(Present)
The atmosphere within the vast mansion of the Crimson Blood Pack was consistently dark, gloomy, bitterly cold, and eerily silent. This underground community of wolves had never laid eyes upon the full splendor of the sun, the moon, or the expansive world beyond. Why? Because they resided thousands of feet below the surface.
Unbeknownst to them, there existed a hidden passage that led to the outside world. They were oblivious to the fact that this passage would be arduous to traverse, fraught with numerous obstacles.
Their first task was to discover the existence of an escape route from the place their clan had called home for countless centuries.
******
Killian
"Could you please wait for me, Killian? One day, when I grow up like the other girls around you, you will see. I'll save myself for you, which means you'll have to be patient. Promise," I pleaded with Killian, our alpha's daughter, as I gently stroked her hair and offered her a sweet smile. However, the small child frowned in response.
We found ourselves in my secret hiding spot, and I hadn't realized that she had followed me there. As the son of Zeta, one of the four war generals of the Crimson Blood Pack, I received direct orders from the Alpha in times of conflict. While the Alpha had the authority to declare war, the Zeta commanded the army and strategize for battle. They also groomed potential candidates for future leadership roles, such as Eta or Epsilon.
"Do you think I'm joking? Or perhaps you believe it's a jest because I'm ten years younger than you?" I snapped out of my reverie as the little girl's feet stomped on the ground. It seemed I had managed to annoy her.
"Hahaha, of course not, Serena. I was merely contemplating the fact that I am the only son of the Zeta in our pack. Do you truly admire me so much, Serena? What if you meet someone who is your equal one day? You should save your vows for your future mate, not for an ordinary wolf like me."
The seven-year-old girl regarded me with a serious expression, and I couldn't help but smile. Even at such a young age, her beauty was evident, and it was certain that she would only grow more stunning with time.
Her emerald green eyes sparkled in the sunlight, while her rosy cheeks and flawless lips added to her charm.
The question that lingers in my mind is whether Serena will still have feelings for me when she turns eighteen. A sharp pain pierces my chest, causing me to close my eyes momentarily.
"What's wrong, Killian?" I open my eyes to see the concerned expression on Serena's face. How I long to gaze into those green eyes every day, but I know I don't have the right to.
I glance at the canvas before me, a landscape that I have painted. This is the only place in this dark world that I truly cherish, and with Serena's presence, it feels even more perfect.
Serena has always expressed her admiration for me and her desire for me to become her husband when she grows up. I dismiss her words, considering her young age and the fact that she is the Alpha's daughter. Naturally, our leader would prefer his daughter to marry someone closer to her own age or even her destined mate, rather than a simple man like me.
I take a deep breath, questioning my own thoughts. Why am I comparing myself to Serena's future husband? I should simply care for her as a young girl who is ten years my junior.
Feeling a wave of shame wash over me, I quickly gather my scattered belongings. What was I even thinking?
"Serena, your father is probably looking for you," I say, trying to divert her attention.
The little girl grasped my hands tightly, and once again, the pain in my chest resurfaced. Why do I feel this pain whenever she is around?
I shake my head, trying to ignore the discomfort, as we make our way towards the palace.
"Where on earth have you taken my daughter, young man?" the Alpha's voice booms, startling me. I push Serena forward, hoping to convey that she had followed me on her own accord.
"Alp... aaaaaaaaa," I stammer, unable to find the right words to explain that I hadn't taken Serena, but rather she had followed me without my knowledge. How can I convince him that I am not so oblivious that I wouldn't notice his daughter? I take a deep breath, trying to steady myself.
"Don't be angry with Killian's father. He didn't force me to go with him. I was the one who followed him down. I was curious about where he was going with his collection of paintings, and besides, he would be my future husband. I just wanted to know what he was up to!" Serena's words leave me wide-eyed and speechless. My mind races, unable to comprehend what she just said. She shouldn't have said it like that. She couldn't...
