The Royal Mark.

{THE RIVER PACK}

It was not unusual for Alpha Zephyr to cut off his mind link and stay locked up in the comfort of his room. Sometimes the darkness of his world and the whispers of the souls consumed him so much that he preferred to drown in it.

What was unusual was the ability to feel emotions.

A dark incident in his past left Alpha Zephyr deeply traumatized, hardening him into an emotionless and inexpressive shell.

But, since this morning, his usual bland and empty soul seemed to be awake and his inner wolf was stirring in excitement.

Zephyr noticed that as night fell, the attraction he felt for the stranger that lay in his bed was getting more intense.

There was some sort of warmth encroaching him along with a persistent, flavorful and strong scent.

He allowed himself to be submerged in the rush of emotions and a lot of yearning. It was a burst out of the usual darkness he lived in which still nagged him at the back of his mind.

He didn't feel hungry, he didn't get tired.

He sat, watching, feeling and curiously asking himself two same questions over and over again.

Who are you? Where did you come from?

When morning came, he decided he would go for his morning run. He had spent almost a whole day, glued to his chair awaiting the stranger's awakening and a run was essential to soothe his troubled mind.

He walked towards the bed where the stranger lay observing with scrutiny.

And then he saw it.

The dark caricature of a crown on her arm.

Zephyr remained frozen for a moment, another unusual moment of surprise for the Alpha. He moved even closer and held her arm gently trying to confirm what his eyes were seeing.

Then as if it arm burned, he dropped it immediately.

The Royal Mark.

Hatred filled his heart and darkness consumed him immediately.

Flashes of the past replayed in his head and he struggled not to roar out in anger. After one last glance at the resting figure, he turned around and headed straight out the window.

The whispers welcomed him as he transformed in to his wolf and made his way in to the deep woods.

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"I'm thinking blood red! You know, to catch the eyes of everyone there!" Dorianna said with an excited and wistful tone.

"But- But- Zeph- Zephyr…won't…like…that." Blaize said gently looking up from her plate of food.

"Zephyr doesn't like anything." Dorianna said with a scoff after drinking some water and dropping the glass down. "I think red will suit me perfectly and so does Raula. What do you think mother?"

Luna Vilka was drawn back in to the dining room where she was having breakfast with her daughters even though her mind was a little distant.

"The Solistice Party is two moons away, Dorianna. It's too early to start all this talk." Vilka said tiredly.

Dorianna gasped in disbelief. "How can you say that mother? It's our first social appearance in decades! Everything matters!" She protested.

Vilka ignored that immediately. "Your brother isn't here this morning. We haven't seen him since the night before last." She said instead.

"Oh! He's probably off growling and being a blue wolf as usual!" Dorianna said with a Shrug of her shoulders.

Vilka was about to say something else when Alma, her older companion stepped forward.

"Permit me to say, Luna Vilka but the Alpha has had frequent visits from the pack's healer." She said leaning in and lowering her voice so that only Vilka heard her.

Panic seized the Luna's chest as she thought of her son being sick.

Zephyr was never ill.

She had to see him immediately.

"Please excuse me." Vilka said and she stood up.

Blaize, her younger daughter smiled at her while Dorianna,the older nodded.

Vilka left the dining room and started to make her way to the Alpha's chambers where Selene had just woken up.