Alphas Reign

Chapter 1: The Night Everything Changed The forest was silent. Too silent. Elena Rivers tightened her jacket around her body as she hurried along the narrow path, her shoes crushing the dry leaves beneath her feet. The cold November wind brushed against her cheeks, making her regret every decision that had brought her into the woods that evening. She checked her phone again. No signal. “Perfect,” she muttered. “Just absolutely perfect.” She had only wanted to take a shortcut home from work. The main road was crowded because of an accident, and her colleague had suggested the forest path would save her at least twenty minutes. Now, she wasn’t so sure. Elena stopped and looked around. The trees seemed unusually tall, their branches stretching towards the dark sky like enormous fingers. Somewhere in the distance, an owl hooted. She swallowed. “Hello?” she called. No answer. She continued walking, quickening her pace. Then she heard it. A growl. Elena froze. It was deep, powerful and unmistakably animalistic. Slowly, she turned her head. Two glowing golden eyes stared at her from behind a cluster of trees. Her heart nearly stopped. “Oh my God.” A massive black wolf stepped into the moonlight. Elena stumbled backwards. The animal was enormous. Its shoulders were higher than her waist, and its dark fur shimmered beneath the moon. Its eyes remained fixed on her. “Easy, boy,” she whispered, raising her trembling hands. “I’m not going to hurt you.” The wolf growled again. This time, it sounded almost like a warning. Elena turned and ran. Branches scratched her arms as she pushed through the bushes. Her breathing became uneven, and tears gathered in her eyes. She didn’t know where she was going. She only knew she had to get away. Suddenly, something moved behind her. Before she could scream, a powerful hand caught her wrist. “Stop!” Elena was pulled backwards and crashed against a hard chest. She looked up. And forgot how to breathe. The man standing before her was breathtakingly handsome. Tall, broad-shouldered and dressed in a black shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His dark hair fell slightly over his forehead, and his golden eyes were fixed on her with an intensity that made her uncomfortable. “Who are you?” she demanded, struggling against his grip. His expression hardened. “I should be asking you that.” “Let go of me!” He released her wrist. Elena immediately stepped backwards. “Where am I?” she asked. “Blackthorn territory.” “Well, congratulations. You have a forest.” His eyebrows lifted slightly. For a moment, the man looked genuinely surprised. Nobody spoke to him that way. Nobody. “What’s your name?” he asked. “Why?” “Answer me.” “Elena.” “Elena what?” “Rivers.” He studied her face. Then his nostrils flared. Something changed in his expression. His golden eyes widened, and his breathing became heavier. Inside him, something ancient began to stir. His wolf, which had remained dormant for years, suddenly awakened. Mate. The word echoed inside his mind. The man took one step towards her. Elena immediately stepped back. “Don’t come closer.” He stared at her as if he couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “Impossible,” he whispered. “What is?” He didn’t answer. Instead, he looked towards the black wolf standing several feet behind her. The animal lowered its head. A sign of submission. Elena glanced between them. “Is that your dog?” The man’s jaw tightened. “Dog?” “Yes. The oversized, terrifying dog that almost chased me to death.” For the first time in over a hundred years, the Alpha King almost smiled. Almost. “You’re standing in territory that belongs to me, little human.” “Then perhaps you should put up some warning signs.” His expression darkened. “Do you have any idea who I am?” Elena folded her arms. “Should I?” The silence that followed was terrifying. The wolf behind her lowered itself to the ground. The man stepped closer, his presence suddenly overwhelming. “I am Alexander Blackthorn.” Elena blinked. “And?” His eyes narrowed. “King of the werewolves. Ruler of the seven territories. The Alpha of every Alpha.” She stared at him. Then she laughed. It wasn’t a polite laugh. It was a nervous, disbelieving laugh. “Right. And I’m the Queen of England.” His expression turned cold. “Careful, Elena.” “Look, Mr Blackthorn, I don’t know what kind of strange game you’re playing, but I need to get home.” She turned to leave. “Nobody leaves my territory without my permission.” Elena spun around. “Excuse me?” Alexander’s wolf growled inside his mind. Protect her. Keep her. He ignored it. He had waited centuries for his fated mate, but the Moon Goddess had given him a human. A human who didn’t even know what he was. A human who could destroy everything he had built. “Take her to the palace,” he ordered. Two men emerged from the darkness. Elena’s eyes widened. “Wait! What? No! I’m not going anywhere with you!” Alexander turned away. “Your Majesty,” one of the men said cautiously. The Alpha King stopped. “Yes?” “The council must be informed.” Alexander’s jaw tightened. “No one speaks of this.” “But, Your Majesty, if she is truly—” “I said no one!” The forest fell silent. Elena stared at him, confused and frightened. “Truly what?” she asked. Alexander slowly turned back towards her. For a moment, their eyes met. Then he spoke the words that would change both their lives. “She is my mate.” Elena’s face went pale. “Your what?” Alexander stepped closer. “My fated mate.” She shook her head. “Listen, I don’t know what you’re talking about, but I’m not your mate. I don’t even know you!” His wolf snarled. She belongs with us. Alexander looked down at the woman standing before him. For the first time in his reign, the most powerful werewolf in existence had found something he could not command. His mate’s heart. And somewhere beyond the forest, an unseen pair of eyes watched them. A sinister smile appeared in the darkness. “The Alpha King has finally found his weakness.” The stranger disappeared into the trees. And the prophecy began to unfold. TO BE CONTINUED…