The Alpha approaches us, his daughter by his side. I am still in shock, my heart pounding, as he fixes his stern gaze upon me.
"What exactly are you trying to say, little one... about him being your future husband?" the Alpha questions, his tone serious.
In that moment, I feel a sense of dread wash over me. I am certain that I am in deep trouble.
I was completely taken aback when Serena openly expressed her feelings, especially considering the numerous times she had secretly shown her affection for me. Whether it was when she sat across from me during my dad's meeting with the Alpha, or when she spotted me in one of our secluded spots, Serena never failed to make her presence known.
It was hard for me to comprehend how a young girl like Serena, who was only seven years old, could boldly declare her intentions to a seventeen-year-old boy like me. The situation became even more surreal when the Alpha himself addressed Serena and asked if she was considering marrying me. To my surprise, Serena nodded in agreement.
Her words left me speechless and overwhelmed. "I tell him to wait for me until I grow up," she had said. It was a statement that made my head spin and my heart race.
The Alpha, sensing Serena's genuine affection for me, decided to appoint me as her personal bodyguard. "If you care for my daughter that much, Killian, then you shall serve as her protector," he declared. The weight of this responsibility hit me like a ton of bricks. I wasn't sure if it was a blessing or a curse at the time, but I had no choice but to accept. It was a command from Serena's father and at the time the Alpha, and I was bound to fulfill it.
Serena I glanced around to ensure that no one was nearby to witness me taking my father's horse without permission. Surprisingly, there was no one in sight, not even my annoying security guard, Killian. I couldn't help but regret revealing my childhood infatuation with Killian to my father, especially since he had saved my life when I was just seven years old. However, the handsome seventeen-year-old boy I had once been obsessed with had transformed into an incredibly attractive individual who was now the center of attention for many girls. Unfortunately, he only followed me around because it was his duty, not because he had any genuine interest in me. Despite being a princess, he constantly reminded me of that fact. When I was younger, I used to cry because of how awful it felt, but as I grew older, I began to despise him. I pleaded with my father countless times to reconsider his decision, but he believed that I had become spoiled and needed a guard now more than ever. Without was
Killian How can I improve my patience and learn to conceal my emotions after serving as Serena's bodyguard for 10 years? It has become necessary for me to suppress my feelings, as it is not permitted for a Zeta like myself to display emotions. My father often reminds me that I will inherit his estate and become the leader of the soldiers in the crimson bloodpack. Therefore, it is crucial for me to develop the ability to hide my emotions. I must admit, there were moments when I struggled to maintain my composure. This was mainly due to the constant need to protect Serena, who can be quite stubborn. Despite my repeated warnings, she would insist on leaving the mansion grounds. Taking a deep breath, I contemplated whether it would be more fulfilling to be in a war zone rather than serving as a guard for an irritating princess like Serena. However, before I could gather my thoughts, a bolt of lightning narrowly missed me and struck the princess directly. My eyes widened in shock as I w
(A few years ago), the day Killian and Kyzer were born. The door to the Alpha's chamber was slightly ajar. Kevin, the pack's Zeta, hurried off to inform the Alpha that a large group of rebellious residents had gathered for a rally. They were suggesting that we find a way to escape from our current situation. The reason behind this was that our country was slowly deteriorating, and if we didn't find a way to revive it, our future generations would suffer from starvation. Our main source of food was diminishing. Kevin was determined to inform the Alpha. However, he paused when he overheard someone speaking. It wasn't in his nature to eavesdrop on conversations, but this was an exception. "Luna, what is the meaning of this? Don't deceive me. I am not foolish. I can clearly see that this is a map for escaping from this place. It shows the route, instructions, and how to survive on the surface. Why have you kept this information from me?" Luna confronted the Alpha. "Because I made a pro
