Prologue
The Woods of Wakerlin sat cloaked in unsettling darkness. The skies stretched far and wide overhead, not a single star glimmering in the distance. Even the trees stood lanky and unmoving with no rushing fall of water. No wind was whispering through leaves. At this hour, no life stirred.
A moment ago; men, women, and children had paced the grimy dank streets, the monstrous night wave forcing them behind bolted doors. The air that had hummed with a troubled urgency, only a few seconds ago, now stood still. The chillness was sharp. The night thicker than ever.
Then slowly and gradually, the dense clouds parted. Blinding silver light rained upon the rotten county as a spark of electricity slipped into the air. People rushed to their windows with bewildered gazes glued to the sky.
It was entirely bizarre.
After days, no months of moonless nights, it appeared that God had finally decided to light up their county’s pitch-black nights. People stood rooted to their spots, hands clapped over their mouths, eyes petrified in disbelief. As they watched, the large yellow moon was hanging too low in the sky.
The air sang its usual silent song, at least until an earth-shattering scream sliced it apart.
The beast let out a piercing wail into the arms of the chill winds. The night around him was death-still. The cold air silent, save the hissing sound of his body as it whizzed through the grass, talons digging the earth, stormy gray eyes fixed ahead. The darkness was welcoming. The delicious smell was stirring amidst it, all too familiar. And with every swift step, the beast felt itself getting stronger, sensed the long-lost malice in it sting through his very bones, awakening all desires.
The small, rickety cottage loomed into view. Pale yellow light leaked through the tiny windows, the loud, animalistic voices laughing within, burning with might – his might. At the very sight of it, the beast dragged in a slow breath. He leaned his head back, letting his gaze escape to the pale moon, staring curiously overhead. Peculiar energy rushed through his eyes, the silvery moonlight coursing through every limb, blessing a dark power. The beast sagged under the weight of it, his rust-red lips curving into a cunning smile. The gods had finally listened to his wish, after all.
In a fraction of second, the beast was at the threshold with his metal boots hitting the ground. A wave of energy shot through his body, long silver hair digging back into his skin, his spine facing the sky, and hands hitting his sides. The brilliant moonlight caught in the rings of his eyes, which glinted emerald green.
As he sauntered into the room, a loud cheer erupted across the length of it. Whistles and applause broke the air, and men and women rose to their feet with veneration saturating their hungry gazes.
The beast held his hand up, and a deep quietude pervaded the air. He stood right before them; broad shoulders held back, a fence in his strong jaw.
"My dear brothers and sisters of the Wakerlin Woods." His voice was slow, deep – and strangely potent. It sucked the attention of every soul in the room, their eyes locked on him. "We are gathered here on this prestigious night to celebrate the coming of better times. To celebrate war. To celebrate our freedom. " A roar of joy broke in the crowd. "For long years, we were forced behind closed doors with our rights denied, and our voices were always going unheard.”
My brother Marco," He instinctively spat on the ground before continuing, "has brought along with himself a damned rule. A rule carved by injustice causing exile to us folks." His mouth curved into a monstrous grimace. "But no more, my friends. No more!" He let out a low growl, which was followed by loud cries of rapture from the people. Those in the very front could catch the whiff of rage issuing off the beast, see the purpose in his eyes, a feel a hunger for victory possessing his very senses. It only drew them closer to him, like moths drawn to a burning flame.
He was their god; their only ray of blinding optimism. And they had sold all their faith to their master.
"All I ask of you is some patience and faith in yourselves and our prospects. We have struggled for months on ends, and our reward is now within reach, folks. So, hang tight to each other. Tonight, let us pledge to fight with our blood and sweat, and push to our extreme limits. To reclaim what has always been ours: The majestic Wakerlin woods."
He stepped away from the podium with his hands stuffed into his pockets as he headed towards the door. A man appeared at his side,
"Sire, the Usra tribe has also sold their allegiance to you. A delegation from our county met their leader today, and we have their word. However, they ask arms and a decent portion of the spoils of war-"
"Money is no concern, Hermatus. Make arrangements for their encampments." He kept moving forward, pausing at the next question asked.
"Yes, sire. Are you meeting with their leader at dawn?"
"No, I'm riding at dawn. I shall be back in a fortnight. Till then, I expect you to handle matters with acute shrewdness. Should any upset arise, inform me immediately, and I'll dispatch new orders. Am I clear?"
"Perfectly, sire."
With a stiff nod, the beast marched ahead, and Hermatus called from behind,
"But pray, where are you riding to, sire?"
The beast averted his head, glancing at Hermatus from over his shoulder.
"The Arkshire County."
Chapter 1
Marco Farkas couldn’t understand why he felt so drawn to her. She didn’t exactly walk with the best aura. It looked like she deliberately wanted to be invisible, dressed in grey sweats with her dark hair up in a bun. He’d caught a whiff of it passing by, and it stopped him in his tracks. Pine, with a sharp twinge of the river.
Who smelled like that?
Her presence had him nailed to the ground, and he took a discreet look over his shoulder as the petite woman strolled by him with a metal basket clinking around with a glass bottle of milk, some bags of candy, and a big bag of chips. His eyes traveled the length of her plain attire, and he had to admit that her pants really complimented the curve of her bottom. But her face…it intrigued him.
