Present-day...
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8iRHrZsQbe
Chandler kicked open the door. "Get out! Now!"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6UwKBSYpZF
Rosalind didn't move a muscle, she was still in shock from the news she had just received.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqKdmRLRgrL
Theo refused to leave her side.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb2ffA0dll0
"You heard me! Get out!"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsrD3nJJqOk
Rosalind took a shaky breath. "Did you know?"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmJgySWLOix
Chandler said nothing.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwnuH3mAENW
"Did you know you're my brother or not?" She asked with much more confidence this time.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwyy5VzIdJH
He didn't respond.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGAydhSLNod
Theo stood up. "Excuse me, Rosalind asked you a question and I believe she deserves an answer."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGysxxjVCs9
"Listen, the Council of Alphas will be here any minute now, and the Pack Mother will be livid if you aren't ready."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCVDdxXYmTn
Rosalind rose to her feet. "Fine."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuSmZ82BILM
Theo stormed out of the bedroom and Rosalind followed.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7NCXjXC8X
Chandler gently grabbed her hand and whispered in her ear. "I didn't know until I smelled my scent on your sweatshirt and when you said it belonged to your brother, that's when I knew you were my sister."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoerDm8jJiW
She broke herself free from his grasp. "Thank you for telling me."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUNs7KF1ZQa
Rosalind changed into her dress and admired herself in the mirror. It didn't look too bad. The velvet dress went nicely with her complexion. She wasn't used to the sight of herself in a dress. She didn't have time to keep staring at herself, everyone was waiting for her.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ06SXyp81Yf
She walked to her bedroom where Theo and Heath were talking, or more accurately, Heath was keeping Theo occupied, so he didn't try to escape.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrj0st2XQ6N
Theo leaned back on the bed. "I'm not saying I hate the movies, I'm just saying the books were better."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAQiOvPBi1g
Heath's jaw dropped. "There are Harry Potter books?"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8qwkBiGx7N
"Hey, guys." Rosalind stood in the doorway and picked at her nails.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbuXX2lh1Bg
Theo immediately sprung to his feet. He cleared his throat. "You look beautiful."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzEJBT9AqMY
"Thanks."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD7jMlv2lPl
Theo took a red flower barrette and pinned it in her brunette bob. "You've got this!" He whispered in her ear.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0P9FXgHoi2
She forced a smile. "Of course, I do, She lied. Today she'd have to fake it till she made it. She put on a brave face and stepped towards the door, but hesitated before opening it. "Stay safe, okay?"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsJ2nBnJgzE
"I'll try my best."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn2qYfe12yl
Chandler swung open the door. He was wearing a black, well-fitted suit and neatly combed hair. He cleared his throat. "The Council is waiting for us in the banquet hall."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXSbmp3G5wF
Rosalind nodded.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAfdg0M2cUc
Chandler pointed at Theo. "Don't even think about leaving this room."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQ8tjVFWYt9
Theo rolled his eyes. "Don't worry, I don't feel like being mauled to death by a pack of angry werewolves today."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqLJhFKFMLe
"Whatever." Chandler stepped outside the room. "Heath, don't let him out of your sight." Without another word, Chandler slammed the door on them and began leading Rosalind to the room where the council was meeting.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoaorOl1z78
"I like your tux, did you pick it out yourself?"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡthH3b1Vhz4
"Of course not, Duke did. I'm not a nerd."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvR0kQT9M8a
Almost on cue, Duke stepped out of his room wearing a juniper-colored blazer with golden buttons. "Are you guys ready?"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8PJ7SEf7k1
"No, Rosalind mumbled.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ827Z5Haji3
Chandler crossed his arms. "You don't really have a choice, princess."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnobw3CI5RP
Rosalind begrudgingly held her tongue for the rest of their walk.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdWt12hXuoi
Duke gently punched Chandler's arm. "You look good."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNcvXcV1ZYi
"I always look good, but thanks."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYKCDW4zq7V
