Damian's Arrival
1630 Words
The sharp sound of hooves striking frozen ground broke the waiting silence. Moments later, a sleek black carriage escorted by mounted warriors appeared through the forest path. Their disciplined formation and the dark banners bearing the insignia of Damian’s pack made the air grow heavy with awe.
When the carriage stopped, the horses snorted, stamping their hooves, their breath misting in the cold. A warrior dismounted swiftly and opened the carriage door.
Alpha Damian emerged.
He was every inch the figure the tales had painted—tall, broad-shouldered, with an aura so commanding it seemed to bend the very air around him. His dark cloak billowed slightly in the wind, and his sharp gaze swept over the waiting party. Beside him stepped Beta Matt, equally composed, though his eyes carried a gentler warmth compared to Damian’s piercing intensity.
The gathered pack members bowed their heads respectfully, silence thickening the moment Damian’s boots touched the ground. Even the warriors who prided themselves on fearlessness felt the weight of his presence pressing against their spirits.
Theo stepped forward first, lowering his head briefly in a gesture of respect before meeting Damian’s eyes.
“Welcome to the Dam-Nighade Pack, Alpha Damian. Your presence honors us.”
Damian studied him for a breath, then gave a curt nod. His voice, deep and steady, carried easily over the crowd.
“I thank you for your welcome, Theo. And I bring greetings from the pack, as well as the blessings of my Luna, Ella, and our newborn son.”
A ripple of excitement passed through the waiting pack at the mention of the pup. Rina, stepping forward with quiet grace, lowered the basket of carefully chosen herbs into her hands and presented it.
“On behalf of the pack,” she said softly, “we offer these herbs for the strength and health of Luna Ella and child. May the Moon Goddess bless them both.”
For a moment, Damian’s hard expression eased ever so slightly, and he inclined his head in acknowledgment. He accepted the gift with both hands, a gesture of respect rarely given, and handed it to Matt for safekeeping.
The silence broke into soft murmurs of admiration, the pack members swelling with pride at their Theo and his Luna’s humble yet respectful reception of such a feared leader.
As the formal greetings settled, Theo gestured with an open palm.
“Please, come alpha. The estate is prepared for your rest and refreshment before the evening feast.”
Damian nodded once and fell into step beside Theo. The crowd instinctively parted, creating a wide path for the two. Their presence together was a striking sight—Theo’s calm authority and approachable composure contrasted Damian’s fierce aura, yet the two walked in harmony, as if strength and balance had found a shared rhythm.
Rina followed gracefully at Theo’s side, her modest smile calming the pack members who remained too intimidated to lift their gazes fully. Behind them walked Jihoo, attentive and alert, with Beta Matt and the elders trailing after. Warriors lined the path leading toward the estate, their postures straight, their faces taut with reverence.
As they entered the heart of the pack grounds, whispers fluttered among the members who dared not raise their voices.
“That’s the Alpha who crushed the queen…”
“I can feel his power even from here…”
“And yet, look at how Alpha Theo walks with him, without fear.”
Within the estate, servants bowed deeply as Damian crossed the threshold. His sharp eyes scanned every corner with a soldier’s precision, yet when he turned back to Theo, his voice carried a rare note of approval.
“You’ve rebuilt a disciplined pack, Theo. Order flows through the people. It shows the hand of a true Alpha.”
Theo inclined his head, receiving the praise with steady humility.
“We stand strong because we stand together. That is what I believe. And I must say, it is an honor for the people to welcome the Alpha who rid of the evil Queen Lila’s shadow. The people have not forgotten what you did for them.”
Damian’s expression softened just slightly, though his tone remained firm.
“The past was necessary. But now we build futures for those who come after us. For my son—and for the people.”
At the mention of his newborn, an almost imperceptible pride flickered in Damian’s eyes. Rina noticed it and offered a kind smile.
“The Moon Goddess surely chose well to bless you with a son at such a time. May he grow to inherit your strength and your wisdom alpha.”
Damian inclined his head in acknowledgment, his gaze lingering on her a moment, recognizing the warmth she carried. Then he turned back to Theo.
“Let us speak further inside. There is much to discuss—alliances, trade routes, and the stability of the borders.”
