Natalie~
I gripped my father's hand tightly as I tried to keep up with his long strides. My legs ached, but I didn't dare slow down. The village was bustling around us, and the air buzzed with tension and excitement. Everyone was preparing for the arrival of the royal family. Our pack, Silverfang, was hosting them this year. The visit of the royal family to any pack was an honor so great that my father had often said it could change a pack's future.
The entire pack was alive with activity. Wolves shifted back and forth, carrying decorations, preparing food, and ensuring the grounds were immaculate. The earthy scent of pine trees mixed with the tang of nervous sweat as I caught snippets of excited whispers about the honor the pack was about to receive. I barely noticed the beauty of the forest surrounding us, its towering trees bathed in golden morning light.
Father walked with purpose, his jaw clenched and his shoulders stiff. Even though I was only thirteen, I could sense something bad was going to happen soon. "Dad," I asked hesitantly, my voice trembling, "with everything going on, do you think it's going to be ok to go see Alpha Darius?"
He glanced down at me briefly, his usually warm gray eyes clouded with worry. "I'll explain everything to him, I'm sure he'll understand, Natalie. Just stay close, sweetheart."
The Alpha's residence loomed ahead, an imposing structure made of dark stone and towering columns. It was fitting for Alpha Darius Blackthorn, a man whose very presence commanded respect and fear. Our house, though large, paled in comparison to his. My father, Evan Cross, was the Beta, his closest friend and right-hand man. He was always trusted with responsibilities that often kept him close to the Alpha. But today, my father's usual calm and commanding presence was replaced with raw tension.
We reached the Alpha's residence, and I trailed my father inside, my legs burning from the distance we walked. The entrance hall was as grand as ever, with dark wooden beams and a roaring fireplace that did little to warm the chill I felt in my bones. My father didn't stop to admire it. He headed straight to Alpha Darius's office, his boots echoing against the polished floors.
When we reached the office, my father knocked once, and the deep, commanding voice of Alpha Darius answered, "Enter."
Father pushed the door open, and I followed him inside. The Alpha sat behind his heavy oak desk, his broad shoulders straight and his piercing black as night eyes lifting to meet ours. His dark hair was streaked with silver, and the scar across his left cheek only added to his intimidating aura. But when his gaze landed on me, his usual stern face softened into a brief smile—one I had come to cherish.
"Evan," the Alpha said, his voice deep and steady. "What brings you here? And why does your daughter look so shaken?"
My father rushed forward, his hands gripping the edge of the desk. "Darius, it's Isla. She's been taken. I—I found Natalie crying this morning when I returned from my duties, and she told me Isla was taken yesterday.
Alpha Darius's brows knitted together. "Taken? By whom?"
"Unknown people. I don't know, Darius!" Father's voice cracked. "I need to go after her." He added.
The Alpha's expression hardened, and he leaned forward. "Evan, this is terrible news, but the royal family is arriving today. You're needed here. We cannot afford to falter in their presence."
"Darius," my father pleaded, his voice trembling, "please, let me go after her. She could be in danger, I beg you."
Alpha Darius tone grew stern. "No. You are the Beta, and your absence at this critical time would disgrace the pack. After the royal family leaves in four days, I will personally assist you in finding her. But until then, you will remain here."
"Four days?" my father exclaimed, his voice cracking with desperation. "Darius, she could be killed by then! Please, I'll go alone—I just need your permission."
Alpha Darius's gaze hardened. "No. You're needed here. This conversation is over. Go and ensure the preparations are flawless."
My father's shoulders slumped, defeat and anguish etched into his face. He didn't argue further, but I could see the torment in his eyes. As we left the office, he remained silent, his jaw clenched so tightly I feared he might break his teeth.
Instead of taking me home, my father brought me to my best friend, Malcolm's house. His parents, a kind and loving couple, welcomed us warmly, though they looked concerned when they saw my father's strained expression.
"Stay here, Natalie," my father said, crouching in front of me. "I'll bring your mother back. I promise."
"But what about the Alpha?" I whispered, fear creeping into my voice. "What if he gets angry?"
