A year ago... Back at the realm of the lycans, a long distance away from Hayden where Alpha Xerxes ruled, there was another lycan kingdom that was ruled by a tyrant lycan. His name was Talon Darkheart, a rogue lycan that ruled a community of rogues. His rogue pack, Darkheart pack, was the only pack that adamantly refused to swear allegiance to Hayden, the Supreme Pack where Alpha Xerxes ruled. After many failed attempts to make Talon drop his rogue attitude and become part of Hayden, Alpha Xerxes decided to cut him off. But Talon committed a heinous crime years ago, one that ingnited the unbridled rage of Alpha Xerxes. Talon attacked a human city and slaughtered every single innocent soul, both old and young. This was something Alpha Xerxes couldn't forgive. He ordered his lycan army to murder Talon's wife and son as punishment, and then banished Talon to the ends of the realm, a barren land where there was no sign of life, where Talon would wallow in misery for the rest of his im

The sun was slowly crawling out from the horizon when Jade finally stopped underneath a large oak tree and lowered Kalista who was still in a deep slumber to the ground. He lowered himself beside her and checked on her wounds, but to his uttermost surprise, there was none. Her wounds were totally healed. Even the spot where she had been shot with the silver bullet was healed while his own wounds were still slowly healing. Jade knew it was because of the gem's power within her that made her wounds heal so quickly. Now that he was sure she was safe and out of danger, he allowed himself to shut his eyes for a while. "Jade," Kalista whispered, finally awake. Jade's eyes snapped open and he quickly knelt beside her, helping her sit against the tree. "Are you alright, my love?" he asked worriedly. "Are you hurt anywhere?"Kalista shook her head. She felt perfectly fine. Her complexion was okay, her wounds were healed and she was clear-headed. Jade was the one who looked terrible and ye

Jade turned fully and faced Orion, using his body to shield Kalista. He regarded Orion suspiciously and voiced the questions on his mind. "How is it possible for a werewolf pack to be in the human realm?"Orion chuckled again, his gray eyes twinkling with amusement. "A typical question every Alpha would ask""Still you haven't answered it," Jade cut in. "Living in the human realm makes it better to exist undetected," Orion finally answered. "We don't have any enemies here, and we are far away from the next human village, Northville"A dark look appeared on Jade's face when he remembered how he had gone feral, massacring the entire inhabitants of Northville. He didn't want to relive the gory sight so he changed the discussion. "Why are you away from other packs?" he asked. "I'm sure you are aware of Hayden, the werewolf community. Why cut yourself off from your own kind?"The smile remained on Orion's face but in his eyes, a strange emotion flashed past. It was so quick that it went

The moonlight filtered through the room, casting eerie shadows on the walls as the heavy silence hung in the air. Jade's heart pounded in his chest, a mixture of shock, despair, and fury swirling within him. The news hit him like a physical blow, threatening to shatter his resolve.It couldn't be, be thought. It had to be a dream. Kalista couldn't be dead."No," he whispered, his voice barely audible, as if denying the reality could somehow change it. His eyes remained fixed on Kalista's motionless form on the bed, hoping furiously that she would open her eyes. Orion's face was a mix of sympathy and helplessness. He understood the depths of Jade's pain, having experienced the loss of a mate himself. The Alpha's own memories of grief seemed to resurface, mirroring the torment that Jade now faced.The room seemed to close in around Jade as he stood there, his mind a maelstrom of conflicting emotions. The past year had been a relentless pursuit of the Soul Gem, fueled by the memories of

HaydenIt was still midnight when the royal horn was blown through out Hayden to announce the death of Alpha Xerxes.After Apollo gave his order for Xerxes not to be disturbed, Xerxes had spent the remaining minutes of his life trying to crawl towards the door. He needed to let his warriors know that Apollo was the enemy, but with each move he made, his heart weakened the more. Finally giving up, he collapsed on the ground with one hand outstretched towards the doors where the warriors stood on the other side.His heart beat decreased and red spots appeared at the edges of his vision. The Alpha felt real fear for the first time. Fear of what would happen to Hayden once he died. And worst of all, fear for his son, Jade. Jade who was still searching for the gem would have no idea that his uncle was the enemy. "Forgive me... Jade...," Xerxes whispered and his eyes closed as he breathed his last.Hours passed and the warriors began to wonder why the Alpha chose to lock himself inside th