The Alpha and Me

Date 14. The peace and tranquility that have long shrouded the Lunaria Forest have been shattered. It was caused by a horde of Xylvaneth Pack, exhausted by unrest.

The noise was thunderous. The silence was oppressive. Every breath was no longer comforting as seconds passed in uncertainty.

Restlessness, like a thick darkness, deepened, casting a shadow over hope. The future was shrouded in the uncertain clouds of fate. Everything became one, then clumped together, giving rise to despair.

Hope rebelled. In gazes that tried to pierce the dark night, they offered prayers. Was there a chance that fate would smile upon them?

Days have turned into months. Time unfolded in units of years. All endurance and patience became silent witnesses of a long wait. It was not wrong for them to demand a solution now.

"Oh, children of the wolves!"

The echoing voice of Ursa Waverly, The Sacred Elder of the pack, resounded. She broke the silence of the night with a call that echoed through the air. Both hands raised, she tilted her head back, gazing at the full moon.

The wind hummed. Leaves rustled. Shadows that were once still now sway. Everything has lost direction. Everything has gone astray, and only one thing has managed to calm it.

Ursa closed her eyes for a moment. She felt the caress of the night wind, then her lips parted and she spoke again.

"Our wait is at an end."

*

Azera Cordelia Ross tried to remember the reasons that had successfully compelled her to return to the village of Avaluna, her birthplace and the place where she had spent her childhood with memories that were anything but pleasant. As far as she remembered, she had decided to accept the offer of her college friends who had invited her for a vacation to La Bay Beach. But here she was, in a dilapidated house with blood dripping from her forehead.

Era shouldn't have come back. That irrational decision proved to be yet another reason why not everyone has a hometown worth longing for. She should have erased the name Avaluna from her life and continued to live as an orphan.

In Era's eyes, she stopped having a family about ten years ago, when her mother, Sylvie Blair, took her last breath. Sylvie died and a life of misfortune began.

Era's childhood was a sad time, but without Sylvie, her life became a living hell. She no longer had a protector, defender or comforter.

The days became an endless apocalypse. Not a moment passed without the constant threat of fear. Tears had long since dried up, replaced by blood, often flowing from various wounds.

The hope and fragments of beautiful dreams that Sylvie had whispered for so long slowly faded away. Era's eyes were wide open; reality had slapped her. Not everyone is blessed with a happy life; some have to endure times of suffering.

"I love you, Era."

Unfortunately, Era couldn't leave the world just like that. Sylvie's love echoed in her mind every time she cried. She remembered the days when Sylvie had caressed and defended her with love, then she realized that what Sylvie wanted was her happiness.

Sylvie had tried to protect Era by risking her life. Era shouldn't waste all of Sylvie's sacrifices and give up so easily.

You're strong, Era. You're a strong woman. Hang in there.

Then another voice, from an unknown source, appeared. Era didn't know exactly when, but the voice always appeared at the right time, usually when things weren't going well. Like about thirty minutes ago.

Era arrived in the village of Avaluna as the sun began to set. The clock still showed four in the afternoon, and the villagers were wrapping up their activities. Some had finished gathering wood in the forest, others had just returned from the gardens, and many were leaving the office buildings. The atmosphere buzzed with activity for a moment before returning to silence before nightfall.

Everyone had returned to their homes. The streets were empty again. Era didn't meet many people along the way, except for those who were forced to continue working - some had to stay at the restaurant, the pharmacy, or the police station.

As a small village on the slopes of Monte Astralis, Avaluna didn't offer much comfort to its inhabitants. The reason for this was the unfriendly climate. It seemed as if there were only two seasons, fall and cold.

The sun rarely shone. Mostly it was the fog that formed the canopy of the sky. Daylight was shorter than night, and rain could fall unexpectedly at any time.

It's no wonder that many of Avaluna's inhabitants began to leave. Most of them were looking for a better life in the city. It wasn't just about jobs, as the government paid special attention to those who stayed, but also about the quality of life, which they felt they couldn't get in the village of Avaluna.

Era became one of them. She left Avaluna at the age of eighteen. She was considered an adult because she had graduated from high school. So when people questioned her journey-at least the bus driver and the traffic police-she simply answered that she was going to continue her studies in the city.

After that, real life greeted Era. She could breathe freely, and with the bright sun shining, everything seemed easier. Without the shouts and angry slaps, she realized that this must be the life Sylvie had always wanted.

