Xavier's POV
I slowly opened my eyes, feeling tired after a long period of inactivity in hibernation. A joint cracking sound echoed as I stretched my muscles, shaking off lingering sleep and tiredness.
I stood up, conducting a general check on my body. My tall, masculine physique commanded respect, striking fear into less confident males and captivating ladies. My gray eyes sparkled as I stroked my hair, thoughts flooding my mind.
The Alpha crowning ceremony, scheduled for tomorrow, dominated my thoughts.
I surveyed my surroundings, stepping out of my chair. The scent of damp earth and wildflowers filled my nostrils, stirring my senses. Power and dominance coursed through my veins.
Too much of a ritual for six months... I wonder how the pack is doing now; in any case, we were still in safe hands prior to hibernation.
"Kael!” I growled, my voice still husky from the long sleep.
A young man appeared, his tall frame, blonde hair, and golden-brown eyes radiating charm.
“Feel me in on what has happened these past few months," I commanded. As Alpha, I needed to know everything that occurs in the pack; despite the fact that I had no interest, it was something I had to do.
Kael reported, "All has been well and a little calm until recently. It was just a week ago, but two high-ranking officials of the pack had been slain by two sinners."
I exclaimed, "What?" The news took me by surprise. In any case, the reaction I had to this news was normal to any member of the Golden Dawn Pack.
For many years now, the pack had managed to deter a lot of rivals and earned its rightful position at the peak through blood and gore.
However, a few puppies actually dared to kill high-ranking officials; it was shocking and embarrassing at the same time. My face visibly twisted as I thought about the nuisance my six-month absence had caused.
"What has been done concerning the criminals then" I asked, my hands folded against my chest.
Kael continued.
"The very night after the successful assassination, the traitors were trailed back home and killed. It happened so fast that we even lost trail of the last surviving member.” He paused for a second as if trying to recall something.
“The daughter of the traitors was later found, but by that time..." Another pause, but this time with disgust clear on his face. “She had murdered her fated mate; he was found lying dead in her arms.” He continued.
All this crime from an Omega. It was almost unbelievable.
My face darkened as I listened to every sentence, word after word.
What a brave little wolf. A smile spread across my lips. The innocent wolves weren't so innocent after all.
"At least something interesting finally happens in the pack," I laughed. The weak were finally showing their strength; I wanted nothing more than to push them back into their little hole.
"Let's have a hearing with the elders; the coronation is only a few hours away; I will have to at least make a formal appearance before the big event," I said, putting aside the now-old news.
The coronation was an event that was made by the moon goddess to crown the new Alpha. After the hibernation came the coronation.
I took a deep breath, feeling refreshed in body and mind. It was time.
…..
I stepped into the Grand Dawn Hall; there were three generations of alpha hereditary descents from far and wide seating accordingly. There was a heralding seat at the center with an intimidating design intended for the Alpha.
The seat was empty at the moment, but the amount of oppression it exuded by just being existent could freak a weak wolf and make them tremble.
"Brothers and Sisters of the Golden Dawn Pack, Xavier Dyon is getting crowned as Alpha tomorrow. It's high time the pack gained its rightful Alpha after the tragic loss of our predecessor Alpha to the cruel hands of time and misfortune," the head council elder spoke.
He was the one in charge of high decision-making in the pack. Every member of the pack needed his consent before making any decisions that impact the future of the pack—everyone except the Alpha, of course.
“I would like the coronation to take place this evening." I spoke, and immediately the entire hall went silent with all eyes directed towards me.
Kael, who stood by me, was about to protest, but a side glare sent him back to his position.
“That's not possible, Alpha Xa--" an elder spoke, still stunned by my immediate change of plans.
“And why not?” I interrupted, raising a brow.
I didn't want this ritual to drag any longer. It'd be better if the coronation happened as quickly as possible.
“You just woke up from hibernation, there's no way we can arrange the coronation so quickly." Another elder protested, looking to get head council's back up as if whatever they said would matter to me.
“It can be arranged.” I continued, “We'll have every female gather at the Coldfire Forest today; there we can easily scout out my supposed Luna.“ I rolled my eyes at the thought of having a mate.
I didn't believe in the so-called mate matching by the moon goddess. The only reason for my acceptance of the coronation was because it was something I, even as Alpha, couldn't refuse.
“B-But you ca--" Elder Luke protested but was interrupted, this time by the head council elder.
“We'll have the messenger inform the pack,” he finally spoke. ”Then coronation will take place today.”
A small smirk formed on my lip as he ended the sentence. He knew very well that I wasn't going to go with his decision if he had refused. I was the Alpha now since my father has passed; it was my duty to lead the pack, and I was going to do that with or without their blessings.
“That would be all." I stood from the chair before making my way out of the hall with Kael following behind.
I need to prepare, my fated mate awaits.
