The Alpha's BREEDER

chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Woman Chosen by the Moon

Lyria

"The prophecy has awakened."

The words echoed through the council chamber like a death sentence.

Every Elder who had mocked me only moments ago had now turned deathly pale. One even stumbled backward, knocking his chair to the floor.

I frowned.

A prophecy?

What prophecy could frighten the most powerful people in the Blackthorn Pack?

Alpha Cassian slowly turned around, his sharp gray eyes fixed on the trembling guard.

"Repeat what you just said."

"The... the Moon Priest is waiting outside, Alpha." The guard lowered his head. "He said the Moon Goddess has spoken again."

Silence.

Even the fire crackling in the fireplace suddenly seemed too loud.

For the first time since I'd entered the chamber, Alpha Cassian's expression shifted from his cold expression to that of concern.

It was gone in the blink of an eye, but I had seen it.

Without another word, he strode toward the doors.

The Elders hurried after him as well, robes swaying behind them.

And within seconds, I was left alone in the enormous chamber.

Well...

Almost alone.

Two female guards remained behind.

"The Alpha ordered that you be taken to the eastern wing," one of them said.

I blinked.

"The eastern wing?"

She nodded.

"You'll stay there until tonight."

"Tonight?"

Neither woman answered.

Instead, one gently took my arm.

"This way."

The eastern wing was unlike any place I had ever seen.

The polished marble floors reflected the golden chandeliers hanging overhead. Portraits of past Alpha Kings lined the walls, each one wearing the same cold expression.

Power.

Authority.

Control.

Everything this pack valued.

Everything I'd never have.

Servants stopped whatever they were doing to stare at me as we walked past.

Their whispers followed me like shadows.

"So that's the breeder."

"I heard she's only an omega."

"Poor thing..."

"No, lucky thing. She's carrying the Alpha's heir."

"If only she knew..."

The last sentence caught my attention.

If only she knew?

Knew what?

Before I could ask, the guards stopped in front of a pair of enormous white doors.

One pushed them open.

"Your room."

I stepped inside and my breath caught instantly.

The bedroom was way larger than the tiny house my brother and I had shared.

Silk curtains danced in the breeze.

A fireplace warmed the room.

Fresh flowers filled crystal vases while a bed big enough for six people sat in the center beneath a carved wooden canopy.

It was beautiful.

Too beautiful.

This wasn't kindness.

It was preparation.

Animals were well-fed before s*******r.

A knock interrupted my thoughts.

Three maids entered carrying dresses, jewelry, and expensive perfumes.

One smiled politely.

"We're here to prepare you."

"For what?"

"The Moon Blessing Ceremony."

Another maid gently unfolded a long silver gown.

It shimmered like moonlight on water.

I stared at it.

"I don't need something this expensive."

"You do."

"Why?"

The maids exchanged nervous glances. Finally, the oldest one sighed.

"Because every breeder chosen for the Alpha must receive the Moon Goddess' blessing before conception."

My stomach tightened.

Every breeder?

"So..."

I swallowed.

"I'm not the first."

Silence answered me.

That was answer enough.

A strange ache settled in my chest.

Why had Alpha Cassian needed breeders before?

Had they all failed?

Had they all disappeared?

Or...

Had something happened to them?

The oldest maid seemed to notice my thoughts.

She spoke softly.

"Don't ask questions no one is willing to answer."

An hour later, I could barely recognized myself.

The silver dress hugged my figure perfectly.

My dark hair had been braided with tiny white flowers.

A delicate silver necklace rested against my collarbone.

For the first time in years...

I looked beautiful.

The realization hurt.

Beauty had never changed anything before and it wouldn't save me now.

The maids left me alone.

I walked toward the tall window overlooking the Alpha's estate.

The view stretched for miles.

Training grounds.

Gardens.

Stone towers.

Hundreds of wolves moved through the courtyard below.

Everyone had a purpose.

Everyone belonged.

Except me.

A soft knock came at the door.

I turned.

A little girl, no older than eight, peeked inside.

She wore a servant's uniform far too big for her tiny frame. When our eyes met, she smiled.

"You're really pretty."

I laughed quietly.

"No one's said that to me before."

She stepped into the room, holding a tray with tea.

"My name is Ivy."

"I'm Lyria."

"I know."

She hesitated before whispering,

"Everyone's talking about you."

"I'm sure they are."

She bit her lip.

"They're saying the Moon Priest came because of you."

I frowned.

"Me?"

She nodded eagerly.

"They say the Moon Goddess has been silent for over twenty years."

"Until today."

My heart skipped.

"But... I've never even met the Moon Priest."

"I know."

She leaned closer.

"That's why everyone's scared."

Before I could ask another question—

BANG!

The bedroom door burst open.

A palace guard stood in the doorway, breathing heavily.

