Chapter 5

Zachary

Chaos. Flames. Blood.

The world around me was crumbling as the scent of burning wood and iron filled the air. Warriors clashed in a violent dance of life and death, their howls of pain and rage echoing into the night. My father, Alpha Gabriel, was at the center of the battlefield, cutting down rogue after rogue with deadly precision, while my mother, Luna Emma, stood fiercely beside him.

"Run, Zachary! Hide!" my mother screamed, her voice cracking with urgency. But I couldn’t move. My feet were planted, my heart pounding wildly in my chest as I watched the horror unfold.

Then, a voice as dark as death itself slithered through the night.

"Where is your son, Emma? Give him to us, and we will spare your pathetic pack. Otherwise, we will kill them all."

A monstrous-looking man had my mother by the throat, his claws digging into her pale skin. My mother struggled but didn’t cower.

"I don’t know where he is, and even if I did, you will never get him!" she snarled.

But I couldn't let her stand alone. I stepped forward, out of my hiding place, ignoring the way my instincts screamed at me to run.

The rogue leader's lips curled into a cruel grin. "Ah, there he is. He’s a brave one, isn't he? This will make it all the more satisfying when I—"

My mother acted before he could finish. She struck him across the face, forcing him to release her, then turned to me with wild desperation in her eyes.

"I love you, my son," she whispered. And before I could react, she threw me into the roaring river behind us.

The last thing I saw before the water swallowed me whole was my mother’s tear-filled eyes and the haunting sound of her final scream.

I jolted awake, my body drenched in sweat.

My breathing was ragged as I sat up in bed, the same nightmare gripping me in its cruel hold. Thirteen years had passed, and yet the ghosts of my past refused to let me go. I ran a hand through my damp hair, trying to shake the lingering echoes of my mother’s voice.

3 A.M. Another sleepless night.

I swung my legs off the bed, the cold floor grounding me back to reality. The nightmares were always the same, a relentless reminder of why I had become the man I was today. Ruthless. Unforgiving. Feared.

I am the Alpha of the Blood Moon Pack. The strongest. The most feared. The most ruthless. And yet, I carry a burden heavier than any battle I have ever fought.

I am the last living royal in the entire werewolf bloodline. The only one of my kind.

A curse disguised as a legacy.

Unlike others who can find their mate among any she-wolf, my fate is bound to a single, near-impossible condition—only a female with Royal Blood can be mine. A mate that may not even exist.

The Moon Goddess, in all her divine wisdom, has condemned me to a life of solitude. A throne without a queen. A heart without a match.

And yet, deep down, I refuse to believe that I was meant to rule alone.

But if she does exist… where is she? And why hasn’t she found me yet? Will she ever find me?

With a deep breath, I pushed myself up and made my way to the bathroom, stripping off my sweat-drenched clothes. The cold water did nothing to extinguish the fire burning inside me.

Minutes later, I emerged, dressed in a fitted grey T-shirt that clung to my muscular frame and black jeans. My reflection stared back at me from the mirror, sharp jawline, intense eyes, and a body built for war. My pack feared me, respected me. And I made sure no one ever saw my weakness.

I left my room and headed straight to my office. If I couldn't sleep, I could at least get some work done.

"Theo, come to my office. Now." I barked through mind link to my Beta.

A few minutes later, a hesitant knock sounded at my door. "Come in."

Theo entered, his head slightly bowed in respect. "Alpha, you called for me?"

"Yes. File all these treaty documents. Organize them by pack name and status," I ordered, motioning toward the large stack of papers on my desk.

Theo blinked at me, clearly surprised. "You called me here at three in the morning... for paperwork?"

I arched a brow. "Do you have a problem, Beta?"

"N-No, Alpha. Right away."

Suppressing a smirk, I watched as he begrudgingly started sorting through the files. I wasn't an idiot—I knew I had just woken him up for a mundane task. But the truth was, I didn’t want to be alone.

Hours passed, and the sun was already up when Theo finally turned to me. "Alpha, can I go grab some breakfast now? I'm starving." I gave him a nod, and he practically bolted out of the office.

The rest of the day passed without incident—efficient, structured, just the way I preferred. As always, a few she-wolves attempted to catch my attention, their lingering glances and flirtatious smiles entirely wasted on me. I’ve never understood why they even bother when it’s common knowledge that I have no interest in meaningless distractions.

My focus remains where it should be—on my pack, my responsibilities, and the throne that is rightfully mine. Anything else is simply irrelevant.

I hold a pack meeting every week to discuss new strategies and improvements for our security. Protecting the Blood Moon Pack is my top priority, and I ensure that we are always prepared for any threat. Our warriors train daily—relentless, disciplined, and skilled. Strength isn’t limited to men alone; I make sure our female warriors receive the same training. Every member of my pack should be able to defend themselves when danger strikes.

After a long, exhausting day filled with responsibilities, I finally allowed myself a moment of respite. Stepping out of the shower, the cool water still dripping from my hair, I felt the weight of fatigue settle over me. The night had stretched long past midnight, and all I wanted was to collapse into bed.

Just as I was about to lay down, a sharp knock echoed through my room.

I clenched my jaw.

Can’t I get a moment of peace?

"Come in." Cole, my Delta, stepped in with a tense expression.

"Alpha," he said, his voice steady but urgent. "We've received a message from our patrols. A group of rogues is nearing our borders."

In an instant, the air in the room shifted.

My aura flared, the raw power crackling around me like a storm about to break. The temperature dropped as my wolf, Xavier, pushed forward, his fury matching my own.

"How many?" I asked, my voice dangerously calm.

"At least half a dozen spotted so far. But our patrols suspect there are more hiding in the shadows."

I stood, my chair scraping against the floor as I moved. "Prepare the warriors. I want these intruders dealt with before they even think about stepping onto our land."

Cole nodded but hesitated. "Alpha, do you think... this could be a trap?"

My lips curled into a smirk, though there was no humor in it. "Let them try."

With that, I strode out of my office, my presence alone commanding attention. Every warrior I passed immediately stiffened, bowing their heads in submission. My enhanced senses were on high alert, my wolf howling for blood.

If these rogues thought they could challenge me, they were gravely mistaken.

Because I wasn’t just any Alpha.

I was Zachary William the most feared Alpha in existence.

And I was about to remind them why.

***