Eden Grace
Eden's face turned pale as ash, as soon as she saw the news on the tv.
It was him! Cassian Blackthorn! The infamous eldest grandson of the legendary Blackthorn pack! The future ruler of the most powerful werewolf clan in the continent.
To add, Cassian was also Jake's cousin. And the boy she had a terrible history with back in school days.
While Jake was the Blackthorn family's golden boy, well-mannered and well respected among humans and werewolves, his cousin Cassian was everything Jake wasn't.
Cassian Virelli Blackthorn had a reputation that stretched far beyond pack borders. There were whispers about how he ruled the underground wolf territories with brutal dominance, how rogue packs bowed before him, how even elder Alphas hesitated before crossing his path.
They called him the Shadow Alpha.
The Beast Prince.
Yet in the public world, he was a charming billionaire, the CEO of multiple international corporations that secretly funded pack operations, his smile polished enough to hypnotize both humans and wolves alike. Enough to make the media swoon.
"No... no no no…!" Eden held her head in disbelief, her fingers digging into her scalp.
How could I mess this up!!!
It felt like the air had been knocked out of her lungs. Her thoughts spun wildly as she stared at the screen.
How come she couldn't recognize him? How could she have looked him in the eye and not felt that same old chill crawl down her spine?
Back in school, he had been rough around the edges. He was always wild and unpredictable, always in trouble. He was the boy with chaos in his veins and secrets behind his smirk.
But now…he looked like a fallen wolf god, carved out of sin and silence. He was no longer a reckless cub with chaos in his shadow. He was a full grown Alpha now. Powerful. Untouchable.
"Wasn't he supposed to be abroad? In the Northern Territories?" Eden panicked, her fingers trembling out of fear.
Bella, who was eating her burger, looked at Eden puzzled, "Who was supposed to be out of the territories?"
"Him!!" Eden pointed out on the TV of the store.
Bella followed her gaze to TV, casually chewing the food. "Oh, that's Cassian Blackthorn. The grandson of Alexander Blackthorn. Didn't you know…he's been back from abroad for a year now. He reclaimed half the western packs already."
Eden felt the blood drain from her face. Been a year and she didn't come to know?
How could she know as she was busy pleasing Jake all the time…? Her whole life was dedicated to Jake that she failed to notice the outer world.
Bella kept talking, blissfully unaware. "Let me tell you he's ruthless as hell. They say he's ruthless. He crushed three rival Alpha families in six months. Forced two packs into submission without spilling a drop of blood. Merged three rival pack companies in six months. Everyone says he's brutal in the boardroom. They say if he wants something, he'll get it. Doesn't matter who's in the way."
Eden slowly sat back on the sofa, her thoughts spiraling into a dangerous whisper.
Out of all the people… she had handed over the years of secrets to him. The secret her parents took to the grave, the thing she swore she'd never speak of, now she had told him…!
Bella blinked at her. "What's up with your face? Why do you look like you just saw a ghost? Are you alright? Does it hurt anywhere?"
"I messed up. My life is ruined now!" Eden gasped, holding her head in horror.
Bella leaned in, frowning. "What do you mean? Are you referring to the recent scandal..?"
Eden's voice trembled. "No, not that I…I saved him. I saved that man not knowing who he was... I had no idea."
Bella's eyes widened as she gaped at the TV. "Saved? You mean were the one who saved the Blackthorn pack heir!? Wait…come to think of it, the location where he was found matches where I tracked you yesterday. Also your clothes stained with blood explains it. So you really were the one who saved him?"
Eden suddenly got up and ran towards where her suitcase was.
"Eden?" Bella called out in confusion. "What are you doing?"
Eden dropped to her knees beside it, unzipping it hastily, her fingers fumbling in desperation.
From beneath folded clothes and notebooks, she pulled out an old, little burnt leather-bound book, the research book of her parents!
She opened it with shaking hands and began flipping through the pages, her eyes scanning desperately until she finally reached the section she was looking for.
About her pack lineage. The ancient wolf in the picture was exactly like Ishira. It's exactly like my wolf, Eden gasped.
According to her parents' research, her bloodline belonged to a forgotten clan of werewolves called 'Isalith' that had existed since ancient times.
The Isalith she-werewolves who inherited Ishira like wolves were such excellent healers that could neutralize deadly poisons, mend shattered organs and restore life where death should have claimed it. And because of this, it drew massive attention…especially from the packs dominated by ruthless men.
The royal blooded wolves, pack leaders, warlords and merciless rulers driven by desire wanted their power all to themselves.
Packs were invaded, conquered and captured, stripping them of freedom and treating them like possessions rather than living beings.
Generations of Isalith were bound in chains, forced to obey, their gifts exploited while their names and stories were erased.
Seeing that many Isalith she-wrewolves began to hide from everyone, masking themselves and living silently while secretly devoting themselves to their gifts in secret, practicing their healing, nurturing life quietly, knowing the world outside would never understand…or would destroy what they were.
Eden's hand trembled as she pressed it against the chest, closing her eyes, realizing the weight of what she held.
She understood now why her parents had always called her special, why her lineage had been hidden, why the world needed to remain blind to the power she carried.
Ishira was precious, more precious than Eden had words to describe and for the first time, she felt the full, raw surge of responsibility.
She could not, she would not, allow anything to harm her wolf.
She had to protect her at all costs because she remembers the gigantic black wolf standing before her, whose presence alone was enough to make weaker wolves bow in instinctive submission.
That royal black wolf of the legendary Blackthorn pack! Out of all werewolves she had to be mated with him! Why Moon Goddess! Why!
No, she has to protect Ishira, otherwise he'll kill her!
Eden's hands shook as she opened the old half burnt research books, scanning the pages for the ingredients that could mask Ishira's bond, conceal her presence.
Because she had remembered her parents taught when she was a child how to conceal their scent, their wolf presence temporarily only her pack lineage knew. She had to make it!
Her bioscientist parents were famous for making potions and antidotes. Eden being a prodigy had learnt everything her parents had taught.
"Bella, I need some herbs! Let's go get it!"
"What right now!?" Bella looked at her surprised.
"Yes, right now!" Eden pulled Bella out and went to buy some herbs.
Every herb, every vial she pulled out made her heart pound faster, but determination surged stronger, she would not let Ishira fall into the hands of anyone, no matter how powerful.
She has no time left! She needs to make the potion and get out of the territory and run somewhere far away!!
As Eden was preparing the potion, suddenly the sharp buzz of her phone shattered the silence.
The screen lit up from where it lay on the desk between them.
Unknown Caller.
Eden's stomach turned to ice. Unknown caller? Who would call her now?
But before she could stop it Bella already had picked up the phone and answered it. "Hello..?"
"It's been a while, little pet."
Eden's face drained. Shit!!!!