**Chapter 35:
The Werewolf Realm
Red Moon Pack
Erin's POV**
The moment we stepped out of the portal, a familiar breeze brushed against my skin.
The air of the werewolf realm… it was comforting, grounding, and yet it stirred something fierce inside me. Excitement. Anticipation. A faint burn in my chest I hadn't realized I'd missed.
Home.
Or at least… the place where everything changed.
We arrived directly in front of the Red Moon Pack House. As the portal light faded behind us, murmurs rippled through the crowd. Then someone shouted—
"They're here! The three races!"
In seconds the entire area swelled with people. Wolves shifted, pack members pressed forward, warriors lined the sides—everyone trying to see what had arrived. Because of the overwhelming crowd, my Goldren's had no choice but to shrink into their small forms, fluttering around me like glowing silver sparks. Only then did the space become manageable for the elves and vampires who had come through the portal.
Zaki emerged from between the warriors, his expression lighting up the moment he recognized who had arrived. Relief, excitement—he wore both openly.
King Johnson and my grandfather Michael stepped forward to meet him.
"Greetings," King Johnson said, his tone regal but warm. "Are you the alpha of this pack?"
Zaki shook his head immediately.
"No, your majesty. Alpha Levi will arrive shortly—he's on a call with the other alphas. He instructed me to bring you inside. Well… not all of you. Only the leaders of each race."
"That will do," King Johnson replied, then turned to us.
"Erin. Michael. Let's go."
I moved to follow them—only for Mars to catch my wrist.
His hand was cold. His expression was troubled.
"You really think this is okay?" he asked quietly. "This place… this situation… what if—"
"What if what?" I said softly. "Mars, we aren't here to fight with them. We're here to restore peace."
His jaw tightened.
He wasn't convinced. Not at all.
Something was wrong with him the moment I mentioned we were coming to the werewolf realm. He didn't argue, didn't complain—but the tension rolling off him was obvious. Almost suffocating. It was as if stepping foot here physically pained him.
I squeezed his hand gently.
"Come with me, then. You'll feel better if you stay close."
He nodded wordlessly.
As we followed Zaki inside, I noticed Zaki's gaze flicking around—first to the Goldren's, then to the vampires, then to the elves. But he kept returning to King Johnson as if trying to understand why someone could be that ethereally handsome. I didn't blame him. Johnson's appearance drew attention wherever he went—white hair, cerulean eyes, and that quiet, regal aura elves were known for.
My heart, however, was distracted by something else.
Or rather… someone else.
The closer we got to the main hall, the louder my heartbeat became.
Because I knew who was on the other side of that door.
The man who left without a word.
The man who said everything between us had been a mistake.
The man who confused me, hurt me, made me question everything.
And still—
Still I wanted to see him.
When Zaki opened the door and we entered the meeting hall, I sat down quietly, my posture poised. No one here would recognize me. Not in this body. Not with this aura. Not as the woman they once knew.
But the moment Levi walked into the hall—
My entire world stopped.
He moved with the same quiet precision as always, elegance in every step. His features were sharper than I remembered—jaw strong, eyes cold but deep, lashes brushing against his cheeks as he spoke with the subordinate beside him. His Adam's apple dipped with every word, and despite the tension in his shoulders, he carried himself like the Alpha he was.
Then his gaze swept over the room.
And landed on me.
His breath caught.
His steps halted.
His wolf—no doubt—was screaming at him.
He recognized me.
Not by face.
Not by form.
But by soul.
The mate bond never lied.
He struggled, visibly, to suppress his reaction. His fists tightened. His chest rose sharply. But after a moment, he forced himself back into control and moved to his seat.
Beside me, Mars stiffened so abruptly it shocked me.
He wasn't just tense.
He was furious.
And… hurting?
I touched his hand gently.
His fingers twitched beneath mine, his eyes closing briefly as if fighting something overwhelming.
I didn't know what war was happening inside him, but whatever it was—it wasn't good.
Levi took a breath and addressed us with a polite incline of his head.
"I'm sorry I couldn't come welcome you at the gate. I was contacting the other alphas who will be hosting the arriving warriors."
"It's quite alright," King Johnson said.
"This pack is already offering more than enough help."
"Yes," my grandfather added. "We appreciate the cooperation."
Levi nodded. "You mentioned you were coming with three races—elves, vampires… and witches, I assume?"
King Johnson shook his head.
"The witches are not here."
Levi blinked, visibly thrown.
"They aren't? Then… what's the third race?"
Michael cleared his throat, rubbing his brow.
"The third race is called the Goldren. They are powerful warriors—created by my granddaughter."
Levi's eyes widened.
"What? She created an entire race? That's… incredible."
The flutter in my stomach was immediate and embarrassing.
I kept my expression calm, but internally—
Yes, Alpha. Compliment me more.
Grandfather puffed up proudly.
"My granddaughter is extraordinary.
He said to Mars, "call Ruby or Theo. They should demonstrate."
Mars nodded stiffly—his eyes still darting to Levi with something unreadable—and called Ruby inside.
Ruby strolled in casually, her expression bored.
I gestured toward her.
"This is Ruby—my strongest creation."
Levi studied her closely.
"Oh… she looks—"
Ruby interrupted.
"Argh. Do I have to transform?"
Levi stared.
"You can talk?"
Ruby snorted.
"Obviously. I'm not an animal."
When she transformed, Levi visibly lit up—eyes widening, breath slowing in awe. He caught himself quickly, clearing his throat, trying to hide the excitement.
"I'm… very impressed," he said, finally looking at me. "It's an honor to meet the creator of an entire race."
I simply nodded once.
Play it cool, Erin.
Play it cool.
My grandfather smiled and stood.
"Before we begin discussing strategy, let's introduce ourselves properly."
King Johnson nodded.
"I am Johnson, King of the Elven Realm."
Grandfather followed.
"I am Michael, former King of the Vampire Realm. My son now holds the throne."
I stood gracefully.
"I am Erin. Daughter of the vampire king… and creator of the Goldren."
Levi whispered under his breath—barely audible even to a wolf—
"Erin…"
The way my name sounded in his voice sent a shiver down my spine.
Gods. Why was that man's voice so—
Focus, Erin.
Levi straightened and introduced himself.
"I'm Levi. Alpha of Red Moon Pack. I'm honored that all of you came to aid our realm."
He sat back, gaze sweeping the table.
"Now," he said quietly, "let's discuss how we put Roosevelt back into slumber."
And with those words—the war officially began.