Narrated by Vincenzo (supreme alpha),

The chill evening breeze brushes through my fur as I dart across the dense forest, feeling the damp leaves and twigs beneath my paws and every scent surrounds me with exquisite detail. This is what hunting entails – my instincts magnify, and my wolf asserts dominance. With heightened senses, a distant, vexing sound wafts through the trees. Following the noise, I soon identify it as the wail of an infant. Driven by sheer instinct, I pursue, given no human settlements lie near my pack’s dominion.

Before long, I locate the source of the commotion, and as I suspected, it's a baby – a human by scent. Oddly, I detect no other presence; the child must have been abandoned.

For a moment, I'm lost in time as the infant's cries harken back to bitter memories, filling me with a wrath aimed at all humans. Blinded by emotion, I resolve to bring the child before the pack to execute her, to show an example.

Shifting from wolf to human, I scoop the noisy little being into my arms.

"You are incessantly loud! Be SILENT!" I snarl, teeth clenched. To my astonishment, the crying ceases, and she gazes up at me with deep brown eyes.

The journey home, hindered by my human form, is protracted. Upon arrival, I signal Lara from downstairs of my return, asking for her presence at a forthcoming assembly with the pack.

"I shall stand with you," Lara's faint and sorrowful voice reaches me.

My sister Lara is overcome with grief, having lost her pup, and due to complications, she's been told she can't have more, plunging her into a severe depression.

The infant's wails snap me back to reality.

"BE QUIET," I inadvertently bellow, taken aback by the growl resonating from the stair's summit.

Facing the stairs, I see Laura beholding me, her eyes aflame with ire, and she starts transforming.

"Lara? What’s overcome you?"

I watch as Laura descends step by step, never breaking her gaze from me and the baby.

When she reaches the bottom, she snarls angrily and lunges for me. I have no choice but to drop the infant to shield myself from Laura's assault. Just as I'm about to react, a forceful shove sends me crashing onto the wooden floor. Confused, I see Laura cradling the child protectively.

"Lara, has madness taken you?" I query, edgy.

"VINCE, I know what you plan for this baby. I won't allow it," she retorts, her lupine gaze fierce.

"Do you fail to see she’s merely human?" I try making her understand. "I intend to kill her, to caution humans against trespassing my terrain..."

Her sad look stifles my words.

"You're heartless! She's vulnerable, alone, starving, and cold – and your solution is murder? You hardly resemble the brother I know." Her gaze chides me, and despite my better judgment, I relent, for she is my sole kin, the only one left.

"What do you expect me to do with this child?" I ask, gesturing to the baby she's holding, a smug grin forming on her lips, certain of her victory.

"I want her," she asserts without hesitation.

Predictably, I exhale deeply and reply:

"You may keep her, but keep her distant from me and confined to the house." My head throbs at the thought of the pack's reaction to housing a human in the supreme alpha's home.

"Thank you, Vince, for the kindness you're bestowing," Laura grins, a sight I've missed.

Not one for seeing my dear sister saddened or cross, as always, I give in.

Months later,

My sister treats the child as her own, bestowing upon her the name of our mother, Elizabeth. While unsuitable for a human, I am consoled seeing joy return to Lara's life.

After a year, Elizabeth walks and begins to talk. I hurry to assist upon hearing Lara's cries from Elizabeth's room. To my dread, it’s tears of joy – she's called Lara “mommy.” I glance at the child who approaches me.

"Mommy," she utters. I'm unmoved; if she expects coddling, she's mistaken.

"Vince, unaware of her uniqueness, abstain from harshness, for my sake – I cherish her more than life itself," Lara pleads, a near-impossible request, given my disdain for all humans, but for her, I may try.

"I shall endeavor," I reluctantly concede, "no promises."

Elizabeth's third birthday looms. Lara wishes to declare her as her daughter during the celebration. Despite my foreboding, I suppress it, allowing Lara's wishes to prevail. As Lara rises to retrieve Elizabeth, outside shouts break the calm.

"FIRE, FIRE!" Alec, my beta, disrupts the festivity.

