Chapter 01

~EMBER

“Our dearest Luna, we regret to inform you that the Alpha has impregnated a fertile she-wolf” I heard uncle Fester say, his mocking tone and statement sure struck me to the bone.

I glance over at the Alpha’s seat where the absolute love of my life sits with his mistress beside him—Their fingers tightly entwined.

I have no idea which one hurts more at the moment; Is it her, sitting on my chair with that hideous face or the fact that she’s carrying Teneger’s baby… a living soul I could not have even if I wanted to.

“Really?” I managed to say, pushing through the explosive sadness clogged up my chest. I will never cry before them.

“I’m sorry Ember… When I found out she’s my fated mate, I just could not control myself”

Lies. More lies. The bastard could not even look at me in the face. What fated mate? Teneger and I grew up together in my father’s pack. We fell in love and I gave him my position—made him an Alpha in my own pack. Unfortunately I couldn’t give him a child for years; all because of the strong Alpha gene I have. But he knew, this was our secret yet he didn’t hesitate to call a more than third party meeting on me. To trap me.

If there’s anything to describe happiness and misery in one, it’s being painfully numb, it is Ember Hawthorn.

“Congratulations Alpha” I forced a smile and the three elders present seemed relieved. Bunch of old hypocrites.

“As expected of our heavenly Luna. We know this is unfair to you in your…”

“Oh really?” I cut him short “I am understanding, not foolish. Your Alpha is free to live with his mistress but not in my pack” I declared.

“How dare you Ember?!” Teneger rose to his feet in anger, directing his tormenting Alpha hormone to me, forcing me to my knees. I gasped in disbelief as the pain penetrated every core of my senses.

“Teneger” His name was all I could say but he didn’t stop. Next thing, I saw black.

Waking up in a cold basement, darkness was all I could see. Of course I knew this place, it’s where I torture criminals and interrogate them on behalf of my Alpha.

I thought I was strong but I was foolish and love blinded. After my father’s mysterious death, I was left in the care of Uncle Fester, my father’s beta. He looked after I and my mother and helped managed the affairs of the pack.

Mother cautioned my weak heart, she wanted me to be a female Alpha, the one position I deserve but I was naive and stubborn. I wanted to repay Uncle Fester and Teneger for their care—Stupidly at the expense of my pack.

I clenched my fists frustratingly, yanked them apart and the ridiculous chain cuff fell off. The sound of it infuriates me.

He knows this can’t hold me, I’m an Alpha. The real Alpha of the pack. Teneger has been ruling for years on borrowed strength and authority, including the Alpha aura he used on me, I surrendered it to him on the night of our mating ritual.

I wanted him to raise his head without worries amongst other men, to make him worthy. But now I want my pack back and I won’t hesitate to rip apart, anyone that tries to stop me.

The sound of approaching footsteps hit my ears, followed by muffled sound of heavy steps on the stairs, descending into the basement.

“The Alpha awaits you, Luna” I heard a guard’s voice and I followed.

As soon as I was up, my eyes squinted at the sudden exposure to the bright light and I looked away. He dismissed the prison guard.

“It’s been two days Ember, we need to talk” his voice was soft—a clear sign of manipulation.

“Go straight to the point” Seething, I said.

“We are under attack. I need you to save our pack” he shamelessly explained.

I scoffed, utterly disgusted “What could this strong choking smell be? Could it be Shame?” my brows arched curiously.

“Look, we can settle our differences later but right now we must fight to save our pack. I know I’ve failed you and I wouldn’t mind answering to you after all these”

Silence—

“Ember” he called.

Of course he needs me to fight. There’s always a large Alpha wolf at the battlefront with a small lanky warrior wolf. They always thought I was the little wolf supporting her Alpha but we both know the truth.

“Who’s it this time?” I asked, walking away from the room.

“It’s Keres” he lamented.

The name made me pause my steps “Why? How?”

“I have no idea what the God of death wants with our pack but we have to fight!”

Keres is a monster, an anomaly in our peaceful world. In fact I’ve heard of him, everyone knows him as the black Fiend, hence his name but I don’t care. I will protect what’s mine.

*****

As a good strategist, we attacked the rival pack on my orders and already wiped out hundreds of them in less than an hour forcing them to retreat. Strangely, their Alpha Keres was nowhere to be seen and Teneger insisted on full chase to wipe them all out.

But as soon as we rounded a corner on the highest mountain, south, a rain of fire descended upon everyone and then I saw the enormous black dragon from nowhere.

“Retreat!” I yelled panicking. History has it that the dragons have long been wiped out by my ancestors. Our pack to be specific! My heart breaks hearing the screams of my warriors as they fell into the abyss burning rapidly. The fire spreads so fast that there was nowhere to escape.

“Get behind me Teneger” Scared, I hurriedly pulled him behind so I could shift and get few of us to safety.

“Ember” he called.

“Get behind me! now!” I cried as soon as I saw the dragon racing down our path.

Gathering every little bit of strength left in me, I could feel my eyes changing, my legs morphing and next… a sharp penetrating dent on my stomach from behind. I’ve been stabbed.

“I’m sorry Ember, he wants you only” I heard the familiar voice which prompted me to slowly turn around. “Why?” was what managed to slip out from the thousand questions I have for him.

“The pack will be better off without you…” his kick came next on my belly and I fell off the cliff.