Long Years Ago.
The car sped through the empty road like a hunted beast fleeing the night. Its engine roared in protest as Edgar pressed harder on the accelerator, his eyes locked on the road ahead as if looking away for even a second would spell their end. His heart hammered violently against his ribs, each beat echoing with fear and urgency. His hands trembled around the steering wheel, slick with sweat despite the cold night air seeping through the windows.
Beside him, Amelia clutched their five-year-old son tightly against her chest. Her tears fell freely, soaking the child's hair as she rocked him in a desperate attempt to soothe his cries. The boy sobbed uncontrollably, his small body shaking with fear, unaware of the full danger chasing them—yet feeling it all the same.
When the road finally ended, a massive estate rose before them like a fortress. High stone walls surrounded the enormous mansion, crowned with iron gates that stood tall and imposing, as if daring danger itself to cross. Relief flickered briefly in Edgar's eyes as he swerved the car to a stop in front of the gate.
They jumped out at once. Amelia nearly collapsed as her knees buckled, but Edgar caught her just in time, wrapping an arm around her waist to steady her. Fear had drained the strength from her body, leaving only panic behind.
As they approached the gate, the guards immediately went on alert. Hands reached for weapons—until recognition dawned. The moment the guards identified the couple, the gates swung open without delay.
No time was wasted. Edgar and Amelia rushed inside the main house, their footsteps echoing against the polished floors. At the foot of the grand staircase stood Alpha George and Luna Elisabeth, already waiting—as if they had sensed the storm approaching long before it arrived.
"What happened?" Elisabeth asked urgently, rushing forward. "Why are you crying, Amelia?"
Amelia could no longer stand. She fell to her knees before them, clutching her son as her body shook with sobs. Edgar followed, kneeling beside her despite the blood seeping through his torn clothes.
"What's going on, Edgar?" Alpha George demanded, his voice heavy with concern. "Why are you bleeding?"
Edgar lifted his head, desperation etched into his face. "We're begging you, George… Elisabeth," he said hoarsely. "Please. Let our son stay here. Keep him safe."
The couple frowned, confusion and alarm flashing across their expressions.
"Why?" Luna Elisabeth asked gently as she knelt in front of Amelia, rubbing the child's back soothingly. "What happened? Why are you both covered in blood?"
"Our enemies breached our home," Edgar replied grimly. "They slaughtered most of my people." His voice cracked. "We came here to entrust our son to you. Please—take him. Protect him."
Shock washed over Alpha George and Luna Elisabeth.
"Then stay here with us," Alpha George said firmly. "Your enemies wouldn't dare cross our borders."
Edgar shook his head without hesitation. "I can't abandon my people. They are sacrificing their lives to protect us—and I will do the same for them." His gaze shifted to Amelia. "She will stay here too—"
"No," Amelia cut in sharply, lifting her tear-filled eyes to meet his. "We will face them together."
Edgar tried to argue, tried to force her to stay for their son's sake—but Amelia refused. If Edgar was willing to die for their people, then so was she. That was their duty as leaders. To protect those who depended on them, until their very last breath.
With heavy hearts, Alpha George and Luna Elisabeth took the child into their arms. Edgar and Amelia wasted no more time. They turned and left the pack house, returning to the inferno waiting for them.
Alpha George wanted to send warriors to fight alongside them, but Edgar refused at first—fearful their enemies might track his son if too many left the territory. In the end, Alpha George insisted on sending a small unit to help.
Before they parted, Edgar and Amelia promised they would return for their child.
But that promise was never fulfilled.
***One Year Later***
Jacob sat quietly beneath a large tree in the garden, his small hands resting limply on his lap as he watched the other children play. Their laughter filled the air as they chased one another across the grass, carefree and bright.
He wanted to join them.
But his body refused to move.
Since witnessing his home being attacked and destroyed, Jacob had changed. The once cheerful child had grown silent, distant. His eyes often stared into nothingness, as though trapped in memories too heavy for someone his age to carry.
The chaos had taken something from him—his innocence, his joy—and replaced it with fear and loss.
"Jacob, dear," a gentle voice called. "Why don't you join them?"
He looked up slowly but said nothing.
Luna Elisabeth sat beside him, carefully taking his small hand in hers. "Try to make friends," she encouraged softly. "They're kind children."
Jacob turned his gaze back to the laughing group and watched them for a long moment before slowly shaking his head.
He didn't have the courage to be happy. His trauma had stolen that part of him, leaving behind a deep wound no one else could see.
"You don't need to worry about the past, Jacob," Luna Elisabeth said sadly. "It's already behind you. Let it go. Try to be happy again."
Jacob lowered his head, fiddling with his fingers. "How can I forget the nightmare," he whispered, "when every breath reminds me that I lost everything? My home… my family… my parents. Even my happiness." Tears slipped from his eyes and fell silently to the grass.
He had been five when he saw it all happen. One year had passed, yet the memories remained painfully fresh. What hurt most was knowing his parents never returned for him—because they had died protecting their people.
His sobs grew louder, and Luna Elisabeth pulled him into a tight embrace.
"I know it hurts," she murmured. "But you must accept what happened. Let them go, Jacob. Only then will your heart begin to heal. What happened is in the past. I know it's hard—but you need to do this for yourself. Wherever your parents are now, they wouldn't want you trapped in pain."
***Later That Day***
After lunch, Jacob walked slowly down the hallway toward his room. As he passed by, something caught his attention—a door, slightly ajar.
He stopped.
That room was always closed.
Curiosity tugged at him. Carefully, he approached and peeked inside, pushing the door open just enough to see.
What greeted him took his breath away.
The room was beautiful—spacious and elegant, like something straight out of a storybook. Gold and deep red dominated the space, rich and regal. Everything was immaculate, refined.
It looked like a prince's bedroom.
Jacob stepped inside without realizing it, completely captivated.
Then he blinked.
A tall boy was suddenly standing right in front of him.
Jacob froze.