"ROGUE WOLVES, ARSON AMONGST HOME!" Without hesitation, I transform and sprint to protect the pack. I confront the invasion’s leader, engaging in brutal combat until I triumph, parading his body as a warning to all trespassers. After the ordeal, I return home, horrified to discover blood on the stairs. I follow the trail to Elizabeth's disheveled room to the grim sight of Lara lifeless, protecting the child.

"No, no, no! This must be a nightmare," I cry. Important to Lara, I confirm the child still lives – just unconscious. Bloodstains echo an escape.

I summon Alec, who promptly arrives.

"Pursue this wretch responsible for touching my sister; I wish to end him myself," I command with full authority. Gazing at awakening Elizabeth, I shield her eyes from the horror and console her.

Following Lara's funeral, my thought turns to raise Elizabeth to be strong and independent...

Six months post-calamity, after careful consideration, I resolve to seek a mate and inaugurate Elizabeth as my daughter. I allow her to turn five before enrolling her in the pack’s school.

Years later,

"Father, shall you accompany me to my first school day?" She inquires, now a young lady, sheltered from the world except for a select few.

"Father?" she recalls me from my reverie.

"Darling, forgive me, I was reflecting," I begin, cut short.

"On what?" Her glowing eyes like bright sapphires.

"I must enlighten you about us, especially about our people," I ponder how to divulge our lupine nature and her human difference.

Tonight, I will reveal my form to her and later introduce her as my kin.

"Daughter, your father will become a lobo, a grand wolf, yet I’ll still be your father. Do you comprehend?" I explain, and with her mute nod, I shift before her eyes. She recoils, then musters courage to approach.

"I thought only mom could do this," she asserts - had she somehow known?

After the declaration ceremony, I announce my departure to find a mate with Alec tending to her during my absence.

"Father, are you leaving me?" she laments, but her education here is essential.

"Yes, for a brief period. Alec will watch over you," I reassure her. With a somber air, I kiss her, gather my belongings, and embark on my quest seeking a partner, hoping to swiftly reunite with my little one. Some oppose Elizabeth as my heir and future alpha - may the Moon Goddess shield her until my return...

Narrated by Elizabeth

I'm not quite sure what's happening; yesterday my father introduced me to the village, showed me why I was different and why I couldn't leave the house, and soon after he left to find his mate.

"Elizabeth, it's breakfast time or you'll be late for school!" Uncle Alec called out, but I was wishing it was my father.

"I'm coming down," I replied. I'm scared about school because I'm the only one who isn't a wolf. Uncle Alec said that as the supreme alpha's daughter, I have nothing to fear, and he's sending his son along for my protection.

"Elizabeth, this is my son Athos, he will be by your side to assist you in whatever is needed," Uncle Alec introduces us. I'm a bit puzzled but still greet him.

"Hello, Athos, nice to meet you. You're the first boy I've ever seen." He is dark-haired with brown hair, black eyes, and quite tall for a six-year-old.

"Shall we go, Eliz? Or we'll be late for the first day of class," Athos, whom I've just met, has already given me a nickname. I have a feeling I can trust him.

"Yes, let's go," I look at Uncle Alec.

"I can't come with you because I have a lot of work to do, but the driver will drop you off at the school door, okay?"

"See you later," we say in unison and then head for school.

Standing in front of the school, I feel a chill in my stomach as if thousands of butterflies had decided to migrate.

"Athos, can you hold my hand? I'm scared," I say, looking down at the ground, and then I feel his hand in mine.

"Don't be silly, lift your head. My father told me that as the supreme alpha's daughter, you shouldn't fear the others," Athos encourages me just as we enter the classroom and an immediate silence falls. Everyone is looking at us, and there's a table set for me and Athos right at the front.

"Good morning, little wolves, I am Mirian Tales, I am your teacher," she enters with a ray of sunshine, smiling and joyful, but when she sets eyes on me, it's as if she's seen a monster.

"What is a human child doing here?" she obviously doesn't know I'm the supreme alpha's daughter. She moves closer and I become acutely aware as Athos jumps in front of me and growls at the teacher.

"What's gotten into you? Can't you see she shouldn't be in the pack?" Athos is angry, beginning to transform as the school security comes in to calm him.

"Teacher Mirian, sorry there wasn't time to notify you. This little one here is Elizabeth Müller, and this young wolf is her future beta. She was introduced last night by the supreme," the security explains. When she backs away from me, Athos sits and straightens his clothes.

