Wanted by my sworn enemy

And so the Trials begin

In the late afternoon, the vibrant colors of the East garden provided a tranquil backdrop as Gael found himself lost in thought. The encounter with Lilorith earlier in the morning still lingered in his mind, leaving him with a mix of confusion and longing.

They had been so close to sharing a kiss, their connection palpable in that moment, but Lilorith had abruptly pushed him away and fled. Gael couldn't help but wonder why she had hesitated, especially considering her previous boldness in the same garden.

Lost in his musings, Gael was startled when his cousin Hugo's voice called out to him. Hugo, with his mischievous grin and tousled hair, approached Gael with an air of urgency. There was a hint of worry in his eyes, a weight that burdened his normally carefree demeanor.

"Gael, we need to talk," Hugo said, his voice laced with urgency.

Gael's brows furrowed as he studied his cousin's troubled expression. "What's the matter, Hugo? You seem preoccupied."

Hugo let out a sigh, his gaze searching Gael's face. "It's about Sanari. You know, my ex? We had a fling a while ago, and, well... she might be pregnant."

Gael's eyes widened in surprise as he absorbed the news. The revelation stirred a mix of emotions within him. On one hand, he understood Hugo's worries and the weight of responsibility that came with impending parenthood.

On the other hand, he couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. Sanari had been desperately seeking his attention not too long ago. Gael couldn't comprehend how, with all the rumors swirling around, Hugo hadn't discovered the truth about the girl's unfaithfulness.

"Have you spoken to Sanari about it?" Gael asked, concern evident in his voice.

Hugo nodded his expression a blend of uncertainty and hope. "I confronted her earlier, and she admitted the possibility. But she's unsure, and I don't blame her. We had a complicated past, and this just adds another layer of complexity."

Gael placed a reassuring hand on Hugo's shoulder, offering support. "I understand it's a challenging situation, Hugo. Remember, you're not alone in this. We're family, and we'll find a way to navigate through it together."

Hugo offered a grateful smile, his tension easing ever so slightly. "Thanks, Gael. Your support means a lot to me."

Just as their conversation began to settle, a servant approached them. "My Lords, there is a guest in the Pack Halls," The servant's voice quivered as they relayed the news.

Gael exchanged a brief glance with Hugo, both of them aware that something significant was unfolding. The trials were surely beginning.

Without wasting another moment, they followed the servant's lead, making their way through the grand halls of Les Lunora. As they approached the pack halls, Gael's mind raced with possibilities.

Upon entering the halls, Gael's gaze fell upon his gathered half-siblings, each one exuding a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. They stood in a semi-circle, their eyes fixated on the center of the room where a radiant figure awaited them.

The messenger angel stood before them, emanating a celestial presence that commanded attention and reverence. Its ethereal form was adorned with shimmering white robes that seemed to flow effortlessly. Radiating an otherworldly aura. It had no wings.

It was neither male nor female and it spoke that way too.

Gael's breath caught in his throat as he locked eyes with the angel. There was an air of solemnity surrounding the messenger, their expression grave yet filled with purpose. It was clear that this was not an ordinary encounter; something significant was about to unfold.

As Gael and Hugo joined their half-siblings, the room fell into a hushed silence, all eyes fixed on the messenger angel. The angel's voice carried a weight that resonated through the halls as they spoke.

"Children of the Supernatural World, your presence has been summoned for a purpose of great importance. The time has come for you to embark on a journey that will test your strength, courage, and ability to unite the diverse factions of our realm. You are called upon to partake in the Trials of Ascendancy."

Gael's heart pounded in his chest as the gravity of the messenger angel's words settled over him. The trials they had heard whispers of, the trials that would determine the future ruler of the Supernatural World Order, were now beckoning them forward. The weight of responsibility and opportunity hung heavy in the air.

The messenger angel's gaze swept across the room, their eyes meeting each sibling's in turn. "Prepare yourselves, for the trials shall commence in the realm known as... Ventus Tenebris."

The name echoed in the room, evoking a sense of both foreboding and intrigue. Ventus Tenebris, the Dark Wind—a realm shrouded in mystery, whispered tales of danger, and tests of character. Gael's mind raced with questions, his anticipation mingling with apprehension.

As the messenger angel continued to explain the trials and their significance, Gael couldn't help but feel a newfound sense of purpose burning within him. The trials would push them to their limits, testing not only their physical abilities but also their capacity to forge alliances and bridge the gaps between their factions. It was an opportunity to prove themselves, to showcase the potential for unity within the supernatural realm.

Gael exchanged glances with his half-siblings, seeing a mix of determination, excitement, and trepidation mirrored in their eyes. Together, they would embark on this journey into the unknown, facing the challenges that awaited them in Ventus Tenebris.

As the presence of the messenger angel began to fade, a wave of awe swept through the room. It disappeared in a blaze of glorious light, leaving the air charged with anticipation. Suddenly, in the hands of each legitimate heir, a scroll materialized, adorned with their name and sealed with an emblem of authority.

Gael's eyes scanned the room, and he couldn't help but notice that Hugo, his cousin, didn't receive a scroll. It became evident that the scrolls were exclusively given to the children of the former King Alpha, further solidifying their rightful place in the trials.

Simultaneously, several supernaturals who had gathered in hopes of participating in the trials found themselves excluded. Guiders, lesser beings compared to the majestic messenger angels, appeared in the room.

They were tasked with overseeing the daily activities of each heir, ensuring they remained on the designated path. Those who hadn't received a scroll were promptly escorted out of the room, their hopes dashed.

Gael's attention was momentarily diverted as his gaze met the striking blue eyes of his Guider, a beautiful woman with almost-white blonde hair. Her radiant smile invited him to reciprocate, but his thoughts were consumed by his mate.

He reprimanded himself for his inability to fully engage with his Guider, reminding himself that his mate didn't want him. Despite the Guider's presence, Gael couldn't shake the longing he felt for Lilorith and the uncertainty that clouded their connection.

Gael's attention wandered as he observed the interactions around him. The whispers of ambitious contenders filled the air, and he couldn't help but feel a sense of detachment from the whole affair. He was aware of his own eligibility for the trials, but the prospect of being the leader of such a diverse and complicated world felt overwhelming.

His mind briefly drifted to Lilorith, his elusive mate whose whereabouts were still unknown. He yearned for her presence, for the connection they had begun to build. In the midst of the chaos, he found solace in the thought of finding her once again.

Amidst the murmurs, conflicting opinions began to emerge. Some half-siblings voiced their eagerness to prove themselves and claim the throne, while others harbored doubts and reservations.

The whispers of power and dominance crept into the conversation, fueling the fire of rivalry. Gael's keen werewolf senses picked up on the rising tension, and he knew that if left unchecked, the situation could escalate into chaos.

Gael felt a surge of frustration and resentment coursing through him. The idea of having to compete against his half-siblings for the throne only fueled his disdain for them.

However, as the tension in the room reached its peak, Gael recognized the need to intervene and prevent the situation from spiraling out of control. He stepped forward, his voice cutting through the atmosphere like a sharp blade.

"Cease this senseless bickering!" Gael's tone dripped with scorn, his eyes narrowing as he glared at his half-siblings. The room fell into an uneasy silence, their gazes shifting uncomfortably under his piercing stare.

"I have no desire to engage in petty power struggles with the likes of you," Gael continued, his voice dripping with contempt. "But if we are to participate in these trials, I suggest we find a way to tolerate each other's presence, however distasteful it may be."

His words hung in the air, met with a mixture of defiance and begrudging agreement. Some half-siblings scoffed and muttered under their breath, while others reluctantly nodded.