Lahat ng Kabanata ng ALPHA'S DARKEST SECRET: Rise Of The Ultima: Kabanata 31 - Kabanata 40

EMALThe outdoor celebration soon begins as ordered by the Alpha.The sun casts a warm, amber glow over the courtyard, where silk banners ripple in the breeze—each one bearing the royal sigil: a silver wolf howling beneath a crescent moon with touch of an irregular design I actually didn't take interest to know what it means.The nobles who are only for the outdoor event are already arriving, dressed in their finest silks and ceremonial armor. Guests are laughing with the distant tune of flutes and lyres, and warriors perform blade dances at the prepared spot for them.At the far end of the courtyard, a raised platform has been arranged for the royal family. Elegant, high-backed chairs are ready for the Alphas and royal figures of our pack and other packs. Just below the platform, the rest of us—royal-borns, nobles, pack warriors of the White Fur Pack—stand in place, waiting to begin the ceremonial rite.Despite the lively atmosphere, I can't shake the chill running down my spine. It i

EMALI expect Father to say something, probably stop the herald from saying anything more about the special request. After all, it is so obvious the Luna staged this. My eyes plead to him, but he shakes his head silently. What was I thinking? We are celebrating the Luna's birthday which gives her such right to call the shots. I just know she wants me dead. She hates me so much.The herald’s voice barely fades before the ground itself seems to hum.A heavy clang echoes through the air as the massive dueling gates creak open. A figure steps out—no, emerges, like a shadow born of war itself.Valerys Winthrope.The crowd draws a collective breath as he appears, and I swear the temperature drops.He's massive—easily thrice my width, and at least a twice taller. His muscles bunch and flex beneath scarred, inked skin that tells stories of every fight he’s ever won. A black tattoo coils around one arm, making him look all the more scary. His eyes are void of mercy, a pale, grey that seem to

EMAL“Who is that girl to you, Emal?” Father asks, his gaze fixed on me with that signature sharpness that always cuts too deep.The throne hall is empty now, except for the three of us; him, Master Aldrien, and me. Everyone else was dismissed the moment he made his declaration. But I know this isn’t over. Not really.I glance at Master Aldrien but his presence here means this conversation was probably planned.“Who do you mean?” I ask, though the name echoes loud and clear in my mind.“Don’t play games with me, boy,” Father snaps calmly in that unsettling, dangerous way of his. “You know exactly who I’m talking about.”I stay silent.I won’t give her name to him. Not when I still don’t know where we stand. Not when I know what he ordered Blake. What he allowed. I can't do well to think everything is going to end well if I give him Lilly's name. I ha e to talk to her myself first before knowing what next.It’s Master Aldrien who breaks the silence. “Her name is Lilly.”Father’s brow c

EMALMy feet move on instinct, every step fuelled by dread and desperation.She’s not at home. I know that without a doubt. Lilly wouldn’t go back to that house after what happened. Not when she’s still shaking from what she unleashed. That kind of power… it does something to the mind. And to the heart. Especially to someone like her.Oh heavens, she's fucking human. Well...maybe not. I need to find out who exactly she is, and what.The first place I check is the restaurant. It's dim and quiet, almost eerie without her voice ringing through the kitchen or her scent lingering around. The only presence I sense is Old Fogey’s, washing glasses with his usual huffing and puffing.I don’t ask. I don’t need to. She’s not here.I already know where she is.The hut. Our little hideout which is just far enough to be forgotten by the pack but close enough to sneak away when the world became too much. It is our place. The one place where titles doesn’t matter. Where she isn’t a lone human girl a

LILLYI tighten my grip around Emal's fingers as we approach the castle. I can't hide my anxiety as we proceed.Crossing the castle gates which seems to be made of iron, the guards bow their head low as Emal pass. He only nods at them, without a word. I keep my head slightly down, but I can still feel the curious, assessing and suspicious gazes on me. I squeeze his hand harder. “I don’t think I can do this…”He pauses, glancing down at me. “You’re not doing this alone,” he says. “I’m here.”Something about the way he says those words, ‘I’m here’, roots me. I take a slow breath, nodding, and let him lead me further inside.The castle is just as intimidating as I remember it from the day of the event which was the first day I stepped in. The dark huge walls, endless hallways, tapestries of wolves and battle scenes were all the same. Everything about this castle reeks of power and danger.“Where are we going?” I ask as we walk, barely managing to keep pace with him.“To the throne hall,