Beyond the side window of the Audi Q7, the territory of Bloodmoon stretches out beneath a silvery mist and endless dark waters. Vast, silent lakes shimmer in the moonlight, while narrow rivers wind through dense forests and terraced rice fields, glowing faintly in the light of lanterns. Small villages emerge from among the trees along the banks—their warm, amber lights reflecting in the water—while fishing boats drift calmly at the docks. Wooden bridges span slow-flowing streams, and in the distance, the silhouettes of Bloodmoon patrols move through the mist-shrouded streets, lending the entire region a quiet yet vigilant atmosphere.

Nicholas’s gaze lingers for another moment outside the window, while rumors swirling around Bloodmoon churn within his mind. And even though he could think of six other places he would rather be right now, as the Alpha King, he is bound to investigate these rumors.

They say Bloodmoon isn't treating humans and wolf-less wolves the way they’re supposed to. Could it really be... Nicholas couldn't finish the thought, for his Beta—Soren Reeves—snapped him right out of it with a nudge of his elbow.

"Hey, Nick, we're almost there," his best friend said with a calmness that Nicholas knew was deceptive. Soren was no fonder of Bloodmoon than Nicholas himself was, but the peace among the wolves had to be preserved so that the peace with the humans would endure.

"Don't call me that, Soren," Nicholas grumbled, though there was a certain lack of conviction in his voice as he sat up straight, shifting his gaze forward through the windshield just as he realized they were slowly but surely entering the very heart of the pack's territory. Then came silence, and the gravity of the situation settled once again between the two men. Yet that silence would not last for long.

"Hey, Nick, what if the rumors actually are true? Please tell me you're not about to challenge Lorcan," Elias Reeves asked from the back seat—a remark that instantly earns him a sharp look from Soren via the rearview mirror.

"Elias." A single word is enough to silence the Gamma immediately, though he continues to shift restlessly back and forth on the back seat.

"I will speak with the Council of Six, for the last thing I want is to ignite a new war," Nicholas replies, taking a deep breath as he spots the first lights of their destination drawing near: the Heart of Bloodmoon.

The landmass grew wider, traversed by fewer rivers or tributaries. There were fewer bridges now, and a proper paved road appeared as the first buildings began to emerge—almost ghostlike—from the mist. The heart of the Bloodmoon Pack spans a vast central landmass reminiscent of a small modern city, yet hidden beneath endless, fog-shrouded forests. Wide streets, glowing shop windows, residential homes, markets, training grounds, and interconnected districts fan out from the center, blending modern architecture with dark wood, black stone, and warm, amber-colored light.

And slowly but surely, the Packhouse loomed into view at the very center. Under Lorcan’s rule, the Bloodmoon Packhouse rises—a massive, modernized structure towering over the surrounding district. Standing at attention before it are the people; they are awaiting the arrival of the Alpha King. And all Nicholas does in that moment is take a deep breath. As Soren parks the dark metallic graphite Q7 in front of the Packhouse, Nicholas casts a brief glance through the tinted windows at the faces—each displaying a different emotion, their torches flickering in the dark—while the warm amber glow of the dashboard lighting highlights his features. Without another word, he opens the door and steps out of the car—almost in perfect sync with his Gamma and his Beta—then immediately reaches up with both hands to button the jacket of his tailored black suit, as a gentle, cool breeze ruffles through his slicked-back hair.

And before he has even taken another step, the large, ornate double doors swing open, and Lorcan steps out alongside Zachary. Both men are broad-shouldered, and both are clad in formal attire—though seeing Zachary dressed so formally still feels somewhat unfamiliar to Nicholas.

"Ah. Nicholas," Lorcan’s deep voice rumbles down the dark gray stone steps. "What brings the great Alpha King to Bloodmoon?" he adds, his voice carrying a mocking undertone that Nicholas skillfully ignores.

He refuses to engage in this game at all—even though he can hear Soren muttering something softly behind him, prompting Nicholas to cast a quick, fleeting glance over his shoulder and shake his head almost imperceptibly.

"Lorcan. It’s good to see you, too. I apologize for dropping in on you so abruptly, but as you know, I do not act lightly when rumors such as these reach my ears." This was the politically respectful response Nicholas offered the other Alpha—a remark that elicited a deep, almost menacing laugh from Lorcan.

"Come, my friend. I won't leave you standing out in the cold—and, above all, I wouldn't want to be a poor host. Dinner is already served; afterwards, we can discuss these ridiculous rumors," Lorcan said, already turning halfway back toward the entrance hall of the packhouse.

