The moment he stepped into the clearing, the other lycans lowered their heads. Bowed. Submitted.
He walked forward, each step shaking the ground like thunder, until he stood before Richard, who was still in lycan form.
No one moved. Not even Ronald.
The two lycans locked eyes.
A silent war raged between them.. no words, no snarls, just the language of raw power and unspoken history. The air thickened, charged with something ancient. Something sacred.
It looked like a clash was inevitable.
But then... the black-furred lycan relaxed.
He extended a clawed hand. No threat. Just ancient, primal respect.
Richard didn't hesitate. He took it.
And as their hands locked, both lycans began to shrink. Claws faded. Fangs vanishing. Bone and muscle shifting. Until both stood as men again, shirtless... still grasping hands.
Richard's upper body was bare, shirt completely gone. But his trouser... well, parts of it remained. Covering from his waist to his knees.
The newcomer now stood in full human form. It was an handsome man in his late twenties, with long black hair that brushed his shoulders. His body was lean but sculpted, marked by battle scars that told a thousand stories. His eyes were bright gold, ancient and ageless. And a calm, almost knowing smile pulled at his lips.
Richard crossed his arms, eyeing him. "Looks like the pup finally became Alpha," he scoffed.
The man chuckled. "Good to see you too... Richard."
Then, with no more words needed, the two men embraced like long-lost bros.
The rest of the lycans, who were now also back in human form, stood in stunned silence. Some were still groaning from their injuries, others upright but wary. All eleven were alive, watching their Alpha hug it out with a supposed enemy.
Ronald strolled forward, casual and calm. "Hello, Jack. Long time no see," he said, extending a hand.
Jack smiled and took it. "Ronald. It's good to see you again. How are Carmilla and Aurelie?"
Ronald nodded. "They're doing fine."
Jack sighed, his gaze drifting to his recovering pack. "I'm sorry about them," he said. Not to his pack, but to Ronald and Richard.
"I told them to be on the lookout for any unauthorised entries... and always make sure to engage," he added
Richard smirked. "No harm done. We already taught them a lesson," he muttered, and Ronald chuckled in agreement.
The pack exchanged uneasy glances. Their Alpha—apologizing? The pack members were in shock, their Alpha had just apologized to the foreigners. And he seemed to be speaking with them with respect as though they were acquaintances.
One of the lycans, a brunette with nice curves and large breasts, stepped forward. "Your Highness, who are these people?" she asked, her tone sharp but respectful. "They emerged from the river.. likely through a portal. And they attacked us."
Ronald raised a brow. "We didn't attack first."
She frowned. "The moment you reached the shore, you summoned a weapon. That was hostile enough. And... you're a vampire. Vampires are not welcome on Vulkanis."
Ronald narrowed his eyes, but said nothing.
"And him," she gestured to Richard. "He turned into a lycan... but he's not one of us."
But Richard wasn't even paying attention to her, what caught his attention was. "Your Highness? When did he become king?" he thought
"Enough," Jack said firmly. "Hayley, stand down. It's all a misunderstanding,"
The woman.. Hayley, huffed but stepped back. She was the grey werewolf Richard had first engaged. And she was still mad about losing to him. Twice.
Jack turned to Richard and Ronald with a sheepish grin. "Forgive her. She's my protégé. She's passionate, but can be... impulsive,"
The pack's confusion only deepened. Jack was speaking to the men with respect. He even scolded Hayley. And he also seemed to hold the Ronald, a vampire in high regard. Which was shocking because werewolves and vampires never got along. Never.
"Just who are these two men?" they thought.
Ronald exhaled. "I see. Still, you might want to keep her on a shorter leash."
Richard's lips curled. "I like her. She's feisty."
Hayley clenched her jaw, her eyes burning with frustration, but she said nothing. She remembered too well how easily he had overpowered her.
Jack chuckled and turned to the others. "Relax, everyone. These men are my friends. And you've heard of them before... just never met them yet."
Hayley narrowed her eyes. "That one," she said, nodding at Richard, "How is he a lycan but doesn't carry our scent?"
Jack's eyes twinkled. "Oh, Hayley. Even if I told you, you wouldn't believe me."
She furrowed her brows. "Try me,"
He smiled and pointed at Ronald. "You all know that he's a vampire. But not just any vampire... he's infact royalty. A diplomat. Loved by all races. And you know him well,"
Hayley blinked, looking closer and seizing Ronald up. She remembered how he took out her pack members easily, and how well he fought. Then her gaze landed on his red hair, one she failed to notice earlier.
A sudden realization dawned on her. "Red hair... royalty... it can't be. Ronald D' Ambroise?" she voiced out
Gasps erupted from the pack.
-"The Night Agent? What's he doing here?"
-Why was he fighting us? I thought he was neutral,"
-"It's actually him. No wonder I didn't stand a chance,"
Ronald smiled smugly. "I see I'm quite the celebrity."
Jack nodded. "Unlike other vampires, you are neutral. You are the ambassador to all the constituted races, and therefore represent peace. That's earned you respect... even from werewolves." he explained
Ronald mock-sighed. "The burdens of fame." he said smugly
Richard rolled his eyes. "I'm sure the only thing they like about you is your hair,"
Ronald grinned. "jealous?"
"Please. I don't need adoration. I prefer fear." Richard muttered
Jack raised a brow. "So, can I reveal who you are?"
