_ Harry, 18 years old._
"Don't worry, Harry. Everything will be fine." "You have Alpha blood in you. No one else is more qualified than you." "Did you see his wolf?" "Praise the Moon Goddess. Your father has left the pack an heir! "Too bad your parents will never get to see your Alpha ceremony, Harry. They would be so proud." "He looks much older than his eighteen years. It will be easier to establish his authority over the pack." "The Red Moon is counting on you, Harry. "He's a little young, though, isn't he? Do you think he'll be okay? "His wolf is a real war machine, and they say he's already mastered it to perfection. "He's chosen a Beta already, you think?" "The rumors are that he chose Connor." "Connor? Yes, that would be a good choice. He'll make a first choice second in command." "Do we know how his parents...?" "A rogue killed his father. A treacherous attack. His mother's heart could not bear the pain of her mate perishing." "Moon Goddess, may she have mercy on them." "Isn't he too young?" Silence fell at once. Footsteps echoed through the great hall of the Red Moon pack house. All the wolves present bowed their heads to the aura of the Mad One. His mere name inspired fear; his presence, absolute respect. Magnus Black, the Alpha with the colossal black wolf, had been named the Mad One because of his murderous rages. He lived a reclusive life, jealously guarding the extent of his pack's territory. His appearances were so rare that some thought he was nothing more than a tale the wolves told each other on full moon nights. Harry had to lift his head slightly to get a better look at him. He was shocked to see such a tall person standing before him. Alphas were known to be taller, but the Mad One towered over them all. Black, dressed entirely in black in an elegant suit, moved in front of Harry. He had made an effort to shave to pay his respects. His jet-black hair was cut short, and the top had been combed back, but a lock fell elegantly over his forehead, accentuating his forest-green eyes. The young man with brush-cut red hair and emerald green eyes bowed his head in respect. Harry couldn't deny it. The Mad One was a completely different alpha than the others, and his power was so overwhelming that Harry struggled to breathe. Sweat was beginning to bead on his forehead, and his wolf was shaking and keeping his head down for fear of angering the black wolf. "Your name," the Mad One said. Harry gasped and cleared his throat before reaching forward with one hand. "Harry, Alpha Black." Black merely looked at Harry's open hand, placed in front of him, then turned on his heels to take a seat in one of the chairs reserved for Alphas. As soon as he sat down, a crowd rushed to greet him. Harry clenched his fingers together, red with shame at being so blatantly ignored in front of everyone. "Don't take it the wrong way, Alpha Harry," said a warm voice. Harry looked up at a man who was older than him and, more importantly, as tall as him. The stranger was a dark-haired man with brush-cut hair and chocolate eyes that sparkled with kindness. He extended his hand in greeting, and Harry was almost relieved to meet a friendlier person after his brief exchange with the Mad One. "I'm Beta Duncan," he chirped. Harry's eyes widened at this, and then a genuine smile played across his lips. "Alpha Black's second-in-command," the young wolf said, looking at Duncan with admiration. "Himself. Like I said, no offense. My Alpha isn't the talkative type, and I'm surprised he even bothered to come and greet you. You should feel flattered," Duncan explained warmly before turning his head toward his Alpha. "Besides, if you watch closely, you'll see that he won't bother to exchange words with the others. Harry merely looked at the palm of his hand, not understanding why the Mad One had refused to shake it. Duncan noticed his gesture, leaned forward, and whispered, "Don't take it the wrong way. Alpha Black makes a point of not touching anyone. Not many people can handle his physical contact because of his wolf. I can even say with certainty that your wolf would have hated his touching you. Duncan tensed suddenly, then laughed awkwardly. "Ah. I've said too much. If I may, Alpha Harry," he said, holding out a white envelope with a black wax seal. "My Alpha is calling me. See you later." Harry merely nodded as he slipped the envelope into his pants pocket. Once the funeral ceremony was over, Harry went to his father's office. He sighed deeply. Everything here reminded him of his parents. He subconsciously expected the door to open suddenly, letting the heavy tread of his father's boots echo through the room, followed by his mother's joyful laughter. Harry shook his head and sat in the big Red Moon Alpha chair. He let his neck sink into the dark red leather and took deep breaths as his lungs filled with the still-present smell of his father. In his mind's eye, he could hear his wolf mourning their parents' loss. Harry didn't let his pain show, so his animal side cried for them both. They would have to be strong now. They would have to be worthy of the Alpha position they had so tragically inherited. Alone. Harry shook his head, remembering the letter the Mad One's Beta had given him. Then he pulled it from his pocket and hurried to open it. _Tomorrow night. 