The secret behind Layla's past II

Centuries ago...

The hidden island where the supernatural creatures lived in secret was peaceful and calm. The lycanthropes ruled the island with an iron fist, led by Supreme Alpha Janus and his Luna, Merribel. It was an era of peace for all the creatures until things began to change.

After living and ruling for centuries, Alpha Janus and Luna Merribel were ready to pass on to the next realm. The necessary sacrifices were made and the Moon Goddess caused a deep sleep to fall upon the lycan rulers. Their bodies were buried in the royal tomb while Selene, the Moon Goddess released their souls and helped them pass on to the next realm.

Riven and his sister Belinda, became the rulers of the island. Being the new Supreme Alpha and Alpha King of the island, Riven continued in his father's legacy, ruling the island with power and authority.

Thinking that Riven wasn't as strong as the last Alpha, the different coven of witches began to plan an attack. Through out Alpha Janus' reign, they lived in anger and fear, anger because the Alpha didn't permit them to expand their covens and fear because they were terrified of the Alpha's wrath. There was a reason why Alpha Janus stopped them from expanding their coven. He knew if the witches grew stronger in number and strength, they would begin to thirst for power and would become a threat to his reign.

When the witches launched an attack on the lycanthropes, they realized too late that they made a huge mistake. Riven wasn't just stronger than his father, he was more ruthless and bloodthirsty. It was a bloody battle. After getting wind of their plans from Henrietta his ally and trusted friend, he was more than prepared. With his warriors of lycans behind him, he wiped out almost all of the witches, merciless and brutal in battle.

Realizing that they would lose the battle, the remaining witches turned tail and escaped from the island, disappearing into the human world and living in disguise.

These event happened many centuries ago and order was restored to the island once again. But not for long.

Riven was in the Ancient Temple, in a meeting with Belinda and the other ancient shifters. The atmosphere was tense as usual and Riven was currently in a dark mood.

"We've received news from our secret allies Riven",Ren began without preamble.

"What again this time?",Riven asked.

"The Sorcerers and Sorceresses are gradually expanding their domain",Ren continued. "They're not a threat to us yet. But the way I see it, it seems history is repeating itself"

"It's true Riven",Xerxes added. "History is indeed repeating itself. This was how the witches grew in number until they began to seek power"

"And if they're not stopped, I fear that the lycanthropes won't survive another war",Zeke concluded.

"The lycanthropes are the strongest creatures in the island",Belinda said. Her golden eyes looked over the three figures sitting at the round table, and then rested on her brother. "If history does repeat itself and the Sorcerers wage a war, they will be defeated. By us!"

"This is different Belinda",Ren said quietly. "If another war breaks out, we will be at a disadvantage. The Sorcerers and Sorceresses are powerful creatures"

"And we are not immune to their spells like we are to the witches",Xerxes added.

"What then do you suggest we do?",Belinda asked and folded her arms.

"I think we should annihilate them before they grow stronger than they already are",Zeke said.

"We can't just wipe them out",Belinda disagreed. "They've done nothing to us"

"For now",Zeke said. "But nothing's stopping them from starting. They know we're not immune to their spells. We're at a disadvantage this time"

"We're only jumping to conclusions", Belinda argued. She looked fierce and her eyes glittered as she faced the other ancient shifters. "The Sorcerers and Sorceresses have every right to live, just as we do. We can't annihilate them based on our assumptions. Besides, they've never troubled us"

Zeke and Xerxes exchanged a look, a look that had numerous meanings. They saw Belinda as an inferior, someone that shouldn't be among the ancient shifters even when she was one. The way they saw it, Belinda wasn't supposed to have a say in the matters they discussed. They only respected her because of her status as Alpha princess and mainly because of Riven.

Belinda interpreted the looks thrown at her and she knew what they thought of her. She knew Zeke and Xerxes in particular didn't think much of her like they did with Ren and they only respected her because of Riven. Yet she didn't care. She would counteract them when they were wrong, just like she was doing now.

"Brother what do you think?",she asked Riven. He had the final say after all.

Riven who had been silent since they started their argument finally looked up at them all. His eyes rested on Zeke, then moved over to Xerxes and Ren before resting on Belinda. His eyes were dark and thoughtful and he exuded a domineering aura. One hand was propped beneath his chin while the other drummed on the table.

"The Sorcerers have no reason to wage a war against us",he said finally. His voice came out low and smooth. "And if they do, it will be their last day on this island"

"But Riven..."

"No Zeke. Not this time",Riven interrupted him. "Just because the witches turned against us, it doesn't mean the Sorcerers will. We won't make a move unless we're forced to. But keep an eye out on their domain. I want an immediate attack on them if they pose as a threat to the lycanthropes and the island"

"Of course Riven. We will do just that",Zeke said. He gave up on the argument and the meeting ended.

...

Annabelle was seated crossed legged at the meadow beside her house. Her eyes were closed in meditation and a thick black book with a purple stone at the middle was opened by her side. There was a brick house beside her, painted in blue and gray. The meadow looked magnificent, with lush grasses and sweet smelling flowers. The sky was a sea of blue, reflecting the colours of the ocean. Annabelle's legs were tucked beneath her and her hands rested on her bent knees, palms up. She looked serene and her wavy purple hair drifted softly in the light breeze.

Suddenly she stilled. Her ears caught the slightest sound. Someone was approaching, threading softly over the grass in the forest. Her ears caught the sound of twigs snapping. Whoever the person was, they were trying to creep up on her.

A small smile lifted the corners of Annabelle's lips. Whoever the person was, they didn't know who they were dealing with.

She remained seated there, lifting her face to feel the cool breeze. The footsteps stopped and all was quiet for a while. Annabelle waited, giving the person an opportunity to leave while they still could.

Nothing happened for about ten minutes.

She grew tired of waiting and in the next instant, she disappeared.

There was a slight shuffling and a muffled grunt, and then a man was lifted up in the air and hung upside down.

"Hey!",he yelled. "Let me down this instant!". He tried to grab on to something, anything, but he couldn't. He was suspended in midair, invincible hands holding his legs together and totally helpless. His shirt rolled off his body and bunched up around his torso, leaving his hard, toned body opened. He struggled, trying to release himself when a female voice spoke out.

"Don't bother struggling. You won't escape, unless I let you go",Annabelle said from behind him. She was leaning against a tree, looking bored.

The man tried to turn around, while still suspended in the air. Suddenly he was whipped around and finally he saw his captor. He couldn't make out her appearance because of his position but he knew instantly that she was a Sorceress. Her hair alone was obvious, and a witch's magic didn't work on him. He could do nothing but glare at her.

"Put me down right now!",he said angrily.

"I will. Right after you tell me why you were spying on me",Annabelle said quietly with her arms folded in front of her.

"Spying on you?",the man asked incredulously. "Lady, I have better things to do than spy on a strange woman I hardly know"

"Why then were you creeping around in the forest?"

"I was trailing a prey. And you let it escape when you swooped me off my feet"

Annabelle waved her hand and slowly lowered the man. He was telling the truth. She watched him tug down his shirt and spun around, his eyes meeting hers clearly.

"Who are you? And what are you doing in the domain of the Sorcerers?",Annabelle asked, taking in his handsome features and tousled hair. His eyes were alluring and she found herself staring openly at him.

Ignoring the woman's open stare, the man brushed off the dirt on his shirt before answering.

"I had no idea this was the domain of the Sorcerers. I wandered a little far away from the west side of the island". He straightened and finally stared back at Annabelle.

"And my name is Riftan"