Ah, yes. Mama.

Finally, Era remembered why she had refused the invitation to La Bay Beach. It must have been because she missed Sylvie, and only a visit to her grave could ease that longing.

Unfortunately, as she left the grave, Era ran into someone she despised the most.

Amias Ross stood right in front of Era. His appearance was disheveled, with an unbuttoned shirt and a shabby jacket that seemed to have not been washed in who knew how long. His face was messy, his breath heavy, and he stared at Era with a sneer.

"At last, we meet again, you disobedient child."

Era froze. The night wind blew, and she felt the increasing cold make her shiver. Her teeth began to chatter and she shivered.

"Papa."

Amias staggered forward under the influence of alcohol. He approached Era with a fleeting memory that had crossed his mind; earlier he couldn't believe the information about Era's return.

"I saw you visiting Sylvie's grave. You must miss her."

This time, Era couldn't say anything. It was probably because the cold had really penetrated her whole body, and her tongue was also frozen and couldn't move at all.

"Same here. I miss Sylvie and you, Era."

After that, Era couldn't remember exactly what happened. Everything happened so fast that she couldn't even scream for help when Amias slapped her.

Era's vision blurred. Her body swayed. Her consciousness was on the edge, and before she knew it, she was already home.

Era lay helpless on the ground. Trying to regain her focus, she saw Amias rifling through her backpack. He emptied everything inside and found what he was looking for - a wallet.

Era's moans got Amias' attention. He turned around as he opened Era's wallet, then frowned.

"Is this all you have?"

Era didn't answer. She didn't care about the money Amias had taken, but she realized something. Apparently, she was still powerless under Amias' intimidation, completely unchanged. Fear and terror always managed to make her tremble.

Amias snorted. "You're just a useless child."

Amias slapped the purse in Era's face. The owner remained silent, holding her breath. She was familiar with Amias' nature, but for some reason it felt different this time.

Stand up, Era. Don't let him keep you down.

Her lungs began to work again. Air came in and circulated the blood to her head. Era tried to ignore the voice.

But fate knew exactly how to drive Era into a corner. It showed her that the arrogant figure standing before her was not quite human.

"Hello, Bart. It seems I can't prepare cash tonight, but does the boss accept payment in the form of a girl?"

Era's face hardened. Her eyes stared blankly, completely unnoticed by Amias. The cold was gone, and now it seemed to be replaced by an unfamiliar heat, something she had never felt in her life in the village of Avaluna.

"I don't know if she's a virgin or not. I only know that she studies hard and rarely gets close to men. So, consider her as one, and even if she's not a virgin, it's no big loss, right? At least you'll have something new tonight. How about it?"

Era rose. She pushed the pain aside and moved her hand. She grabbed the old radio on the table and hit Amias over the head with it.

"Don't worry. She's my own daughter, Era. Don't you know her? So come to my house now. She's wai-argh!"

Amias' words were replaced by cries of pain. The phone slipped from his grasp. He turned around in pain and saw Era standing, breathing heavily. The old radio in Era's hand was the answer to the curiosity that briefly crossed his mind.

"Era, you..."

The old radio flew again. This time, Era hit it with all her might. Not surprisingly, Amias fell immediately and lost consciousness.

"Amias! Hello? Amias!"

Era turned to the phone next to Amias. Sounds calling for Amias echoed repeatedly, but she remained unmoved. The only thing she did was to raise her foot and crush the phone with her shoe.

*

According to the schedule, Era could count on the last bus leaving in about an hour. If there was no sudden heavy rain, she could be sure to leave the village of Avaluna after her arrival, which took less than two hours.

Era sighed deeply. She saw the smoke wriggling out of her nose, then inhaled the air as deeply as she could. She remembered her actions against Amias, but she felt no remorse. Instead, she felt a sense of pride.

Well done, Era. You did the right thing.

Again, a strange voice echoed in her head. Era frowned and wondered if it was her own voice or something else.

The voice seemed to be someone else in her body, but it sounded absurd. Era believed it was the voice of her subconscious rebelling after a life of torture.

You don't have to be afraid. You know you are always strong. You've endured all this time, and you're okay.

Despite all the strangeness she felt, Era realized that she liked those positive words. She felt empowered, and suddenly courage coursed through her veins. Her energy felt alive, and the strangeness continued as she spoke in her heart.

Thank you.

Then the voice answered. No need to thank me. I'm glad I could help you. We will always be together and live this life happily.