Theo nodded, motioning toward the council chamber prepared for their private talk.
“Then let us speak inside, alpha.”
Together, the two stepped deeper into the estate, side by side—one a symbol of fearsome power, the other of steady wisdom—while the pack watched in awe, knowing that history was quietly being written within their walls.
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Inside the council chamber, the air was still and heavy, as though it held its breath in anticipation. The polished stone floor gleamed faintly in the candlelight, and an austere silence reigned the moment Damian crossed the threshold.
Theo led him to the high seat but, instead of taking his own, he lowered himself to his knees. With both hands pressed flat against the floor, he bowed deeply until his forehead touched the cold stone.
“Alpha Damian,” his voice was steady, filled with reverence. “I, Theo, appointed by your hand, bring before you the works of my leadership. All that has been achieved is by your grace and trust.”
Damian’s shadow loomed over him. For a long moment, the only sound was the faint crackle of the torches. Then Damian’s deep voice broke the silence.
“Rise.”
Theo obeyed, lifting his head but remaining half-bent, a sign of continued respect. Slowly, he began to recount.
“The people stand stronger than before. The warriors are more disciplined, trade routes with neighboring allies have opened, and the healers’ guild thrives with renewed resources. Order has returned, and the elders no longer act divided. The people…”—his gaze lowered humbly—“…they walk without fear now.”
Damian studied him with his piercing eyes, then gave a single, approving nod.
“You have done well. You have honored my choice.”
Theo felt warmth of relief flicker in his chest, but Damian’s next words, after a long pause, tightened the air.
“Tell me. What challenges do you face?”
At first, Theo hesitated. His mind wavered—should he speak of it openly, or keep his troubles to himself? Yet he remembered Damian’s silence could be deadlier than anger. With a careful breath, he spoke.
“There are… matters that tested me.” His voice dropped lower. “One of my high officials, Peter, once sought to undermine my authority. His ways have quieted, but I have not forgotten. And…” He swallowed. “Three warriors, disobedient to the Gamma Jihoo, tried to sow division during training. They mocked his orders, tempted others to disrespect him. But I corrected them publicly, and I reaffirmed Jihoo’s place.”
Silence followed. Damian’s gaze lingered, sharp as a blade. Theo lowered his eyes slightly, unease gnawing at him. Had he said too much? Had his openness shown weakness instead of strength?
Finally, Damian’s deep voice cut through.
“Summon the Gamma.”
Theo bowed his head, immediately sending for Jihoo. Within moments, the young Gamma entered, his steps faltering at the sight of Damian seated in judgment. His shoulders tensed, his gaze fell to the floor, and his breath came shallow. The weight of Damian’s presence was suffocating.
“Come forward.”
Jihoo obeyed, but his knees nearly buckled under the pressure of Damian’s narrowed gaze. His heart pounded as if the Alpha could see straight into his soul.
After a long silence, Damian spoke—his words slow, deliberate.
“You carry a title given to few. A Gamma is the steel spine of a pack. Yet I hear whispers that some dare to challenge you.” His eyes sharpened, and Jihoo flinched. “Will you let their defiance define you? Or will you rise and carve your place so deeply that no man dares to waver before you again?”
Jihoo’s chest heaved. His lips trembled, but then he straightened slightly, forcing himself to meet Damian’s gaze.
“I… I will rise, Alpha. I will prove myself worthy, not only to Theo but to the entire pack. I will not bend before those who scorn my position.”
Damian studied him a moment longer. Then, unexpectedly, the edge in his voice softened.
“Good. Hold on to that fire. Do not let it die.”
A faint tremor of determination lit Jihoo’s eyes where fear had been moments before. Theo, watching, felt a flicker of pride swell within him.
Damian leaned back in his chair, his expression unreadable once more.
“Call a meeting. Now. I will see the faces of your officials myself.”
Theo bowed low again.
“As you command.”
Within minutes, the messengers hurried through the estate, summoning the high officials, elders, and commanding warriors to the council chamber. The quiet peace of the day was gone—the pack braced itself, for Damian’s presence was not one of ceremony alone.
He had come to test them...
- Writer
