Legend of the Shadow Wolf

Chapter Eleven

Unknown

Tonight was the monthly Full Moon Ball the kingdom has every month for the newly shifted wolves. It was a tradition that has been around for decades, after the last war had occurred and was won. The king and queen at that time decided it was the best way to get to know their subjects and be more involved with the alphas and lunas of each pack that were in their kingdom. Kings were gifted with a pristine sense of judgement so having every alpha join the festivities gave them a good view of who can be trusted and who’s loyalty may waver. For every alpha’s downfall is their pride and if anyone dares threaten that, they tend to let something slip without meaning to.

Not that conflict is intended or welcomed but some circumstances just can’t be helped. I wasn’t especially excited for tonight, I was pulled in last minute by my father and was asked to join him and my mother in welcoming everyone before I had to leave. My presence was more or less a surprise for most but I did not stand with my parents. Instead I wandered around on the outskirts, away from prying eyes but close enough to see and hear everyone. I had just entered the room from the side entrance when everyone bowed to the king and queen, when I caught the most delectable scent. It smelt of fresh rain fall, damp moss with a hint of violet, it wasn’t too strong from where I was standing so I couldn’t pinpoint who it was coming from. I then started to walk around the group of wolves and made my way to the other side, keeping an eye out for anyone that might be sniffing the air.

To my disappointment, no one moved and then everyone stood straight up and the crowd started to move around. I continued my slight mingling, nodding a slight hello to those that recognized me and nodded in respect. I was making my way back over to my when I got a link from the head assassin.

Sir, we need you back. One of the elite members was found.

Ok I’m on my way, be there in 30.

Another thing to add to my list. A few of the elite assassins had gone missing a few weeks ago and I have been scourging around the areas they were last seen and have come up empty each time. Now one has been found and we can finally get some answers. I meet with my parents to let them know I must leave early, assuring them I will report back anything we find. Although I am reluctant to leave knowing my mate is here but I will find her soon.

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Layla

The next four days went by like a blur. As soon as we got back from the ball the next day, I started training again. The alpha’s beta, Kevin, has been helping me with sparing, making me run laps, obstacle course and anything he can think of to help build the strength in my legs and body. I started working with the luna on my mental strength, surprisingly as an omega once, her mind skills are extremely helpful. She gave me different teas and helped me associate different herbs and plants that help with mental strength, ones to sharpen your wits, hearing, smell and even sight. You’d think she was part witch with her love of herbs and teas but as far as we know, witches died off hundreds of years ago, hunted to extinction. By what, you ask? No one knows for certain.

With their help, I am back to being strong and getting stronger. I can now take Damien and Taylor down together, Kali and I perfected our tree training and running has become even easier for us as well. I am fully confident that Kali and I will become one of the 6 chosen for the royal assassins sector. Whatever happened to us last week gave us an extra boost in speed and stealth, even if it did weaken us temporarily. I’m not one for giving up, quitting is not in my genes. Kali and I persevere no matter what, always pushing ourselves past our breaking point. For whatever breaks you, could make you strong. Like Alpha Ransley use to tell me ‘The only thing we have to fear is fear itself. If we can conquer our fears by facing them head on, you’ll be unstoppable.’ Words I live by everyday and it helps motivate me to keep pushing harder.

It’s the day before the competition and I’m finally packing. I’ll do everything early or on time but I always procrastinate packing, drives the alpha and Damien nuts. As I’m loading my pants and shirts into my suitcase, someone knocks on my door. “Come in,” I yell, shoving a couple pairs of shoes into the bag. Damien walks in, sitting on my bed. “Packing last minute as usual huh?” He says with a chuckle. “Well I’ve been busy with more important things. Plus, it takes me like two minutes to pack. Are you coming too?” I responded, asking him curiously as I walk to my bathroom to grab my shower stuff and toiletries.

“Yeah, I’ll be there tomorrow morning with Chris and Jesse. Gotta take care of a few things for dad since he’s leaving with you guys.” Damien answered, clearly not happy about the decision of not being able to go tonight but duty calls. There are six of us leaving tonight that will be competing. The alpha and luna are required to accompany the competitors and anyone who wishes to spectate are allowed to come watch as well. All packs are welcome to join and if I remember correctly, we are allowed up to ten competitors each pack. Only 6 will be able to join the elite assassins though, the runner ups will be allowed to chose other areas to join like the trackers, royal warriors and royal trainers. There might be one more but o never cared to remember, I only had one specialty on my mind.

Becoming an assassin will bring me much closer to finding out who killed my parents and wiped out my whole pack, revenge is top priority. Kali is half and half, she wants revenge as much as I do but she also wants her mate. Ever since the ball, she has been stuck on that smell we smelt and she thinks it could be our mate but I didn’t have the heart to discourage her. Damien clears his throat, pulling me from my thoughts. “Huh, what?” I asked, confused and missed what he had said. “You’re just lost in your own world huh?” He teased, chuckling. “I said, are you nervous? There’s going to be a lot of people that could be bigger and stronger than you. You sure you don’t want to back out?”

I looked at him like he was crazy. “When have you ever known me to back out? If they are bigger and stronger, then they are a new challenge to take on. Don’t worry, I’ll be ok, Kali and I can take them. Now, help me take this down to the car, please. Alpha and I are taking the bikes again.” I replied, handing him my suitcase giving him a pleading smile. He takes it and heads towards the stairs. I grab my bike keys and follow shortly behind. After everything is loaded up and everyone is ready to go, alpha and I hop on our bikes and lead the way to the palace.

