MY REGENT STORM THAT

CYRA'S POV I stood by the lake, shivering as cold air hit my skin. I hoped the cold would quiet the storm inside me, but the wind only matched my pain, leaving me raw. My mother’s face haunted me: the coldness of her embrace, the way she made me feel shattered, how faith slipped through my hands, and the silent moment of her death. At some point, my scream tore free, ragged and desperate—the memory replaying in my mind like a wound I couldn’t close, leaving me whimpering, fractured at the edges. The sky grew darker, reflecting my feelings. The wind swept by, making everyone uneasy—nature shared my pain. Numbness took over until the pack tied me up like I was crazy. Now, I was alone. A bell rang, shaking the whole pack. As I lay on the ground, confused, something felt very wrong. I tried to break free, but it didn't work. 'Ad somnum,' I whispered, holding my bracelet bead. Feeling free, I hurried to the tower to see what was happening at the sea. Around me, people rushed about, hiding the teenage girls. It was the Silver pack, the group that ruled over all packs. Their visit brought chaos, and soldiers tore up our home. I was told Silver Crest attacked any pack for no reason. Now I understand why parents hide their daughters. The new Alpha is ascended. Teen girls were taken from their families. No one dared ask why. I should hide myself too. I just turned seventeen, but my father hasn't returned since yesterday. The Silver Crest visited—he is the beta to the Shadow pack and had to attend the visitor. But then their visit descended into chaos. I went to the temple; the doorway was locked. I almost turned back, but I felt my father was inside. 'Ad somnum,' I said, clenching my fist and facing the door. Inside was my father, shackled in his wolf form, with a chain around his neck that prevented him from returning to human form. When I entered, he snarled and wandered, but no one else was there. My stomach twisted as I clenched my fist. My father groaned, pacing restlessly and shaking his head. I had never seen a wolf cry. It seemed he was trying to send me a message, but my wolf was suppressed. I couldn't mind-link with anyone. “Let him go!!”I screamed, loud and raw, as power raced from me into the bead, nerves on fire with need. Wind smashed into the temple, breaking wood and shaking people inside. I didn’t care about the destruction—I would tear the world apart if it would free my father. The chain around him rattled as I got closer, my power slipping out of control. He cried out. The sky raged. The harder I tried, the worse things got. My strength faded, and I blacked out my courage. This was life or death. When I woke up, I was in the hands of two people: one was a giant black woman who couldn't speak but could hear, with soldiers around us as we got off the ship. My bead was gone; I was powerless, and no rescue was coming. This war was now mine to fight myself, even though I had no wolf power and was helpless among wolves. We left the ship and took another form of transport, but the area didn't seem like a city. We arrived at a crowded local restaurant and sat. The leader ordered bread and eggs while the others ate. Someone whispered, 'Cover yourselves properly with your cloaks. We are in Shadowclaw packs, and they mustn't know we’re from Silver Crest,' the leader said quietly. I watched in a daze. 'This is my moment to take action,' I whispered to myself. I pushed the food at him. He tried to take it, but I pulled it back and threw it to start a distraction. dropped the stainless steel plate; it clattered loudly against the floor, the sharp metallic sound slicing through the silence. Immediately, everyone turned as the noise filled the room and chaos spread. 'Halt! They’re from Silver Crest! Help!' I screamed, seizing the moment to bolt from the restaurant. I was pursued, though not by my original captors, but by others from my pack. Golge and the leader fought skillfully; they were Shadowclaw Lycanthropes. I screamed while running through the forest, breathing heavily but never stopping. Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching. I stopped, unsure if I was running toward more danger. A young boy, dressed like a parade soldier, appeared and tried to grab me. I resisted. 'Don’t worry. You’re safe. I heard you screaming,' he said. I hesitated. 