The air was heavy with the acrid stench of smoke, clinging to Regina's clothes and filling her lungs with every breath. The once-vibrant village she had stumbled upon was now reduced to smoldering ruins. Blackened beams jutted up from the ashes like broken ribs, and the ground was littered with shattered pottery, torn fabric, and the charred remains of lives once lived. Regina's boots crunched against the debris as she moved, her amber eyes scanning the destruction with a mixture of horror and fury.
It wasn't the first village Leonard's pack had razed—and she knew it wouldn't be the last.
A woman's cry pierced the air, drawing Regina's attention. Near the edge of the ruins, an elderly woman knelt beside a crumbled wall, clutching the lifeless body of a young boy. The boy's face was streaked with soot, his small hand still clutching a wooden toy, now blackened and cracked. Regina's throat tightened as she approached, her steps careful.
"I… I tried to save him," the woman sobbed, her frail body shaking. "They came so fast… like shadows in the night."
Regina knelt beside her, placing a hand gently on her shoulder. "I'm sorry," she said softly, though the words felt hollow. She had no way to undo the damage, no way to bring the child back.
The woman's tear-streaked face turned toward Regina. "Why? Why did they do this?"
Regina couldn't answer. She didn't know if there was a reason, or if Leonard's insatiable hunger for dominance simply didn't care for such things.
The journey back to Leonard's stronghold was slow and suffocating. The air around the palace seemed darker than usual, the towering spires casting long, oppressive shadows over the courtyard. Regina dismounted her horse, her muscles aching from the long ride, and handed the reins to a stable hand without a word.
Inside the grand hall, the air was colder, heavier. The Keepers had been visiting more frequently, their presence unmistakable with their flowing black cloaks and emotionless expressions. They moved through the palace like silent specters, their very existence unsettling. It wasn't lost on Regina that Leonard's demeanor had grown even more dangerous since their arrival.
She passed one of them in the corridor, their gaze cutting through her like ice. Regina suppressed a shiver, keeping her chin high and her pace steady. She couldn't afford to show weakness, not here.
In the training yard, Viktor was waiting. His arms were crossed, his scarred face impassive as he watched her approach. "You're late," he said, his voice gruff.
"I was at the village," Regina replied, pulling her cloak tighter around her. "Or what's left of it."
Viktor's expression didn't change, but his eyes flicked to her hands, which were still smudged with soot. "And what did you learn?"
"That Leonard's cruelty knows no bounds," she said sharply. "And that he's no longer satisfied with dominating wolves. He's turning his sights on humans."
Viktor studied her for a moment before nodding. "Then you'd better be ready."
That evening, Regina stood on the balcony overlooking the palace courtyard. Below, torches illuminated the arrival of more Keepers, their presence filling her with unease. Leonard emerged to greet them, his golden eyes gleaming with anticipation. Their interaction was brief, but Regina could see the exchange of something—a vial, perhaps, or an artifact. Whatever it was, Leonard held it aloft, his smile sharp and predatory.
Regina's fists clenched. She had always known Leonard to be ruthless, but this alliance with the Keepers was something more insidious. Their magic was ancient and corrupt, their motives always shrouded in secrecy. If Leonard was aligning himself with them, it meant he was preparing for something far worse than anything she could imagine.
Later that night, Regina confronted Viktor in the training yard. The moonlight cast long shadows across the worn dirt as she approached him, her boots crunching softly with each step.
"The Keepers," she said without preamble. "What are they giving him?"
Viktor paused, his sword resting against his shoulder. "Power," he said simply. "Enough to make sure no one can stand against him."
Regina's chest tightened. "And you're okay with that?"
Viktor's gaze met hers, unflinching. "It doesn't matter what I think. Leonard's rule is law. You know that as well as I do."
She shook her head, her voice rising. "It matters. How can you stand by and let this happen?"
Viktor's jaw tightened, but he didn't reply. Instead, he turned back to his blade, his silence speaking volumes.
The following days were a blur of training, observation, and quiet defiance. Regina's resolve grew stronger with each passing moment, but so did the weight of Leonard's tyranny. He had begun ordering raids more frequently, targeting not just human villages but smaller packs that refused to pledge loyalty to him. Each new atrocity fueled Regina's anger, but it was the arrival of a young girl that finally pushed her over the edge.
The girl, no older than eight, was dragged into the courtyard by Leonard's guards. Her face was streaked with dirt, her clothes torn, but her eyes burned with defiance. Leonard stood before her, his smile cold and predatory.
"A message," he declared to the gathered wolves, his voice echoing through the courtyard. "This is what happens to those who defy me."
Regina's heart pounded as she watched Leonard raise his hand, the Keepers' magic glinting faintly in his palm. The girl didn't flinch, but Regina couldn't stay silent any longer.
