1 Prologue

Alpha Jones raked his hand through his black locks, his body slack with exhaustion but his misty grey eyes still sharp and vigilant like a hawk's, raking over the two huffing brown wolves circling him. From the perspective of the sole spectator the three of them were heavily exhausted. After all they've been going after each other for an hour now. It seems he won't have to wait too long for the victor.

The two wolves circled the man in the center, growling lowly, their tails swishing in the air as if already celebrating their victory. The twins shared a look, a glint of victory appearing in their eyes. They set their firm eyes on the man with their hind legs bent ready to launch themselves on him. Identical wolfish grins formed on their faces as they launched themselves at the crouching figure, their claws out, ready to dig into the warm flesh but it was too soon for them to be celebrating as the alpha suddenly jumped high in the sky causing the two unsuspecting wolves to crash into each other, landing heavily on the coarse ground. He landed beside them and lifted one of them through his scruff ,swiftly tightening his grip and put his foot on the other's neck pressing his snout in the ground, making them bow in submission and defeat.

A ghost of a smile appeared on the face of the spectator with a touch of pride. His obsidian orbs reflected a great ruler and a brave fighter. The alpha appeared victorious. The youngest known alpha among the werewolves. The alpha of the Bloodmoon pack. Alpha River Jones.

At the same time....

~Millennium University~

The sun shone brightly in the sky. It's rays dancing across the glass building, making it look like a shining diamond. The place gave off a calm vibe, it even looked deserted if not for the couple of figures roaming about, especially as the students were still in their classes, it was rather quite not like an university at all. But looks could be deceiving as Millenium university was one of the top three in the country, especially when it came to the faculty of zoology and botany, it was the best. This might be due to the fact that when the university was first built around a hundred years ago, it was built with the aim of serving as a resource to the Sunset forest.

Sunset forest is the place where the university is situated. The campus is built around the outskirts of the forest. The students that graduate from the zoology and botany department of this university are directly scouted by the research institute working in collaboration with the forest department of sunset forest. Such importance is given to this place is due to the rare species of animals and plants that it inhabitats. What number of species stays here is still unknown. It is said, it is classified information that only the elites of the government are aware of. Many suspect that the Forest officers living in the depths of the forest are also aware of the beings roaming the ground as no outsider has ever entered the forest. When the old officers retire their children take their place and become the officers gaurding the lands. Some say there is more than animals in the forest. Animals are just the cover for the government's dark secrets. Despite all the rumours, the government has never made any clear statements, choosing to stray clear of anything relating to the forest. But for hundred years the university has been producing great talents in these fields, who have given their all for the forest, whose names have never been mentioned again as if they disappeared in the sands of time but they have been there all along lost for the world but alive in the forest. Despite all this, thousands of applicants wish to enter the zoology and botany department and thousands are rejected, only the best fifty are enrolled in this programme every four years. Not even the college knows why they are selected or where they will go after four years. The college is only responsible for teaching and housing the students, nothing less, nothing more.

Anyways, coming back to the university campus, there are four buildings that form the university, placed in the four directions. The one in the west is the department of medical science, the one in the east is the department of biotechnology, the one in the south is the department of pharmacy and the one in the north, closest to the forest is the department of zoology and botany. In the middle is a glass tower which is the reception and also living quarters of all the major faculties of the university. Their offices are also situated in this building. The third floor is where the dean of the university resides. It can be regarded as the most dull place in the whole building. The dean rarely leaves this floor. Even some of the faculty doesn't know how he looks let alone the students. But today there was something different about this dull place as two arguing voices could be heard in the usually silent office of the dean.

A fat man was seated on a leather chair behind an oak table. He was the infamous dean who was often referred to as a couch potato by the students. Well, he didn't look anything better than a potato so the nickname was well suited. The couch potato right now was sweating heavily as if he had just run a marathon. His chubby fingers were tightly griping a handkerchief busy wiping the sweat rolling down his face. His eyes were dodgy and unfocused, he looked desperate and nervous. Even a little suspicious if observed carefully.

Seated in front of him was a young man. A pair of thin black rimmed glasses was perched on his straight nose. The man looked no more than twenty, dressed neatly in a pair of black jeans and a peach button up under a white lab coat. He looked exasperated and irritated with his furrowed brows and pursed lips.

