The Wolf's Eye

Chapter 2

“You little jerk, Vic, why am I the last one to find out you're coming today?” I texted my brother.

His reply came instantly.

“Don’t be mad, sis, I wanted to surprise you.”

“Too late, I’m already mad, and the surprise failed.”

“I’ll make it up to you, sweet pie, you’ll be happy.”

“Don’t call me that, or I’ll get mad again!” I replied, smiling.

Victor was four years older than me. He was the best big brother any girl my age could wish for. He was caring, loved to spoil me, and always protected me from the world. It was a pity that he had spent the past three years studying abroad at one of the most prestigious universities, and we only saw each other a few times a year.

We had a special bond. Victor sometimes understood me better than I understood myself. He had pulled me out of trouble so many times without telling our parents. And I did get into trouble… often.

“I just found out we’re werewolves,” I messaged him again. But this time, he didn’t reply immediately.

I set the phone down on my bedside table and stood in front of the mirror.

I studied my reflection greedily. Especially my eyes. They were green, as always. So why did Dad mention a golden iris, and why did that stick in my memory?

A message ping interrupted my thoughts.

I grabbed the phone.

“We’re not werewolves, Clara. Let’s talk in person. Delete this message.”

“Okay. When will you be here? I’ve missed you.” I replied, a little disappointed.

“By six,” Victor answered.

I put the phone down, but another message came in.

“Hey sis, how are you?” wrote Dara.

“Hi,” I replied. “Did you know we’re werewolves?”

“We’re not werewolves. We’ll talk in person. I wanted to surprise you, but I can see you’re not in the mood. Open the door, Clara!”

At first, I didn’t understand what she meant and reread the message just as someone knocked on the door.

“Clara, open up.”

I jumped off the bed and ran to the door. Dara stood there. She looked stunning. We video-called every day, but the camera couldn’t capture her charm. She was the embodiment of femininity and elegance.

“What are you doing here?” I asked.

“Oh come on, sis. We haven’t seen each other in two months, and the first thing you say is, ‘What are you doing here?’”

I rushed to hug her.

“Sorry, Dara, I missed you. Today’s just… weird. I didn’t expect to see you. And then Mom and Dad told me something so crazy it’s hard to believe. I started wondering if they’d lost their minds.”

“I miss you too, Clara. Can I come in?” she asked, already stepping into my room without waiting for permission.

“Yeah, of course. I thought you had exams and wouldn’t make it even for my birthday.”

“Well, I thought so too, but our parents made a deal with the dean, and I got a week off.”

“Really?” I was surprised — for our dad, education was sacred. He once sent me to a test with a fever.

“Yeah. Mom asked me to talk to you.”

“About werewolves?” I joked, still not believing our parents’ words.

“Don’t be so naive, Clara. This is serious,” my sister looked at me sternly.

“Sorry,” I mumbled like a guilty child. “It just all sounds so absurd.”

“We’re not werewolves, Clara. But they exist, sweetheart. I understand your confusion — I was just as stunned as you. The gravity of our situation hit me gradually. We belong to a pack. It’s a privilege… and a curse.”

She was more serious than I’d ever seen her.

“Why do you say that?”

“Because once you become part of the pack, you must follow its laws. And there’s only one law — complete obedience to the Alpha. Disobedience means exile or death.”

“You’re scaring me,” I admitted honestly.

“I’m not trying to scare you, but you need to understand what kind of game you’re entering. With your mischievous streak, I’m afraid problems will arise. Not just for you. It’s time to grow up, Klara.”

“Don’t treat me like a reckless child, Dara. I may not be like you, but I’d never do anything that could really hurt someone.”

“That’s exactly the point. If you mess up, we all suffer. That’s the law of the pack.”

“Okay, I got it,” I replied. “From today on, I’ll be the perfect example of virtue and good behavior.”

“No need to start today,” she said more lightly. “It’s enough once you’re officially accepted into the pack. After your meeting with Roxana, everything will change.”

“What’s she like?” I asked.

“She’s our Alpha’s wife. Very beautiful. Very strict. You should be afraid of her. If she doesn’t like you, she can make your life in the pack unbearable.”

“Why would she do that?”

“To set an example. They’re true werewolves, Clara. They only respect power — a power no one else in the world matches. They crush disrespect and betrayal in the bud.”

“So loyalty to the Alphas is all about fear?”

“No. You misunderstood. It’s instinct. We’re not werewolves, but we’re betas. Betas are the eternal servants of Alphas. From them, we get power, money, and influence. Ever wonder why Dad’s company has been at the top of the Forbes rankings for over ten years?”

“Because we’re the best?” I guessed innocently.

“And why do you think we’re the best?”

“Because we have no competitors in our niche,” I concluded.

“And why do we have no competitors?”

“Are you saying it’s because our parents serve the Moonlight Clan?”

“That’s exactly what I’m saying. We owe everything to our Alpha, Clara.”

“So who’s our Alpha?”

“I was wondering when you’d ask,” Dara smiled.

She looked thoughtfully out the window.

“The Moonlight Clan owes everything to this man,” she began.

The Alpha’s title is passed by blood — the strongest descendant of a deceased Alpha becomes the new leader, unless someone challenges him. Which, of course, is madness. But not that time. Richard Gray won the duel against his cousin and became the rightful Alpha. Some say he didn’t win fairly — but as they say, the winner isn’t judged. Since then, he’s been deeply involved in politics, placing pack members in key positions in business, culture, and government. That’s how he built an unshakable foundation. Other packs are forced to cooperate — or be crushed.

“But Dad said something completely different. He said almost all packs are neutral with us, and only two are dangerous because they want sole control. But from what you just told me, it sounds like our pack already runs everything.”

“Really?” Dara was surprised. “What else did he tell you?”

I hesitated. There was something hostile in her gaze.

“Nothing else,” I replied.

“Look, I didn’t mean to tell you all this… especially not like this. Just wait a week. You’ll see for yourself. And if you ever need help — you know where to find me.”

Then she left the room, and I was left alone with my questions and doubts. What did she really mean?