Now, Era didn't care if she was going crazy or had an overactive imagination. In fact, it was the only thing that could calm her down.

Era looked at her watch. It was almost six o'clock, and the bus she was waiting for would arrive soon. She became impatient, but a moment later something surprised her.

"That's Era!"

A loud alarm sounded in her head. Era turned around and saw a group of people running towards her, so she fled immediately.

"Go after her!"

Era ran as fast as she could, crossing muddy streets and puddles that never dried. Ignoring the splashes of water that stained her pants, she asked herself.

What am I going to do?

Panic set in; fighting Amias and a gang of thugs was another matter. No matter how much courage she had, it was impossible for her to defeat them all. She didn't want to seek death.

Run to the Lunaria Forest. You know there's no one in this village to help you. Everyone is afraid of Mosha Bennett. It's the only place that can save you.

The name Mosha Bennett made Era take a deep breath. She remembered that Amias had contacted Bart, who was Mosha Bennett's right-hand man. The conclusion was clear - Amias must have owed Mosha and couldn't pay him back. As a result, Era, who returned at the wrong time, became the victim. Amias offered her as payment for the debt.

Era shivered in the cold rush of the night air. She wouldn't let that happen, and hopefully she could reach the Lunaria Forest before they caught up with her. Alright.

The usual silence that surrounded the night in the village of Avaluna was now disturbed. The sounds of running, accompanied by curses and shouts, created a commotion everywhere. The curtains of the windows along the street were pulled back. A few pairs of eyes seemed to peek out, but just as the voice had said, no one came out to help Era.

I can definitely save myself.

Armed with strong determination, Era forced her legs to keep running. Behind her, the thugs continued to chase after her. Meanwhile, in front of her, a dark landscape offered a glimmer of hope.

The Lunaria Forest seemed to be waving at Era. Through the rustle of the leaves and the whisper of the wind, it was as if the forest was welcoming Era's arrival.

Just a little more. Just a little bit more.

Fatigue began to set in. Her determination was slowly being eroded by numbness. Her knees slowly lost their strength. But that didn't mean Era would give up. She kept running, using the darkness of the Lunaria Forest to hide. After all, no one had ever dared to go there.

The howling of wolves stopped Era in her tracks. She raised her head and stared at the darkness towering high above her.

That's why the Lunaria Forest had become a forbidden area for the inhabitants of the village of Avaluna and its surroundings. Myths and legends of werewolves remained, creating their own fear. Some didn't believe in it, but they wouldn't dare go in if they were told to.

Era, what are you going to do?

The voice asked and Era swallowed. Two fears attacked her from opposite directions. She couldn't avoid both; one had to be faced.

So, Era looked at the Lunaria Forest without blinking. She inhaled the air, letting her blood boil to feed her courage.

I will enter the Lunaria Forest.

*

In a place untouched by ordinary humans, there was an extraordinary structure that bordered the southeastern side of the Lunaria Forest. Its location was somewhat hidden behind towering ancient trees and orderly mountain ranges. At first glance, the eyes would be deceived, unable to find its presence. Nature seemed to conspire to keep its existence a well-guarded secret from the outside world.

The building was no ordinary house. Resembling a skyscraper, its design resembled the castle often mentioned in children's bedtime stories. Sturdy and large pillars surrounded it, giving it a luxurious and ancient appearance. Next to it was a vast courtyard, more accurately described as an endless garden.

A neatly made and meticulously maintained path was lined with small stones. Various aromatic flowering plants formed colorful paths. There was also a small pond with a beautiful fountain.

As far as the eye could see, the green grass became a soothing carpet. The chirping of birds, reminiscent of a melodious song, continued without interruption. The blue sky stretched out, illuminated by the sunlight. Everything created a magnificent panorama that no ordinary person could ever imagine.

What's more interesting is that the atmosphere was rather peaceful. Tranquility and serenity often surrounded it, thanks to its location far from the outside world. It seemed quiet, almost always silent, as if there were no inhabitants.

Until the time when the sun began to set and the light was replaced by darkness. The silence was shattered by noise and commotion. Calm and peace were no longer felt as restlessness began to waft and fill the air.

The 15th, the second full moon night, should always be an eagerly awaited moment, just like any other full moon night. But this time something was different. Without cheers and hustle and bustle, those faces looked tense and anxious, as if they were experiencing similar worries.

"What if Ursa is wrong?"