My father smiled, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Don't worry about that. I'll handle it." He kissed my forehead, and we did our secret handshake—a series of silly taps and gestures that always made me laugh. But this time, I couldn't muster a smile.
"I love you, Natalie," he said, his voice thick with emotion.
"I love you too, Dad."
He hugged me tightly before leaving, and I felt like a part of my world was walking out the door with him.
That afternoon, I joined Malcolm's family—his dignified mother, stern father, poised elder sister, and mischievous twin brothers—on the walk to the celebration. A spark of anticipation burned in my chest; I'd always wondered about the royal family. They were said to be handpicked by the goddess herself, and a prophecy, my mother always told me, claimed that every four thousand years, the goddess sent her beloved daughter into their lineage. This celestial heir was destined to bring light and joy to the world through the royal bloodline. Though no signs of her reincarnation had emerged, the royal family remained an awe-inspiring presence, cloaked in mystery and reverence.
But my wonder quickly faded as the atmosphere shifted.
We hadn't reached the vibrant party grounds before two enforcers blocked our path, their towering figures casting shadows over us. "The Alpha demands your presence," one of them declared, his voice cutting through the air like a blade.
My pulse quickened. Malcolm's mother placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, but the flicker of fear in her eyes was impossible to miss. Without another word, we were escorted to the Alpha's grand residence.
Inside, Alpha Darius stalked the living room like a predator in a cage, his every movement radiating tension and restrained power. The air in the room felt heavy, oppressive, and I braced myself for whatever storm was brewing.
The moment he saw us, he exploded. "Where is he?" he roared, his eyes blazing.
I shrank back under his gaze, my voice shaking. "He went to find my mom."
Alpha Darius glare turned to Malcolm's father. "Is this true?"
Malcolm's father hesitated before nodding. "Yes, Alpha. He dropped Natalie off this morning and—"
"And you didn't think to tell me?" The Alpha's voice was deadly quiet, and that was somehow worse than his yelling.
"I... I didn't know it needed reporting," Malcolm's father stammered. "The Beta often leaves Natalie with us—"
"Enough!" Darius barked. "Take them all to the dungeon. Every single one of them."
********
The damp, freezing cell became my world for the next four days. Fear clawed at my heart, hunger gnawed at my stomach, and thirst burned my throat. Malcolm, his siblings, and I huddled together for warmth, the fear in their eyes mirroring my own, while their parents were put in another cell. .
On the fifth day, the enforcers dragged us out. Weak and filthy, we stumbled into the sunlight, only to be marched straight to the execution grounds.
The crowd parted as we were forced to kneel in the dirt. Whispers reached my ears: "Traitor's daughter." "They'll all die for this."
My shocked eyes locked on my parents. My mother looked beaten and broken; her once-bright blue eyes were hollow, kneeling beside my father, who seemed to have aged years in just days. Why did he come back? Father shouldn't have brought mother back here.
"I'm sorry," he whispered to me as I knelt beside him. "Be strong, my little moon. The Goddess is with you."
Alpha Darius stepped forward, his presence commanding absolute silence. His voice rang out, cold and strong, slicing through the crowd like a whip.
"Evan Cross turned his back on this pack, abandoned his sacred duties and brought shame upon us before the royal family. His betrayal is unforgivable, and for this treachery, he and his accomplices will face the ultimate punishment."
Darius's gaze swept over the gathered wolves, sharp and unrelenting. "As Alpha of the Silverfang Pack, I exercise my authority and sentence you all to death—by the bite of silver bullets."
Tears streamed down my face as I screamed, "No! Please!" But no one listened.
The enforcers raised their guns. One by one, they executed Malcolm's family, I watched them fall like candies. Then my mother. Her lifeless body crumpled to the ground, and I felt my soul shatter. The Alpha saved my father for last, making him watch the carnage.
When they reached me, Darius sneered. "You'll live, Natalie. A walking reminder of your father's failure."
"No!" Father begged. "Please, don't punish her for my mistakes!"
Alpha Darius ignored him and pulled the trigger himself. Silencing him with a silver bullet. His body collapsed beside me, and I knelt in the blood-soaked dirt, surrounded by death and despair, as the Alpha's cruel smirk burned into my memory.
My life was over.