Bloodmoon alpha

chapter two

 I didn't even have time to scream. Blood poured down like a river. My vision went entirely white, a high, piercing ringing filled my ears, drowning out the roar of the fire.

I crashed forward, my face hitting the stone, choking on the smell of my father's blood as it pooled toward my knees. The world blurred into a sickening smear of red. The man who had promised to protect us from everything was suddenly just a twitching corpse in the dirt.

Beside me, Caleb went insane. A guttural, agonizing roar tore from his throat—a sound raw with a young wolf's helpless fury. He thrashed frantically against the three guards pinning him down, his fingernails clawing uselessly at the stone,

"You monster! I’ll kill you! I’ll tear your throat out!" He shrieked.

One of the guard slammed a heavy boot directly into his spine, crushing his face into the dirt, but his chest kept heaving with broken, breathless sobs.

 Ragged groan ripped out of my mother. She watched in absolute horror as my father's head rolled down the stone stairs. With, a raw animalistic shriek, she ripped her arms away from the guards and standing up on shaking legs. Blood that wasn't hers splattered her face.

She snatched a fallen sword from the ground and pointed it directly at the Alpha

"You son of a bitch! How dare you!" she screamed, lunging forward.

Kieran didn't even blink. With a casual flick of his wrist, he backhanded her with enough force to send her crashing into the stone.

"Take the girl," Kieran ordered, pointing a lazy finger at me. "And drag the rest to the cells."

Two warriors grabbed my arms, dragging me away from my broken family. 

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By the time we finally reached Nightbane's border, hours had passed. My feet were swollen and bleeding, and the heavy iron chains had rubbed my wrists down to the bone.

The massive wooden gates groaned open. The thumping of war drums hit my chest like a physical blow. The pack grounds were packed, lit by bright, roaring fire pits. Tables groaned under the weight of roasted meat, wine, and honey bread. Warriors stood shoulder to shoulder, their bodies stamped in ash paint to celebrate their victory.

The crowd cheered wildly, drinking toasts to my father's severed head, which now hung prominently by the main wall.

One by one, the conquering warriors were called forward to the platform.

"Korein—you held the line. Take this pelt."

"Vex—three killed at the East Gate by you. Take this dagger."

The crowd roared, throwing flowers and pouring wine over the warriors' heads. Women danced with silver blades spinning above their heads, singing loud songs of Nightbane's strength.

A heavy hand slammed into my shoulder. "On your knees for your Alpha."

Rourke, the brutal elite warrior, snarled in my ear. He yanked the chain so hard my teeth clicked together, and the metallic taste of copper flooded my mouth.

Kieran stepped onto the platform, holding my papa's severed head by the hair. "Princess of nothing," he mocked, looking down at me.

My veins burned with fire, and the growl building in my chest scraped against my raw throat. I wanted to leap up and rip out his throat, but the heavy chains holding me to the floor said otherwise.

 Gathering all the saliva and hatred rotting in my throat, I spat.

The glob of spit landed squarely on his polished leather boots.

A collective gasp sucked the air out of the courtyard. 

Curses erupted from the crowd, and Rourke’s fist flew up, ready to smash my face in.

"Enough," Kieran snarled. His voice carried the weight of an Alpha command, freezing Rourke in his tracks.

Kieran crouched down, bringing his face inches from mine until we were eye to eye.

"Do that again," he whispered, his gold eyes narrowing, "and I will let Rourke teach you exactly what respect means."

He stood up, turning his back to me to face his cheering pack.

"Blood Moon's Alpha is dead! Their warriors proved to be cowards! We have taken their Princess, and we have brought our peace!"

Deafening cheers shook the night air.

The pack priest stepped forward, his hands trembling as he offered a ceremonial dagger and Kieran took it.

"I, Alpha Kieran of Nightbane, take this female as Luna—to keep, to hold, and to cage