Prologue
DarkBeauty357
In the heart of the woods stood a weathered wooden cabin, its age evident in the sagging timbers and worn, rustic charm. Dust coated every surface, and cobwebs draped from the corners like forgotten memories. A small black snake lay curled in one shadowy corner, resting lazily. Surrounding the cabin was an untended garden, overtaken by wild weeds and creeping ivy. Delicate pink and blue flowers pushed through the dry brush and withered leaves, yearning to break free from their confinement. To the left of the cabin, a path sloped down to a riverbank where water cascaded over smooth rocks, its gentle flow creating a serene and peaceful melody. A fawn stepped cautiously toward the water, alert to the slightest rustle in the air.
The fawn’s ears perked up and a shiver ran down his body. As quickly as he came he left. The pounding of footsteps was heard in the distance of the woods near the cabin. A group of yelling and screaming interrupted the peace of the woods and the animals of the cabin dispersed into the woods. The snake hissed and descended into the deep cracks of the cabin. The birds flew away and the little bugs stopped talking.
“You wretched, impudent little girl! If it wasn’t for your father I’d have you tossed out of these woods. Permanently!” He yelled and snarled as his grip tightened around this little girl he was dragging through the woods. Tears welled in her eyes and she struggled to keep up with his large strides.
Behind them were a man and a woman struggling to keep up. They were spitting apologies profusely- anything to save their daughter. “Please alpha! Have mercy, she is a young child.” The woman cried out.
“Mercy?” He snapped back stopping in his tracks briefly before refocusing on his objective. “It is bad enough you all lied to me and deceived me. I am showing enough mercy. If your mate wasn’t a good friend of mine. I’d kill you all!” He roared at the woman following behind and it echoed through the forest.
The little girl stumbled as Alpha Caleb dragged her forward, his grip bruising her tiny arm. Tears blurred her vision, but it wasn’t just from the pain. Her parents’ frantic voices—shouting apologies, pleading for mercy—made her stomach twist.
The woman was fearful because she had no idea what he had her store for her daughter. She turned to her mate with a sorrowful look in her eyes. “Felix! Do something!” She cried, her voice trembling with fear. The father was torn—his daughter, his duties, and his loyalty to his alpha pulling him in different directions.
The father spoke up, “Alpha Caleb, what are you planning to do?” He shouted so the alpha could hear. They were jumping over logs and dodging branches to keep up.
Caleb ignored that question until they arrived at the cabin, located on the very outskirts of his pack. It was isolated away from the main pack lands, and was forbidden to enter by Caleb. Caleb threw the little girl down to the ground, scraping her knees in the process. “I’m going to kill her.” The alpha finally made up his mind as he was heavily debating it.
Caleb held his hand up as dark fur sprouted from his elbow downward. The fur started sparsely at his elbows and became more coarse going up his forearm. His hand, completely covered in fur, was in the shape of a half wolf-human paw. His finger elongated and sharp claws formed from his nails. This half-shifted state was called the humanoid form.
When Caleb raised his clawed hand, the little girl froze. Her heart pounded so loud she thought it might burst. She pressed herself into the dirt, squeezing her eyes shut and holding up her arms as if they could shield her. “I don’t want to die,” she whispered, barely audible.
But the sound of her father’s voice broke through her fear. “I won’t let you kill my daughter! If you want to kill her then you’ll have to go through me.” Felix, standing his ground, shoved Caleb back away from her. The alpha slid back still on his feet, his shoes gliding in the mud. He glared at his friend.
She peeked through trembling fingers to see him standing between her and the alpha. For a fleeting moment, hope flickered in her chest. But then she saw Caleb’s red eyes glint with rage, and the hope vanished like smoke. “Fine. Have it your way.” He cracked his knuckles before completely shifting into a hybrid state. He stood tall on two legs, approximately around 7 feet.
Alpha Caleb’s bipedal werewolf form had a striking and intimidating appearance, blending human and wolf-like features. He stood upright on two powerful, muscular legs, and had a hunched posture with a broad, robust chest. Its body was covered in thick, coarse fur, with a mix of dark shades that resembled his human hair color.
The head is a fusion of human and wolf traits: it features a snout elongated like a wolf’s, with sharp, protruding fangs, and glowing red eyes, conveying an intense, predatory gaze. The ears are pointed and slightly elongated, resembling those of a wolf, and the nose is more pronounced, similar to a wolf’s.
