Chapter 2 – Calir's Most Trusted Ally

• (Background)
• Nestled amidst the picturesque hills of the north, the New Moon Pack stands as a proud and revered pack within the wolf realm. As the home pack of the esteemed Cirillo family, it holds a special place in the hearts of its members and the wolf community at large.
• The territory of the New Moon Pack spans a vast land of natural beauty. Rolling hills, adorned with lush vegetation and ancient trees, created a stunning backdrop for the pack's daily lives. Streams meander through the land and provide pack members a sense of serenity and renewal.
• Within the New Moon Pack, strong bonds of kinship and camaraderie flourish. The pack members regard each other as extended family, bound by loyalty, trust, and a shared connection to their Alpha lineage. Their unity has always been a source of strength, getting them through challenges they have faced as and celebrated the victories that came their way.
• As the most favored pack of the Alpha King, the New Moon Pack enjoys a heightened level of protection and support. As the most trusted ally, the kingdom of Calir stands as a steadfast guardian, ensuring the safety and well-being of its cherished pack. This favor instills a sense of pride and responsibility among the New Moon Pack members, who strive to honor their connection to the Alpha King, the royal family, and the kingdom. Whenever Calir calls, the New Moon pack is first in line to provide their service.
• The New Moon Pack thrives under the watchful eye of its leaders, Alpha Jaron Cirillo and Luna Elise Cirillo. The Cirillo family have led the pack for centuries. Almost as long as the trees that surround them, have lived. Pack members adore Alpha Jaron, Luna Elise and their children, Andromeda, the twins, Peter and Michael, and Artemis. Their wise guidance and fair governance foster an environment of prosperity and harmony within the pack. They nurtured a sense of community, where every member's voice was valued, and their individual strengths celebrated.
• Situated on the border of the kingdom of Calir, the New Moon Pack holds a crucial role in safeguarding the realm. Their position as protectors of the northern border demands vigilance and strength, as they stood as the first line of defense against external threats. The pack embraces this responsibility, understanding the significance of their role in preserving the safety and security of their kingdom. Young wolf cubs are raised to understand their importance to Calir and aspire to continue the tradition of protection of their pack, their king, and the realm.
• No one feels more loyalty to the kingdom than the Cirillo family. Alpha King Martin Lykiaos and Alpha Jaron Cirillo crossed paths during their time at Alpha School, an esteemed institution where young alphas from various packs gathered to learn and develop their leadership skills. The meeting between Martin and Jaron would prove to be a turning point in both of their lives, forging a lifelong friendship and a powerful alliance between their respective packs. Their friendship continued to grow as they spent countless hours discussing pack dynamics, strategies, and their aspirations for the realm. Martin was drawn to Jaron's unwavering loyalty to his pack and his strong sense of justice, while Jaron admired Martin's wisdom, compassion, and his unwavering commitment to his pack's well-being.
• Over time, Martin and Jaron realized the potential for their packs to thrive through a strategic alliance. They recognized the complementary strengths and resources each pack possessed, and together, they envisioned a future where their packs could support and protect each other, fostering a stronger kingdom. As soon as Martin ascended to the throne, the alliance treaty was put in place.
• King Martin and Alpha Jaron’s friendship continued to flourish over the years and extended to each other’s family. Jaron stood by his friend when he married Malia, Princess of the Enchanted Grove and Martin returned the favor when Jaron found his fated mate Elise, performing the joining ceremony with the New Moon elders. Jaron and Elise were the first visitors to meet the future Alpha King, Alexander when he was born. As a matter of fact, Elise held him in her arms before Martin did, causing a certain Alpha King to pout for the first time. Elise made it up to him eight years later when she went into premature labor with her youngest child, Artemis, while dancing with him at the annual King’s Ball. After giving birth on the palace ballroom floor, it was Martin that raced baby Artemis, with Malia in tow, to the royal doctor while Jaron tended to Elise. It was a royal ball that no one ever forgot.
• Growing up together, the royal children and the Cirillo siblings were inseparable. They lived for adventure and discovery. Often getting into pretend battles with vampires and rogues, training with older wolves in combat, hiding from the royal nanny Amelia and stealing freshly baked cookies and pies from the palace kitchen. From sleepovers to school, it was uncommon to see one without the other.
• As they got into their teenage years, the relationships between the children started to change. Alexander, being the oldest and next in line for the throne, started spending more time with his father and in his studies. When he wasn’t studying, he was on the training grounds with other warriors learning about defense and building his strength. Peter and Michael, both five years younger than him, were in awe of their friend and wanted to do everything he did. So, they trained hard as well. Hector, always feeling like an outcast, was often seen reading books, daydreaming under trees, and playing with forest animals while his brother and his friends trained. Andromeda would try her hardest to train with the boys and even though she was older than them, she was smaller. Her brother Peter would tease her until she would leave.
• Instead of going home, she would always sit on the side of the field and watch them train. Specifically, watch Alexander train. At first, it was interesting to watch the warriors spar with one another. Andromeda liked to watch their techniques and transform into their wolves. She wasn’t scared when the wolves would hurt each other or there was blood on the ground. She understood they were just training. No one was going to die. It was just a part of training. She would watch all the matches, no one in particular. That was until the day that Alexander rode a dragon. That’s when everything changed.