Blood Oath Of The Alpha

Cyn’s POV The smell of honey bread filled the house before the sun even rose. Mother always woke first, humming softly as she cooked. I sat at the wooden table, chin in my hands, watching her move around the kitchen. Her hair glowed like silver under the morning light, a gift, Father said, was from the moon itself. “Stop staring and help your mother,” Father said from behind his newspaper, his deep voice rumbling like thunder. “She doesn’t need another pair of eyes. She needs hands.” “Yes, Father,” I said, smiling as I stood up to help. Ryn, my little brother, still half-asleep, stumbled into the room with his hair sticking out in every direction. “Is there honey bread?” he mumbled. Mother turned and kissed his forehead. “If you wash your face, maybe.” Ryn groaned. “Why does breakfast always come with conditions?” Father laughed, lowering the paper. “Because your mother’s rules keep this house standing, boy.” I couldn’t help laughing either. This was our usual morning, it was filled with warmth, teasing, and the soft sounds of home. Outside, the Vale was waking up. The mist rolled off the hills, wolves howled in the distance, and the air smelled of pine and rain. Our cottage stood at the edge of the forest, far from the Royal Crescent. Father said he liked it that way. “Too much gold dulls the spirit,” he used to say. He’d once been part of the King’s court before he left. I didn’t know why. Whenever I asked, he just smiled sadly and changed the subject. That morning, he looked more peaceful than usual. He even whistled while eating, which made Mother raise an eyebrow. “You’re in a good mood, my love. Planning to surprise us?” He chuckled. “Maybe I am. Perhaps we’ll go to the village tonight, the Bloodmoon Festival starts, remember?” Ryn nearly jumped from his chair. “Really?! You promised last year, and we couldn’t go because of the rain!” Father laughed. “Then tonight, no rain will stop us.” Mother smiled. “Then I’ll take out the silver dress. The one you said makes me look like a queen.” “You don’t need a dress for that,” Father replied, kissing her hand. I rolled my eyes but smiled anyway. They were like that, always soft with each other, even after years together. I thought it would last forever. After breakfast, Father took Ryn outside to train. I stayed behind to help Mother clean. She caught me staring through the window. “You’re quiet today,” she said. “Just thinking,” I replied. “About the festival. About the Bloodmoon. They say it can bring blessings or curses.” Mother’s eyes softened. “Only to those who believe in fear. We Vale wolves are born under its light. Never be afraid of it, Cyn.” I nodded, though something in her voice made me nervous. By evening, our little cottage was filled with music and laughter. Villagers passed by, heading toward the center of the Vale. Lanterns hung from the trees, and the smell of roasted meat and berries filled the air. Ryn dragged me outside. “Come on, Cyn! We’ll miss the dancers!” I smiled and followed him. The night was glowing red, the moon hanging full and heavy in the sky. Father joined the village guards near the bonfire while Mother spoke with friends. I danced with Ryn until my feet hurt. For a moment, I forgot everything else. Then the howls began. Not the kind we knew, these sounded violent, echoing through the valley like thunder. The music stopped. The laughter died. Then came the first scream. Flames burst from the forest’s edge. People ran. The guards shouted orders, but it was too late. Soldiers in black armor stormed the village, the Royal Crescent’s mark shining on their chests. “Go inside!” Father shouted, rushing to us. “Take your mother and brother and run!” “Father, what’s happening?” I cried. He didn’t answer. His eyes were full of fear. I had never seen him afraid before. Mother grabbed Ryn’s hand, her face pale. “We have to go, Cyn!” But the path home was already burning. The smell of smoke stung my eyes. I turned, and that’s when I saw him. Alpha Drogo Draven. The King’s Enforcer. The Wolf of War. He moved through the fire like it couldn’t touch him, his silver eyes cold and hard. He raised his sword, and everything slowed. Father met him head-on, their blades clashing. Sparks flew. The ground trembled. “Run!” Father roared. Mother pushed me forward, but I froze. I saw Drogo’s blade pierce Father’s chest. The sound it made…. That sharp gasp… will never leave me. Mother screamed and ran toward him, but another man stepped from the shadows, Kael. He was once Father’s friend, but now he wears the King’s crest. He struck her down before she could reach him. “Mother!” I screamed, but Ryn pulled me back, sobbing. We ran. The forest swallowed us whole. Behind us, the world we knew was burning. Ryn stumbled, and I grabbed his hand tighter, but then I felt it, a cold rush of air and a whisper. “Run, little wolf,” a voice said. A shadow struck from the side. I turned, and Kael was there. His blade flashed, and Ryn fell. His eyes wide, his small hands reached for me. Then he was gone. Something broke inside me. I ran until I couldn’t breathe. The trees blurred. My heart pounded so loud it drowned out my screams. When I finally fell, I hit the cold earth near a riverbank. And there she stood, in front of me, the Oracle. Her white eyes glowed under the Bloodmoon. “The King commands your end,” she said softly. “But death would be mercy.” I begged her. “Please, no. I’ve lost everything. I have no one…” “You will live,” she whispered, raising her hand. “But cursed.” A burning pain ripped through my arm as light carved into my skin, a mark, glowing red. My wolf screamed inside me, then went silent. When I opened my eyes, she was gone. The forest was dark. My body shook. My heart was cold. And as the blood moon shone above me, I made a vow. They took my family, my name, and my wolf. But they didn’t take my w ill. I would survive. And one day, I would make them pay.