Alpha Reika: The Forbidden Love Series

~In the calm, deep waters of the mind, the wolf waits.

----F.T. McKinstry

The territory of the Crescent Stone Pack lay northeast of Boulderstall, a land rich in history and steeped in the lore of werewolves. The name Boulderstall itself was coined by the first werewolves who settled there, a name now known to every werewolf in the region. The tale of how Boulderstall got its name is intertwined with the fierce rivalry between the Crescent Stone Pack and the Shadow Pack, the latter hailing from the land of Midvein.

However, this hatred was not always the way of things. Thousands of years ago, both packs were united under a single banner, known as the Moon Empire Pack. The Alpha at that time, Rudolphus, was a warrior of great notoriety. He was wise, powerful, and deeply respected by his pack. Alpha Rudolphus ruled with a firm but fair hand, teaching his people to live in harmony. He had two sons: Ulfang, the eldest, and Grogan, the younger by just a year. Ulfang, much like his father, was a man of strength, kindness, and wisdom. He was loved by all and was the natural heir to the Alpha's title. Grogan, on the other hand, was a stark contrast to his brother—quick-tempered, impulsive, and envious of Ulfang's popularity.

As time passed, Rudolphus grew old and weak, eventually succumbing to a sudden illness. With the death of Alpha Rudolphus, Ulfang ascended to the position of Alpha, a role he embraced with grace and diligence. For many years, he led the pack with the same wisdom and strength as his father. One fateful night, during one of his patrols, Ulfang encountered his mate, Uma. Their bond was immediate and unbreakable. Uma, a strikingly beautiful and strong-willed woman, became the Luna of the pack. Together, Ulfang and Uma were an unbeatable force, their leadership revered by all.

Four full moons later, the pack celebrated the joyous news that Uma was pregnant with the Alpha's first child. Ulfang was elated, eager to welcome his heir into the world. But beneath the surface of this happiness, trouble was brewing. Grogan, who had always harboured jealousy toward his brother, was in love with Uma or rather he thought he was. He had never accepted the idea of a fated mate and believed he could win Uma's heart, regardless of the sacred bond she shared with Ulfang. His envy festered, and his desire for power and Uma grew until he could no longer contain it.

Determined to overthrow Ulfang, Grogan sought out the rogues, a group of exiled werewolves who had been cast out of the pack for their crimes. He struck a deal with them, promising to reinstate them in the pack if they aided him in killing Ulfang. The rogues, eager for revenge and the chance to reclaim their place, agreed. A sinister plan was set in motion.

The rogues launched a surprise attack on the village, and Ulfang, alongside his warriors—including Grogan, rushed to defend their home. The battle was fierce, but Ulfang and his warriors prevailed. As the fighting came to an end and Ulfang shifted back into his human form, Grogan seized his opportunity. He struck his brother from behind with a silver blade, a weapon he had acquired from a witch. The wound was fatal, and with Ulfang's death, Grogan claimed the title of Alpha. He renamed the pack the Shadow Pack and instituted a harsh new rule.

The pack was plunged into mourning, grieving the loss of their beloved leader. Uma was devastated by the news. Consumed by grief and despair, she attempted to take her own life and that of her unborn child. However, Grogan found her before she could complete the act and stopped her, not out of compassion but out of his twisted desire to control her.

When Uma's son was born, a warrior loyal to Ulfang and a trusted friend of hers, informed her of Grogan's intention to kill the child before sunrise. Fearing for her son's life, Uma fled the castle under the cover of night. With the help of a few warriors who despised Grogan's rule, she escaped from Midvein. Though weak from childbirth, she pressed on, determined to protect her child, Bodolf. Accompanied by her parents, Lupin and Ida, and a few loyal maids, Uma journeyed for days and nights, seeking a safe haven.

Eventually, they arrived at an uninhabited land. Uma named it Boulderstall, meaning "freedom," a name that symbolized their escape from tyranny. But the journey had taken a toll on Uma. She was too weak and had not fully recovered from childbirth. A few days after their arrival, she passed away, leaving her son in the care of her parents.

Lupin and Ida raised Bodolf, who grew into a strong and capable leader like his father. In time, Bodolf married one of the loyal maids, Belvina, and together they had children who continued the lineage. As generations passed, the Crescent Stone Pack was born, a proud and powerful pack that carried with it the legacy of Bodolf and the memory of their escape from Grogan's tyranny.

The story of Boulderstall's founding was passed down from generation to generation. The Crescent Stone Pack and the Shadow Pack became sworn enemies and it remained so for thousands of years.

"The wolf is the arch-type of ravin, the beast of waste and desolation."

- Theodore Roosevelt.

~REIKA

I could feel the adrenaline in my body increase as I ran as fast as my legs could carry me. Paige was right behind me trying to keep up but I was way faster than her.

I stuck my mouth out of my mouth, as the wind slapped my face. I liked to let my wolf out and run free. To feel the sun kiss my face. I wished this moment would last forever. Freedom, how I longed for it.

"Hey, wait for me," Paige spoke, communicating telepathically to me while trying to catch up with me.

I ignored her and ran further into the woods. I wasn't supposed to be out but I  convinced Paige to help me sneak out. We reached the clearing which led to town, changed into our human forms and wore our clothes behind the bushes. It was easier to sneak out in my wolf form.

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