It all begins when a silver dagger goes missing.
For her entire life, a human named Cora Gabris has known that lycans were searching for her, as she was born as a Ruby -- a human that, when turned into a lycan, will become much stronger than any of...
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The crisp air blew gently into the Alpha's Forum, a dim glow from the morning sun breaching the windows. A warm rain fell upon them during the night, casting a misty fog that carried over the waters. The sills of the window were still damp and glistening from the rain that had only recently ceased to fall.
Ludovic stood in front of the Alpha's throne as he breathed in the wet stone, staring at the carved wooden seat before him. He recalled his grandfather, the Alpha before Theran's father, telling all of his grandsires that the throne was carved of an ancient Moon Oak tree, something unique to lycans in these mountains. When the moonlight touched the wood of the tree, paired with a lycan touching it, the bark would glow white.
In the moonlight, the Alpha's throne would faintly glow around whoever sat within it. At least, the throne in the outdoor Commons did, where Ludovic would be facing the crowd of lycans later that day. The throne in the Forum was covered with a roof for unfavorable weather to which moonlight rarely breached through.
Both thrones were now his, and he still couldn't comprehend it. The fight to claim it had been rather easy, compared to what he thought would happen.
Getting this throne was simple, but defending it will cost so much...
Ludovic ran his calloused hands on the polished wood before sitting down, his stolid expression deepening as he felt the weight of his role.
He not only fought Theran for this, but now he would either cast out an Omni, or accept her among his pack. He would ask his people to join him in a battle that could require decades of rebuilding and healing...if they were so lucky to see the bright side of victory.
As he waited, he rolled up the sleeves of his loose, black tunic, the rest of his shirt tucked into his belt. He touched his exposed forearm, a few, weathered scars visible, knowing that before they left for Ingram, he'd be given the Alpha's tattoos: branches wrapping around his neck that stemmed down his forearms and legs from which his victories would be added like a tree that grew over time. Each leaf would be stained with white ink that would glow on a full moon.
He thought to his father, wondering if taking this throne would lead Ludovic to an early death. Perhaps I will see you sooner than anticipated, old man.
Ludovic sighed, knowing he had to do everything he could to avoid that. He didn't fear death himself, as he had been raised as a warrior, but he didn't want for his mother to have to plant his ghost tree. His gaze slid to the empty throne next to him, and it was the first time in his life that he felt pressured to claim a mate—he'd need one if he wanted any chance to survive what was coming.
He moved his gaze back ahead of him, taking in a deep breath of the cool air and touched the cold wood of his throne.
Ludovic thought of Cora and cast aside the allure she had on him—how did she contend from a political standpoint ? Was she truly the best one to seat the throne next to him? No doubt, the sooner they confirmed that she could not go to Grimshaw, the better. That would not only help his pack, but undoubtedly strengthen her own confidence.
