The Alpha's Claimed Mate

(9 years ago) Nyra's pov “Attack!” voices echoed, loud enough for everyone to hear. The air w I could hear my father's voice from the hallway calling my name, a sense of urgency in his voice. “Nyra!” “Nyra! Hurry, you need to hide,” my father called out, hurriedly lifting me up from my bed as he dashed out to the hallway . The whole place was in chaos. Lifeless bodies lay scattered everywhere, people running about in panic, desperate to find a place to hide. According to the conversation I heard the night before, the Crescentmoon pack— my father's supposed ally —was supposed to send some of its soldiers to fight alongside us, but no one came. We were betrayed! Not just by anyone but by my father's closest friend Alpha Darius. The whole house had been destroyed, our soldiers wouldn't be able to hold up for long, it was just a matter of hours before the whole pack would be gone. “Here, stay here, be very quiet, don't make any sound,” my father said, placing me in one of our storage drums at the back of the house. “But father…” I tried to protest, tears blurring my words. “Shhhh…” he interjected, cleaning off the tears flowing down my cheeks. “We don't have much time left, listen to me carefully and always remember this…” “Do not believe anyone, I was tricked by the Crescentmoon pack and everything ended up like this. You are the Bloodmoon pack’s only hope…” he continued. “Nyra, promise me never to shed tears again and to avenge us.” I nodded as hot tears flowed down my cheeks, fear gripping my soul. I didn't want to be left alone here, in the dark while every other member of the family was out there defending the pack against those blood thirsty invaders. But what could I do? I was just nine years old and I hadn't even shifted, my wolf hadn't come to me. Helpless, tears slid down my face. My father leaned in to wipe them away, pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead. Just then, we started hearing footsteps, someone was coming and he was close. My father quickly covered the drum with its lid and shifted, his wolf Kael was one of the strongest and I was sure it was going to be a quick battle. I folded myself together to fit into the drum properly, fortunately there was a small c***k in front of the drum. I leaned closer trying to see if I could get a proper view of what was happening outside. Two wolves stormed in, Kael was already ready to attack them, as I predicted the fight was quick. In a blink of an eye, he had already defeated both of them but then something unexpected happened. More wolves stormed in and with them, their leader —Alpha Ronan Vexley. The moment he entered, silence fell. The leader of the Nightbane Pack had arrived. For a moment, something felt wrong. Redirecting my gaze, I saw him dragging someone by the neck. Oh my God! My Mother. My hands trembled so hard the drum rattled. My heartbeat pounded like it would burst through my chest. I pressed my lips hard to prevent making any sound as hot tears streamed down my cheeks and pain pierced my heart. In a split second, my mother’s head came rolling across the floor. “Annnn…!” Kael howled in agony, tears streaming down his face as he struggled to reach her. That was the first time I had ever seen Kael cry. As he tried to move closer, a knife pierced his heart, leaving him frozen in place. He crumpled to his knees staring blankly ahead, almost lifeless. Laughter came rolling in, the voices of Alpha Ronan and his men filled the room. “This kingdom belongs to the Nightbane pack now. It is mine,” Alpha Derick’s voice came towering over everyone. “Throw them into the pit and bury them with the captives, kill all men in the Bloodmoon pack in the next three days.” “Yes, Alpha!” His men chorused. As they all left the room to join the others outside. I hadn't gotten my scent yet so it was impossible for them to know there was someone else in the room. My eyes quickly darted back to where my father was, surprisingly he was still alive but I could tell he didn't have much time left. Our gaze met, and with it came a smile, then a whisper left his lips. “Remember…” And with that, the palace was buried in blood — my family's blood. I stayed helpless in the drum I couldn't leave, not until after three days, after Alpha Ronan’s men must have killed my whole pack, after I must have lost everything and everyone that I love. Those three days didn't go by quickly…no it didn't. It was three days of pain. Anguish. Emptiness. And fear. At that moment I swore to repay everyone who had hurt and betrayed my family in ways, They. Their children. Their lineage would never forget. But first, I had to escape this place. I ran as fast as my legs could carry me even though my bones were weak and my strength was failing. It had been three days without food or water, locked away in a dark drum strategizing on how and where to escape to. The Nightbane pack was from the North and the Crescentmoon pack was in the South and the last thing I wanted to do was to find myself around those regions. Now my only hope was to find a way to get to the Silvermoon pack which was west. I ran and ran. I needed to get there before nightfall, but I was exhausted and needed rest. Luckily there was a wooded area that looked hidden from the outside, I curled myself into the tiny space and within minutes I fell into a not so peaceful sleep. I'm not sure how long I slept, but my dreams were filled with images of my mother's head rolling across the floor and Alpha Derick stabbing my father in the chest. The sound of my father's words — “Remember…” — jolted me awake from my night mare, drenched in sweat, shivers running down my spine. I wished I hadn't survived. I should have gone with them. Tears welled in my eyes, my palms slick with sweat. Forcing myself up, I pulled myself together and began running— again. I stayed off the main roads to avoid being seen. Thankfully, I had had some rest earlier enough to keep me going a little longer. But after running for days, my body finally gave in, exhaustion screamed through my bones. I collapsed near the river bank waiting for death to take me. Then, through the blur of my fading vision, I saw shadows moving behind the trees across the water. I closed my eyes, letting the darkness claim me.