Chapter 17: The Ancient Alpha
744 Words
Malakar is the original founder of the Blood Moon Pack and the true mastermind behind the war.
He was believed to have died centuries ago but survived by using the Shadow Stone, which greatly extended his life while slowly corrupting him.
Kael is Malakar's direct descendant (not his immediate son). Malakar calls him "my son" because he is his blood heir and chosen successor.
Torin is not related to Malakar. Torin is the rightful descendant of the Alpha King, preserving the prophecy established earlier.
Years ago, Malakar manipulated events from the shadows, causing the war between Shadow fang and Moon claw while hiding his own involvement.
Lyra's father, Alpha Rowan, discovered the truth before he died and hid evidence, hoping Lyra would uncover it one day.
Kael genuinely believes he is avenging his pack, but he eventually learns that Malakar deceived him and used him as a pawn.
.........
~The Ancient Alpha
The crimson pillar of light pierced the heavens.
The ground trembled beneath every wolf's feet as ancient runes glowed across Black Hollow.
Malakar stood in the center of the valley, the Shadow Stone floating above his outstretched hand.
Its dark power twisted the air around him.
Torin struggled to his feet despite the arrow lodged in his side.
"Everyone..." he shouted.
"Fall back!"
Shadowfang warriors quickly formed a protective circle around the wounded and the Moonclaw prisoners.
Across the battlefield, Kael remained frozen.
His crimson eyes never left Malakar.
"You lied to me."
Malakar smiled.
"I gave you purpose."
"You told me our enemies destroyed our family."
"They did."
"You told me revenge would free our people."
"It almost has."
Kael's voice cracked with anger.
"I was never your son..."
Malakar's smile faded.
"No."
"You were always my weapon."
Those words struck harder than any blade.
For the first time since Lyra had met him...
Kael looked broken.
---
Torin slowly pulled the arrow from his side.
Blood stained the ground beneath him.
Lyra caught his arm before he could fall.
"You're hurt."
"I've survived worse."
"You don't have to fight."
He smiled faintly.
"I do."
She looked into his eyes.
For the first time...
She wasn't looking at the Alpha who conquered her home.
She was looking at the man who had risked his life for her again and again.
---
Malakar raised both hands toward the Blood Moon.
"My children..."
His voice echoed across the valley.
"Witness the birth of a new kingdom."
Darkness poured from the Shadow Stone like living smoke.
It swallowed the battlefield.
Where the shadows touched the fallen wolves...
They moved.
One by one...
Dead warriors stood again.
Their eyes glowed crimson.
Their bodies obeyed only Malakar.
Gasps spread across both armies.
"The dead..."
"They're alive!"
"No..."
The fortress healer whispered.
"They're not alive."
"They're cursed."
The undead wolves charged.
Friend and foe alike.
---
"Protect the prisoners!" Torin roared.
The battle erupted once more.
Lyra slashed through one cursed wolf.
It fell—
Only to rise again.
"They won't stay down!"
Malakar laughed.
"You cannot kill what already belongs to death."
Kael stared at the undead warriors.
His hands trembled.
"This wasn't our dream."
Malakar ignored him.
"It is now."
---
Suddenly...
The silver mark on Torin's chest blazed beneath his armor.
At the same moment...
A matching silver symbol appeared on Lyra's wrist.
She gasped.
"It burns!"
The two marks shone brighter with every passing second.
The light joined between them, forming a shimmering silver thread only they could see.
Orion's words echoed in Lyra's memory.
"The prophecy has awakened."
Torin felt it too.
The bond.
Stronger than ever.
Not merely as mates...
But as something far older.
Far greater.
---
Malakar's smile disappeared.
"So..."
"The bond is evolving."
His eyes narrowed.
"That cannot happen."
He lifted the Shadow Stone.
Dark lightning surged toward Lyra.
Before it reached her...
Kael leaped into its path.
The blast struck him instead.
He crashed onto the battlefield, smoke rising from his armor.
Lyra stared in disbelief.
"You saved me."
Kael coughed, struggling to breathe.
"I owe your father..."
He looked toward Malakar.
"...more than revenge."
Malakar's face twisted with rage.
"You dare betray me?"
Kael slowly rose to his feet.
"I finally see the truth."
He drew his sword.
"I fight for my pack."
Not for you."
For the first time...
The Blood Moon Alpha stood beside Torin and Lyra.
The three leaders faced Malakar together beneath the crimson moon.
The real war had finally begun.
- Writer
- chap_listContents
- likeADD