The last Hope: A Prophecy is Born

Chapter Three

One word. One word brought my whole world crashing around me. Why was that thing after me? What had I done to warrant being hunted down? I had a million questions whirling around in my brain after Alpha Hendrix spoke. The walls around me seemed to close in. If this thing was after me, then that meant someone had sent it, right? But who would do that?

"What are you saying?" My mother's voice broke through my barrier and brought me back to reality. I felt a sharp pain in my finger tips. I looked down at them only to realize I had been gripping the arms on the chair so tightly that my knuckles had turned white. Alpha Hendrix remained by my side, still kneeling. His smile never faltered.

"You see, this means someone is after her. Someone knows something about her that has warranted the use of a higher power. In most cases, someone would send out a hunter. As you know, most hunters are humans. In this case, someone decided she warranted the use of extreme force and sent an Amarok." The smile on his face had finally given way to a more somber expression.

"But what could they want? Why me? I-I'm nothing special. Just a wolfless girl." He stared up at me, never moving his eyes away from mine. Did he know? There's no way he would know, unless someone told him.

"Nyx?" I asked. Panic had started to set in.

"Yes?" She piped up from the back of my mind.

"Does he know?"

"I don't think he knows about me, if that's what you're asking. I think he can sense our power though." Our power? What's that mean?

"What power?" She c****d her head.

"Oh come on Serena. You mean you didn't notice how an Alpha command never works on us?" Now that she mentioned it, I never felt an Alpha command. I always assumed he had never tried to force it on me.

"Why?"

"Why what?" Nyx laid down, placing her head on her paws.

"Why doesn't the Alpha command work on us?" She yawned. I swear I have the laziest wolf ever.

"That's a story for a different time. However, I think it's time to let everyone in on our secret. Well, the high-ranked members." I groaned internally. This was going to be a lot of explaining. I'm sure Alpha Hendrix would want to inform the elders, but I wasn't ready for that. But Nyx was right. In light of the circumstances, we needed protection. Well, not necessarily protection, as we are more than capable of handling things ourselves. I would think of it as more of guidance.

"Uhm guys." My voice was low. I looked down at my hands and played with my thumbs. I could feel everyone's attention on me now.

"What is it?" My dad asked. I could hear the concern in his voice. I think he already knew what I was about to say.

"Nyx has said that it's time." My mother gasped. Alpha Hendrix stood up from his position on the floor beside me. He straightened his coat before returning to his chair behind the desk.

"Time for what exactly?" His voice was now cold. I could feel his emotions change from annoyance to concern and confusion.

"Would you call your son, the Luna, as well as the beta and his mate?" I finally looked up to face Alpha hendrix. He was confused but nodded. I watched as his eyes glossed over, indicating that he had been mind linking the requested members.

"Now, do you mind filling us in?" He crossed his arms over his broad chest and leaned back in his chair. Shortly after, the Luna's door opened. I watched as she calmly strode towards us. She was everything a Luna should be. Kind, graceful, forgiving, and very smart. I'd only hoped that the Luna after her would be half as good as her.

"I've been instructed to wait for the whole group of ranked members, sir." He gave me a slight nod before looking over to his mate and motioning for her to come sit with him. A smile spread across her face as she made her way to his chair. She happily plopped down in his lap. I watched in awe as the iciness outer shell had broken the moment she sat in his lap. They began to whisper to each other. Her giggles were the only sound in the room aside from my father's nervous pacing behind me. I could hear every footstep as he walked from wall to wall.

After what felt like hours, the office door opened. I looked back to see who the newest addition was, only to be met by Apollo and his little side piece, Veronica. I rolled my eyes before turning back to the Alpha.

"With all due respect, Alpha, I requested the ranked members only." His eyes shot up from the Luna and darted around the room. I watched as his glare landed on Veronica.

"Son, this is a very important meeting. Veronica, I'm going to have to ask you to leave." I couldn't help the smile that spread across my lips. She had been so used to getting everything she wanted since we were younger. I can only imagine what she must have felt like having the Alpha asking her to step away.

"But sir, I feel like I should be here as well, seeing as I am to be future Luna." I heard my mother try to unsuccessfully stifle a laughter. I looked back at her as she quickly brought her hand to her mouth. Veronica had given her a death glare quickly before putting on the best pitiful face she could muster. Apollo just rolled his eyes.

"Are you Apollo's mate?" Alpha Hendrix asked in a serious tone.

"Not fated but-" Alpha Hendrix cut her off.

"Then you should not be here. You should know better than anyone in this room that the fated mate bond is sacred. You can not claim a title before he has even been given the chance to search for his true mate." I could see her face turn a bright shade of red.

"He has chosen to reject his mate for me!" She squealed.

"Is this true, son?" Apollo stiffened up at this accusation.

"No, father. I have made it clear to her, or so I thought, that when I find my mate I will take my fated mate as my Luna." As soon as Apollo finished, Veronica let out a loud huff before stomping her foot. She had begun to act like a spoiled child. Well, she was a spoiled brat, so the act was her true colors showing through.

"This is not fair! I deserve to be here just as well!" She crossed her arms over her chest and huffed again.

"Enough! Veronica, go home, NOW!" The walls had trembled as he yelled the command. I tried to sense the command and it felt like a small poke against my wolf. I guess she was right. Either that or the fact that the command wasn't directed at me was the reason I couldn't feel it.

"Fine!" Veronica yelled before storming out. I watched Apollo shake his head before taking his place behind the Alpha's chair. He stood a bit back, and leaned against the book case. His arms were folded across his chest, making him look all the more handsome.

"Now that's something I'd like to take a bite out of." Nyx purred in my head as she focused on Apollo.

