The Lone Wolf: Rise of the True Luna

CHAPTER 1

In ancient times, various creatures roamed the earth. They were called supernatural beings with abilities that were way beyond the understanding of mere mortals.

The inception of their creation was to contend with the otherworldly beasts that greatly oppressed humankind; they were literal bloodsuckers; it was an era subjugated by chaos and mayhem.

The battles lasted decades before the Versipellis fully immobilized the Vrykolakas. In modern folklore, the Versipellis were the shapeshifters, otherwise known as werewolves, and the Vrykolakas were the bloodsuckers, now known as vampires.

Their long, hard battle that eventually ended in victory did not come without a cost. The Versipellis lost their Luna. The backbone of not only the Monarch but also his people, it was a bittersweet moment when she sacrificed herself for their victory.

It was a victory that was never celebrated, for the loss of one's mate is like the loss of oneself, a feeling of loss, utter loneliness, and despair, the absence of your other half.

After they eradicated the forces of the Vrykolakas, the Versipellis king withdrew from the world, never to be seen again by mortals or even his kind.

As time passed, the supernatural became a secret known to only a few people. After a few decades, it became a myth.

The Vrykolakas were never mentioned as the evils they perpetrated were not to be spoken of, and the Versipellis were now scary stories told to children to keep them in check.

Before the Monarch disappeared, he had relegated duties to his four most trusted soldiers. He separated the wolves into the four cardinals: East, West, North, and South.

The surviving wolves separated into four groups and went to their allocated regions of the world to begin a new life after the era of the great battle.

***

A forlorn figure sat on the balcony in silence, gazing at the waning moon; Alpha Ryan was stock-still for a few hours as if he was a stationary object sculpted in place and not really a person.

Five more dead. Five more dead wolves.

He lost five men. But this was a good day. Over the month, he had lost dozens of wolves, and even the scouts never returned.

This was the only thing that kept playing in his mind. He had failed to protect his people. The feeling of failure was the worst for an alpha. He knew he had failed his people and needed to get to the bottom of the issue.

It wasn't easy to bring down a werewolf, let alone kill it. They were descendants of the great Versipellis, who took down the strongest beasts known to man. They were by no means weak. They had strength that could be rivaled by none.

The bodies he had examined had claw marks and bite marks. It was strange because only two creatures could leave such marks: the Vrykolakas (who had been eliminated) and their own kind, making it all the more confusing.

They were social animals who lived in packs and were led by the strong wolf, "the Alpha," no one dared defy him. All the neighboring packs had similar encounters. Although the deaths on his end were significantly lower. He could not wrap his head around what was happening.

Who was the mastermind of what was happening? It was harder to fight a battle if you didn't know what you were against. On the other hand, their enemy was adequately informed and kept poaching them strategically.

If this continued, all the packs in the South would be annihilated. How long would he have a pack?. He urgently needed help. He was at his wit's end, and the weight of his failure was too heavy to bear.

His pack was his pride and joy. One of the largest packs in the South, well respected, feared, and prosperous, he had everything going great, and then......

........ the attacks started

It started out as a minor inconvenience, a small nuisance; what they didn't realize was that it was just the beginning, and the small packs had fallen, they were slaughtered, and the survivors were never found.

Eventually, the larger packs were being targeted. They unified their forces and tried to fight back, but how can you attack a creature you don't know or even understand. They were blindsided, and their forces were wiped out. They walked into a well-laid ambush..... no one returned.

Their alliance swiftly crumbled, and each force withdrew their men. Now, every pack had to fend for themselves and protect their wolves.

Ryan had reached out to the council. The council consisted of the strongest werewolf bloodline, the purebred Versipellis. They were directly related to the four cardinals the "monarch" created before vanishing from the worldview.

The council was formed to keep all the other packs under the southern cardinal in check. They enforced and executed all their laws and represented the Southern region in the World Council. They were the only ones who could interact with the Cardinals.

The council settled disputes and helped packs in need. Ryan thought they would not hesitate to aid them, but his hopes were dashed. They turned him down and ignored all his pleas and calls for help. This was quite contrary to his expectations.

In their words: "This is a small issue, that a strong pack such as the moonshine pack should be more than enough to handle; it is not a serious threat."

Ryan begged to differ; he knew this issue was more than a minor threat. When they were done with this region, they would move.

For Ryan, the response of the council was the straw that broke the camel's back, the survival of his pack was his number one priority, and he'd be damned if he didn't move mountains and try any means at his disposal to ensure his people's survival and safety. Consequences be damned.

Turning around, he picked up his phone and started dialing...... Ring Gg...... Ring Ggg..... he waited patiently to be connected.

The phone rang on the other end and was picked up after a few rings. Before Ryan could organize his thoughts to speak, the person on the other line broke the silence.

Ryan, I am glad you decided to call, he said tenderly. Is there something I can do for you? Ryan took a deep breath and uttered four words softly.

"I need your help."

***

A knock on the door broke his reverie: "Come in," he said, knowing who was at the door.

