Chapter 1: HAS ALPHA RUDIELOFF MET HIS LUNA YET?
Morning came in with golden rays of light, brushing gently across the high towers of the palace, sliding over domes and warming stone that had endured centuries of blood and howls beneath the moon. The sky stretched wide and clear, a clear blue promising a day of peace.
A soft wind carried the smell of fresh grass, painted stone, and a distant smell of iron from the training grounds outside of the palace.
The Royal Palace of Bolivia kingdom was very big, built not in a single era but shaped by generations of wolf kings. Castles rose at different heights, some round and dignified, others sharp and defensive.
High castles rose at different heights, each different in purpose and design. To the eastern side stood the High Watch Tower, tall and narrow, its stone darkened by centuries of storms. Guards moved along its balconies, spears shining, swords intact, arrows on their back and bows in their hands, eyes always alert. To the west, lay the Scholars’ Wing. It was quieter compared to the other parts of the palace, built from pale-white stones, its bent windows forever open to fresh air.
Banners bearing the royal emblem, the wolf under the crescent moon, fluttered proudly in the morning wind on top of most of the castles, towers and residential buildings
Still to the west, before the scholars wing was the Royal residential castle. It had wide terraces, bent balconies, and grand halls where the royals dined. And surrounding everything were the gardens. Perfectly trimmed hedges formed deep patterns, guiding footpaths of marble that reflected the sun. Deep red flowers, soft gold, violet, and others white and other symbolic colors.
At the centre of the palace grounds stood the huge Monument of a wolf, carved from stone and concrete. It rose atop a high platform within a circular gazebo of white columns. Its head was lifted toward the sky, jaws parted in a howl. Muscles rippled under its sculpted skin and veins showed clearly. It had on its forehead the royal symbol, the wolf under the crescent moon. Fountains trickled softly around the monument, water running over smooth stones, the sound calming.
Paths of polished marble crisscrossed the grounds, bordered by trimmed hedges and flowering gardens. Servants moved hurriedly but silently, their steps trained never to linger.
Noblewomen walked leisurely, jewels bright on their pale skins, silk skirts rubbing against marble pathways. Their laughter was soft and measured, going only as far as it was meant to. They walked in pairs with eyes sharp. Children laughed freely, running around having the time of their life, watched from afar by guards who pretended not to notice.
Slaves hurried along the paths, heads lowered, arms filled with baskets of linen, crates of fruit, and polished silver trays. The male slaves cleaned the windows, rode carts, tended to horses and many other things
A group of army men marched across the outer courtyard towards the main gate, their boots striking against the stone and marble floor in a perfect, thunderous rhythm.
They wore armors of dark steel, engraved with the royal symbol over the heart. At their sides hung long swords made from metal blessed with the spells of the moon god. Their helmets were black in colour. Their expressions were disciplined and hard.
“Left!” the captain barked.
“Right!”
“Halt!”
They stopped as one, shields lifting in respect as they passed under the wolf monument towards the gate.
A royal trumpet sounded at the main gate and the army stopped systematically dividing themselves into two giving way to a royal carriage that approached.
Immediately, slaves stopped in their steps. They bowed, foreheads nearly touched the stone below their feet. Guards straightened in respect. The carriage rode forward, black painted wood trimmed with silver. Four huge horses pulled it, their manes braided and designed with small silver rings. The carriage slowed. Then stopped.
King Almond Reginald, after being informed about the arrival of a royal carriage, he stepped forward from his royal castle. He wore deep navy blue gowns with gold designs that traced patterns along the sleeves and the hem. A ceremonial chain rested across his chest, its central medallion engraved with the wolf under a crescent moon. His hair, once dark, had grey strands because of age, but his posture remained strong, his presence commanding without effort.
At his side stood Queen Eleanor Almond, graceful and serene in ivory silver. Pearls worn around her neck, her hands folded neatly Infront of her. She smiled happily, though her eyes were sharp and observant
The carriage door opened.
Lady Elizabeth Ravenhall.
She was tall and composed and had a striking resemblance to the king. Her dark hair was braided neatly and pinned with silver clasps. She had aged lightly, but was left with wisdom rather than weariness. Her gown flowed around her like water as she stepped onto the stone.
“Brother,” she said, opening her arms as she approached King Reginald.
“Elizabeth.” Reginald’s hard expression softened.
They embraced, briefly but warmly.
“You look well,” she said, studying him. “Though ruling still weighs heavily on you.”
