Alpha can read my mind

Chapter 2 - Family Pride

The moon cast an ethereal glow upon the Crimson Pack's territory, illuminating the ancient oak trees that stood as silent sentinels. Anya, her heart pounding in her chest, crouched behind a gnarled trunk, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She had to escape.

Her mother, Mrs Ventayan, a woman of fierce loyalty to the Crimson Pack, had discovered her plans. The news of Anya's selection as one of the five women competing for Zarek, the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack, had been met with pride and excitement. But Anya felt trapped, a pawn in a game she didn't want to play.

"Anya, come out," her mother's voice called, her tone laced with a mixture of disappointment and authority.

Anya hesitated, her mind racing. She knew she couldn't hide forever. She had to face her mother, to explain her reasons for wanting to leave.

With a heavy sigh, she stepped out from behind the tree. Her mother, a formidable figure with eyes as sharp as obsidian, stood before her, her arms crossed.

"Why, Anya?" her mother asked, her voice filled with hurt. "Why would you betray your pack like this?"

Anya's heart ached. She loved her mother, her family, but she couldn't bear the thought of being forced into a marriage she didn't want.

"It's not betrayal, Mother," she said, her voice trembling. "It's freedom. I can't… I can't marry the Alpha."

Her mother's eyes narrowed. "And why not? He is the Alpha, a powerful and respected leader. Any woman would be lucky to have him."

Anya shook her head. "Mum, he is scary. He could kill anyone he wants. He could kill me! I am too young and pretty to die.''

Zarek, the Alpha of the Blackwood Pack, was a formidable figure, known for his ruthlessness and his unwavering loyalty to his pack. Anya had heard stories of his brutality, of his willingness to do anything to protect his territory.

The thought of facing him filled her with dread.

Her mother's face softened, a flicker of understanding crossing her features. "And what about the pack? Your duty to them?"

Anya's heart sank. She knew her mother was right. The Crimson Pack was her family, her home. But she couldn't sacrifice her own happiness for their sake.

"I will always be loyal to the Crimson Pack," she said, her voice firm. "But I can't do this. I can't marry the Alpha."

"I know you're worried about the future, Anya," her mother began, her voice filled with a mixture of concern and understanding. "But you must understand the gravity of your decision."

Anya nodded, her heart heavy with the weight of her choice. "I do, Mother. But I can't live my life dictated by fear."

Her mother sighed, her eyes filled with a bittersweet sadness. "I understand. But you must also understand the consequences of your actions. The pack will not forgive you for leaving."

Anya's breath hitched. She had considered the risks, but the thought of her mother and the Crimson Pack suffering because of her was unbearable.

"What will they do?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Her mother hesitated, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon. "They will hunt you down, Anya. They will bring you back, by force if necessary."

Anya's heart pounded in her chest. She had known the risks, but hearing them spelled out so bluntly was a different matter.

"And what about the pack?" she asked, her voice trembling. "Will they be punished?"

Her mother nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of guilt and determination. "Yes. The Olders will see to it that the Crimson Pack pays the price for your defiance."

Anya's eyes widened. She had never thought of the consequences of her actions extending beyond herself.

Anya knelt before her mother, her eyes filled with remorse. "I'm sorry, Mother," she whispered. "I know I've made a mistake."

Her mother's eyes softened. "It's not too late, Anya.''

''Yes, Mother.''

In Anya's little head, she had it all planned out - she just needed to lay low and let someone else fight for the Luna position. She would live her quiet, happy life and hopefully the Alpha would forget her existence.

Good food, pretty clothes, fabulous palace, maybe it was not so bad after all.

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The following morning, Anya began packing her belongings, her heart heavy with a mixture of anticipation and dread. She knew what awaited her at the Blackwood Manor, the challenges, the dangers. But she was determined to face them, to prove herself to Zarek and to the pack.

As she packed her meager belongings, her younger sister, Bella, entered the room. Bella was a fiery-haired young woman with a spirit as wild as the forest itself. She had been overjoyed when Anya had returned, her admiration for her older sister boundless.

"You're really going, aren't you?" Bella asked, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and sadness.

Anya nodded, her eyes filled with tears. "I have to, Bella. It's my duty."

Bella pouted. "But I'm going to miss you so much."

Anya smiled, reaching out to ruffle Bella's hair. "I'll miss you too, little sister. But remember, I'll always be watching over you."

