"Alpha Shadows: Forbidden Shackles"

In the Eastern Kingdom

In the house of Alpha Longin…

He sat beside his wife, Chloe, who was sobbing bitterly after learning of her husband's decision to send Adrian away to find a mate outside the pack.

Longin spoke with sadness,

"Stop crying… This is the best decision for him."

But Chloe reacted angrily, her tears still streaming down her face.

"No! I won't stop until you take back your decision! How can you expect me to give up on him? I've already lost enough because of you!"

Longin stood up abruptly, his voice sharp with frustration.

"I told you before, I didn't know this would happen!"

Chloe let out a bitter, pain-laced laugh before speaking in a hoarse voice.

"Really? You didn't know? You used our child as bait to trap the Rogues, and in the end, you couldn't even catch them! You sacrificed my son, and now you're trying to sacrifice Adrian—the only thing that kept me going after that nightmare."

Longin averted his gaze, shame clouding his face as he muttered,

"How long will you keep holding this over me? How long will you blame me for his death? If I had known it would end this way…"

Chloe cut him off, her anger erupting.

"Don't say those words! I'm sick of hearing them! You took my baby to that place, knowing the Rogues lurked there! He was just a helpless child who couldn't do anything but cry, and you were too busy proving your strength to everyone! And now you're afraid for Adrian because you see yourself in him—even though he's not your real son!"

Longin's voice trembled between anger and sorrow as he choked out,

"Enough! You don't understand how I feel! He died right in front of me, and I couldn't save him! Do you have any idea how much pain and shame I live with every single day?! He was my son too! His death changed me… It broke something inside me. And I still blame myself every moment! But all you do is reopen my wounds, as if I've forgotten… as if I need reminding!"

Longin then stormed out of the house, leaving Chloe in tears, feeling more abandoned than ever. It wasn't just about losing a child—it was about losing the security of the one who was supposed to stand by her side.

---

In the forest…

Arkon carried a bundle of clothes as he followed Adrian's scent through the trees. But before he reached him, a different smell invaded his senses—blood.

He quickened his pace and soon came upon Sivak, lying on the ground next to the carcass of a wild boar. Dried blood was smeared across his face, just above one of his eyes.

Knowing Sivak could hear him, Arkon spoke, his voice carrying concern.

"Why do you do this to yourself? What if the boar had struck your eye?"

Sivak's response echoed in his mind, his telepathic voice laced with defiance.

"You underestimate my power."

Arkon sighed, correcting himself.

"I didn't mean it that way, but the wound is too close to your eye…"

A heavy silence settled between them.

Minutes later, Adrian shifted back into his human form and pulled on the pants Arkon had brought him. He then looked at him and asked,

"Why do you always come looking for me?"

Arkon smiled sadly.

"Because you were there for me in my worst moments… When I was alone, homeless, abandoned by my own family. When everyone else turned their backs on me, you were the only family I had."

Then, as if to lighten the mood, he changed his tone.

"Besides, aren't we friends? What's this all about? Everyone thinks you want to be alone, but I know you just need someone who listens—someone who understands you. Isn't that what friends are for?"

A small smile tugged at Adrian's lips.

"I feel like you're the only one who truly understands me… My father wants me to go out and find a mate or a lover."

Arkon's eyes widened in mock shock, and he let out a dramatic sigh.

"Really? You too? So I'm not the only one suffering through this nonsense!"

Adrian chuckled, but then narrowed his eyes suspiciously.

"Did my father talk to you about this?"

Arkon smirked playfully.

"Man, I don't know where you get all this intelligence from!"

Adrian shot him a warning glance.

"Are you planning to throw a party on my behalf?"

Arkon feigned innocence, crossing his arms in mock surprise.

"Me? Throwing a party for you? I must be out of my mind!"

Adrian exhaled sharply.

"Arkon..."

Arkon raised his hands in surrender, laughing.

"Alright, alright! I'll shut up… But how are you feeling now?"

Adrian chuckled, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"Oh, so you finally remembered to ask? What an amazing friend you are!"

In the forest…

Arkon struck a dramatic pose, arms crossed over his chest.

"I don't know what you'd do without me. Your life would be painfully dull!"

Adrian ran a hand through his hair, sighing in exasperation.

"We're never going to finish this drama, are we?"

Arkon smirked.

"Fine, I'll shut up… But have you thought about what your parents told you?"

Adrian's voice turned quiet, yet resolute.

"Yes, I will go… But not to find a mate. I just need to get away from the pack."

Arkon studied him carefully.

"Adrian… I think your father is right this time. How long are you going to keep living like this? You have the right to live your life."

Adrian's expression darkened, his voice heavy with grief.

"So you're asking me to forget her too...?"

Arkon's gaze was firm.

"I never said that. And I never will. But you have to live, Adrian. She will always be a part of you, but life doesn't stop. You need someone by your side, someone to share your joys and sorrows. Someone who will stand with you in the darkest times before the happiest."

Silence stretched between them. Adrian lowered his eyes, contemplating his words before finally looking up with a hint of dry humor.

"I didn't know you'd suddenly turned into a wise old man, Arkon."

Arkon offered a sad smile.

"We all carry our pain. Some face it and overcome it, while others remain its prisoners. In the end, you have two choices… Be someone who lived despite the scars, or someone who let life pass by without ever truly living."

Adrian let out a deep sigh, then patted his friend's shoulder.

"What's done is done… Try to move on."

Arkon raised an eyebrow, a hint of amusement flickering beneath his sorrow.

"Look who's talking about moving on…"

Adrian gritted his teeth, smirking.

"You… Screw you. I'll never get over you, my dear friend."

Then he stood, his voice turning firm.

"Let's head back. The day after tomorrow, we leave. Prepare whatever you need."

The two began walking side by side, silence lingering between them until Arkon, ever the jokester, broke it with his usual teasing.

"See? My influence on you is incredible. I don't know how you'd survive without me."

Adrian chuckled, and Arkon joined in, their laughter echoing through the trees as they made their way back to the pack.

1. Do you think Longin made the right decision by sending Adrian away from the pack? Why?

2. Do you agree with Arkon that Adrian should try to move on, or is the past worth holding onto?

"Share your thoughts! If you were in Adrian's place, would you accept leaving the pack? Or is staying and holding onto the past the better choice?"