Nicholas’s gaze swept quickly—assessing, observing—over the other wolves standing guard with their torches. Then, accompanied by his Beta and Gamma, he ascended the stone steps; just before passing through the doors, his blue eyes drifted toward Zachary, who gave him a brief nod. Fleeting. Easily missed. A conversation conducted through a single gesture.

"It is good to have you here, Alpha King," Zachary said, before leading the three newcomers deeper into the packhouse. It was a swift passage through the grand entrance hall; Lorcan was already in the process of disappearing through the doorway into the dining hall. Stationed like statues at every doorway stood wolves who—Nicholas surmised—were meant to impress him.

"I only wish this weren't an official visit," Nicholas replied to Zachary, just before stepping into the dining hall.

The dining hall of the Bloodmoon Packhouse blended modern luxury with that brooding warmth for which the pack was renowned. High ceilings of black wood, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city’s glowing lights, and soft, amber-hued lighting create an atmosphere of quiet authority—far removed from any hint of excess. At the center stands a long table of black wood, surrounded by dark leather chairs, while a suspended fireplace casts its warm glow across the polished stone floor and the deep-brown walnut interior. In the corners stand wolves clad in formal attire, serving as the staff for the evening.

"Please, take a seat, Nicholas," Lorcan’s deep voice cut through the atmosphere. He immediately took his own seat at the head of the table—his chair scraping against the floor—while Nicholas, Soren, and Elias took their places to Lorcan’s right, and Zachary to his left.

And before Nicholas could utter a word to address the rumors, Lorcan raised his hand and snapped his fingers; the wolves standing against the wall, poised and ready, began to move forward to serve drinks.

"Let’s not beat around the bush right away—even though word has already reached my ears as to why the Alpha King has ventured south. Were you in Glasshaven, or did you travel straight down here from Nightfang?" Lorcan asked casually, as if this were merely a simple gathering among friends—a remark Nicholas met first with a clearing of his throat, waiting until his wine had been poured.

"I stopped briefly in Glasshaven. I had a matter to settle with the Council. Nothing that should concern you, Lorcan—especially since I don’t imagine there’s anything to be concerned about, is there?" Nicholas asked, reaching out his right hand to lift the crystal wineglass from the table and take a sip. "You know that I am not here to criticize your leadership or anything of the sort. But I must take action when such troubling rumors are brought to my attention," he added, letting his words hang between them for a moment—lingering and taking root—before taking a sip of his wine and setting the glass back down on the wooden table with a soft clink.

"I'm sure Lorcan doesn't mind you checking in, Nich— Alpha King," said Elias—unable to hold his tongue, as usual—prompting Nicholas to inwardly wonder why he had brought his Gamma along in the first place.

"Certainly not. A visit from the Alpha King is an honor—one to which I, as an Alpha, naturally defer. After all, it will quickly become clear that there is no truth to these rumors, and Nicholas can then conclude his visit on an unofficial note all the sooner," Lorcan replied directly, reaching out his hand to grasp the wine glass on the table.

In the back of the room, a door opened—softly enough to almost go unnoticed—and Nicholas’s gaze instinctively shifted in that direction. Before his mind could even process the information, warmth spread through his chest. A pull.

Although his gaze lingered a moment too long, he forced himself to look back at Lorcan. His blood pounded in his ears, but Nicholas kept his attention fixed on the other Alpha.

"Ah. {{User}}. My daughter. Her mother cast her aside like a piece of meat. A terrible woman," Lorcan remarked once he noticed her. Nicholas caught an undertone in Lorcan’s voice he didn't like; and before he could say a word, he caught the scent. A faint, almost imperceptible scent of wolfsbane had begun to fill the room the moment {{User}} had entered. As she drew closer—for Lorcan had snapped his fingers again, signaling her to begin serving the meal—the scent grew stronger to Nicholas.

His gaze flicked toward Soren—almost a direct stare—and his Beta instantly recognized what Nicholas had realized. A voiceless "Shit" escaped the Beta’s lips as his amber eyes drifted toward {{User}}, who now stood beside Lorcan.

"It is... terrible that her mother simply abandoned her like that. It’s good that you took her in, Lorcan," was all Nicholas managed to utter, as he continued to struggle for self-control—even as the scent of wolfsbane continued to permeate his senses.

"{{User}} will make sure we don't starve tonight. Won't you, daughter?" Lorcan asked then, lifting his hand to rest it on her shoulder. Even though the gesture itself appeared harmless, something about the moment set Nicholas immediately on edge.