Bella hugged her sister tightly, her tears soaking Anya's shoulder. "Please be careful, Anya. Zarek… he's a scary guy."

Anya chuckled, a bittersweet sound. "I know, Bella. But I'll be okay."

As Bella turned to leave, Anya called out to her. "Bella, there's something I want you to remember."

Bella turned back, her eyes wide with curiosity.

"No matter what happens, no matter how difficult it gets, never lose your spirit. Never let anyone tell you what you can and can't do."

Bella smiled, her eyes filled with a mixture of admiration and love. "I promise, Anya."

Anya watched her sister leave.

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This is the day, the day when every family needs to present their choice of candidate.

"Anya." Mrs Ventayan walked into Anya’s room and found Anya still on the bed, covering herself with the thick blanket. “Anya, I thought you had woken up, you need to get up and get prepared, oh my dear god!" Mrs Ventayan removed the blanket and was astonished by all the spots on Anya’s skin.

“Mother, I am not feeling so well," Anya murmured with a sick voice.

"Oh my dear, what happened to your skin?" Mrs Ventayan touched Anya"s forehead and felt the burning heat.

"I don't know Mother." Anya's plan is working. She especially sneaked out to the black market yesterday and bought this secret poison which the seller stated would give you hideous rashes on your whole body and a high temperature. She just felt like she could not be beaten down without a fight.

"What is going on Mother? Where is Anya?" Bella strolled into Anya"s room and found Anya lying on the bed, with rashes all over her skin. "Sister! What happened?"

Anya's plan was working. The poison, procured from the black market, had taken effect. Her skin was covered in unsightly rashes, and her temperature soared. She felt miserable, but she knew it was a small price to pay for freedom.

"What on earth gave you this?" Mrs. Ventayan asked, her voice filled with alarm. "How are we even going to bring you to the ceremony tonight?"

Anya feigned weakness. "I don't know, Mother. I must have been bitten by something."

"Anya, you're burning up," Bella exclaimed, her eyes wide with concern.

"I'll be fine," Anya insisted, her voice weak. "Just send a message to the Alpha. Tell him I'm unwell."

Mrs. Ventayan sighed, defeated. "Very well. I'll send a message. But you must rest."

As her mother left the room, Anya let out a sigh of relief. Her plan was working. She had managed to avoid the ceremony, to buy herself some time.

That night, as the moon cast its ethereal glow upon the Blackwood Manor, Anya lay in bed, her body aching. But her spirit was strong. She had taken a stand, a gamble that could have dire consequences. But she was willing to risk it all for her freedom.

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The following day, Anya felt better. The poison had worn off, leaving her skin blotchy and sore.

Anya was tending to her garden when her mother approached her, her face a mixture of relief and concern.

"Anya," she began, her voice filled with a mixture of sadness and pride. "I have some news."

Anya looked up, her eyes filled with a mixture of hope and dread. "What is it, Mother?"

Her mother took a deep breath. "The ceremony has been postponed."

Anya's heart sank. "Why?"

Her mother hesitated, her gaze filled with a mixture of guilt and relief. "Zarek has been called away to deal with an urgent matter involving the vampires."

Anya's eyes widened. "Vampires?"

Her mother nodded. "It seems there has been a disturbance in their territory. Zarek, as the Alpha, has been summoned to help resolve the issue."

Anya felt a wave of disappointment wash over her. She had hoped that the postponement would give her more time to recover, to prepare herself for the competition. But now, she wasn't sure what to expect.

"When will the ceremony be rescheduled?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

Her mother shook her head. "I don't know, Anya. It depends on how long Zarek is away."

Anya sighed, her heart heavy with a mixture of disappointment and resignation.

"I'll be ready when it is," she said, she tried to reassure Mrs Ventayan.

Her mother smiled, a flicker of pride crossing her features. "I know you will, Anya."

As Anya watched her mother leave, she couldn't help but feel a sense of unease.

The vampires, a dangerous and unpredictable force, were a threat to the werewolf world.

Although she hated the idea of marrying Zarek, she still hoped that he would be safe. But thinking of the delay of the ceremony...

''Well, another day lying on my own bed doing nothing then.'' Anya jokingly said to herself.

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The sun was beginning its descent, casting long, dancing shadows across Anya's chamber. Exhausted but exhilarated, she sank onto her bed, her mind still reeling.