"The ceremony has been moved forward."

"What?"

"The Moon Priest insists it happens immediately."

"Why?"

The guard looked directly into my eyes. His face had gone completely white.

"Because..."

He swallowed hard.

"...he claims the Moon Goddess has already chosen you."

The guard's words left the room in stunned silence.

I stared at him, waiting for him to laugh and admit it was some cruel joke.

He didn't.

My heart pounded painfully against my ribs.

"There must be a mistake," I whispered.

The guard shook his head.

"The Moon Priest refuses to begin the ceremony until you arrive."

I looked toward the little servant girl, Ivy. Her face had gone pale, and she clutched the tray in her trembling hands.

"I've... I've never seen this happen before," she murmured.

Neither had I.

The maids rushed back into the room.

"Hurry!" one of them urged as she straightened my gown.

"The entire council is waiting."

Within moments, I was being led through the endless palace corridors.

The atmosphere had changed.

Every servant I came across stopped to stare at me.

Some lowered their heads respectfully. Others looked at me with open fear.

Even the palace guards, men twice my size, stepped aside without a word.

None of it made sense.

I was still the same omega they had looked down on this morning.

So why were they treating me differently now?

The Moon Temple stood at the highest point of the Blackthorn estate.

Unlike the dark stone buildings surrounding it, the temple was built entirely from white marble. Moonlight reflected off its walls even though the sun had not yet set.

As I climbed the long staircase, I heard chanting echoing from inside.

Ancient words.

Words I couldn't understand.

The heavy doors opened to reveal more than a hundred people filled the temple.

Every Elder was present.

The Alpha's generals stood in full armor.

Priestesses in silver robes surrounded a glowing altar.

At the center stood Alpha Cassian.

Tonight, he wasn't wearing a suit, instead, he wore a ceremonial black robes embroidered with silver thread, a crown of dark metal resting upon his head.

For the first time, he looked less like a man and more like a king.

His gray eyes found mine as I entered.

For a brief second, something flickered across his face.

Curiosity.

Then it was gone like it never appeared.

The Moon Priest stepped forward.

He was an old man with snow–white hair and golden eyes that seemed to see through every lie.

"So..."

His gaze settled on me.

"You are Lyria Ashwood."

I lowered my head respectfully.

"Yes."

He circled me slowly.

The entire temple watched in silence.

Finally, he stopped.

"This is impossible."

The Elders exchanged nervous glances.

"What is it?" Elder Rowan asked.

The priest ignored him.

Instead, he lifted his hand toward my forehead.

The moment his fingers hovered above my skin—

A brilliant silver light exploded around us.

Gasps filled the temple.

The priest staggered backward.

"No..."

His voice trembled.

"It cannot be..."

The glowing moon symbol above the altar suddenly burst into radiant light.

Every candle in the temple ignited at once.

The ground shook.

Outside, wolves began howling.

One after another.

Then dozens more joined them.

The sound echoed across the mountains.

The Moon Priest fell to his knees.

"The prophecy..."

He looked directly at Alpha Cassian.

"...has begun."

The temple erupted into chaos.

"What prophecy?"

"How is this possible?"

"She's only an omega!"

The priest raised his voice above the panic.

"Silence!"

Instantly, everyone obeyed.

He slowly stood.

"There has not been a Moon-Blessed Female for over a thousand years."

Every face turned toward me.

"The woman standing before you..."

His golden eyes filled with awe.

"...has been personally marked by the Moon Goddess."

A cold shiver ran down my spine.

Marked?

I looked down at my hands.

Nothing looked different.

"I don't understand," I whispered.

The priest smiled sadly.

"You will."

He reached for my wrist.

As he gently lifted my sleeve...

A silver crescent–shaped mark began to glow beneath my skin.

I gasped.

"I've never seen that before..."

Neither had anyone else.

An Elder stumbled backward.

"The Moon Mark..."

Another whispered in terror,

"It actually exists."

The priest turned toward Alpha Cassian.

"There is no longer a choice."

The Alpha's expression hardened.

"What do you mean?"

"The breeder contract is no longer an ordinary contract."

The old man's voice echoed through the temple.

"The children born from this union..."

He paused.

"...will decide the future of every werewolf alive."

The temple fell deathly silent.

I felt my knees weaken.

Children?

Future?

What was happening to me?

Before anyone could speak again—

A deafening roar shook the temple walls.

The stained–glass windows shattered and a violent gust of wind rushed inside.

The massive temple doors slammed open on their own.

From the darkness beyond came a chilling voice.

"You cannot let her carry the Alpha's heir..."

Every head snapped toward the entrance.

A hooded figure stood there, surrounded by black mist.

He slowly raised one hand and pointed directly at me.

"Because if she does..."

His voice turned deadly.

"...she will become the end of us all."