The wolf they erased

PROLOGUE. “This is exactly why I want you to stop being a warrior. I just want my husband back. I want us to be a normal family without all these secret meetings and constant battles,” Mrs. Laverth said, looking at her husband with tears in her eyes. “You used to love this life, Sable,” Mr. Laverth said softly. He sighed and handed his wife’s bags to the guards to take outside. Then he turned back to her, feeling a sharp ache in his chest as he watched her sit on the edge of the bed. “Then you got me pregnant, and suddenly all I could think about was having a peaceful home,” she whispered, gently rubbing her big stomach. “No more fighting. I cannot raise our baby girl alone if the worst happens.” He sat down next to her and wrapped his arms around her shaking shoulders. “You won't have to, and you know that. I am not going anywhere.” “Baby, the rogues are getting way too dangerous,” she pleaded, her grip tightening on his arm.” High Priestess Sira is using dark magic, the shadow assassin is hunting in the dark, and Alpha Malakor is taking over more land. Villains show up every single blood moon. Please, think about our family. Think about Ayla. Think about me.” “I am thinking about you both,” he insisted, his voice tight. “I want to make Veyrath a safe place for her to grow up. It is only because of my sword that no one dares to bring trouble to our home.” Sable grabbed his hands desperately. “We can leave. We can live in the Weeping Canopy with the Shadow Stalker pack. It is peaceful there. The Kith’s would love to have us. They would value you so much more than General Veyr ever has.” “Not this again, Sable.” He stood up quickly, walking over to the window to look out at the dark sky. “He will betray you, just like he did to Commander Kaelen,” she cried out, following him. She took his hand, rubbing his knuckles gently. “You don't know the whole story,” he muttered. “Commander Kaelen still works for General Veyr, just from the shadows. The General is a good Alpha, and a good leader—” “Oh, please. We both know that is a lie.” Sable rolled her eyes, getting angry now. “We control six packs, Sable! Do you think managing all this power is easy?” “Here come the excuses again,” she snapped, stepping back. “Baby, I don't want my daughter bleeding in battles or training kids when she should be going on dates, wearing makeup, and going shopping with me! I won't let that burden crush her. I am taking Ayla and raising her in the Weeping Canopy. You can stay here if your loyalty to Veyr matters more. I see the trouble coming, and my baby will have no part in it.” She pushed his hand away when he tried to stop her, walking out and slamming the door behind her. A moment later, the door opened again. A big, tall man walked in and stood directly behind the stressed commander. “Another argument, Commandant?” Mr. Jaxon muttered. Mr. Laverth dropped his head into his hands, letting out a heavy sigh. “She is right to worry, Jaxon. We end one war just for another to start, and I am always on the front lines. Now I have a baby girl on the way. Sable sounds more serious than ever. Send extra men to protect her on the road. After this stupid meeting, I am quitting. If I have to leave Veyrath to keep peace in my home, I will do it.” “Yes, Commandant,” Jaxon said, giving a firm salute as Mr. Laverth walked out. ~***~ The air inside the big meeting room was thick and hard to breathe. The Alphas of the six packs under Veyr's rule sat around a huge table, while General Veyr loomed on his throne, his heavy aura crushing the breathing room of everyone in attendance. Next to the throne, one important chair was empty—the one meant for Mr. Laverth. On the floor, the oracle of Veyr sat in a trance, spreading magic beads across the stones. The heavy doors groaned open. Mr. Laverth walked in, his heavy boots making loud noises, with Jaxon right behind him. Every eye in the room followed him. The seer gave Laverth a dirty look before looking nervously toward the throne. “You are late again, Laverth,” General Veyr’s loud voice boomed, shaking dust from the ceiling. “Sorry, General. My wife just left for the Weeping Canopy. She is almost due and wanted to be with close friends,” Mr. Laverth explained smoothly, taking his seat. Veyr’s eyes narrowed, but