2 days

The alpha’s eyes widen in shock, his stoic demeanor cracking for the first time. Beta Sam leans forward in his chair, eyes locked on the black ring in the center of the table. The atmosphere in the room shifts, becoming charged with recognition and reverence.

“I believe you,” Nathan declares, his voice quiet but filled with conviction. His gaze remains fixed on the ring.

Sam’s voice trembles slightly as he speaks. “It… it can’t be. Alpha, is that ring what I think it is?”

Nathan nods, his face solemn. “Yes, it is. That ring contains the essence of the first werewolf ever to exist.” His voice is heavy with awe. “It has been passed down through the alpha king’s line for generations. Only one exists. It is impossible to replicate, and it can only be worn by the rightful alpha king.” His eyes meet mine, softer now, filled with a new understanding. “In your case, the alpha queen.”

A ripple of shock runs through the room as the weight of Nathan’s words sinks in. I can feel the tension and disbelief dissipate as the wolves begin to understand who I truly am.

Nathan lowers his head to me in a gesture of deep respect. “I offer you my dearest apologies, my queen.”

One by one, the other wolves follow his lead, bowing their heads in submission. Even the beta dips his head low. The sight of these proud, powerful wolves acknowledging my authority stirs something inside me—a deep connection to my lineage, a sense of belonging that I hadn’t fully grasped until now.

Nathan lifts his head slightly, his expression thoughtful. “It makes sense now why your aura made even me submit,” he admits, almost to himself. Then he straightens, his gaze serious. “Onto the other point you made—it will be a full moon in two days’ time. If you are meant to shift, that will be when it happens.”

Two days? Panic flickers in my mind. The reality of shifting for the first time hits me like a tidal wave. I’ve heard stories of the excruciating pain and the overwhelming power of the transformation. My father’s warnings echo in my thoughts. What if I can’t handle it?

But I push the fear aside, keeping my voice steady. “Thank you for believing me,” I say, my gaze steady on Nathan. “I would never lie to my people.” I pause for a moment, gathering my thoughts. “Now, if I may ask a question?”

Nathan nods, signaling for me to continue.

“I’ve come here seeking information about the m******e of the wolf village,” I say, my voice lowering as I recall the horrible scene. “The place where I began my pursuit… Beta Sam, it was your scent I followed, wasn’t it?”

I touch my nose lightly, a small gesture, but I see the way Nathan’s jaw tightens, the tension in his shoulders returning.

“Yes, Lenora, it was me,” Beta Sam admits, his voice deep and rough. “You’ve got a sharp nose. The pack you’re referring to was the Red Rock Pack.” His voice grows somber as he continues. “I was scouting the area, trying to find any information on who was responsible for the attack.”

My heart clenches at the memory of the horrific scene we’d come across. “We were there for the same reasons,” I reply softly. “Yesterday, I arrived at the Red Rock Pack in search of fairies who had been forced into slavery.” My throat tightens as I speak, the images flashing behind my eyes. “When we got there, we saw dozens of wolves… dead, hanging on stakes along the fence.”

I can’t stop the tears that prick at my eyes, the overwhelming sorrow that fills me as I relive the moment. My voice trembles slightly. “We gathered the wolves and cremated them.” I pause, exhaling deeply, trying to steady myself. “We climbed down a well and found a giant mine, where 5,000 fairy men had been forced to slave away in the darkness with no food, no water, no sleep.” The words taste bitter on my tongue. “They were guarded by 500 raven soldiers and one large iron guard. My guardian Claude was one of the captives.”

The room is utterly silent, the gravity of my words sinking into every corner. The wolves exchange grim glances, clearly disturbed by the sheer scale of the horror I’m describing.

“We returned today,” I continue, my voice steadier now, “to find any information on who could have allowed this to happen, or any way we could make contact with the lycan king about it. That’s how I ended up here.”

I pause, looking around the room at the wolves who had once been strangers but who now feel connected to me in a way I hadn’t expected. “This is the first encounter I’ve had with living werewolves,” I finish quietly.

Nathan leans back in his chair, his brow furrowed in deep thought. His fingers drum lightly on the table as he processes the information. Beta Sam’s face is dark, his jaw clenched tightly, the pain in his eyes mirrors my own.