Nolan Bates was the current Alpha of the Wind Moon Pack. Having taken over from his father 10 years ago and ruled not only his pack but the inferior humans in Slumber Hound City, his pack for some reason had become the self-proclaimed ruler of the underground city for decades. But it delivered more merits than inconveniences.
Prostitution, Gambling, Drugs.
Even when humankind was no longer in power, they were still the pioneers of sinful pleasures.
But now, he was facing a fortress far from his territory.
The Fortress of the Council Chambers.
The eerie howls of the wind welcomed him to step inside. He stood over six feet, built like a war-forged monument even when he had never gone to war due to the decades of indolence that made his stature…deem useless.
But nevertheless, he still stood proud as he stepped inside.
His presence was deliberate.
Steady boots against obsidian stone. Every step echoed through the ancient, rune-lined corridor that led to the High Council chamber.
He had been summoned.
Not warned. Not briefed. Just summoned—dragged from his duties in Slumber Hound City to stand before the most dangerous creatures still breathing to this day.
The obsidian doors parted without a word. Inside, the chamber pulsed with raw energy. It had wards hummed in old tongues, enchanted vines frozen mid-curl around the vaulted ceiling. A stone table, round and imposing, waited at the center. Five chairs. Only two were empty.The others were already watching him.
And he hadn't gotten used to it. The feeling of being inferior compared to the ancient creatures.Despite being in his late thirties, he was a youngling compared to them.
Thalor, the High Councilor, sat at the apex of the circle. The elf was centuries older than he looked, and his silence commanded the room more than any roar. His long fingers were steepled. His face betrayed nothing.
To Thalor's right: Miria of the Faefolk, wings flickered with a faint sheen of light. She was beautiful and cruel, often in equal measure. Her expression tightened the moment she saw Nolan.
Okrum, the ogre general, rumbled in his seat like a fault line. His tusks were gold-capped, his arms thicker than barrels. He didn't nod in greeting—just grunted.
These creatures were the ones he shouldn't have underestimated. His father and before his father, his late grandfather, had reminded him of their authority and power.
Surprisingly, the Alpha King wasn't present and it gave him a silent relief. He was always present when there was a summoning yet he wasn't there.
Of course, the last seat at the corner–untouched and filthy with dust, belonged to none other than Julian Czarnel.
Nolan took his seat without asking.
Seeing him seated, it was on signal that Thalor finally broke the silence.
"Alpha Bates. You've come."
"I don't ignore summons," Nolan replied, voice even.
Miria scoffed softly. "Even if you ignore your duties."
His eyes flashed to her. "What duty exactly? Is it related to the sudden presence of Julian Czarnel in Slumber Hound City?"
The table stiffened.
Okrum said coldly, "So you do know why you're here."
"I suspected," Nolan replied. "You've learned about the human girl with the highest bounty he placed in that wretched place." He smirked. "The highest bounty I've ever seen for generations."
Okrum leaned forward. "We've learned enough."
Miria added, "Apparently, that human is his fated mate."
"And if she dies," the warlock murmured, "he dies. That's what fated mates are supposed to be, innit?"
Nolan's voice lowered, lips pursed. "A human mate? That's even bane in our kind."
Thalor finally spoke. "Exactly. A human mate of all creatures. Julian Czarnel is the last one to be associated with the likes of them. He's a High Vampire, after all."
Nolan Bates decided to go straight to the point. "You summoned me for a reason, council. What is it?"
Thalor's eyes sharpened. "Despite the oddity of fate, we have long sought for the death of the last High Vampire—An ancient far older than any of us in this room."
Nolan's eyes slightly widened. "Why—" He stopped midway. Knowledge was deadlier than the current bliss he was experiencing now.
Yet, Thalor replied, "We have our differences. But as much as I want to give that as a reason, I find Julian Czarnel unpredictable and unrestrained. We couldn't do anything as he was untouchable." Thalor stared at Nolan, challenging him to speak up.
He scowled. He wouldn't take the bait. He had learned more than he should have from his conversation—apparently the elf was getting greedier and wanted the higher position for himself. And that would shift the course of the future of everyone.
"Yet, we were not fools, Alpha. We knew direct confrontation would end in ruin. That was why we summoned you." He paused, gaze piercing. "You had a duty to fulfill and that was to target the human girl."
One of the gnomes handed him a photo of the human girl. And once he saw the picture, his eyes widened, recognizing her immediately.
"Lyra Ellison…" he uttered.
"She is related to the human whom you fancied, Nolan," Miria said. "We've heard you had an offspring from her mother?"
His eyes widened, his stomach twisted into knots. He was sure that he had kept his tracks hidden, concealing the identity of his beloved daughter. He even fooled his pack, proclaiming his late Luna was her biological mother.
"And if I refuse?"
Thalor answered, soft and final: "Don't lie to yourself, Nolan. We are aware that our goals are aligned. If you succeed, we will ignore the true nature of your daughter and you can continue with your lavish life."
For them to murder the last High Vampire and for him, to kill the remnant that would reveal his daughter as a hybrid.
"Fine, but why me? You could have hired the lightreavers. Those pesky critters could easily kill that mere human."
Okrum slammed the table. "We've already dispatched them and they haven't returned till now!"
Of course, as expected of the High Vampire to detect that. Nolan smirked. "That would mean Julian Czarnel has suspected your involvement in his mate's attempted assassination. His awareness would only make things more difficult for me to reach his human mate."
"Which is why we must join forces, Nolan Bates. You are more exposed to the human world than anyone else," Thalor said. "Now, join us and we will acknowledge your daughter, Celeste, as a pure-bred wolf."
This was too good to be true. But for Nolan Bates, he was a father first before his other earthly desires. And the opportunity before him was like killing two birds in one stone.
"With pleasure, High Councilor." He grinned.