11. Crossroad Café. Alpha Black._ Harry smiled amusedly at first. Even in writing, the Mad One was a man of few words. Then he frowned. Why did he want to meet him? The next day, without saying a word to anyone, Harry went to the meeting place in his wolf form. He stopped many times, still recognizing the scent his parents had left so no one would get lost along the way. He wanted to howl at the moon to let his sorrow explode. But he held back, ensuring no one would suspect that he was missing from his pack. How many times had he been to the Crossroad Café with his parents? This place, so full of treats and laughers in his childhood, seemed to him today to be loaded with the most precious memories of his life. But tonight, this place of rest would take on its primary role: where all creatures can gather to discuss around a table without being threatened. The Crossroad Café stood before him, simply lit by a few rays of moonlight. It was an impressive three-story wooden cottage with pristine white walls. On the other hand, the vast windows were dressed with engravings of wolves, stars, ivy, and moons. On a large panel, a black wolf howling at the moon stood under the name of the Café written in neon yellow. Harry began to climb the three steps to the large terrace before the entrance to the Café. Then he stopped when he smelled tobacco on the side. He turned his head and relaxed as soon as he recognized the person sitting on a rocking chair. "Crazy night, isn't it, Harry? Ah. Excuse my clumsiness. Alpha Harry," greeted the old man, who continued to rock quietly. He wore an old cowboy hat while a long braid hung over his shoulder. He was dressed in simple jeans, a white shirt with colorful ethnic patterns, and brown leather boots. His skin was tanned from years of exposure to the sun, making it impossible to give him an exact age. "Good evening, Old Al," Harry replied, smiling at him. Once again, Harry felt reassured by the presence of the Wind Tribe leader, the founder of the Crossroad Café. He could rest assured that nothing would happen to him in front of the Mad One. "You can come in," Old Al said, taking a drag from his cigarette. "Has the Mad One arrived yet?" asked Harry nervously. Old Al laughed softly and shook his head no. "Alpha Black isn't here yet, and I can guarantee you would have felt him if he was already inside." Harry nodded at Old Al again, then headed inside.Harry entered with a determined step. He was reassured to know that the Mad One had not yet arrived. "Hey, Harry, hi! Welcome to the Crossroad Cafe!" the two young Wind Tribe members said in unison. The brother and sister standing in front of him shared some common features. They both had wavy black hair and brown eyes that shone with kindness. They wore a black T-shirts with the Café logo. The young man had dark jeans, while his sister wore a long skirt with ethnic patterns. She had a ring on each finger. "Aiyana! Mat!" greeted Harry in turn. The Red Moon Alpha hurried to the bar, where his friends, with whom he had played so much as a child during his visits to the Café, were standing. "We'll have to be careful what we call you from now on," Mat said, patting Harry on the shoulder. The redhead took a seat in one of the high chairs at the bar and grinned brightly as Aiyana placed a bowl of vanilla ice c
The door slowly opened, creaking through the silence of the night, before the Alpha Black slowly entered the building. He wore only a pair of pants that he had put on after returning to human form and walked past the other two Alphas without glancing at them. Then he sat on a chair at the end of the table and waited. Wayne patted Harry on the shoulder and motioned for him to sit to the right of the Mad One. Finally, he took a seat on his left and waited. However, Wayne's wolf sniffed curiously at Black but remained silent for fear of angering the black wolf. Wayne flinched when he noticed the Mad One staring at him. Then he shook himself and cleared his throat. "Well, Harry. I don't suppose your father ever told you about this because it's a secret of the utmost importance. We need to take... well, I need to take the time to explain to you why you are here tonight. But also why the Red Moon Pack and the Serene Moon Pack exist," Wayne bega
Harry remained silent, completely shocked by the announcement Wayne had just made. How could this be? He was the descendant of a long line of Alphas. And yet, he couldn't deny it. His wolf was submitting to and recognizing the authority of the Mad One. "Out," Alpha Black merely articulated with a deep sigh. He got up from his chair and walked out unceremoniously, keeping his hands in his pants pockets. Harry and Wayne stood up and followed him. "Go to the back. You know where to go, Alpha Black. No trouble at the front of the Crossroad Café," Old Al announced calmly. The Wind Tribe leader had not moved and continued to smoke quietly as he leaned back in his chair. Black merely nodded, then moved with a firm foot toward the backyard of the Café. The other two Alphas followed him but kept a distance of five meters behind him. Wayne put a brotherly hand on Harry's shoulder, then laughed softly.
