The moon heir

Chapter 1: The Lunar Sovereign Has Fallen A gigantic black wolf ran across the thick, dark forest hastily, trying to save his pack from an attack from their rival, the Crimson Hollow Pack. They had been enemies for centuries, and the Gamma of the Enterium Dominion had informed the Enterium Dominion that the Crimson Hollow Pack had given several warnings that they would be attacking soon if they didn’t submit to them. So, they had to diversify means of conquering the Crimson Hollow Pack, just as they had been doing over centuries. The black wolf stormed through the forest, hitting tree branches as arrows flew above the sky. The wolf ran hastily, his silver eyes and claws piercing through every path he took. At the other end of the forest was a young hunter who was embraced with fear. All his life, he had never seen such an animal. The massive black wolf never looked back. He ran as fast as he could. The hunter continued shooting at the strange animal, thinking it might attack him. Another arrow flew, grazing the wolf’s shoulder. A voice kept telling him to continue running. The Blood Moon loomed high above the forest, casting a radiant light on the wolf, making its black fur glow like silver. The forest knew him. Every tree knew him. Every creature in the forest knew him. He was the Lunar Sovereign. He wasn’t an ordinary wolf. Yet, he was the prey tonight. The scent of humans lingered around the forest. They were getting closer. Another arrow tore through the darkness. He tried twisting away just in time, but the movement sent a violent ache through his chest. He whispered within himself, blood dripping all over his body, “Why am I not healing?” He had fought so many battles, killed many other Alphas. He had broken bones, and they had always mended by themselves. But why was tonight different? The healing gift had vanished. The blood refused to stop. He suddenly thought about his little heir waiting for him at one of the borders. He tried running but fell flat on the ground. He had lost a lot of blood. Fear settled in his heart. Not the fear of death… But the fear of leaving his little heir alone. A distant howl echoed through the mountain. His ears twitched. His warriors were searching for him, too far away. He pushed himself harder, trying to ignore the pain running through his muscles. He stood up. Another arrow pierced through his hind leg. “No… Human poisons cannot make me weak. What is happening to me? Why am I not recovering?” His eyes blurred as he looked through the forest. He staggered to his feet and kept running. He heard voices. Human voices. With the last strength he had, the Lunar Sovereign lifted his head toward the Blood Moon. “Great Moon, please protect my son.” He dragged himself in pain deeper into the forest. He saw another hunter. Not evil… But fear filled his eyes. The Lunar Sovereign was too weak to attack. The human shot another arrow at him. He fell to his knees. For the first time in his reign, the Lunar Sovereign realized he might not make it home. He stood up, wondering why the Moon Goddess had deserted him or made his healing powers vanish. He walked with no strength left in him. Every step became heavier. The voices of the hunters had faded. Just then, a faint scent drifted toward him. It was familiar. He got to the Sacred Crescent, where every Alpha swore to protect his pack with his life, and decided to rest there. But his heart refused. He hadn’t seen his son. Summoning the last bit of strength left in him, he stood upright and continued walking. Just then, the young prince burst through the trees. His silver eyes widened in panic and fear. “Father!” he screamed. Relief washed over the Lunar Sovereign. The boy dropped to his knees and held his father the best way he could. He cried bitterly, his trembling hands reaching for him. “No…” His voice cracked. “No… Please.” The Lunar Sovereign managed a smile. “I will get the healers,” the small boy cried, trying to lift him. “You will be fine. You always heal.” The Lunar Sovereign glanced beneath him and saw the blood that had soaked the ground. “I won’t this time,” the Lunar Sovereign said softly. The boy glanced at him in confusion. His father had always healed. What had changed? He didn’t understand. His father had conquered so many Alphas in war. He had conquered countless rogues. He had also conquered the Crimson Hollow Pack, their rival. Why wasn’t he healing? The Lunar Sovereign lifted his bloodstained paw and rested it against his son’s cheek. “Listen to me.” Tears streamed down the prince’s face. “You must become stronger than I ever was.” “I don’t want to be stronger,” the little boy cried. “I just want my father.” The Lunar Sovereign stared at his son for a few moments. He gazed toward the blood-red moon. His voice became little more than a whisper. “Never give your heart to a human.” The little heir stared at him. “The Twilight Goddess’s rule exists for a reason. Love can blind even the strongest Alpha.” His final breath escaped him. His paw slipped from his son’s face. The prince remained frozen. His eyes widened in fear. He was still in disbelief over what was happening. A baby’s cry pierced through the night from a distance. The Blood Moon grew brighter, and for the first time in years, a thin crack of silver light appeared across the Blood Moon. The little prince looked up at the sky. He had no idea why his heart ached. In a small cottage in the human village, a newborn baby girl’s tiny hand glowed radiantly. But no one noticed because it disappeared almost immediately. The prophecy had chosen its children. Just then, crimson eyes, blazing like a burning furnace, pierced through the cottage window, carefully watching the baby’s heart. A low, chilling voice broke the silence. “I found her.” The baby suddenly stopped crying. The crimson eyes narrowed. Then the cottage door creaked open.