As the sun glared at them with the afternoon heat, Liana found herself frozen in the midst of the Golden Arc pack’s council. Leaves Drew mesmerizing patterns on the lush grass with their shadows, yet they couldn't prevent the burn searing through Liana's chest.
Around her, weathered faces filled with regret and hope stared at her, some of them holding her gaze with determination. Others turned their heads away, guilt evident in their expression.
"Alpha." Lucian probed after a while. When he didn't get a response, he strode to her and crouched before her. "Liana."
"So, my parents are dead." Liana stated,, surprised at her calm monotone. Internally, she was raging at the ominous tale Lucian had narrated.
Had she been reunited with her people, only for her to face the deaths of those who mattered most? Her breaths hitched at the thought of her parents' misery.
"Your father is dead, yes," an old man uttered from the crowd. "Your mother, although-"
"We assumed her death," Lucian cut him off. "It is better to refer to her as dead, rather than consider the opposite. Because if she did survive..."
She would be a sorceress. A very evil one, too, by the sound of it. Liana shuddered, conflicted between relief at the sorcerers' territory being situated in another continent, and disappointment at failing to find her mother.
"But we must warn you, Alpha," a wise voice interrupted. "She is most likely to have died. White witches do not have the meridians string enough to circulate dark magic. It will kill them from within, right as soon as the power circulates the bloodstream. We did find follow your mother's...the Luna's steps until the edge of a mountain, where the tracks stopped at the edge of a precipice. Her blood led us to her, the paths traced with it until we found her...gemstone."
"Gemstone?" Liana was confused.
"Let me explain," Lucian took over. "Every white wizard is born powerful, usually with the convergence of both their parents' powers. Each lineage of white wizards has a certain potential when it comes to the abilities and powers that will be distributed among the next generation."
Lucian waved at the large tree above them, its branches and boughs reaching steadily for the skies. "For example, consider this tree. The trunk is split into three distinct parts, which further split to smaller branches, then leaves, and so on. The tree absorbs nutrients from the soil and provides it equally to the three main parts of the trunk. After that, each side transfers the absorbents to all the units. When a Wizard family generates enough power to create White Wizards among them, the power within the family begins to split equally. Every child in the family has equal powers at birth, which is up to them to cultivate or waste. If they work hard, they can become stronger. If not, the power eventually fades away and passes onto another member of the family."
"Cassia rarely spoke about her family; she only provided the basic information of her background since her family always favoured her sister over her. But she did mention and she and her sister, Vanessa, were the last of their family. Every last one died in a war. And now, there's you."
"Um," Liana blinked twice, trying to understand. "So our family powers are shared by only the three of us?"
"Two of you," Lucian corrected. "Your mother, unfortunately, is definitely dead."
"How are you so sure?" Liana whispered. "You said the trails led to a gemstone, not to her body."
"When the babies are born in such families, they immediately inherit the powers of their parents. Of course, as newborns, they cannot control their powers, so the powers circulate around their heart and condense to form a gemstone. The essence of their powers. Once the stone is formed, it must be near them at all times until their deaths. To kill a powerful wizard, the easiest method would be to steal their gemstone and hide it. The stronger they are, the faster they die without their gemstones. And your mother...her powers were no joke."
Liana gulped. "But her body was not found. Maybe she wasn't strong enough to require a gemstone?"
"Your mother, her sister, and you were the last of your family that once had thousands. Can you imagine the magic worthy of a large Wizard family held by three individuals? The potential you could have held..." The wise voice sighed. Liana turned to see an old man, with dark skin and wild silver beard that reached to his chest. "Unfortunately, your werewolf half dominated the witch half immediately after you were born. Hence, you didn't inherit any powers."
"So I don't have a gemstone." Shame and disappointment burned her cheeks. "And now, no family, too."
A moment of silence ensued. Liana teared up, her chest hollow as the last of her lingering hope dissipated. Suddenly, warm hands encircled her, firm muscles almost crushing her in a tight hug. She inhaled Lucian's scent of warm honey, his aura wrapping her up in a cocoon of affection.
"We may not share blood, but we are your family. All of us. You were never alone, and you never will be."
Liana snorted nervously and buried her head in his chest. When she finally rubbed her tears away and stepped back, she saw every person around her staring at her with devotion and awe.
"But I don't know how to be an Alpha," she shrugged. "I still have to train my wolf, not to mention that I am unfamiliar with the ways of this pack."
"Don't worry, young Alpha," a tall man with blonde hair leaned against a choppy haired girl, both of whom were a part of the Ruling Council. Luke and Astoria, if she recalled correctly. "We've got your back."
"Let's show that loser Alpha of the Silver Star pack what a treasure he left behind," Astoria grinned.