She turned to look at Queen Eleanor. Fondly, she wound her arms around her.
"My dear sister. How have you been"Lady Elizabeth gently held queen Eleanor's face in her hands."I hope this naughty brother of mine has been treating you well."
"As you can see for yourself. Am all warm and happy. Thanks to your naughty brother." Eleanor replied spreading out her arms to show lady Elizabeth."where are my children though?" Eleanor asked as she looked beyond Elizabeth towards the carriage.
Then, they stepped down from the carriage. Evelyn Ravenhall, composed in her pale blue dress simple but elegant, followed by Adrian Ravenhall, whose excitement was impossible to hide.
“Uncle!” Adrian exclaimed, bowing hastily.
Reginald laughed. “Still impatient, I see. And how is my princess?”
“I’m fine uncle, Auntie Eleanor, I missed you so much." Evelyn rushed to hug queen Eleanor while Adrian followed suit.
They talked dearly as they walked towards the royal castle. The children were very excited to meet their uncle and Aunt. Evelyn held the queen's hand clearly showing her dearest of the two. They joked about it.
"So Adrian, are you ready to transform.?"Reginald asked happily as he looked directly at Adrian.
"Am more than ready. I can't wait to see the kind of wolf I am. Transformation night is the only thing I can think of right now."
“You are going to turn into a strong lovely wolf.” Eleanor said “You’ve grown into a fine young woman. I cant wait for your transformation day as well” she added
Evelyn smiled shyly. “Thank you, Aunt Eleanor.”
As they walked through the long corridor, the Grand Hall stretched before them, big pillars rising like trees, ceilings curved high and painted with pictures of ancient wars and former kings. Sunlight passed through towering windows, casting golden patterns across the marble floor. Maids lined against the walls, dressed in pale grey with crisp white aprons, whereas the slaves wore black dresses and aprons. This was the way of differentiating normal palace servants from slaves. Both maids and slaves' heads bowed as the royals passed.
“The palace feels so alive,” Elizabeth observed.
“It always does when the Transformation Night approaches,” Eleanor said.
As they were still talking, a certain slave caught Lady Elizabeth's attention. She is strange. She thought. Immediately, the slave shifted and looked at lady Elizabeth as if she had heard her thoughts. It was not inorder for the slaves to look into the faces of the royals for no reason but she did. The slave quickly bowed her head as if she wasn't in control of her own body. Lady Elizabeth brushed it off when they entered a hall to sit.
King Reginald summoned a guard." Take them to meet the princes and the princess."
After they had sent the children away Evelyn and Adrian, Lady Elizabeth turned to Eleanor “And Rudieloff?” she asked gently. “Has he… found his Luna yet? Am sure everyone in the palace is waiting on that. People want to meet their future queen.”
The warmth in the hall dimmed immediately. Worry was written all over the queen and king's faces as they exchanged a knowing look.
“No.”Eleanor sighed.
"NO?, how so? The latest should be 5 years before a wolf finds a mate! Remind me brother. How..." She was interrupted
“Seven years since his transformation.” Eleanor pointed looking directly at Reginald who turned his face to the ceiling instead.
“That is… concerning.” Elizabeth exclaimed.
“It is dangerous,” Reginald said quietly. “A future king, an Alpha without a mate weakens the bloodline. I worry for my son.”
“He has grown cold,” Eleanor said. “Withdrawn. He hunts alone sometimes. Rarely speaks. Seems to be living alone despite sorounded by all of us here ” she added
Elizabeth frowned. "Seems like a curse to me. What do you think .” she looked at Reginald.
Reginald stopped walking. “I fear, I don't know what it is, it may be it may not. I fear for my son,” Reginald admitted. “I fear he is losing himself.”
Before Eleanor could respond, Boots echoed behind them. They turned. Alpha Almond Rudieloff stood at the end of the hall, his cloak damp with water. Drops of fresh blood were on his Boots. His dark hair messed up by the wind, his expression as if carved from stone. He forced a small smile that didn't quite reach his eyes.
“Father,” he said calmly. "Mother, Aunt Elizabeth.' he moved forward and bowed his head to great them. " Nice to see you again aunt Elizabeth. How is Evelyn and Adrian. Hope Adrian is ready for his big day." He said.
"Nice to see you too my son. It has been long since I last saw you. You have grown so big." She hugged him after he removed his cloak. "Adrian is more than ready for his day." She added when she broke free from the hug.
After they had chatted some more, Alpha Rudieloff went to clean up before meeting the family for dinner.
