The air was tense, the Clan members felt the impending doom. It wasn't the first time that an Alpha was confronted, but it was the first time it was by someone so powerful.
All went silent as everyone watched the young man in the square, patiently waiting for his next action.
"Ha!" A derisive laugh rang out in the still air, Lord Merrick sneered at Varick. "Do you have any last words?" he asked coldly, contrary to how relaxed he looked. The anger loomed right beneath the surface as he watched the Clan Alpha carefully.
Ignoring the subtle fear within him, Varick lunged at the young man standing in place unguarded. Fear filled all the Clan members as they watched, they hoped that their Alpha wasn't challenging Lord Merrick.
It was obvious that Merrick was a powerful werewolf, his eyes were as dark as when he came, he hadn't even brought forth his wolf.
Just as Varick was about to land on Merrick with his jaws open, a fist slammed into his snout, sending him flying toward the crowd. Merrick shook his hand in the air as his jaw ticked, ignoring the shocked gasps going through the crowd.
He let out his claws from his right hand, slowly approaching the dazed Alpha. "Seeing that you have nothing left to say...." He paused and grabbed Varick's tail with his other hand, dragging him back to the centre of the square.
".... For annexing multiple Clans without prior notice, directing assassinations on your superiors, and for being a cowardly fool; You will die." He finished as he crouched in front of the growling and struggling wolf then stabbed his claws into its skull.
He clenched his hand crushing Varick's brain completely, at that moment, the Luna let out a heart shaking scream as lost her mind to her wolf.
Merricks eyes flashed gold, intimidating her and she shifted, running off into the dark woods. At that moment, a flash of blue cast over the forest, highlighting the young man standing in the middle of the crowd.
His dark hair reflecting the silvery blue light and his gold eyes made his imposing figure appear just as alluring as it was terrifying.
Suddenly a spark went through Maaike as their eyes met, there was no doubt about it, he was her mate. She could not ignore the thrum of desire that filled her as her wolf pushed for control.
She gripped her wrist with her own hand, ignoring the pain of her nails digging into her skin deep enough to draw blood.
"Begin the hunt!" Merrick said suddenly, shifting his eyes off Maaike to watch the Clan Beta organize the members for the ceremony. Maaike stood watching him transfixed, she had mixed feelings about seeing her mate.
He had killed Varick, an insurmountable barrier for her, he was powerful and terrifying. She could feel an all-consuming ache in her chest as her wolf whined within her, begging to be let out.
The sound of wolves howling filled the air as the square emptied out, everything was still soon enough, and they both stood still in their places.
Maaike's legs felt far too weak for her to move under Merrick's scrutiny. Suddenly, he began toward her slowly, so slow that it felt torturous to her.
Maaike's wolf perked up, as he got closer to her. She couldn't help feeling excited as he approached.
Despite her mixed feelings over his defeat of the Alpha she had sworn to kill, she couldn't focus on her loss but rather felt a strong attraction and reliance toward the handsome stranger.
However, it was obvious that unlike her, the young man was no slave to his wolf. Where Maaike had instantly felt attached to him, he had held back until after carefully observing her.
"Weak!" he uttered under his breath, but it reached her ears, sending a shock through her. Clarity filled her mind as she stood there stupefied. 'Yes, she knew she was weak, but he didn't have to say it like that.'
He could obviously tell what she was thinking from the way he sighed as he ran his hand through his locks. "I... What's your name?" he asked calmly, she was quiet for a moment and reluctantly replied "Maaike...Heorte." She bowed her head, already knowing what was going to happen.
He took a small step back and spoke the damning words, "I Amon Merrick, left hand of the King Alpha, declare my bond with Maaike Heorte null. Our souls are unbound, are tethers are cut, our fated path shall stray apart!"
At that moment it was as though a string snapped between them and Maaike fell to her knees in soul crushing pain. "I acknowledge it" she answered struggling.
Amon clenched his jaw in discomfort, then suddenly bowed to her as he would to the Alpha King and whispered to the girl before him "I am bound to whoever I choose, it is not because you are weak." Then he turned and left.
----------
She wasn't sure how long later, but Maaike's wolf had long withdrawn, leaving her to deal with the situation alone. She was hurt and embarrassed, she was angry. 'Who was he to make her feel so lost, so abandoned?'
She hated the helplessness she felt, it was the same as it was all her life. She dug her fingers into the ground and roared in frustration as a tear ran down her cheek.
She was weak both in body and mind, and she was tired of it. So what if her mate rejected her! It wasn't the worst part. It was the crushing realization of her weakness that hurt her, it was glaringly obvious to him as it had been to Varick.
It made her angry and ashamed, sparking within her a flame, the ground shook and sparks flew around her.
It was as though she was a live wire, she angrily let out the energy burning within her as sparks of lightning ran through her body and on her skin. Her power scorched the area around her, her dress was burned and the air around her was charged.
"Why?" she asked, her voice hoarse, 'why am I only getting this power now, when I lost everything'. She could not take her vengeance, she did not have her wolf, she did not have her mate, and all because she was weak. Slowly her power burned out and she passed out from exhaustion.