Tucked deep inside the ebony forest, where the trees are tall and the air smells like wet earth and pine, sits Moonshadow Manor. It's the heart of the Ebony Coven Pack, a quiet, proud home built long ago by their ancestors. Even under moonlight, the manor stands tall and still, like it's watching the forest with a life of its own.
Inside, the Alpha of the pack walks the halls, restless. His steps echo faintly through the stone corridors, but his mind is louder than his footsteps. He looks strong, broad shoulders, sharp eyes, the kind of presence that commands attention. But tonight, that strength feels worn down. He's lost one of his best warriors, and with the news of a dangerous challenger moving closer, the weight on his shoulders has only grown heavier.
He stops outside a door and takes a breath before entering the chamber. He doesn't need to call, the Elder is already there, seated quietly in the shadows, as if waiting.
"I'm troubled, Elder," the Alpha says, his voice low but firm. "We buried one of our own yesterday. A good one. And now we hear there's someone coming, someone strong, dangerous. I feel like we're standing on the edge of something I can't see clearly."
The Elder nods slowly, folding his hands in his lap. His voice is deep, roughened by age, but steady.
"This isn't just a new enemy, it's an old one, older than your time or mine. A curse, bound to this pack. Long ago, a witch sealed it with blood and magic. Since then, the same force keeps coming back, no matter how many times we think it's been stopped."
The Alpha leans forward. "Who is it? Why us?"
"No one remembers his name anymore," the Elder says. "But his hatred runs deep. The curse tied him to our bloodline. He rises, not because he chooses to, but because he can't rest. Every Alpha since the beginning has had to face him in some form. Now it's your turn."
The room is quiet for a while. The Alpha crosses his arms and stares at the floor. Then he asks, "Should we call on the neighboring packs? Maybe if we stand together"
"Possibly," the Elder replies. "But tread carefully. This curse is ours, not theirs. Some will help, others will hesitate. Still, unity might be your best chance."
The Alpha nods. "We'll need to be ready. He's not just strong, he's persistent. We don't know how he fights, how he returns. How do you prepare a pack for something like that?"
"Teach them more than strength," the Elder says. "Teach them to adapt. To think. To endure. You're not fighting a creature, you're fighting something that keeps changing. If you fight like it's the last time, you'll lose again."
The Alpha's tone softens a little. "Can the spirits help us? Can the old magic point the way to ending this?"
The Elder takes a breath before answering. "The spirits may speak, yes. But they don't always give answers the way we want them. If you go down that path, be prepared for truths that come with a cost. Some things are hidden for a reason."
The Alpha straightens. "Whatever it takes. We'll face this together. I won't let this curse break us."
The Elder gives a small nod. "Then go. Lead your people, and prepare them. The forest remembers everything, and so does the curse. This time, it's your turn to write the ending."
The Alpha looks the Elder in the eye. "Thank you. For your guidance."
Without another word, he turns and leaves the chamber, his steps no longer restless, just steady.
Alone in the room, the Elder watches the door close, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. He's seen this moment play out before. The faces change, the names change, but the story always circles back. He glances toward the window, where moonlight filters in, soft and pale. Somewhere out there, the next chapter is already beginning.