Claimed by the Alpha King

Third-person point of view

"Run, Avery! Don't look back!"

Those were the last words Avery Rivers heard from her mother_ the last bits of safety before the world she knew burned into ash. The innocent ten-year-old stumbled through the torn remains of what was once her home as the scent of smoke and blood clung to her skin like a curse.

Barefoot and trembling, she was terrified and confused as all that was happening was a foreign feeling that sunk fear deep into her tender mind.

No one could have predicted the joyful full moon celebration would descend into a nightmare. The Howling_ sacred and beautiful was supposed to be a night of unity and strength when the entire Moonshadow Pack howled in reverence to the Moon Goddess.

Her mother had dressed her in a blue knitted shawl, brushing out her long dark curls with soft fingers, whispering stories of the goddess's kindness. The village sparkled under the moonlight, laughter echoing from every wooden home, drums beating an ancient rhythm that stirred the wolves within.

When suddenly, the wind changed.

The first scream cleaved the air from a distance not too far away.

"Rogues!"

Like plagues spoken to live, the word summoned terror. Dark wolves with glowing red eyes surged from the treeline_ massive, snarling, inhuman. They moved as one with sharp, vengeful canines thirty for innocent blood; they were shadows of destruction tearing through the village with savage glee.

Avery's wide eyes locked on the chaos as villagers scattered. Warriors shifted mid-run, bones snapping and fur sprouting as they raced toward the invaders. Her mother grabbed her hand, yanking her into motion.

"Stay close!" she hissed, breath sharp with panic.

The warriors met the rogues with fury. Claws slashed, fangs gnashed, and blood-soaked the soil. Avery watched a Moonshadow warrior, a hulking grey wolf_ leap onto a rogue, biting into its throat. Another rogue tackled him mid-air, and the three tumbled in a blur of snarls and fur; it was clear they were outnumbered.

They fought with honour, but the rogues fought with madness. They weren't ordinary wolves; they were mythical creatures, the type used to scare little ones who would wander too far; they moved with vicious calculative precision with thick claws, gnashing deep into their prey, outlasting the pack defenders.

"Mom, where's Dad?" Avery cried.

Her mother's face was pale; she knew it was goodbye but yet mustered the strength to say, "Gone to the front lines. We have to hide."

Their house, small but solid was only a few strides away now. They reached it, slammed the door, and her mother bolted it shut. It was nothing fancy, it couldn't offer them adequate protection from their pursuers, but still, she pulled a heavy wooden dresser against it and turned to Avery, cupping her face.

"Listen to me, baby. Go under the floorboards. The kitchen. You know where. Whatever happens, do not come out until I tell you to"

She then snatched the silver crescent pendant she was wearing and fastened it around Avery's neck. "Make sure you keep this safe for me" With tears threatening to spill, she whispered "I love you, baby"

The sound of piercing screams from the house next to theirs motioned the arrival of their assailants, jolting them back to reality "Now go!" She sounded

Avery trembled. "What about you?"

"I'll be right here. I'll protect you."

She believed her, despite doubtful and obeyed. Crawling beneath the cabinets, she pushed open the hidden latch and slipped into the crawlspace. Darkness_ save for the little creeks swallowed her as the wooden panel shut.

When her mom made sure she was hidden, she turned towards the door waiting for the unknown as she shifted into her bright white furs.

Minutes passed, or was it seconds? Her heartbeat thundered in her ears.

Then the front door exploded inward.

Avery covered her mouth to keep from screaming. Heavy paws hit the floor. Growls and footsteps echoed.

Announcing the arrival of their unwanted guests

Furniture crashed. Her mother whimpered a mix of rage and pain. The sounds of a violent scuffle tore through the house. Glass shattered. Claws scraped against wood. Then_ a choked cry.

"No!" Avery whispered, tears spilling.

From the little peephole that allowed a stream of light, she saw that they were now in the kitchen not too far from where she was hidden, she watched in tears as her mother fought tirelessly, and she was finally able to sink her fangs deep into the throat of the intruder_ dead it's lifeless body lay.

Then her mother's voice came again, weaker, trembling as she couldn't hold up and shifted back to her human form.

"Run, Avery! Don't look back!"

The floorboard creaked open. Avery's mother, bloodied and bruised, reached down, dragging her out. Her lip quivered, but her eyes were fierce.

"Go, baby. Now".

"But mum!" she tried to protest

"Go" her mum's voice sounded in their tiny kitchen, giving no room for buts

Avery ran.

She didn't think. She didn't breathe. She didn't look back. She only ran.

Out the back door, through their little garden where all her memories were made, past the still-burning homes, Past the broken bodies. Some she recognised, some she didn't.

She ran as fast as her short legs could go, sobbing as tears blurred her vision.

The forest welcomed her like a cold and silent witness.

Branches whipped her skin. Roots caught her toes thorns pricked her feet, but she kept running.

The rogues howled behind her, in the distance, but no one gave chase. Not yet...

Her legs burned. Her lungs screamed but she didn't stop.

The moon above shone its silver light, guiding her steps. She didn't know how long she ran. She didn't care; she ran until she could no longer hear the wailing in the world she left behind.

Her foot caught on a twisted root. She lunched forward, hitting her head on a sharp rock hidden beneath fallen leaves. Pain exploded behind her eyes.

Her vision blurred. She rolled onto her back, groaning.

That was when the full weight of pain drowned her being.

And that was when she saw them through blurred vision.

Three hooded figures moved silently between the trees, cloaked in midnight, faces hidden.

One raised a hand, glowing faintly with silver light.

That was the last she saw before whispering "Please don't hurt me"

Finally giving in to exhaustion.