The morning sun, a gentle cascade of gold, filtered through the forest canopy, its light dappling the training ground. A chill hung in the air, so crisp and cool that puffs of breath were visible, like fleeting ghosts in the quiet. The scent of pine and damp earth clung to the breeze as soldiers, their muscular forms thick and imposing, walked a steady patrol along the camp's edge. Their presence was a living wall, a barrier between the relative peace of the camp and the wild unknown of the forest.
The harsh, rhythmic clang of steel on steel sliced through the morning calm, a symphony of brutal precision. At the heart of the sound, Skyler, a figure of lean, coiled power, stood in the center of the clearing. Dressed in military-style fatigues, her sharp pixie-cut hair glistened with a light sheen of sweat. Facing her were the Alpha's two daughters, both a blur of motion and fierce concentration.
Regina, her sleek, sleeveless uniform highlighting the intricate tattoos snaking down her arms, was a whirlwind of motion. The dark purple braid that hung over her right shoulder, exposing the shaved side of her head, whipped around as she lunged. Her usual mischievous grin was gone, replaced by a mask of fierce concentration. She was a flash of steel, her movements quick and unpredictable as she darted in and out, feinting with her sword.
Raven, taller and more deliberate, moved with a quiet, deadly grace. Her box braids were pulled back from her face, a single sword tattoo mirroring her sister's on her shoulder. Her movements were sharp and specific, a series of calculated strikes and blocks. Her face was a mask of unwavering diligence, every move a testament to her serious nature. She was the anchor, the steady force to Regina's chaotic energy. The girls' focused intensity was in sharp contrast to the more casual onlookers. A small crowd of Alpha's daughters had gathered to watch the warden wolves train. Some, still groggy from sleep, rubbed their blurry eyes. A few, chewing on spoonfuls of oatmeal, stopped mid-bite, astonished by the ferocity on display. A handful of the daughters wore face masks, a stark juxtaposition to the violent display.
Beta Kevin let out a huff, his eyes rolling with a clear lack of interest. "They are really something," Maya commented, leaning over to whisper to Amelia. "They're not known as Warriors for nothing," Amelia shrugged, her eyes wide as she watched the fight. "This is sparring?" Elizabeth said, blinking in confusion as she looked up at Boris, who stood beside her. "I want to learn!" Missy exclaimed, jumping like a small child and tugging on her sister's arm.
Boris smiled down at the girls, suppressing a sudden sense of longing. He found himself thinking of Trinity; while neither girl was like her, their youthful energy brought a pang to his heart. "Give it time. You'll join the warrior school like everyone else, and you'll learn to fight just as hard," he promised Missy, patting her on the head in a fatherly gesture.
The two sisters moved as a single, coordinated unit. Regina would feint low, her blade a flash of movement designed to draw Skyler's attention, while Raven would sweep in with a high, powerful strike. The clang of steel echoed through the woods as Skyler expertly parried both attacks. She was a master of defense, her every movement a perfect economy of motion, deflecting and redirecting the girls' strikes with minimal effort. Skyler's form was like a rock against a storm, unyielding and unbreakable. Regina's speed was incredible. She spun, her sword a blur, aiming for Skyler's legs. Skyler hopped back, her own blade flashing down to meet Regina's. The young Alpha's daughter was all about unexpected angles, using her small stature to her advantage. Just as Skyler was engaged with Regina, Raven struck, her blade coming in with a straight, powerful thrust. Skyler twisted, the blow glancing off her hilt. "Faster!" Skyler grunted, her voice a low rumble. "You telegraph that every time, Raven!"
Regina used the moment to press her advantage, her movements a relentless assault. She ducked under Skyler's guard and went for a series of quick, jabbing strikes. Skyler gave ground, her feet barely scuffing the dirt, before she changed tactics. She stopped moving backward and, with a sudden pivot, knocked Regina's blade aside.
Using the momentum, she spun toward Raven, disarming her with a quick flick of the wrist. Raven's sword went clattering to the ground. Regina, seeing her sister now unarmed, immediately fell back into a defensive stance, protecting Raven. The mischievous smile returned to her lips as she watched Skyler. A small smile played on Skyler's lips as well. It was a draw. For today.
The early morning onlookers peeled away to go back to their own morning routines, the brief moment of spectacle over. The two sisters spoke with Skyler about what they could improve on when the morning's peace was suddenly interrupted. The three women's heads cocked toward the council's private area, their eyes falling on an anxious-looking Marina.
Marina awoke in a cold sweat. Her breath was heavy and shallow as her mind was released from the Queen's dream. She was unsure of its meaning, whether it was a premonition, a warning that the new Queen was a part of the Shadow Fang pack. Of all the prior queens, very little was known about this one. She had been the 11th Queen, and she had never sat on her throne. The Shadow Fang pack was a bad omen. No one wanted a queen from that pack.
