CUSRED BY THE FULL MOON

The kingdom of Lyria was a land of vast forests, rolling hills, and thriving villages, where prosperity seemed endless, and peace reigned over the people. Its beauty was matched only by the strength of its rulers. King Alaric, the mighty Alpha King, stood as a pillar of strength for his people, his broad shoulders carrying the weight of the crown with both wisdom and justice. Queen Lyanna, his beloved, was his equal, not only in grace and beauty but in the fierceness of her loyalty to their land and people.

Together, they had ruled Lyria for many years, bringing about an era of peace and prosperity that would be remembered for generations. The bond between the King and Queen was unbreakable, their love a beacon for the kingdom. Their son, Prince Caelum, was the crown jewel of their union. Young, vibrant, and full of promise, he had inherited the best qualities of both parents. His laughter filled the halls of the royal palace, his energy breathed life into the castle's ancient stone walls. The people adored their prince, seeing in him the future of their kingdom.

Alaric had always known that his rule would not be eternal. He had watched the passing of seasons, the growth of his kingdom, and the rise of new generations. But his legacy was certain Caelum would take the throne and continue his work. The King had no doubt that his son would lead with honor, just as he had. Lyanna, too, had seen her son grow into a wise and compassionate young man. She could feel the strength that pulsed through him, a strength that was part of their bloodline, part of their pack.

But not everyone shared the same vision of the future. Within the walls of the castle, there was one who harbored a dark ambition Alaric brother, Macus. He had long been the trusted advisor to King Alaric, a figure whose counsel had guided many decisions, and whose loyalty seemed unwavering. But beneath the surface, a different story was unfolding. Macus had always been overlooked. Though he was Alaric brother, he had never been chosen as heir to the throne. His role as advisor had granted him power, but it had never granted him the one thing he truly desired,the crown. Alaric, the rightful King, was a powerful and just leader, but Macus could not shake the feeling that the throne had always been his by birthright. His resentment simmered for years, growing like a shadow in the depths of his heart. And with every passing year, his jealousy festered. Macus ambition began to take root when Alaric and Lyanna welcomed their son into the world. Prince Caelum, as loved and adored as he was, became a symbol of the future of Lyria one that Macus would never inherit. The bitterness within him grew. He could no longer ignore the whispering voices in his mind, the ones that told him he was the true leader, the one destined to rule.

In the quiet moments when no one else was around, Macus began to entertain the thought of seizing the throne for himself. He would not sit idly by and let his niece or nephew inherit what was rightfully his. And so, the seeds of betrayal were planted.

In secret, Macus began meeting with other disillusioned members of the kingdom. There were whispers of discontent, of rebellion brewing in the hearts of those who felt slighted by the King's rule. Some had been passed over for positions of power, others were merely dissatisfied with the status quo. Together, they began to form a network of like minded individuals who would support Macus vision for the future of Lyria. The quiet plotting was done in the shadows, away from the watchful eyes of the royal family.

Alaric, ever the vigilant ruler, began to sense something was amiss. He had ruled with strength and honor, but the unity of his kingdom was not as solid as it seemed. Whispers reached his ears, stories of unrest, murmurs of rebellion. The King had always prided himself on keeping a close watch over his people, but this time, the unrest was different. It was subtle, elusive. There were no clear signs, no obvious threats to the throne. But the unease weighed heavily on Alaric's heart.

One evening, as the King walked through the castle gardens, a guard approached with a troubling report. "Your Majesty," the guard began, his voice hesitant. "There are rumors. Whispers of a betrayal-growing louder by the day."

Alaric's expression hardened. He trusted his kingdom, trusted his advisors, but something about the guard's words unsettled him. "Who is behind this?" he asked, his voice low.

The guard lowered his gaze. We are still unsure, Sire. But there are whispers in every corner. Some say it's from within the royal court."

Alaric's eyes narrowed, and he glanced over at his wife, Queen Lyanna, who stood nearby, her beauty as radiant as ever. He could see the concern in her eyes as she watched him, sensing his unease. But there was something more, something that Alaric couldn't ignore. Lyanna had always been the pillar of their family, a constant source of strength, yet even she seemed to feel the tension in the air.

Later that night, as the family gathered in the royal chambers, Alaric pulled Lyanna aside. "I have a growing suspicion, my love," he confessed, his voice heavy. "I fear there may be someone close to us, someone we trust, who is involved in this plot. The rebellion-it's not just rumors. It's real."

Lyanna's brow furrowed in concern. "Who would dare? Who could turn against us like this?"

Alaric paused, a grim realization dawning on him. He glanced at the doorway, where Kael stood watching them, his expression unreadable. He had always been loyal, but now, Alaric could not shake the feeling that his brother-in-law was hiding something. There had always been a tension between them, a silent understanding that they were not quite as close as the King had once believed. And now, that feeling had grown into something more-a deep-seated fear that Macus might be the one behind the unrest.

Alaric took a deep breath and turned to his wife. "We need to watch him closely, Lyanna. We cannot let our guard down, not even with family."

As the night drew to a close, Alaric stood by the window, staring out at the moonlit kingdom. His thoughts were a whirlwind of suspicion and doubt. Could Macus truly be behind this betrayal? Or was his mind playing tricks on him, clouded by the weight of his responsibilities?

Outside, the winds of change were stirring, and Alaric could feel it. The kingdom was on the edge of something much darker, something none of them could foresee.