THIRD PERSON’S POV
Flashback
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In the heart of Ashenwood Town, nestled amidst towering trees and winding paths, Clifton Zoren, the spirited son of the Alpha, navigated his childhood days with a curious blend of duty and defiance. As the heir apparent to the pack, his future seemed predestined–a path laid out in accordance with tradition and expectation.
Yet, fate had a way of weaving unexpected threads into the tapestry of his life.
One crisp autumn afternoon, driven by youthful curiosity and restlessness that belied his station, Clifton ventured beyond the familiar confines of his pack’s territory. It was on one of these exploratory excursions that he first laid eyes upon her–Marcia, a girl whose presence seemed to shimmer with an ethereal light amidst the mundane backdrop of Ashenwood Town.
She was surrounded by a group of rowdy wolf children, their playful banter taking a cruel turn as they cornered her near the edge of the forest. Clifton, drawn inexplicably to her vulnerability and resilience, intervened without a second thought.
“Hey! Leave her alone!” Clifton’s voice rang out, cutting through the air with a commanding tone that startled even himself. The bullies hesitated, momentarily taken aback by the unexpected
interruption.
Marcia, her hands and knees bruised from the rough tumble, looked up at Clifton with a mixture of relief and curiosity. “Thank you,” she murmured softly, her eyes holding a blend of gratitude
and wariness.
Clifton nodded curtly in response, his gaze lingering on her for a fleeting moment longer than necessary. There was something about her–something that ignited a spark of protectiveness within him, a desire to shield her from the harsh realities of their world.
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, as Clifton found himself crossing paths with Marcia more frequently. Their encounters became a regular occurrence, each meeting revealing new facets of her spirited personality that captivated him.
Under the sprawling branches of the ancient oak tree, they would often meet after school, sharing stories and dreams beneath the dappled sunlight that filtered through the leaves above. ‘What’s your favorite place in Ashenwood Town?” Marcia asked one afternoon, a mischievous winkle in her eyes.
Clifton considered her question thoughtfully, his mind wandering to the hidden groves and secret baths he had discovered during his explorations. “There’s a clearing near the river,” he finally replied, his voice tinged with a hint of excitement. “It’s quiet and secluded–a place where I go to think.”
Marcia smiled warmly, her gaze softening as she studied him with newfound curiosity. “I’d like to see it sometime,” she admitted shyly, her fingers tracing patterns on the soft earth beneath them.
As the seasons changed and they grew older, their bond deepened into a steadfast companionship that defied the boundaries imposed by their respective positions within the pack
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hierarchy. They explored the hidden corners of Ashenwood Town together, sharing secrets an dreams beneath the starlit skies that framed their world.
Their friendship became a source of solace and strength amidst the tumultuous currents of adolescence. Clifton, harboring feelings that had blossomed quietly over the years, found himself drawn to Marcia in ways he couldn’t fully comprehend.
It was during their time at the exclusive academy for wolves that their lives took an unexpected turn. Amidst the corridors bustling with students and the whispered rumors of impending alliances, they encountered Preston–a charismatic figure destined to lead the Cold Moon Pack.
Clifton observed Marcia’s growing infatuation with Preston from a distance, silently grappling with his own burgeoning feelings.
“Do you think Preston will likes
excitement and uncertainty.
Marcia asked one evening, her eyes alight with a mixture of
th the
surface. “Maybe,” he replied
Clifton forced a smile, masking the turmoil raging softly, his voice betraying none of the ache that threatened to consume him.
As months passed and their graduation approached, Clifton dared to hope that Marcia’s feelings for Preston were fleeting–a passing fancy that would fade with time. But fate had other plans.
On the eve of her 18th birthday, Marcia’s announcement shattered Clifton’s fragile illusions “Alpha Preston is my mate!” she declared, her words echoing in the quiet stillness of the night.
The world seemed to tilt on its axis, leaving Clifton reeling in disbelief and heartache. He struggled to reconcile the overwhelming sense of loss with the fierce determination to support Marcia, no matter the personal cost.
“I’m going with her,” Clifton asserted defiantly to his father and the elders, their disapproving glares and heated objections falling on deaf ears. “I need to be where she is.”
Despite the anger and disappointment that clouded their parting. Clifton knew deep down that he was making the right choice. He followed Marcia to the Cold Moon Pack, leaving behind the familiar comforts of Ashenwood Town and the expectations of his upbringing.
Becoming the Beta of the Cold Moon Pack offered Clifton a new purpose–a chance to protect Marcia from the shadows, to safeguard her happiness even as his own heart remained tethered to her…
End of Flashback
In the present day, Beta Clifton Zoren paced restlessly along the perimeter of the Cold Moon Pack’s territory, his thoughts consumed by memories of a time long past. He had watched helplessly as Marcia’s once vibrant spirit gradually dimmed under the weight of unfulfilled expectations and silent suffering.
“If only I could decide for her,” Clifton muttered to himself, his voice carrying a note of frustration and regret. “If only I could protect her from the choices that bind her.”
But Clifton had made a solemn promise–a vow etched in the depths of his soul. When the moment came, when Marcia faced danger or despair, he would trade everything to ensure her safety and well–being.
As twilight descended over the land, casting long shadows across the rolling hills, Clifton’s resolve hardened. He would wait, vigilant and ready, for the opportunity to fulfill the oath he had
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sworn to be the unwavering guardian and protector of the woman he had loved since childhood.
In the quiet solitude of the night, beneath the watchful gaze of the moon, Clifton Zoren stood sentinel, his heart aching with a love that had endured across time and distance.
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