"Have you done it?" She asked, stepping into the room.

Looking up at his mate, the despair he had moments ago faded away; she could calm him down with her mere presence; she was a beauty, a sight for sore eyes.

"Well?" She inquired, still waiting for a response, snapping him out of his reverie.

"It's done."

"And?"

"He agreed."

"Thank goodness," she whispered with relief.

"He said I have to do something for him when I arrive. After all, what I'm asking for is huge, and he would need to pull a few strings," Ryan added.

There was nothing free in this world if Ryan needed his help after so many years of silence. It would only be natural to want something in return.

Preparations were being made, and they would set out soon.

CHAPTER 2

In the conference room, Ophelia had been anxiously waiting with everyone in the pack. Her mom, the pack Luna, had ordered the wolves to meet at the conference room as her father, Alpha Ryan, had an important announcement that would impact the pack's well-being.

The pack gathered and waited for Ryan to arrive and make his announcement. There was a buzz as the wolves were busy trying to speculate about what the information he had in store for them would be.

She was unnerved. She could feel something was wrong but couldn't quite place her finger on it. She swung her legs nervously and looked around with so much unease. She had been quite angsty lately.

Ophelia looked in the distance with worry-filled eyes. These attacks had changed everything. They had a happy life, and the attack waves abruptly destroyed the flow of their once vibrant and happy community.

Silence fell in the room as Ryan walked in with his Luna beside him. He glanced around the hall, which they mostly used to host large gatherings and events. All their banquets were held there, but today, he could only see his failure to protect his people.

He felt regret and a deep sorrow accompanied by rage he had not allowed himself to feel all this time. His Luna gently placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder and calmed him down.

"Attention," he called out, effectively gaining the ears of everyone in the room, and they all looked up attentively to hear what he had to say.

"I know you are curious what this is about," he started.

As we all know, we are being threatened by creatures we don't completely understand. All the packs here in the South are being targeted, and none is safe. We united and were led into a trap, losing many; everyone now had to defend their lands, people, family, and friends.

We have watched our brothers lose their lives. And as your Alpha, I am sorry. I could not protect my people. His voice cracked towards the end, and he paused, taking in the sober atmosphere.

I have considered all options and begged the council for help, but they have refused, insisting it is a problem we are strong enough to handle. They claimed that their forces had been spread too thin and that they could not help.

This information was not well received. Panic ensued immediately, and several murmurs and gasps filled the room. If the council wouldn't step in, there was no hope, which meant they were left to perish.

However, I will not sacrifice this pack. If we are to emerge from this alive, we need help. I have deliberated over this, and I have asked for help.

"Who would aid us?"

Wondering, the wolves had instantaneously quietened down to listen to the words of their leader with doubt-filled gazes. The four cardinals never interfered with each region's business, which meant all they had was the council.

"I am aware that each cardinal has its set rules, and no one dares intervene in the affairs of the other. However, this set of rules did not apply to the northern cardinal.

The council was formed to keep all the packs in check. Its members were the enforcers and the executioners of all their laws. They represented their respective regions. The Southern region "had a council," as did the Eastern and Western regions.

Each council represented each region in the "World Council." Only they could interact with the Cardinals. They, in turn, would convey the progress of the werewolf community to the Northern Cardinal, as he was their de facto leader. This information was known only to a few.

The Northern wolves were the strongest, the fastest, and the biggest. Their bloodline was that of the purest Versipellis dating back to the era of the Great War: they never bred or mated with the weak, and they had to prove their strength before being appointed to any position.

Having the most rigorous training methods, they produced the best warriors who underwent tireless training. They had a larger population of wolves. Having a superior chain of supply that couldn't be trifled with.

They were the ultimate powerhouse.

***

"Our borders have been breached". One of the warriors on patrol shouted through the pack link.

"We're surrounded," came another voice,

"The Alpha," still in the middle of his speech, hesitated briefly before barking orders out to the pack members.

The Luna led all the women who couldn't fight and the children to the underground bonkers. The Alpha led the other pack members were led out.

Before leaving, he beckoned Ophelia to come over. He embraced her tight, and he whispered something into her ears.

"Be strong for me and everyone in the park," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear.

With tears in her eyes, she tried to resist, but as a young wolf who hadn't turned yet, she couldn't resist an Alpha command. With no other option, she nodded resolutely with a heavy heart and headed off in the opposite direction.

Ryan shifted to his massive beast and ran toward the direction of the clearing; this battle would decide the fate of the entire pack, and he hoped Ophelia would make it.

CHAPTER 3

The waning gibbous hung a little too low in the sky, with its silver light cast through the covering of the trees. As an Alpha werewolf, Ryan could feel the power flowing through his body, the adrenaline throbbing in his veins.

The air was thick. With each step he took toward the battle line and the crush of each branch and twig beneath his paws, he was like a different being.

His eyes, sharpened by wolf senses, caught the details provided by the moonlit sky and the long illuminated shadows of the large trees around them. He could hear the sudden rustling of leaves and snagging of branches.

