Healing Hearts in Moonlight

CHAPTER 1 

In a big gathering, a room full of wolves was having a great time. The atmosphere transformed as everyone took on human form, adorned in elegant gowns and tuxedos.

There was loud music, and she-wolves were laughing, holding glasses of wine. More than a hundred wolves were there.

This gathering is held once a year during the full moon. The alphas and lunas are seated at a separate table, joyfully chatting while surrounded by werewolf guards.

In a corner, Alpha Andrian Moonshade stood quietly, watching the fun. His older sister and his father were with him at a special table surrounded by security, keeping them safe.

He scanned his surroundings, searching for his secret mate, and spotted Isabele happily chatting with her friends. Meanwhile, the young lycans admired Isabele's beauty with awe. Adrian, suppressing jealousy, clenched his fists, unable to stab their eyes and tell them to stop staring at Isabele.

She was wearing a fitted pink gown that accentuated the curves of her body. At 17 years old, Isabele's figure and stature were well-defined, complemented by a pair of white 3-inch sandals. Several young Alpha's surrounded her, but as she belonged to someone else, Isabele paid no attention to any of them.

He took his cellphone and texted his secret mate,

{"Please look over here. Miss Beautiful." }

Cherry glanced at her cellphone, quickly grinned upon reading his text, and discreetly looked at him while winking.

"You, concentrate there, dear, and don't stare at me too much. I know I look beautiful now. See you later," Cherry replied to him in the text.

He smiled, deeply in love with his mate, and promised himself that she would be his lifemate for life as a werewolf. In his 100 years on Earth, this was the first time he had fallen so passionately for a woman.

The music briefly stopped, and everyone fell silent. His father then stood up on the stage, firmly gripping the microphone. As the Alpha leader of their wolf community, he commanded respect and obedience from their fellow wolf families.

"Dear pack, tonight marks a moment of reflection and unity," Grayson's father began, his voice resonating with gravitas. "As leader of our wolf enclave, I stand before you with gratitude for the bond that unites us. Let this gathering be a testament to our strength as a pack and a celebration of the harmony we share within these sacred grounds. Tonight, we address matters that concern the very essence of our existence.

The surroundings erupted in applause after his father's introduction. His father looked at him, acknowledging the moment, and then extended his palm towards the seated area. He stood up and walked beside his father.

"This is my son, Alpha Grayson. He will take my place when I'm no longer in this world."

The surroundings once again filled with excitement. He noticed some single women cheering in his presence, but he shrugged it off. He knew his father would likely play matchmaker again with the daughters of his friend, but like in previous years, he paid it no mind, especially now that his heart already belonged to someone else.

His father was now 290 years old, with only a few years left on Earth, as a wolf's lifespan typically lasts until they reach 300 years old, if a werewolf only consumes the flesh of animals, they typically live up to 300 years. However, if a werewolf feeds on humans, their lifespan increases significantly, reaching up to a thousand years with frequent consumption.

But Grayson's father and their pack strictly adhere to the law prohibiting the consumption of human flesh and blood, ensuring their longevity within those boundaries.

"If ever I am to disappear from this world, I would like us to continue preserving the peace between mortal humans and wolf people." Isaac continued

Grayson, silently acknowledging his father's words, glanced at his older sister. She remained quiet on the side, observing the surroundings. Despite being accustomed to his father's farewell speeches during their gatherings, Grayson couldn't shake off the fear of losing him. He deeply loved his father, who had played the role of both father and mother to them since their mother's demise 80 years ago when he was only 10 years old

"And the forbidden laws will remain forbidden, and whoever violates them shall face the penalty of eternal death."

After his father spoke, the large doors of the building suddenly closed, sealing every entrance, including the windows.

Panic swept through the crowd as the double doors of the building slammed shut, and confusion enveloped the surroundings. Even Alpha Grayson, within his own thoughts, remained uncertain about his father's plan at this moment.

"Everyone, quiet down and relax. Return to your seats," his father shouted, seeing the rising panic among the crowd.

Silence fell, and everyone resumed their seats at the command of his father. The security personnel intervened, ushering a few individuals back to their places.

Alpha Grayson, on the other hand, scanned the crowded room, searching for Cherry, but she was nowhere in sight. As he was about to descend from the stage, his father firmly grasped his arm, halting him.