Her mother, Mrs. Ventayan, entered the room, her face alight with pride. "Anya, dear," she began, her voice filled with a mixture of joy and anticipation, "I've chosen two maids to accompany you to the Blackwood Manor. Their names are Elara and Juniper."

Anya glanced up, her gaze meeting her mother's. She knew her mother had a keen eye for talent, and she trusted her judgment.

"Thank you, Mother," Anya replied, her voice barely a whisper.

Mrs. Ventayan continued, "Elara is a gentle soul with a kind heart. She will be a loyal and supportive companion."

"Juniper is a skilled herbalist with a deep knowledge of healing plants," Mrs. Ventayan continued. "She will be invaluable in caring for you and your needs."

Anya's heart ached as she clung to her mother, her tears soaking into Mrs. Ventayan's shoulder. "Mum, I don't want to leave you," she sobbed, her voice muffled. ''Who is going to walk around the garden with me, who is going to make me cake when I am sad?''

Mrs. Ventayan stroked Anya's hair gently, "I know, sweetheart. It's hard to say goodbye. But I promise I will come visit you whenever I can.'' Her eyes filled with a mixture of love and sadness. ''I know it can be scary to leave your home, but this is a good opportunity to make the pack proud.''

"I know, Mum," she said, her voice barely a whisper. "I'll do my best."

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The morning sun streamed through the window of Anya's room, casting long shadows across the neatly made bed. Anya stood before her wardrobe, her gaze scanning the rows of carefully folded clothes. It was time to pack, to prepare for her move to the Blackwood Manor.

A sense of both excitement and dread filled her heart. She was leaving behind her home, her family, the life she knew. But she was also embarking on a new adventure, a chance to prove herself, to find her place in the world.

As she began to pack, the two maids entered the room, their faces filled with a mixture of curiosity and sympathy.

"Let us help you, Miss Anya," one of the maids, Juniper said, her voice soft.

Anya smiled gratefully. "Thank you," she replied.

Elara and Juniper began to pack Anya's belongings, their movements efficient and precise. Anya watched them, a sense of peace washing over her. She was not alone.

''Miss Anya,'' Elara asked while holding the werewolf doll on Anya's bed, ''Are you sure you want to bring this with you?''

Anya's Departure

Anya watched as Elara and Juniper, the two maids assigned to her, meticulously packed her belongings. A pang of nostalgia washed over her as she saw her familiar possessions neatly arranged in trunks. It was a bittersweet moment, a reminder of the life she was leaving behind.

"Miss Anya," Elara asked, holding up a small, worn werewolf doll. "Are you sure you want to bring this with you?"

Anya hesitated, her gaze softening as she looked at the doll. It was a gift from her childhood, a constant companion through good times and bad.

"Yes," she replied, her voice barely a whisper. "I cannot sleep with it."

Juniper smiled, a gentle light in her eyes. "It's a good luck charm, then."

''But what if the Alpha comes to your room at night and discovers you...'' Elara said with worries in her voice.

''It's just a wolf doll, not a man, Elara,'' Anya held the wolf doll tight, ''Maybe the Alpha will find me childish and never come back.''

''Miss Anya!'' Juniper said, ''You are the only hope of our pack.''

''Okay okay, I am just joking.'' Anya laughed.

She had so many memories tied to this doll, so many moments of joy and sorrow. It was a symbol of her past, a connection to the life she was leaving behind.

As the maids finished packing, Anya turned to them. "Thank you," she said, her voice filled with gratitude. "You've been very kind."

The maids smiled. "It has been our pleasure, Miss Anya."

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The following morning, Anya awoke to the sound of her mother's voice calling her name. She groggily opened her eyes, the sunlight streaming through the window casting a warm glow on her face.

"Anya, it's time to get up," her mother said, her voice filled with a mixture of excitement and urgency. "Zarek has returned."

Anya's heart leaped. Zarek, the Alpha, was finally back.

"I'm coming," she replied, swinging her legs out of bed.

When she descended the stairs, she found her mother and the other Crimson Pack members gathered in the living room. They were all dressed in their finest attire, their faces a mixture of anticipation and nervousness.

"Anya," her mother said, her eyes filled with pride. "You look beautiful."

Anya smiled, her heart swelling with a mixture of joy and apprehension. She was ready. She was prepared.

As she stepped outside, the Blackwood Manor stretched out before her, a imposing structure that seemed to loom over the surrounding countryside. It was a world of power and privilege, a world that was both terrifying and alluring.

Anya took a deep breath, her heart pounding in her chest.