The echo of sounds disrupted the stillness that once enveloped the forest. This couldn't allow Ryan to revel in the feeling his beast form gave him. Something lurked beyond the reaches of his senses, and his instincts heightened and screamed danger.

The smell of blood permeated the air, he could feel his connection to his people waning, and the fear in the air could be tasted.# The tension tightened his muscles, his skin pricked along his spine, and his hair stood on end.

The pungent odor of blood and death filled his nostrils as he drew nearer to the clearing where there was an all-out war. Taking a closer look at the assailants, he was stunned. They were back.

He didn't have much time to dwell on how what he was looking at was possible. He had to join the fight and protect his people; he crouched low behind a boulder and leaped out, decapitating the creature.

He repeated this move and told his pack members to aim for the head. That was their only shot, as any other injuries they inflicted healed instantly. Way faster than the werewolves could heal.

This put them in a disadvantageous position, but the creatures couldn't heal from decapitation.

***

Walking into the pack house, Ophelia couldn't help recalling the happy memories shared with her friends.

Werewolves were voracious eaters, so meal preparations required lots of hands; she would subsequently help the women in the kitchen along with some other young females who would assist.

They would discuss their lives and what they had planned for the future. Ophelia was a curious girl who wanted to explore life beyond the park. She wanted to see the world, meet humans, and live like them.

The idea of finding a mate and being forced to love him because of some stupid bond did not resonate with her. She wanted to meet someone, get to know them, and decide who she would be with. She wanted to experience the slow natural process of falling in love. She wants to take charge of her life and choose her own fate.

She remembered when she and her other teen friends had a sleepover; they huddled cozily in a corner and kept whining about coming of age and finding their mates.

She didn't hesitate to give her two cents about wanting to leave the pack and find love on her own terms. The mere mention of that thought made the other girls turn to her in shock. You couldn't possibly mean that Alicia, her closest friend, murmured softly to her.

She didn't know what prompted her to say those thoughts out loud. She felt relieved a weight had been lifted off her chest, but with one look around at their wide eyes and shocked faces, she was remorseful about her outburst. They wouldn't understand, would they? How could they possibly understand? She thought to herself they hadn't been in her position.

As an Alpha's daughter, she had undergone training from a young age, and all she wanted was the freedom to choose her fate.

Where would you go? What would you do? The girls voiced their concerns. You wouldn't be safe without your pack. Who would look after your parents? Who will take over the pack? They bombarded her with questions.

"It's not like I'm leaving the pack forever, she deadpanned."

She was just tired of the rigid structure she had been forced to live through from the moment she was born. The moment she took her first steps, she started training. She had a fixed schedule and was always in training.

This freedom she yearned for was not impulsive; she wanted a chance to write her fate and decide what was hers. She wasn't shirking responsibility; she would never abandon her duties to her people. She was her father's daughter.

Her father was a great man, an Alpha respected and loved by the pack. He would lay down his life for his people, and they would do the same for him. They were loyal to a fault, and she wouldn't let his legacy crumble.

What she longed for was a chance to choose, an opportunity to change her fate, to follow her own path, and to make choices for herself. She didn't want anyone taking it away from her.

She closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and imagined a life where she could do as she pleased, go where she wanted without restraints, a life where the fate of an entire pack would not eventually be on her shoulder, that's if there would still be a pack after tonight.

The whimpers and cries of the injured effectively drew her out of her thoughts; she wanted to participate in the fight she had been training for from a young age, but the only downside was that she had not yet turned. It would be a couple more weeks before she came of age.

She was seventeen years old, and all she could do was speak to her wolf and have a link with the pack; they could only turn on their eighteenth birthdays. That was how it was in the werewolf community.

Gazing outside the office window, she could see the battle clearly. The vantage point was good. The creatures they faced were fast, leaving afterimages when they moved. She could not tell if she was hallucinating but could swear she saw one of them morph into a wolf.

***

After Ryan joined the battle, the tides were in their favor. An Alpha was the most powerful wolf in a pack. An Alpha on the battle line would secure instant victory. They were bigger, faster, and stronger than regular wolves; their dominating presence would scare off any assailants.

His presence on the battlefield motivated his warriors; they charged ahead with renewed vigor, pouncing on their assailants and ripping their heads off with their sharp claws and teeth.

The organized onslaught of the wolves took their assailants off guard; the strength of an Alpha was not something they had accounted for. The coordination of this pack was something they had not seen in other packs; they looked out for each other, protected each other, and trusted themselves. It was remarkable.

The creatures were pushed to the edge, and they did something that stunned the wolves. All who witnessed the scene left their mouths agape in shock, and Lia, watching from the office, was no exception.

They shifted into werewolves, the first morphed, and it kept happening around the battlefield. It was a shocking sight. However, it made a lot of sense to Ryan. It finally answered the question that had been on his mind for months. These monsters were half-breeds.

"But how?"