"I said I would take care of you," Athos says with a smile that enchants me; I really can believe in him.

"Thank you. I'm just not used to other people," I say, returning a shy smile.

We spend the whole morning listening to what they will teach us, but above all, the first hunt attracted my attention. If you're not successful, you'll fail and have to repeat the year. This worries me because I'm not a wolf. How will I catch my prey? I raise my hand and wait.

"Yes, Elizabeth, what is your question?" she addresses me, and I freeze. Athos nudges me to speak. I look at him and gather my courage.

"I am not a wolf. How will I hunt?" I take a deep breath and crouch in my chair, and Teacher Mirian bends down, looks into my eyes, and says:

"Well, this is the first time I've had a non-wolf student, and I can't exclude you just because you're the supreme alpha's daughter; it wouldn't be fair to the others." She speaks, and my eyes start to well up; this isn't how I'm going to make my father proud.

"My father won't be proud of me if I don't pass the year," I say with a trembling voice. The bell rings, and everyone leaves. Mirian looks at me and says:

"There's no rule in the school preventing the use of a weapon on the hunt." I look at her, wiping away tears so they don't fall. I give her a smile, and she returns it; I can hardly believe it – she's helped me even though she doesn't like having a human in her class. I go home and have lunch; I still have to go to the gym.

In the gym, the wolves are trained in hand-to-hand combat, and when they are older, they start using firearms. I arrive and head to the office because, as a human, I need a private teacher.

"Good afternoon, I'm Elizabeth. I'm here for my first lesson," the secretary tells me to sit because my teacher is a bit late but won't be long. I play with my cell phone when a man about 27 years old enters. He has straight long hair, blue eyes, pale skin, and the physique of someone who works out every day.

"Sorry I'm late; got a flat tire on the bike," he says to the secretary. I wonder if this is my teacher; he turns to me.

"You're tinier than I thought," he comments.

"I'm only five years old; I've still got a lot of growing to do," I retort like the spoiled child I am.

"Easy there, tiny fury. I'm Filipi, your combat and edged weapons instructor," he introduces himself with a wide smile.

"Let's begin with the warm-up," he says. After we warm up, he has me run 10 laps around the gym; I'm already tired, and he motivates me:

"Come on, don't lose the pace. I know you have more strength than it seems." He's quite demanding. After the run, we begin with the basic movements of feet and hands.

"Look, you've got a knack. With a lot of training, you might even be able to take me down," he remarks, and I smile and start again. After two hours of training, I'm ready to collapse.

"What weapon would you recommend for my first hunt?" Filipi considers the question; he must be pondering since no one has used one before.

"Let me think. If it were me, I would take a crossbow and a knife," he suggests.

"Good, will you teach me how to use them? I have six months to learn to hunt before the first chase," I say. He seems to ponder before responding.

"Alright, we'll train hand-to-hand combat twice a week and the other days we'll practice with the crossbow and knife. Does that sound good to you?" Filipi asks. I just nod my head, ready for the training sessions.

"I WILL MAKE MY DAD PROUD!" I end up shouting. He looks at me and smiles:

"See you tomorrow at the same time, don't be late." The irony doesn't escape me as I was punctual, but I keep the comment to myself.

"See you later," I say goodbye and head towards the door when I see Athos being harassed by other students his age.

"You've become the pet of that filthy human," one of the harassers states.

"Athos, have you no pride in being a wolf, serving a human as though she were one of us?" says another. I can't ignore the unfair fight; I know they are stronger than me, but 2 against 1 is cowardly. I run to Athos's aid just as he takes a punch.

"STOP, LEAVE ATHOS ALONE!". The cowards—one grabbing him, the other punching—don’t stop, so I step in front and, somehow finding strength and courage, I land a punch on one's nose, breaking it. Athos seizes the chance to break free and beats the one who was holding him. I didn't come out unscathed, though, as I take a punch below my left eye, which angers Athos even more, and he beats the other boy until he nearly loses consciousness. We look at each other, worse for wear.

"How are we going to get into the house without Uncle Alec seeing us in this state?" I ask Athos. He shrugs and says:

"Well, I'm going to be grounded for letting you get hurt; I'll just tell the truth," I admire his bravery as we walk into the house, Uncle Alec comes towards us and inquires about our state. I explain that the day hasn't been the best and that many people dislike me, so we got into a fight.

