Chapter 1 Arrival at Illadora

The frosty wind blew across the forest submerged by the thick fog. The trees, rocks, and shrubs were all frozen as the storm increased. The wild fang shadow pack kept running into the roaring mist, their paws dipping into the whiteness of the earth. They had to utilize their abilities of foresight so they can see through the blurry atmosphere. Riven Jones, the alpha of the pack trotted forward leading the pack with his beta, Sylvester Stones beside him. They were migrating to a new region as their previous abode had been destroyed by the turbulent storm.

Due to their superhuman speed as werewolves, they were extremely fast to arrive at Illadora, their destined location.

Illadora was a kingdom situated in the eastern region of the continent of Alcaros. It was indeed a kingdom of wealth as the landscape was generously supplied with diverse hard elements and rare gems. The kingdom had everything in abundance which made it the dreamland of different packs to build their territory. These ignited a lot of squabble between both parties as they engaged in a duel to possess the land. The losers are then made to serve as slaves, captives or are instantly assassinated.

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Riven's POV

We suddenly reached our expected destination. I signaled the pack to halt while I started sniffing the floor in curiosity."we're here", I plangently announced. They seemed to be happy yet curious about what was inside.

"Is it safe to go in?" my mom Audrey asked, staring hesitantly at me with her brown eyes. I could sense her wolf was worried as she felt reluctant to go inside.

"We would have to spy on it before going in".l wouldn't want to endanger the pack with my drastic actions. My coronation was just a few days ago so I would endeavor to lead the pack with wisdom as required of an alpha king.

"Sylvester"l beckoned on my beta. He was intimate with me as my beta and I trusted him so much.

"Gather the best royal guards and let's go inspect the city".He nods, selecting five zetas to accompany us into the city. When we got to the entrance of the city, we shifted to our human form to avoid suspicion. A guy five feet tall opened the gigantic gate. Studying his physiques, I could tell no doubt that he was a werewolf too.

"Can you show us the alpha of this pack",l said, trying to find out who the werewolf king was so I could take him down. He just stared at me. l could read his mind and I knew that it was filled with suspicion as parlor was written all over his mean-looking face. We made our way into the city as eyes gawked at us from every corner, maybe, they knew what we are there for?

The city was outstanding with stunning features. Marbles, jasper, and so many precious stones tarred the floor as normal stones did. The bright and calm weather coupled up with exquisite ornamental plants gave an atmosphere of tranquility to the kingdom."This is worth fighting for"l said to myself. When we got to the palace, we met the alpha king, Brock Stiles, of the dark moon pack. He felt uneasy at our presence but still, he did let us in.

"To what do I owe this unannounced visit," he remarked with a grin on his face.

"I've come to claim this kingdom so i would advise you gently step down" I retorted with all boldness in my voice.

He laughed throatily before he continued the discussion "And you think it's gonna be easy?"

"I don't give up without a fight ", he snarled, revealing his sharp fangs.

"Very well then, expect your doom"l growled slowly as my eyes glowed crimson red, looking very monstrous.

I could feel my wolf, Keanu, in rage as he was ready to attack while Brock's wolf growled at me. Sylvester and the Zetas were also assuming their position to strike but I refrained them from fighting.

"Do well to consider my proposal. Tomorrow, we meet for the duel"l concluded with a smirk on my face before taking my leave.

"I'm not afraid of you! I don't accept defeat either!". I could hear him yell. It was no use since I was known by my pack as the strongest shapeshifter who fought and killed brutally. He had to accept his fate because I wasn't going to spare him after all.

We returned to where my pack camped after they declined to give us a place to stay. It was obvious they weren't elated that we came to conquer them and rule the kingdom, of course, no one would. I didn't care much because I knew I would beat him in the fight. My mother didn't like me fighting as she is a witness to how ferocious and monstrous I killed in every combat. But this time, she had a rethink, viewing it as an advantage to possess the kingdom of Illadora.

The night arrived as dark clouds consecutively floated across the full moon.l howled and shifted to my werewolf form while my beta, Sylvester, and some Zetas followed, darting into the forest like whirlwinds for hunting.

"How do you feel about tomorrow?", Sylvester asked me while we kept running.

I didn't expect such a question as I thought it wasn't necessary. Everyone in the pack had seen how cruel I was when it came to a fight. However I replied, "I can't wait to claw his throat and end his reign"

"Hope you go easy on him?", he said, leaping to a tree when he spotted a prey.

As we were engrossed in the conversation, my eyes widened as I saw shadows pass in a flash.l knew they were not friends but enemies.Five giant lycans encircled me gazing menacingly at me. I howled for backup from the Zetas but there was no response. Sylvester too was surrounded by three werewolves so I couldn't call for his help.

"Who sent you?"I asked them through my mind link, still staying on guard.

"It's none of your business but we'll be sure you don't participate in the duel tomorrow "an equal reply sounded from one of them.

I could recognize those icy blue eyes, they belonged to the beta at the palace. My claws scratch the floor as my paws stretch to make a high leap. Even though, their size was thrice larger than mine I wasn't scared of them because I had the ability to do same.

"Oooohhhh!!"I howled again but no one came, perhaps they might have been taken out, long before we knew.

I sealed my fury eyes at them waiting for their first strike. They advanced to my direction in the group. One bounced on me leaving a sharp cut on my back. I flung him high up into the clear sky and plunged my claws into the belly of another ripping out his guts. The beta werewolf growled at me loudly, extending his jaw like an elastic band with his tongue drooling. He jumped at me, releasing a heavy blow at me while I thwarted it knocking him to the earth. In defeat, he rose from the ground and sped off into the thick forest. The other werewolf enveloped with fear also ran speedily away from the forest into the wilderness but I pursued and caught up with him.

"Send this message to him, I'm still waiting for the duel tomorrow," I told him before slashing out his right limb fiercely.

I purposely maimed him so that he can deliver my message to whoever sent him. My incisive claws did that just in a slash.l sped back to the forest leaving him groaning as he transformed to his human form. Sylvester

was still busy, finishing the last one as his claws tore him apart. He whacked him to a far distance in great force which dismembered the werewolf's body parts. Blood splattered on his face and smeared on the grass.

"Nice job", I applauded him. Sylvester was always good at what he did. That's why I chose him as my beta.

"Quick! let's hurry and check on the pack" he urged me, fleeing into the darkness of the forest.

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Audrey POV

I kept wondering why my son and his beta hadn't returned as I feared they might have been attacked. My brown eyes peered into the dark visualizing two silhouettes in the similitude of werewolves racing towards my direction. I gasped in fear as the thought of being attacked slammed into my mind. However, as the figures approached, I was able to recognize my son, Riven. He possessed great agility whenever he was running.

"Mom! Are you okay?" he queried, holding up my shoulders when he reached me.

"I'm fine. I was worried about you too", my compassionate eyes gazed into his perturbed eyeballs.

"We were ambushed while we were hunting by some unidentified shifters", Sylvester spoke, shifting back to his human form.

"Are you hurt? Oh God! You're bleeding", I exclaimed while caressing the gash on Riven's neck.

"Stop fretting Mom, it's gonna heal in no distant time. The best thing we've got to do now is to keep watch while we sleep. I think Brock has a hand in this", he told me, laying on the marsh to rest.

I didn't want to disturb him further because he had a duel to face tomorrow. I did hope he emerges a champion so he will prove to the pack that he was capable of ruling them.

Suddenly, I felt fear the next moment as this thoughts formed in my head. What if Brock Stiles was a hybrid monster too and ends up killing Riven in the fight? What will become of the pack?