The Generation Series: REBIRTH

Behind Robbie's mansion lies a captivating pool, its water spotless and inviting. It is flanked by a charming mini bar of decorative stone. Above, a canopy of delicate stringed lights stretches like a constellation of stars, casting a magical glow.

The young twins had surged ahead, their excitement noticeable as they frolicked outdoors. Alex breathed heavily in the clear air mixed with chlorine from the pool and said, "While we wait for Sam to come here to pick us up, we might as well enjoy some pool time, right, brother?"

"I can't wait to go home," Alec said.

Michael's mischievous grin crept up from behind, accompanied by a strategic shove, sending Alec splashing into the pool's depths. Alex pointed at his soaked brother, clutching his abdomen as he laughed. Shifting to a luxurious white cooler, Michael fetched a chilled soda and laughed at them. Meanwhile, Alex's laughter danced upon the air from the pool's edge, yet his brother seized his ankles, playfully pulling him beneath the water's surface.

With a soft chuckle, Sakura gently opened the glass sliding door. The intricate marks on her skin could never tarnish the stunning elegance she showed in her new bikini.

She found her way to Athen in a daze, lost in deep thoughts about the first time she saw a dead human. She found Athen leaning casually against the bar, clasping a bottle of vodka. The tender peck he placed upon her cheek provoked a warm blush from her face.

"How are you feeling?" Athen asked.

"It's been three days since that day, and I'm still shaking thinking about the dead kid. Thankfully, Jack took care of it. The humans believe a bear attacked him on the ridge and fell to death in the water."

Athen took a big gulp of his bottle. "Did you kill that kid?"

Sakura defensively frowned at him and said, "No, of course not."

"Exactly, so stop blaming yourself. We're out here now in the pool to forget about all that and move on."

"It's not that easy for me," Sakura sighed.

"I know," Athen whispered, releasing a heavy guilty sigh for being too hard on her.

Not far off, Jack sprawled in his seat, dozing as the sun descended. He is enjoying his life after the assignment to protect his pack. The horizon was painted in splendid shades. Gazing upward, one could witness the seamless melding of orange and pink against the environment of blue, gradually yielding to the night. Sakura leaned on Athen's shoulder, relishing the view of the evening atmosphere.

Resting on the bar, Sakura's phone chimed with its familiar ring. Glancing at the screen, the collar identification revealed that it was Sam calling, probably to inform them she had made her way to America, ready to gather them. 

Sakura answered the call, "Oi, why didn't ya pick us up here last time?" 

"You're not biological father is a human; it's our way of being discrete."

"When I return, that is gonna' change. Where are ya?"

"Santa Monica Bay at the edge of Ballona Creek."

Athen called out, "We're on our way, Sam." 

Leaving no response, Sam hangs up the phone. Sakura communicates with a sour facial expression, saying, "Charmin' is she now."

The pack laughed at Sakura's response during her conversation with her advisor; their delight echoed through the air. In a somber mood, Sakura retreated from the open air, advancing upstairs to her room. She secured her hair in a bun and swapped her attire for a more relaxed outfit. From her drawers, she retrieved leggings, pairing them with another tank top that slipped under a black hoodie. With a fleeting glance around her room, it was as if she was bidding farewell, closing the door behind her as she departed.

Descending the staircase, Sakura entered the elegant white kitchen, gathering a notepad and pen from the spotless island. Seated on a stool, she composed a letter to her father, a temporary farewell etched in ink. She explained her concerns for her safety here and her desire to shield him from harm. Assuring him she'd return once the dilemma was resolved.

The boys wobbled down the stairs like a herd of charging beasts. Wearing short-sleeved shirts and snug black jeans, they appeared ready to take on whatever lay ahead.

"Ready to go?" Athen asked. 

"Just sayin' goodbye to dad."

"He will understand."

"I hope so."

Athen gallantly held the front door ajar, a polite gesture as he allowed Sakura to step out before him. The others fell in line, their gazes fixed as she absorbed the view of her vacant driveway. In synchronized harmony, the boys transformed, assuming their wolf forms and expecting the journey to Santa Monica.

With agile grace, Sakura leaped onto Athen's back; her silent nod signaled her approval to the rest of the pack, granting them the go-ahead to depart. "Let's go home, lads," Sakura proudly said. Though reluctant to return to the island, Sakura pushed aside her embarrassment from her previous panic attack. She could not let anyone get hurt because of her. The boys charged forward as fast as their legs could take them.

First, they passed through the streets of Beverly Hills, an iconic neighborhood in Los Angeles. The roads had magnificent mansions, lush greenery, and blooming flowers. Athen led them overhead, moving swiftly as they traveled.

Sakura gazed at the upscale surroundings and asked, "Who do ya think is after me, Athen?"

Athen pondered her question, unable to identify any specific threats. "Not sure, but we will know when we return to the island. We have to group up for a meeting to discuss what will happen next."

Sakura expressed her fear, "The lad huntin' me will probably kill me."

Athen chuckled, "Not before they kill us first."

The pack continued their journey, and Jack suggested, "We should inform the others of a potential attack."

Athen replied, "I highly doubt we are dealing with a war here. It may only be a lone wolf."

Michael added, "A larger pack would cause significantly more damage. From personal experience, I'd say there are only four werewolves."

The pack eventually reached Santa Monica, and Sakura marveled at the view. "Why haven't we ever traveled here before all this happened?"

Athen laughed, "Well, you said it was too far."

"I was a moody lass in high school, I was," Sakura sighed, "But we're gettin' closer."

The Santa Monica Bay stretched before them, its coastline adorned with sandy beaches. The pack's energy surged as they approached the pier.