"Miss Elizabeth, your father on the phone," a maid announces. I reach for my cell phone and notice it's dead.

"Thank you, I'll take it in my room."

When I reach my room, I collapse on the bed and pick up the phone, telling him about my day and that I'm grounded for a week for fighting, which means no cell phone or TV. My father laughs a lot, saying he misses me already and apologizing for not being with me on my first day of many new experiences. He says he's on his way to the next pack, still with no sign of his mate. I bid my dad goodnight and hang up.

I miss him, but I'll strive so that when he returns, I'm not just a spoiled girl but a true warrior. After dinner, I head up for a bath, get into my pajamas, and lie down waiting for Uncle Alec to wish me goodnight. I hear footsteps in the corridor; unexpectedly, it's Athos who enters.

"Hi, just came to say goodnight. If you need anything, I'm next door. Just yell. My dad sends a kiss and says goodnight; he's still working," he says. I respond with a "goodnight," watch him turn and close the door, then snuggle into bed and fall into sleep.

Months have passed since my father left me in the care of his beta Alec and his son Athos, and now there's only a month until the first hunt. I thought my father would be with me on this important day. Not much has changed: I still go to school and face harassment. At the gym, I'm getting better every day, now able to take down wolves my age. Filipi says I'm progressing much faster than expected, which is great, but I still encounter the annoying duo, Amom and Alvaro, after training. They always tease me and Athos. My father calls almost every night, and lately, I've been lying to him; the last time he was ready to abandon his search to return and be with me. I can't deny him the chance to find a mate.

The long-awaited day arrives—the first hunt. Filipi says I'm ready because I've trained hard and hunted several times with Athos, even catching rabbits. I prepare my gear, check the crossbow, strap the knife to my waist and wear neutral clothes to blend in with the forest.

At the clearing, which is the starting point for the hunt, we all listen carefully to Teacher Mirian's instructions.

"Everybody ready?" Teacher Mirian asks.

"You will have three hours to catch your prey and return to school. Even if you don't succeed, come back to the meeting point. Understood?" In unison, everyone responds, "YES."

"Athos, I'm going alone, okay?" I want to prove that I'm capable even though I'm not a wolf.

"Okay, Eliz, but if you don't make it, we meet here!" I give him a determined look, frown and say:

"There's no 'not making it.' I've worked hard for this test, and I won't fail—no way am I letting myself and my dad down." I focus, saving time.

"On your mark, get set, go bring your hunts!" Instantly, I head towards where I know there are many rabbits. It takes about an hour to get there, and when I do, I find a deer and no rabbits. Without time to search further, I must take this chance.

I lay on the ground, crawling to find a better position, knowing I can't miss as there won't be time to chase it. Holding my breath, I aim for its heart and shoot. The deer runs towards me before I have time to reload the crossbow. Rising with the knife, I leap at the right moment, latching onto its neck. It tries to throw me off, but I have no choice; I stab it in the neck, and it tosses me off, running a few meters before collapsing. Done, I hurry to it, relieved to see it lifeless and small—roughly 35 kilograms, way too heavy for me to carry. I bind it with a rope and start pulling. With almost two hours left, I should be able to make it back. After an hour dragging it through the woods, I rest for five minutes then resume, the finish line within reach, I can't fail now.

Approaching the clearing utterly drained, Teacher Mirian checks her watch.

"Congratulations, Elizabeth, you made it with one minute to spare—and with the best catch of the day." Overwhelmed with fatigue and success, I fall asleep on the spot.

Narrated by Elizabeth

I woke up already back home, in my room at 6 in the evening. I got up to fetch something to eat and upon reaching the kitchen,

"Congratulations, Liz, I thought you'd bring back a rabbit!" - I looked at Athos and gave him a smile.

"Does Dad know yet?" - I want him to know I've been trying really hard.

"Elizabeth, your father's on the phone" - as soon as I heard, I ran to answer.

I spent about 20 minutes on the phone with him, telling him about my day and my hunting and how I slept after dragging my catch for nearly two hours. Dad said he was proud, and I hope he doesn't take too long to return. After talking to him I returned to the kitchen where Athos was.