They came to the end of the corridor. The only thing separating them from the council was a shimmering platinum door covered with a depiction of a pack of wolves. They all looked towards the one in the center. The alpha.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡovVanZEFiH
The boys glanced at the knob and then at each other. Eventually, the tension became too much for them and Chandler pushed open the door, revealing a luxurious banquet hall. The walls were laced with scarlet tapestries. A long banquet table surrounded by chairs that resembled thrones. The most lavish throne of all was at the far end of the table, and her mother sat in it proudly like the queen she believed herself to be.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQpJKPBcqk5
A tall, dark-skinned man rose from his seat to greet them. He had white hair, stern eyes behind his thick-framed glasses, and he wore a bronze ring on every finger. "Are you the daughter Luna won't shut up about?"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQRODMGqi2a
"I must be, since I'm the only daughter she's got." As far as she knew anyway, her mother had kept so many secrets from her, she didn't know what to believe anymore.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡemCVsfOwzB
He glanced her up and down. "I was expecting more."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNG7Tq5LNtf
Duke cleared his throat. "Rosalind, meet my dad."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjko11IKSI
He extended a hand. "Lydon Kingsley, but it's Pack Father Lydon to you." He introduced himself. Then his attention drifted to Duke. "I heard you're the new sheriff in town."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡddichM12Rc
"You heard correctly. The Pack Mother promoted me a few days ago. I hope you're proud."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgpayP24m8s
His father adjusted his glasses. "Honestly, I'm disappointed it took you so long. I suppose I expected too much from you."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoqiicg2XXs
Chandler shoved Duke out of the way and squared off in front of Pack Father Lydon. "Listen up, Asshole! Duke has done nothing but his absolute best from the day he got here, and that's more than I can say for myself. He deserves to be the leader more than I do, and you should be proud of him!"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡooBxQWNaFQ
Luna stood up and slammed her knuckles onto the table. "Can you at least try to show some respect, Chandler?" She sunk back into her seat and shook her head. "You're such a disappointment. Sit down now!"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzHXgYM7VUE
No one argued with her request.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrMosEJGkXe
Rosalind sat at her mother's right hand and Chandler sat across from her. He downed the entire glass of wine in front of him in one gulp.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ83EVdYOihP
"I've never seen anyone disrespect an alpha in such a public fashion!" A woman seated across the table exclaimed.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡT8b7ugy6Af
"Don't worry, he will face consequences for his actions," Gregorio said, trying to restore order.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGVcAZCdjgx
Things were not going well. The Alphas loudly argued about pack politics while Chandler snuck another glass of wine.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVf9gMkQiky
Rosalind let out a relieved sigh when the food finally arrived. She was slightly less enthusiastic when she saw the giant hunk of meat that was almost too big for her plate. She picked up her fork and knife and hesitantly cut into it. The inside of the meat was so rare she feared it may still be alive. She took a small bite. The taste was completely unfamiliar to her. "What kind of meat is this?" She whispered to herself.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgUnDZCMsyY
"Moose." said the woman seated next to her with a look of playfulness in her yellow eyes. "I killed it myself a few hours ago." She proudly showed off the blood on her sleeves.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXhEWTZGZnw
Rosalind just smiled and nodded. "Very impressive."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡozaoo41rlh
A fanged grin spread across the woman's red lips. "I like you."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtzlYmx9sBB
Luna, on the other hand, was not impressed. "Can't you try to be proper for once in your life, Regina?"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡd1Fba9Dn9z
She giggled. "Where's the fun in that?"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3Hd8yjwhIi
Rosalind forced down as much of the moose meat as she could. The other werewolves seemed to enjoy it. Maybe she would grow to like it.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3EhW3CVgsM
As everyone was finishing their meal, Luna stood up and tapped a fork on her glass. "May I have everyone's attention, please. Since we're all gathered here tonight, Gregorio and I are proud to unveil the project we've been working on for the past decade."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdmZrxBr51B
Gregorio hid in the corner of the room with his head down and his hands tucked in his pockets. Luna proudly displayed a bottle filled to the brim with bubbling white liquid.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvhxUNmrYwn
Rosalind immediately recognized it from when she fell in the pit inside the Sightless Caverns. Wasn't all that stuff deadly to werewolves? Why was it here?
