Shifters - The King of Wolves - Book 1

CHAPTER 39 - THE ROAD AHEAD

The carriage jolted and swayed as we wobbled along the rough, sandy trail through the forest. From my comfortable seat, I admired the breathtaking landscape that stretched out around us.

The mountains, crowned with fresh snow, towered majestically against the horizon. Their stark, barren peaks stood in sharp contrast to the vibrant green fields that stretched out before them. The meadows were alive with colourful wildflowers, their soft petals dancing lightly in the wind.

This was the third day of our journey, and each day presented a new, enchanting view. I was mesmerized by the world's beauty, and I longed to see more of it. Even though Egon had mentioned that we were at war, this serene place seemed to be free of any signs of conflict.

My gaze moved to the front of the group, where Egon sat atop his horse. His authority was unmistakable as he navigated us through the forest. The usual tender expression he wore when we were alone was replaced by a cold, emotionless mask, devoid of the warmth I knew so well. He didn't seem angry, just unreadable. I had never seen this side of Egon before, and seeing him like this, I understood why others might find him intimidating. However, I knew why he presented himself like this.

The weight of his responsibilities as Alpha King, thrust upon him at such a young age, had shaped him. It was an unimaginable burden for a child, one that had hardened him and stolen his innocence. This was a part of him that he had to show to the world, a necessity forced upon him by the harsh realities surrounding him.

Hearing him recount his past broke my heart. I wanted to take away his pain, replace his memories with warmth and affection, and soothe the wounded child within him who had never found peace. But as much as I wished I could, I couldn't change his past. So that night, we simply held onto each other, finding comfort in each other's embrace as he shared his story.

He had told me about the Great War that followed. For almost two centuries, he had been consumed by this relentless war, with no time to adjust to his new role or mourn his lost loved ones. He had been forced to make decisions that no child should ever have to make, decisions about life and death that haunted him even now. It was inevitable to make mistakes, yet the weight of them still pressed heavily on his mind.

He described how the war had changed the world. Back then, shifters and humans lived in harmony, but the extended war led to divisions, not only between the two races but also among the shifters themselves. Egon spoke of a time when Arvandor was home to various shifters, a stark contrast to the present where shifters rarely leave their own continents.

Egon explained that he learned that the attack on Amsellhein was orchestrated by Akuma, who was driven by a thirst for power. Akuma had spent years recruiting and training rogues, with the Lycans as his first target. Other shifters viewed the war as a problem for the Lycans and chose to stay out of it, prioritizing their own safety. Many Lycans and Werewolves had lost their mates and loved ones in the turmoil and the fear of sharing the same fate led the other shifters to turn a blind eye to the increasing violence.

Even as members of the Supreme Council across all continents were hunted and killed, Egon was left to fight alone, nearly losing his entire species before the war finally ended.

Despite the heavy losses, Egon's forces ultimately defeated the rogues. Akuma had suddenly vanished and the rogues surrendered, but Egon was determined to seek justice. He spent the following years hunting Akuma down, eventually killing him in what became known as the Last War. Peace returned slowly, and the new laws we follow today were established to try and restore harmony. While things were never the same as in Egon's youth, the new laws allowed us to coexist without violence.

However, this peace was now threatened by the rise of the Skinners, who had become more active in recent months. What started as a local issue had escalated into a global problem, escalating so rapidly that Egon couldn't pinpoint the cause. He had dispatched inspectors to other continents to investigate, and he was eager for their reports when we reached Amsellhein.