Chapter 9:The Mark
895 Words
Sofia's POV
The scent of pine and rain lingered in the air as we walked through the towering gates of the Shadow Moon Pack.
I had imagined this place countless times.
The pack everyone feared.
The home of the Devil Alpha.
In every story I had ever heard, it was described as a fortress filled with bloodthirsty wolves who showed no mercy to outsiders.
Instead...
Children ran through the streets, laughing as they chased one another.
Women stood outside their homes chatting while preparing food.
Warriors trained in the distance, but whenever they passed Craig, they bowed respectfully before continuing on their way.
No one looked frightened.
No one looked miserable.
It didn't make sense.
This couldn't be the same pack people whispered about.
"Alpha!"
A little girl, no older than six, ran toward Craig with a bright smile.
She wrapped her tiny arms around his leg.
"You came back!"
Craig's cold expression softened almost instantly.
He crouched until he was eye level with her.
"I told you I would."
"Did you bring me the wooden wolf you promised?"
He reached into a leather pouch attached to his belt and handed her a carefully carved wolf.
Her eyes sparkled.
"You remembered!"
"I keep my promises."
The little girl hugged him tightly before running back toward her mother.
I couldn't stop staring.
The man everyone called a monster...
Had just spent time carving a toy for a child.
Craig noticed my expression as he stood.
"What?"
"Nothing."
"You were staring."
"I..." I looked away. "You're different."
His lips pressed into a thin line.
"So I've been told."
We continued walking.
The villagers greeted him warmly.
Some thanked him for protecting the borders.
Others simply smiled.
Not once did anyone cower in fear.
The stories I had believed my entire life suddenly felt... incomplete.
"Alpha."
An elderly woman approached with the help of a walking stick.
"My grandson is recovering well."
Craig nodded.
"I'm glad."
"Thank you for paying for his treatment."
He gave a dismissive shrug.
"He'll make a good warrior one day."
The old woman's eyes filled with tears.
"You've done more for this pack than your father ever did."
Craig didn't respond.
Instead, he simply bowed his head respectfully before walking on.
I blinked.
His father?
There was pain in his eyes for only a second...
Then it disappeared.
"You don't have to thank me," he muttered quietly, almost to himself.
By the time we reached the pack house, my legs felt like they would give out.
It was enormous.
Dark stone walls stretched several stories high.
Massive windows overlooked the surrounding forest.
Two warriors pushed open the heavy wooden doors.
"Welcome home, Alpha."
Craig nodded.
"This is Sofia."
Every eye turned toward me.
Some looked curious.
Others looked shocked.
One young warrior whispered,
"That's... the girl?"
Another elbowed him before he could continue.
Craig's voice became firm.
"She is my guest."
Not my mate.
My guest.
For reasons I couldn't explain...
The words stung.
A woman with silver hair stepped forward.
She smiled kindly.
"You must be exhausted."
She gently touched my shoulder.
"I'm Martha, the housekeeper."
"Hello."
"You'll be staying in the east wing."
I quickly shook my head.
"N-No, I couldn't."
"Couldn't?"
"I'm just an omega."
Silence filled the entrance hall.
Martha frowned.
"Just?"
I immediately regretted saying it.
Craig looked at me.
"Who told you that?"
I lowered my eyes.
"No one."
"Sofia."
His voice was calm.
"But firm."
"Who told you that you were 'just an omega'?"
I swallowed.
"My whole pack."
The room became so quiet I could hear my own heartbeat.
Several servants exchanged uncomfortable glances.
Craig's jaw tightened.
"No wolf is 'just' anything."
His words were simple.
Yet something inside me cracked.
No one...
No one had ever said that before.
A strange warmth spread through my chest.
Before I could respond, Mason entered the hall.
"Alpha."
Craig turned.
"What is it?"
"We found this."
He held out a small silver dagger.
The blade was stained with dried blood.
Craig took it carefully.
His expression darkened.
"This was carried by one of the rogues."
Mason nodded.
"There's a symbol engraved on it."
Craig flipped the blade over.
A crimson crescent moon.
Wrapped around a black crown.
The moment my eyes landed on the symbol...
A sharp pain exploded inside my head.
Images flashed before my eyes.
Fire.
Screams.
A woman crying.
A pair of glowing crimson eyes.
Then...
A voice.
Deep.
Ancient.
"You finally found her."
I gasped.
The room spun around me.
The dagger slipped from Craig's hand as he rushed forward, catching me before I collapsed.
"Sofia!"
I couldn't breathe.
My heart pounded wildly.
The strange voice echoed again.
"She carries the Mark..."
"What mark?" I whispered weakly.
Craig looked confused.
"What did you say?"
"The voice..."
I clutched my head.
"It said... I carry... a mark..."
Every person in the room froze.
Mason slowly looked at Craig.
"Alpha..."
Craig's face had gone pale.
He carefully rolled back the sleeve of my right arm.
There...
Just below my wrist...
A symbol had appeared.
A crimson crescent moon...
Wrapped around a black crown.
It hadn't been there before.
No one spoke.
Finally, Craig whispered the words that sent chills through the room.
"...This is impossible."
Outside, somewhere deep within the forest, a lone wolf howled.
It wasn't a cry of victory.
It was a warning.
- Writer