"Don't leave; stay right there," his father insisted, his voice commanding.

"It's disheartening to realize that, for many years when none of our kind broke the laws, there's been a family engaged in mischief for over a decade without our awareness. They have been brutal, savage, and ruthlessly victimizing unsuspecting individuals who are unaware of our existence. Due to this, I sadly pronounce the verdict of death upon them." Alpha Isaac declares

After saying that, four individuals promptly stepped forward.

Alpha Grayson's eyes widened at the sight of his mate's family, restrained and held by security.

Their hands and feet were tightly bound with thick chains. Grayson's heart nearly shattered seeing the plight of his beloved.

Cherry looked at him with teary eyes, as if pleading for help.

"The Campbell family has committed a grave violation of our wolf laws, and the punishment for this family is death," declared one of the authoritative voice, revealing the severity of the situation.

The surroundings echoed with noise after the announcement. Some seemed in disbelief, while others close to the family were crying at their fate.

Growlll!!!!!!"Who are you, Alpha Isaac, to decide the fate of wolf lives? Leave my family; face me instead,. Your accusations are baseless," Arnold Campbel exclaimed while trying to break free from the guards and chains that bound them.

Cherry and her mother were in tears, while Cherry's brother struggled against the restraints.

"We have plenty of evidence, Arnold. I've been monitoring your family for a long time, and my decision is final," Isaac declared.

"Father, what madness is this? Please release them," Alpha Grayson pleaded with his father, seeing the distress his mate and her family were enduring under the tight grip of security.

"No, Grayson. This family has violated the law and caused the deaths of many innocent people. They need to be held accountable," his father declared.

"But, Father, Cherry isn't a full-fledged wolf yet, and she's innocent," he pleaded, tears welling up in his eyes.

His father remained silent and just gave him a pat on the shoulder and signaled four security personnel, who formed a line, each holding a silver arrow, facing the restrained family.

But before the silver arrow could reach the family, Arnold slowly transformed into a fierce wolf. His eyes gleamed, and his sharp fangs emerged, ready to strike.He swiftly broke free from the thick chains that bound his feet with a powerful sweep.

Grayson and the other werewolves stepped back, anticipating it, but they felt a different force from Arnold this time. It was because of his consistent feasting on human flesh.

As some security personnel also transformed into wolves, chaos erupted within the hall.

AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Screams filled the air from the onlookers, tears streaming down the faces of innocent children who witnessed the turmoil. Some desperately tried to escape and run outside the sealed area. Other men attempted to intervene and restrain the rampaging figures, but the turmoil proved too powerful.

After Arnold Campbell had inflicted significant harm as a raging wolf, he ascended the stage and faced Grayson's father, his eyes glowing fiercely. Just as he was about to charge at Alpha Isaac Johnson, a sudden gunshot echoed through the hall. Arnold Campbell was struck by a silver bullet in the heart. Turning around, Grayson witnessed her older sister Ericka holding a silver gun.

"No!!!" cried Cherry's mother in anguish.

Just as she was about to transform, a security personnel preemptively shot her with a silver arrow in the chest.

"AHHHH, Please, stop, please, Grayson, help us. Stop this, please, Alpha. Release us now," Cherry pleaded, tears streaming down her face. She, along with her older brother Jacob, remained in handcuffs and chains.

"Continue. Prepare for firing," Alpha Isaac insisted sternly.

"Please, Father, release them. Stop this. Look around you, see the casualties. Aren't you satisfied with what you've done?" Grayson shouted at his father.

His father fell silent, taking in the chaotic scene around him—the crying children and lifeless bodies scattered.

"Proceed," Alpha Isaac said, firm in his decision. Another silver arrow flew and struck Jacob's chest.

"No, no, no!"

"Farewell, Grayson always remember I will always love you and I will find you to the next life" Cherry tearfully whispered to him as the arrow positioned for the next shot.

"No, no, no, please, Father, stop, stop! Cherry is my mate, and she will be my life mate!" Grayson screamed, struggling to break free from the grasp of the security personnel. He managed to shake them off, running towards Cherry. However, a sharp object suddenly struck his body, causing weakness and blurring of his surroundings. Darkness swiftly followed.