Two hours later, Rei and two young men from her group slipped out of the guest house, their movements cloaked by the night air. They moved with practiced stealth, unnoticed by the residents of the adjacent staff building. Even the slightest sound was absorbed into the night, as though they were mere whispers on the wind.
Before arriving, Rina had provided them with a detailed map of Kageoden, familiarizing them with the terrain despite this being their first time in the heart of the territory. Their instincts, guided by Rina's knowledge, were sharp. The weight of their mission pressed on them, but the thrill kept their movements light, as if the wind itself carried them forward.
Using their Wind Pack abilities, they glided unseen, like shadows on the breeze. The cool, still air surrounded them, the only sound the soft crunch of gravel beneath their feet. As they neared the alpha's manor, the path grew steeper. Trees thinned out, revealing glimpses of the sprawling estate ahead. The gravel path crunched underfoot, the air thick with the scent of moss and damp earth, and a chill crept into their bones. The manor ahead stood in stark contrast, its tall stone walls bathed in the soft glow of moonlight.
Every step felt like a move into unknown territory, the grandeur of Kageoden looming, its silhouette casting an imposing shadow. The very earth seemed to hold its breath in anticipation.
Alert and careful, they pressed on, knowing a single mistake could cost them everything. Their senses were sharp as they scanned the shadows, but the silence grew more unsettling with each step.
The path to the manor was eerily abandoned. No guards, no patrols, not a soul in sight. It was as though the estate had been forgotten, the lack of security a stark contrast to the expected precautions of a pack with such power.
Rei exchanged glances with her companions, unsettled. How could such an important place be left exposed like this?
Her grip tightened on her blade, and as the pieces clicked into place, the memory of the overwhelming aura from earlier flashed in her mind. The lack of guards wasn't neglect—it was intentional.
"The absence of patrols isn't a mistake," Rei murmured, her voice firm. "The alpha's power is too dangerous for anyone to be close to. This is deliberate."
Her companions nodded, understanding dawning. The absence of guards wasn't weakness; it was a shield to protect others from the alpha's overwhelming force.
"It's the aura," Rei continued, her voice steady. "It's too dangerous for anyone to be near. That's why they're kept away from the manor."
The wind whispered through the trees as their realization settled in. It wasn't just distance; it was survival. The force of the alpha's presence could keep even the strongest warriors at bay.
"Are you ready, Rei?" one of them asked, breaking the silence.
Rei gave a firm nod, her gaze hardening with resolve. Without another word, they moved closer to the manor, each step deliberate.
The manor stood before them, unguarded.
Rei frowned. The grand entrance stood wide open, inviting anyone to approach, as though the manor were welcoming intruders. There were no sentries, no watchful eyes, no defenses at all. It felt too easy—too perfect.
Her fingers tightened instinctively around her weapon, but something about the situation didn't sit right. The manor seemed defenseless on purpose, a trap meant to draw them in.
As they stepped over the threshold, Rei's thoughts turned to the future. The ease of their entry simplified their task, but it also fueled her determination. When she became Luna of the Shadow Wolf Pack—when, not if—she would reshape the pack. This... this wasn't how a pack of their caliber should function. She could already see the flaws, the room for chaos.
Rei's lips pressed into a thin line. She was born in the 90s, raised in a world of constant change. This old way of life wasn't enough. The old ways needed to go. There was a future to build, and she would be the one to shape it.
They didn't need to search long. Based on Rina's map, they quickly found the alpha's chamber. The door was shut. Rei exchanged a glance with the others, nodding in silent agreement.
The two young men emptied their pockets, revealing sachets of odorless powder—medicine potent enough to knock out an elephant. With practiced precision, they donned their masks and, using wind magic, blew the powder into the room. They couldn't risk using anything stronger, as the alpha might detect their aura. They'd suppressed it enough to remain undetected.
They waited ten minutes to ensure the medicine took effect, then slowly opened the door. Inside, the room was dark, but moonlight filtered through the window, enough to make out the form of a man lying on his side, appearing to sleep.
Carefully, they approached, sprinkling more powder as they moved closer, ensuring he was truly unconscious before proceeding.
"Rei, do it now," the young man signaled, his voice barely a whisper.
With a steady breath, Rei moved forward. As she neared, she saw his face, and her breath caught. Her heart skipped a beat.
He was... handsome. There were no words to describe him, nothing that could capture the sheer intensity of his presence. She felt an unexplainable pull toward him, an undeniable desire to possess him. I will have him. The thought surged through her mind with a primal certainty.
Months ago, Rina and the others had discovered a book in the forgotten ruins of the Shinsei Mikazuki clan, the lost healer wolf tribe wiped out during the Great War. In it was a method to cure werewolves and lycans who couldn't control their powers—when the wolf and human couldn't harmonize, driving them to madness. The cure involved putting the patient into a trance by injecting the healer's aura into a specific part of the heart. While under the trance, the healer could control the patient's every move, thought, and action. The goal was to heal the wolf's soul and bring balance with the human side.
But the Ookaze clan saw more. If Rei could put the alpha of the Shadow Wolf Pack into a trance, she could make him hers—become the Lycan Queen—and bring immense power to the Wind Pack.
The catch? The method only worked on normal wolves, not primordial ones. Primordial wolves were born perfect, their souls already in harmony, and they had mind control abilities of their own. But Rei didn't care. She was confident it wouldn't matter. As she knelt beside Hizuki, she felt an eerie sense of control. He was perfectly positioned for her to access his heart.
"Here we go…" she murmured, injecting her aura into her hands and directing it to the specific part of his heart. She had practiced this method countless times, perfecting it. She had even tested it on Yuito, and it worked.
"Is it done?" her companions asked, anticipation thick in their voices.
Rei nodded, her focus unwavering. Using wind magic, they cleared all traces of the medicine, pushing it outside onto the balcony. They produced another sachet, this one containing the antidote, and held it near Hizuki's nose.
His eyes snapped open. All three of them gasped. His gaze was cold—gold and blue, piercing, and expressionless.
"Husband, it's me, Rei," Rei said, her voice soft as she stepped forward, desperate for him to see her.
Hizuki's response was swift. "Woman, get your paws off me," he growled, pushing Rei across the room with brutal force. She crashed into the wall.
Before anyone could react, he grabbed one of the young men by the neck, snapping it without hesitation. The other tried to run, but he was too slow—he, too, met the same fate.
Rei stood frozen, unable to process the horror unfolding before her. "No… no… it shouldn't be like this," she whispered, tears streaming down her face. "It shouldn't be like this…"
Hizuki approached her, each step deliberate, his gaze heavy with disdain. His disheveled kimono fluttered in the breeze, moonlight casting an ethereal glow behind him, making him look like an avenging god.
"Oh? What should it be, then?" Hizuki drawled, his voice low and mocking, a sneer on his lips.
Rei wiped her tears, voice trembling with desperation. "You should listen to me. I'm your wife."
His eyes narrowed. "Wife? A disgusting thing like you?" Hizuki scoffed. "Never."
With terrifying ease, he grabbed her by the neck, lifting her off the ground. "I won't kill you. It would be troublesome," he said, his voice cold. "But since you like playing mind control so much... I'll let you experience it properly."
Rei's mind raced as cold terror gripped her. His bicolored eyes shimmered, pupils shifting. It was then that she realized—too late—who he truly was.
"No…" she whispered in horror. "No… Primordial wolf…"