"You," he repeated, his breath coming out rather heavily as he took a step closer to me.
In that moment, it was as if my body was on the verge of erupting into flames. To have him near me was to feel the pull of desire, an overwhelming need to touch him, to let my fingers dance across his face, and to surrender to the promise of all the things he could do to me.
His eyes stared deeply, probing as if attempting to unearth every dark secret I had ever hidden throughout my life. Within his gaze, there were two emotions locked in a fierce battle for control: desire and disgust.
I had never experienced such a compelling pull with Theo before, nothing of this intensity. Nothing that had ever made me yearn to touch him so intensely. It was a sensation that both frightened and thrilled me, an uncharted territory of desire and longing that I had never wandered into before.
"You don't have a wolf," He spat, breaking what seemed to be a very long second and I snapped out of it, taken aback by the undertone of irritation in his voice.
Despite the overwhelming desire to whimper and yield to his presence, I held my ground.
"Yes, I don't," I responded with the same force he had used, noticing how his eyes twitched, perhaps surprised by my gall and boldness.
It was clear that he didn't appreciate being spoken to in such a manner, and his expression hardened in response.
"Unatha, he's the Alpha!" Sabrina harshly whispered from where she stood, her head slightly hung low in deference to his presence.
"Alpha or not, I don't care," I retorted, causing Sabrina's eyes to widen in complete fear as his fists tightened, his knuckles turning white with tension.
"You should have known that before you chose to bring me here, and you should have gotten over it," I continued, my voice steady but tinged with a defiance that seemed to hang heavy in the air.
Sabrina's gaze darted anxiously between the two of us, her apprehension clear in the charged silence that followed my words. In that moment, it was as if she held her breath, waiting for the Alpha's reaction.
He finally spoke, his voice low and measured,
"You have spirit, I'll give you that."
The tension in the air seemed to subside slightly, and I felt a rush of relief wash over me. It was a small victory, but it was a victory nonetheless.
"But remember, Unatha," he continued, his eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that could have set the hall ablaze, "this is my territory, and in my territory, I am the law. Disrespect won't be tolerated, and not especially from a creature such as yourself." He spat cruelly and proceeded to walk out of the hall, his hands wrapped at his back, his aura dissipating.
"Are you crazy?! What was that? You're lucky you got out of that!" Sabrina yelled at me, her grip on my shoulders forceful and unrelenting, as she shook me with frustration. The Alpha, in my eyes, was decidedly a prig, a jerk, nothing more than a big bag of bully material. The nerve of him!
"Is this how you all fear him?" I asked once she let go of me, the horror still evident in her eyes and we began to exit the hall, the distant sounds of howling echoing through the air.
"We don't 'fear' him. We respect him, he has protected us this well so far, and keeps our belly full. He's a scary man yes, and has killed hundreds of werewolves that wandered into our territory, but he's also a good man who just wants what's best for his people."
"Killed hundreds of werewolves?!" I yelled.
"Is that your idea of a good man, Sabrina?" I asked, and she simply rolled her eyes, ignoring my question.
Hundreds of werewolves??? That's absolutely horrible.
"With power like his, many rogues thirst for it, hungry to claim it for themselves. If you were a Lycan, you'd understand," she muttered and in an instant, she transformed right before my eyes. Her clothes ripped as her form rippled and shifted, the air crackling with electric energy. Within seconds, she had become a towering light brown werewolf, larger than the average wolf from my normal pack.
I stumbled on my feet, utterly shocked by her size and the continued emerald glow in her eyes. She let out a light growl, and her wolf form was astonishingly beautiful, with delicate white markings scattered amidst the fur. She knelt down beside me, as if inviting me to climb onto her back. With much hesitation, I did, gripping her fur tightly and closing my eyes as she gracefully rose to her feet and began to sprint at lightning speed. The world around us blurred into a whirlwind of sensations as we raced through the territory, eventually crossing over into the woods.
Theo and Ravenna had given me rides like this in the past, and it was always exciting. The rush of wind, the feeling of being in harmony with nature, and my hair flying back brought back fond memories. As Sabrina picked up her pace, weaving between the trees, I slowly opened my eyes, savoring the breathtaking view and feeling less scared than before.
Sabrina's wolf let out a howl, as if signaling her position to other wolves, and in response, another howl echoed through the woods. We then heard the rhythmic sound of footsteps approaching from behind and I turned to see a pitch-black wolf sprinting towards us, its eyes a striking shade of blue. It was Jaxon.
The unspoken connection between Sabrina and Jaxon became even more apparent as we raced through the forest together. Their coordination was seamless, as if they were a well-practiced team. It was becoming increasingly clear that they were more than just fellow pack members, and if I had to guess, they were mates.
As we continued our lightning-fast journey, the forest terrain began to change. The distant sound of rushing water grew louder, and then, suddenly, a magnificent waterfall came into view. The waterfall cascaded down from a rocky cliff, creating a mesmerizing display of crystal-clear water that sparkled in the sunlight. It was a breathtaking sight, and the roar of the waterfall filled the air.
Sabrina and Jaxon slowed down as we approached the edge of the water, coming to a graceful stop, and I slid off Sabrina's back. I was captivated by the sheer beauty of the waterfall and I couldn't help but wonder if this was the very same Mystic Falls that Jasmine had mentioned to me. Its splendor left me in complete awe, and I couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and enchantment in this mystical place.
On the other side of the waterfall, there were various wolves with different fur colors and patterns. Some of them were resting, others were playing around, and a few were kneeling. It was a genuinely beautiful sight that showcased the unity and diversity within the wolf pack
From among the wolves, one stood out.
It was much larger than the rest, the largest even, and its fur was a dazzling shade of white, glowing in the light with a pureness that seemed almost magical. Two detailed gold spots adorned its forehead, shining like beams of sunlight against its white fur. It was absolutely beautiful, and radiated an aura of commanding power.
When the wolf suddenly locked eyes with me, it all clicked.
It was the Alpha.