Flashback

  The Temple of Long Mu,

  Qingyuan City, Guangdong Proivince,

  China.

  Several hours ago.

  Nestled within a lush valley, surrounded by majestic mountains and winding rivers, the revered Temple of Long Mu stood. This ancient sanctuary honored Long Mu, the revered patron deity of China and the Dragon Mother.

  The temple's main structure rose majestically from the earth, its tiered roofs sweeping upward in majestic curves. Glazed tiles shimmered in hues of emerald green, sapphire blue, and golden yellow, reflecting the rays of the evening sun.

  The temple's entrance, flanked by stone lions, was guarded by two imposing dragon pillars. Intricately carved with scales, flames, and mystical symbols, these pillars seemed to come alive as the sun danced across their surfaces.

  At the heart of the temple lay the Inner Sanctum, a sacred space reserved for the majestic idol of Long Mu. The walls of the room were adorned with murals depicting the legendary exploits of the Dragon Mother.

  At the center of the sanctum stood the resplendent idol of Long Mu, crafted from a single, towering block of luminous jade. The serene face of the Dragon Mother gazed downward, her benevolent smile illuminating the space.

  Her body, coiled in majestic repose, was carved with intricate scales that shimmered like the waters of the moon. Five claws, symbolizing her five dragon sons, grasped a glowing pearl, representing wisdom and harmony.

  Her wings, spread wide, seemed to shelter the faithful followers. A delicate crown, encrusted with gemstones, adorned her brow, signifying her celestial sovereignty.

  Before the idol stood an ornate altar, holding offerings of incense, rare teas, and precious silks. The air was thick with the scents of sandalwood and myrrh.

  Ancient inscriptions etched into the walls told the story of the creation myth of Long Mu:

  "From the primordial void, Long Mu arose, a dragon of light, born from chaos.

  With five sons, she balanced the cosmos, harmonizing yin and yang, heaven and earth."

  As dusk fell, the temple transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors, illuminated by lanterns and candles. The idol's presence seemed to pulse, radiating an otherworldly energy. The majestic idol of Long Mu, the Dragon Mother, gazed serenely upon her worshipers.

  Suddenly, without warning, the idol's eyes blazed to life, shining like golden lanterns in the night.

  The air vibrated with ancient energy as the idol's scales shimmered, casting a kaleidoscope of colors across the temple walls. Attendants and worshipers gasped in awe and terror as the dragon's mighty voice echoed through the halls:

  "The time of awakening approaches. Prepare the way for my sons!"

  The attendants and worshipers stumbled backward, overwhelmed by the sudden awakening. Incense swirled, and candles flickered as the temple trembled.

  An elderly monk, wise and steadfast, stepped forward.

  "The prophecy unfolds. Long Mu and her sons will unite the realms, bringing balance to the world." he gasped in realization.

  As the idol's energies stabilized, the worshipers regained their composure, sensing the magnitude of the events unfolding. They whispered among themselves:

  "The Dragon Mother stirs. Her sons will finally bring harmony to our troubled world."

  And in the shadows, a hooded figure watched with keen interest, his heart heavy with the weight of destiny.

  The Werewolf Realm,

  The Underworld.

  Sunday, February 13.

  9:20 AM.

  Carolina

  I sighed as I sank my teeth into my buttered toast while Dad and my brother argued with each other.

  "Dad, why can't I just marry Liza?" my brother asked.

  "You know too well why you can't marry her!" Dad replied.

  "But I love her..." my brother said.

  "And the law states that you can never be king without your mate!" Dad exclaimed.

  This isn't the first time this argument has broken out over breakfast... and lunch... and dinner. Always on the same topic.

  My older brother and Dad have been on each other's necks ever since my brother returned from his trip to the human world after graduating from human college and claimed to be in love with a blonde bimbo he befriended while on campus. He's been obsessed with a blonde bimbo he met on campus. I know... I don't like her, but I feel sad for my big bro, who's head over heels for Elizabeth Mackenzie. But as the next in line to the position of Supreme Alpha, any hope of them being together is futile because he can only marry her when he marks his mate.

  "But, Mum?!" he whined.

  "You can't break our way of life..." Dad said.

  "Oh, bleep the bond!" my brother spat, causing gasps to break out in the dining room.

  "Every servant should leave the dining room this instant!" Dad ordered calmly.

  I chuckled a little as they all dashed out like harassed rabbits. Who would dare disobey the king?

  Father then faced him squarely, immediately after they all left, silently convulsing in rage.

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  "How dare you!" Father roared after recovering from the shock his statement had caused.

  "Dad..." my brother said.

  "How dare you defy the great Moon goddess?" Dad asked.

  "I..." my brother began.

  "I don't care if it's the new style of maturity, but don't you ever in your existence defy the goddess!" Dad boomed ballistically, banging the table at each word, and stormed off.

  "Mom, what did I say wrong?" my brother asked.

  "How will I know when you just insulted the power behind your existence?" she replied.

  It was just then that he realized he had insulted our parents' marriage.

  "Mom, I didn't mean..." my brother said.

  She wasn't listening as she dramatically flung out of the room.

  "Are you happy now?" one of my baby twin brothers, Bede, muttered.

  "Shut it, Bede," Bane snapped, before turning to Conan. "Bro, are you okay?"

