Chapter 1 Episode 1

Welcome to Lahpiaro

Five Years ago

kirian's P.O.V.

I took a deep breath as I stepped out of the school gates. The last exam of junior year was over. My heart felt lighter than it had in years.

"Free at last," I whispered to myself, a small smile tugging at my lips.

But this wasn't just about school ending. For me, it meant so much more. Let me tell you why.

I'm kirian Westwood, and I'm a werewolf. Yeah, you heard that right. I live in a town called Lahpiaro with my mom, dad, and little sister. Our town's name comes from two old words - 'Lah' for moon and 'Piaro' for river. It fits because we're in the middle of a forest, next to a small river. And us werewolves? We're crazy about the moon.

Most people here are werewolves, part of the Crimson Crescent pack. There are only a few humans, maybe 2%, and they're all linked to our pack somehow. It's like a small country, or a whole different world.

Now, you might think, "Wow, living in a werewolf town must be cool!" But trust me, it's not all fun and games.

See, werewolves are like wolves. We're loyal and we take care of our own. But we can also be mean and power-hungry. Our pack has strict rules, and if you break them? You're either kicked out or... well, let's not talk about the other option.

It's tough, but most people manage. The real problem? That's Sebastian Wolfe, the alpha's son and the next in line to lead the pack. He's been in my class since middle school, and he's made my life a living nightmare.

I still remember the day it all started. We were in seventh grade, and suddenly, I was Sebastian 's new target. He and his gang - Aiden, Emily, Lyla, Winter, Jeremy, and Hose - began picking on me.

At first, it was just words. Then they started throwing stuff at me - paper, water, even coffee. They made me run errands for them. I couldn't say anything because, well, Sebastian was going to be our future alpha.

But high school? That's when things got really bad.

I can still feel that first punch. I was two minutes late bringing Sebastian 's lunch, and bam! His fist connected with my face. Everyone was shocked, even his friends. But no one said anything. He was the future alpha, after all.

The attacks got worse over time. I kept quiet, thinking I could handle it. I didn't want to lose my family, my home, my life.

Then, six months ago, everything changed.

I was in the bathroom when Sebastian and some of his friends cornered me. Before I knew what was happening, I was on the ground, curled up in a ball as they kicked and punched me.

My vision blurred. I tasted blood. It hurt. It hurt so much.

Then... darkness.

I woke up three days later in the hospital. Three broken ribs, five fractures, and a broken leg. And that was with our werewolf healing!

That's when I finally told my parents. We cried together in that white hospital room for what felt like hours.

As I lay in bed recovering, I made a decision. I couldn't stay in this pack anymore. But I couldn't just leave either. Running away would mean being hunted down. So, I came up with a plan.

I asked my parents if I could transfer to a high school in Lunardel, where my uncle Max lived. It wasn't easy, but they agreed. Then came the hard part - getting the alpha's permission.

Luckily, our current alpha, Gregory Wolfe, is a good guy. I told him about my dream of studying architecture, and how there was a great university near Lunardel. He agreed to let me go.

It was the best day of my life.

Now, here I was, one step closer to freedom. Just one more month of combat training, and then I'd be gone.

"It's okay," I whispered to myself. "Just one more month and it'll all be over."

But there was still one thing bothering me. Tomorrow was my sixteenth birthday - the day werewolves can find their mates. I was excited, sure, but also scared. What if my mate was from this pack? I'd be stuck here forever.

My wolf, Vlad, was jumping with excitement inside me.

"I know, buddy," I said softly. "I can't wait to meet our mate either. But please, Lunar Goddess, let them be from another pack."

As I walked home, lost in thought, I didn't notice Sebastian and his gang coming towards me until it was too late.

"Well, well, well," Sebastian sneered. "If it isn't little kirian. Enjoying your last day of freedom?"

I froze, my heart pounding. "W-what do you mean?"

Sebastian 's grin widened. "Oh, you didn't know? Starting tomorrow, you'll be spending your summer training with us. Alpha's orders."

My stomach dropped. This couldn't be happening. "But... but I have plans. I'm supposed to-"

"Supposed to what?" Sebastian cut me off. "Run away to another school? Did you really think we wouldn't find out?"

I felt the blood drain from my face. How did they know?

Aiden stepped forward, his eyes gleaming with malice. "You should see your face right now, kirian. Priceless."

I wanted to run, but my feet felt glued to the ground. Sebastian circled me slowly, like a predator stalking its prey.

"Let me make this clear," he growled. "You're not going anywhere. You belong to this pack - to me. And I'm going to make sure you never forget it."

Suddenly, a familiar voice cut through the tension. "Hey! What's going on here?"

I turned to see my best friend, Lily, jogging towards us. Sebastian and his gang stepped back, their faces instantly transforming into innocent masks.

"Nothing," Sebastian said smoothly. "Just having a friendly chat with kirian here. Right, kirian?"

I nodded stiffly, not trusting my voice.

Lily looked skeptical but didn't push it. "Okay... Well, kirian, your mom called. She wants you home for dinner."

"Thanks, Lily," I managed to say. "I'll head there now."

As I walked away with Lily, I could feel Sebastian 's eyes burning into my back. My mind was racing. How did they find out about my transfer? What was I going to do now?

"kirian? Are you okay?" Lily's concerned voice broke through my thoughts.