In the middle of our snack, we heard screams and noises from outside the house. Athos went to call his father, and when I looked through the glass door outside there was a huge shadow approaching the house. Scared, I shouted,

"UNCLE ALEC!" - I was frozen in fear, unable to move when I felt someone's hand pulling me.

"Athos, where are we going?" - I smelled the horrible scent of wet dog mixed with mold; I knew whose smell it was.

"We're going to my dad, quick, Liz!" - Just as he was about to reach us, Uncle Alec stepped in front of him, stopping him from getting to us.

"RUN, both of you GET OUT OF HERE NOW!" He shouted, and Athos kept pulling me while I looked back to see them fighting; the intruder wolf bit Alec's left paw and in turn, he bit the intruder on the neck, but the intruder escaped. I felt a hatred for that wolf that I couldn't explain—perhaps it was due to his foul smell. I focused on the scent for a moment, and like a movie playing in my head,

"IT'S HIM!" - I screamed as my uncle was nearly winning the fight. The intruder wolf turned towards me at that moment, and I screamed again,

"HE'S THE ONE WHO KILLED MOM!" - Alec grabbed it by the right hind leg and pulled it, throwing it against a wall. It got up, staggering, but my uncle grabbed it by the throat and held it up.

"Are you sure it was him?" - he asked, intrigued.

"Yes, I'll never forget that awful smell." - he looked at the aggressor and said,

"You're a lucky individual; you'll die by the hands of the supreme himself." After the guards took him away to prison, my uncle called me to talk.

"Elizabeth, how were you able to remember the scent of that individual?" - I looked at him, not knowing how to explain.

"I knew I recognized the smell, and I focused on inhaling it, and I saw him in my room fighting mom, that's all." - I don't know what my uncle wants, I just know that I want to go to bed.

"Can I go to sleep now?" - I ask, and he nods. I'm in my bed, exhausted; I just want to sleep.

Narrated by Alec

After Elizabeth left the office, I kept thinking about how she could remember a scent only perceived by wolves with sharp noses?

Well, that's not important now, I need to notify the supreme of the attack on the village.

Call on,

"Alec speaking," - he says impatiently.

"Hello, my supreme, sorry to bother you at this late hour."

"Speak up, did something happen to my little one?" - he says, worried.

"Not exactly, the village suffered an attack from rogue wolves, one of them invaded your home." - He doesn't let me finish.

"If you let Elizabeth get hurt, I will kill you with my own hands!" - His voice is angry.

"My supreme, I would give my life to protect her, right now she's sleeping peacefully." - I take a deep breath and finish speaking.

"I just wanted to inform you that I have the situation under control and that we've captured the killer of your sister; he's chained in silver in prison awaiting sentence!"

"How did you catch him if no one had identified him?"

I hesitate to tell him that it was his daughter who provided the assurance, "Elizabeth identified him, she said she would never confuse her mother's murderer." - it's better not to speak of her sense of smell for now.

"I'll handle this when I return, goodbye."

"Goodbye."

Call off

Narrated by Vicenzo

After this news, there was no way to say that today I found my fated mate and that I would be back in a week. Tomorrow I must call my little one and prepare her, and I have to tell my beloved that I have an adopted daughter who will be my heiress. I will leave that conversation for tomorrow.

I lie down and my thoughts drift to my little one, who is striving to be a worthy heiress. Who would have thought I would love a frail human in this way? I, who once hated them, but thanks to my sister, everything changed, and I know the joy of having a family again. I let sleep take me.

Dawn has already broken and I'm not feeling very well this morning. However much Alec has assured me that my daughter is fine, I need to see for myself. Well, I have to wake Mel Velask, my companion. She's beautiful, with hazel eyes, long, silky light brown hair, slightly short at a height of 5’5”, and at 23 years old, I’m in love - not just because of the bond, but for real love.

"Good morning, my Love, time to wake up." - She stretches, looks at me, and goes back to sleep - how lazy. I'll have to resort to a trick.

"The coffee's ready, if you don't get up it'll get cold," I say, finishing my sentence she jumps out of bed - well, today I'll have to speak with her to tell her about my little one, though I think I'll keep the part about her being human a secret, although I intend to transform her when she turns 18 since we wolves live a long time.