"Could her prophecy be wrong?"

"Will the Alpha forgive Ursa again?"

Many questions and fears hung in the air. Everyone was struggling, making it almost impossible to breathe. They asked each other, but no one could answer. They wanted to demand, but there was another party more entitled to complain.

"There is something that binds her wolf spirit all the time. I think she may not even realize that she is a werewolf."

"Are you suggesting magic?"

Ursa nodded, acknowledging the question. "I suspect so, Philo."

Philo Celeste remained silent. He chose not to say anything now, daring only to glance at a man sitting on a throne with an unreadable expression on his face.

"That's the only reasonable explanation why you couldn't find them all this time, Alpha."

Finally, Ursa was able to express the possibility that had been circulating in her mind lately. She had thought about it night after night. It seemed impossible that the Alpha hadn't found his mate for years.

"My suspicion is confirmed, Alpha. The ceremony we performed last night provided the answer to our long-standing fears. The girl, your future mate, the future Luna for the Xylvaneth Pack, has been found," Ursa continued fervently. She conveyed sincerity in her expression to convince the Alpha. "Tonight, she will appear in the Lunaria Forest."

"What if you're wrong again?"

Ursa stumbled. The flat question seemed to stop her heart. "I-I am willing to accept your punishment, Alpha."

Silence. Ursa's answer created a momentary hush. No one spoke until the Alpha rose from his throne.

"Philo."

Philo answered promptly, "Yes, Alpha?"

"You will lead the search tonight. Explore the Lunaria Forest and don't come back until you find the girl."

"Understood, Alpha."

After that, the Alpha left. Philo and Ursa exchanged glances shortly after.

"Are you sure about this, Ursa?"

Ursa winced, her hands clenching together. Her calm face looked worried, but she nodded. "I-I'm sure, Philo. I saw her. The Moon Goddess showed her to me. I'm not lying."

"I hope so, because this is not just about the Alpha, but about the survival of the pack."

Ursa nodded. Like the others, she felt the same concern. They were afraid and panicked with a question that had haunted them for over ten years. What if the Alpha couldn't find his Luna? What would happen to her? Could the pack's destiny soon be over?

Luckily, Ursa received a vision at the right time. The Sacred Ceremony was performed. The moonlight became the path for the Moon Goddess to give her answer. A face appeared in her mind and she shared this joyful news with the pack.

Unfortunately, the good news was not enough to assuage the worries deeply rooted in the minds of the pack. They needed tangible proof, visible to the eyes-the presence of the woman who would become their Luna.

Now Ursa's only hope lay with the Beta. She knew that Philo was a reliable werewolf, and now she prayed that Philo could find the girl in time. At least before the Alpha lost his patience and punished her.

"How do we find her?" Philo asked later. His brow furrowed in confusion. "The Lunaria Forest is huge, and how will we know if she's the one we're looking for?"

"The Palace and the outside world are separated by the Monte Astralis Mountain range and the Lunaria Forest. So, all you have to do is go to the meeting point between them. She will come down from the Monte Astralis Mountains and enter the Lunaria Forest. She's just an ordinary girl brave enough to enter the Lunaria Forest. She's not one of the werewolves yet, but she's brave."

Ursa closed her eyes for a moment. She remembered the vision she had received last night. Like a jumbled video, the visual display gave her a rough idea.

"She runs. She's trying to save herself. So, you must come at the right time. The full moon will lead her to you."

Philo nodded. Despite some lingering doubts, he decided not to be impulsive. He would follow the Alpha's command and prove for himself whether Ursa's prophecy was true or not.

"I will gather the pack at once."

Philo left. Ursa remained alone in the pavilion. Her hands were clasped to her chest and her head was bowed. Her mouth murmured prayers that repeated endlessly.

Hopefully. Hopefully everything is true. I pray.

While Ursa continued to pray, Philo did the opposite. He hurried toward the Palace hall, and his presence immediately quieted the commotion there.

All eyes turned to Philo, then glanced here and there, but they didn't find the expected figure.

"Alpha is not here. He's angry."

"Impossible. How could he be angry if Ursa's prophecy hasn't been proven true yet? It could be wrong, but it could also be right. He shouldn't be angry now."

"Ursa made a false prophecy years ago. She said that the Luna would come soon, but it didn't happen. The pack began to doubt her abilities."

Philo sighed. His voice echoed and reverberated, then the commotion subsided.

