Legacy Of The True Alpha

"Hi, Rylan!" A small boy with a hairy cow greeted the woodcutter.

"Hey, Jared!" Rylan replied, calling the boy by name. "You can be the first to cross."

"For what?" Jared asked, puzzled.

Rylan grinned. "Or you can go all the way to North Bridge, which will take you two hours to walk."

The cow mooed suddenly, making Jared feel uneasy.

"What's up?" Rylan asked.

"It's not me... it's Lanie. He's scared of crossing the bridge," Jared explained.

Rylan chuckled and patted the cow. "Smart cow. He can't pass a bridge that hasn't been tested yet."

They both crossed the makeshift bridge, their laughter echoing through the quiet morning.

Rylan, bidding Jared farewell and offering his regards to his father, mounted his horse. A sense of hunger gnawed at him as he rode through the forest, eventually finding a suitable spot to rest. He munched on an apple, his horse grazing nearby when a sudden commotion caught his attention.

A young woman, Elara, was fleeing on horseback, pursued by a group of menacing figures. Rylan recognized them as the Ironclaw Pack, a feared group of werewolves. Intrigued and moved by her plight, he decided to intervene.

Elaracornered at the edge of a cliff, drew her bow, and fired an arrow at her pursuers. "Stay back!" she warned them, her voice filled with defiance.

"Shoot her!" Fane, the leader of the Ironclaw Pack, commanded mercilessly.

Rylan, seeing the imminent danger to Elara, leaped off his horse and tackled the guard who was about to strike her. "Leave her alone!" he shouted, his voice filled with determination.

Fane, enraged by Rylan's interference, sneered, "You're making a big mistake, boy. This girl is dangerous."

Rylan, gazing at Elara with a look of concern, retorted, "Four men against one woman? I think she's the one in danger."

Fane scoffed, "You don't understand what you're talking about. This isn't your fight. Be smart and go home."

Rylan, unwavering in his resolve, declared, "I'm not going anywhere!"

Fane, furious, lunged at Rylan, striking him across the face. Despite the blow, Rylan remained steadfast. Meanwhile, another guard attempted to stab Elara.

With a swift and precise movement, Elara dodged the attack and seized the guard's wrist. Her eyes flashed with a strange, otherworldly light as she locked her gaze with his. The guard's eyes began to darken, his expression turning vacant.

Under Elara's control, the guard dropped his weapon and stood motionless. Elara, having gained the upper hand, turned her attention back to Fane and the remaining guards.

The guard, his eyes now pitch black, dropped to his knees, his will broken. He turned to face his fellow pack members, his loyalty now severed. Elara, weakened by the exertion of her magic, collapsed to the ground.

Fane, enraged by the turn of events, lunged at Elara. "It's over for you, sorceress," he snarled.

Just as Fane raised his sword to strike, Rylan, having recovered from the blow, attacked him. The two men engaged in a fierce struggle, their swords clashing. In the chaos, Elara, seizing the opportunity, stabbed Fane in the leg, causing him to stumble and fall off the cliff.

"Your hand is bleeding," Elara said, her voice filled with concern. "Let me take you to my father. He can treat your wound."

Rylan, surprised by her kindness, asked, "Did I... did I do the right thing?"

Elara smiled faintly. "You did, Rylan. You protected an innocent life."

Elara smiled faintly. "You did, Rylan. You protected an innocent life."

As they gazed at each other, a spark of understanding passed between them.

Rylan, surprised by her sudden change in demeanor, asked, "Did I do something wrong?"

Elara, her voice laced with apology, replied, "I'm not used to people touching me. I have to go."

"Where?" Rylan asked, his curiosity piqued.

"To look for someone," Elara replied evasively.

"Who?" Rylan pressed.

"You don't need to know," Elara said, her tone firm. "I can take care of myself."

"Why were those men chasing you?" Rylan asked. "Do you always ask this many questions?" Elara retorted.

"I just saved your life," Rylan replied.

"I saved yours," Elara corrected.

Intrigued, Rylan asked, "What did you do to that guard?" He reached out to grab her shoulder.

Elara turned sharply, her eyes flashing with a warning. "You want to know what I did to him? Try and follow me," she said, her voice low and menacing.

With that, she disappeared into the woods, leaving Rylan alone with his unanswered questions and a growing sense of unease.