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLQRFJYR2p6
Luna ran her fingers across the glass bottle. "I call it Wolfsbane. Just a few drops are enough to kill a fully grown werewolf where they stand."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnYfq1OObqx
Pack Father Lydon banged his fists on the table. "Are you mad? Why would you invent such a thing?"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXWU0pI9a0O
"Perhaps, you've forgotten why the Silver Huntsmen were founded. We were assembled to stop the rogue werewolf epidemic, and that's precisely what I plan to do."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9HGF16bnAh
Pack Father Lydon said nothing else.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfzC8STo5rB
Regina's hand shot up. "Do you intend on sharing it with the rest of us?"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh8GSf12sfS
Luna gave Gregorio the signal, and he reluctantly moved one of the tapestries, revealing several large containers of Wolfsbane. "I'm sending each of you home with a batch. All you need to do is dump some into your nearest water supply and soon your area will be completely rid of rogue werewolves."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡc1lHEPoXZT
"Won't it kill you too?" Rosalind refused to make eye contact with her mother.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcSZq34dfz3
"I'm so glad you asked." Luna grabbed a bottle of pills off a rack next to the bottles of Wolfsbane. "All you need is to take one of these, and you'll become completely immune to Wolfbane's effects."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZyoweUp5vD
Rosalind squeezed her hands into tight fists. "So you're just going to slaughter everyone who's not one of your own."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHgnu1X978X
"Well, that's the plan. We have to make sure the werewolf legacy doesn't become tainted."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ62D63vcyCT
"Tainted?" Rosalind let out a deep growl, which slightly scared her, but she didn't back down. "This was never about the rogue werewolf epidemic, was it? You're only worried about preserving your legacy."
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpanIuVO6jb
Duke made eye contact with her from across the room, signaling for her to stop, while he tried to rip Chandler's fourth glass of wine out of his hands. Rosalind saw his disapproving look, but she continued regardless. "I know a Mixedblood, and he's a better person than any of you combined!" Something awakened inside her. A rush of power flowed through her veins. She was barely in control of her own mind, but it didn't bother her. It felt good. "I'm done with your lies, mom!"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡm86jaxlfXb
"Hell yeah!" A very drunk Chandler smashed a plate, causing it to splinter into hundreds of fragments. "You never loved me! You never had any intentions of making me an alpha, did you?"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7ZbuNReWmj
No one said anything.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoH0T0dqh6O
"Of course not, I'm nothing but a pawn in the Silver Huntsmen's stupid game. You know what? All of you can suck my—"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM2M2OagzRK
"Knock it off, Chandler!" Duke cut him off in a final attempt to defuse the situation.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡq6bSemP8Ll
"No, you knock it off!" Chandler said, his speech slurred.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0dPJEhlpUl
A disappointed expression spread across Gregorio's face. Luna stood up. "I've heard enough! Security escort them out!"
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmHILgi24U2
The rush of power became, so overwhelming, Rosalind could no longer contain it. Her hands morphed into paws and thick brown fur spread across her body. She jumped onto the table and knocked off as many things as she could, causing a ruckus.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZ8btfEDOwJ
She was no longer in control of her actions, but she didn't mind. She pounced at the two security guards whose names she didn't know, nor did she care. She completely missed them since she lacked control over her wolf form. Her eyes drifted to the door. Freedom. With all the force she could muster, she ripped the door off its hinges and barreled through the corridors.
278Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8mf7Gc8Rg0
"Rosalind, I need you to relax." She heard Theo's voice, but she couldn't see him. Something sharp plunged into her back and she fell unconscious.
ns 15.158.61.45da2