"Tonight, we will go to the Lunaria Forest. We will explore the forest and find the girl. No matter what happens, we must bring her here. Do you understand?"

The pack answered in unison. "Yes."

"But what if the prophecy is wrong again, Philo? What will happen to Ursa?"

Philo turned to the source of this question. A werewolf woman named Julie Davis was staring at him, waiting for his answer.

"That is the Alpha's and Ursa's business. Our business is to follow Alpha's orders. So, there's nothing to question. We're leaving now."

Julie fell silent, and others remained mute. They didn't say anything when Philo gave the orders.

Everyone hurried out of the hall. They walked outside and the moonlight bathed their entire bodies.

Blood boiled. Spirits howled. Immediately after Philo's command, they ran.

On two legs at first. Then their bodies changed. Large and majestic, covered in long and beautiful fur.

Their four legs kicked firmly. Sharp eyes were ready to pierce the darkness of the Lunaria Forest. Muzzles opened and a long howl echoed.

*

Era gasped, her breathing getting harder and harder. But she couldn't stop, not even for a moment. Behind her, the thugs were still in pursuit.

"How is this possible? Why are they still chasing me?"

At first, Era thought everything would be over once she entered the Lunaria Forest. But that wasn't the case. It seemed that Mosha, as the ruler of the night in Avaluna, could instill fear many times over. His criminal network was not to be taken lightly; he was known for his cruelty and would spare no one who defied him. So, the thugs ignored the myths and horrible stories that circulated around Avaluna. In their minds, werewolves might not really exist, but Mosha's wrath was undoubtedly real if they failed to carry out his orders.

"There! Over there! That's Era!"

Without looking back, Era picked up her pace. She pushed through the thick bushes and crossed a small river. She crossed everything until her body reached its limit.

Era was running out of energy. Her concentration began to fade and her legs weakened. Finally, she could only scream when the roots of a tree tripped her.

Era fell. Her body rolled several times until a large rock collided with her head, instantly silencing her.

Pain surged through her. Her bones felt like they were crumbling. Era couldn't move in the echo of laughter that instantly spread.

"We found her. Relax. She won't be able to escape anymore."

Era gasped for breath. The pain and numbness prevented her from standing. The only thing she could do was open her eyes and look up at the bright full moon.

Perhaps for the first time in her life, this was the moment when Era truly saw the full moon. Before, she had never paid any attention to it, just glanced at it and considered it unremarkable. But for some reason, it felt different now.

Amidst the waves of pain and fear, Era discovered that basking in the moonlight brought a peace she had never felt before. Anxiety, worry, and all fears slowly vanished. She smiled broadly before the darkness claimed her consciousness.

"There she is! Look! She fainted!"

The gang of thugs found Era's location. They surrounded her and burst into laughter. One of them was Bart. He immediately pulled out his cell phone and contacted Mosha.

"Boss, I found Era. I'll-"

Wolf howls interrupted Bart's words. Not once, but several times. The horrible sounds echoed back and forth as if issuing a warning.

Faces turned pale. The thugs exchanged glances as cold sweat began to form. They approached each other as they looked around, trying to find the source of the howling.

"B-Bart, what's going on?"

Bart swallowed hard, unable to answer.

"I-I told you. We should never have set foot in this cursed forest."

"Silence!" Bart snapped. He glared at them. "Don't be cowards. There's nothing in this forest. It's just ordinary wolf howls. If they attack, pull out your damn guns!"

The thugs fell silent. No more complaints were heard. They nodded, and Bart gave an order.

"Now, lift this wench. Don't keep the boss waiting."

"Alright."

Two of them approached Era. Bart scanned the area, observing the situation and squinting his eyes.

Bart tried to focus his vision. There was something strange behind the row of tall trees, like two shimmering lights, and he moved closer.

Bart froze. His gaze, straight ahead at first, slowly began to rise. He followed the movement of the two lights and realized they were a pair of wild eyes.

No longer howling, but a growl that resonated and echoed. The air instantly became turbulent with a searing heat. Bart and the goons were tossed in all directions.

"W-Wolf!"

Bart and the thugs took off running. They were in disarray. Everyone was screaming and the once peaceful night was completely disturbed.

"She runs. She's trying to save herself. So, you must come at the right time. The full moon will lead her to you."

The wolf walked slowly. As he approached Era, he saw the moonlight illuminating her, then he looked at the moon above. It let out a long howl.

*