Chapter 8: The First Alpha Awakens
Chapter 8: The First Alpha Awakens
The valley fell into absolute silence.
Every wolf stood frozen.
Even Lucien's soldiers lowered their weapons.
The voice had not merely echoed through the air.
It had echoed through their souls.
The gigantic claw tightened around the shattered stone.
Another section of the earth collapsed.
An ancient hand, covered in black fur streaked with silver, slowly emerged from the abyss.
Its claws gleamed like polished obsidian.
The Blood Moon brightened again.
The crimson light poured directly into the widening chasm.
The Guardian's face turned pale.
"We're out of time."
He thrust his silver spear toward the sky.
Ancient runes ignited across the valley floor.
Thousands of glowing symbols spread in every direction, forming a massive circle around the Vault.
"The last seal!" he shouted.
"Everyone inside the circle!"
Kael didn't hesitate.
He grabbed Lydia's wrist and pulled her back.
"Move!"
Lydia stumbled after him.
"What is that thing?"
Kael couldn't answer.
For the first time in years, he felt genuine fear.
Aria clutched the Heartstone against her chest.
It pulsed faster with every heartbeat.
Its warmth spread through her entire body.
Then a voice whispered inside her mind.
Do not fear me.
She gasped.
"Who's there?"
No one answered.
Only the whisper returned.
You carry my promise.
Selene rushed to her daughter's side.
"Aria?"
"I'm hearing someone."
The Guardian looked at the glowing crystal.
"It has chosen to speak."
Before anyone could ask another question, the earth erupted.
A colossal wolf burst halfway through the shattered prison.
Its body was larger than the Vault itself.
Jet-black fur shimmered beneath the crimson moon.
Silver markings flowed across its massive frame like rivers of light.
Its crimson eyes opened.
Every wolf instinctively bowed.
Some collapsed completely.
Others cried without understanding why.
The Blood Wolf that had terrorized the valley whimpered.
It slowly crawled toward the giant creature.
Then lowered its head.
The ancient wolf ignored it.
Instead, his gaze settled on Aria.
"So..."
His voice rolled across the valley like distant thunder.
"The last daughter of House Vale lives."
Aria could barely breathe.
"You know me?"
"I knew your father."
Fenrir's enormous eyes softened for only a moment.
"He was the last man worthy of carrying my blessing."
Lucien smiled triumphantly.
"It worked."
"The First Alpha has awakened."
Fenrir slowly turned toward him.
"And you..."
Lucien's smile faded.
"...are not the one I remember."
Before anyone could react, one enormous tail swept across the battlefield.
The impact sent Lucien flying through three stone pillars.
The Shadow Spear spun from his hands.
He crashed into the ruins, coughing blood.
Every Crimson Eclipse soldier stared in disbelief.
"The Commander..."
Fenrir's voice became ice.
"You carry the scent of greed."
"You dare disturb my sleep."
Lucien struggled to stand.
"I freed you."
"No."
Fenrir growled.
"You broke the balance."
The mountains trembled again.
Dark clouds swallowed the Blood Moon.
Lightning flashed across the sky.
Suddenly, black mist poured from the broken prison.
It spread across the valley like living smoke.
The Guardian's eyes widened.
"The corruption..."
"It escaped."
The mist touched one fallen Crimson Eclipse soldier.
Instantly, he screamed.
His bones cracked.
His muscles twisted.
Black veins spread across his skin.
Within seconds, he transformed into a horrifying beast with glowing crimson eyes.
Then another soldier changed.
And another.
The corruption spread rapidly.
"They're becoming Feral Wolves!" Selene shouted.
The creatures attacked everything nearby.
Crimson Eclipse soldiers.
Guardian statues.
Even each other.
Chaos erupted.
Kael intercepted one monster before it reached Lydia.
His claws tore through its shoulder.
The creature barely reacted.
Its wounds healed instantly.
"What are these things?"
The Guardian answered while cutting down another beast.
"They no longer have souls."
"They only hunger."
Aria watched the nightmare unfold.
"This is my fault..."
"No."
Fenrir's deep voice interrupted her.
"This began long before your birth."
The Heartstone suddenly floated from Aria's hands.
It rose high into the sky.
Silver light exploded outward.
Every corrupted wolf froze.
For one brief second...
The darkness retreated.
Fenrir looked at the glowing crystal with quiet respect.
"The Heartstone still remembers."
He lowered his enormous head toward Aria.
"You have inherited more than your father's blood."
"You have inherited his burden."
Aria swallowed hard.
"What do I have to do?"
Fenrir remained silent for several long moments.
Finally, he spoke.
"There are four Sacred Relics."
"The Heartstone is only the first."
"The others were hidden when the Moon Council fell."
"If the Crimson Eclipse claims even one before you..."
His crimson eyes darkened.
"...every wolf alive will kneel before darkness."
Lucien slowly pulled himself from the rubble.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.
Yet he was smiling.
A cold, terrifying smile.
"You've already lost."
Everyone turned toward him.
He raised an empty hand.
"The second relic..."
"...is already ours."
At that exact moment, somewhere hundreds of miles away, a brilliant pillar of black light pierced the heavens.
Fenrir stared toward the distant horizon.
May you like
For the first time since his awakening...
The First Alpha looked afraid.