The arms are long and muscular, ending in hands with clawed fingers, capable of grasping or tearing. The legs are also strong and well-built, with clawed feet, although they maintain a semblance of human shape in the foot structure. Overall, it was a terrifying sight to behold. This was known as a werewolf hybrid, which was a state only some, like alphas, could achieve.
Felix transformed into his wolf- the only state he had mastered and could ascend to. He was much larger than an ordinary wolf with his shoulders, while on all fours, coming to around 4 feet tall. He was more muscular and bulky than a normal wolf, and his fur was shiny and sleek unlike Caleb’s hybrid. Felix’s fur was a dark shade of blond. He eyes were of bright yellow, symbolizing purity. With his teeth and claws long and sharp- they were incomparable to Caleb’s.
There was a clear divide between the two combatants. While Caleb could also transform into an animal form, he chose not to. This wasn’t a fight for dominance—it was a fight to the death.
Felix hunched his shoulders, signaling his defiance to the alpha. Caleb responded with a low, menacing growl. Felix knew he stood little chance, but retreat wasn’t an option. Caleb stepped forward, his massive paw leaving deep imprints in the mud. Felix seized the moment, lunging at Caleb with everything he had. His teeth tore through flesh and muscle, but Caleb wasted no time. Grabbing Felix with ease, he hurled him into a nearby tree. The impact was brutal, breaking one of Felix’s ribs and leaving him gasping for air.
Caleb’s focus shifted to the little girl frozen in fear beneath the weight of his gaze. His steps were slow and deliberate as he approached her, his intention clear.
But before he could reach her, Felix launched himself at Caleb again, clawing desperately at his back and aiming for his throat. His efforts fell short. Caleb’s thick muscle shielded any vital areas, and with terrifying ease, he tossed Felix aside once more.
The fight resumed, fierce and unrelenting, but it quickly became clear that Caleb’s hybrid strength far outmatched Felix’s. The outcome was inevitable. Felix was dying, and Mireya, his mate, could see it. She couldn’t bear to watch him fall, not with their seven-year-old daughter as a witness to the carnage.
Desperation overtook her. As Felix lay on the ground wheezing, struggling to rise, Mireya threw herself between them. Caleb, advancing with deadly intent, froze when his gaze fell upon her.
Mireya dropped to her knees, her voice trembling as she pleaded, “Please! Spare her. Do whatever you want with us, but let our daughter live. For the sake of our family’s years of service to the alpha line, I beg you—spare her.”
Caleb exhaled sharply, his irritation evident. Mireya, still kneeling with her head bowed, trembled in fear, bracing for death if her pleas fell on deaf ears.
Unexpectedly, the sound of cracking bones broke the silence. Caleb began transforming back into his human form, his body contorting as bones snapped and shifted painfully. His voice, though rough, now carried a note of restraint, as though the storm within him had momentarily calmed. “Mireya. Felix. I recognize the contributions your family has made to my pack. But your daughter... she’s dangerous. She could have caused unimaginable harm.
“I understan—” Mireya began, but Caleb raised a hand, silencing her.
“Let me finish,” he said firmly. His sharp gaze shifted to the blonde-haired child, standing wide-eyed and afraid. “I’m willing to forgive this and ensure it’s covered up, but only on one condition.”
Mireya’s breath caught, and Felix, despite his injuries, perked up, his attention fixed on the alpha.
“Your daughter will remain confined to this cabin until she turns eighteen. She is forbidden from leaving or interacting with anyone in my pack. No one—neither you, Felix, nor anyone else—is allowed to come here.” His tone was steel, leaving no room for negotiation.
Mireya gasped, horror washing over her. He was demanding she abandon her daughter. She turned to the little girl, her heart breaking as her eyes took in her child’s delicate features—her blonde hair and forest-green eyes so full of innocence. It was exile or certain death. What other choice did she have?
“How will she survive? How will she eat?” Mireya’s voice quivered, her disbelief spilling out. The idea was unthinkable, yet here she was, forced to consider it.
“Once a week,” Caleb replied curtly, “Someone will deliver enough food to sustain her.”
Mireya hesitated, her voice trembling as she asked, “Can I see her? At least... from time to time?”
“You’ll have one week,” Caleb replied coldly. “Spend that time wisely.” He gestured toward the dilapidated cabin, its state barely livable. “Fix it up if you must. But after your time is up, if I catch you near this place again...” His voice dropped, each word laced with menace. “I won’t hesitate to end her fragile little life.”
