The Bride of the Lost Village

Written in the Stars

Alvin Stormrider paced back and forth in his family's grand estate, the ornate floors beneath him gleaming with polish. His mother sat gracefully on the couch, sipping tea from an antique cup. The estate, located on the outskirts of the city, had been passed down through generations. Its walls, adorned with paintings of past Stormrider Alphas, were a constant reminder of the legacy Alvin was expected to carry forward.

"Mum!" Alvin stopped abruptly, his frustration palpable. "Can't you tell me more about the Lost Village? How am I supposed to find it if I don't even know where to begin?"

His mother, Lady Evelyn Stormrider, sighed softly and set her cup down, her eyes filled with both affection and solemnity. She looked up at her son, knowing the weight of what he would soon face.

"Alvin," she said calmly, "haven't you wondered why it's called the Lost Village? Not even I can locate it. They're like magical nomads—they live by the way of the stars. They follow them, and so must you."

Alvin furrowed his brow, clearly not satisfied. "But how do I search for something that doesn't want to be found? What if I never find it? What about my bride? How do I know if I've chosen the right person?"

Lady Evelyn smiled warmly and stood, approaching her son. "It's all written in the stars, my son. You will know when you see her. It's a wolf thing. Your partner will leave an imprint on you. You're Lycan, Alvin—you know how it works. When you find her, there will be no doubt."

Alvin exhaled, running his hands through his dark hair. "I'm not sure about this, Mum. It's one thing to manage the company and the estate, but a mystical bride? That's a whole other level of responsibility."

Evelyn placed a hand on his broad shoulder, looking up into his amber eyes. "You are ready. Your father and I wouldn't push you toward this if we didn't think so. Take the journey, Alvin. Trust in your instincts, trust in the stars, and they will lead you to her. Be sincere, and they will come to you."

Alvin nodded, though his heart still raced with uncertainty. The ancient weight of the Lycan legacy bore down on him harder than ever, and the search for his bride—his destined sorceress—was a burden unlike any other.

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Meanwhile, deep within the forested mountains, the Lost Village sat nestled like a secret in the heart of the wild. Though hidden from the modern world, the village was a sight to behold for those lucky enough to stumble upon it. Tall trees encircled the village, their branches weaving together to create a natural shield, while streams of crystal-clear water cut through the land. The village itself was an intricate web of ancient stone pathways, glowing softly under the starlight. Elaborate structures stood, built with a mix of natural elements and sorcery, their designs reflecting the magic that kept them hidden.

The air in the village thrummed with energy, and the people—sorcerers and sorceresses—lived in harmony with the land, practising their arts in silence and secrecy. At the centre of the village stood a towering building, the **Temple of the Stars**, where the elders convened, and the young sorceresses were trained in the ways of ancient magic.

The village head, a stern and commanding figure known as High Sorcerer Niallis, was known for his strict adherence to tradition. It was said he could feel the winds of change before they blew and could read the stars with unparalleled clarity.

Niallis stood on the temple steps, looking out over the village, his long robes flowing in the breeze. In his presence stood several young sorceresses, their eyes gleaming with both excitement and nerves.

"High Sorcerer," one of the girls asked timidly, "can you tell us if our destiny will soon reveal itself? Will we meet the Lycan we are destined for?"

Niallis shook his head, his gaze fixed on the sky. "Destiny is not something that can be revealed before its time. You will feel the click, the connection when the stars align. No sorcerer can tell you when it will happen or with whom. The stars have their own will, and they will make it known when the time is right."

The girls murmured amongst themselves, some excited, others anxious. One among them, however, stood out. Seraphina Everhart. Tall, poised, and radiant, she was already the pride of the village. At only sixteen, she had surpassed all expectations during the coming-of-age ceremony, where she had demonstrated strength, skill, and wisdom far beyond her years. Her long, flowing hair was dark as the night, with streaks of silver that shimmered in the moonlight.

Her striking emerald eyes could pierce through a soul, and her features were delicate yet powerful. She was already considered the strongest sorceress of her generation, and many believed she would one day take Niallis' place as the chief sorceress of the village.

Seraphina's parents, both respected sorcerers themselves, watched her with pride as she stood among her peers, her chin held high.

"Seraphina," one of the other girls whispered, "do you think you'll be the one? The bride of the Alpha Lycan?"

Seraphina smiled but said nothing. Her mind raced with thoughts of the prophecy, the mystical Lycan she had heard about in stories since childhood. The stars had shown signs—a powerful Lycan Alpha was coming, one destined to claim his bride and unleash the ancient power within her. But would it be her? She didn't know.

Niallis' deep voice broke through her thoughts. "The time is near. The stars have spoken, and the next Alpha Lycan will come soon to claim his bride. You must prepare yourselves. This is not merely a meeting of two souls but the fulfilment of an ancient prophecy. The bond between the Lycan and the sorceress is sacred and powerful. Only through that bond will the ancient power be passed down, ensuring the survival of both our people and theirs."

Seraphina felt her heart race. She had always known this day would come, but now that it was so close, she couldn't help but feel the weight of it. Her parents beamed with pride, knowing their daughter was the top sorceress in the village. If anyone could be destined for the Alpha, it was her.

Seraphina's mother leaned in, whispering, "The stars shine brightly upon you, my dear. You've excelled beyond anyone's expectations. It's only a matter of time before your destiny is revealed."

Her father nodded in agreement. "You were born for greatness, Seraphina. The village is counting on you."

Seraphina took a deep breath, steadying herself. The responsibility was immense, but she had trained for this her entire life. She had passed every test, learned every spell, and perfected every ritual. Now, all that was left was to wait for the Alpha to arrive.

Seraphina's mother had always dreamed of her daughter following in her footsteps, to one day inherit the position of chief sorceress. Her deepest wish was to keep Seraphina by her side, guiding the village and their people as a powerful leader. While the prophecy of the Alpha's bride was known to everyone in the Lost Village, not every mother looked upon it with hope.

Her mother, Lady Elara Everhart, watched Seraphina closely, her heart heavy with conflicting emotions. She had seen the stars, witnessed the signs, but deep down, she hoped Seraphina wasn't the one destined for the Alpha. To lose her daughter to the world of Lycans, a world of battles and leadership, was more than she could bear.

"I wish for her to stay," Elara whispered to her husband one evening, her voice soft but filled with determination. "I want Seraphina here, with us, leading the village. She's already the strongest among her peers. She deserves to be the next chief sorceress."

Her husband, Aldric, nodded, his face sombre. "She's surpassed all expectations, no doubt. But if the stars have truly chosen her for the Alpha, there is little we can do."

Elara frowned. "We've put so much effort into ensuring she was the top scorer. She's excelled in every challenge and outshone all the others. She's meant for greatness, but I don't want that greatness to take her from us."

"I understand," Aldric said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "But destiny has its way. We can only hope the stars align in our favour."

Only when Lycan Alpha arrive then they will have the answers.