We get there in no time and get settled into our rooms in the competitors lodging, anyone not competing get to stay in the castle. The agenda for tonight is pretty simple; dinner at 6 and then everyone gets to relax and mingle, get to know one another and size up our competition. Also gives the opportunity to make friends, new friends means new alliances down the road and builds trust later on if we end up on the same teams. Diversity doesn’t exist during the competitions, if you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em Damien would say.

I shower and get ready to go down to the dinning hall where dinner will be served, making sure to look my best without overdoing it. I slip on my favorite black faux leather pants with a semi loose fit muscle tee and my black combat boots, throw on some light makeup and just leave my hair down, letting the ringlets at the ends just do their thing. Once satisfied that I look intimidating enough but also making sure I look approachable in case anyone decides to be friendly. I make way down the stairs and enter the dinning hall as some others follow shortly behind me.

Once dinner was finished, we all hustled outside to an outdoor sitting area big enough to fit three hundred people comfortably and we all started to mingle and conversation. I found a nice spot in the far corner to get a good view point of everyone and also get a good view of the arena and the forest that lays just a little beyond that. The moon was high in the sky as it hits its apex but it’s not full tonight. I get a feeling that I’m being watched as I turn and see a girl that looks about my age staring at me with curiosity.

She bids the gentleman she was talking to farewell and walks over to where I’m standing. “Hi, you must be Layla. I’m Ember.” She greets me with a smile and an outstretched hand. “It’s nice to meet you Ember, how did you know my name already?” I reply, shaking her hand with a curious look. “Oh my brother is a royal guard here at the palace and He’s in charge of knowing who the competitors are. Call it competition curiosity, I asked him only the names and I’ve met everyone else already except you.” She says with a smile.

Now that I get a good look at her and start to look around, she is much taller than most of us although there are a few that are the much bigger and taller than the rest. “What pack did you say were from again?” I asked her curiously. “Oh silly me, I am from the royal pack right here in the kingdom,” she gleams and now it all makes sense. “So you’re a Lycan? That’s pretty cool. I’ve never actually spent time with a Lycan before. You’ll have to let me pick your brain a bit, if that’s alright with you that is.” I ramble, a little excited.

I don’t know much about Lycan but I do know they are faster, stronger, their senses are more heightened and I heard that they can stand on their hind legs in wolf form, like a giant hairy human. Other than that, they are a complete mystery to me and I’m always curious to find out. Curiosity is my downfall, I want to know the fundamentals of each individual species to better understand them and if an attack ever happens then I’ll know how to better protect myself. Ember looks at me with a warm smile and says, “I like you girl, of course you can pick away.” She laughs then gets close to me and whispers quietly so only I could hear her. “Don’t tell anyone else here, but the king is my uncle.”

I gasped quietly, shocked at what my ears heard. “Wait, why is that a secret though? Is there something wrong with being related to the king?” I asked confused to why she wants it kept quiet. “Ugh cause if anyone finds out I’m related to him, they’ll take it easy on me and I need a challenge. I had to fight my way to even be able to compete. I can’t sit around doing royal stuff all day. I need excitement and adrenaline, I need action. I can’t get that if everyone takes it easy on me so they don’t hurt me and they’ll treat me different. So I’m blending,” she explains and I can see it in her eyes the longing to be free and also the fire inside as well.

“Your secret is safe with me, I understand the feeling all too well. It’s in our blood and there’s no containing the thrill,” I assured her with a smile. “Oh I just knew I was gonna like you! Ugh other girls are so daft and boring, too dainty for my liking.” She exclaims, throwing her arms around my neck for a bone crushing hug. “Well, we’ll, well what do we have here? Found a new toy I see, Ember?” A deep voice sounds behind us. Ember turns around with a huff, rolling her eyes. “What do you want Garret?” She asks, annoyed. “Making friends with the mutts, Em?” He said smuttly. Mutt? Did he seriously just call me a mutt? I turn to look at him, anger coursing through me as I glare right at him.

“Excuse me? And just who do you think you are calling me a mutt? I’m sure I could kick your a** without even breaking a sweat.” I said smugly, putting my hands on my hips. “Ahaha right, we’ll see about that princess. You don’t even look like you could beat up a baby, you couldn’t compare to a Lycan. I’ll have you begging for your life, maybe once I’m done with you on the field, you could be my new play thing,” he replies, a disgusting smirk playing on his lips as his eyes reveal exactly what he means, pissing me off more but I don’t show it. I wipe all emotion from my face and take a couple steps towards him, a slight smirk plays on my lips as my voice coming out calm and cold.

“You can very well try, but keep in mind, you won’t stand a chance. Don’t underestimate us mutts.” I say cooly before taking a few steps to the side of him but before I go to walk past him, I look up and make eye contact, deadly fire present in my eyes, “and if you dare to lay a finger on me or anyone else in that way without permission, I’ll cut your d**k off and slit your throat before you have time to think.” Then I walk away with Ember trailing behind me, laughing. “Girl you have fire! Oh man, I will cherish the look on Garret’s face for the rest of my life. Tomorrow is going to be so fun.” She said excitedly and I have to agree.

We all retire to our rooms but Ember comes and hangs out with me in my room for a bit. We talk about each other’s likes and dislikes, getting to know each other. She tells me a bit about the many differences between werewolves and Lycans, but it does make me question a few things. Her and I have a few similarities and she questions if I’m sure I’m not like her but I tell her both my parents were werewolves. She shrugs it off and then we bid each other good night.

I open my window for some cool air when I see a figure walking down the path that connects the lodges to the castle. The wind switches directions, blowing my air out the window and I see the figure suddenly stop and slowly turn around. It’s too dark to see who the figure is but I can tell they are tall and have a pretty bulky figure but I can’t see any details. They turn and continue to walk so I turn away from my window and lay down in bed, questions about the figure racing through my mind. Who could it be?