With Caleb’s warning delivered, he turned and disappeared into the woods, leaving Mireya to grapple with an impossible decision.
Tears welled in her eyes as she collapsed to her knees, fists clenched in frustration. Anger and sorrow churned within her, unbearable and all-consuming. Behind her, Felix let out a mournful whine, feeling the depth of her despair through their mate bond. Mireya’s anguish erupted from her chest, climbing up her throat until it exploded in a raw, guttural scream that echoed through the forest. She struck the ground repeatedly, her fists pounding the earth as she cried out in despair.
Felix’s ears flattened in sorrow as he inched closer, his wolf form trying to comfort her.
Above them, the sky turned grey and heavy with storm clouds. The first drops of rain began to fall, cold and unrelenting. A chilling wind swept through the forest, rustling the trees and scattering leaves across the ground.
Mireya’s screams merged with the sounds of the storm, her voice carrying the unbearable agony of a mother who had lost everything. Tears streamed down her face as she shouted through her sobs, her fists striking the muddy ground with every word. “It’s all your fault!” she cried. “I never should have listened to you!” Her voice rose, directed not at her daughter but at someone else. This wasn’t her child’s fault—it was her own mother’s.
It took several moments for her to regain control, her screams giving way to silent, heaving sobs. Lost in her grief, she had momentarily forgotten where she was or how her daughter must be feeling. The realization struck her like a dagger.
By now, the rain was pouring in earnest, drenching the forest and soaking them to the bone. Mireya stretched out her arms toward her daughter, her voice trembling with gentleness. “Come here, baby,” she whispered, her tone soothing despite the chaos around them.
Her daughter hesitated for only a moment before running into her mother’s embrace. Mireya held her close, wrapping her arms protectively around her child. They stayed like that, Mireya leaning back against Felix’s warm wolf form, their daughter cradled safely in her arms as the rain poured down around them. Together, they clung to one another, seeking solace in their shared pain.
They stayed like that for a moment, savoring the warmth of each other’s embrace. Uncertainty about what the coming days would bring weighed heavily on them, but in that moment, silence was their solace. The rain continued to fall steadily as an hour passed, each minute dragging by.
A dark bruise had already begun forming on the little girl’s arm. She looked up at her mother, her voice soft and full of guilt. “I’m sorry, Mama,” she murmured, her expression defeated. “I didn’t—”
Mireya cut her off firmly. “Listen to me,” she said, her tone sharper than intended. “Never use magic again. Do you understand me? I don’t want to hear another word about it.”
The finality of her warning hung in the air, and nothing more was said about the incident. Mireya’s focus shifted to the tasks at hand. There was too much to do and little time to dwell on their heartbreak.
Fortunately, Felix and Mireya had already taught their daughter the basics of survival. Even at seven years old, she was wise beyond her years, capable of far more than most children her age. Still, the coming days required a concerted effort to prepare the cabin for her solitary life.
The family worked tirelessly, cleaning the house, ensuring there was functional furniture, and making sure the water and electricity were in working order. Each passing day brought them closer to the inevitable goodbye.
Before they knew it, seven days had slipped away faster than they could have imagined. On the final day, Felix and Mireya stood on the porch, their hearts heavy as they gazed at their daughter. From this moment on, she would be considered as good as a rogue—a packless outsider, with no community to belong to. The weight of that reality was crushing, especially for someone so young.
Their goodbyes were tearful and agonizing, each moment feeling like an eternity as they clung to one another. When the time came, they had to force themselves to let go.
The girl stood on the porch, trying to be strong like her father had told her. But when her mother kissed her forehead for the last time, she couldn’t hold back her tears anymore. “Don’t go!” she cried, grabbing at her mother’s hand. “Please don’t leave me here!”
Mireya knelt down, cupping her daughter’s tear-streaked face. “I love you,” she whispered, her voice breaking. “More than anything. This is to protect you.”
“I don’t care about being protected!” The girl sobbed. “I just want you to stay.” But no matter how much she begged, she knew the outcome would not change.
Eventually, Mireya and Felix shifted into their animal forms, their eyes lingering on their daughter one last time. With heavy hearts, they turned and headed back to their home with the other children, her brothers, leaving their only daughter behind to face a life of solitude.
