My boots splashed in the still snowy settlement as I walked around inside the walls, observing the strange canine architecture as my warriors rounded up the Shadowalkers who hadn't fleed into the woods. The city, built with a mix of rough-hewn stone and carved wood, had an organic flow to its design. Buildings seemed to grow out of the ground, with their walls flowing with the rolling hills that made up the landscape this far north.

Dee came and found me, asking if I was okay. I told her that I was, and asked how she was doing. She was rounding up any last stragglers with the other hunters that I had sent around the back of the settlement before the attack. I let her run back off and join her fellow hunters as I continued my stroll.

In the heart of the city stood a large, intimidating structure that I assumed was the main hall or perhaps the residence of the alpha. It was grander and more elaborately decorated than the surrounding buildings, with intricate carvings depicting battles, hunts, and what I assumed were legendary tales of the Shadowalkers.

I occasionally spotted small tokens and talismans hanging from doorways or staked into the ground. They seemed to be wards or charms, possibly for protection or good luck. Their designs varied, but most contained symbols of the moon and stars, hinting at a deep connection to the night and celestial bodies. Many were made from a bright white stone that I couldn't place, but I felt power radiating from the items.

Some of the Shadowalkers, young pups mostly, watched us warily from a distance, reminding me of dogs from Earth looking at something with a tilted head and a floppy ear. It struck me how different their world must have been just days ago. They were creatures of the night, rulers of their domain, and in a blink, their world had been turned upside down.

A soft whimper drew my attention to a young Shadowalker pup, separated from its family, hiding behind a barrel. Its fur was matted with snow and mud, and its eyes darted around, looking for a way to escape. It was missing an ear and blood flowed freely down its furry face.

Crouching down slowly, I tried to offer a reassuring smile. "It's okay. We won't harm you," I murmured softly, reaching into my pocket to pull out a piece of dried meat.

A few Stalker generals came around the corner, held firmly by Fekan warriors. The hatred in their eyes snapped me back to reality. But I couldn't help looking back into those sad eyes and feeling remorse for killing these creatures.

I realized there was more to do than just secure the city. We needed to heal, rebuild trust, and find a way to coexist. This wasn't just a victory for us, but an opportunity to foster a new beginning for both our races.

I watched as the generals were marched into an open courtyard area. The proud and fierce expressions on their faces belied their captured status. The animosity in their eyes was unmistakable. They were warriors who had fought for their people and city, and now, they had been defeated.

For a moment, I locked eyes with one of the generals; a tall, sleek, black-furred Shadowalker with scars marring his snout. In his gaze, I saw a deep, seething rage but also a hint of acknowledgment. He was one of the Stalkers that I had seen back from when Dee and I were attacked all those long months ago.

We have to find a way to make amends, I thought grimly. Once again, I found myself outside of my comfort zone.

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"Let me go," the Shadowalker growled, squirming under the grips of the Feka. "I wish to speak to your warlord."

The Feka looked at me, and I nodded. The Feka warriors released the Shadowalker, who cautiously straightened up but did not immediately move towards me. There was a wariness in his eyes that he couldn't shake off.

"You have defeated us," he began, his voice resonant and carrying a heavy weight as he addressed the group of us. "But we do not wish for our kind to be exterminated. We are a proud race, and even in defeat, we hold our heads high."

I looked at him, noting the deep-set pride that blazed in his eyes. Fires continued blazing behind him, and a structure collapsed nearby.

"I have no intentions of exterminating your kind," I replied. "War is a brutal thing, and decisions made in the heat of battle are not always the right ones. But now that the battle is over, we must find a way to coexist."

The Shadowalker seemed taken aback by my words. "You would not enslave us?"

Why is it always about servitude and slavery with these creatures on Prixa?

"No," I said firmly. "But there needs to be a new order, a way for us to coexist without constant threats and warfare. Your city will be protected, and your people will not be harmed as long as there is no further threat from the Shadowalkers."

He looked thoughtful for a moment. "We need to rebuild. We are running out of jungle space and food is an issue for us. That's why we have attacked your people. Plus, our city has been damaged, and our people are scared. We need assurance that we will not be attacked again."

"And you will have that assurance," I said. "I will figure out a way to feed your pack. In return, I ask for peace. A lasting peace between our people."

The Shadowalker nodded slowly. "It will take time. Time for wounds to heal, for trust to be rebuilt. But perhaps it is a start."

I extended my hand towards him. "A start is all we need. My name is Noah. And yours?"

He looked at my hand in fear, almost like it would cast more magic at him. I smiled, my expression soft toward the creature.

The Stalker took a long moment, looking between his people and my hand. But I held it there, unmoving. Finally, he sighed. "My name is Rhykar, and I am the beta of this city. The title of alpha has always been one of leadership. With the fall of our leader, you have inadvertently taken that mantle. Whether by fate or by force, you are the alpha of the Shadowalkers now."

My head jerked back at that, startled. The responsibility, the weight of it all, was something I hadn't expected. But I saw the respect and the plea in Rhykar's eyes. He wasn't asking me to become one of them, but to guide them, to give them a chance at peace and prosperity.

"We will help rebuild," I promised him. "And together, we can forge a new path, one where both our people can coexist harmoniously."

The werewolf stared at me as if assessing my words. No one moved for a long moment.

Finally, he started howling into the cloudy sky, a long, slow howl. It was joined by the other Stalkers, then other dogs in the settlement. I watched as the sound carried outwards, echoing off the mountains and resonating off the walls in a haunting harmony. Each howl seemed to carry with it the acceptance of its people.

The Feka warriors, and even my own human comrades, looked around, many in confusion, some with wonder. The symphony of howls was unlike anything any of us had ever heard. It was as if the very soul of the Shadowalkers was being laid bare, a collective release of emotions that had been pent up for too long.

Mara walked up next to me, grabbing my hand. The howling began to die down, the final echoes fading away, leaving behind a stillness that seemed almost sacred. I felt the weight of countless eyes on me, watching, waiting, and hoping. The burden of leadership, the mantle of the alpha, lay heavy on my shoulders.

"Then accept this gift, alpha Noah. Take what has been rightfully won in battle."

He walked over to my side as the Feka bristled, but I held up my hand. He knelt and picked up a large wolf head that sat on the ground. It was the alpha. "May it bring us prosperity in the moons to come."

I walked over and accepted the head, inspecting it quickly.

[ALPHA WEREWOLF HEAD - LEVEL 15 INGREDIENT]