Chapter 5 Founding Families

Amethyst

This land was triple the size of Stone Heart. I couldn't contain the awe in my expression as I soaked in the vast territory of the Blood Moon pack. Kaden had a variety of women and men's clothing stored at the border. Opted for the washout ripped jeans and a plain v-neck black shirt.

At the border, it was surrounded with huge gates that reminded me of a prison. About ten men that I could make out were standing guard while the rest were camouflaged. Fear started to lick up my spine, I imagined a prison with murderous wolves surrounding me like I was their next meal.

Jade didn't emit all the emotions crawling under my skin, she felt at peace. Like someone had ran their fingers through her fur and told her everything would be fine. She felt a familiarity to the territory or to the pack, I wasn't sure since this the first encounter with both.

The experience I expected was shattered by what I received. The Stone Heart pack was located within the forest, each house was made from logs that resembled the stone age. Alpha Jack never took care of his land, we blended into the forest like vines around an old house.

The Blood Moon pack was different.

It was a step into the future. They lived within the forest as well, but it was like stepping into another realm. Cemented pavements, brick-built houses that are painted white or grey. Poled lights at each stop for the night so that they weren't bathed in darkness, a gigantic fountain of two wolves battling each other. Small pups played around the terrifying marbled fountain with huge smiles on their tiny faces, praising what appeared to be their ancestors.

Everyone had on genuine smiles, no terror or sadness lurking in their eyes. They are overflowing with happiness and joy that this pack provides them. I think back to Stone Heart pack where everyone was ruled with fear, everyone was in a constant state of sadness.

In the deadliest pack, everyone is happy.

Shifting my attention to Kaden, suddenly reminded that he was next to me, I catch him studying me watching his people. A ghost of a smile on his face. "Thought you would see dead bodies and people ravenous for meat?" he teased.

Jade laughed, she laughed at his joke. I snort even though I grow hot from embarrassment. "Yes"

He chuckles and it makes me smile, a sound that radiates utter joy and felt like sweet melodies to my ears. For a moment, I completely forget why I am here. He grows silent, mind linking someone and motions for me to follow him. We walk into the midst of the crowd; they are going to the mall and everyone that passes Kaden greets him with respect. He shakes their hand, questions them about themselves or family. It's astounding how he remembers each of there names and details regarding there life. I gather he is someone of importance by there demeanour and respect.

Kaden and the Blood Moon pack are the opposite of my old pack.

After about twenty minutes, we finally make it to the mansion. It can be compared to a castle, the eerie vibe as it is secluded from the rest of the pack. Painted black everywhere, from the roof tiles to the pointed towers on each side. The double doors at the entrance had a gold crest of the wolves that were structed at the fountain, only fire surrounding them.

Wasn't that a bit too dark?

Apparently, he mind linked with someone and the doors made a loud clicking sound before opening. Compared to the exterior that resembled a haunted mansion, the inside was bathed in white. White tiles, polished to the point that I could see our reflection. The walls were matte snow and if you stepped closer, there were intricate designs imprinted into them in white as well, therefore it gave an illusion.

The house was quiet to the point that you could hear a pin drop, weren't there other people that lived here? Surely, he didn't stay in this place all by himself.

"Do you stay here?" I ask, trailing behind him as I take in the artwork hung on the walls. They were brush strokes, different colours melting into each other. It made me want to study it, attempt to figure out what simple colours could make.

"Yes"

Not bothering to wander, falling into his steps as the smell of rain suddenly knocks me off my feet. His scent is intoxicating and causes massive, short circuits in my brain and I don't know why. He doesn't even know that the scent of rain perfumes the air from his skin.

"Do other people live here?"

We halt at a black door.

There is some sort of screen against the door, and he places his thumb, a green scanner flashing before the sound of locks opening fills the silence.

"Yes, only a few"

I don't get a chance to ponder on the answer because he opens the door and gestures for me to go in first. It's bathed in darkness; the blinds are closed. He switches on a light, highlighting the office in front of me. A raven-coloured desk situated near the large window that probably overlooks the pack, stacks of books on either side of our history over the years and records of pack members. There are two seats opposite the head of the desk, and it seems to be maintained regularly by how pristine it is. The scent of lavender and herbs mingle together.

Kaden closes the door and walks towards the left bookcase. Pulling out a couple books and pressing a button, suddenly the bookcase moves. It reveals a small silver safe, a single keyhole. Kaden takes off a necklace that I didn't even see, a matching key at the end and pushes into it.

He pulls out a thick beige folder, closing the safe and the bookcase shifts back into place. Slipping the necklace back around his neck and moving towards the desk, he stands behind it while I halt at the front. His eyes are a mixture of pain and anger, they are a beckon into his soul even if his features don't comply.

"You should sit down for this" his deep voice suggests.

"I'm good"

In return, he doesn't take the seat as well. We both stand, his body still towering over me. Setting the folder on the table, I expect for him to open it, but he doesn't.

"Your parents were the Alpha and Luna of his pack" he starts.

My eyes widen in shock, goosebumps arising on my skin. That cannot be, I am not the daughter of an alpha. There is no way, its not possible. I held no characteristics remotely close to an Alpha or Luna.

I couldn't argue, my tongue feeling like sandpaper. Jade seems just as shocked by this piece of information.

'Didn't see that coming Purple'

Kaden continues despite my surprise. "There are five founding families in charge of the entire werewolf existence. They are said to be the first bloodline of werewolves to ever exist, essentially, they are royalty to our kind. To make sure that the founding families don't go extinct, it is required for them to have pups, regardless of if it's one or ten. Whether its by your mate or chosen, the rules don't matter as long as you produce an heir to continue your bloodline"

Now, I'm speechless. Maybe its due to the Stone Heart pack keeping secrets from us but there has never been any mention of these five founding families. Come to think of it, Alpha Jack altered our education to fit his desires rather than give us the actual history of our people.

"I didn't know about these families"

He nods. "Some packs tend to not inform their people about these families because that provides the imagery that there are people above your Alpha. If they don't teach you about the five founding families then you won't cause an uproar and challenge the alpha, it's a tactic in order to instil fear"

That aligns perfectly with the Stone Heart pack.

"Among the founding families, there is a ranking system that differs every year. The fifth position belongs to the Harrow family, fourth is the Ravenstone family, third is the Knight family, second position belongs to the Hale family and number one is the Phoenix family" he informs.

I don't answer, waiting for him to continue.

"Alpha Jeremy and Luna Sofia, your parents, where not only the leaders of the Blood Moon pack but they were number one in the founding families for years. Your dad is of the Phoenix bloodline, you are Amethyst Phoenix, the last heir"