Eclipse of Souls

Chapter 7

Alexander

Alexander entered the pack house with the old tome in hand, his expression serious. Isabella had found the book, and it wasn't just any book. It was a sacred relic, one that held the hidden wisdom of their kind. Its disappearance had long troubled the elders, but now it had resurfaced in the most unexpected of places.

He approached the council chamber, where four elders sat in a semi-circle, each overseeing different aspects of their community. Elder Samuel, a wizened figure with a mane of silver hair, presided over matters of lore and history. Elder Amelia was responsible for diplomacy and relations with the neighboring human town. Elder Jonas managed the pack's security, while Elder Elara handled the mystical aspects of their existence.

Alexander placed the book on the council table, causing a hush to fall over the room. He met the elders' expectant gazes, and Elder Samuel, the eldest among them, spoke up. "Alexander, where did you find that book? It's been missing for decades."

Alexander recounted the events of Isabella's discovery, how she had found it covered in dust in his bedroom, of all places. The elders exchanged glances, their expressions a mixture of curiosity and concern.

Elder Amelia leaned forward, her keen eyes locked onto the ancient tome. "And what does Isabella know about the book, Alexander?"

He hesitated for a moment, knowing that sharing everything about Isabella's involvement might lead to more questions than answers. "She knows that it was important and that it didn't belong in my bedroom, but she doesn't know its significance to our kind."

Elder Samuel stroked his chin, his brows furrowing as he considered the implications. "This book contains our history, our prophecy, and the secrets of our connection. Its reappearance is significant, and we must decide what to do with it."

Elder Jonas, the sturdiest of the group, added, "It's not just the book. It's also the matter of your mate, Alexander. Bringing a human into our world is no small thing."

Alexander nodded in agreement. "I'm aware of the gravity of the situation. I didn't intend for this to happen, but Isabella is my mate. The bond is strong."

Elder Elara, with her enigmatic demeanor, spoke softly, "This could be a sign, a shift in the balance of our world. But we must be cautious, for the darkness looms."

While the elders shared their concern and the significance of the rediscovered book, I turned to Elder Samuel, our community's guardian of records and keeper of written histories. It seemed logical that he might hold some insight into the mysterious disappearance of the page that had once accompanied the prophecy.

"Elder Samuel," I began, "I have a question regarding this book. There seems to be a missing page, right next to the prophecy. Is there any record of when this missing page might have last been within the book? Any clue about its content or significance?"

Elder Samuel considered my question for a moment, his eyes narrowing in deep thought. His role as the guardian of records meant he held a wealth of knowledge that extended far beyond what the rest of us knew.

"I will need to consult our archives," he said, his voice weighted with a sense of responsibility. "If there is any information about this missing page, it would likely be found in the oldest records and journals of our community. I shall begin my research and see if I can uncover any clues about its history."