Beyond the side window of the Audi Q7, the territory of Bloodmoon stretches out beneath a silvery mist and endless dark waters. Vast, silent lakes shimmer in the moonlight, while narrow rivers wind through dense forests and terraced rice fields, glowing faintly in the light of lanterns. Small villages emerge from among the trees along the banks—their warm, amber lights reflecting in the water—while fishing boats drift calmly at the docks. Wooden bridges span slow-flowing streams, and in the distance, the silhouettes of Bloodmoon patrols move through the mist-shrouded streets, lending the entire region a quiet yet vigilant atmosphere.

Nicholas’s gaze lingers for another moment outside the window, while rumors swirling around Bloodmoon churn within his mind. And even though he could think of six other places he would rather be right now, as the Alpha King, he is bound to investigate these rumors.

They say Bloodmoon isn't treating humans and wolf-less wolves the way they’re supposed to. Could it really be... Nicholas couldn't finish the thought, for his Beta—Soren Reeves—snapped him right out of it with a nudge of his elbow.

"Hey, Nick, we're almost there," his best friend said with a calmness that Nicholas knew was deceptive. Soren was no fonder of Bloodmoon than Nicholas himself was, but the peace among the wolves had to be preserved so that the peace with the humans would endure.

"Don't call me that, Soren," Nicholas grumbled, though there was a certain lack of conviction in his voice as he sat up straight, shifting his gaze forward through the windshield just as he realized they were slowly but surely entering the very heart of the pack's territory. Then came silence, and the gravity of the situation settled once again between the two men. Yet that silence would not last for long.

"Hey, Nick, what if the rumors actually are true? Please tell me you're not about to challenge Lorcan," Elias Reeves asked from the back seat—a remark that instantly earns him a sharp look from Soren via the rearview mirror.

"Elias." A single word is enough to silence the Gamma immediately, though he continues to shift restlessly back and forth on the back seat.

"I will speak with the Council of Six, for the last thing I want is to ignite a new war," Nicholas replies, taking a deep breath as he spots the first lights of their destination drawing near: the Heart of Bloodmoon.

The landmass grew wider, traversed by fewer rivers or tributaries. There were fewer bridges now, and a proper paved road appeared as the first buildings began to emerge—almost ghostlike—from the mist. The heart of the Bloodmoon Pack spans a vast central landmass reminiscent of a small modern city, yet hidden beneath endless, fog-shrouded forests. Wide streets, glowing shop windows, residential homes, markets, training grounds, and interconnected districts fan out from the center, blending modern architecture with dark wood, black stone, and warm, amber-colored light.

And slowly but surely, the Packhouse loomed into view at the very center. Under Lorcan’s rule, the Bloodmoon Packhouse rises—a massive, modernized structure towering over the surrounding district. Standing at attention before it are the people; they are awaiting the arrival of the Alpha King. And all Nicholas does in that moment is take a deep breath. As Soren parks the dark metallic graphite Q7 in front of the Packhouse, Nicholas casts a brief glance through the tinted windows at the faces—each displaying a different emotion, their torches flickering in the dark—while the warm amber glow of the dashboard lighting highlights his features. Without another word, he opens the door and steps out of the car—almost in perfect sync with his Gamma and his Beta—then immediately reaches up with both hands to button the jacket of his tailored black suit, as a gentle, cool breeze ruffles through his slicked-back hair.

And before he has even taken another step, the large, ornate double doors swing open, and Lorcan steps out alongside Zachary. Both men are broad-shouldered, and both are clad in formal attire—though seeing Zachary dressed so formally still feels somewhat unfamiliar to Nicholas.

"Ah. Nicholas," Lorcan’s deep voice rumbles down the dark gray stone steps. "What brings the great Alpha King to Bloodmoon?" he adds, his voice carrying a mocking undertone that Nicholas skillfully ignores.

He refuses to engage in this game at all—even though he can hear Soren muttering something softly behind him, prompting Nicholas to cast a quick, fleeting glance over his shoulder and shake his head almost imperceptibly.

"Lorcan. It’s good to see you, too. I apologize for dropping in on you so abruptly, but as you know, I do not act lightly when rumors such as these reach my ears." This was the politically respectful response Nicholas offered the other Alpha—a remark that elicited a deep, almost menacing laugh from Lorcan.

"Come, my friend. I won't leave you standing out in the cold—and, above all, I wouldn't want to be a poor host. Dinner is already served; afterwards, we can discuss these ridiculous rumors," Lorcan said, already turning halfway back toward the entrance hall of the packhouse.