he snapped his fingers. “Go ahead, Seer.” The oracle’s voice suddenly changed, sounding weird and scary: “When the last ancient blood wakes up under the blood moon, the wolf without a pack will rise. She will have the strength of the past and control the future. Three families will stand before her. One will bow, one will burn, and one will join her bloodline. If she chooses the crown, the old rules will end. If she chooses the bond, the fighting will stop. But if she hates them all, every pack will suffer.” The seer stopped talking, leaving the room completely quiet. “Great. Another war,” Mr. Laverth muttered, his voice cutting through the heavy silence. “What was that?” Veyr’s deep voice dropped to a scary whisper. Mr. Laverth sat up straighter, looking Veyr right in the eye. “I know this is a bad time, but since my child is coming, my second-in-command, Jaxon, will be taking over my jobs for a bit—” “Who are you to decide that?” Veyr snarled, slamming his fist on the chair. “Why are you running away now? Are you planning to overthrow me with that rebellious wife of yours?” “With all due respect, General, do not speak about my wife that way,” Mr. Laverth warned, his power flaring up. “Why would she do that?” “Because she wants to take my place!” Veyr roared, standing up. “You have gotten too powerful, Laverth. Your connections outside these walls have made you arrogant. Let me remind you: I rule Veyrath. I decide who leaves and who stays. And you will stay right here until I say otherwise.” Mr. Laverth cleared his throat, not afraid of the tyrant's anger at all. “General, I am not saying this to disrespect you. But when my baby is born, I am going to be a father first. Work can wait.” The room filled with shocked whispers. Veyr’s face twisted with pure hatred. He looked like he wanted to rip Laverth’s head off. “Leave us,” Veyr growled, keeping his eyes locked on his commander. The Alphas scrambled to their feet, rushing for the exit. “Not you all of you. Just Laverth and Jaxon,” Veyr commanded coldly. “And please, Laverth... dare to defy me. Try to leave Veyrath.” Once the heavy doors locked the alpha’s stare at themselves wondering what the General had to say, Veyr turned his scary eyes to them, then spoke to the hidden Alphas through their minds: “Anyone who helps kill the rest of the Lycan bloodline will get a permanent seat right next to my throne. I want Mr. Laverth’s head, and I want Mrs. Laverth's womb and daughter destroyed.” ~***~ “I have to go back to Veyrath. I have a horrible feeling about this,” Mrs. Laverth said, quickly packing her bags in the cottage. “How is it possible that I gave birth a week ago and my husband still isn't here? Not even Jaxon has sent a message. I do not trust General Veyr.” Mrs. Kith sat quietly in the rocking chair, holding the tiny, sleeping Ayla Sable in a soft blanket. Her heart broke for her friend, but she kept her voice gentle. “Sable, you are not strong enough to travel yet.” Sable stopped packing, her shoulders dropping as she finally started to cry. She turned to her best friend. “Sarah, if I don't make it back alive... please, take care of Ayla.” Mrs. Kith gasped, looking up in shock. “You are leaving her behind?” “My husband would never leave me like this. It has been a week, and I am worried sick. We left things on a bad note, Sarah. The thought that those angry words might be the last thing I ever say to him terrifies me. I need to find my husband.” She sat on the edge of the bed, crying heavily. She ruffled her bag and brought out a gold royal bangle. “Just in case, this is the Laverth’s ancestral bangle. Don’t let her forget who she is.” Sable sobbed harder. Mrs. Kith walked over and knelt in front of her. She took the bangle from Sable, “I will protect Ayla with my life until you come back.” Sable looked down at her daughter, her voice cracking into a desperate whisper. “Let her live her life just being a girl. I don't want her going to war, Sarah. I don't want this violence to touch her. Promise me.” “I promise,” Mrs. Kith whispered back, gently taking the sleeping baby. Sable gave her a sad smile and held her baby girl one last time, kissing her forehead. Deep down, a terrible fear told her that this might be the very last time she would ever hold her beautiful daughter.