No, I thought sullenly. I can't die now. How am I supposed to save everyone if I'm dead?

Thinking about the inevitable apocalypse gave me the strength to try and break free once more.

"Declan," I said through gritted teeth, my nails morphing into claws as they dug into his skin. Scarlet droplets turned into a steady stream dripping down from his arm, but it didn't alleviate the pressure on my neck. "I said, let go!" I screamed, giving one final yank on his arm. Surprisingly, I felt a rush of cool air hit the sore skin on my neck as Declan stumbled back, tripping and landing on the ground.

He sat there stunned for a few moments, looking dazed and confused. "You... how?" he sputtered, at a loss as he stared in shock at me. His eyes had lost that crazed look in them, and he seemed like he had most of his wits about him again.

I, on the other hand, was breathing heavily, nostrils flaring. I had felt a white-hot energy burn within me as I pushed him, and I could still feel it pulsing through my veins.

And now he couldn't stop staring at me.

Watching him as he sat on the ground, frozen, made me feel slightly guilty. My wolf was growling at me for potentially hurting him.

"Hey," I said, my voice coming out strong. This shocked me - with the amount of force he used my throat should hurt like hell, but it didn't. Chalking it up to werewolf healing, I brushed it off for the moment. "I'm sorry about that," I mumbled to Declan, extending a hand.

But he remained sprawled on the ground, eyes no longer fixed on my face, but rather my neck.

I looked at him curiously, hand automatically reaching to feel the skin on my neck. Nothing was there; not even a bruise.

"What?" I prompted him, shifting uncomfortably at the way my ex-mate was looking at me. The last remnants of the white energy ebbed away just as Declan pointed at me, green eyes wide and unblinking.

"Your... you have... you had.." he stammered, flustered. I would've found his behavior funny if I wasn't so stumped by his words.

"My what?"

Declan slowly climbed to his feet, a serious look on his features. Then he looked straight into my eyes and said: "Your mark. Who exactly are you?"

His words baffled me even more. "My... what?" I repeated, slower. "Mark? What are you talking about? And what do you mean 'who am I'? You've known me since we were kids - you used to tease me about my weight, remember?"

"The mark on your collarbone," he insisted, pointing to where his resided when he used his Alpha-powers. "It was... like mine, but different. It had two crescent moons around an upside-down circle with a hole in the bottom," he said, drawing the shape in the air. I just stared at him, unable to visualize it. "And it was white. Like a weird transparent white with a blue-ish tint to it. I've never seen a mark like that... not even on a king. So who the hell are you?" he repeated, after rambling a bit about bloodlines and marks.

My attention piqued at the mention of a king - didn't Aerytha mention something about them? If I recall correctly, I think she mentioned something about uniting the five kingdoms - I guess it would only make sense that a king would rule a kingdom.

"Hello? Earth to Angel, I asked you a question." Declan suddenly appeared in front of me, snapping his fingers rudely in my face.

"Like you said," I responded, pushing his hand away. "I'm Angel. Angel Echson."

"You know that's not what I meant," he growled, voice low. "Why are you marked?"

I opened my mouth to tell him once more that I had no idea what he was talking about when it dawned on me.

Is this because of the Moon Goddess thing? I mean, I'm probably ranked higher than a King and they have marks... Aerytha never mentioned anything about a mark though.

Nonetheless, if I did have a mark, that must be the reason why. There was no other explanation.

There was a second where I debated whether or not to tell him. How would he react? Would he go around telling people? I could only imagine trouble coming out of people discovering my secret - they were just too power-hungry for me to trust them. What if they tried to use me?

My mind made up, I looked him dead in the eyes as I said, "I don't know."

He stared back, inspecting every inch of my face. Finally, he snorted, folding his muscular arms across his broad chest. "Yeah, right. You definitely know why, but you're not telling me. I command you to tell me, now." Once again, his red crescent moon made a reappearance on his neck, and I could feel the power radiating from him.

Yet I felt no impulse to tell him, which was odd considering his was using his Alpha-tone. When an Alpha exerted his power, all pack members were compelled to do their bidding - probably as a result of their dominance over their pack. Resisting the urge to to do whatever their Alpha asked was unheard of. In fact, I'd say it was impossible. Is this another power of the Moon Goddess? No longer being controlled by my Alpha?

