The Emerald Pack was unlike any other kingdom in the werewolf realm.
Located deep within an endless forest where towering emerald pine trees kissed the heavens, it was a land blessed by nature itself. Crystal-clear rivers flowed through the villages, while glowing emerald vines climbed ancient trees, illuminating the forest every night beneath the watchful gaze of the moon.
To outsiders, it was paradise.
To Aubrey...
It was the only home she had ever known.
The first rays of dawn filtered through the leaves, painting golden patterns across the forest floor as birds welcomed another day with cheerful songs.
Aubrey knelt beside a narrow stream, carefully washing herbs she had gathered before sunrise. Lavender, moon sage, silverroot, and healing moss neatly arranged in her woven basket.
Her slender fingers worked with practiced ease.
"You'll lose their healing properties if you scrub them that hard."
The old healer's amused voice drifted from behind her.
Aubrey laughed softly without turning around.
"I know, Grandma Elara."
"Then why are you rushing?"
She smiled.
"Because Elder Rowan twisted his ankle yesterday, little Leo still has a fever, and Mrs. Hazel refuses to stay in bed despite giving birth only three days ago."
Grandma Elara chuckled lightly.
"You always worry more about everyone else than yourself."
Aubrey simply shrugged.
Helping others made her happy.
It always had.
Together they returned to the Healing House, where villagers were already lining up outside.
"Morning, Aubrey!"
"Thank you for the medicine yesterday!"
"My son finally stopped coughing!"
She greeted each person with the same warm smile.
Some offered grateful words.
Others simply nodded.
But not everyone looked at her kindly.
A pair of young wolves standing nearby whispered just loudly enough for her to hear.
"She's pretending to be one of us again."
"I heard Alpha Pierce only kept her because he pitied her."
"She doesn't even know who her parents are."
"An orphan."
Their laughter echoed through the courtyard.
Aubrey's hands tightened around the basket.
For just a moment.
Then she forced herself to smile and continued walking as though she hadn't heard a single word.
She had grown used to whispers and gossip.
They had followed her since childhood.
No one knew where she had come from.
No one except Alpha Pierce.
Nineteen years ago, the Alpha had found a little girl unconscious beneath the Great Emerald Tree after a violent storm. Wrapped in a torn purple blanket embroidered with silver crescent moons, she had no memories of her past, no family, and no name.
So Alpha Pierce had named her Aubrey and raised her alongside his own son, Jason.
To some wolves, she was family.
To others...
She would always be an outsider.
By midday, the village buzzed with excitement.
Colorful banners decorated wooden homes.
Children ran through the streets laughing.
Hunters returned carrying fresh game.
Musicians practiced for the upcoming Moon Bonding Festival.
Every unmated wolf who had reached adulthood eagerly awaited the ceremony, hoping to meet the one the Moon Goddess had chosen for them.
Aubrey tried not to think about it.
Instead, she carried a basket of medicine toward the Alpha's residence.
The guards greeted her warmly.
"Lady Aubrey."
She smiled.
"You don't have to call me that."
One of the guards grinned.
"We know."
"But someday, you might become Luna."
Heat rose to her cheeks.
Before she could answer, laughter echoed from the training grounds.
Warriors surrounded a young man locked in combat with three opponents at once.
His movements were sharp, elegant and precise.
Within seconds, all three challengers lay flat on their backs.
The warriors erupted into cheers.
"Alpha Jason!"
Jason lowered his wooden sword and laughed.
"Again."
His silver eyes searched the crowd.
The moment they found Aubrey...
His serious expression softened into a smile.
"There you are."
He walked over, wiping sweat from his brow.
"You've been working since sunrise again, haven't you?"
"You've been training since sunrise."
"Touché."
She handed him a small pouch.
"Grandma Elara made this for your shoulder."
"I told you it doesn't hurt."
"You also told her you didn't need stitches after fighting that rogue."
Jason sighed dramatically.
"I really need to stop telling you things."
"You should start telling the truth instead."
For a brief moment, they laughed together.
Watching from the balcony above, Alpha Pierce smiled.
"They've grown so much," he murmured.
Yet the smile faded as quickly as it had appeared.
His gaze lingered on Aubrey.
A strange sadness settled in his weathered eyes.
"The time has come..."
He whispered the words to himself.
"And I don't know if I can protect you any longer."
Far beyond the Emerald Pack...
Beyond mountains covered with snow.
Beyond valleys swallowed by mist and dew.
Beyond the borders of every wolf kingdom...
A pair of golden eyes slowly opened.
A powerful black wolf stood upon a cliff beneath a silver moon.
The wind carried an unfamiliar scent.
Ancient.
Forgotten.
Royal.
The wolf lifted its head.
For the first time in years...
It howled.
A sound so deep and commanding that every creature within miles fell silent.
In the distant Onyx Kingdom, soldiers stopped in their tracks.
The royal guards exchanged uneasy glances.
Inside the obsidian palace, a single sentence echoed through the halls.
"The King has awakened."
As Aubrey looked toward the horizon, she felt a sharp pain in her chest.
She didn't know why.
But somewhere beyond the Emerald Forest...
Someone had just begun searching for her.