Constance's Power

Chapter 5. The Alpha’s Judgment

Callum had barely left Constance's cell when he was summoned by the Alpha. The Alpha's quarters were dimly lit. The air was cleaner than in prison, but it was still hard to breathe. Maybe it was reverent admiration bordering on fear that didn't let Callum fill his lungs completely. He could feel the Alpha's gaze assessing him, just as he did with all who entered his territory..

When Callum entered the chamber, the Alpha's low voice grumbled, "You have spent some time with the wolfless girl."

Callum bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, Alpha. I gave her some food and water."

The Alpha leaned back in his chair. "And what do you make of her?"

Callum hesitated. "She's... different. Scared, but she's not a threat."

"She's wolfless," the Alpha said. Anyone would sense how full his voice was with disapproval and mockery. "That makes her weak. And weaknesses can easily turn into threats. Did she mention why she fled Ironhowl?"

Callum nodded. "She was rejected by her mate. That's why she and her friend were running."

The Alpha raised an eyebrow, "Rejected? By Keen?"

"Yes," Callum confirmed. "It's rare, but it happens."

The Alpha was on his feet, his massive frame looming over Callum. "Rare, yes. But rejecting a girl who is not even a wolf? There has to be more to this."

Callum shifted uncomfortably. "Well, maybe. She's vulnerable, Alpha. In my opinion, she is not here maliciously."

"Perhaps," the Alpha mused, pacing in front of the fireplace. "But vulnerability can be exploited, Callum. She could be hiding something. Or worse, she could be a key part of something we don't yet understand."

"What do you mean?" Callum inquired, trying to maintain a respectful tone. The Alpha halted his pacing and turned to face Callum.

"Callum, there is an old prophecy. Something about a wolfless one who will either bring heaven to the werewolf community or wreak havoc on it. I've heard whispers, and now this girl shows up, rejected by her pack, wandering into mine? It is just too random."

Anxiety gripped Callum. "Are you suggesting that she might be the prophesied one?"

The Alpha's eyebrows furrowed. "I just don't know. But I will discover the answer."

***

Before the door opened once more, hours went by. This time, Constance was hauled from her cell by two guards. The silence between them was dense and oppressive. They marched her over the meandering, black hallways. As she entered a big, poorly lighted room, her veins filled with doubt and despair.

The Alpha, with his dark, merciless eyes fixed on her as she was brought to her knees before him, sat at the far end of the room.

"You're the one they caught trespassing on my land," the Alpha stated with an icy and frightful voice. "You crossed into my territory without permission. I should have killed you long time ago."

Constance battled to keep her voice calm by swallowing hard. “We didn’t want to broke into your territory, Alpha. We were running away.”

"Escaping what?" the Alpha asked. His eyes were full of mistrust.

"Ironhowl," Constance said in a quiet voice. “We were running from the Ironhowl Pack.”

The Alpha lifted an eyebrow, showing his curiosity. "Keene's pack. Why would two Ironhowl wolves run into rebel territory?"

The words became stuck in Constance's throat, and she hesitated. How would she explain the betrayal and the rejection? Admitting it out loud was hard, particularly in front of this firm, powerful Alpha. But before she could say anything, Callum walked in through the creaky door behind her.

"She was rejected by her Alpha," Callum stated. "Thrown out and left to fend for herself."

The Alpha looked at them both, his keen eyes lingering on Constance. "Rejected? By Keen himself?"

"Yes," Callum confirmed. "That's why they were running."

When the Alpha stood, he slowly circled Constance, making his presence uncomfortable. "Wolfless. Rejected. Week." Yet his voice lowered as he paused in front of her. "Are you really even a werewolf, tell me? For all I know, you might be a stupid human."

Constance felt her heart beating fast. She said, "I'm not human. I was born into the Ironhowl Pack, but I...I never had my wolf."

With doubt in his eyes, the Alpha looked down. "Born without the wolf. That’s a rare case. Why should I believe you're not just some simple human trying to pass as one of us?"

Constance's pulse quickened. "Because I am not. I may not have my wolf, but I'm still part of the werewolf world. I didn't choose to be wolfless."

The Alpha stood and moved slowly and carefully toward her. "And yet, here you are. An outsider without wolf who crosses into my pack." He suffocated her with his presence. "You claim to be harmless, but your very existence is a threat. Wolves like you... disrupt the balance. You either are a curse or a spy."

Constance shook her head, showing that she was scared. "I'm not a spy. I swear it."

With icy eyes, the Alpha stared into her. "Perhaps. But there is more going on than you understand." He took a moment to think about what to say next, then asked, "Do you know anything about the prophecy?"

Constance frowned. "Prophecy?"

The Alpha's lips curled into a sinister smile. “A wolfless one will bring about great change—salvation or destruction—in our world, that’s what prophecy says. Some say this wolfless one will break the chains that bind us to the old ways. Others think they will be the death sentence for every werewolf."

The blood of Constance ran cold. "What does that have to do with me?"

The Alpha moved closer and said, "I don't know. Maybe nothing. But I'm beginning to believe that your coming here is no accident. You are not ordinary, even if you might not have your wolf."

Fear and uncertainty spun Constance's mind. She was blown away by the thought that she was connected to something so powerful, something she had never heard of before. She murmured, "I want no part of that."

The smile of the Alpha darkened, and his face stiffened. "That's not your choice to make. Things are already set in motion. Now, I have to decide whether you are a threat... or something entirely else. I spared your life once, but was I right?"

Constance's heart pounded with terror as he turned and waved for the guards to take her away. She didn't know what part she was meant to play in this prophecy, but one thing was for sure: she was in a lot more danger now than before.