"Nyx! He's our future Alpha." She rolled her eyes. "Plus, he has a girlfriend." Nyx growled at the thought of him and Veronica together. What was her deal today? She had never acted this way before.

"We made it Alpha. Sorry for the hold up. We were busy with some reports of rogues just outside the boarders."

"Hope all is well, Tyson?" I looked back as the Beta entered the office. He gave me a small smile before taking a seat on one of the sofas that were situated on the right wall.

"Yes Alpha. Nothing out of the ordinary." His mate soon followed behind him. She almost had to waddle to keep up with his long strides. Alpha Hendrix smiled as she entered.

"Emily! So nice to see you again! How's the pup?" Beta Tyson jumped to his feet to help Emily to a seat. Emily was in her final trimester, due to give birth anyday now. Tyson had been the previous Beta's son. When he passed away, Tyson had stepped in as a temporary Beta to Alpha Hendrix. Now he and his mate were expecting their first child soon.

"I'm well, Alpha. Thank you."

"That's always great to hear!" Alpha smiled and looked around the room. "I believe everyone is here now. Serena, would you like to start this meeting off?" I swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat before nodding. I had no idea how I should start this off. Should I start from the beginning? No, that would bring up too many questions that I'm not sure I should answer.

I stood up from the chair before nervously glancing around the room. I had never been the type to speak in front of large crowds. Granted I've known everyone here since I was born, that didn't make it any easier. I could feel all of them staring at me, anticipation growing stronger with every passing moment. I took a deep breath to try to steady myself.

"Hello everyone. Thank you for joining us." They all nodded in my direction.

"Is everything OK sugar?" Emily asked. Her southern accent pushing through thicker than ever. She had come from a pack that was down in the middle of Mississippi. Tyson had found her on pack business when the Alpha had asked for some help with a rogue problem. When he laid eyes on her, he instantly knew she was his mate. Needless to say, she came home with him after that day.

That's the kind of connection I hoped to find when I saw my mate for the first time. Part of me hopes he's not from this pack so I can get away from everything. But then there's a part of me that wants to stay here because, well, this is where I grew up.

"No. I mean yes. Well, sort of." She raised an eyebrow at me.

"Well, what's going on?" This time it was Apollo. His expression was hard to read. It was almost as if he was annoyed at something.

"You see, I may have told a little white lie." I smiled nervously at him. He c****d an eyebrow at me. The alpha looked at me as if I had grown another head.

"About the Amarok?" Alpha Hendrix spoke up. Gasp erupted from every person in the room who was not present beforehand. Oh boy. Now that's another story to tell again.

"No, sir. About well, my wolf." I whispered the last two words. Not wanting to admit that I had lied about having her. Well, it wasn't a lie, so to say. I mean I had tried to tell people, but she kept telling me that it wasn't the right time. I guess a mythical creature showing up at your doorstep suddenly constitutes the right time though.

"About your what?" I sighed. I knew he heard me. He just wanted to make this more difficult.

"My wolf, Alpha." He raised an eyebrow and smirked.

"What about your wolf?"

"She's been here with me since-"

"Since you turned 17," Nyx piped up. "Do not tell them about when I first showed up. I don't trust everyone here just yet."

"Since I turned 17. She's been with me for almost a year now." The room turned deathly silent. The only thing that dared make a sound was the clock as it ticked away the time.

"Yeah right." Apollo scuffed. My eyes darted to him. I could see the amusement in his eyes.

"Why do you say that?" I asked. My anger had begun to flair up. Why would I lie about this?

"If your wolf had really been here this whole time, I would have been able to sense her."

"Nyx has kept her aura hidden. She says she can't tell me why, only that it is imperative for our survival." He raised an eyebrow at me before pushing off from the bookshelf and walking up to me. My heart nearly lept out of my chest. Apollo had never hurt us before, but would he do something now that he knew I could heal myself? His eyes went to my feet and slowly ran over my body until they met mine. I watched as his eyes changed from hazel to black, then back to hazel. He was having some sort of conflict with his wolf and I wasn't very happy about it.

"Fine. I believe you." My eyes lit up.

"You do?" He nodded.

"I do, but on one condition. You have to show us." Oh no. I had never shifted in front of anyone before.

"I-I..."My voice was suddenly caught in my throat.

"I mean, if you had a wolf, I could always use my Alpha command to force a shift, but you and I both know that would be far more excruciating than your first shift."

"Prick."Nyx huffed.

"And if I refuse?"

"Then we have no proof you have a wolf." He shrugged before turning to walk back to his place behind his father. Everyone else had remained quiet.

"Fine. I'll shift. But only on my conditions."

"And what would those conditions be?" This time Luna Grace spoke.

"Nyx says that we can only shift deep into the woods. She also said that it would have to be tonight, and that once you see her, everyone here will be sworn to secrecy." She looked back at the Alpha. He leaned back in his chair, placing his finger on his chin as he stared at me. He looked to be deep in thought.

"And why only at night?" He finally spoke.

"Nyx says she has something to show you all." He nodded.

"Very well. It looks like sundown is in about an hour. So, shall we say two hours we convene by the lake for this so-called 'miracle'?" I nodded my head in agreement.

"That would be fine." I agreed.

"Then it's settled. In two hours' time, we will meet at the lake on the east side to resume this meeting." I nodded in agreement before turning to walk out the door.

"One last thing." I paused and looked back at the Alpha.

"Yes?"

"If there is no wolf, you must leave the pack tonight. You've already made it abundantly clear that you are a hazard to our pack as the Amarok is searching for you and you alone. Am I clear?" Nyx growled in my head. I could feel her frustration, but I understood his request.

Tonight, we must take our leave.