Chapter 2 THE WHITE CROW

Present Day

The man standing next to me stinks.

I have to wiggle my nose every minute to somehow get rid of the stench. It doesn't work, though; it's only a reflex.

The only reason I have to stand next to this horribly smelling rogue is because we've been summoned by the Akari League Rogue Leaders.

A year ago when I ran from the Willow Tree Pack, I had nowhere to go. I slept in caves, crying and mourning my horrible fate. There were days I went without food or water, completely frozen in grief.

Until I was discovered by a rogue she-wolf, she had been harsh, laughing at my predicament.

"You trusted a pack wolf, an alpha at that? All they care about is their bloody hierarchy. Who told you someone like him would truly accept you?"

Her words had been like thousands of needles piercing through my skin. I cried then, feeling the brutal force of rejection hit me again.

The lady, Laila, had said nothing. She just watched me cry in that dark cave. She watched me cry until I had no tears left.

That was when she asked, "How will you like to join us?"

I did not even hesitate. Of what use was it staying in this cave crying? My now ex-mate was probably deep inside my best friend.

I could not cry for him any longer.

So I followed Laila; through the thick forest, over two rivers and into a hidden mountain range.

It was there I met the Akari League.

They were a group of free-minded folks who believed that the system of Alphas should be destroyed. No, they believed it should be theirs.

I knew it was wrong- it was rebellion - but I couldn't care less.

Why should I?

Instead, I trained with my new found powers. I could not fully shift but I was quick and extremely tactical. My superiors sent me on a lot of smaller missions until I got the hang of it.

Killing other wolves.

Every time my claw sliced the throat of a gamma or beta wolf, I felt a certain relief.

It was like I was slitting Brook's throat, and it felt like revenge. Maybe I was running mad, who knows? The truth is, the weak omega Gemma was gone.

My wolf might have been almost inexistent, but it didn't stop me from becoming stronger.

Now, I find myself in the present, standing in a dark chamber - awaiting the Akari leaders' speech.

I wriggle my nose again; this wolf really smells. I look to my right, and he looks back at me and smiles. Before I can sneer at him, I hear the thunderous voice of Vaki, one of the leaders.

"Today, we have summoned all of you here because of an important development." The man is bald and missing an eye.

"As you all know, the wolfthrone has been empty for a year. But word has passed that a new ruler is emerging. The White Crow."

Everyone in the room is still.

The name is familiar. The White Crow is one of the most powerful lycans in the entirety of Suro and beyond.

Was it him?

How was anyone supposed to even get close enough to kill that monster...

As if answering my question, another leader answers. Her eyes are so hollow it's like she's a skeleton. "We know that sending an assassin to claim the throne from him is equal to suicide, but there's a way..."

A pause.

"The White Crow has a very terrible weakness. On the night of the Blood Moon, when wolves receive extreme power every year, he falls ill. We don't know the reason; maybe a curse or something. But the fact is, that is our window to kill him. But to do that, we need someone equally smart and attention-grabbing to get close enough to him. We only have 10 months to the next blood moon..."

I look around the crowd. Everyone's face is pale. No one wanted to be a part of this.

"Gemma."

I hear my name and I pause.

What?

"Gemma is the exact weapon we'll use. She looks innocent and can pull off being his concubine. For 10 months, you must gain his attention and-"

"No! I-I can't..." my voice is shaking. I am not even strong enough to defeat a normal alpha. What makes them think I can do this?

The lady on the podium smiles. Her teeth are all jagged.

"Yes. You can. The moment you joined the Akari League, you signed up for this. You have no say."

My heart sinks, and I look down at the floor. "Yes, miss."

I hear her chuckle. "Perfect! The rest of you will be assigned duties in the royal court to support Gemma. You must keep your eyes and ears peeled. Reports on the progress must be given every month."

My heart is racing. This cannot be happening.

The White Crow?

The only lycan in the entirety of Suro to ascend to the throne without having royal blood. There is no history of his previous packs or background.

It's like he just appeared from thin air.

And that's the most off-putting part of him. Did he fall from the sky then- or rather, ascend from hell?

My body is covered in goosebumps as I stand, listening to the remaining details.

I can't do this...

At dawn the following day, I'm dressed in a hood and made to board a wagon of girls heading to the capital. Every single wolf here was a weak omega ready to become concubines or slaves to the new king.

The sun rising was not so pretty today.

I can't do this

I've said this statement again and again. The Akari League was sending me to my death.

I observe the somber but hopeful expressions on the girls' faces. They must be glad for the opportunity to serve in the capital.

My heart is plunging deeper and deeper.

This would probably be my last and most terrible mission.

For who in all of the kingdoms could kill the infamous White Crow?

A man who had slaughtered a thousand wolves in a breath.