After the Great War, the Vampire Kingdom retreated into obscurity. It had taken a toll on the other supernatural races, most of which vanished into extinction, leaving Werewolves as the sole rulers. Four thousand years of peace is suddenly shattered...
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(Pic of Aeryn's wolf!)
~Zira P.O.V~
I was awoken in the middle of the night to a familiar voice over the mind link.
'Zira! Come quick! He's dying!'
'Isla! Isla!'
She didn't respond. I immediately jumped out of bed, not bothering to change my clothes. I concentrated my thoughts on the regal palace bedroom. I could feel my surroundings change and I heard the labored breathing of the Alpha King.
Whatever unknown disease had incapacitated him was slowly destroying his body. Not even the healers could help him. His hair had become white, his skin was pale and sickly in color, and a short beard had grown on his face. The once magnificent king was no more than a shell of his former self.
The room was empty with the exception of a servant and two of my fellow werecat guardians, Gage and Isla.
"Zira-"
The frail king motioned me closer to his bedside. Sorrow filled my eyes as I watched my old friend on the threshold of death. He noticed my expression and smiled sadly.
"Don't be sad, lioness. The end is only the beginning of the journey."
A stray tear fell down my face. It shouldn't end like this.
'Regis's spirit will live on' reminded my cat, Rayne.
"A darkness gathers in the East-" said the king
He was interrupted by a sputter of coughs. Blood came out of his mouth with them. The servant nearby dabbed it away with a towel before retreating to the corner of the room to give us privacy.
"But there is still.....h-..ope"
He coughed some more, and his breathing became even more labored. I grabbed his bony hand to try to comfort him through the pain.
"He told me about you. You must protect them-...you must protect...her"
With that, he took his final breath. I dropped my head in remorse before recomposing myself and turning to my companions.
"We have no time to mourn Regis. Call an emergency meeting of the Council. With no heir to the throne the Trials must take place. We need a leader if we are going to survive whatever darkness lies before us."
They quickly bowed in respect before hurrying out the door. As the leader of the guardians, I was second only to the king, but I had no legislative authority. I could only protect and guide. The Council would be in charge until a new ruler was selected. I just had to make sure they stayed in line until then.
I was about to teleport back to the Star Crest pack, but I glanced behind me one last time. That's when I noticed a foam oozing out of his mouth. I gasped out loud before examining it closer.
