The Alpha's Abandoned Heart

Queen Maya Grey and Alpha Richard Thorn ruled over an Eldoria bound in ancient magic and unyielding traditions. The mystical werewolf kingdom was in abundance of harmony and wealth in a luscious valley inside a ring of massive Rocky Mountains that were, for the most part, dark, and had amazing forests reaching inwards. The Eldorian people, a rich fusion of Western kingdoms and cultures the likes of which the world had never known, lived in peace in this blessed realm in a state of joint stewardship of this magic realm, and great were the traditions of both the human cultures and the Wolfen races to which these humans were interbred into. Queen Maya had rich brown hair and a depth of emerald eyes that spoke to grace and judgment. Her parents were tragically killed in a rogue attack, and she was forced to take the throne at a young age. Maya had proven to be a leader at a young age, her unwavering commitment to her people and the innate sense of righteousness in her actions brought her the undying loyalty of her people. Both her grand self-esteem and her heartfelt supportive nature charmed even the Eldorians. Lila Blackwood was Maya's best friend and advisor. Maya had a childhood friend, Lila, who was also sharp and, like Maya herself, loyal to a fault. Her dark curls paired with her deep blue eyes, not only added to the obvious sense of intrigue she possessed but worked magically with her sharp tongue and quicker wit that had become a necessity to the queen. Their loyalty and being by each other's side until time stopped was born of years and experiences, untold trials, and countless struggles to push peculiar, yet necessary features into the world. She was not only an advisor, but also a friend in spirit - always filled with well-placed wisdom or a course of action. Alpha Richard Thorn, the strongest warrior of the kingdom, the shield of Eldoria. Example: Richard was tall and muscular, black-haired with a powerful frame, and had almost incandescent, storm-cloud gray eyes, a big shot if there ever was one. There was no doubt his iron rule over the werewolf pack was precise when it needed to be and filled with so much Genuine love for his kind. Despite multiple threats, Felix's strategic brain and peerless combat abilities saved Eldoria time and time again, and received respect and adoration from all. The burdens of inheritance were a silent cross that Richard bore by right of his queen and his realm, that kept him moving with silent, staunch determination. The capital of the kingdom, Elenora, showed traces of the long history that Eldoria boasted. The city was ringed by stone walls, and the runes etched into the wall glowed faintly, playing out spell sequences to guard against intrusion. The bustling marketplaces of merchant-outfitted streets met the tingling exchanges of the townsfolk. The apex of Elenora was the grand palace, with its towering spires and wrought iron decorations that displayed the might and oneness of the realm. Beneath the facade of calm, Eldoria was a realm of long-forgotten prophecies and arcane lore. Foremost among these was the prophecy of the Fated Bond, a specific, divinely ordained link between the ruling king and the alpha. People believed this link was what kept the kingdom safe and prosperous. Maya and Richard were the couple destined to marry each other, but what Maya failed to understand was that her union with Richard possessed the power to bring footing and establishment to Eldoria like no other version of Elasea before her. The moment that heated the kingdom with sheer ecstasy was nearing their bonding ceremony. Not only a grand festivity but the realization of the magical bond that would forever shield Eldoria from any evils. The palace was a flutter of preparation, and the villagers were all excited at the prospect of the celebrations. So Maya, with the colossal mass of responsibility on her back, took comfort in what she saw as ancient wisdom that had guided her ancestors. But Richard was afraid. In the months leading up to the ceremony, he was tormented by horrific visions. In those images, the shrouded figure tells of darkness looming over their union, that fate could lead to disaster and destruction - on Eldoria in general - if Maya and he were to bond. The words of the figure were replayed in his mind, filling his heart with a sense of foreboding. Lost and tormented, Richard turned to the kingdom's seer, an ancient sage living in the bowels of the Whispering Forest. The seer, a mystical man who had the look of someone who had seen far more than us simple mortals, confirmed that there truly was a dark prophecy. She told me that a curse would be set loose on Richard's bloodline, by throwing the bond, This revelation was life-shattering to the core. It was like the feeling of his love for Maya fighting with his duty to protect her and Lanos, and the ominous kingdom. Willing to protect Maya from the upcoming disaster, Richard chooses to push her away. He knew she would take his rejecting her to heart, and that it could very well tip the kingdom from the balance of the dark prophecy, but he felt it was the only way to save her. A decision that would change the course of their lives and the future of Eldoria was upon them, and he tried, heavy at heart, to the fateful moment. In the meantime, Richard suffered alone with his demons: it was still a secret to Maya. As she proceeded with her wedding plans, she did so with hope and excitement, excited about the future that they would create together. Her faith in Richard was unshakable, her love solid and unmovable. Even the people of Eldoria could not be excluded from her hope, better than the promise of a coalition that would unite them, forming a larger power and more united. Ever in tune with Maya, ever watchful, Lila noticed an edge to Richard. She voiced her fears to Maya, but Maya, trusting their relationship, smiled to reassure her. She thought Richard was just nervous about the high stakes of the commitments they would soon make official. She had no idea of the hell that Richard was reliving, outside his prenuptial fears )} Horrifying. The anticipation in the kingdom buzzed louder and louder as the day of the bonding ceremony neared. The palace had been decorated with strings of flowers and the atmosphere was redolent of jasmine and rose. They practiced their music, and the artisans created the finest decorations for the event. The townspeople busied themselves, laughing and full of hope for the future. The night before the celebration, Maya went to the balcony of the palace looking at the moonlit Eldoria landscape. The night sky was littered with shining stars that had witnessed in silence all the love and sacrifices that scripted the love saga of the kingdom. Richard, Maya thought with a smile. She stood ready to accept their fate, a leadership that would guard, bond, and empower their realm. Richard, however, darkened in the shade and stood with a heavy heart, knowing what he had to do. He had stood there and looked from a distance just across the street, torn between his despairing love for Maya and his honor, as he saw it, that he felt he must uphold. The words of the seer rang in his ear, an ever-present omen of doom that hung over them all. She watched as the high priest turned and moved toward the palace, as the night came; and dawning that evening, at the full of the moon, he left his quarters to walk slowly through the gardens toward the palace gate where he knew well what he would find. The ritual was scheduled for dawn under the Tree of Life in the courtyard of the palace. This ancient tree, its twisted wood pointing away at the gods, was a monument to the perpetual connection that united the Overlords of Eldoria and the people they ruled. A labyrinth of light bulbs lit the courtyard as the sun set, giving the place a magical ambiance. When the earliest light of the first sunrise spread across the sky, Maya and Richard faced the Tree of Life at the center of their people. The atmosphere was electric, the suspense tangible, almost physical. The royal priestess launched into the ritual, powerful hands weaving strands of air around them, murmuring a centuries-old invocation celebrating unity and resolve. Maya stretched a hand forward, her eyes filled with love and trust, as she prepared for the bond to be fully actualized between herself and Richard.