Moonborn Among the Arcane

CHAPTER 3

Valen Grey

I had told myself I rejected her because alphas don’t bend to instinct. Or simply thought I was better than her.

But my wolf didn’t agree. The moment I cut the bond, the backlash hit physically.

It took time and my pride and ego didn't make me notice it on time.

I felt it in my sternum like a hand closing around a bone. Why did I feel this way? Was it because she was my mate? I couldn't wrap my head around it for a moment.

Rejection normally closes the connection. I mean my heart was made of steel, or so I thought.

But this one opened something instead.

There was a pack balance that weakened immediately after the ritual. I noticed it.

"The bond was that strong?"

I questioned, as I noticed that the Nightclaw wolves have always drawn strength from occurrences that were tied to their alpha’s mate link.

The bond might have been rejected, but the energy leaking from my side of the severance didn’t vanish. It was lingering. And worse if all it had played out.

The occurrences were reacting like something was missing.

I started having the same dreams every night.

In the dreams. I kept on seeing Lyra and she wasn’t broken.

She was standing as a fully wolf-formed, enormous, glowing with moon power during all over her.

She would be surrounded by species flags, but no pack sigils.

I woke up panting each time with static on my veins and burning on the rejected bond-point which was on hand.

I needed an explanation of what was happening? Was I going crazy? Or was it the bond really punishing me?

With all these thoughts filling up my head I dragged my beta, Drex for a little explanation but he ended up blaming Lyra openly.

"I'm just saying that the ritual must have cursed the pack."

The elders murmured as they disagreed privately.

But Drex was stubborn and I was too disoriented with everything to stop him.

So he spoke loud enough that the pack soldiers followed what he was saying

I stayed quiet because I saw the politics and the role I would play if I spoke up.

I didn’t defend her publicly. But privately, I began tracking every occurrence that was magically inclined.

I felt like a coward because I knew it was all my fault. I allowed my pride and ego have the better part of me.

"I hope I can fix this?

I asked myself as I searched yet all signs led outward. Far from Nightclaw territory. It seemed my answer was outside my home.

Which would make sense because that's exactly where she was.

***

As I carried out my regular alpha duties one of the soldiers bumped into me and submitted something that was crucial

"Young Alpha. An important message has been sent from the mage council"

He said as he handed it over to me. I opened it and I saw that it was a notice.

"The Mage Council had sent me a notice. But what was it about it? We're they aware of the magical occurrences that were happening within my pack"

But as I opened the notice it read: 'Hybrid spell-aberration detected on the Lunaris-Arcspire border. No name attached. But the signature felt familiar.'

I didn't need anyone to tell that it was her, quickly I dropped everything I was doing and I left without declaring a mission at the time.

I had to find her and resolve what was going on with the pack, if not Nightclaw was at jeopardy.

***

As soon as I had made it to the boarder

crossing into Arcspire they put me under immediate surveillance.

"Hands up"

It was humiliating for them to treat me like that but I didn't mind. Or even care at this point. I needed to find her and save my pack and myself as well.

"Well, well if it's not the young alpha of the Nightclaw pack who would otherwise charge into our borders so gallantly and without permission. Why have you left the territory of Lunaris here?"

The mages wanted to make it clear that they don’t respect wolf intimidation.

So I guessed it was their way of saying what was on their minds.

Their laws are spell-driven, logical, codified. I guess I had to respect that.

"If you know who I am, I suggest you treat me accordingly"

I said in defense but they laughed at me instead

"We don’t care about your pack hierarchy, only arcane classifications can qualify you here"

I could feel the anger in my chest boiling but I kept it cool.

They led me into the facility and immediately I felt her as my wolf began to yearn. My hand began to hurt again.

"The bond"

I whispered to myself.

I realized quickly Lyra was part of the investigation record.

"I need access to the research cells where spell-anomalies are kept."

I requested but I was ignored. I was brought before the Council of Scribes to be questioned as I was surrounded by them.

A council scribe pointed at me asked bluntly,

“State your intent, Alpha. You can't just come charging here requesting to see our cells. We have rules that must be obeyed.”

I looked at him and said,

“I want answers. So much is going on within my pack and only in your cell holds the answer.”

I was talking about Lyra. I didn't know if they would understand. Instantly my wolf began to bark out of excitement as I heard a familiar voice.

"Answers or possession?”

I turned to see that it was Lyra that countered me. I just stood there looking at her.

I didn’t reply, which she took as an answer.

She walked away and my wolf moved by impulse pushed me to chase her but I was held back by my mage soldiers.

Regret filled me up. I had rejected her, thrown her away and now I was the one getting rejected.

I deserved it. But I needed her, my pack needed her.