Xavier POVThe weight of the decision pressed down on my shoulders like a physical burden. My wolf paced restlessly, torn between protecting our mate and claiming the power that was rightfully hers without her getting hurt. "There is another way," Irina's words cut through the silence of my office. "The power can be consumed by an Alpha wolf."I sat up, alerted at her words, my wolf already rising to the surface. "Explain what you mean by that" I demanded, not as a request but as a command. "The power trapped in this locket..." she held up the silver pendant, its surface sparkling in the faint light. "It can be transferred to an Alpha through another ritual. The Alpha who absorbs its powers would become..." she hesitated, proceeding with caution. "Unstoppable."The thought sent a chill down my spine. An Alpha with the force of four powers combined-- the idea was both enticing and startling."But, that would kill her, wouldn't it?" I asked, already knowing the response.Irina nodded
Xavier POVI watched as Irina's hands trembled when she picked up the locket again and clutched it in-between her hands. She looked as if she had been struck by lightning. I'd seen the witch handle cursed objects and ancient artifacts without flinching, but now her face had gone pale, and something I'd never seen before flickered in her eyes – fear.The terror written all over her face is proof that she felt it too--the locket is not ordinary--it emits power."This locket..." she whispered, her voice trembling as she opened her now reddened palm to reveal the locket. "The power trapped inside it is more than anything I've ever encountered in all my years."I bit back my impatience, my wolf stirring restlessly inside me. "I already know that, I didn't call you here to state the obvious. I need answers!" I demanded. Whatever is happening seems to be caused by this little silver locket and I need to know why.I crossed my arms and stared at Irina as she closed her eyes and chanted unde
Xavier POV.The space between us was filled with tension as I tried in vain to focus on working on the heaps of documents scattered across my desk. But I couldn't concentrate with Hazel curled up on my office couch. Her silver hair framed her small face. And when she absent-mindedly bit her lower lip, my wolf nearly lost it. I remembered how soft her lips felt against mine. I could hardly control the urge to pull her into my arms and kiss her again. I cursed under my breath as I flipped over documents on my desk and tried to get busy. My wolf was relentless, demanding I claim her, mark her, make her ours. But the rational part of my brain knew better – we had a crisis on our hands. There's a missing dead body, strange symbols, and now this mysterious locket. But try telling that to my wolf.I still couldn't believe that I actually suggested she come and stay in my room. I hadn't meant to but the word had slipped out before I could stop it. I was driven by the need to protect her a
Hazel's POV The prison reeked of blood, its metallic stench that filled the air made my stomach churn as we all stood in the prison cell and stared at the empty space before us. “What the hell is this?” Xavier growled, his eyes scanning the empty ground where the body of the dead intruder must have been minutes ago but now contains nothing but dark bloodstains.“I swear, Alpha, he was here, I left his body here, dead and cold.” Kael stammered, his voice already shaky. “Then where the hell is he?” Alpha Xavier growled, glaring at Kael whose face had gone pale with shock.“I don't understand, I left him here a while ago, dead and cold. I saw the markings on his body. A crescent moon with three stars branded on his chest. It was an unusual symbol which I thought you would want to see" Kael said, swinging the torch around the cell, looking around again but the only thing left on the floor was blood stains. I stood terrified, my wolf stirred uneasily within me. Something was very wro
Hazel's POV I had no choice but to tell him everything that happened on my 18th birthday. I began by telling him how my Mom gave me the locket as my 18th birthday gift and how my father warned me never to take it off and even insisted that I wear it when I received my wolf for the first time. I recounted how I ended up as an omega and how I've suffered humiliation and bullying since then. It was my worst birthday ever and I hate remembering what happened and how drastically my life had changed. He listened to me with a rapt attention, his dark eyes watching my every movement.“That's all there is to it” I concluded. “Are you sure that's all?” he asked, raising his brows. “I've already told you all I know” I answered, honestly not knowing how else to explain. “It's a gift from my mother when I turned eighteen” I repeated, my eyes clouded with the memory of what happened that day. “Did she tell you anything about it?”I shook my head. It was simply a birthday gift to me. “No,
Hazel's POV I stood at the door entrance trying to summon the courage to knock on the door. My heart was beating fast and sweat broke in my face. Even though he had not summoned me, I still have to find answers to the questions raging in my mind. I need to know if the intruder broke in because of my locket, is it also related to the threat letter I received last night? I took a deep breath and clenched my fist to knock on the oak wooden door but before I could knock, his voice stopped me short.“Come in Hazel, I can hear you hesitating” his voice broke through from inside the office. Of course, he could sense me with his heightened Alpha senses. I pushed open the door silently and slowly entered the dimly lit office. He stood facing the window with his back towards me, his hands in his pants pocket and he looked as if he's staring into the crescent moon ahead. I looked around the big office, taking in its opulence. The huge wooden bookshelves stood at the left against the wall. My