But Declan didn't know that I didn't have to listen to him anymore. So once again, I answered: "I don't know."

"You're lying, I can feel it! Tell me what you know! Who are you?!" he said, beginning to sound like a petulant child as his mark continued to glow brighter. He was getting frustrated, and my wolf whined at his distress. Ignoring how my wolf was feeling, I narrowed my eyes at him.

"I already told you! I have no idea!"

"Argh!" he shouted, and I could practically hear his teeth grinding together. "Why isn't this working?" he questioned aloud. "I'm using my Alpha-powers, you have to listen to me!"

"I am listening to you - I'm telling the truth!"

"No," he said, "you're not. I can still feel parts of the mate bond, and my wolf can tell that you're hiding something." He gave me an intense stare, and I couldn't help but fidget slightly under his gaze.

It's true that it takes up to a month for the mate-bond to officially fade after the rejection, but the human side of me barely felt anything for him anymore; just annoyance. My wolf, however, was a little more reluctant to give him up.

My human side is completely fine - so his should be too. Is his wolf really that powerful? Powerful enough to override human emotions?

"Fine. I'll just ask my father about your mark - he'll know what it means." Declan turned to go, and I felt panic flood me.

Although I wanted to talk to Alpha Zane about the Lupids, I wasn't ready for anyone to discover my destiny yet. And I had no doubt that he would know what my mark meant - when Alphas began to train to take over a pack, they studied the secrets of werewolf history. Secrets that no other member was allowed to see; it was rumored that these secrets held the key to immense power and wealth, and that Alphas were responsible for keeping them hidden. I've even heard that when an Alpha tried to abuse these secrets, he was executed by the Moon Goddess herself.

Reaching out, I grabbed Declan's arm just as his hand touched the doorknob.

"Wait," I called, causing him to stop in his tracks. "You can't tell him."

"And why not?" He looked at me expectantly, an eyebrow raised.

I bit my lip, unsure of what to say. "I.. just... it's not important, okay?" I muttered lamely, averting my eyes.

"Yeah right," he scoffed, and he twisted the doorknob, pushing the white door open.

"No!" I cried, rushing in front of him. I slammed the door shut, positioning my body in front of it. "Please, don't tell him!" Declan glared, and I could practically see his wolf bristling inside of him at my disrespectful behavior. He was reacting just like any other Alpha - ready to fight to the death at any sign of disrespect.

"And why not?" he repeated, voice dangerously low.

I took a deep breath, trying to buy a bit of time for me to figure out what to do. On one hand, I tell him, and risk him telling others. On the other, I don't tell him, but then he goes running to the Alpha.

Which is worse?

"Okay," I said hesitantly. "If I tell you what I think my mark means, you have to promise not to tell anyone. And I mean anyone. Not even your father can know," I warned, giving him a sharp look.

"Yeah, yeah. I promise I won't tell anyone," he said, with a wave of his hand. "Now tell me. Who are you, and how is it that you able to ignore the powers of an Alpha?"

"That's not good enough," I said with a shake of my head. "You have to give your word that you won't tell. Swear on it using the sacred oath," I insisted.

"What? Are you kidding me, you want me to give you my sacred oath?" he asked incredulously.

"Yes," I replied, my voice serious. He looked at me weirdly for a moment before sighing.

"Fine," he conceded. "I, Declan Sommers, swear under the light of the Moon Goddess that I won't tell anyone your secret or my soul shall descend into hell." As he spoke, his right hand was raised, thumb folded over his palm.

I gave a nod of satisfaction at his oath. "Okay, so, yeah. The reason I think I have a mark is because, well," I paused, inhaling a breath. "I'm the next Moon Goddess," I breathed out.

A skeptical look appeared on Declan's features. "You're what?" he asked, a brow raised. "The next Moon Goddess?" I nodded, and Declan let out a snort. "Yeah right. I give you my oath and you still try and lie to me?"

I glowered at him. "I'm not lying this time! You said that your wolf could tell if I'm hiding something - what is he saying now?"