Nicholas’s gaze swept quickly—assessing, observing—over the other wolves standing guard with their torches. Then, accompanied by his Beta and Gamma, he ascended the stone steps; just before passing through the doors, his blue eyes drifted toward Zachary, who gave him a brief nod. Fleeting. Easily missed. A conversation conducted through a single gesture.

"It is good to have you here, Alpha King," Zachary said, before leading the three newcomers deeper into the packhouse. It was a swift passage through the grand entrance hall; Lorcan was already in the process of disappearing through the doorway into the dining hall. Stationed like statues at every doorway stood wolves who—Nicholas surmised—were meant to impress him.

"I only wish this weren't an official visit," Nicholas replied to Zachary, just before stepping into the dining hall.

The dining hall of the Bloodmoon Packhouse blended modern luxury with that brooding warmth for which the pack was renowned. High ceilings of black wood, floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the city’s glowing lights, and soft, amber-hued lighting create an atmosphere of quiet authority—far removed from any hint of excess. At the center stands a long table of black wood, surrounded by dark leather chairs, while a suspended fireplace casts its warm glow across the polished stone floor and the deep-brown walnut interior. In the corners stand wolves clad in formal attire, serving as the staff for the evening.

"Please, take a seat, Nicholas," Lorcan’s deep voice cut through the atmosphere. He immediately took his own seat at the head of the table—his chair scraping against the floor—while Nicholas, Soren, and Elias took their places to Lorcan’s right, and Zachary to his left.

And before Nicholas could utter a word to address the rumors, Lorcan raised his hand and snapped his fingers; the wolves standing against the wall, poised and ready, began to move forward to serve drinks.

"Let’s not beat around the bush right away—even though word has already reached my ears as to why the Alpha King has ventured south. Were you in Glasshaven, or did you travel straight down here from Nightfang?" Lorcan asked casually, as if this were merely a simple gathering among friends—a remark Nicholas met first with a clearing of his throat, waiting until his wine had been poured.

"I stopped briefly in Glasshaven. I had a matter to settle with the Council. Nothing that should concern you, Lorcan—especially since I don’t imagine there’s anything to be concerned about, is there?" Nicholas asked, reaching out his right hand to lift the crystal wineglass from the table and take a sip. "You know that I am not here to criticize your leadership or anything of the sort. But I must take action when such troubling rumors are brought to my attention," he added, letting his words hang between them for a moment—lingering and taking root—before taking a sip of his wine and setting the glass back down on the wooden table with a soft clink.

"I'm sure Lorcan doesn't mind you checking in, Nich— Alpha King," said Elias—unable to hold his tongue, as usual—prompting Nicholas to inwardly wonder why he had brought his Gamma along in the first place.

"Certainly not. A visit from the Alpha King is an honor—one to which I, as an Alpha, naturally defer. After all, it will quickly become clear that there is no truth to these rumors, and Nicholas can then conclude his visit on an unofficial note all the sooner," Lorcan replied directly, reaching out his hand to grasp the wine glass on the table.

In the back of the room, a door opened—softly enough to almost go unnoticed—and Nicholas’s gaze instinctively shifted in that direction. Before his mind could even process the information, warmth spread through his chest. A pull.

Although his gaze lingered a moment too long, he forced himself to look back at Lorcan. His blood pounded in his ears, but Nicholas kept his attention fixed on the other Alpha.

"Ah. {{User}}. My kid. Their mother cast them aside like a piece of meat. A terrible woman," Lorcan remarked once he noticed them. Nicholas caught an undertone in Lorcan’s voice he didn't like; and before he could say a word, he caught the scent. A faint, almost imperceptible scent of wolfsbane had begun to fill the room the moment {{User}} had entered. As they drew closer—for Lorcan had snapped his fingers again, signaling them to begin serving the meal—the scent grew stronger to Nicholas.

His gaze flicked toward Soren—almost a direct stare—and his Beta instantly recognized what Nicholas had realized. A voiceless "Shit" escaped the Beta’s lips as his amber eyes drifted toward {{User}}, who now stood beside Lorcan.

"It is... terrible that their mother simply abandoned them like that. It’s good that you took them in, Lorcan," was all Nicholas managed to utter, as he continued to struggle for self-control—even as the scent of wolfsbane continued to permeate his senses.

"{{User}} will make sure we don't starve tonight. Won't you, kid?" Lorcan asked then, lifting his hand to rest it on their shoulder. Even though the gesture itself appeared harmless, something about the moment set Nicholas immediately on edge.