The girl sat on the creaking porch for a long while, tears streaming down her face as she yearned for her parents. The wooden boards were rough under her legs, and the air smelled damp and earthy, like it had just rained. A cold breeze brushed her cheeks, making her shiver, but she didn’t move. The silence pressed down on her like a heavy blanket. Her sobs echoed into the empty forest, the ache of their absence weighing heavily on her chest. She wondered if she would ever see her family—or anyone else—again. The thought filled her with dread, but she knew she needed to distract herself somehow.
Her bag sat by the door, waiting to be unpacked, but she hesitated, needing more time to process everything. Instead, she sat on the porch, her arms hugging her knees. The cabin loomed behind her, dark and unfamiliar, but she didn’t want to go inside. It felt wrong—like stepping into a cage she could never leave.
The tears wouldn’t stop. She hated crying. It made her feel weak, but she couldn’t help it. She missed her brothers’ teasing laughs. She missed her father’s warm hugs. She missed her mother singing while she brushed her hair. “I’m all alone now,” she whispered into the quiet forest. Her voice cracked like a dry leaf. “They’re never coming back.”
As the minutes passed, her gaze wandered upward, drawn to the sky. Once filled with storm clouds, it now showed hints of clearing. Birds began to flit through the trees, selecting their branches for the night. She allowed herself a small smile, her radiant expression as warm as the sun breaking through after a storm.
A week ago, the forest had been eerily silent. No animals stirred, no signs of life could be seen. But now, things were beginning to change. Her smile deepened when she noticed a squirrel darting up the trunk of a nearby tree. She admired the scene, her heart momentarily lifted by the beauty of nature. It was one of the few things in life that brought her peace.
The absence of wildlife around werewolves was common—animals instinctively avoided them, knowing they were apex predators, monsters in their eyes. But with her, it was different. Animals didn’t seem to shy away from her presence. Perhaps it was because she wasn’t just a werewolf but also half witch—a forbidden hybrid, the result of a union that should never have happened. Unlike the hybrid werewolf form that combined wolf and human, her existence was something far more taboo, a blending of night and sun.
Or maybe the animals sensed her kind soul. There was something peaceful, almost otherworldly, about her aura. Plants thrived in her presence, and animals seemed drawn to her. Her natural witch energy radiated more strongly than that of her siblings, and it was that untamed power that had led to this moment—her exile.
Her grandmother had once tried to guide her, patiently teaching her how to harness her immense, overwhelming magic. Reluctantly, her mother had agreed to those lessons, but it had only caused more problems. Controlling elemental magic was no small feat, and the danger it posed had outweighed the benefits of her training. She needed more time, guidance, and discipline—things she no longer had access to.
A soft rustling broke her trance, she didn’t know how long she had been sitting there, her cheeks raw from crying. She turned her head slowly, her breath hitched as her eyes fell on a small fawn standing near the edge of the porch, its delicate frame illuminated by the fading light.
It was so small, so delicate—just like her.
She froze, enchanted by the creature’s beauty. Slowly, she extended her hand cautiously as her fingers trembled, offering a gesture of trust.
Her heart pounded.Would it run away like her family had?
The fawn hesitated but then cautiously stepped closer. When its nose finally brushed her palm, her lips curved into a gentle smile, though her eyes brimmed with unshed tears. “Hello, friend,” she whispered. “My name is Leah. It’s just me now.”
Leah sat beside the fawn, her fingers stroking its soft fur. She didn’t feel completely alone. The forest was still vast and unfamiliar, but maybe, just maybe, she could find a way to belong here.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, the weight of her new reality pressed heavily on her chest. The soft glow of twilight gave way to an enveloping darkness, and the forest around her seemed to transform. Every rustling leaf, every distant howl, felt magnified, each sound sending shivers down her spine. This was her first night alone, truly alone, with no one to protect her and no comforting presence to chase away her fears.
The silence wasn’t empty—it was alive, teeming with the unknown. Shadows stretched and shifted, taking on menacing shapes, and the cool night air carried the faint scent of damp earth and something else, something unplaceable. She had always known the woods held secrets, but now they felt like they were watching her, waiting for her to stumble.
She hugged her knees to her chest, her eyes darting to the tree line where the last hues of daylight had disappeared. For the first time, the forest didn’t feel like a refuge. It felt like a predator, its depths hiding dangers far greater than anything she could imagine. Yet she knew, deep down, that she wasn’t the only threat in these woods. There were other creatures out there—things far older and far more dangerous than her.
~🖤~