They didn't have time to continue their exchange when they both cried out in pain. They hadn't had time to see the Mad One running toward them, nor had they been aware of the danger. It took the powerful impact of Alpha Black's fist against their ribs for them to realize what they were in for. Till rolled to the side and hit the trunk of a tree. The impact was so brutal that the wolf's body shattered two more trees in the process. He immediately sat up, shaking his head to regain his composure, when he felt a hand on the back of his neck. A small bark of surprise left his mouth as he felt himself lifted into the air and launched again toward the center of the field. "Gee, I never thought I'd see a wolf fly in my life," commented Old Al, handing Wayne a beer. "I didn't either. Thanks for that, Old Al," Wayne replied, patting the dusty ground beside him. Alo gave him an amused look, then sat on the ground while he lit another cigarette. "Don't mess i
Harry was lying on his back, his lungs were on fire, and he was coughing from the heavy impacts on his ribs. He turned over onto his stomach, propped up on his elbows, and spat blood into the dusty dirt of the vacant lot behind the Crossroad Café. "I think that's enough for tonight. A year that I've been training you, and you're nothing like you were when I said I'd take care of you," Wayne said warmly as he pulled on his red and white plaid shirt. Harry let his forehead fall to the floor. With every exhale he made, dust rose from his nostrils and his eyes burned from the intense perspiration of physical exertion. "I know I can do more, Alpha Wayne," Harry said before grunting under the pain. The healing power of his wolf was in full swing, and the now nineteen-year-old could feel his ribs repairing and repositioning themselves in his rib cage. "Oh, I'm sure you can do more. But there's no need. You gave us a hell of a hand during the harvest. The omeg
Wayne had leaped forward and caught the girl before she fell to the ground. His eyes went wide, not understanding why his body had reacted so quickly to a woman who had no connection to him. Then he was startled when he saw Harry beside him. "Holy crap, it's Jane!" the young wolf declared. He had recognized her from sometimes playing with her when they were kids. "Let's hurry and go into the Café and call for help." When they reached the front of the Café, Old Al was already waiting for them there and beckoned them inside. "I've already called Alpha Black. He's on his way," said the Wind Tribe leader as a golden glint shone in his eyes. Old Al pointed to one of the large couches near the large fireplace, but the girl let out a howl of pain as she clung desperately to Wayne. "I know this is uncomfortable for you, Alpha Wayne, but it doesn't look like she wants to let go," Al said simply, placing a hand on Jane's forehead. The Wind Tribe leader close
Harry, 20 years old, Southern United States. The shadowy figure of young Alpha slipped through the woods without making a sound. Then, when he finally heard the muffled sound of voices, he stopped walking and raised his fist in the air. The two warriors of his pack, whom he had chosen to accompany him, stopped in their turn. They were fully clothed in the black combat gear provided by the Council, evidence of the mission's sponsor. On their chests was embroidered the badge in black thread: the letter C in Gothic lettering planted by six swords. The six swords represented the six significant races on the Council: vampires, witches, werewolves, elves, mermaids, and fairies. At first, dragons sat in the place of fairies. But, these creatures had chosen to give up their position since they were very few and had much more secrets than all the others. However, its voice had absolute priority whenever a dragon appeared before the Council. Since drag
Harry was revolted by what he had just heard. The massacre had not occurred because of a quarrel or prejudice. It was simply because of a piece of gossip. Those vile leeches had stuffed themselves as if they had entered a buffet and tortured their victims. He had had enough. He had been chasing them for too long. And, it had taken him too long to find the trail that would lead them to them. "Stay at your stations," he ordered, using his Alpha command. The two warriors with him immediately complied with the order, even though they hated the possibility of being unable to move if their Alpha was attacked. Alpha's command was a total order. No wolf who had sworn loyalty to his pack leader could oppose it. Harry rose to his full height and walked calmly toward the three vampires. When the three culprits saw him approaching, their eyes turned black. Long, sharp claws quickly took shape as fangs descended from their lips. Harry and Ti