His lips turned down into a frown, and his eyes searched every inch of my face. "He says you're telling the truth," he admitted quietly, but then he shook his head. "But the next Moon Goddess? That's impossible! There's only one Moon Goddess, and there has only been one! And you are definitely not her."

"You asked for the truth, and I delivered. And besides, how else can you explain the mark? You said it yourself - you've never seen it on anyone, not even a king. Not to mention the sudden surge of strength when you almost killed me. We both know I've never been strong, especially not nearly as strong as you," I said, listing the facts. Declan was silent for a few moments, lost deep in thought.

"But... how?" he finally spoke, rubbing at his temples as if he had a headache thinking about it. "I've always been taught that the Moon Goddess was the same for eternity. Yet you said you're the next Moon Goddess - does that mean she chose you to be her successor? Why you? Why now?"
I shrugged. "She didn't exactly choose me, but for some reason the powers of the Moon Goddess manifested within me. Aerytha said that the powers will manifest within a mortal whenever the werewolf race was in danger of going extinct."

"Who? Aerytha? And what are you talking about, we're not going extinct! There are hundreds of healthy packs across the globe, and I haven't heard of any disease about to wipe us out," he said, his words strangely similar to mine when Aerytha had first told me about the situation.

"The Moon Goddess," I corrected myself, forgetting for a moment that nobody knew her real name. "And it's not a disease - it's another species. They're trying to kill us all."

"What? The humans?" He let out another snort. "There's no way they could kill us all, even if they outnumber us. We're stronger and better than they are in every way."

"No, not the humans. A new species. The Moon Goddess called them 'Lupids', and they are better and stronger than us in every way. Their senses are more enhanced, and can heal even faster than we can."

"Wait, so why are they trying to kill us?" Declan asked. "We live peacefully with the humans, why can't we live peacefully with them too?"

"Let's just say that someone up there really hated us, and created the Lupids because they want us gone," I told him, pointing up at the sky.

"Up... there?" His tone held a note of confusion, and I nodded, sighing. I really didn't want to get into detail about it - I had too many important things to do.

"Yeah. Let's just say that the Moon Goddess is not the only one up there and there are other God-like people and stuff. But now that you know pretty much everything I do, can you go get your father? I need to talk with him about this whole situation."

Declan almost looked a bit dazed as he nodded, his movements slow. I wasn't surprised - I was the same way when Aerytha had explained all of this to me. It was a lot to take in.

He disappeared inside for a second, before reappearing with his father right behind him.

"Son?" Alpha Zane asked when he appeared in the doorway. "What is the meaning of this? Why have you brought me to see an omega?" He barely spared me a glance as he addressed Declan. This had my wolf bristling with annoyance - he didn't even have the decency to face me and ask me himself.

"She... she needs to talk with you. About the Lupids," Declan murmured. At this, the Alpha's eyes widened, and soon his intense green gaze was focused on me.

"Lupids? How would you know about them?" he asked, shock lacing his tone.

"I heard some pack members talking about them," I lied. "They said that they were going to eliminate the werewolf race. Is it true?" I asked, despite knowing that it was. I didn't want to raise any suspicions - I was an omega after all. I wasn't supposed to know anything.

Alpha Zane's eyes scanned the area, before he grabbed my forearm. "Hurry, come inside," he said, gently pulling me through the threshold into his home. The door shut behind us as the Alpha guided me into the living room, and gestured for me to sit on one of the plush navy blue couches. He then took a seat in a nearby leather recliner, Declan sat in the one opposite him. "So," he said, once we were settled. "Who exactly did you hear this from?"

I shrugged. "I can't remember. I was doing my chores and heard it from the dining room, but I couldn't see who was talking."

Alpha Zane let out a sigh, rubbing at the space between his eyebrows. "Nobody is supposed to know," he mumbled, barely loud enough for me to hear. "How could they find out already? This could cause a panic." He sounded stressed, and I felt bad for making my Alpha feel this way.

"Don't worry," I tried to reassure him. "I think only a couple people know - this was after the normal lunch time and there couldn't have been more than three or four people in the room that heard."

"Still," he muttered. "I guess it's too late to convince you that it's not true, isn't it?" he sighed. "Just don't go spreading it around - I don't need a riot on my hands."

