Chapter 1
CHAPTER ONE
Jace stood alone in the vast expanse of his bedroom, a chamber carved from obsidian stone and reinforced with ancient magic older than the city itself. Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked Xena City, its lights glowing faintly beneath the night sky—a kingdom that breathed, slept, and survived under his rule.
Supreme leader of all supernatural beings.
Wolves. Vampires. Witches. Fae. Shapeshifters. Demons.
Every creature within and beyond the borders of Xena answered to him.
A sharp knock echoed against the heavy oak door.
Jace didn’t turn.
He had already caught the scent long before the knuckles met the wood. His overlord senses stretched for miles, capable of identifying a single heartbeat in a crowded city.
“Come in, Krag,” Jace said calmly.
The door opened at once.
A middle-aged werewolf stepped inside, his greying hair pulled back, his posture rigid with respect. Krag bowed low, his head nearly brushing the floor.
“Alpha,” he greeted. “The leaders of the supernatural kingdoms have arrived, as per your instructions.”
“Good.”
Jace’s voice was flat as he fastened the silver cufflinks at his wrists, his gaze locked on his reflection in the mirror.
He was tall, with jet-black hair and eyes that shifted between molten gold and abyssal red depending on his mood. Power clung to him like a living thing.
“I hope,” Jace continued coolly, “that it is good news you bring. The next person who delivers unfortunate information will find himself in… unfortunate circumstances.”
Krag stiffened.
For a brief moment, fear crept into his expression. The Alpha’s aura pressed down on the room—heavy, suffocating. Krag took a hesitant step back before steadying himself.
Before he could respond, another voice cut in.
“Nothing ever gets past him”
A man strode into the room with a lazy smirk on his face. Lance—a vampire with reckless charm and an appetite for trouble.
Behind him followed Dave, Jace’s beta and closest confidant. A seven-hundred-year-old demon, calm and calculating, his presence far more controlled.
“After one thousand years of leadership,” Dave said dryly, “you’d think he’d get used to having servants dress him.”
Jace ignored them both.
“Where are the leaders?” he asked, still addressing Krag through the mirror.
Krag immediately straightened and bowed again.
“They’re in the meeting room, Alpha,” he replied, his voice faltering slightly.
“Move them to the council chambers. Now.”
“Yes, Alpha.”
Krag bowed deeply once more before rushing out, relief evident in his hurried steps.
The door shut, leaving the three men alone.
Lance dropped into a chair, reaching for the fruit basket nearby. He popped a strawberry into his mouth, entirely too comfortable for someone in the Alpha’s presence.
Jace turned slowly to face them.
“Do I need to repeat myself?” he asked, his tone sharp—yet threaded with faint fondness.
“You really should ease up on the threats,” Lance said casually, reaching for another strawberry.
Jace growled.
The sound was low, but feral.
Lance nearly choked.
“You’re lucky I’m fond of you,” Jace said coolly, stepping closer, “or your head would’ve left your body a long time ago.”
Dave smirked—but the moment faded as he rose to his feet, his expression turning serious. He knew better than to treat Jace casually when matters turned grave.
Their bond was unspoken. Tested by centuries of blood, war, and survival.
Dave glanced at Lance. Lance met his gaze, suddenly alert.
“Alpha,” Dave began, his voice steady. “We’ve made progress. We have been able to locate and kill the ghouls terrorizing Orion.”
“With the advanced tech system we installed for reports, we should be on top of any new sightings across the realm. “
Jace nodded once. “Good.”
“Make sure the families that lost their loved ones are taken care of and reimbursed for damages to their homes.”
“And contact the wizard. I would like to know why ghouls have suddenly developed an appetite for living beings”
“Yes,alpha” Lance replied, staring at Dave as if urging him to disclose something important.
Jace notices and asks “Is there something else?” he says, looking between Lance to Dave.
Dave clears his throat. He hesitates a bit before speaking.
“...Alpha,”
“The um.. he exhales. The Pearl has picked up a scent—according to Wilson.”
Jace’s eyes flared.
“What?!”
“That's impossible.. it's too early!”
“That's exactly what I said” Lance chimes in, giving Dave a look.
“Where?”
Jace's Alpha voice thundered through the room, forcing both men to bow instinctively under the sheer weight of his authority.
“Nevermore,” Dave answered.
Jace turned sharply.
“Lance.”
“Alpha,” Lance replied, bowing.
“Go with Wilson. Help him locate the host.”
Lance hesitated, exchanging a look with Dave.
“As you command,” he said at last.
Of all strange things that have been happening, this is the biggest. Jace thought to himself.
But why now? He exhaled and turned toward the door.
“Let’s go.”
Dave nodded and followed.
As they walked through the stone corridors, Dave spoke quietly.
“Don’t you think we need him here?” “Given the recent reports of unrest in the realm.”
Jace slowed.
“I believe Wilson and the scouts can handle the host—whoever it is.” Dave continued
“Have that investigations reassigned. Right now the host is our top priority.” Jace said, tone commanding.
“We need to strengthen our defenses. The host appearing this early is too big of a coincidence… what if what happened two decades ago repeats itself?” Dave pressed.
“We were caught off guard, and a lot of lives were lost.” “The kingdom barely even recovered from the last host attack.
Jace stopped.
He turned, his expression unyielding, and placed a firm hand on Dave’s shoulder.
“That is exactly why we will use every resource we have,” he said. “I will ensure it never happens again.”
His gaze softened—just slightly.
“I give you my word.”
Dave exhaled.
“I guess we’re more prepared now. There’s no way a rouge host gets that close again.”
“Then we have an understanding,” Jace said, turning away.
