Chapter 1

• Garridan
• ~~~
• The Blood Moon was upon us, and so was the Sivvuk (Gray Wolf) Pack of Serbia. Under its ominous red glow, Ultima Danijel finally attacked our territory in Lipova, Romania. He had wanted to defeat my Ultima for years. If he succeeded tonight, all of Europe would become his.
• I saw Ultima Danijel’s fierce gray wolf facing Ultima Vasile’s gigantic rust-colored form. My king’s black paws were no match for the younger, more agile Danijel, the werewolf king of Central Europe. He quickly circled Ultima Vasile and attacked from behind, sinking his teeth into his right hind leg and dragging him back. Vasile growled and retaliated, biting Danijel’s ear. Nonetheless, I could not just stand by and watch Ultima Danijel destroy our morale.
• I cursed in my head. This was not good at all.
• As my fellow pack members risked their lives to fight our enemies, I had to do my duty. I rushed towards the two ferocious Ultimas. The cool autumn air brushed against my white fur as whimpers and yaps echoed around me. Gone was the clean, fresh mountain air; the air smelled of iron as blood stained the leafy forest ground. Huge pine trees and other conifers lay broken across the ground. It was as though a savage storm had beaten our land.
• The fierce battle continued. In the corner of my wolfy black eyes, I saw our pack doctor, David, in his human form, attending to one of our pack members.
• If I was not mistaken, Beta Stelian was injured in the neck. I hoped he was salvageable. Otherwise, I would automatically replace his position as the strongest of the pack’s Deltas.
• I focused on assisting Ultima Vasile while giving orders to the warriors nearby. I could not let our Ultima be defeated.
• I was getting close when two gray wolves barred my path, their sharp teeth bared as they growled at me.
• “Hang on, Ultima Vasile!” I mindlinked him.
• The two wolves pounced. I leapt to the right, dodging them as they dove to the empty ground.
• I had no time to face them. I had to reach our wolf king before it was too late.
• “Delta Garro, your three o’clock!” Alpha Kronid warned me.
• My head snapped in that direction. A large gray wolf sprang into the air. It was too late to dodge him completely. His paw struck my right side as he lunged for my neck, but I beat him to it. I sank my teeth into his flesh and tore it from him.
• His whimper filled my ears.
• In the corner of my eye, I noticed my family members were already injured. My heart pumped with anxiety.
• Then, a bright light suddenly appeared ahead of me.
• My eyes widened.
• Two humongous creatures, one black and one white, appeared from nowhere.
• Everything their massive bodies touched was destroyed. Some wolves caught in their path were blown into smithereens within seconds.
• What in the Moon Goddess’ name were these creatures? I had never seen anything so massive. Their diameter must have been about three feet. It was impossible!
• Before I could process anything else, the bright light touched my wounded family.
• They vanished like embers of ashes.
• It was as if my heart stopped beating at that very moment.
• My mind hollered.
• No!