Fated to the Last Primordial Wolf

SACHA CADELL

I was running out of breath, and I could hear my mother’s groans of pain behind me. But I couldn’t look back.

A pent-up sob escaped my lips, remembering all the days I spent with my mother during my thirteen years of existence.

She had prepared me for this. We had practiced this scenario so many times before. Why was it still so hard then? This forest is etched in me like the back of my hand. Run to the safe house, she will come get me.

So…why am I crying?

“I just need to get out of the path and go to that house. Then…then mom will pick me up later,” I uttered to

myself, my voice hoarse from the massive lump in my throat.

Mom, as she always did, ensured I understood why we had to live in exclusion—away from the other packs.

I knew it was the Phoenixes. I knew their alpha from the photos mom kept at home. She said he was her friend. But when he succeeded the pack, he became the first to hunt her.

She was the last primordial wolf known to exist; she was a relic of the forgotten era of the pack guardians who were tasked to protect The Council and were treated as royalty. Renowned for their immense power, intelligence, and abilities, primordial wolves were both feared and adored. Our lineage could be traced back to the beginning of wolfkind, making us the oldest pack in history. Yet, our ancient heritage dwindled as alphas hunted us down, fearing we would snatch the power of their authority.

That’s why no one knew about me. Mom said it was for my safety, so I couldn’t tell anyone what I was.

“Mommy…” I whimpered as I fell to the ground after taking a misstep running.

I felt the throbbing pain on my kneecap and my chest. But my heart…it ached more than any of these scratches. Will I ever see my mom again?

“I am so scared, Mommy…”

My sobs paused, I held my breath when I heard a rustling sound behind me. Soon enough, a huge shadow of a wolf appeared before me, blocking out the scorching sun.

I bit my trembling lip as I struggled to push myself off the ground—a sharp pain shot through my foot, dragging a sobbing grunt from me. Unable to get up, all I could do was turn around and face the enemy. A black wolf with striking blue eyes watched me, preying on my every move.

“Go away, you monster!” My hands found a few pebbles at my side, and I threw them at the giant wolf.

For once, I was thankful for my primordial lineage! At thirteen, my senses were fully enhanced, just like someone who had already turned eighteen. My eyes were sharper than normal pups, I could hear things from a mile away, and I had the strength that a normal kid my age shouldn’t have.

A proud smirk appeared on my tear-stained face, as I saw the wolf’s head bleeding after one of my rocks hit its mark.

“Serves you right!”

When I ran out of words, I just burst out crying. I know. I know I shouldn’t do this in front of an enemy. He’s

obviously one of the Phoenixes who attacked my home, but…I felt so weak…and tired.

“Mommy, I can’t run anymore…I’m so tired…” I called out as I sat and pulled my legs closer to my chest,

enduring the pain.

When I heard the wolf’s footsteps, I knew it would be my end.

I closed my eyes as I felt its fangs around my arm. I was prepared for the pain of being ripped apart, but what I felt was warm comfort instead.

I opened my eyes and realized the wolf had put me on his back. I was lying on its thick, black fur, and my tears wouldn’t stop falling.

“Why are you not killing me? You came with the Phoenixes,” I asked him. He simply continued walking in the direction I was heading instead of returning to where his companions, no doubt, were waiting.

I sniffed into his fragrant fur. I’ve never encountered a wolf that smells like this.

My arms tightly wrapped around its neck, and I involuntarily snuggled my face into its nape. Seeking warmth

and comfort from my captor felt like a stupid thing to do, but the wolf made me want to just…rest.

When I woke up, the wolf was putting me down on the doorstep of the safe house my mother had prepared for me, a few miles outside the forest.

It was careful in its movements, especially so with my foot—was it trying not to hurt me?!

“Where are you going?” I asked in a weak voice as the wolf walked away. It merely looked back and stared at me before continuing on its way.

***

Staring at the Phoenix Corp. logo five years later reminds me of that fateful day. To this day, I still have no idea why that werewolf saved me.

Was it pity?

“Sacha Cadell?” A well-dressed woman with an iPad and a professional smile pulled me out of my thoughts. “That’s me,” I replied, pulling off a smile.

As I stood up to follow the lady calling my name, I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror hanging on the lobby wall. My strawberry blonde hair fell in loose waves around my shoulders, catching the light in shades of gold and copper, a color that always reminded me of summer fields. My blue eyes, the color of a clear sky just before dusk, stared back at me, framed by dark lashes that gave them a touch of intensity. I was dressed in a simple yet elegant outfit—an ivory blouse tucked into a high-waisted black pencil skirt that hugged my fit frame in all the right places; today, my style was channeling a mixture of relaxed English chic with a hint of something softer, almost Irish. My reflection, neat and composed, showed a woman who seemed ready for whatever was ahead, though I couldn’t shake the slight unease bubbling beneath the surface.

