Aria, 18, is a promising warrior in the Blood Shadows pack. She has always strived to prove herself, even if her heart yearns for something else. Finding a mate is not on her list of priorities: her studies and her loyalty to the pack come before everything. But what to do when fate binds her to the most fearsome Alpha of all time, a wolf who does not even come from their territory and whose name inspires terror and fascination? **Ravok Nightshade**. This name is whispered with fear in every pack on the continent. Cruel, relentless, but irresistibly charismatic, he rules his pack with an iron fist, crushing all who dare to oppose him. When he learns that Aria is his mate, he refuses to accept it, convinced that the Moon Goddess is mocking him. But why can't he look away from her, as if a mystery greater than their bond surrounds them? What if Aria represents the key to a secret buried for centuries, a power capable of upsetting the balance between packs? "You're not happy?" Aria dared to ask, as he stared up at the full moon, his hard features lit by the silver light, revealing a disturbing expression she had never seen before. "Happy?" Ravok replied with a cold, joyless laugh. "Happiness is a luxury monsters like me can't afford." The icy words pierced Aria's heart, but she knew that behind that facade of impassiveness lurked a pain she had to understand. Why does Ravok seem to struggle with himself whenever he's near her? What heavy burden is he hiding? As mysterious murders rock the region and other packs begin plotting against Ravok, Aria finds herself caught up in a power struggle she never anticipated. Is she ready to face her own destiny? Will she be able to survive the darkness surrounding Ravok and unlock the secrets of his tortured soul? And most importantly, what role does she play in this forgotten prophecy that threatens to destroy everything?
Chapter 1 Chapitre 1
"Who are you willing to become to prove your worth? » The question echoed in Aria's head as she stood in the center of the arena, panting, hands clenching on the hilt of her sword. All around her, warriors from her pack shouted, cheering on their favorites. The competition to choose the best warrior in the Blood Shadow Pack was in full swing.
Aria, barely eighteen years old, had everything to prove. Not just to others, but to herself. Every muscle in his body vibrated with adrenaline. In front of her, a formidable opponent prepared to attack: Jonas, a massive wolf known for his brute strength.
"Are you sure you want to continue, Aria? he asked with a smirk, a glint of challenge shining in his dark eyes. "No one would blame you for forfeiting. »
She didn't answer. Words were useless. What she had to say, she would show by her actions. When Jonas rushed towards her, brandishing his axe, Aria pivoted with calculated precision, dodging his assault before striking back with blinding speed.
The crash of steel against steel echoed through the arena. The fight was intense, the movements quick and calculated. Aria knew she couldn't match Jonas' raw strength. But she had agility and intelligence on her side. Every blow she delivered seemed to predict her opponent's next move.
An opening. Aria doesn't think. She leapt, disarming Jonas with a deft blow and knocking him to the ground, the point of her sword at his throat. Silence fell on the arena, followed by a deafening clamor. She had won.
A barely perceptible smile stretched Aria's lips. But victory had a bitter taste. She had proven her worth, yes, but at what cost? The rivalry within the pack had become stronger than ever, and Jonas, humiliated, stared at her with a resentment that made his blood run cold.
As she left the arena, her mind still carried away by the euphoria of the fight, a figure walked through the crowd. A man, dressed in a dark coat, his features hidden by a hood, was walking towards the center of the square.
" Who is it ? » whispered a voice in the crowd.
Silence fell again as the man removed his hood. He bore the marks of a messenger from afar: his cloak was embroidered with ancient symbols, and his brilliant gaze seemed to pierce the souls of those he observed.
"People of the Blood Shadow Pack," he said in a deep voice, "I come with a message of great importance. »
The wolves came closer, listening. The man scanned the crowd, his gaze stopping for a moment on Aria, as if he recognized her. She felt a shiver run down her spine, inexplicable and disturbing.
"Ravok Nightshade, the Alpha of the Blacklands, will soon arrive in your lands. »
A murmur of concern rose from the crowd. This name was known to everyone. Ravok Nightshade. A name that evoked fear and admiration at the same time.
"Why would he come here? » asked a hesitant voice in the crowd.
The messenger hesitated, as if weighing his words. "He demands a meeting with your Alpha." His intentions... are still unclear. But know that his arrival is never without consequences. »
The silence that followed was even heavier than the messenger's words. The air seemed charged with electricity, and every wolf in the gathering felt the shadow of a threat hovering over them.
Aria remained motionless, her eyes fixed on the man. She didn't understand why, but the name, Ravok Nightshade, awakened something in her that she couldn't explain. A thrill, almost primal, as if his soul was reacting to danger or... a call.
As the messenger left the arena, the pack began to murmur, debating the implications of this unexpected visit. Aria, for her part, retreated into the nearby forest, seeking to calm the tumult in her mind.
The trees around her seemed to whisper secrets. The wind carried familiar scents, but also something new, a foreign note that disturbed her. She clenched her fists, trying to rationalize what she was feeling.
"It's nothing," she said to herself out loud, as if to convince herself. "It's just a name. A wolf like any other. »
But an inner voice whispered to him otherwise. Ravok Nightshade was no ordinary wolf. He was a legend, a living myth. And, in a way she didn't yet understand, his arrival would change her life.
As she returned to the village, the atmosphere was heavier than ever. The elders gathered to talk, their faces closed. The young warriors trained with new intensity, as if preparing for an inevitable clash.
Aria walked past Jonas, who was chatting with a group of wolves. When he saw her, his eyes darkened, but he said nothing. She had no time for quarrels.
Upon entering the common house, she was greeted by her mentor, Leandra, a silver-haired wolf with a piercing gaze.
"Did you hear the news? » asked Leandra without preamble.
Aria nodded. " Yes. Who is this Ravok Nightshade? Why does everyone seem terrified of him? »
Leandra sat down, crossing her arms. "Ravok is not a simple Alpha. He is powerful, charismatic, but also ruthless. He unified enemy packs under his rule and destroyed those who opposed him. His reputation precedes him, and rarely for good reasons. »
Aria frowned. "Why would he come here? We do not pose a threat to him. »
"Maybe not a threat, but something draws him here. And whatever it is, it concerns us all. »
Leandra's words stayed with Aria long after their conversation. She felt like she was a piece in a game whose rules she didn't yet know.
That night she dreamed. A dark forest, a wolf with ink-black fur, eyes glowing with an almost supernatural intensity. A voice, both distant and close, whispered his name.
When she woke with a start, her heart pounding, she understood one thing: whatever happened, Ravok Nightshade was not just a name. It was the start of something much bigger.
And she was about to be in the thick of it.
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