After breakfast, I invite Mel to sit on the sofa to talk. She sits and listens to every word without saying anything. I tell her nearly everything, omitting the part that I was going to kill her and that she is human. When I mention that I've made her my heiress, Mel freaks out.

"WHAT? Did I hear you right, a child who does not have the blood of a supreme will be the future Luna, is that it?" - The way she speaks wounds me because I love Elizabeth, without realizing I release my dominance over her and I shout.

"As a supreme, I've made this decision, and you dare question it?!" - She bows her head and just listens, at that moment I regret using my authority over her.

I leave her there pondering while I call my little one to tell her I'll be back in a week. My little one screams with joy on the other side of the line, I also can't wait to see her development. I sense her voice is a little shaky when she heard that I found my mate, but it must be my impression. I say goodbye and go back to packing because the journey will be long.

Narrated by Mel

How could he do this? A child whose origin is not even known is proclaimed the future Luna, stealing the right from a future son of mine. I can't allow this, and since she is already known as the future Luna, I'll have to find a way to remove this child from the face of the earth. For now, I'll just agree with my beloved supreme. I'll pretend to be the understanding woman since he had no choice but to care for his niece.

"I apologize; I didn't mean to offend the girl. I just thought you had taken the right of my unborn child." - These apologies should be enough to soften him.

"I apologize for using dominance as well. You'll see when you meet her; you'll also fall in love with those eyes that look like sapphires." - His statement proves he's softened. I have no doubts; I must give him an heir worthy of him and thus eliminate this usurper.

I pack my things and get in the car, having ample time to think about how to gain her trust. A week will be enough to plan and win over my supreme further to get everything I want.

Narrated by Elizabeth

As soon as I hang up the phone, my heart tightens with a sadness I can't explain. I should be happy that my dad is coming back after months away, but I'm not as happy as I should be, as if I knew something was wrong.

Soon, Dad will have his own kids, and my place will no longer be necessary. I sigh, still standing next to the phone. Uncle Alec is passing by and stops to look at me,

"Anything wrong, Eliz?" - He bends down and reassures me with a gentle look. I can't hold it in any longer and start to cry.

"Dad is coming back, and I…I don't feel happy. Why?" - He reassures my face with one hand, making me look at him.

"You know, your father loves you very much. Your place in his heart, in mine, and in the village will not be lost; no one will replace you. Now, wipe your tears and go study." - I feel a bit better after the chat with my uncle.

Alright, it's decided. I'll be a good daughter, so he won't regret choosing me. I'll study and train every day, and I won't disappoint him.

I spent the week planning a warm welcome for Mel to the family. Will she like me? I hope so. After seven months that my father has been away, he'll be back. I'm so happy. I hope Mel is like my dad. I asked for them to have a small reception at home for them. Everything’s ready, and I'm standing at the door, waiting. They could arrive at any moment. When I see the car entering the property, my heart races, anxious to see my dad, but I must behave and calmly wait for the car to stop and for my father to come to me.

"Welcome back, Dad. I've missed you." - I speak while trying to contain myself from jumping on him. My father doesn't hesitate to hug me and lift me up. I snuggle into his arms and start to cry,

"Don't leave me again; wherever you go, take me with you." - I speak through tears. He puts me down, takes my hand, and leads me to the car.

"Come, my little one; there's someone I want you to meet." - I see a beautiful woman exiting the car, I make a small curtsy, and greet her.

"Pleased to meet you, I'm Elizabeth. I hope we get along well." - As soon as our gazes meet, I see her expression change from sweet to one as if disgusted to see me.

"Don't tell me you are human?!" - Dad hadn't told her; I think she didn't like finding out.

We've all gathered in the living room, and I rush to my room to fetch a delicate gold necklace with a wolf-shaped pendant that I bought to give to Mel. When I return and offer it to her, she doesn't immediately take it from my hands.

"A welcome gift." - I give her a smile and she returns it with a half-hearted smile.

After the party, my father takes me up to put me to bed.

"I think she doesn't like me, Dad." - I sigh and lie down.

"She's just surprised. Give her some time, and you'll see, you'll be friends soon enough. Now, sleep, goodnight." - Dad says and I only hear the door closing, surrendering myself to sleep...