Richard shrugged. "Go ahead. I'm sure they'll be too scared to even believe,"
Jack turned to his pack. "I'm sure you're wondering about him... how he became a lycan?" he said
"Well, I believe there's only one group of people in the universe who possess that ability," he continued. "The ability to become any mythological race they please. The ability to be... undying,"
All the lycans were shocked... No, terrified. But still in disbelief.
"It can't be what I think it is, could it?" one of them muttered
"No... they were supposed to be myths," another said
Hayley eyed Richard, in doubt. "Your Highness, is he really... an Immortal?" she asked
But it was Richard who replied.
"I believe the right term is 'The Immortal'." he smirked
Hayley froze. Her eyes widened. "It can't be... He's really one of them?" she muttered, taking a step back.
The air dropped ten degrees. The lycans stepped back, stunned.
"Everyone," Jack said, voice proud, "I give you Richard Corsaire. Member of the Immortal pirate family."
Gasps again. Real ones. The pack members were all shaken at this point, it had been confirmed. The man standing before them was really who they thought he was. An IMMORTAL'
"Richard? The empath?" someone whispered.
"I thought they were mere bedtime stories..."
To the humans, lycans were myths. But to these lycans, Richard and his family were legends beyond imagination. They were considered myths, even to other mythological creatures.
They all stood there, not knowing whether to bow in respect or kowtow. Richard was a legend, one known to be ruthless, merciless and worse than his siblings. But here he was, standing partially naked in front of them like it was a normal tuesday.
Richard smirked, he had gotten the desired expression from the people. He was satisfied. "I told you they'd fear me," he said to Ronald, who just sighed in response.
Hayley looked ready to faint, she had been rude to a person who was hundreds of years older than her. A person who was said to have once eliminated an entire kingdom on his own. She was terrified.
She swallowed hard. "Uhm... Ri... No, Lord Richard. Please forgive me. I was rude and foolish,"
She bowed low. Out of fear, mostly. But also out of awe.
Richard grinned. "Time for some fun," he thought.
"All is forgiven, young wolf," he said in a voice dripping with playfulness, but Malia didn't think he was joking. "So long as I am appeased... properly,"
Hayley gasped. "He wants to be appeased? What could I possibly offer him?" she thought
Then Richard stepped forward, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "And to all of you impudent lycans that dared to strike at me earlier, I shall be expecting my peace offerings as well," he stated
The rest of the pack felt a chill crawl up their spine. They were all terrified of Richard to the point that it felt as though a god was in front of them.
"Cut in out, Cousin," Ronald sighed. "You're scaring them,"
Richard laughed, he had clearly been messing around. But Hayley and the other lycans took him dead serious.
"Why should I? Let me have some fun, Ron. It's been a while I experienced this much respect from... adoring fans," he muttered with a sadistic smile.
Ronald sighed in disbelief, and shook his head. Even Jack couldn't tell if Richard was joking or being serious, but he couldn't step in either way. He was no match for an Immortal. The pack were on their own.
Hayley stepped forward, her feet trembling. This was no joking matter, they all truly feared Richard. Normally, they would shrug it off and wouldn't believe Richard was one of the Immortal family.
But they had all witnesses firsthand how powerful he was, and not to mention the fact that their Alpha had stated this himself. And they knew Jack wouldn't lie to them.
"How can we express our deepest apology?" she asked
Richard stepped closer, stroking his chin. "Hmm, perhaps a sacrifice would do? Or maybe two, three of your colleagues can serve as my slug buddy for the rest of the year?"
"Or perhaps... you spend the night with me. Your choice." he muttered with a mischievous smirk.
Hayley's eyes widened, her jaw dropped. Her face went pale as she heard Richard's proposal. The life of her pack was at stake, and it was all her fault. She had attacked first, therefore giving the order for them to fight as well. She couldn't let her them suffer for her mistakes.
She gritted her teeth, and clenched her fists. She had made a decision.
"I... I will," she trembled, as her face turned red. "I'll spend the night with you... and do my best to please you. So please don't involve the my pack,"
Jack looked stunned. Ronald was speechless. Even the other lycans were shocked, but Richard kept smiling.
Then he broke into laughter. A loud, hearty, full-bellied laugh that echoed through the trees.
"Relax," he finally said, smiling at her. "I'm not into young wolves. Maybe when you're older,"
Hayley blinked, she was confused. Didn't he actually want it... want her? Was he joking all along?
Then she saw the smile on his face, he was amused. Clearly having fun as he watched her.
"I can't believe this," she thought "He was joking this whole time? And I... I wanted to..."
Realization hit her and she turned redder than a dying sun. She immediately turned her gaze to the ground in embarrassment.
Jack chuckled. "It's okay, Hayley. You did well," he praised . "You were willing to protect your pack no matter the... odds. Good girl,"
She nodded silently, still humiliated.
Ronald groaned. "All right, enough messing around. Richard, we came here for something. Remember?" he frowned
Richard sighed, turning serious. "Right. Jack, we came here for a reason. Perhaps you could be of some help?"
Jack nodded. "Of course. Let's head back to the Den first. We'll talk about it and I'll help however way I can," he stated
Richard turned to Ronald, who shrugged his shoulders with a "Why not?" look.
Jack smiled. "All right, this way," he muttered and began leading them into the mountains, along with the whole pack.