Alpha Elijah orders his mate's belongings to be moved to the next room, away from his own, signaling a growing rift in their troubled union.
He presided over the Blackwood pack council meeting, discussing crucial developments. Suddenly, Ophelia burst in, her face contorted in outrage.
Ophelia: "How could you? What type of mate sends his own mate's belongings outside the matrimonial room? To a different room!"
Her thunderous voice shook the council members, leaving everyone, including Elijah, stunned.
Elijah: "Get. Out!"
Ophelia's anger intensified.
Ophelia: "You can as well tell me to leave your life too, so you can replace it with that slave witch!"
The council members hastily exited, sensing the volatile atmosphere.
Elijah commanded the guards to leave, isolating himself and Ophelia.
Elijah: "You have insulted my entire being to the very face of my subjects. What type of wolf are you?"
Ophelia sneered.
Ophelia: "A royalty, not like your stupid witch. And you are not worthy of me!"
Elijah's anger boiled over, his wolf enraged by her disrespect.
He rushed towards her, teeth bared. Ophelia's wolf sensed danger, and they challenged each other.
The air was electric with tension, both aware Elijah would emerge victorious.
Elijah's wolf teeth sank into Ophelia's wolf skin, drawing blood.
He stormed out, leaving Ophelia injured and seething.
The meeting adjourned, Elijah unleashed his fury in the training field.
His warrior instincts took over, pounding his frustration into the fight.
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Aria rode Snow, Elijah's majestic white stallion, its incredible speed devouring the distance. She arrived at the secluded cottage, nestled among wild trees, smoke drifting from the chimney. The scent of smoked fish wafted through the air.
She tied Snow to a nearby tree and approached the door. Before she could knock, it swung open. Her father, Erian, stood before her, grey beard unkempt, eyes sunken.
Erian: "Aria?"
Aria's hair cascaded down her back, no scarf to conceal her identity.
Aria: "Father!"
Erian's eyes widened, tears welling up.
Erian: "I thought I lost you. I thought I lost my daughter."
He enveloped her in a warm hug, relief and joy etched on his face.
Aria: "I'm home, Father."
Tears streamed down their faces as they reunited.
Inside, Erian served Aria smoked fish with savory sauce. She savored each bite under his watchful gaze.
After the meal, they shared stories. Aria spoke of Wolfland and Malakai.
Erian: "I'll kill that Malakai with my own hands. He's cursed, responsible for Netherlands' downfall."
Aria's eyes widened.
Aria: "You know him?"
Erian: "Elders in Netherlands know him. His mother betrayed us, returned pregnant with Malakai."
Aria: "Who's his father?"
Erian: "A vampire, one of Mother Earth's cursed beings."
Aria: "Malakai's half-vampire?"
Erian: "We accepted him until he started killing our animals, living off blood. He killed his own mother."
Aria's horror grew.
Erian: "The council banished him to Netherlands' deep forest. Many thought he died or left for his father's realm."
Aria: "How did he suppress Netherlands' magic?"
Erian: "Ancient warlock lore speaks of a pregnant fairy's power."
Aria: "A pregnant fairy? I thought they were myths."
Erian: "They exist, hidden among us. I've seen them."
Aria: "How can her power be harnessed?"
Erian: "You must cook her, drink the fluid."
Aria's disgust was palpable.
Aria: "How can someone kill a pregnant fairy for evil?"
Erian: "Malakai's evil runs deep. He killed fairies, innocent beings."
Their conversation flowed into the night, until exhaustion claimed them.
Erian surrendered his bed to Aria, sleeping on woolen sheets beside her.
His heart swelled with joy, knowing his child was alive.
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The next morning, Erian and Aria embarked on a serene fishing trip, their laughter echoing across the tranquil waters. The sun shone brightly, casting a warm glow.
Aria: "Father, you have to come with me. I can't have you stay here. It's lonely."
Erian chuckled, his eyes twinkling with amusement.
Erian: "It's not, my child. This place is peaceful, and I have good neighbors."
Aria's curiosity piqued.
Aria: "Neighbors? I don't see anyone."
Erian smiled knowingly.
Erian: "They will meet you tonight. Wait till they visit; you'll like them."
Aria mentioned her mother's wish for Erian to accompany her.
Erian's expression softened, nostalgia washing over him. He thought of his first love, Lirien Moonflower.
Erian: "I'll see her."
The weight of his reply hinted at a long-awaited reconciliation.
As dusk fell, Aria assisted with dinner preparations while Erian grilled the catch. The aroma of smoked fish filled the air. Golden lights flickered in the distance, signaling the arrival of his mysterious neighbors.
The fairies, young and old, swarmed around Aria, their wings fluttering.
"She's beautiful!"
"Oh, she's a darling!"
"Such a beauty!"
"The hair, so gorgeous!"
Aria, awestruck, struggled to speak.
A concerned fairy inquired.
"Is she mute?"
Aria apologized.
Aria: "Sorry for my rudeness; I'm just speechless. I've never seen a fairy."
The fairies bombarded her with questions.
"How do you comb your hair?"
Queen Shakira's majestic entrance commanded reverence. Erian bowed, nudging Aria to follow suit.
Queen Shakira: "How's our chosen child?"
Aria: "Me? Um, I'm alright!"
The queen's gentle touch ignited a warm sensation within Aria.
The fairies gasped.
"She's pregnant!"
"Oh, she's carrying a baby!"
"I love babies!"
"Erian is a grandfather!"
Erian's shock mirrored Aria's.
Erian: "What? Aria, you're pregnant?"
Aria protested.
Aria: "There's some mix-up; I'm not pregnant. I can't be pregnant!"
Queen Shakira revealed.
Queen Shakira: "A wolf's offspring."
Erian's concern deepened.
Erian: "Oh no!"
Aria's hands instinctively cradled her belly.
Queen Shakira: "Don't feel bad; the children are destined to be."
Aria: "Children?"
The fairies chorused.
"Oh, twins!"
"Like two babies!"
"I love twins!"
Aria fainted, her body gently lowered to the bed by fairy magic.
Erian's worries dissipated, replaced by determination.
Erian: "I'm a grandfather?"
Queen Shakira reassured.
Queen Shakira: "Don't be disappointed. She's the chosen one; everything is the Almighty's doing."
Erian nodded, resolve etched on his face.
The fairies departed, promising to return the next day.
Their hidden realm, invisible to mortal eyes, lay nearby.
Erian knew their proximity but had never ventured into their enchanted town.
As the fairies vanished, Erian tenderly covered Aria with the sheets, concern etched on his face.
Aria stirred, confusion clouding her eyes.
Aria: "Father...what happened?"
Erian smiled reassuringly.
Erian: "You fainted. Queen Shakira revealed you're carrying twins."
Aria's hands instinctively cradled her belly.
Aria: "Twins? How?"
Erian's expression turned solemn.
Erian: "A wolf's offspring she said."
Aria's eyes widened in shock.
Aria: "No...this can't be!"
Erian's gentle touch calmed her.
Erian: "Destiny has its ways. We'll face this together."
The night passed, Aria's mind racing with questions.
Next morning, the fairies returned, bearing gifts.
Queen Shakira: "For the chosen one and her offspring."
Aria, still reeling, smiled weakly.
Aria: "Thank you...Your Majesty."
Queen Shakira placed a hand on Aria's belly.
Queen Shakira: "The twins will bring balance. Protect them."
Erian vowed.
Erian: "I'll safeguard them with my life."
As the fairies departed, Aria turned to Erian.
Aria: "Father...what does this mean?"
Erian's eyes locked onto hers.
Erian: "We'll uncover the truth together. Our family's destiny is intertwined."