"Stop!" she shouted, stepping forward. Her voice carried with it a command that made even Leonard pause.
The courtyard fell silent as Leonard turned to face her, his golden eyes narrowing. "Careful, Regina," he said, his tone dangerous. "You're treading on thin ice."
Regina stepped closer, her fists clenched. "This isn't strength," she said, her voice trembling with anger. "This is cowardice. Killing children doesn't make you powerful. It makes you weak."
Leonard's smile disappeared, replaced by a look of cold fury. "You forget your place," he growled, stepping toward her. "And you forget who rules here."
Regina met his gaze, unflinching. "I haven't forgotten," she said quietly.
For a moment, neither of them moved. The tension was palpable, the air heavy with unspoken threats. Then, with a sharp gesture, Leonard motioned for the guards to release the girl. Regina felt a flicker of relief as the child stumbled forward, her defiance replaced by exhaustion. But she knew this was only the beginning. Leonard wouldn't forget this act of defiance, and neither would she.
The storm had swallowed the night, its fury shaking the very earth beneath the werewolves' feet. Rain lashed against the courtyard of Leonard's stronghold, turning the dirt into a slick, treacherous mire. Thunder rolled overhead, loud and menacing, as flashes of lightning illuminated the scene. The pack, soaked and silent, formed a wide circle around the central stone platform, their eyes darting between Regina and Leonard.
At the platform's edge stood Henry, his wrists bound and his face pale but calm. The man who had shielded Regina from Leonard's wrath for so long had finally been exposed. Regina's father. A Keeper. Leonard's voice had thundered with accusations, his golden eyes alight with fury as he declared Henry a traitor—a danger to the pack and its traditions.
Regina had arrived too late to stop her father's capture, but not too late to fight for his life.
Leonard paced the platform, his massive frame gleaming with rain as he addressed the crowd. "This is what betrayal looks like!" he roared, gesturing toward Henry. "A Keeper, hiding among us. Protecting those who defy me." He paused, his gaze locking onto Regina. "And now, his blood runs through the veins of the one who dares challenge my rule."
Regina stepped forward, her boots sinking into the mud. The rain plastered her dark hair to her face, but her amber eyes burned with defiance. "Let him go," she demanded, her voice steady despite the storm. "He's no threat to you."
Leonard's laugh was sharp and mocking, cutting through the thunder. "No threat? He's the reason you've forgotten your place. The reason you've dared to stand against me."
Regina's hands clenched into fists. The crowd murmured, uneasy. Leonard's face twisted with rage, his golden eyes narrowing. "Enough," he snarled. "You've defied me for the last time."
Lightning flashed, and in its blinding light, Leonard's form began to shift. Bones cracked and elongated, his muscles rippling as his transformation took hold. His black fur gleamed under the rain, streaked with silver that shimmered with each movement. When the light faded, he stood as a massive wolf, his golden eyes glowing with a predatory gleam.
"You've forgotten who rules here, Regina," Leonard growled, his voice a guttural snarl. "It's time you learned your lesson."
Regina hesitated only for a moment. She turned to the guards flanking Henry. "Get him out of here," she commanded. They didn't move. Leonard's growl deepened, and the pack tightened their circle, watching with bated breath.
Regina turned back to Leonard, her resolve hardening. "You want to teach me a lesson?" she said, her voice low. "Then try."
With a scream that echoed over the storm, Regina let the shift take her. Her bones cracked and reformed, her body expanding as her wolf emerged. When she landed on all fours, her massive black form towered nearly as large as Leonard's. Her eyes, now a blazing red, pierced through the darkness, glowing with an intensity that made the watching wolves recoil.
Leonard lunged first, his claws slicing through the rain as he charged at Regina. She sidestepped, her paws slipping slightly in the mud, but she was fast. She spun, her claws raking across his flank. He snarled, twisting to snap at her with his powerful jaws, but she was already out of reach.
The two circled each other, mud splattering with every movement. Leonard's growls rumbled like distant thunder, his muscles tensed and ready to strike. Regina's tail flicked, her ears flat against her head as she watched him carefully. Every muscle in her body was coiled, her instincts honed from years of training under Viktor.
Leonard struck again, feinting to the left before slamming into her side with the full weight of his massive body. Regina skidded in the mud, her claws digging into the earth as she fought to keep her footing. His teeth grazed her shoulder, drawing blood, but she twisted free, her jaws snapping at his throat.
The two wolves collided again, their bodies a blur of black fur and flashing claws. Leonard's strength was overwhelming, his sheer size giving him an edge. But Regina was faster, her movements precise and calculated. She darted under him, her claws slashing at his unprotected belly. He howled in pain, rearing back, and she leapt at him, aiming for his throat.
He caught her mid-air, his jaws closing around her scruff, and threw her to the ground. The impact drove the air from her lungs, but she rolled quickly, avoiding his next strike. She lunged back at him, her claws raking across his face. Blood sprayed onto the muddy ground as Leonard roared, his golden eyes blazing with fury.
