Chapter 1: Rephrase

What's your name?" I asked gently.

Silence.

His brows furrowed, his fingers twitching as though he were trying to grab hold of a memory just out of reach. His frustration was clear, his jaw clenching tightly.

"I… I don't know."

I swallowed hard. Amnesia. It wasn't unheard of after severe injuries, but it complicated things. He couldn't even tell me where he came from or whether he was a threat to us.

I studied him for a moment, then sighed. "Well, you need a name."

His eyes flickered toward me again, wary but curious.

"Until you remember, I'll call you… Pack."

Chapter 1

Adrian's POV

The great hall of the White Wolf Pack was alive with celebration. Golden chandeliers illuminated the vast space, casting a warm glow over the gathered crowd. The air was thick with the scent of roasted meat, spiced wine, and the natural musk of werewolves reveling in their joy. Laughter and cheers echoed through the high-arched ceilings, bouncing off the stone walls that had borne witness to generations of powerful Alphas.

And now, they bore witness to me.

I stood at the center of it all, my dark gray eyes scanning the crowd. A part of me still couldn't believe it, I had been chosen. Me. Adrian Moray, the illegitimate son. The bastard.

I tightened my grip on the ceremonial staff in my hand, its intricate carvings representing the lineage of the White Wolf Pack. My seven brothers stood in the front row, their expressions ranging from forced smiles to outright contempt. None of them had expected this outcome. Neither had I.

But the Moon Goddess had made her choice.

The Elder of the pack, Maelor, an old but formidable wolf with a grizzled beard, raised his hands for silence. The chatter died down, and all eyes turned to him.

"Tonight, we honor a new beginning," Maelor's deep voice rang through the hall. "Adrian Moray has proven himself worthy. He has fought for this pack, bled for this pack, and now, by the will of the Moon Goddess, he shall lead this pack!"

A chorus of howls erupted from the gathered werewolves, their voices rising in unison. The sound sent a thrill down my spine. My wolf stirred within me, eager to assert its dominance, eager to claim the title that had eluded us for so long.

Maelor stepped forward, holding the sacred Alpha pendant, a silver wolf's head embedded with a blood-red gemstone, a relic passed down through the generations. He placed it around my neck, the metal cool against my skin.

"As of this moment," Maelor continued, "Adrian Moray is the Alpha of the White Wolf Pack!"

More howls erupted, followed by the rhythmic pounding of fists against the wooden banquet tables. The energy in the room was electric, vibrating through my bones.

I exhaled slowly, suppressing the doubt clawing at my mind. I had spent my whole life fighting to prove my worth. Tonight, I had won. But would they ever truly accept me?

The celebration that followed was a grand spectacle. Platters of roasted venison, freshly baked bread, and rich, honeyed fruits filled the long tables. Barrels of mead were rolled in, and goblets overflowed with dark wine. Servants scurried around, ensuring no one was left wanting.

I watched as warriors, elders, and even omegas feasted together, their rivalries and pack politics forgotten for the night.

A heavy hand clapped my shoulder. "Enjoying your moment, Alpha?"

I turned to face my closest friend and newly appointed Beta, Lucian. He grinned, his golden eyes twinkling with mischief. He had been the only one who never doubted I would claim the title.

"It still feels... unreal," I admitted.

"Better start believing it," he said, taking a large gulp of mead. "The pack belongs to you now. And you sure as hell better not screw it up."

I chuckled, though his words were true.

The night stretched on, filled with laughter, music, and the occasional challenge match as warriors tested each other's strength. I sat at the head of the Alpha's table, overlooking the pack, my pack.

But as the night deepened, a strange unease settled over me. I couldn't shake the feeling that something was coming.

Something bad.

I pushed the thought aside. Tonight was mine. The battle for respect, for power that would come later.

For now, I was the Alpha. And no one could take that away from me.

"Eat, drink, and enjoy!" I declared, raising my goblet high. "Tonight, we celebrate not just a new Alpha but the strength of the White Wolf Pack!"

A chorus of cheers erupted in response. My brothers, seated along the high table, offered varying expressions, some forced smiles, others neutral, blank. But none dared to challenge me. Not tonight.

I took a sip from my goblet, the rich, dark wine warming my throat. Lucian sat beside me, grinning as he tore into a piece of roasted meat. "You're finally getting what you deserve," he said. "I told you the Goddess wouldn't let a bastard title define you."

I smirked, taking another sip. "Maybe you're right."

The hall was filled with movement, dancers twirling to the rhythmic beat of drums, warriors exchanging friendly challenges, omegas serving more wine and food. For the first time in a long while, I allowed myself to feel at peace.

But the moment was fleeting.

A sudden wave of dizziness struck me, sharp and suffocating. My vision blurred, and a searing pain tore through my gut. My goblet slipped from my hand, the dark liquid spilling across the table like blood.

Something was wrong.

I pushed back from the table, struggling to stand as my breath came in short, ragged gasps. The pain spread rapidly, like fire burning through my veins. My wolf howled inside me, its agony mirroring mine.

Lucian was at my side instantly. "Adrian? What's wrong?"

I opened my mouth to speak, but only a strangled growl escaped. My legs buckled, and I collapsed to my knees, clutching my stomach as the fire within me raged hotter. A metallic taste flooded my mouth, something like blood.

Whispers and gasps filled the hall. The celebration screeched to a halt. My brothers stood, their expressions a mix of shock and horror.

He had been poisoned, Lucian yelled "bring the anointed poison spell".

Rage boiled in my chest, a final, burning fury. Someone had dared to betray me. Someone had waited for this very night, my night of triumph, to strike me down.

My vision darkened at the edges. My body convulsed, my wolf desperately trying to fight, to heal, they poured the anointed poison spell on my head, but nothing changed.

All the methods were not working.

Through the haze, I saw Maelor, his face grim. Lucian's desperate shouts grew distant. My pack's voices blurred into nothingness.

And then…..darkness consumed me.

Death came for me, but I did not go quietly.

I died in rage and agony.

And I swore, with my last breath, that I would return.

I will be back for revenge.