He forcefully closes the door upon exiting, and the sob I had suppressed finally escapes. My mother tenderly lifts me, cradling my head as she murmurs comforting words to me.
“It is acceptable, Jadi,” she murmurs. “I understand your efforts…”
“I apologise,” I stammer. “He despises me!”
“No, he does not,” my mother contends, stroking my hair and kissing my forehead. “He is merely a bit frustrated.” He has several responsibilities at now.” She assists me in standing and brushes off my clothing. “Let’s go, dear. Allow me to assist you in cleaning up.
Upon dressing, my mother escorts me to the car, where my father awaits us with impatience. Today marked the King’s birthday, and all the Alphas of the Crescent Mane Kingdom, together with their families, were in attendance. Regrettably, today would also be the day my father formally introduced me to the Kingdom as the next Alpha of the Blue Sky Pack.
As we travel to the King’s domain, I mentally rehearse my words while observing other guests already socialising outside the King’s Mansion.
“Hello, my name is Jadi,” I repeat to myself incessantly till I feel I can utter nothing else.
My father halts the vehicle and gazes at me via the rearview mirror, his icy eyes penetrating my skull.
“What is your name?” he enquires between gritted teeth.
I shut my eyes to focus, aware that if I continued to gaze into those frigid, wrathful eyes, I would undoubtedly lose control in terror.
“Thus,” I stammer, my body tensing in anticipation of the impending strike I anticipated.
However, it never arrives. Conversely, I am confronted with frigid quiet. Summoning courage, I open one eye and furtively observe my father. His jaw is taut, yet he remains silent as he opens the door to exit.
“You are a disappointment,” he snarls as he exits the vehicle. “Refrain from exiting.” You will not be presenting yourself this evening.
I wept uncontrollably as he strode away towards the mansion, utterly mortified by my actions and my voice. My mother attempts to comfort me, although I remain inconsolable.
“It is acceptable, my handsome son,” she whispers while cradling my face. “Shall we locate a secluded venue to spend the remainder of the evening together? Just the two of us? I am confident your father can manage the other Alphas in my absence.”
I nod while wiping my tears, and she offers me her most radiant grin.
“Very well, my dear,” she exclaims, extending her hand towards the door handle. “I shall procure a snack for us, and we will remain concealed until it is time to return home, understood?”
She vanishes into the throng of wolves while I recline in my seat and await developments. Despite the car’s tinted windows, I narrow my eyes and scrutinise the arriving guests, attempting to identify them. I had committed to memory all the packs within the Kingdom and was aware that Blue Sky was not the sole Moonlit Wolf pack in Crest Mane. I was eager to ascertain whether we were indeed the most formidable pack, as Father asserted. Perhaps I would have the opportunity to witness another Moonlit Wolf transform or utilise their abilities.
I witnessed my father utilise his extraordinary ability numerous times, consistently leaving spectators in astonishment. He possessed the power of gas manipulation, enabling his body to transform into a toxic gas, which allowed him to evade harm from assailants while simultaneously incapacitating his adversaries. No wolf has ever triumphed over him in combat.
I could only hope on the night of my inaugural shift that I would not fail my father and provide a commendable gift befitting the Blue Sky reputation.
While observing the arrival of visitors and anticipating my mother’s return, I hear a distant howl. I rush to the rear of the car and glance through the rearview glass, witnessing a sizable pack of wolves surge through the estate gates.
Impassive wolves…
The cacophony of screams soon eclipses the music emanating from the Mansion, as wolves hasten to safeguard their companions. Lunas and their offspring are swiftly escorted by their gammas to more secure areas. Our Gamma, Rocco, arrived with his family in a separate vehicle. I can only hope he locates my mother promptly to ensure her safety.
My pulse races in my chest, nearly overshadowing the sounds of death surrounding me as Stonecold wolves assault. Alarmed by the horrifying screams, I exit the vehicle and sprint towards the trees adjacent to the home, desperately hoping to locate my mother.
However, it is I who discovers her…
I turned the corner and, amidst the woods, I heard a chilling scream. My body tensed with panic, but upon recognising my mother’s voice, I will my legs to advance. It was then that I beheld a ghastly picture that would always torment my dreams.
Trapped beneath a frigid wolf, my mother attempts to liberate herself.
“M-mother?” I murmur, my eyes brimming with tears.
