Cursed Destiny: Thirst For Strength

In our society even humans are aware of the existence of supernatural creatures such as werewolves, vampires, and witches. For centuries, each species kept to themselves and limited their involvement in each other’s affairs abiding by their own set of laws. Until a war broke out between the werewolf packs 1000 years ago. This war is known as ′The War of Sorrows’ lasting a duration of almost 800 years before coming to an end after thousands of lives were lost. When the war broke out there were a total of five packs, Midnight, Blue Moon, Dark Shadow, Snow Moon, and the Moon Walker Pack. The five packs spread across the northern territory of North America. At the time of the war, the structure of the packs became blurred since both factions consisted of wolves from multiple packs making the line between packs invisible.

The war began when members of the community had opposing views. This caused a rift to form resulting in two factions being formed who had their own set of beliefs and ideals that they felt the werewolf community should abide by. These factions were known as the Dark Faction and the Light faction.

The Dark Faction believed in the superiority and purity of the species and the bloodlines. Most importantly the Alpha bloodlines. They believed keeping the bloodline pure was the only way to ensure the survival of the alpha bloodline by the means of arranged mating rituals (our version of a wedding). They gave no regard for destined mates and would only bless the union between those who carried the blood of an alpha.

The Light Faction were those who believed in equality and mutual understanding. They believed in the mate bond and how sacred it was for their people. They believed in waiting for one’s mate and thought of arranged mating rituals as a disrespect towards the Moon Goddess.

For almost 600 years, the factions fought a seemingly never-ending battle among themselves. Neither one showed signs of retreat resulting in many innocent lives being lost, humans and beasts alike. The witches and vampires got tired of watching the endless slaughter on both sides and fought alongside the Light Faction to end the war before any more lives were lost. The upheaval continued for another 200 years until the Dark Faction was finally wiped out.

Sadly, due to the low population of the Snow Moon and Moon Walker Packs the respected Alphas Isaac Sandulf from the Snow Moon Pack and Alexander Owais from the Moon Walker Pack, who were friends since childhood both agreed on merging their packs. They wanted the merger to be seen as a symbol of a new era. Isaac and Alexander were from two of the most renowned werewolf families so when it came to the decision to combine the packs there was gossip about who would take the title of Alpha and name this newly formed pack.

After much deliberation, both Alphas agreed on naming the pack the Winter Claw Pack and decided the position of leadership should be left to their children Rose Sandulf, Isaac’s only daughter, and Nathaneal Owais, Alexander’s son. Amidst the reconstruction after the war Rose and Nathaneal discovered on their 20th birthday that they were mates. The packs rejoiced seeing as this union seemed to be a gift bestowed upon them by the Moon Goddess.

With the blessing of their parents, the newly mated couple Rose Sandulf and Nathaneal Owais were bestowed the title of Alpha and Luna of the Winter Claw pack. The couple both agreed to take on Nathaneal’s family name believing it would be a sign of hope for future generations.

However, for the potential future Alpha to solidify their position they must go through ‘The Rite of Passage’ where they fight the strongest members of the pack proving their ability to protect the pack. The Luna, which is the Alpha’s mate, is usually ranked alongside the alpha within the pack hierarchy. They are often considered the second in command within the pack as the mother of the pack as well as a leader. One way to identify a wolf’s status within the hierarchy is by their eye color. The color of a wolf’s eyes identifies their rank and helps maintain the authority of the pack.

The lowest rank are the Omegas which are those who have a low fighting or hunting skills or are still too young to start training. Omegas are often considered the beginners. It is also the basic level all wolves start at and are identified by the yellow glow of their wolf’s eyes.

Next are the Deltas whose eyes glow a shade of blue. There are four different levels of being a Delta which is low, middle, high, and elite. Each level ranks how strong of a fighter or hunter a wolf is. A wolf can be promoted or demoted depending on an official fighting match which is usually judged by the pack leaders or their right hand. There are of course certain Deltas that have certain specialties which also play a part on whether a wolf is promoted or not.

The Elite, however, are those with exceptional skills all around and are considered the main defenders of the pack. An Elite Delta is still classified as a Delta but there is a slight difference in their eyes. As a Delta their eyes glow blue but being an Elite gives their eyes a darker hue than an average Delta.

After the Delta, there is the Beta, whose eyes glow green. Within a pack there are usually two Betas. The Beta is usually ranked after Luna, and they are the right hand of the Alpha or Luna. Their role is to help delegate in times of crisis, and it is considered one of the most important positions within the pack. Unlike going up the ranks of a Delta, to become a Beta, you not only have to have the strength and qualities of an Elite Delta, but you also must have the utmost trust of the Alpha and Luna.

The Alpha usually has bright red eyes while the Luna’s eyes usually remain the same color of the rank they previously held. Like the Alpha, the Luna can be identified by a mark placed on them when they go through their own coronation ritual.

Like any other mated wolf couple, they also receive a mark from their mate. The hierarchy is important to maintain order, but it is also important for wolves to not abuse their power hence why a wolf can be promoted or demoted when certain circumstances are met.

‘The Rite of Passage’ was a tradition that they wanted to make sure they followed despite the consensus among the pack members. It also served to gauge the pack’s strength as a whole and where it would need improvement. There was a lot of rebuilding that needed to be done and as their first order of business as Alpha and Luna, Rose and Nathaneal proposed for a treaty to be signed by the werewolves as well as the witches, vampires, and the humans. This treaty formed an agreement between all parties involved to meet annually to discuss any grievances they may have and settle them in a peaceful manner. This meeting usually would take place on the first of January which signified the beginning of a new year and a new beginning as a community.

Rose and Nathaneal consulted with the Alphas of each pack about signing a separate treaty that stated that a ball would be held on December first every year. This ball would require all wolves of the age of 20 who have not found their mate to attend. This would serve as a way for everyone to have the chance to look for their mate in different packs without having to travel back and forth between all the territories. This ball also included an ’Annual Meeting′ between the pack Alphas and Lunas along with their Betas to discuss simple matters regarding trade and issues about Pack territories over the coming year.

This ball soon became known as ‘The Grand Ball’ and became a major event for unmated wolves to find their mate as well as provided a good opportunity to strengthen Pack relations.

Once mated wolves placed markings on their mate to sort of brand them. This is a sort of ritual that allows wolves to claim their mates as theirs, especially since wolves are very territorial. The higher their rank within the Pack the more territorial the wolf. ‘The Grand Ball’ to ensure the Mate Bond was given the respect it deserved and to prevent those who wish to force unmated wolves into an unwanted mate bond.

One major topic of discussion when the treaty was officially signed was regarding the new territory boundaries. It was decided each pack would govern their original territory. Since the new White Claw Pack was originally two separate packs, (the Snow Moon Pack and the Moon Walker Pack) they agreed to split the Snow Moon Pack’s territory since it was located at the overall center.

Surely enough after a year and a half passed, and the pack was stable and beginning to flourish. The new heir of the White Claw Pack, Rose and Nathaneal’s son, Aaron Owais was born. This new life gave hope for the prosperity of the pack for future generations. Now 200 years later, six generations of pack leaders starting with Nathaneal, and Rose have passed. The Seventh generation of Pack leaders, as well as the most recent are Izekeal and Maree Owais, my parents. As passed generations did before, it was soon time to pick the Alpha of the next generation.

The Eighth generation. Me and my brother.

Lily and Nicholas Owais.