Leonard didn't relent. With a savage growl, he pounced on Regina, pinning her under his massive paws. His claws tore into her sides, the sharp pain nearly blinding her as he pressed down. She snarled, thrashing beneath him, her jaws snapping at his legs, but his weight was crushing. Leonard lowered his head, his teeth sinking into her shoulder with brutal force. Blood spilled from the wound, the coppery scent mixing with the rain and mud.
Regina let out a pained howl, her red eyes flaring brighter. Summoning her strength, she twisted sharply, her claws slashing across Leonard's chest. He snarled and staggered back, giving her just enough room to scramble to her feet. Her body was trembling, blood matting her black fur, but the fire in her eyes didn't waver.
Leonard lunged again, his claws aiming for her throat. Regina ducked, but he was too fast. His paw caught her side, sending her sprawling into the mud. She tried to rise, but he was on her again, his teeth finding purchase on her hind leg. He dragged her back, slamming her into the ground with enough force to crack the earth beneath them.
The pack watched in stunned silence, their faces tense and unreadable. Some winced with every blow Regina took, while others seemed almost mesmerized by Leonard's dominance. The rain continued to pour, washing away the blood that pooled around the combatants but doing nothing to lessen the intensity of the fight.
Regina's breaths came in ragged gasps, her body screaming in pain. Leonard loomed over her, his golden eyes gleaming with triumph as he bared his bloodied fangs. He lunged for her neck, but at the last moment, Regina twisted, her jaws snapping shut on his foreleg. He roared, trying to shake her off, but she held on, her teeth sinking deeper.
With a surge of strength, Leonard flung her aside, and she hit the ground hard. The world spun around her, but she forced herself to her feet, her legs trembling under her weight. Blood dripped from multiple wounds, her vision blurred by the rain and exhaustion, but she refused to back down.
Leonard's eyes blazed with a mix of fury and desperation as he circled Regina. His chest heaved, blood dripping from his wounds, yet he was far from defeated. Regina stood her ground, her red eyes locked onto his, unwavering despite the pain coursing through her body. Her black fur, streaked with blood and rain, began to shimmer faintly, threads of light weaving through it as her magic awoke.
The air crackled with tension. Leonard's growl deepened, a rumble that resonated through the clearing. With a fierce snarl, he lunged. Regina met him head-on, their bodies colliding with a thunderous impact that shook the ground. Mud and debris flew in all directions as they grappled, their claws tearing into each other with savage precision.
The fight was brutal, a deadly dance of strength and skill. Leonard's claws sank deeper into Regina's sides, his teeth grazing dangerously close to her neck. But Regina was relentless. Her red eyes flared brighter as her magic pulsed around her, the storm's roar muted by the intensity of her power. She twisted and turned, her claws finding purchase on Leonard's flesh, leaving deep gashes in their wake.
Leonard's strength was immense, but Regina's determination was unwavering. She fought with everything she had, her magic surging through her veins, giving her an edge. With a powerful shove, she sent Leonard sprawling backward. He landed in the mud, snarling as he scrambled to his feet. He lunged again, but this time Regina was ready.
She met him with a ferocious snarl, her claws raking across his face. Leonard howled in pain, but he didn't relent. He lunged for her throat, but Regina shifted in a flash of light. Her human form emerged, battered and bloodied but glowing with raw energy. Her hands surged with light as she thrust them forward, blasting Leonard backward with a wave of magic.
The force sent him crashing into the stone platform, his massive frame skidding through the mud. Before he could rise, Regina shifted back into her wolf form, her claws gleaming and her teeth bared. She pounced on him, her jaws clamping down on his throat as her claws tore into his sides. Leonard thrashed beneath her, but she was unrelenting. Her power surged, her black fur shimmering with magic as she ended the fight with a final, brutal strike.
The pack watched in stunned silence as Regina stood over Leonard's lifeless body in pieces, her chest heaving and her fur streaked with blood. Slowly, she turned to face them, her red eyes blazing with authority. A deep, guttural growl built in her chest, rising into the loudest alpha roar the pack had ever heard. It echoed through the storm, louder than the thunder, commanding and absolute.
The roar was not just a sound; it was a declaration of dominance, a surge of power that reverberated through the bones of every wolf present. It carried the weight of her victory, the raw intensity of her magic, and the undeniable truth that she was their new leader. The pack felt it deep within, a primal call to submit to her authority.
One by one, the wolves bowed, their heads lowering in submission. Even those loyal to Leonard could not defy the power radiating from Regina. She stood tall, her gaze sweeping over them before she shifted back into her human form. Rain poured down her bloodied and battered body, but she stood unbroken, her head held high.