After finishing my degree, I immediately aimed to work here at Phoenix Corp.—the cash cow of the Phoenix pack—the pack that killed my mother.

Five years have passed, and I’ll be turning 18 a month from now. That meant I only had a month to avenge my mother.

After the day the Phoenixes attacked our home, I waited at the safe house for my mom to come and pick me up. However, when Uncle Gilbert, Mom’s old friend who became a history professor after being crippled in a battle, came to take me, I knew I would never get to see my mom again.

Uncle Gilbert has been taking care of me for the past five years. He sent me to school, taught me how to fight, and showed me how to use my enhanced senses to my advantage.

“Welcome to Phoenix Corp. I’m Jenna, Alpha Griffin’s assistant. For certain projects, you will work directly under his team.”

Alpha Mael Griffin, the new alpha of the Phoenixes—the son of Alpha Kai Griffin, my mom’s childhood friend and murderer.

Mael is the powerful alpha behind Phoenix Corp.

While I was still studying, students kept gushing about how enigmatic, elusive, and intelligent the young alpha was. I mean, he took over the pack at nineteen after defeating his father in a duel, so he’s indeed extraordinary.

But I’m not here for him. I’m here for his father, who was locked away somewhere in their pack. I needed to kill Kai Griffin with my own hands. That’s the only way I can move on with my life.

Primordial wolves are the strongest during their first six months of turning, so I’ll use that to my advantage and attack the former alpha.

“Alpha, the new research analyst, is here,” Jenna announced as soon as we entered the imposing doors to the CEO’s office.

I was immediately drawn to the man standing by the window, his back facing us before he turned slowly.

For a moment, I felt time stand still. Mael Griffin was more captivating than my classmate’s murmurs. He was tall, with piercing blue eyes that seemed to see straight through me.

I gulped hard, feeling an inexplicable pull towards him—something like a magnetic force that enticed me.

“Miss Sacha,” he called out. “Welcome to Phoenix Corp., you came at the right time. We have an ongoing project that requires your expertise.”

“Thank you, Alpha Griffin. I’m excited to work with you,” I replied, accepting his hand.

When our palms met, my eyes flew to his face, and I felt an electrifying spark that was gone as soon as he took his hand away. My eyes followed his hands until they were lost inside his pockets.

“We’ll be working close to each other, so I would prefer it if you called me Mael. I value a collaborative environment here, and titles can sometimes get in the way of that.”

What the hell is this man saying?

“Alright…Mael. I’ll do my best to support you and the company,” I replied, still feeling strange with this kind

of welcoming treatment.

“Good. Jenna will show you to your office and brief you for your first assignment.”

I spent the next hours looking into the company’s files, hoping to find any traces of Kai Griffin. As I expected, Mael was not stupid enough to leave files about his terrible father lying around. As I left the office building, I saw Mael’s car leaving.

“Would that old man be at their home?” I uttered to myself, quickly hailing a cab to follow his car. I eyed the back of the black pick-up before us and heaved a heavy sigh.

“Please don’t lose him,” I told the driver before opening the windows, letting the fresh air calm my nerves.

The bright lights of the city welcomed my eyes. The impatient honks of the cars passing through rough traffic made the night sound busier.

“Thank you,” I said, handing the driver a generous tip as I rushed out of the cab, hoping that no one had noticed us pulling up to the curb. I pulled my jacket closer around my body, hoping to hide the bright white of my shirt, attempting to blend into the shadows as I moved swiftly toward the tree line.

I skirted the gates, avoiding the main entrance and instead slipping into the dense forest that hid the perimeter of the Phoenix Mansion from the outside world. The towering trees and thick underbrush gave me ample cover to keep me hidden, or so I thought. Phoenixes were known to be the strongest pack in the nation, with a territory vast enough to rival the size of New York State. They were fiercely protective, their elite packs constantly patrolling the land to ward off intruders. No one entered their territory without them knowing—no one got past their guards, no matter how skilled. I was determined though; I was sure my training with my mom and Uncle Gilbert was enough to protect me from detection.

But maybe I underestimated the Phoenixes.

The strong scent of silver alerted me, but before I could move, I felt the cold muzzle of a gun at the side of my head, followed by a deep voice, stopping my pursuit of Mael.

“Who are you, and who sent you here?”