"Killian." We halted before a house, sizable yet devoid of any grand architecture. It was merely a wooden edifice. I surmised it to be their storage facility. Nonetheless, this could be one of the many outlawed dwellings strewn across our territory. They hauled me in. Serena was still cradled in my arms. They shoved me, and I nearly lost my grip on Serena. "Damn it," I bellowed, shooting a piercing glare at the man who had shoved me. Yet, they paid me no mind. We came to a halt in the center of the living room, and I surveyed the surroundings. There was an upper floor; wooden stairs on the side of the house led to a large wolf-themed artwork. To any visitor, this house would appear as a simple dwelling, something within anyone's reach… Yet, considering its status as a rogue dwelling, I couldn't envision a peaceful existence here. "Place the lady on the couch." That's what one of the men commanded. I hesitated nonetheless. "Are you hard of hearing? Unhand the girl," a gruff ma
this morning with excruciating pain in my shoulder. Every movement I make sends a sharp jolt of pain through my body. "Ouch!" I slowly opened my eyes and surveyed my surroundings, realizing that I was back in my room. I examined my right shoulder and noticed a healing wound, which explains the discomfort. I carefully got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. As I undressed, memories of the events leading up to my injury flooded my mind. Just as I opened the bathroom door, I was taken aback to find Killian standing there, his concerned golden eyes fixed on me, with a hint of fear. As I looked at myself, embarrassment washed over me as I realized I was only in my underwear. Panic immediately set in, and I instinctively reached out for something to cover myself. "Yah!" I screamed and hurled the soap at him, hitting him on the forehead. Killian, startled, quickly shut the door, his face showing a mix of fear and upset. I could see the tension in his strong jaw. Shouldn't I be
Killian The man instructed his followers to escort us back to the base of the mountain. In the midst of my contemplation, he boldly declared himself to be my long-lost twin. In my confused and disoriented state, I couldn't comprehend how I had returned to our realm. Despite the whirlwind of thoughts swirling in my mind, I clung tightly to Serena, never letting her go. As we approached Serena's cherished spot, a place that was once my sanctuary in my youth, it now held a deep resentment within me due to this princess. I began by checking if the horse that Serena had taken from the Alpha was still present. However, my inspection was abruptly interrupted by a powerful punch from the Alpha, jolting me back to reality. As I struggled to maintain my balance, my foot left a mark on the ground. To my surprise, both the Alpha and Battalion were already waiting for us. It seemed that the border guards had promptly alerted them, as I had anticipated. Following the impact, I remained motionless
Serena Of course, my comment about intimacy was meant as a joke. There is no romantic relationship between Alonzo and me; we are simply good friends. However, I used that joke to tease Killian because I was frustrated with having to follow my father's orders. As I made my way to my chamber, I couldn't help but express my annoyance. I'm tired of Killian's constant presence! I insisted that I needed to speak to Alonzo privately, and it was important for Killian not to be present due to the confidential nature of our conversation. Although it was just a fabrication on my part. Before I could enter my room, I encountered Adriana, Alonzo's older sister, walking towards me with a confident sway in her hips. I have never been fond of her; I dislike everything about her, from her hair to her smug smile. Adriana greeted her brother and gave a slight bow to me. I am well aware that she doesn't genuinely like me, mainly because Killian is my guard. I know she has a fondness for him, despite h
"Killian Adriana called out, trying to get my attention. "I'm thrilled that Luna assigned me this task. I may not particularly like that brat, but as long as you're my partner, everything will be fine," her voice filled with a mix of excitement and determination. "Killian, are you even listening?" Adriana muttered, clearly annoyed by his distraction. While Adriana spoke, my focus remained on the princess and her companion. I couldn't help but wonder what they were plotting this time. Serena seemed to have completely forgotten about our previous encounter, but the image of her exposed body was still vivid in my mind. My thoughts were clouded, making it difficult to think clearly. All of this is solely the fault of that brat. The door abruptly slammed shut in front of me as the Beta's son and the princess entered the room, interrupting my train of thought. In an attempt to calm my nerves, I tilted my head slightly. "Don't worry, they'll be fine in there," Adriana reassured me, e