"Professor Storm there have been an increase in wolf sightings around the campus. I'm afraid about the student's safety and I believe you will understand where I am coming from. I..."

"Actually I don't. SIR. You see, I really don't understand that why I have to get myself involved in this. If there are animals roaming around the campus then contact the authorities, someone like the wildlife association or something. Ask them to come to the CAMPUS and deal with this. Put up fences or electrical barriers for all I care but why the hell do I have to go into that damned forest, I. don't. understand. I am a zoology professor, you understand me, a PROFESSOR who YOU personally hired sir with the aim of teaching the students and not scouting the forest. I am sorry but I don't understand how I can even be of any help. So, I am not going anywhere. Since, I have made myself clear then I shall take my leave."

These words did nothing but increased the panic in the dean's eyes. He sat up straighter in his seat. A flattering and shaky smile making it's way to his face.

"Ac...actually, yes.., yes you can help us. You see, you are considered a prodigy in the field of zoology. At the age of 21 you're already a professor, you are our best choice. There is no one who is as knowledgeable as you. No one who can gather as much information as you can or has a better understanding in this field as you. That's why, the college authorities want you to look into this matter, maybe scout the forest and prepare a report about what is going on in the forest. Why are the animals so agitated and why are they crossing the borders when they haven't done so in all these years? It is the order from higher ups and you know that I don't have the power to refuse their order. Please don't make this difficult for me. And.. and you'll be paid for this too. Please consider this professor. I have no choices to give you here, this is a direct order that needs to be followed."

"You want me to prepare a report and scout the forest. Alone. Sir, we have only seen wolves, there could be even more dangerous animals if we go deeper into the forest, you want me to put my life on stake for this report. I might be passionate about zoology but I've not lost myself into it. Moreover, if this is something that the government wants then why don't they send someone from the institute. Why don't they do this under wraps? The people in the institute are trained, they are more suitable for this job. They know the forest better than any outsider like me. Hell, they basically live in the forest why don't they do something about this themselves. We can find some other solution that doesn't involve me going into the forest, I'm sure we can...."

"I am sorry professor but I don't think the institute is getting themselves involved in this, especially when they are so deep in the forest and this doesn't involves them too. I, myself don't know what is going inside the forest. I only know that this was asked of us and we are obliged to follow the orders. As far as I know there is no other alternative and NO you don't have a choice too. The reason why I asked you here is to inform you about their decision, you really don't have a choice in this. And, I'm not saying that you go alone professor as you know this forest is one of the reserved sanctuaries and thus protected by the government. There are forest rangers residing in the forest who have already been informed of the situation and are ready to assist you. But you have to enter the forest and reach the forest department on your own. Once you're there you will be assigned a team to work with. So, basically you won't be working alone, exactly. This will also benefit you and be a good addition to your resume as you are aware that despite your knowledge many people are still skeptical about you due to your age and zero practical experience. So, this can be a great opportunity for you too."

"I....I need time to think about this. I'll give you my answer after thinking about this... I mean I don't have a say in this but atleast give me the satisfaction of agreeing on this on my pace. I..I'll take my leave then."

"Yes, please take your time but please leave as soon as you can."

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Professor Storm left the dean's office frustrated. He really felt like pulling his hair out. But he cannot do anything, the dean is right, if this is an order from the higher ups then he has no say in this. If he doesn't agrees then maybe they will make him disappear. No, dammit..ugh..he has to agree to this or...or should he try to run away.

At this time when Professor Storm was going through this internal struggle the dean received a call in his office.

*Ring* *Ring*

"H..hello...ye..yes..s..sir, I..I've talked to Professor Storm as you said."

"What did he say?"

"He agreed... Of...of course sir *hehehe* He did throw a fuss in the starting but..but... I made sure that he couldn't refuse... How could he say no...es....especially when it was a direct order from you. Please don't worry, he...he'll leave for the forest soon."

"He better or I won't be the one who had to worry..."*growl*

"Of...of course sir he.....he will...I...I can guarantee it...I"

*Beep.....*

It seems a storm is soon approaching. What will change is still undecided but a change is definitely in motion.