Chapter eighteen:Alpha’s choice

The fires in the council hall burned late into the night.

Donovan stood near the head table, fingers clasped tightly behind his back as tension buzzed through the air. Brian and Alex sat off to the side, eyes low but alert. They had passed the test. They had survived rejection. But one final decision remained—the most powerful one.

Who would become the next Alpha?

Tradition dictated that the strongest Alpha, born or bonded to the Alpha bloodline, would take the mantle after the ruling elder stepped down. That time was now. And there were only two options: Brian, born of Donovan’s line, trained and feared as a dominant Alpha… or Silva, who had spent years preparing for power and had loyal betas ready to follow her.

And she was not going down quietly.

“Bloodline or not, he’s still a boy,” Silva growled, pacing before the council. “An emotional, impulsive boy bonded to an Omega no one trusted six months ago. Are we really ready to hand this pack over to a couple who used to hide behind insults just to cover up their shame?”

Brian stood. “You don’t have to respect me. But you’ll respect the bond.”

Silva sneered. “Respect is earned, pup. Not handed out just because the Moon Goddess took pity on you.”

Rachel stepped in, her voice firm. “You forget, Silva, that Alex’s bloodline is tied to this pack’s founding Elders. He is not just an Omega—he is descended from the line you serve.”

Silva’s eyes flared. “His father was a traitor. A rogue.”

“And yet,” Donovan said slowly, “the Goddess chose his son. And my grandson.”

Silva turned sharply. “You’re making a mistake.”

Donovan’s gaze sharpened. “No. I’m making a choice.”

He stepped down from the head seat and faced the assembly of pack members who had returned for the final decision.

“I have led this pack with strength and fear when needed. But the world outside these forests is changing. The time of ruling by fear alone has ended. We need someone who understands both power and vulnerability. Someone chosen by instinct, not just law.”

He turned to Brian.

“You have fire, boy. But your strength is not just in your fists—it’s in your loyalty. Your sacrifice. Your love. I see that now.”

Brian swallowed hard, stunned.

“You will lead,” Donovan declared. “You and Alex, as fated mates. As Alpha and Omega. As balance.”

Gasps filled the air. Even Alex looked shocked.

Silva snarled, stepping forward. “This is a betrayal—!”

But before she could finish, a deep, ancient howl echoed from the edge of the forest. Every head turned.

From the darkness, rogues stepped into the clearing—led by a scarred wolf with black eyes and a twisted grin.

“It seems,” the rogue said, shifting slowly into his human form, “you’ve left the door wide open.”

Donovan’s expression darkened. “Jerik.”

Brian’s voice dropped to a growl. “You know him?”

Donovan nodded slowly. “He’s the last of the old rogue bloodlines. The one who tried to take the pack by force twenty years ago.”

Jerik smiled at Alex. “And now… I see a familiar face. Looks like you got Daddy’s eyes, boy.”

Alex froze.

Jerik raised his arms. “I’ve come to claim what should have been mine.”

The council erupted in chaos.

Brian shifted in an instant, fur bristling, his body between Alex and the rogue in seconds.

The ceremony was over.

War had begun.