Legend of the Shadow Wolf

Chapter Ten

Getting ready to leave for the royal kingdom was a bit hectic, making sure bags were packed and loaded into SUVs and making sure everything was in order for while Alpha and Luna were away. Thankfully the beta and gamma were back, which I was utterly surprised when I was ambushed by Caleb and Jesse as soon as I opened the front door.

I was so happy to see them and more excited that they were able to come with us. Once everyone arrived and we’re all loading up in the cars, Alpha, Damien and I pulled our bikes out of their garages and loaded up as well. We decided a ride was very much needed after the events of this last week. Still can’t believe that so much happened in a span of four days, seems crazy to me. Finally we were all ready to go and headed out on our four hour drive to the royal palace.

We arrived at the palace around lunch time, so we parked and exited the vehicles. We were shown to our rooms by one of the royal guards and we informed that the ball will start promptly at 5pm. Gave us roughly around 3 hours to get ready, unfortunately women take longer than the men. Once we all get settled, Scarlett and Julie bound into my room and sit on the bed. “So rumor has it, the prince is suppose to attending to night.” Julie speaks up. “I’ve heard he is the most handsome in the whole kingdom and I also heard he’s mateless.”

“25 and has yet to find his mate, it’s not unheard of but also not that common either. Wonder why?” I said, thinking about it. Normally you can find you’re mate shortly after you turn 18 but I have heard that there’s a small percentage of wolves that haven’t found theirs yet due to either age, location, rejection or even death. Rejection and death cause the worst pain imaginable and some wolves don’t live very long after either occurrence due to heartbreak.

“Maybe he hasn’t met her yet because he’s been away the past few years training with the top assassins and warriors and I even heard that he was with the council as well, getting ready for when he takes over as king.” Scarlett inputs knowingly. If there’s one things she’s exceptional at, it’s finding out anything and everything, this girl lives to know things. History is her passion, besides fashion but she’d never tell anyone about her nerd side. Want to find out something, she’s the girl to ask.

We sat there chatting and I was listening to them gossip and hush about the prince’s possible appearance. Before we knew it, it was time for us all to start getting ready for the ball. The girls went and got their things and we decided to get ready in my room together. We all showered separately and who was done first got ready and so on. Once we were done, we gave each other one more once over. Julie was in a beautiful strapless peach pink dress that flowed to the floor, it had patterns of sparkles decorated beautifully all over and a slit that went up the left side. Her hair was in a neat updo and her makeup was light with a shiny pink gloss.

Scarlett was in her gold and silver mermaid style dress with a sweetheart neck and she has a simple tear drop diamond necklace. I had on my beautiful black and red ombré A-Line/Princess sequin ruched off the shoulder sleeveless dress that’s floor length that had a slit up one of the sides that reaches my upper thigh that I picked out with Scarlett the day of my birthday. I paired it with my necklace the gang gave me, the bracelet Damien gave me and a pair of black diamond studded earrings Alpha and Luna gave me for my birthday. I put on my black stiletto shoes and we made our way to the others, the girls holding each of my arms gently to help steady myself.

We finally made it to the rest and the boys rush up to help Scar and Julie with my clumsy a** as I trip on my shoes. Damien walks up to me and I take the time to nonchalantly check him out. He was in a dashing black suit with a dark dark blue button up shirt underneath that brings out the light blue in his eyes and his hair is slicked to the side. He flashes me a knowing smile and pulls his hand from behind his back, revealing my black flats. “I had a feeling we would need these tonight,” he chuckles as he bends down to help replace my heels for the flats.

“Thank you Damien, I know I can always count on you to save the day.” I giggle, giving him a hug. “You look stunning Lay, as do the both of you lovely ladies.” He says to the girls and I. They both laugh and say thanks as we are joined by Caleb, Jesse, Alpha Ransley and Luna Calista. “Alright gang, are you guys ready? Layla are you going to be ok?” Alpha asks, worry written all over his face. “Yes, don’t worry. Let’s go, we wouldn’t want to be late.” I said reassuringly and it’s a smile and start heading down the grand staircase to the ball room.

