Alpha Lucien

MAYA “We’re letting you go, Maya.” I freeze in disbelief as my father says those words to me. I’ve just arrived from training, not even stepping into the house yet. “B-but, Dad…” “We don’t want you here anymore,” Tara, my sister, cuts in sharply, her eyes full of disdain. “We’re done with you.” Tears well up in my eyes as I stare at them. As much as I’ve wanted to leave this darn family, this isn’t how it’s supposed to happen. Unease twists in my stomach. “I-I’m confused. You know I have nowhere else to go,” I plead, hoping this is just another one of their cruel jokes. But the way my dad glares at me, I can tell he’s on the edge. His hands ball into fists, his jaw tight and grinding. “Are you foolish?” he growls through clenched teeth. “Listen carefully, you good-for-nothing. It’s the Annual Offering period, where all the packs in Apex Falls must present a pack member to the Royal Packhouse. We… volunteered you for that.” My eyes widen in horror. “What?” I choke out, glancing between them. “This is a joke, isn’t it? You can’t take me there! I don’t want to go!” The Royal Packhouse? No way! It’s a massive building on neutral territory, standing tall at the center of the six regional packs within Apex Falls: Silverclaw, Ironhowl, Moonshade, Crimson, Redwood, and Oakshade. But the building itself isn’t the problem—it’s the Alpha King who rules it. The Royal Packhouse is like a labyrinth, trapping a terrifying monster, and every year, innocent people are sent there to be devoured. The Annual Offering is one of the most dreaded times of the year, and my father gave me up as an offering without even the ceremony? They must really want me gone. I gasp as Tara suddenly slams her hands against my chest, forcing me to stumble back. “Do you think we care what you want?!” she snaps, her laughter cold and cruel. “Don’t be funny, Maya. You’re nothing but bad rubbish! They’re on their way to you, and then you can suffer for the rest of your miserable life!” Tears stream down my face as her words sink in, and then the door slams shut in my face. No. What’s happening? No. No! My breaths grow erratic, panic clawing at my chest. I can’t go there! I can’t! I start pounding desperately on the door. “Dad! Tara! Please, open the door! Please, I’m begging you!” All my belongings are inside—including the money I’ve saved to escape. If I am to leave, I can’t leave without them. “Please, open the door! Please!” I cry out, banging on the door. I could break it down, but that’s only going to make things worse for me. I stop banging, staring at the door as I step back. No—I will break this door. I’m going to break it. I’m not going to the Royal Packhouse. I’ll escape instead. But first, I need my money. I stand there, my mind racing, thinking about all the possible consequences of what I’m about to do. Honk! Honk! The sharp sound freezes me in place. Blinking, I turn to see a yellow bus pulling up. Through the windows, I catch glimpses of the other sacrifices, their faces filled with condemned sadness as they stare back at me. Then, someone familiar steps off the bus, a smug grin plastered across his face. “Last stop, Oakshade! Look at me, leading the driver right to you, Maya,” Kevin says, his voice dripping with mock cheerfulness. My eyes sting with unshed tears as I stare at him. Kevin’s expression shifts to one of fake pity, though I can see the mockery lurking beneath. “You know, Maya,” he whispers, leaning closer, “if you’d just accepted me when I asked, I would’ve made sure this never happened.” Yuck. “Really?” I asked him. “I highly doubt that. And even if you could, I’d rather let the earth swallow me whole,” I spat out, not bothering to hide my disgust. Kevin is 26, much older than me. He’s unmated, a predator to the she-wolves in the pack, looking for someone to spread their legs for him. Being one of the pack guards gives him plenty of opportunities Being mates is… it’s like finding the other half of your soul. It’s not just about love; it’s instinct, like gravity pulling you toward someone you can’t resist. The moment you meet them, it’s like the whole world shifts, and suddenly, nothing else matters but them. Their scent, their touch, their presence—it all feels like home, like something you didn’t even know you were missing. You can find your mate once you come of age, usually around 19, though it varies. Sometimes you meet them unexpectedly, other times it takes years. But the bond isn’t automatic. Both sides must accept it. If one rejects the bond, it’s like a wound that cuts deep into the soul, painful for both. Acceptance, though? It’s pure harmony. I don’t know why anyone would want to reject a gift from the moon goddess, a built-in best friend, someone you can automatically trust to love you deeply and always stand by your side, protecting you from harm. I used to dream of having mine, that feeling… but I was forced to come to my senses after my mother died. My life took a turn for the worse. I don’t think I’ll be lucky enough to have a mate if I’m clearly so unlucky in life. Also, not all mates end up being marked. While the bond between true mates is rare and powerful, it’s not always acted upon. Sometimes circumstances, personal choices, or even rejection prevent mates from being together. In some cases, a wolf can mark someone who isn’t their fated mate. Marking creates a bond, though it’s not as strong or instinctive as the one with a true mate. I turn 19 in the next two months, and Kevin has spent the last month trying to convince me to let him mark me. Anger flashes in his eyes as they shift from blue to golden yellow, then back to blue. He sneers, his voice dripping with disdain. “You’re such a waste, Maya. Your stubbornness will be your downfall, mark my words. Now, get on the bus! We don’t want to keep the Alpha King waiting, hehe.” I frown, irritation rising within me, before casting a wary glance at the bus. A shaky breath escapes me as I turn to look at my home, my eyes filled with a fleeting hope, even though I know there’s no hope left for me. I slowly make my way toward the bus, glancing to my left and right, and without thinking, I break into a run, heading straight for the forest.