Pushing the flap of her tent out of the way, Marina pulled on her red robe. "Wake up." Her powerful voice shook the council members' tents, though it was barely needed. No council member could have slept after a dream like that. Soon, all stood before their tents, exchanging looks, each one knowing where they had to go next, while also fearing what could come.
"This is a bad omen!" Philip felt himself sober up, the dream nothing short of a disaster. His father had never spoken to him about the 11th Queen. No one ever spoke about the 11th Queen. All he knew was that whatever had happened had been something dark that no one outside of the council at that time was supposed to know about.
Carly's mind still filtered the information from the Queen's dream, still unsure of what she had seen or what it meant. The Queen felt lost in her own mind and thoughts. The pack seemed not quite right. "Which Queen was that? Why is the Queen dreaming of previous Queens? How can she see those memories?" Carly stepped forward, whispering her questions to the other council members as they closed the gap between each other, noting the eyes and ears of the betas and daughters watching their every move.
"We must go to the Shadow Fang pack!" Marcus told them before storming off towards Archer to make him aware of the change.
"What does this mean?" Carly asked, her fingers wringing inside of her robe sleeves, her eyes moving to the other council members.
"That we should all pray to the goddess that our Queen is not cursed, and that the past does not become the present." Turning away, Marina went to break down her tent and pack up. They needed to move fast. Carly still couldn't understand. She wanted to know about the 11th Queen. All she knew was that the 11th Queen had died before taking her throne and that she had been very young.
It took everything in him to keep his features schooled into the appropriate amount of concern. Philip felt the familiar, cold knot of dread tighten in his stomach. Unlike the others, he wasn't blind to the truth. His family did not believe in blind spots; a closed eye was a vulnerable one. They had remained in their position of power on the council for generations precisely because they kept their eyes wide open.
Philip knew exactly what had happened to the 11th Queen. The story had never been written down—it was a secret passed from one generation of his family to the next, a grim tradition. Every previous council member had told this story to their successor, and his family held a version of the tale they were never supposed to speak of, yet were never allowed to forget.
You never know when ghosts will come knocking on your door. It's best to know what you've done! his grandfather's voice echoed in his mind, a low rumble of warning. The memory sent a shiver down his spine. The past was not buried; it was simply waiting. He clenched his jaw, the muscle ticking in his cheek, as he watched his fellow council members pack up their tents, their frantic movements a stark contrast to his own grim composure. He had to keep them moving, had to stay one step ahead of a secret that was no longer a ghost but a looming shadow.
The surrounding guards watched as the council spoke in hushed whispers. The sound was so low that no one could hear a word. Ivan, sensing the impending doom, exchanged looks with the other guards before sending a mental message to Archer that something was going on with the council. Beta Boris watched as council member Marcus practically ran toward Archer, the lead Guardian, speaking in an insistent tone.
"Something happened?" Skyler said, her eyes looking around at the other betas as she wiped the lingering traces of sweat from her forehead with her rag. She wondered if any of them had an inkling of what was going on.
Boris didn't worry himself. Not yet, at least. He knew Trinity would be just fine unless they were suddenly making a beeline for his pack. But every time he looked at the council, he couldn't help but think about her swirling blood on the tip of his claw, the shimmer of gold amongst the benign red.
Beta Kevin sent a mental message back to his alpha, alerting him that something had changed but that he didn't know what. He told his alpha to put his spies on high alert because the council was not acting as calm as they usually did. "Are the moon blessed all as serene as you, Boris?" Skyler's eyes narrowed on Beta Boris. Of everyone in the clearing, he was the only one who didn't seem concerned, as if he knew something the rest of them didn't. From what she could tell, he knew the guardians. He was friends with quite a few of the Queen's personal guards.
Curious gazes landed on Boris, but he refused to give them what they wanted: his time and energy. "Thank you for the breakfast." Lifting his bowl in thanks, he went looking for the Alpha's children. Boris actively ignored the probing looks given to him by the gossiping betas, deciding to focus on Elizabeth and Missy. "Be careful, every word needs to be considered," Boris told the girls as he packed up the rest of their things, preparing for their marching orders.
Pulling her hair up into a bun, Elizabeth didn't pay Boris too much mind. She was glad to be out of the pack, to finally not have her father breathing down her neck, critiquing her every move. She wasn't about to micromanage her words. Their father had given them a mission, but she was determined to meet every unmated male she could. She didn't want to end up back at the pack so her father could tie her to some mate to make a flimsy political alliance while sacrificing her future.
"I will be careful," Missy said, rubbing her arms. Even though the morning was quite warm, she was feeling anxious. It was hard for him to separate his anxiety for Trinity and his worry for the Alpha's daughters. It all swirled together in him, giving him no rest. But it was worth it if that's what it took to make sure that his daughter could stay free for that much longer.