"ALL THINGS TRULY WICKED START FROM AN INNOCENCE..."

~ERNEST HEMMINGWAY

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The sun slowly rose in the sky, glimmering red and orange petals bathing away the shadows of night. Crimson hues unfolded over the lush green forest, telling the birds that its time to chirp and fly. It slowly flooded the streets, peeking in the bedrooms, coaxing the children back from the morpheus' arms. It sneaked through the rooms blinded in curtains, peeping leisurely through the blinds, urging the mates to leave their sweet embrace.

It continued its onward journey, slowly, hesitantly reaching the tall part of the tower, bathing the dark stones in its light, up up it went till it reaches the highest window, only the barest of light making its way past the dark curtains into the pitch black room as if the light herself was afraid of rousing the beast before its time.

Though the man who entered the room had no such qualms. He strolled in, gave a cursory glance to the room, grimaced and opened all the curtains. Not satisfied by all the sunlight blinding the room, he switched on all the lights of the room. "Goood morninggg Sunshine! Upsy daisy your sleepy butt" he crooned in a mock-sweet voice "comeonnn baby, get your sugar butt up, we have lots of things to do."

"Cabirrr, you idiot I have hanged the 'DONOT DISTURB' board at the door in boldass letters for you dumbasses to get a clue and leave me the hell alone." The man shouted, peering up from one end of the blanket he was swaddled in. He added "And stop calling my butt sweet names, its 100% manly butt, no sugar"

"Oh really!" He put his hands on his hips "I thought it was for decoration. Don't roll your eyes mister, everyone here is fucking terrified of waking you thinking the monster will eat them" he rolled his eyes "as if Edward will ever eat sticky make-upy skin full of artificial coating, he may kill them though. People this days, afraid of all the wrong things." He shakes his head in what-can-you-do gesture. "And your butt is plumpy and sugary, just ask in the gossip network, people are betting how bouncy your butt is. My bet is 20cm."

"Ugh, eww, seriously just this was left, betting on how bouncy my butt is. I should increase everyone's work hours, that will teach them to gossip." He muttered to himself. Loudly he said, "Cabir, if your morning puraan is over, then get on with why you felt the reason to disturb my sleep at ass o' clock before I really give in my urge to rip you apart with my teeth."

"First of all, my 'morning puraan' keeps you updated with the goings in the palace which is really not my job so thanks for the appreciation" he said sarcastically "Secondly, just because you are an alpha doesn't mean you can make words up, there is no such thing as ass o' clock, its 7 in the morning and way past your rising time Dear Alpha. You should be grateful it was me otherwise mum was going to unleash aashi on you"

"Fine, don't get your boxers in a twist, I am coming" he said and started to get ready.

The Alpha snapped into attention when cabir stiffened and his eyes went hazy, the sign of wolves telepathing with each other. "What happened?"

"Minor disturbances in north border. Apparently a woman decided our soldiers need some entertainment so she faked stealing and took our soldiers to a wild goose chase." Cabir was holding himself casually but Manik knew him since childhood, the small frown between his eyebrows and slight tightening of jaw belied the uncaring stance. Cabir was affected more than he wanted to show.

"How many times this has happened? What was she faking to steal? Is there any patterns we can discern?"

Cabir smiled a little. Did he really think his fake uncaring act could fool him. Hmm, his beta's skills are getting rusty, should up the practice hours.

"There's no real pattern to when she comes and it couldn't be a spy cuz a spy will be a lot more stealthy and would care if she got caught. She's really fast and always wanders in where the yellow monkshood patch is grown but all the flowers are intact. Nothing is taken. She just roams and when anyone tries to catch her, she runs."

"You think there might be a witch involvement here."Manik said reading between the lines.

"Yes, though there is no evidence but it makes sense the most. Even our best trackers couldn't track her. Either, she's an exceptionally well seasoned hunter or is serving a witch. The latter's more likely to be the case."

"Search the area where she has been seen more thoroughly, draw protective sigils around the area if there's a possibility that the witch might come herself we should be ready, and tell everyone to wear protection ring, anyone who doen't heed my words will have their heads cut off. I won't allow anyone to threaten the peace in my land." The Alpha growled, eyes flashing red at the possibility of unknown threat. "Tell Siddharth to take the devil twins with him to the border meetings. Someone is planning harm to my family and I won't rest till I get my hands bloody with their guts.

