The French Alpha (Book I of the XII Wolfgang Pack Series)

Chapter III ~ An Oath To Fulfill

Ivanov Catacombs, 1885

A Faithful Servant's POV

We were half-running, half-walking to rest. I and my milady knew we need to be hasty. From what Luna Amalia told me, this tunnel leads to an allied pack called the Blood Crimson Pack, it was led by Alpha Emmanuel's sister, Luna Catalina. The tunnel journey consists of us walking on a straight dark path, where the only light the guided us was from my torch, sometimes we would find ourselves into multiple tunnel entries but my ladyship always knew which path to take. Once in a while, she would wince of pain and hold her child and whisper words as if it can hear her. I, however, would seek peace amidst the crisis and ask for the Goddess' mercy.

I was born among the rank of an Omega. Among the hierarchy, we are the weakest and we are useless for fighting and defense for our wolf forms are small and well--- far from a scary werewolf however we are in charge of the domestic affairs and no one can beat us at it! My mother was a chambermaid and my father raised crops and worked for the Ivanovs as a cattle herder. Growing up, I was taught what an Omega should and shouldn't do, but it never made me feel less of myself, in fact, I was happy being an Omega, I enjoyed taking care of others! My father told me that the Ivanov Clan are my masters and our family's ancestors pledge their oath to an undying servitude, in turn, the Ivanovs vowed to protect their land, the clan, and the were-people... us.

Our Alpha Emmanuel did not have the best reputation outside the territory, but inside, we couldn't ask for a better leader. As a kid, my grandmother told me stories about our histories, she would always remind us that we needed to pass it on the future generation. She said that long ago, when Alpha Emmanuel's late father, Alpha Emilius was ruling the land there was peace among the Kingdom and boundaries nor territories need no walls for he believed that the Goddess bestowed everything under the sun equally, both to creatures and men. My grandma said he was right, but others did not share his philosophy... still, were-people adored him.

Alpha Emilius was too kind, too giving, too soft-hearted that the world did not deserve him. The world always needs to be balanced and the world will always be unkind, the world is a field of survival and those who are martyrs will die. Emilius had two children, Catalina, and Emmanuel--- they were twins yet they are the most opposite when it comes to everything. Emmanuel was the quiet child, he was happy by himself while Catalina was the life of the party, she spread warmth everywhere she went just like her father did. Nana said everything started to fall apart when galleons started docking on our land's shores, she remembered it so well. It was almost dusk and the skies were of pink and orange hues. They were on a joyous celebration of Emmanuel and Catalina's 18th birthday where everyone danced and the night was filled with music. The celebration came to a halt when everyone heard the three continuous blast of ship horns and two breathless were-warriors informing of a visitor's plea to dock.

Everyone with their lighted torches and curiosity waited for boats to reach the shore from the massive ship that was floating magnificently. They were witches, werewolves and human beings among the group. The last boat to dock only had four people on it, the other two rowing while a man and a woman seemed to be whispering with each other. As they made their way out of the boat, the man walked towards Alpha Emilius. Grandma said he was so graceful and he looked very regal, the woman, however, seemed to have her mind elsewhere--- her name, Amalia. The man told everyone that they were merchants and voyagers traveling from one continent to another and was, unfortunately, running out of supplies and needed re-stocking. Alpha Emilius welcomed them with open arms and friendship hoping for a lasting friendship. Everyone welcomed the guest and the celebration continued, but nobody noticed the pull of attraction between Emmanuel and Amalia--- nobody except Vladimir, the man Amalia was with.