We all make it to the ball room and take our respective places in our section and wait for the royal introduction. After about ten minutes of waiting, there’s the sound of the horn, announcing the arrival of the king and queen. We all stop talking and bow our heads, showing our marked side of our necks in submission. Suddenly, I smell a hint of the most amazing smell that has ever graced my nose. I look around with just my eyes so I don’t show any disrespect but the smell disappeared as quickly as it came. I shrugged it off thinking maybe it was someone’s perfume or something.

“You may all rise.” A powerful deep voice said, releasing us from our current positions. I looked up and see the king and queen, both are emanating powerful auras but the king’s even stronger. I’ve never seen Lycans up close, the men are slightly bigger than our alphas and the women a little smaller than that. I’ve always waved to see a Lycan’s wolf, it’s been a mysterious need and also a good challenge I’ve had since I learned about them. I’ve wondered if I could ever beat one, that thought alone has driven me to become stronger, faster and enhance all of my senses to be better.

I was so lost in thought, I completely missed everything the king was saying until he spoke one last time dismissing us and wishing us fun and good luck. I internally facepalm myself for not paying more attention, but I’m sure Scar will fill me in later but I got the gist of our dismissal to mingle and have fun till it was time to shift.

Ok Kali, tonight we may or may not get to meet our mate so don’t get discouraged if it doesn’t happen tonight ok? I explained to her calmly.

Ok got it, we’ll let him come find us if he is here. Let’s have some fun for now, I’m dying to go stretch my legs though, it’s been too long she huffs and I feel a twinge of guilt and sadness hit my heart.

I shove the feeling down and go join my friends on the dance floor. I’m not a klutz, but having my legs still be a bit weak was not working out for me at all tonight. My poor friends had to take turns holding onto me. Damien and Taylor both took turns putting my feet on theirs to dance through the slow songs, it was embarrassing and fun at the same time. A few hours passed by and I was starting to get tired and overly hot so I asked Scarlett to help me walk to the balcony for some air.

“Have you smelt anything yet Layla?” Scarlett asks me as she helps me sit on a bench outside. “I thought I smelt something earlier when we were all bowing but it might’ve just been someones cologne, it disappeared too fast.” I explained, understanding what she meant. “What about you?” She got up and looked at me, “nope not yet, but I’m going to go back in and mingle some more. I’ll come back out in a bit and help you back in on?” Then sue turned and left, leaving me alone with my thoughts and I took a deep breath, sighing.

What’s wrong Lay? Kali asked worriedly.

I’m nervous, if my legs are still a bit weak, will yours be when we shift? I asked softly, worried that kali will be perceived as weak because of what happened.

I’m not too sure about that one. Hopefully the full moon will give us enough strength to heal faster but I will stand tall no matter what, for us she replied proudly, she was never one to doubt so I just smile and look at the sky.

I made my way back inside without any incidents, thankfully and trudged over to where Damien was standing with our alpha and luna. “Ah just who I was looking for. Layla, I would like to introduce you to his highnesses, King Caspian Black and Queen Eleanor Black. Your majesties, this is our daughter Layla, she is the one I have been telling you about.” Alpha Ransley introduced and I gave a submissive bow, blushing nervously. “It’s very nice to meet you, my dear. Ransley has told us a lot about you throughout the years.” The Queen said with a warm smile. “This isn’t the daughter of the late Alpha and Luna of Crystal Lake is it?” The king asked Alpha Ransley curiously.

“The very same. Her parents asked Calista and I to take her when their borders were breached by the rogues. We wanted to stay and help them but they made us vow to keep her safe. She has been with our family since and has grown to be a remarkable young woman. She has been training for the competition next week.” My alpha says, boasting with pride. “This is James and Alexandra’s daughter?” The queen gasps. “Rise, dear child, let me get a good look at you.” The king says kindly and I do as he says. I take a shakey step forward and Damien appears next to me, holding my arm steady. “Oh dear, are you ok? Did something happen?” The Queen asks worriedly. “There was an incident and my legs are a little weak from it but they will be back to normal very soon.” I answer, holding my head high with a smile.

The Queen turns her attention to my alpha for a moment when I smell it again. The same scent I smelt earlier caught my senses again and made Kali pace in circles in my head. It was a little faint so I figured it must be coming from the king, maybe a special cologne since the smell was very unique and tantalizing. I shrugged the thought aside and noticed the clock on the wall behind the king and queen. It was nearly midnight, almost time to get ready for the group shift. Damien and I respectfully took our leave to go get settled with the rest outside, I didn’t even notice that half the party left the ball room already.

