Taming the wild alpha

Chapter two

The tightness in my chest continues to press down on the walls of my heart and my lungs keep constricting all the more.

I clawed at my throat, trying to catch some air. Vaguely, I’m aware of people running around and some raised voices that sounded oddly like my father.

A piercing pain hit my thigh and warmth spreads through my blood. The warmth grows until it gets to my heart and my chest expands.

The much-needed oxygen floods in and I struggle to sit up, coughing and wheezing.

A glass of water appeared in my line of vision and I gingerly accepted it and downed the drink.

“Who was it?” My father barked. Silence fell over the room. With difficulty, I raised my head and realized that the entire staff had gathered around the family. No one made any attempts to answer.

I glanced at Leah. The smug expression no longer marred her face. In fact, she looked like she was on the verge of crying. If I hadn’t just recovered from the brink of death, I might have scoffed at her feeble attempts to appear innocent.

“Who was it!? Dad asked again. The servants shifted in discomfort.

“Go to the square. You will each receive thirty lashes.” He ordered. Some servants peered at me. There was no mistaking the anguish and anger blazing in their eyes.

Grace scoffed and turned to my father.

“Surely, Greg, this is too much punishment. It was a mistake.”

I expected my father to argue and take my side for once. Clearly, his show of concern was just that. A show. He was beta, after all. He has an image to uphold. He dropped my arm and stood up at once. I mentally willed him to put up a fight for my sake and find out who it was. He stalked out of the house without a backward glance.

The words “pathetic”, “weak”, and “coward” rang out from among the servants as they went back to their posts. I looked at Leah standing across from me. Now that there were no witnesses, her evil smirk returned. She gave me a sly grin and went away with the rest.

My lips quivered with unshed tears. Someone slipped nuts into my food. Someone tried to kill me. And that someone could be my sister. Her hatred runs deeper than I imagined. I staggered out of the house and ran to the river.

“Hush, child,” that quiet voice said. It seemed to come from everywhere. I looked around and peered into the darkness, confirming I was alone.

I asked, "Who is there?" but no one answered. Just like all the other times. The quiet voice first came to me two years ago on my eighteenth birthday. Sometimes, it guides me away from danger. Sometimes, it tells me things that are yet to happen. Not that I always listen. At first, I thought the pack members were playing tricks on me through the pack net. But I soon realized no one else heard the voice except me.

“Please show yourself.” I pleaded. The tears kept coming as I cried. The EpiPen had cleared my allergic reaction earlier, but my chest still felt tight.

“Strip.” The voice commanded in a calm tone. I hiccuped and took off my clothes.

“Get in the water.” I obliged and stepped into the water, facing the sky. My chest glowed brightly and soon the pain disappeared. I just put myself through a healing process. I closed my eyes as the calm waters washed over me.

“Go to the square tomorrow, Nimue. Participate in the victory march.” The voice said again. I nodded without thinking and drifted to sleep.

“Nimue!” Banging ensued at the door. I groggily sat up and saw the sun was up in the sky. How long was I out? And where did yesterday go? Thoughts of my experience at the river flooded my head, and I panicked. I glanced around, taking in my environment. I was in my room. How did that happen?

I pulled off the sheets covering me to find myself fully clothed. I racked my head trying to remember how I got here, but I came up blank. The last thing I remember was stripping to get into the river. Was it all a hallucination? Had I imagined the voice last night?

Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. The heavy knock jolted me out of my semi-conscious state and out of bed.

“I’m coming!” I hastened to the door and pulled it open. Dad stood over the threshold. He had a disapproving look on his face.

“Go to the square, Nimue. The victory march has commenced.” I gaped at him in surprise. Those words. That quiet voice uttered those words last night.

“Go to the square tomorrow, Nimue. Participate in the victory march.” The voice rang through and the words reverberated. I remembered it all too clearly.

“Well, don’t stand there like an idiot.” Dad snapped his fingers in my face, bringing me back again. I nodded and turned to get ready.

“Try not to bring shame to my name today.” He chided. The air whooshed out of me at his disappointed tone. He didn’t give me a chance to respond.

I got ready and ran out of the house. The streets were filled with women from our pack. Everyone held palm fronds and sang in our ancient tongues.

Our alpha was returning from his hunt after a year of being away. The joy was evident as everyone rejoiced.

I joined in the celebration and marched along with everyone else.

Soon, we arrived at the hills and awaited the warriors.

We heard them before we saw them. They roared, and the ground shook. The women raised their voices, and the men howled. The hunting party emerged from the mounting, still chanting their war cries.

Perched atop his high throne was the alpha. The smile stretched across his face upon the sight of our lands. He had clearly missed his homeland.

Drumrolls echoed, and I marched forward with the rest of the crew. Leah sidled next to me with a palm frond. I raised an eyebrow at her and she ignored it. I huffed and turned back to the crowd.

Alpha Nico swept his eyes over the crowd. I smiled as his eyes ravaged, knowing what he was looking for. A maiden is required to accompany the alpha tomorrow during the victory procession.

The maiden acts as a mate and as a representative of the moon goddess, making sacrifices to the heavens with the high priestess’ blessings. All the unmated females were eager to win his favor. I shuddered at them and continued with my chants.

The Alpha's eyes continued to roam and his eyes caught mine. My eyes widened in shock.

I sucked in bouts of air and held my breath as his eyes held me captive. He gestured for his enforcers to halt. Without breaking eye contact, he got out of the carriage and walked towards me. A hush fell over the multitude.

I gaped like a fool and watched as he approached.

“What is he doing?” Leah whispered harshly.

“Nimue Sinclair.” The deep baritone of his voice rocked through my core and sent me into a frenzy. Leah gulped loudly next to me.

“All grown up.” He commended giving me a once-over. I melted under his unwavering gaze. He held out his hand for me to take. I stared at his rough palm, which held tinges of blood from his kills.

“You will accompany me to the victory procession,” he said. Shocked gasps erupted all around us.

“f*****g hell.” Leah muttered.