Chapter 3 AT THE PACKHOUSE... The atmosphere

AT THE PACKHOUSE

The atmosphere was tense even as the cool early morning breeze blew across the gigantic structure of the Twin Sparks Island Packhouse. Of course, why won't everyone be filled with eagerness as they all await the outcome of the day? Of all people, Zanlagar, the great seer, has visited the Packhouse at this early hour of the day.

There has been great tension in the Packhouse for months now. Lycan Ryder, the fearsome Dragon Lycan king, has sent a note to the Pack, and in it are words clearly spelled out.

'Drancudie Dynasty vows

to invade Twin Sparks Island

and leave it in shambles

in the nearest future.'

In the note, it is stated that nothing would avert this impending wrath. However, to escape from this, Alpha Xavier was given the task of presenting a gift capable of appealing to Lycan Ryder. But then everyone knows the Dragon Lycan king of the Drancudie Dynasty. He hated werewolves, and nothing could be more appealing to him than seeing them destroyed. Their ruins-yes, their ruins-would be the only thing to appease the Dragon Lycan King.

The pack has since lived in fear, and the fact of the note has remained an open secret among the werewolves. Everyone is fervently praying and hoping that the fearsome Lycan delays his mission of doom.

Since the reception of the note, Alpha Xavier has eagerly awaited the arrival of Zanlagar, the seer. Twin Sparks Island can be said to be the strongest pack, but what chance does it possess against the mystical powers of the Drancudie Dynasty?

The only chance it has is the seer, and now he is here. At a point like this one, only the seer can say what step can be taken or what could appease the bloodthirsty heart of the Dragon Lycan king.

For ages, packs have been left in ruins by the mere breath from the mouth of the dragon lycan king. He shows no mercy wherever he invades, not even to sucking children. His slogan is "Even a toddler werewolf is a betrayer to shifters." Thus, he kills even babies in the womb. He rips open the womb, brings out the little foetus, and tears it to shreds with his bare hands.

Betrayers, yes, that is what he sees werewolves as. They are soft and weak and should be wiped out of existence. To the Lycan, werewolves are worse off than humans.

"You will have to get her, the maiden with the green pearl. She is his doom, his greatest fear," Zanlagar spoke, his voice echoing.

"Her, with the green pearl... how do I know her?" Alpha Xavier asked.

It was joyous to hear the seer come up with a solution. Alpha Xavier loves the members of his pack. For ages, his family has remained the alpha of the pack and has always had the full support of its members. On his part, he has been a good alpha to his people, doing everything to protect them.

"You must go out in search of her. Always be kind to strangers, and when you find her, make her your luna. With her by your side, the Dragon Lycan King will trouble the pack no more. She bears his neutralizer," he explained.

"A stranger? Is she my mate?" Alpha Xavier inquired further.

"She only bears the green pearl on the right side of her neck. It glows under the full moon," Zanlagar replied.

"Oh... okay," Alpha Xavier said. He knew it was futile to persuade the seer to say more than he intended to.

"You must get her soon, alpha," Zanlagar declared.

After these last words, he took his bow and found his way out.

As soon as the seer was gone, beta Jasleen drew closer to the alpha and whispered. "Now you have to go searching for a stranger; how difficult can this get?"

"Now I am beginning to doubt the seer has a solution to our predicament," Alpha Xavier murmured, feeling defeated.

"No, don't say so. Zanlagar has done even more for this pack. He has been with us even in much more difficult times. All we need to do is find this stranger," Beta Jasleen appealed.

"Yes, of course, we have to wait for the full moon," Alpha Xavier replied.

"She has the green petals on the right side of her neck," beta Jasleen countered.

"And it only glows on the full moon," Alpha Xavier pointed out.

"But then who says that it cannot glow at other times?" Beta Jasleen decides to remain positive.

"And now I should go about meeting strangers," alpha Xavier nodded as he said this. He could not imagine how bad this could get.

"You are a good alpha; the people love you." beta Jasleen said. "And who says you must do that in person? We all have to be on the lookout for the lady with the green pearl on the right side of her neck," beta Jasleen remarked.

"I might have to go out now, Jasleen," Alpha Xavier announced.

"To where, alpha?" beta Jasleen asked.

"Remember, I have a search to carry out," he replied.

"This early..." beta Jasleen was stunned.