The Alpha’s Call

ALYRA

I thought my nineteen years on earth were finally over.

Flat on the cold ground, wrists tied, dust in my mouth, I could barely breathe. The guard in front of me raised a silver blade—the kind used for traitors, rogues, and unlucky omegas like me. My heart thudded so hard it drowned out every other sound.

I shut my eyes, waiting for the slice, the pain, the nothingness—

“Stop!”

The word hit like thunder.

Everything froze. Even the air seemed to pause. I felt the weight of power roll across the courtyard before I saw him.

Then a shadow fell over me, blotting out the light.

He stepped between me and the guard in one smooth motion, his hand wrapping around the man’s wrist. The silver blade slipped from his grip and clattered to the ground.

“I said stop.”

His voice was low and dangerous, the kind that didn’t need to shout to command fear.

From where I lay, I could only see his back—broad shoulders, muscle shifting beneath black leather.

When he turned, his green eyes met mine, sharp, cold, and ancient, as if they had seen centuries pass and judged them all.

Alpha Viktor.

“Stand up,” he ordered.

I obeyed, even though my legs trembled so hard I thought they might collapse beneath me.

“You should know better than to lie to me,” he said, his voice clipped, controlled, and terrifyingly calm. “Let this be a warning—no one lies to me.” Rage flickered in his eyes, but I couldn’t tell if it was aimed at me or the guard who had nearly ended my life.

He turned toward the man, voice dropping into something colder than winter. “Take her to the quarters.”

Quarters? My heart skipped. That didn’t sound like a cell. But I didn’t dare ask.

The guard grunted, grabbed me by the arm, and marched me through endless stone corridors. The deeper we went, the richer everything became—golden sconces burning with blue fire, walls inlaid with silver symbols I didn’t recognize.

We finally stopped in front of a carved wooden door, where a woman was waiting. She was tall, regal, and almost unnervingly beautiful. Her black gown hugged her figure, while a white kimono draped over it like a wisp of mist. A delicate crown gleamed on her sleek, dark hair, catching the light with every subtle movement.

She looked me over like she was appraising a piece of rotten fruit.

“One of the king’s harems?” she asked, voice laced with mockery.

“She’s new,” the guard muttered. “Orders from Alpha Viktor.”

The woman’s nose wrinkled. She popped something into her mouth—maybe meat, maybe fruit—and chewed slowly, disdain dripping from every movement.

‘Does she have a chewing problem or a personality disorder?’ "My wolf, Meira," muttered in my head.

I bit back a laugh.

The woman wasn’t a wolf—her scent was too sharp, too unnatural. Maybe fae. Maybe something darker.

“Turn around,” she commanded.

I wanted to tell her to shove it, but I didn’t know her rank. So I turned, biting my tongue until it almost bled.

She clicked her tongue and waved dismissively. “Not fit to be one of the wives. She’ll do as a harem. She looks like them.”

‘Bitch,’ Meira hissed.

I said nothing, my jaw aching from clenching so hard. I wasn’t going to be anyone’s harem girl, and certainly not the man who had nearly killed me just minutes ago. Besides, I was still a virgin.

“She’s your problem now,” the guard said before vanishing down the hall.

The crowned woman rolled her eyes dramatically. “Sharax!” she called, her tone bored, like even shouting took too much effort.

A girl about my age appeared—curvy, radiant, with wild curls and a smile that could melt frost.

“Hey, little pumpkin,” the crowned woman said to me in a voice that sounded fake-sweet. “Don’t break anything in here… unless you’d like to disappear.” Then she glided away, leaving the faint scent of roses and venom behind her.

The girl grinned. “You’ve officially met Queen Alora.”

I snorted. “She seems… lovely.” My tone was sarcastic.

Sharax laughed, loud and genuine. “Like poison wrapped in lace.” And trust me, that was her being polite.”

“She’s really the queen?” I asked, still stunned.

“Yep. Alpha Viktor’s Luna.”

I froze. “He’s… mated?” I didn’t know why I was so desperate to find out.

Sharax gave a mysterious smile. “There’s a reason no one talks about her. And it’s not because she’s shy.”

Her tone hinted that she knew more, but she didn’t say anything. Instead, she flicked her hair over her shoulder and motioned for me to follow. “Come on, Snow-eyes. You’re in my room now.”

“Snow-eyes?”

“Yeah,” she said with a grin. “You’ve got that whole innocent-but-deadly look. It fits.”

I almost smiled. “Alyra.”

Her room—our room now—was massive, divided by a velvet curtain and lined with tall windows. Candles floated mid-air, glowing like trapped fireflies.

“Welcome to my lair,” Sharax said, flopping onto her bed dramatically. “You’ll get used to the madness here. Everyone does. Eventually.”

Before I could reply, a deep horn blared through the castle, the sound vibrating through my bones.

Sharax sat up instantly. “The king wants to see you.”

“Just me?” My voice cracked.

“Yeah, new girl. Don’t keep him waiting unless you’ve got a death wish.”

Her tone was joking, but her eyes said she wasn’t exaggerating.

I followed her directions through long halls until I reached a massive door carved with dragons. My hands trembled as I pushed it open.

Viktor was inside.

And he was shirtless. Good goddess, I could barely breathe.

Moonlight spilled through the tall windows, brushing over muscles that looked like they’d been sculpted by gods. His back glistened with sweat, every movement fluid, powerful, and dangerous.

“Don’t eat me alive with your eyes,” he said without turning.

I froze, my face heating instantly.

He looked over his shoulder, lips curving slightly. “You should have met the Moon Goddess today,” he said quietly. “But I spared you.”

I swallowed, unsure if that made me grateful or terrified.

He finally turned fully, those piercing green eyes pinning me in place. “Do you want to know why?”

My throat tightened. I nodded.

“Speak up, little wolf.”

“Yes… Alpha.”

His smirk deepened, something dark glinting in his eyes. He took a slow step forward, closing the space between us until I could feel his warmth.

“You’re going to be my bride.”