I forced a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Just tired from exams, you know?"

She didn't look convinced, but she let it go. As we walked, I couldn't shake the feeling that my carefully laid plans were crumbling around me.

When I got home, my parents were waiting for me in the living room. One look at their faces told me something was wrong.

"kirian, honey," my mom started, her voice shaking slightly. "We need to talk."

I sat down, my heart pounding. "What's going on?"

My dad took a deep breath. "The alpha called us today. He... he's changed his mind about your transfer."

The world seemed to tilt on its axis. "What? But why? He agreed! He can't just-"

"He can," my dad said quietly. "He's the alpha."

I felt like I couldn't breathe. "So what now? I'm just stuck here? With Sebastian and his gang making my life hell?"

My parents exchanged a look. "We're going to figure this out, kirian," my mom said, reaching out to squeeze my hand. "We won't let them hurt you anymore."

But I could see the fear in their eyes. We all knew there was little they could do against the alpha's decision.

That night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. Tomorrow was my birthday, the day I might find my mate. But instead of excitement, all I felt was dread.

As the clock struck midnight, I whispered a desperate prayer to the Lunar Goddess. "Please, if you're listening, help me. I don't know what to do anymore."

Little did I know, the Goddess had heard my plea. And she was about to answer in a way none of us could have ever imagined.

The next morning, I woke up feeling... different. At first, I couldn't put my finger on it. But as I got ready for the day, I noticed little things. My reflexes seemed quicker. My senses sharper.

"Probably just birthday jitters," I muttered to myself.

But deep down, I knew it was more than that. Something had changed.

As I walked downstairs, I overheard my parents talking in hushed voices.

"...can't be right," my mom was saying. "It's impossible."

"I know," my dad replied. "But the signs are all there. We can't ignore this."

I cleared my throat as I entered the kitchen. They both jumped, looking at me with wide eyes.

"Happy birthday, sweetie," my mom said, her voice a little too high.

"Thanks," I replied slowly. "Is everything okay?"

They exchanged another one of those looks that parents do when they're hiding something.

"kirian," my dad started, "have you noticed anything... different about yourself this morning?"

I hesitated. Should I tell them? "I... yeah, actually. I feel stronger, somehow. And my senses seem sharper. Is that normal for turning sixteen?"

The color drained from both their faces.

"Oh, Lunar Goddess," my mom whispered. "It's true."

"What's true?" I demanded, fear creeping into my voice. "What's going on?"

My dad took a deep breath. "kirian, there's no easy way to say this, so I'm just going to say it. We think... we think you might be an Alpha."

I stared at them, waiting for the punchline. When it didn't come, I laughed nervously. "That's not possible. I'm just... me. Regular old kirian. Besides, Sebastian is the next Alpha. Everyone knows that."

"Normally, yes," my dad said. "But sometimes, very rarely, the Lunar Goddess chooses a new Alpha. Someone outside the usual bloodline. It's called a True Alpha."

My head was spinning. "But... but why me? I'm nothing special."

My mom came over and hugged me tightly. "Oh, honey. You are special. You're kind, and brave, and strong in ways that have nothing to do with physical strength. If the Goddess has chosen you, she must have her reasons."

As the reality of what they were saying sank in, a new fear gripped me. "What's going to happen now? When people find out..."

I didn't need to finish the sentence. We all knew what it meant. Sebastian and his father wouldn't take this news well. At all.

Just then, there was a loud knock at the door. We all froze.

"Open up!" a gruff voice called. "By order of Alpha Gregory Wolfe!"

My parents looked at me, panic in their eyes. I took a deep breath, squaring my shoulders.

"It's okay," I said, surprising myself with how calm I sounded. "Let them in."

As my dad went to open the door, I felt a strange sense of peace wash over me. Whatever was coming, I would face it. Because for the first time in my life, I felt like I had the strength to stand up for myself.

The door opened, and in walked Alpha Gregory, followed by Sebastian and several pack enforcers. Their eyes immediately locked onto me.

"So it's true," Alpha Gregory said, his voice a mix of awe and... was that fear?

Sebastian pushed forward, his face twisted with rage. "This is impossible! He can't be an Alpha! I'm the next in line!"

I expected to feel afraid, but instead, I felt a surge of confidence. I stepped forward, meeting Sebastian 's gaze.

"I didn't ask for this," I said calmly. "But if the Lunar Goddess chose me, there must be a reason."

Sebastian lunged at me, but before he could reach me, an invisible force seemed to push him back. He stumbled, shock written all over his face.

Alpha Gregory's eyes widened. "The Goddess's protection," he murmured. Then, to everyone's surprise, he knelt before me. "My Alpha," he said.

One by one, the others in the room followed suit, even Sebastian , though he did so with gritted teeth.

As I stood there, surrounded by kneeling werewolves, I realized my life had changed forever. The boy who had been bullied and beaten was gone. In his place stood a new kirian - an Alpha chosen by the Lunar Goddess herself.

I didn't know what challenges lay ahead, but I knew one thing for certain: Lahpiaro was about to change. And I would make sure it changed for the better.

As the sun rose higher in the sky, casting its warm light through the windows, I felt a smile spread across my face. For the first time in years, I wasn't afraid of what the future held.

I was ready to face it head-on.