I nodded. "Don't worry Alpha, you can trust me," I told him earnestly. "But what are we going to do? How are you planning to fight them? I want to help."

He gave me a grave look. "There is no plan."

I blinked. "There is no plan? What do you mean? Surely you know how much danger we're in... we can't just let them take us down without a fight!"

"I understand, I don't want to just sit here and do nothing. But physically there's nothing we can do. Based on what I've heard, they have the strength of ten werewolves in each and every one of them. And they have no mercy - any werewolf they see is instantly slaughtered if they are caught; no questions asked," Alpha Zane said sadly, eyes cast downwards. "We're doomed." I could practically see his green eyes glimmer with unshed tears.

"But Dad! There has to be something! Maybe if we do tell everyone, then we can rise up against them!" Declan protested, his words echoing my thoughts.

But his father shook his head. "No. Some packs in the valley tried that - they united to form an army of two thousand werewolves. They went up against maybe five hundred of these creatures, but the battle ended quickly. They were decimated - all of them."

Declan visibly paled, and I could feel my lips press together. "But that's... that's unheard of," he whispered. "Two thousand werewolves? Killed? Just like that?" Another solemn nod from his father.

"Yes. And that is why I don't want word to get out. I want our pack to live in peaceful oblivion for as long as we can. I know that if we try to fight this enemy, we will lose everything."

His answer had me floored. We weren't going to do anything? Just sit and wait to be slaughtered like cattle?

"There's gotta be something we can do," I whispered, but the hope that had once filled me was dwindling with each passing word.

"I'm sorry, but if there is a solution, I don't have it," Alpha Zane said, his voice laced with regret. For the first time ever, he didn't seem like the powerful Alpha that controlled the Star Fur Pack, but a beaten down old man.

"Someone has to know how to defeat them!" Declan cried out, hand gripping the leather of the recliner so hard that puncture marks appeared.

Alpha Zane gave a shrug. "I'm sorry," he stated simply.

I sat in silence. Declan was right - there was somebody that could defeat them - me.

Didn't Aerytha mention something about the five kingdoms? About how they needed to be united?

"What about the kings?" I suddenly blurted. "Surely they're aware of this threat, they must be doing something to stop it."

"If they have anything planned, I wasn't informed about it. Nobody has heard anything from the King in a couple months. The only reason I know about the creatures and the attacks is because word has been travelling from one Alpha to another. I just hope the King is okay," Alpha Zane muttered, looking more distressed by the minute.

"So everyone's in the dark?" At this rate, I'm never going to be able to unite the kingdoms. It seems like nobody wants to talk about this threat. The grim thought crossed my mind, and I frowned. No wonder they're going to wipe us out - everyone is so disconnected from one another.

Alpha Zane nodded. "Basically, yes."

I thought about this for a minute.

If I am to unite the kingdoms, I should probably go speak to the King. Maybe I can find out why he hasn't told anyone, or if he's in danger.

"What if I went to go talk to him?" I suggested hesitantly. It was rare that pack members travelled outside of their territory, and unheard of for an omega to be asking permission to leave. But I knew this was necessary for our survival.

The Alpha looked at me in disbelief. "You? An omega? Going to speak to the King?" I met his gaze with a steady one of my own until he shook his head. "I would never allow it. Omegas aren't allowed to leave pack territory unless the pack is evacuating. Although your proposal is intriguing - maybe I should send some of my guards to request an audience with the King," he mused. "But who would I send? We're already short-handed, and the valley isn't too far from here... if the Lupids were to attack while some of my men were away then we would definitely be doomed," he pondered aloud, and I jumped at this chance.

"Exactly! You don't need me - I don't even know how to fight. So at least if you send me, you can keep all of your warriors and the pack will be safer," I pointed out, and his green eyes bore into mine. I clasped my hands together to keep from fidgeting under his piercing stare.

A few beats of silence passed before he spoke again.

"Fine," he said. "You may go, but on one condition." He paused, and I looked at him questioningly. "My son must accompany you." 

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whaaat she has to travel with her bully?? i promise it's not as cliche as it sounds xD