Shifters - The King of Wolves - Book 1

CHAPTER 38 - LONG LIVE THE KING

EGON POV

I stood at the edge of the forest. The imposing dark wall before me seemed to swallow the moonlight. The silence around us felt almost unsettling, as even the trees themselves were straining to stay silent.

Not a rustle of leaves or a chirp of a bird could be heard. It was as if nature had retreated, knowing that tonight, the forest would be filled with shifters. Predators seeking their prey.

But the birds had nothing to fear as I wasn't after something small. My sights were set on a bigger challenge, a wild boar, or if I was fortunate enough, perhaps even a deer.

The full moon hung high and clear in the sky. It was both beautiful and intimidating, illuminating the darkness with its cold, silvery light.

I was surrounded by nearly fifty other shifters, men and women whose eyes glimmered with anticipation as they stared into the darkness beyond the trees. They were all waiting for the signal to shift and embrace their animalistic nature.

My father stood beside me. As Alpha, he was the first to shift, leading the pack into the hunt.

Excitement coursed through me. I was the youngest shifter ever allowed to participate in the hunt, and I felt a swell of pride. I could hardly believe that tonight, I would finally join the pack in the hunt, experiencing something I had longed for since I could remember.

Torin stood to my right. When our eyes met, he gave me a reassuring wink. Father had instructed me to stay close to Torin. If anything went wrong, he'd be there to help.

"We don't need a babysitter," Ares grumbled in my mind. "I want to hunt a deer, and that won't happen if we're with him."

"You heard father," I replied. "In a couple of months, we'll be able to go out on our own, just like everyone else."

"We still don't need a babysitter," Ares muttered again, his tone tinged with frustration.

I squeezed my eyes shut, concentrating on keeping Ares under control as I pushed him back into my mind. Sweat trickled down my forehead from the effort. Of course, I had to be burdened with such a stubborn Lycan. However, despite his challenges, I had grown to care for Ares deeply.

"Egon, are you alright? Is Ares giving you trouble?"

I opened my eyes to meet my father's concerned gaze. "No, I'm fine," I reassured him. "I've got Ares under control."

Father studied me for a moment before nodding. "If you find yourself struggling, let Torin know. He will bring you back."

I nodded, though my heart sank at the thought. Returning was not an option I wanted to consider. I had worked too hard and trained too long for this moment. I was determined to prove myself. I wanted to finish the hunt with pride, carrying back a grand trophy.

When the moon reached its peak, father began his transformation into his massive Lycan. It was the signal for the rest of us to follow. Excitement surged through me as I allowed myself to shift.

The transformation always felt strange, muscles stretching, bones cracking, but it was becoming more bearable with practice. However, the accelerated healing helped too, every broken bone mended almost instantly. Within seconds, I stood on four legs, my senses heightened.

I looked around at the towering figures of my father and brother. Torin's fur was a deep brown, while my father's fur was as black as the surrounding night. I was the only one in the family who matched his fur.

My heightened senses brought the forest into sharp focus. The details of every leaf and branch became strikingly clear, and the darkness of the night was as revealing as daylight. I could hear the distant murmur of a stream flowing somewhere to my right, the sound faint but clear.