Episode 2

Noam Arescco

I am Noam Arescco, the Supreme Alpha of the Central Pack, known as Black Moon.

Unlike other packs, not only wolves live here — vampires and humans also share the same territory. I created this place with a single purpose: to allow all supernaturals to coexist in peace, away from hunters and human ignorance. Here, no one is excluded. Humans live among us, without even imagining what is really happening around them. The vampires, in turn, know the only unbreakable rule: never be discovered. As long as I live, this peace will be maintained.

I was born during the Blue Moon Eclipse, a bright and rare supermoon. They say that whoever is born under this light carries the direct blessing of the Moon Goddess. And, in fact, I was blessed — or cursed, depending on the point of view.

She gave me strength, speed, intelligence, and a gigantic wolf: Vadon, with fur as black as night and eyes as red as embers. Both in my human form and as a wolf, I am impossible to ignore. But… there is a part of me that even I cannot control. Within me also lives a Crinos.

Crinos are beasts — 15% man, 35% wolf, and 50% werewolf — uncontrollable, savage, bloodthirsty. No one dominates them. Not even me.

I have lived for 150 years. And, during all this time, I have never found my mate. My Luna. I confess that I spent centuries searching, keeping myself pure, waiting for her. But, in the end, I got tired of looking for what might never have existed. I closed my heart. Today, the only ones who share my bed are occasional lovers who help me endure the curse of the full moons.

My oldest advisors insist that I need to get married. They say that an Alpha needs to leave heirs. — I feel like ripping their tongues out whenever they mention that.

The elders, however, speak of a prophecy. According to them, in the next Blood Wolf Eclipse, a rare woman will emerge — a she-wolf marked by suffering. They say that her heart has been broken so many times that, if she doesn't find her mate in time, she will die… but before that, she will burn everything around her.

What kind of power is that?

Who is this woman that even the oldest fear?

Could it be… she is my Luna?

But how will I recognize her? How will I know it's her?

These questions don't leave my head. I've given up on having hope, and I don't want to make room for new illusions. I don't want to hurt myself — and much less Vadon.

Over the years, our pack has grown. The village has become a city. For the supernatural world, we are Black Moon. For humans, we are just Maville — a quiet town in the middle of nowhere. Little do they know…

I am the Supreme Alpha of five large packs:

• Black Moon (my own),

• Moon Guardians,

• Moon Claws,

• Moon Valley,

• and Full Moon.

Each pack has its own Alpha. But above all, there is me.

We are Lycans: 70% wolf, 30% human. Unlike common wolves, we can transform whenever we want. But, in my case, I am even more complex. I carry the spirit of a Crinos — a curse that the Goddess may have imposed on me.

Crinos are monsters. Wolf's head, body of a man down to his knees. During the full moon, they lose control and kill anything — human, vampire, even other wolves. No one wants to be around when that happens.

I come out of my reverie when I hear the office door open. Gael, my right-hand man, enters with his usual frown. This wolf urgently needs to find his Luna. He is becoming increasingly difficult to endure.

"What is it now?" my voice comes out harsher than I expected.

"New humans have arrived in the city. They are looking for work and a place to live."

"And that's been my problem since when?"

"One of them… the redhead. She said she only has one requirement: she wants a house in the woods. But not too far from the city."

I frown. That's weird.

"Are they camouflaging their scent?"

"I couldn't identify anything. They may be hiding something."

"Keep an eye on them. Personally. Sooner or later, they will falter."

Humans in the forest are a risk. Even more so with the next full moon approaching. When I'm transformed… I don't remember anything the next day. I'm not just a wolf. I'm a beast. And on those nights, we warn humans to stay locked up. It's for their own safety.

Later, I go to the bathroom. I need to relax. The hot bath soothes the muscles, but a scent in the air awakens me. Vanilla and cinnamon. An enveloping and unexpected mixture. I feel Vadon stirring inside me. I try to ignore it.

I close the window. I get dressed. I lie down on the bed… and fall asleep.

⸻

Dream on

The full moon shines in the sky. In the middle of the woods, a girl is kneeling, crying. Her heartbeats echo in my ears — accelerated, desperate.

She looks at the sky and screams:

"Please! Give me my she-wolf! I'm tired of suffering! What did I do, Goddess? What did I do?"

She repeated these words like a mantra, without an answer. Until, suddenly, her eyes turned red. Flames arose around her. The fire burned everything where her gaze landed.

⸻

Dream off

I wake up panting. Sweating cold. My heart racing. I run my hands over my face, trying to understand what that was.

"What the hell… who was that woman?"

I get up and go to the kitchen to get water. I find Ava, my younger sister.

"What a miracle to see you awake. What happened?"

"I dreamed about a woman…"

"Could it be… you're finally going to find your promised one?"

"I hope not," I say, dryly.

"Have you thought that maybe… she wasn't born yet?"

The idea hits me like a punch.

"No… it's not possible. It can't be!"