Chapter 1
1183 Words
CHAPTER 1
The Child Without a Wolf
Five years had passed since the night Criliah Valerienne was born.
Five years since the sacred Moonstone had turned gray in her tiny hands.
Five years since the entire Valerienne household had learned the truth that would follow her for the rest of her life.
She was wolfless.
In a kingdom where a wolf was more than a creature—it was power, identity, and bloodline—Criliah's existence had become an uncomfortable secret.
She lived in the largest manor within the Valerienne territory, yet somehow, she had never felt like she belonged there.
That morning, she stood beneath the enormous oak tree in the eastern garden, staring at the training grounds beyond the iron fence.
The sound of wooden swords striking against one another echoed through the air.
Clack!
Clack!
"Again!"
Criliah's eyes followed the young boys practicing with the warriors.
Among them was her cousin, who was only a year older than her.
She wasn't allowed to join.
Not because she was too young.
Because she had no wolf.
Criliah looked down at her hands.
Sometimes, she wondered what it would feel like.
To have another presence inside her.
To hear a voice that belonged only to her.
To shift beneath the moonlight like everyone else.
She had asked her mother once.
"Will I ever get my wolf?"
Her mother had only looked away.
"No."
One word.
One answer.
One wound that had never completely healed.
"Lady Criliah."
She turned.
A servant stood several steps behind her.
"Your mother is asking for you."
Criliah nodded.
"Thank you."
She followed the servant through the grand corridors of the manor.
Portraits of Valerienne ancestors covered the walls—warriors, Alphas, and legendary wolves captured in paintings that seemed to watch every person who passed.
Criliah always wondered whether they were disappointed in her too.
When she entered the sitting room, her mother was standing beside the window.
Lady Evelyne Valerienne was beautiful, elegant, and distant.
"You're late."
"I'm sorry, Mother."
Evelyne's gaze traveled over her daughter's simple dress.
"You were outside again."
"Yes."
"Watching the warriors?"
Criliah nodded.
Her mother's expression tightened.
"You know you're not allowed there."
"I stayed behind the fence."
"That isn't the point."
Criliah lowered her head.
"I'm sorry."
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Evelyne sighed.
"There is an important gathering tonight."
Criliah looked up.
"What gathering?"
"Several Alpha families are visiting."
"Will Father be there?"
"Of course."
A tiny spark of excitement appeared in Criliah's eyes.
"Can I sit with him?"
Her mother stared at her.
"No."
The spark disappeared.
"Why?"
"Because your brother will be presented to the visiting Alphas."
Criliah blinked.
"My brother?"
"Kael."
Of course.
Everything was about Kael.
Criliah had learned that long ago.
Her younger brother was the child everyone had been waiting for.
The child with the golden wolf.
The child who had inherited the strength of their ancestors.
The child their father proudly called the future Alpha.
Criliah swallowed.
"Can I at least meet him before the gathering?"
"He is with your father."
"I just want to see him."
Evelyne hesitated.
Then she nodded.
"Fine."
Criliah smiled.
It was the first genuine smile she had given that morning.
---
She found them in the western garden.
Lord Alaric sat beneath another ancient oak, his attention fixed entirely on the little boy standing before him.
Kael was five years old now.
His dark hair was messy from training, and his golden eyes shone with excitement.
"Again, Father!"
Alaric laughed.
"You're not tired?"
"No!"
"Then show me your stance."
Kael planted his feet firmly.
A faint golden glow surrounded his body.
Criliah stopped walking.
Even at five, his wolf energy was already visible.
The servants watching from nearby smiled proudly.
"He's extraordinary."
"Just like Lord Alaric."
"The boy will be a magnificent Alpha."
Criliah heard every word.
She looked at her brother.
Despite everything, she couldn't stop herself from smiling.
"Kael."
The boy immediately turned.
"Sister!"
He ran toward her.
Criliah knelt and opened her arms.
Kael hugged her.
She laughed softly.
For those few seconds, she forgot everything.
Forgot the Moonstone.
Forgot the whispers.
Forgot the way their family treated her.
She was simply his sister.
"You came!" Kael said excitedly.
"I did."
"Look!"
He stepped back and raised his little hand.
A golden spark flickered across his palm.
Criliah's eyes widened.
"That's amazing."
"Father said I'm going to be the strongest Alpha!"
"I'm sure you will."
Kael grinned.
Then he suddenly frowned.
"Why don't you have a wolf?"
The question caught her off guard.
Criliah's smile faded.
Alaric immediately looked at his son.
"Kael."
"But I'm curious."
"That's enough."
The boy lowered his head.
Criliah forced another smile.
"It's okay."
She gently touched Kael's hair.
"I just don't have one."
"Why?"
"I don't know."
"Can you get one later?"
Criliah hesitated.
"I don't think so."
Kael stared at her.
Then he took her hand.
"Then I'll share mine with you."
Criliah's heart squeezed.
She laughed softly.
"You can't share a wolf, silly."
"I can share everything with you."
For the first time that day, Criliah's eyes filled with tears.
She quickly blinked them away.
"Thank you."
Behind them, however, Alaric watched silently.
His expression held none of the warmth his son had shown.
His eyes rested on Criliah's hand holding Kael's.
"Criliah."
She turned.
"Yes, Father?"
"Go inside."
Her smile disappeared.
"But—"
"Now."
She nodded.
"Yes, Father."
She released Kael's hand.
The little boy immediately looked disappointed.
"Father..."
"Kael."
The warning in his voice made the child quiet.
Criliah turned away.
She walked slowly toward the manor.
She didn't cry.
She had learned not to cry where anyone could see.
But when she reached the shadow of the corridor, she stopped.
Her fingers curled into a fist.
She looked back one last time.
Her father was already smiling at Kael again.
That smile.
The one she had spent five years wishing was meant for her.
Criliah turned away.
She continued walking.
That evening, the manor filled with nobles.
Music echoed through the halls. Servants carried silver trays while powerful Alpha families entered the estate one after another.
Criliah was instructed to stay upstairs.
She obeyed.
But when she heard the cheers from below, curiosity pulled her toward the balcony.
From there, she could see the grand hall.
Her father stood proudly beside Kael.
"Everyone," Lord Alaric announced, "allow me to introduce my son and heir."
The room erupted in applause.
Criliah watched from the shadows.
Kael smiled brightly.
Then—
the doors suddenly opened.
A cold wind swept through the hall.
Every wolf inside the gathered Alphas reacted at once.
Some growled.
Others lowered their heads.
The candles flickered.
And somewhere far beyond the manor walls, a powerful howl echoed through the night.
Criliah's heart suddenly skipped.
She didn't know why.
But for one impossible moment—
something inside her answered.
Not a wolf.
Not yet.
Something older.
Something that had been sleeping.
And somewhere in the darkness beyond the kingdom, a pair of golden eyes opened.
The search had begun.
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