"Yes Alpha" Cabir bowed in submission though his eyes belied the blood thirst we felt inside.

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She ran as fast as her legs could take her. Her elbows were scraped, blood was trickling down her forehead from when she hit the branches trying to escape the soldiers. Her lungs felt like they were on fire, air escaping in gushing pants; every inhale painful like thousand knives scraping repeatedly in her chest. The wind whipped at her face, trying its best to slow her down but she continue running, adrenaline coursing in her veins urging her faster. She twisted and turned moving through between the trees to and backtracing her steps a few times to confuse her trail. All the time, the package determining her life from now on, held securely in her palms.

She forced herself to run faster, victory dancing on her lips as she saw the innocent looking daffodil borders. She waited a few minutes making sure no one has followed her before making way through the shrubs. She reached the entrance of a cave, dark and menacing even in the sunlight shrouded by the black ivy growing in thickets with thorns and poisonous berries hanging on each side that one wrong step and you will be dead. A perfect hiding spot.

She carefully moved the berries away to reveal a golden, shiny brick whic she then tapped in a particular rythm. TAP ONCE. PAUSE. TAP THRICE, PAUSE 1 2 TAP TAP. The brick opened with a soft whirr. A dark green looking slush came up and a blade. Loyalty Testing potion. The witch has become more paranoid then ever. She nicked herself little with the blade, cleaned it and let her blood drop into the green looking poop which turned clear as crystalline water before the glass disintegrated. The brick swirled and soon there was a door in place of the wall.

(Entrance of the cave)

(Where the witch resides)

The witch was concoting a potion with her back turned when she entered. "You brought the juice." She croaked in her raspy voice

"Uh uh. Here it is" She carefully unwrapped the package and placed the small jar on the table. "Fooled everyone into thinking I was a mad lady wanting to steal the yellow flower. No doubt, the garden is now doubly protected and in the chaos no one would think to check the nectar level of the plant Easy as pie."

"Don't become so arrogant. There is a reason 'The Blood Moon Pack' is the best pack across the world. It doesn't get the title by raising idiots." The witch said angrily "Keep your head down and do as I say. I won't let your foolishness come into my way of power"

The girl rolled her eyes from behind the mask "I don't care how and when you get the power witch, I delivered my part of promise. Its time to deliver yours. Make me the Queen of Alynthi as you promised." She demanded

"Patience child patience. I intend to deliver my promise but we have to wait till the end of the month. Super blood wolf moon is coming. The wolves will be celebrating, their powers will be at its peak and they would be at their most vulnerable especially the unmated ones, having their sense at mercy to their wolves. If the Alpha claims you publicly at that day, no one can refute tour claim as a queen. The Alpha's power will become half and I will be able to harness it. The world will be at our mercy. I will at last get my revenge." She smiled evily

The girl lifted her mask, one side of her face coverd in purple coloured horrible criss cross of scars "and I will rule the world, just like my destiny says." She smirked drinking a yellow potion giving her the back the beautiful enticing face.

(The half face mask the girl wears to cover the scarred part)

*************

So, finally the story begins. I know I know its been a very loooooooooooong time and I made you all wait a lot. Sorry guys with cheery on top *cue puppy face*

I tried to make it as perfect as I can and I hope it was worth your wait. If you like it, dont forget to hit the star button and share your views with me. *FINGERS CROSSED*

I had three different startings for my first chapter and finally went with this. Slow and steady wins the race right? Anyways I am not good a t building suspense but I tried my best. Its so much hardwork! *Phew* So now that I have completed this chapter, I can go and sleep like a dog. No tension. Lazy Mode Activated.

One more thing guys, all mistakes are mine. I have done editing to the best of my ability but if there's any mistake its mine and mine only.

The characters are mine except Manik and Cabir which are 'Parth Samthaan and 'Ayaz Ahmed' respectively from kyy. But the situation and the characterization is all mine. Many of the things here are fictious and from my imagination and google baba so no fact checking. I am not here to promote knowledge just entertainment.

THANK YOU AND HAVE A GOODY GOOD DAY

YOUR HOST AND DOST,

SHARANYA