One Love Five Alphas

CHAPTER 2: KIDNAPPED

Eve, Max, Marie, and Alpha Kegan entered a grand chamber where the four other Alphas and the councilors were already assembled. The atmosphere was tense, the air thick with anticipation.

The councilors, elders from each pack, whispered among themselves, their eyes flicking towards Eve with curiosity and suspicion.

Alpha Kegan motioned for Eve to sit. “Join us, Warrior E. We have a lot to discuss.”

Eve took her seat, her posture rigid and alert. Alpha Kegan leaned back in his chair, his eyes fixed on her. “Tell us, Warrior E, why you bear that name.”

Eve met his gaze with unwavering intensity. “I will answer your question, but first, tell me why you are called the White Wolf.”

A murmur of surprise rippled through the room. Alpha Kegan's expression tightened, but he did not look away. “I earned the name White Wolf for my strategic prowess and my ability to unite the packs under a common cause. My coat, unique among our kind, symbolizes purity and strength.”

Eve nodded slowly. “And I am called Warrior E because I have fought to become what I am today. From the weakest in rank, I rose to a warrior feared and respected by many. My name represents my journey and my purpose.”

Alpha Kegan's expression remained inscrutable, but a flicker of interest passed through his eyes. “You speak boldly for someone so new to these lands.”

“I speak with the conviction of someone who has seen the consequences of deceit and betrayal,” Eve said, her voice firm.

Max, who had been silently observing, spoke up. “Alpha Kegan, we need to listen to her. There are questions that need answering.”

Marie nodded in agreement. “Father, if she was sent by you, then she deserves to be heard.”

Alpha Kegan glanced at his daughter, then back at Eve. “Very well. Speak, Warrior E. Tell us what you know.”

“Leave the beast alone, you live in peace, and it lives in peace. It only wants food, as I learned,” Eve said with so much calm and confidence.

Alpha Kegan's voice was firm and unyielding. “The Beast of Asylum must be eliminated. It has been a threat for far too long, terrorizing our lands and endangering our people. My strategy is clear: we gather our forces and hunt it down. We will end its reign of terror once and for all.”

Eve, standing tall and resolute, met his gaze with equal intensity. “Killing the Beast is not the only solution, Alpha Kegan. Have you considered why the sacrifices of bulls and rams to the Beast were stopped? The Beast was once appeased with these offerings. Why did you cease this practice?”

Alpha Kegan’s eyes narrowed. “You question my decisions, Warrior E? The sacrifices were a temporary measure. They did not guarantee our safety. The Beast grew more demanding, more aggressive. We cannot negotiate with such a creature.”

Eve shook her head, her voice calm but insistent. “It’s not about negotiation. It’s about understanding the root of the problem. The Beast’s behavior changed when the sacrifices stopped. There might be more to its aggression than we know. We need to investigate why the sacrifices were effective and why they were discontinued.”

One of the councilors, an elderly wolf named Regan, leaned forward. “Alpha Kegan, Warrior E has a point. If we can find a way to appease the Beast without bloodshed, it could save many lives. It is worth considering.”

Alpha Kegan’s expression hardened. “Appeasement is a sign of weakness. Warrior E, I summoned you here to kill The Beast. It must know that we are the dominant force in this land. Only through strength will we secure our future.”

Eve took a step closer to the table, her eyes locking onto Kegan’s. “Strength is not just about brute force, White Wolf. It’s also about wisdom and foresight. We don’t fully understand the Beast or its motives. By stopping the sacrifices, we may have provoked it. We need to approach this with both strength and intelligence.”

Alpha Kegan, stood up and pointing to Eve, said” Tell me, are you afraid of The Beast?”

Marie, seeing where this was leading, stood up to calm her father. “Father, we must be open to all possibilities. Our primary goal should be the safety and well-being of our packs.”

Alpha Kegan’s jaw tightened, but he knew he was outnumbered. The councilors were murmuring their assent, and the other Alphas seemed intrigued by the idea. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his authority. “Very well. We will investigate the history of the sacrifices and the Beast’s behavior. But make no mistake, if this route fails, we will proceed with my original plan. The Beast will be eliminated.”

Eve nodded, feeling a small victory but knowing the battle was far from over. “Thank you, Alpha Kegan. I will lead the investigation. We need to speak to those who were involved in the sacrifices and gather any records that might still exist.”

Regan, the elder councilor, spoke up again. “There are old scrolls in the archives that detail the sacrifices and the history of the Beast. You can start from there.”

‘Thank you, Elder Regan,” Eve said, bowing her head in acknowledgment. “I hope we are all in agreement?” she asked, turning to the Alpha at her table, and that was her mistake.

Alpha Torin of the North Pack was the first to speak, his deep voice echoing through the chamber. “Warrior E, while your intentions may be noble, we have all agreed that killing the Beast of Asylum is the best course of action. This creature has caused too much harm. We cannot risk more lives by trying to placate it.”

Alpha Seth of the Shadow Pack nodded in agreement. “Our people live in fear. We need to show them that we can protect them, and that we are strong and capable leaders. Eliminating the Beast is the only way to restore their faith in us. That is the reason we made the White Wolf, the King of Alphas.”

Alpha Max of the Night Pack, his muscular frame tense with barely restrained anger, added, “The sacrifices were stopped for a reason. They were becoming more frequent and more demanding. It was only a matter of time before the Beast would have turned on us regardless.”

Alpha Begrid of the Moonlight Pack, known for his sharp mind and strategic prowess, leaned forward. “We need decisive action. The longer we wait, the more emboldened the Beast becomes. Every day it lives, it learns more about us, becomes more dangerous.”

Eve felt the weight of their words, but she held her ground. “I understand your concerns. But has anyone considered that the Beast’s aggression might be a reaction to our actions? If we continue down this path of violence, we might only be fueling its rage.”

Before anyone could respond, Marie, who had been silent until now, stood up. “I’m tired of this political bickering. I’m going to my chambers,” she said, her voice laced with frustration. She gave her father a look of exasperation before leaving the room.

Eve watched her go, feeling a pang of sympathy. She turned back to the Alphas, determination in her eyes. “We owe it to our people to explore every option. If we can find a way to appease the Beast without further bloodshed, shouldn’t we try?”

Alpha Kegan’s expression remained stony. “Warrior E, the council had spoken. The Beast must be dealt with swiftly and decisively. If you have a different strategy, present it now. But know that time is not on your side.”

One of the guards rushed in without any proper information, went to the White Wolf, and whispered something into his ear that seemed to anger him and suddenly changed his countenance.

“I have just learned that my daughter and the future Queen of our land have just been kidn*pped by the beast. Alpha Kegan said. Then turning to Eve,“ Is this what you want, Warrior E?”