'Clear the road,' one of the Shadowclaws shouted. The boy carried a club. As the first approached him, the boy smashed the club on his head, knocking him out. Then the second Shadowclaw attacked, but the boy knocked him out as well. He offered me his hand, and as I was about to give it to him, Golge and their leader appeared, about to attack the boy. “We are from Silver Crest, Battalions are over there; we are marching back to the Silver Crest.” Said the boy . He glanced at him, confused. He led the way while Golge gripped my arm. We walked up to the soldiers, as the boy said. One saw us and called the others. Ned needed to challenge the boy for leaving them, but the man with us said he was loyal to Queen Ashara. 'I am presenting this girl to her,' he said, still holding my hand. I yelled at him, and he told me, 'You made us lose two men; if you try to escape again, behave.' I glared and pulled away from him. We waited under a tree for the carriage. I saw the boy washing at a tap. I snuck over and whispered, 'What's your name?' He paused. 'Alex—Alexander,' he said. 'Did they make you join the Battalions?' I asked. 'Yes,' he said. 'I'm looking for my family.' I gave him a small smile. Before I could say more, a man cut in. 'Hey, what's your name?' he asked. 'Alex,' the boy repeated. 'He will be a good fighter,' the man told the captain. Alex crossed his arms, bowed, and stood aside. 'Let's go,' he said, pointing at me. The carriage came, and I went to it. Before I got in, I ran to Alex, took off my ribbon, and handed it to him. 'Please help me escape,' I whispered. I thought the passage was not the main entrance, like we were sneaking in. Halted, and the door opened so we could get down. When Golge vanished into the shadows, I remained with their leader. Fear crawled over my skin—a fear as sharp as knives under her gaze. My heart hammered painfully as the man shoved me into a room, dread swelling cold and poisonous inside me. I glanced around the room after the man left me unnoticed; darkness pressed in, with only a faint glimmer of light penetrating the shadows. 'Where am I?' I asked anxiously. I turned to my left and saw that the man had gone. Fear kept me frozen. A bald man walked up and answered, 'You are in Silver Crest Palace—the Silver Throne Empire. Some call it hell, others paradise. Some say it's full of tears, others say treasures are everywhere.' I’m Ryhana, in case we meet again. ******* Silver Palace Sleep hovered at the edge of my mind when the door creaked open. Instinct took over; my hand found the dagger beneath my pillow. A gentle tap on my back jolted me. "My prince, my prince," came a whisper. I flung aside the blanket, caught the intruder’s wrist, and pressed cold steel to his throat. He froze, hands raised in surrender. "It's me," he gasped, panic in his voice. I eased the blade away. "Ryhana," I breathed. "You are summoned," he said. I followed, nerves tightening with every step. Ryhana, my father’s Beta and most trusted advisor, guided me to the king’s chamber. My father lay motionless, eyes fixed on the ceiling, while the physicians quietly gathered their tools. I lingered in the doorway, confusion swirling. Ryhana gestured toward the balcony. "My prince, this way please." I stepped outside and found my grandmother gazing over the city. "Your father has passed away," Ashara said. "The throne is yours now." Heads bowed in mourning. ******* My enforcers marched behind me through the palace corridors, their backs straight and faces carved from stone. We advanced toward the Middle Gate, where I would stand before my people and claim the crown. My heart hammered with dread and anticipation. After years spent dodging threats in the shadows, the Goddess had chosen me. Now, I was meant to lead. The Middle Gate groaned open. Before me stood a sea of Lycanthropes, soldiers, and elders. A wave of fear crashed through me. “Close the gate,” I commanded. Dervish moved to my side. He had shaped me since childhood, remaining my fiercest ally and oldest friend. "You are the leader," he whispered. "We are your subjects. You are the lion, and we are the lambs. You command, and we obey. You howl, and we fear. We bow to your strength or face consequences. We follow your rules to survive. Your word is law and must be obeyed. You must be ruthless; kindness is weakness." The gate swung wide once more, and I stepped into the throng. Every lycanthrope lowered their head. I halted beside my father’s coffin, kneeling in tribute. The crowd bowed again as the coronation began. One by one, the elders approached, lips brushing my ceremonial robes in solemn tradition. I straightened, tense but resolute, and spoke: “I will not execute my brother. I reject this custom.” The room fell silent. An elder, eager to speak, began to step forward, but I raised my hand. “This is the new Alpha. These are my rules. I will not follow the law dictated by God. I will lead by my own judgment. A profound silence settled over the crowd. An elder stepped forward to speak, but I raised my hand.