They reached the council chambers. The guards stationed outside immediately bowed and swung the massive doors open.
Jace stepped inside.
Every leader of the supernatural realm rose to their feet at once, bowing deeply.
“Alpha,” they said in unison.
Jace turned and strode toward his seat—an elevated chair forged of silver, more throne than council seat. Power radiated from it, ancient and unquestioned. Dave took his position at his side, standing watchful and alert.
Jace’s gaze swept across the chamber, sharp and assessing. He acknowledged the assembled leaders with a single, deliberate nod before lowering himself onto the throne.
Silence followed—thick, reverent.
“You may sit,” Dave announced.
Only then did the leaders obey, taking their seats in unison.
The chamber settled into tense quiet once everyone had taken their seats.
Jace rested his forearms against the armrests of the throne, his expression unreadable.
“You were summoned,” he began, “because an update is due.”
Several leaders straightened.
“For months, I have ordered heightened surveillance across all territories,” Jace continued. “Smuggling, rogue covens, unauthorized feeding, border violations, to mention the least..”
His gaze sharpened.
“I want to hear what you’ve found.”
Ragnar, Alpha of the Northern Wolves, spoke first.
“We’ve dismantled three illegal pack networks operating outside your laws.” “Scapegoats have been displayed for anyone who has thoughts of going against them.
“Good,” Jace said.
Lady Miravel followed.
“The covens have complied with the blood accords. No unsanctioned rituals have been detected.” “If any witch or wizard try, they stand to face sudden death.
Jace nodded once.
“The fae courts?” he asked.
Eldrin inclined his head.
“Stable—for now. Though the veil has thinned in the western woods.”
Jace’s fingers tapped lightly against the throne.
“See that it doesn’t thin further.”
One by one, reports came in.
Jace’s eyes flicked briefly to Dave.
The meeting was nearing its end when Jace spoke again.
“That,” he said evenly, “is not the only situation at hand.”
A subtle shift moved through the council chamber. Leaders straightened. Instinct sharpened.
“The Pearl has stirred,” Jace continued. “After only two decades of silence.”
Every sound died.
“The last time that artifact awakened,” Ragnar, Alpha of the Northern Wolves, growled, “entire bloodlines were erased.”
“And borders were broken,” added Lady Miravel, Queen of the Coven. “The balance nearly collapsed.”
Jace leaned forward, his presence pressing outward, heavy and undeniable.
“And yet,” he said quietly, “we survived.”
“Because you intervened,” a vampire lord spoke from the shadows. “At great cost.”
Jace’s jaw tightened—but he did not deny it.
“The Pearl has identified a host,” he went on. “The location is Nevermore.”
The name cut through the room like a blade.
“Nevermore is neutral ground,” Eldrin snapped. “You cannot simply—”
“I can,” Jace interrupted, his voice calm—and infinitely more dangerous.
“And I will.”
The demon lord at the far end shifted. “What if the host is unaware? Human, perhaps?”
“Then they're less dangerous. We try to protect them,” Jace said without hesitation.
Ragnar slammed his fist against the table.
“And if the host turns?”
The air crackled, power stirring restlessly through the chamber.
Jace rose slowly to his feet.
“Then I end it.”
No hesitation.
No doubt.
Unease rippled through the assembled leaders.
Dave stepped forward. “Scouts are already deployed. Lance has been assigned to assist Wilson in retrieval and containment.”
“Containment?” Lady Miravel echoed.
Jace’s eyes darkened.
“Until I decide otherwise.”
Silence stretched.
Then, slowly, Eldrin bowed his head.
“The Fae will cooperate.”
One by one, the others followed.
“We stand with you, Alpha.”
Jace lowered himself back onto the throne.
“Good,” he said coolly. “Because if the Pearl awakens fully…”
His gaze sharpened, deadly and certain.
“…there will be no second chance.”
The silence lingered, heavy and expectant.
Jace’s gaze shifted, settling on the remaining leaders—those who had yet to speak.
“Lord Kael,” he said, addressing the Demon High Regent, “your kind excels at sensing unstable energy.”
Kael inclined his horned head.
“My legions are yours, Alpha.”
“I want your sentinels stationed along the eastern and southern borders of Nevermore,” Jace ordered. “I want to be the first to know when those damn Sisters show up”
Kael’s eyes flared briefly.
“It will be done.”
Jace turned next.
“Eris,” he said to the Shapeshifter Matron, her form subtly shifting even as she sat. “I want eyes everywhere.”
Eris smiled faintly.
"I will have my spys stationed at once.”
“I want you to embed among civilians,” Jace said. “No exposure. If the host moves, I want to know before they take a second step.”
Eris bowed her head.
“As you command, Alpha.”
His attention returned to the rest of the council.
“Wolves,” Jace continued, “you will reinforce patrols near the outer woods.”
Ragnar nodded once.
“My packs will hold the perimeter.”
“Vampires,” Jace said coolly, “you will maintain the night routes. No unsanctioned feeding. I don't want any attention drawn to us, especially now!”
The vampire lord inclined his head.
“ofcourse alpha.”
“Witches,” Jace finished, “strengthen the wards. If the host turns this time I want you to be prepared.”
Lady Miravel placed a hand over her heart.
“The covens will comply.”
Jace leaned back against the throne, satisfied.
“For now,” he said, “that is all.”
He rose, the chamber responding instinctively—chairs scraping as leaders stood once more, bowing.
Jace turned toward the exit without looking back
Dave stepped forward, his voice carrying authority born of long service.
“The council is adjourned,” he declared.
“You are dismissed under the Alpha’s command.”
One by one, the leaders filed out, tension clinging to their shadows.