There were changing areas set up outside for those that aren’t comfortable being naked for the shift. I took one with Scarlett on my right and Julie on my left, carefully stripped out of my dress and threw on the disposable clothes they had set up for us. I opened the door and took a step out as I was met with Taylor, Caleb and Jesse. “Hey girl, are you ready? We could just carry you there, princess.” Jesse joked with a laugh. He’s always been the jokester, only serious when he has to be. I shoot him a smirk, “no I’ll be ok, thank you though. I can still kick your a** with my current state, so beware.” I replied with a friendly threat.

We make it to the clearing behind the castle as everyone else plus the king and queen join us. “Attention young ones, I know you have all already shifted once you turned 18 but as per tradition, now you must shift again for the king and queen. Please get into positions with enough space for the shift, as the moon hits its peak you will all shift at the same time.” The royal beta announces and we all get ready.

Are you ready Kali? I ask her, a little nervous.

Don’t worry Layla, everything will be ok. The moon will strengthen us she replies confidently.

I nod and get ready to relinquish control but as the wind blows a soft breeze, I catch that scent again but a little stronger than before. It smells like damp earth, wood and the forest after a rainstorm with a hint of spice. Kali is pacing again as I sniff the air, my mouth begging to water but all too soon, the smell disappears again. Kali whimpers softly in my mind and I make a mental note to ask her about it later but now we are ready to shift. “Moon is at its peak, you may all shift now.” The beta instructed and all at once, the cracking of bones fills the clearing.

I close my eyes and take a deep breath as I relinquish control over to Kali. It’s been a few days since we last shifted so it hurts a bit but in no time we are now standing on all fours and covered in our black hair.

Something feels different. Can you feel it Kali? I ask her.

Yes I can feel it. It’s a power we’ve never felt before Kali replies softly.

Everyone turns and looks at Kali, noticing the huge size difference and different color. There’s never been an all black female before and as far as I knew, there wasn’t anything on the fact to make it weird so I didn’t think anything of it. Kali looks up at the king and queen, they are whispering something to each other and Alpha Ransley, looking at Kali with curiosity. “All right pups! It’s time for the moon run. Stay together, stay alert and keep up as much as possible. If you need to stop, let your alpha know and they will bring you back. Form up!” The royal beta, I’ll have to ask his name later, instructed once again before shifting in a beautiful sandy colored wolf that has a patch of black over his eye, paws and tip of his tail.

He is a little taller than Kali, which is saying something because she towers everyone back at home. He jumps to the side of the group as everyone else shifts and joins us. My alpha and luna take their positions on each side of our pack group, making sure we all stick together. Julie’s parents stay behind with her since she can’t shift yet but they wave and cheer as we get ready to take off. The king and queen were last to shift and the queen shifts first in her silver wolf with streaks of brown and bright sea foam green eyes. The king then shifts into a massive black wolf with a few stripes of white around his neck and piercing dark blue eyes. He stands taller than everyone, including Kali which he should cause he’s the king after all.

With a very powerful and loud howl, he takes off running with the Queen slightly behind him and we all follow suit. Kali was right, the moon gave us the extra boost of strength and she pushed her legs to run faster than everyone and surprisingly enough, she was keeping up with the king. Normally it would be regarded as disrespectful to run up with the royals but Kali felt like she needed to prove to everyone, mainly her and I, that she is strong and can keep up. Shockingly enough, the king dipped his head slightly in approval, as if telling her she may pass with his permission. Maybe he knew something we didn’t know? With a joyful yip, Kali took off, pushing her legs to go faster, weaving through the trees and jumping off any big rocks she came into contact with.

We made it back to the clearing in record time and quickly went to change then I got dressed into a pair of sweats and a tshirt available in the changing rooms. The night was coming to a close as everyone joined the clearing and we all made our way back to the castle to turn in for the night. I don’t know about anyone else but I was completely wiped. I barely made it up the stairs before my legs collapse with exhaustion and I was caught by Damien before I could fall down the stairs. I could vaguely hear that he was saying something to me as I lost consciousness due to how hard Kali and I pushed ourselves today. One thing I knew for certain, we are going to push ourselves more to get back to normal and we have 4 days until the competition.