Chapter 5:The Claim
680 Words
Sofia's POV
Something was wrong.
I couldn't explain it.
The moment the ceremony began, an unbearable pressure settled over my chest.
It felt as though invisible hands were squeezing my heart.
I pressed a hand against it, trying to steady my breathing.
"Why does it hurt...?"
Around me, wolves laughed and chatted, oblivious to the strange ache spreading through my body.
Then...
The sacred horn sounded.
Booooom!
The valley fell silent.
One by one, every Alpha stepped toward the Moon Tree.
The elders formed a circle, their voices rising in an ancient chant.
"May the Moon Goddess bless the worthy..."
"May truth be revealed..."
"May fate find those it has chosen..."
A silver glow spread from the roots of the ancient tree, illuminating the entire valley.
The air crackled with energy.
Beside me, young wolves held their breaths, hoping today would be the day they found their mates.
I looked away.
That blessing had never been meant for someone like me.
"Sofia!"
Beta Darren's harsh voice cut through the silence.
I hurried over.
He shoved a heavy crate into my arms.
"Take these offerings to the elders."
I nearly lost my balance.
"They're too heavy..."
His eyes narrowed.
"What did you say?"
"N-Nothing."
I adjusted the crate and forced my aching legs to move.
Every step felt heavier than the last.
The closer I got to the Moon Tree...
The faster my heart pounded.
Thump.
Thump.
Thump.
The scent of pine, earth, and moonflowers filled the air.
Then another scent drifted toward me.
It was darker.
Colder.
Like rain falling over scorched ground.
My pulse skipped.
I knew that scent.
No...
Not knew.
Recognized.
I slowly lifted my eyes.
Craig Rhodes stood only a few feet away, speaking with one of the elders.
His face remained unreadable.
Power radiated from him without effort.
He hadn't looked at me.
Not once.
Good.
I lowered my head and continued walking.
But just as I reached the center of the clearing—
The crate slipped.
"No!"
It crashed onto the stone floor.
Clay bowls shattered.
Sacred herbs scattered everywhere.
A collective gasp rippled through the valley.
My blood turned to ice.
"I'm sorry!" I dropped to my knees, frantically gathering the broken pieces. "I-I'm so sorry!"
"Foolish girl!"
An elder stepped back in anger.
"Those offerings were prepared for the Moon Goddess herself!"
"I didn't mean to—"
A sharp slap sent me sprawling across the stone.
My cheek burned.
"I said I was sorry..."
Before I could rise, Alpha Victor stormed forward.
"You've disgraced Silver Crest for the last time."
He grabbed me by the arm so hard I cried out.
"You embarrass me wherever you go."
"I'm sorry..."
"Sorry won't fix this."
He raised his hand.
This time, he meant to strike harder.
I closed my eyes.
I didn't want to see it coming.
Seconds passed.
Nothing happened.
Confused, I slowly opened my eyes.
A large hand had caught Alpha Victor's wrist midair.
The entire valley was silent.
Victor's face had gone pale.
"So..." a deep voice said calmly.
"You hit women?"
My heart stopped.
Craig Rhodes.
His crimson eyes were fixed on Alpha Victor.
Not with anger.
With something far more dangerous.
Disappointment.
Victor tried to pull free.
"C-Craig... this is none of your concern."
Craig's grip tightened.
"I disagree."
The ground beneath our feet trembled.
Several Alphas instinctively stepped back.
Even the elders looked uneasy.
Victor winced in pain.
"She's... she's only an omega."
Craig's gaze shifted to me.
For the first time...
Our eyes met.
I expected hatred.
Cruelty.
Indifference.
Instead...
I saw confusion.
As though he couldn't understand why I had been treated this way.
Then his wolf surged forward.
The force of it swept through the valley like a storm.
Every unmated wolf instinctively lowered their head.
A single sentence echoed through Craig's mind so loudly that even I felt the pull of it.
Mine.
The word wasn't spoken aloud.
But somehow...
I heard it.
And for the first time since I was born...
The silent part of me that had never answered before...
Moved.
- Writer