Sakura's excitement was tinged with fear of the unknown future, but she pushed those worries aside. Reaching the iconic Santa Monica Pier, they moved toward the beach's edge, avoiding any late-night beachgoers. The pack spotted Sam on the deck of her vessel. She started the engine, pulling the ship away from the shore.

Sakura questioned, "Where's she headin', lads? She's leavin' us behind."

Athen reassured her, "Don't worry, Sam's just ensuring she doesn't damage the boat in shallow waters."

As the pack hastened their pace, the earth seemed to blur beneath them, and Sakura clung tightly to Athen's fur, determined not to lose her perch. Athen propelled them forward with remarkable agility, his mighty leap thrusting them high above the creek's bike trail. Landing safely on the boat's deck, Sakura gingerly dismounted from Athen's back, her body trembling from the adrenaline of the unexpected accomplishment.

The boys resumed their human forms with transformative shifts, chuckling at Sakura's reaction.

Athen patted Sakura on the back and smiled as he said, "You're okay." 

"Oi, Sam. What's been transpiring of late over on the island?"

"Nothing new when I left. I assume you experienced something concerning. I mean, why else would you call me here?"

Athen replied, "recently, a body washed ashore. It was a werewolf attack." 

"Are you certain? Paradise is still crippled by the war, so if something wrong, we have to be prepared for it." 

"Jack took care of the body on the beach, but we found the werewolf who killed the boy was a werewolf with a mechanical arm."

Sam widened her eyes. "That is not a good sign, Athen. If those werewolves are back we have to hurry. For all we know the island is under attack now. Take a breather; we will be there in a few days."

Standing upon the deck of a grand vessel, the world transforms into a breathtaking panorama of endless expanse.

The horizon extends in all directions, an unbroken line where sky and sea converge, inviting dreams of exploration and discovery. Seagulls glide overhead, their calls echoing across the open, expansive sea.

As the boat journeys onward, leaving a trail of gentle ripples, it becomes a witness to the world beneath the surface. Schools of fish dart playfully, their vibrant colors a fleeting flash against the depths. A glimpse of sleek marine life occasionally breaks the surface—a dolphin's playful leap, a majestic whale's spout.

Sakura pondered her decisions in silence. Regret gnawed at her, whispering of the time lost and the repercussions of her absence. Approaching Athen, Sakura leaned against the metal bars lining the deck, gazing at the sea.

"Do ye have kin still walkin' this world?" she inquired.

"No," he replied, his gaze fixed on the horizon, "But the others, they might. I don't ask because we all have our fair share of trauma we don't want to discuss."

Sakura turned her head toward him, her gaze tracing the soft glow of light that highlighted his features. "Where were you really born, Athen?" she asked softly.

"East of the island, in a Hinode village," he began. "I was less than a year old when my home was burned to the ground. My siblings… they didn't make it. Sam's mother found me under the rubble of the disaster, and she took me in and trained me like a son. I was the only one who survived. After that, they made me the Alpha Lieutenant of Hinode, and I trained relentlessly to become who I am today. The fifth generation gave me the task of rebuilding my village from the ground up, but I left as soon as my rank changed to Alpha Protector."

Sakura let out a quiet sigh, her heart heavy with empathy. "I'm sorry, Athen. I wish I knew the burden ya carried all this time. Who burned down yer home?"

"The same monsters who killed your mother," Athen replied, his tone darkening. His gaze fixed on the horizon, his expression hardening as he recalled the scene. "I can still see it—the massive, dark grey wolf tearing through the flames, killing everyone in his path."

"Was he ever caught?" Sakura asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

"No," Athen said, his eyes narrowing. "But when he returns… I swear, he won't leave this island alive."

Everyone was impacted by the war somehow, but Sakura lost more than her mother that day. She never envisioned the impact on the island would be so catastrophic.

Without a word, Sakura stepped closer and wrapped her arms around him, holding him tightly. They stood together at the edge of the ship's bow, watching the moon rise slowly into the night sky, its reflection dancing on the waves. The quiet night surrounded them while the boys slept soundly nearby.

Sakura stood in silence, haunted by the vivid memories of the war from her nightmare. The image of the dark grey wolf loomed large in her mind, yet she could not recall if he had ever revealed his name that fateful night.

"Aye, I remember his massive face," she murmured. "He was as big as me mums black wolf form."

Athen nodded. "That's right. Isabella showed him to you the night you were born. His size was so overpowering, I panicked. I ran from the fight and tumbled down a hill. My body slammed into a tree, and I was out cold for days. When I woke up, I was covered in bruises and cuts. The Deltas assumed I'd been injured in combat and brought me back to headquarters. That room at the end of the hall—where your mother died—was never used again. I think Michelle eventually turned it into a storage room."

"No one should've expected ya to fight in a war," Sakura whispered, her voice heavy with compassion. "I could never ask someone so young to endure something so horrific."

Athen's expression darkened. "Easier said than done," he replied. "When the war came, we didn't have enough able-bodied warriors. The smaller, calculated attacks on our villages earlier that year had already depleted our numbers. They weakened us and used it to their advantage. Lily had no choice but to do whatever it took to protect you. And I swore, if I survived that war, I would protect you, too. But when I woke up, you and Lily were gone. The island was in ruins. I felt like I'd failed."

He paused, his gaze distant. "Then Taylor came to me, begging me to find you. She said you were our last hope to bring peace back to the island."

Sakura frowned and asked, "How am I the island's last hope? Why me?"

Athen offered her a gentle smile. "Because you—and your mothers before you—have always had a gift. You bring people together and light up the lives of everyone around you. That kind of hope is what we need most."

Sakura sighed. She said, "We both have so much pressure from the other werewolves to keep everyone safe. How are we gonna protect the lives of hundreds of innocent souls?"

Athen rested his head on her shoulder. "One step at a time," he said.