THE ENEMY ALPHA

I had finally done something right, and my parents were proud of me. 

The look on Kaels face was priceless, and I would pay to see that look over and over again.

Alpha Darius was a good ally to have. 

His pack was the strongest amongst kingdoms. 

A knock landed on my door, before it was opened. 

My father walked in, holding a bowl of chips.

We would sneak away from my mother and snack on chips when I was a child.

“Selene, sit” he said, patting an empty spot beside him on my bed.

“How’s it going father?” I asked, stuffing my mouth with as much chips as could enter.

“Well my daughter. We received word that Alpha Darius would be joining us today, and I want you to not just be part of it, I want you to head it”

My mouth flell open, and the chips I was chewing nearly fell out.

 I knew it was a matter of time before I was involved in pack leadership, but this was starting off too strong.

“Alpha D...Darius?” I stuttered 

“Yes, your mother and I feel it is time you learn your way around things like this”

“Can i start off with the next task father?”

He chuckled, rising from the bed and passing me the bowl of chips, or what was left of the chips.

“He explicitly requested you head this” 

Before I could express my displeasure, my father was out of the room.

I didn’t believe the girl in front of the mirror was me. 

Just days ago, I was humiliated before my pack, and now I was in charge of a major decision that could change things for them.

“Selene” My mothers calm voice brought me back to reality.

I had always looked up to her as a child. 

She was calm, peaceful, incredibly wise and always knew the right things to say.

“You can do this” she said, straightening invisible creases on my dress with her hands “They’re here”

Alpha Darius was dressed casually, but he still looked dangerous.

Rumors had it he had taken Lyra and the elders of Darkmoor pack captive until Kael was able to pay up his balance. 

He  wasn’t someone I wanted to be on his bad side.

All the more reason I needed to handle this alliance with caution 

“Alpha Darius, I believe you’ve met my daughter and heir Selene Stormborne” My father said, introducing me to the Alpha.

“Welcome to our pack Alpha Darius” I said, offering a tiny bow.

“I do not plan on staying the night because of the blood moon. I hope this tour would afford me ample time to return to my pack before nightfall” He said to my father, not even acknowledging my greeting. 

“Yes” my father replied.

“Good” he said and began walking.

My father gestured for me to follow him, even though it posed to be the other way around.

He was rude and arrogant, nothing short from what the rumors said about him. 

It didn't matter to me, I only needed to secure the alliance and I would not have to deal with him any longer. 

By the time we returned from the tour of our pack, it was almost nightfall. 

He refused to listen to me, ignored my directions and insisted going wherever he thought was right, making our tour take much longer than it was supposed to.

Tonight being the full moon, the pack members retired home earlier than usual.

“Where would you like to be served dinner, Alpha Darius?”

I needed to return home before the full moon. 

This was my first blood moon after my lunar ascension.

The blood moon was not like the regular ful moon.

It only appeared during a Lunar Eclipse, when the moon was swallowed by darkness, turning the sky crimson.

For an unbounded female like me, the blood moon awakened our heat.

For the males, it heightened their instincts to the scent of a female in heat. A scent even the strongest of wolves would struggle to resist.

I didn’t know what to expect, and I most certainly didn’t want to experience it outside.

“I would send one of my men to pick it up” he replied, barely paying attention to me.

We bid farewell, and I was on my way home.

It was almost midnight, and I could feel the moon.

I don’t know what came over me, but I found myself heading towards the woods.

The last time I was here was the night I was rejected by my boyfriend. 

Starring into the pit, the feelings come back to me. 

The hurt, disappointment, embarrassment.

A howl sounded in the forest, a howl I hadn't heard in this woods before, and contrary to the voice of reason inside my head, I decided to investigate.

The more I walked in the direction of the howl, the more more the woods felt alive.

Every sound was sharper, every scent was stronger. 

I pushed past the branches, my feet carrying me as fast as they could.

The howl had called to something deep inside me.

I stopped when the scent hit me again.

I had a longing desire to satisfy myself with whatever carried that scent.

I had never experienced this before, It was overwhelming.

A low growl echoed from the darkness, causing me freeze in my tracks.

Between the shadows of the trees, a massive wolf stepped forward.

He was unlike any wolf I had ever seen, and his eyes.

I knew those eyes.

“No…” The words escaped my lips

A moment later, the wolf before me was gone, replaced by a man I knew too well.