Lucian, his expression a mixture of solemnity and resolve, stepped forward. His turquoise green eyes locked onto Liana’s, his gaze unwavering. “Alpha Liana,” he began, his voice steady and calm, “the pack is overjoyed to have you back. You are our long-awaited hope, and you must know that you have the full support of every member here. If you need time to adjust, take it. We are strong, and the late Luna’s teachings have kept us resilient.”
Liana, overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and the burden of her newfound role, nodded silently. Her emotions swirled—a tumult of grief, hope, and uncertainty. Lucian continued, his tone softening as he addressed her.
“The strength of this pack is due to the legacy of the past,” Lucian said. “Though we’ve been without an official Alpha and Luna, the council and I have worked tirelessly to uphold our position. As Beta, I have guided the pack, and I will continue to do so for as long as needed.”
He paused, allowing his words to sink in. The other council members, elders, and warriors stood in respectful silence, their expressions reflecting a mixture of reverence and expectation. The air was thick with a sense of destiny, as if the entire pack held its breath, waiting for Liana’s response.
Lucian took a step closer, his voice gentle but firm. “If you wish to train as a warrior, the Ruling Circle will aid you. We have some of the finest trainers, and they will ensure you are well-prepared. If you prefer to take on pack duties, the elders are here to guide you. Their wisdom is vast, and they have kept the pack thriving through countless challenges. And if your heart leads you to harness your maternal magic, the coven of witches and warlocks is at your service. They are ready to teach you, to help you discover the depths of your abilities.”
Liana’s gaze shifted to the faces around her—the elders with their lined faces and wise eyes, the warriors standing tall and resolute, and the coven members whose presence exuded a quiet power. She saw not just support but a deep-seated belief in her, a faith that she could be the leader they needed.
“Thank you,” she said finally, her voice quiet but steady. “I’m grateful for your support and your patience. I will need time to find my place, but I promise I will do my best for the pack.”
A murmur of approval rippled through the council. Lucian nodded, a small, encouraging smile playing on his lips.
“Take all the time you need, Liana. Your presence here is enough for now. When you’re ready, we’ll be here to help you every step of the way.”
As the meeting drew to a close, Liana felt a sense of calm wash over her. The path ahead was uncertain, but she was not alone. The legacy of her parents, the strength of the pack, and the unwavering support of those around her gave her hope. For the first time, she felt a glimmer of confidence.
Liana’s heart swelled with gratitude at his words. The support was overwhelming, yet it was exactly what she needed to navigate this new chapter of her life.
“Thank you, Lucian,” she replied, her voice barely above a whisper. “I... I need some time alone to process everything. I hope you understand.”
Lucian’s eyes softened with understanding. “Of course. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll escort you to the manor.”
As they walked through the lush forest, the torches flickering in the twilight cast dancing shadows on the ground. Lucian led her to the grand manor, its ancient wooden structure bathed in the glow of the setting sun. At the door, he turned to face her, his demeanor reflecting a deep respect.
“When you were born,” Lucian began, his voice tinged with nostalgia, “I was just a boy of four. My mother, the previous Beta, entrusted me with the responsibility of watching over you for a few hours. I remember leaning over your cradle, my heart full of wonder and a solemn promise. Even then, she told me that my duty was to protect you and aid you in leading the pack.”
He paused, his eyes distant as he recalled the memories. “I often wondered if you would ever return, if I would ever see those innocent green eyes again. There were times I nearly gave up, but then I would dream of you—dreams of a little girl, much like your mother, scrubbing floors, cooking meals. It drove me crazy, thinking of you toiling away like that. But it also reminded me to remain patient, that you were alive and to wait for the day when you would come back and I could fulfill my promise.”
Lucian took her hand gently, his gaze meeting hers with a solemn vow. “I swear to be loyal to you, Princess Liana, until the day I die. You have my word.”
Without waiting for a response, Lucian turned and walked away, his form gradually blending into the encroaching darkness. Liana watched him go, her heart a turbulent sea of emotions.
She entered the manor, her footsteps echoing in the grand hallway. Her heart raced as she made her way to the Alpha’s room, a space that held the echoes of a bygone era. The room was immaculate but untouched, a silent witness to the time that had passed since the Luna’s disappearance.
Liana approached the massive four-poster bed at the center of the room. The silken sheets were smooth and cool beneath her fingertips. She sank onto the bed, her mind filled with thoughts of her parents, her people, and her uncertain future. She hugged the pillows tightly, her breath catching as she imagined the comforting scent of her real parents.
Tears slipped down her cheeks as she closed her eyes. For the first time in years, she allowed herself to feel the warmth of peace, to escape from the relentless chaos of her past. The soft rustling of the sheets and the faint scent of lavender filled her senses. As sleep claimed her, the weight of her burdens lifted momentarily, replaced by the fragile hope of a new beginning.
In the quiet of the room, Liana slept peacefully, embraced by the silken comfort of the Alpha’s bed, as the manor around her stood as a silent guardian of her journey ahead.