could feel that change was coming, but what that change would bring was still unknown.
With a deep breath, she turned and walked slowly back to her quarters, the weight of the evening's news heavy on her shoulders but also tinged with a hint of hope.
The clearing was quieter than usual as the pack members gathered, their faces filled with curiosity and a bit of nervousness. The night air was cool, carrying the earthy smells of the forest and the faint sound of leaves rustling. The full moon hung high above, casting a soft light over the gathering below.
Tyrus, the Alpha, stood at the center of the clearing, his strong figure outlined by the moonlight.
His expression was serious as he prepared to speak. The crowd grew silent, knowing that tonight's announcement was important.
Tyrus began to speak, his voice strong and steady. "Last night, I was visited by the Moon Goddess," he said. The crowd reacted with awe. It was rare for the Moon Goddess to appear, and everyone knew it was a big deal.
Tyrus paused, letting his words sink in. He looked out at the pack members, his gaze steady. "Before she left, she showed me the face of my fated mate."
A murmur of excitement spread through the crowd. People started to whisper to each other. The idea of being chosen as the Alpha's mate was both exciting and daunting, and everyone was eager to find out more.
Tyrus raised his hand, signaling for quiet. "My fated mate," he continued, "is somewhere in this crowd right now."
This announcement caused a lot of chatter among the pack members, especially the girls, who looked at each other with excitement. The thought of being the Alpha's mate was a dream for many, and now that dream seemed possible for one of them.
Amidst the noise, Felicia stood a bit apart, her face calm as she watched. Her best friend, Rwanda, who had been with her since childhood, leaned in and whispered with excitement.
"Felicia, can you imagine? How amazing would it be to be chosen as the Alpha's mate?" Rwanda's eyes sparkled with excitement, her voice barely heard over the crowd's chatter.
Felicia shook her head with a small smile, but her eyes were distant. "Rwanda, don't get too excited. It's just a dream. I don't want to get my hopes up for something that might never happen."
Rwanda's excitement faded a little, but she quickly tried to cheer up. "Come on, Felicia. This is real imagine if one of us gets chosen!"
Felicia waved off her friend's comment. "I appreciate you being excited, but I don't see why I should dream about something that's probably not for me."
Chapter 2: Took My Shine