Royal Secrets & Beastly Desires

1. Rogue Shadows: The Fight for Survival

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Draiden stood beside his beta, Michael, surveying the aftermath of the rogue attack. Blood and bodies littered the streets, with some victims intact and others mangled beyond recognition. It was a scene more gruesome than he could have imagined.

This wasn't a random attack; the rogues were sending a message, igniting a fire of rage within him. "Search for any survivors and dispatch our best trackers to follow the rogues' scents," he commanded, his voice a low growl. "I want them found and killed."

Michael nodded, mind-linking their top trackers. "Hunt the rogues down and eliminate them." As he received confirmations, he watched as the five best trackers sprinted towards the West. Turning back to Draiden, Michael vowed, "They will pay for this, Alpha."

Draiden gave his beta a curt nod and set off to search for survivors—if there were any left after this brutal attack.

He moved through the carnage, examining each body. Some he knew were lost before he even approached, while others clung to life by a thread. For those, he ended their pain swiftly, offering a merciful release.

The bodies quickly piled up around him—children of all ages, men, and women mercilessly slaughtered by the rogues.

His wolf, Braken, was furious. Draiden didn't try to fight for control; as he let Braken take over completely. The rescue teams felt the shift in energy and cringed as Braken's presence enveloped them. In that moment, everyone paused their search and bowed before their Alpha, acknowledging the fierce power that radiated from him.

It was rare for Braken to emerge, especially while Draiden was in human form. But when he did, every wolf in the vicinity could feel his formidable presence, power radiating off him in palpable waves.

"Alpha, we have a problem!" Michael shouted, sprinting toward him.

Braken's once-golden eyes had turned a deep, midnight black, reflecting the storm brewing within him. He waited, tense and coiled, as Michael approached. "What is it?" he asked, his voice a chilling whisper laced with barely contained fury.

Michael flinched at the harshness of Braken's tone. "The rogues attacked Hillcrest. Marcus reported at least fifty humans dead. The body count is continuing to raise as they sweep the town"

A vicious growl tore from Braken's throat, and he rose to his towering height of 6'8", casting a long shadow over Michael. The beta instinctively backed away, his heart racing as he watched his Alpha succumb to rage. The ground trembled beneath them, vibrating with the raw energy of Braken's fury as he began to shift into his monstrous wolf.

The transformation was awe-inspiring and terrifying; fur erupted from his skin, muscles rippled and expanded, and with each agonizing second, he grew larger, more powerful. The air thickened with tension as the Alpha wolf prepared to unleash his wrath upon those who dared to attack his territory and his people.

Standing tall, Braken shook out his midnight black coat, the muscles beneath rippling with barely contained fury. He bared his teeth, a menacing growl rumbling deep in his chest. He was furious, and the air around him crackled with his lethal intent.

Before anyone could intervene, he took off toward Hillcrest, a dark blur against the backdrop of destruction. His powerful legs propelled him forward, each stride a testament to his speed and strength. The ground beneath him thudded as he raced, the scent of blood and smoke guiding him toward the source of his rage.

As he sprinted, thoughts of vengeance consumed him. The rogues had crossed a line, and he wouldn't rest until their heads were at his feet, a grim trophy of his wrath and a warning to any who dared to challenge him. Each heartbeat echoed a promise: retribution was coming, and nothing would stand in his way.