  "C'mon, Bro," I cooed, taking him by the arm. "Let's go make things right."

  We hurried to the garden, where we met Mother pruning some roses. She sensed our presence but didn't turn to acknowledge us.

  "You know..." she started. "When I first met your dad, we didn't have much in common. We used to argue every time. I was scared on our wedding day, but during his vow, he gave me a white rose. He told me that we were just like the rose – sweet and full of thorns – but together, with a lot of patience, love, and a little faith, we could make it blossom."

  "I'm sorry I didn't..." my brother began.

  "It's okay, darling!" she beamed, turning towards us. "I know you've waited for your mate for so long, but I want you to just exercise more patience."

  "How long do I have to wait?" my brother grudgingly admitted, with a sigh, and removed my mother's hands from his face before carrying a watering can to water the roses.

  "Son, son, what's wrong?!" Mother cried, as my brother clutched his chest.

  "My chest... it hurts!" he moaned, before passing out.

  I sensed my mother's mind-linking with Dad, who rushed in soon enough, accompanied by Supreme Beta Lucius and Supreme Gamma Ivan, as she shook my brother's limp body.

  "What's wrong with him?" Bede sobbed.

  "He's still alive!" Dad announced, standing up straight.

  "Take him to his room and summon the royal physician," Dad ordered.

  At the same time,

  in an ancient temple in China,

  Omniscient,

  An aged, bald shaman was deep in meditation, in a circle of candles surrounded by hundreds of initiates who meditated alongside him.

  Suddenly, a great gust of wind barrelled into the room, extinguishing the hall's only source of light.

  The startled new initiates started tittering at the strange occurrence.

  "Master, this isn't ordinary," a student said, near him.

  "What is going on?"

  Lazily, their wizened master opened his eyes, stood up, and caused a hush to fall over the hall. Before he could open his mouth to speak, the room reverberated with five earsplitting peals of thunder.

  "That... was just Mother Nature announcing her arrival," he said, before slowly getting to his feet and exiting the hall.

  They all agreed in whispers, all agreeing on the confirmation of a great one by Mother Nature, but the question on everyone's mind was: "Who?"

  Still in my church,

  by the lavatory, 10:17 AM.

  Angeline

  "Thank goodness it's almost closing time," I grunted softly as I led the kids to pee.

  The kids were tough to handle, but I had kind of fallen head over heels with two of the foreign kids, Ari and Benjiro Long, over the last couple of hours. We bonded so well that Jiro even gave me a nickname.

  "Big Aunty, what's wrong?" Jiro asked, taking my left hand.

  "Yeah, why are you sad?" Ari said, taking my other hand.

  "Oh, nothing... I'm really going to miss you guys when you go back to America."

  "Me too!"

  "Me three!"

  The church has only three restrooms, so I let the others enter while Ari and Ben kept me company and told me more about their family. I was just about to ask them about their cold uncle when I heard a twig snap behind me.

  Alarmed, I turned back to find myself face to face with three well-built ninja assailants armed to the teeth with their guns pointed at me.

  "Run, kids! Get out of here!" I shrieked, blocking them from the attackers' view.

  The others scurried away, but only Jiro and Ari refused to move.

  "Ben, Ari, why are you guys still here?" I whispered.

  "Go, you guys can make it without me!"

  "What about you, Angie?" Jiro asked, clutching me tightly.

  "Forget me, go!" I whispered urgently.

  "There's no need for drama, Miss!" said the blue-masked ninja, who seemed to be their leader. "Step aside; we're only here for the kids..."

  "We can do this the easy way or the hard way," said one of them, who had a large X on his right breast, as he inched forward, causing the kids to squeal as they hid behind me.

  "Shut it, Agent Ten!" hissed the other one, holding Agent X back.

  "You can have them... over my dead body!" I declared defiantly, puffing my chest.

  "Have it your way," the blue-masked ninja said. "I'll give you till the count of three to change your mind..."

  "One!" he began counting.

  "Ben, Ari, please go!" I whispered urgently. "Your grandpa would never forgive me if something happens to you..."

  "Two!" the ninja continued.

  "No, big aunty, we're not leaving you..." Ari sobbed.

  "C'mon, this is your last chance!" drawled Agent X.

  "They're lying!" Ben cried. "I know... they'll kill me either way, that's why you guys should go..."

  "Then, let's go together!" Ari cried, and with that, they hugged my sides even tighter.

  I felt so touched I couldn't dam the tears coursing down my cheeks as they cocked their guns at us.

  "Three!" the blue-masked ninja finished counting.

  At the last second, I placed myself in front of the children as over a thousand tiny darts pierced my chest and neck as they opened fire on me.

  "Sleeping darts!" I thought dizzily as I tried to steady myself, but I fell to my knees.

  I tried to hang on, holding onto Ben and Ari, but my head began to spin, and everywhere started to turn dark.

  "No! Don't! Leave them alone!" I wheezed as they pried the kids off me and kicked me away.

  "Ben, Ari... I'm sorry!" I croaked as I crawled towards them, my arms getting heavier by the second.

  They kept on screaming my name as I fought to keep my eyes open, but everything was getting dim.

  "Big aunty..."

  My lids were getting heavier.

  "Big aunty..."

  I felt my body hit the ground.

  "Big aunty...!"

  Everything went black.