All bowed before her, except for Henry, her father, who looked at her with quiet pride. The reign of Leonard was over. Regina had risen as the true Alpha.
The beeping of a heart monitor was the first sound Regina became aware of. Her eyelids fluttered, the soft overhead glow of hospital lights filtering through her blurred vision. Her body ached in ways she hadn't thought possible, every muscle screaming in protest as she shifted slightly.
"Mom!" Henry's voice pierced through the haze, filled with a mixture of relief and desperation. He was at her side in an instant, his small hands gripping hers tightly. "Mom, you're awake!"
Regina's chest heaved as she tried to catch her breath. Memories of the fight flashed through her mind of her haunted past—the rain, the mud, Leonard's claws tearing into her. Her red eyes had glowed with power she didn't fully understand at that time. She blinked, her gaze finally focusing on her son's tear-streaked face.
"Henry," she rasped, her voice hoarse and weak. Her arms felt heavy, but she managed to lift one, pulling him into a shaky embrace. "I'm here, sweetheart. I'm here."
Henry sobbed into her shoulder, refusing to let go. "I thought you—I thought you wouldn't wake up."
"Never," Regina whispered, her own tears mixing with his. "I'll always come back to you."
Her parents stood nearby, their expressions a mixture of relief and guilt. Cora's usually composed face was softened, her lips pressed into a thin line as she stepped closer. Henry Mills, her father, placed a hand on Regina's shoulder, his eyes filled with quiet pride. Regina nodded weakly, her head falling back against the pillows. The weight of her body felt unbearable, but she could sense something different now—a connection, a thread that bound her to every wolf in her pack. Even unconscious, they had felt her power solidify, felt her as their alpha time and again showing them her true strength.
Outside the room, Ruby paced restlessly. Her own wounds were hastily bandaged, her red hair damp from the rain. She could feel Regina's strength returning, a beacon of reassurance for the pack. Beside her, the rest of the wolves waited, their loyalty unshaken. They had bowed to Regina in the storm time and again, and now they waited for their alpha to fully recover.
Ruby paused, her hand resting on the doorframe as she glanced inside. Regina, pale and fragile in the hospital bed, looked so different from the fierce wolf who had torn Leonard apart and now defended Elliot. But even now, there was no mistaking the fire in her amber eyes, the unyielding resolve of an alpha who had earned her place.
Regina's gaze flicked toward the door, her magic instinctively reaching out. She saw them—Ruby, Sabine, Cosette, and the others, waiting just beyond the threshold. A faint smile touched her lips with pride. Ruby took a deep breath, then opened the door fully. She stepped inside, her gaze meeting Regina's.
Regina's eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she nodded. "Thank you," she whispered.
And for the first time in what felt like forever, she knew she wasn't alone.
But as she leaned back into the hospital bed, her body heavy with exhaustion, another face emerged in her thoughts: Selene. The shimmering white-and-silver wolf who had appeared in the chaos of the Hollow Veil. Selene's piercing eyes—one silver, one deep blue—still haunted her, carrying a depth of pain and mistrust that Regina recognized all too well. Regina's chest tightened as memories of her own isolation during Leonard's reign flooded her mind. The nights spent yearning for a connection she couldn't find, the ache of being misunderstood and cast aside. Selene's demeanor, her resistance, and her quiet strength all spoke of someone who had endured a similar solitude.
She's alone out there, Regina thought, her amber eyes flickering with guilt and determination. Just like I was. And I let it happen.
Regina had recognized Selene the moment their eyes met. She had seen the ghost of Maeve in her—Selene's mother, who had been exiled with her child because of Leonard's cruelty. Regina had failed them both. She hadn't been strong enough to save Maeve or to stop Selene's banishment. And now, Selene carried the weight of that rejection, the scars of a world that had never made space for her.
But she came back, Regina thought. She saved us when she didn't have to. She fought for a pack that abandoned her. And now she's out there. The faint smile on Regina's lips faded as a wave of determination coursed through her. I won't let her feel like that again. Not if I can help it.
She closed her eyes briefly, summoning the strength to make a silent vow. Selene might not trust her, might not want anything to do with the pack, but Regina knew she couldn't ignore the bond she felt—the responsibility to prove to Selene that she wasn't alone anymore.
When Regina's eyes opened again, her gaze was sharper, filled with a quiet but unshakable resolve. Ruby, standing nearby, didn't notice the shift, but Regina felt it deep within herself. I'll find you, Selene. I'll make this right.
The weight of exhaustion finally began to pull at her, and Regina allowed herself to drift into a restless sleep, the image of Selene lingering in her mind. Outside the room, Ruby and the others remained on watch, unaware of the battle still waging in their alpha's heart.
And as the dawn light spilled through the window, Regina dreamed—not of pain or loss, but of a future where no one, not even Selene, had to endure the loneliness she had once known and endured all her life.