Chapter 1: The Promise Beneath the Narra Tree
741 Words
The cold evening wind swept across the territory of the Storm Wind Pack as Alpha Daven Morgan stood alone on the balcony of the packhouse.
At twenty-three years old, Daven had become one of the strongest Alphas in the northern territories. Warriors respected him. Enemies feared him. Yet behind his intimidating reputation was a man haunted by a promise broken years ago.
His silver-gray eyes stared toward the distant forest where an ancient narra tree stood.
The same tree.
The same place.
The same painful memory.
"Daven."
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
He turned to find his Beta, Marcus, standing behind him.
"The council is waiting for you in the conference hall."
Daven clenched his jaw.
"They can wait."
Marcus sighed.
"You've been staring at that tree for hours again."
Silence.
Everyone in the Storm Wind Pack knew about the mysterious girl who had disappeared from Daven's life years ago. No one dared mention her name, but the wound remained.
A wound that never healed.
A wound named Verra.
Ten Years Earlier
"Daven! Faster!"
The laughter of a young girl echoed through the forest.
A thirteen-year-old Daven chased after a girl with chestnut-brown hair as they raced toward the giant narra tree.
"No fair!" he shouted. "You started running before I was ready!"
Verra giggled.
"Excuses, Alpha Daven!"
"I'll be Alpha someday."
"And I'll be your Luna someday.
The innocent words made both children blush.
They sat beneath the narra tree, their favorite hiding place.
"Daven," Verra whispered."
"Hmm?"
"If one day I disappear, would you still remember me?"
Daven frowned.
"Why would you disappear?"
She looked down.
"I don't know."
The young Alpha grabbed her hand.
"Then promise me something."
"What?"
"No matter what happens, meet me here."
Verra smiled.
"I promise."
The two children intertwined their pinkies.
A promise sealed beneath the narra tree.
A promise that destiny would soon shatter.
Present Day
"Alpha."
Marcus' voice pulled Daven back to reality.
The memory vanished.
Only bitterness remained.
"Let's go."
The two men entered the council chamber.
Several elders and warriors stood upon their arrival.
At the center of the room sat Alpha Frederick Morgan, Daven's father.
His expression was grim.
Daven immediately sensed trouble.
"What is it?"
Frederick exchanged glances with the elders.
"The Dragon Fire Pack has accepted the alliance proposal."
Daven's eyes narrowed.
"And?"
"There is a condition."
The room became silent.
Frederick inhaled deeply.
"You are to marry Sylvia Dragona."
The temperature inside the chamber seemed to drop.
Daven stared at his father.
"No."
"It isn't a request."
"No."
His Alpha aura exploded throughout the room.
Several weaker wolves lowered their heads instinctively.
"I will not marry a stranger."
"This marriage will prevent war."
"I don't care."
Frederick slammed his fist against the table.
"Thousands of lives depend on this decision!"
The room trembled.
Father and son locked eyes.
Two Alphas.
Two leaders.
Neither willing to yield.
Finally, Daven spoke.
"What about what I want?"
Frederick's expression softened.
"Daven..."
"No."
Without another word, he stormed out of the chamber.
Far away, beyond the borders of the Storm Wind Pack, a hooded woman rode through the darkness.
Moonlight illuminated her face.
Golden eyes.
Long black hair.
And a crescent-shaped mark hidden behind her neck.
The mark of a true Luna.
The woman pulled her cloak tighter.
"We'll reach the border by dawn, Luna."
She looked toward her companion.
A loyal warrior of the Dragon Fire resistance.
"No."
The woman whispered.
"Call me Verra."
The warrior nodded respectfully.
"As you wish."
Verra's gaze shifted toward the distant mountains where the Storm Wind Pack resided.
A painful ache filled her heart.
Ten years.
Ten years since she had seen him.
Ten years since she failed to keep her promise.
Unknown to her, Daven still remembered.
Unknown to him, she had never forgotten.
The moon suddenly glowed brighter above them.
A strange sensation ran through Verra's body.
Her wolf stirred.
Restless.
Awake.
Waiting
As though destiny itself was calling her forward.
The old woman who had saved her life years ago once said:
"When the Moon Goddess decides the time has come, no force in the world can separate true mates."
Verra touched the pendant around her neck
.
"Daven..."
For the first time in years, she spoke his name.
And somewhere beneath the same ancient narra tree where two children once made a promise, the wind began to howl.
A sign.
A warning.
Or perhaps...
The beginning of fate.
- Writer
