Chapter 8: The Cursed Alpha (Part 1)
1424 Words
PART 1
The words "I think... I just heard my mother." echoed through the ancient archives.
Kael stared at Aria, searching her face for any sign that she was mistaken.
"What exactly did you hear?" he asked.
Aria's hands trembled as she looked at the glowing book resting on the stone pedestal.
"A woman's voice."
"It wasn't just a whisper..."
"It sounded like she knew me."
Rowan exchanged a worried glance with Kael.
"My Alpha... the Book of Origins has been sealed for centuries. It has never spoken to anyone."
Kael stepped toward the ancient pages.
The silver light had already begun to fade.
Only one sentence remained written across the parchment.
The cursed blood and the Moon Heir shall either save the kingdom... or destroy it.
Kael's expression darkened.
"Cursed blood..."
Aria noticed the sudden change in his face.
"What does that mean?"
Before Kael could answer, Rowan quickly closed the book.
"We should leave."
"The archives aren't safe anymore."
Outside, the castle had become heavily guarded.
Warriors patrolled every hallway while servants hurried indoors before sunset.
News of the traitor's betrayal had spread through Blackthorn Pack.
No one knew who to trust anymore.
Kael walked silently beside Aria.
She noticed he had barely spoken since leaving the archives.
"You know something," she finally said.
He stopped walking.
"There are things better left buried."
Aria frowned.
"That's not an answer."
"It's the only one I can give."
Without another word, Kael continued toward the castle.
Aria sighed in frustration.
Every answer only led to more questions.
That evening, the castle dining hall was unusually quiet.
The warriors spoke in hushed voices.
Several glanced toward Aria before quickly looking away.
She could hear them whispering.
"She's the one everyone is hunting."
"Did you hear what happened in the archives?"
"They say she's connected to an ancient prophecy."
Aria lowered her eyes.
She had spent her entire life being treated like she didn't belong.
Nothing had changed.
She pushed her untouched food away.
"I'm not hungry."
Before she could stand, Kael's voice stopped her.
"Sit."
She looked at him.
"I said I'm not hungry."
"And I said sit."
His tone wasn't harsh.
It was firm.
Reluctantly, she sat back down.
Kael slid a plate toward her.
"You've barely eaten since yesterday."
"I'm fine."
"No."
His blue eyes met hers.
"You're exhausted."
Aria wanted to argue.
Instead...
Her stomach growled loudly.
Several warriors chuckled.
Her cheeks burned with embarrassment.
Kael hid a small smile.
"I'll pretend I didn't hear that."
For the first time since arriving at Blackthorn, Aria laughed.
It was soft.
Brief.
But genuine.
The sound surprised even Kael.
Later that night...
Aria couldn't sleep.
She stepped onto the balcony outside her room.
The moon illuminated the mountains surrounding Blackthorn Castle.
Everything was peaceful.
Too peaceful.
A cold breeze brushed against her skin.
Then...
She heard footsteps.
Kael stood at the opposite end of the balcony.
"You can't sleep either?" she asked.
He shook his head.
"Not tonight."
She walked beside him.
For several moments, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Aria broke the silence.
"Why do people call you the Cursed Alpha?"
Kael's jaw tightened.
"They shouldn't."
"But they do."
He looked toward the moon.
"When I was sixteen..."
"My parents were murdered."
Aria's eyes widened.
"I watched them die."
"My wolf awakened that same night."
"And so did the curse."
His voice became distant.
"Since then..."
"Everyone I care about has suffered."
"Some died."
"Others abandoned me."
"They believe anyone close to me is doomed."
Aria looked at him carefully.
"Do you believe that?"
Kael didn't answer.
Silence was answer enough.
For the first time...
Aria realized the feared Alpha wasn't simply cold.
He was lonely.
Just like her.
Before she could say anything else...
A terrifying howl echoed across the mountains.
One howl.
Then another.
Then dozens more.
Kael's face turned pale.
"No..."
Rowan burst onto the balcony.
"My Alpha!"
"The northern barrier has fallen!"
"And..."
He struggled to catch his breath.
"The Shadow Wolves..."
"...are marching toward Blackthorn Castle."
PART 2: The Cursed Alpha
The warning echoed through the castle.
"The Shadow Wolves are marching toward Blackthorn Castle!"
Kael didn't hesitate.
"Sound the war horns!"
Within seconds, the peaceful castle transformed into a battlefield. Warriors rushed through the corridors, grabbing swords, bows, and shields. Massive iron gates slammed shut while archers climbed onto the towering walls.
Aria stood frozen.
She had never seen an entire pack prepare for war.
Kael turned to her.
"You'll stay inside."
"What?"
"It's too dangerous."
She shook her head.
"I'm not hiding while everyone else fights."
"You don't know how to fight."
"I'll learn."
Kael stepped closer until only a few inches separated them.
"This isn't bravery, Aria."
"It's suicide."
Before she could argue, Rowan interrupted.
"My Alpha... they're here."
A deafening roar shook the castle.
The first Shadow Wolf crashed against the outer gate.
Then another.
Then dozens more.
The heavy wooden doors groaned under the impact.
Kael drew his sword.
"Hold the line!"
The gates burst open.
A flood of monstrous wolves poured into the courtyard.
Unlike ordinary werewolves, these creatures had glowing crimson eyes and black smoke drifting from their fur.
Their snarls echoed through the night.
The battle began.
Kael leaped into the middle of the enemy ranks.
His sword flashed like silver lightning, cutting down one Shadow Wolf after another.
Every warrior fought with everything they had, but more enemies kept pouring into the castle.
"They're endless!" Rowan shouted.
Kael shifted into his massive black wolf.
His thunderous roar echoed across the battlefield.
The Shadow Wolves hesitated.
For a brief moment...
The Blackthorn warriors regained hope.
"Fight!" Rowan yelled.
"For Blackthorn!"
Aria watched from the castle steps, her heart pounding.
She wanted to help.
She couldn't just stand there.
Suddenly, she heard crying.
A little boy was trapped beneath a fallen cart while a Shadow Wolf slowly stalked toward him.
"No..."
Without thinking, Aria sprinted across the battlefield.
"Aria!" Kael roared.
She ignored him.
The beast lunged.
Aria threw herself in front of the child.
She squeezed her eyes shut...
Waiting for the pain.
Instead...
A brilliant silver light erupted from her body.
The Shadow Wolf was thrown backward as though struck by invisible force.
The ground beneath Aria glowed with ancient runes.
Moonlight poured from the sky, surrounding her like a protective shield.
Every warrior stopped fighting.
Every Shadow Wolf froze.
Kael stared in disbelief.
The power pouring from Aria was unlike anything he had ever seen.
The frightened child looked up at her with wide eyes.
"You... saved me."
Before Aria could answer, the silver light suddenly shot high into the heavens.
Far away...
Inside a fortress hidden beneath black mountains...
A man wearing a crimson cloak slowly stood from his throne.
His lips curved into a cruel smile.
"So..."
"The Moon Heir has awakened again."
He turned toward the shadows surrounding him.
"Prepare my army."
"It's time to welcome our guest."
Back at Blackthorn Castle, the remaining Shadow Wolves suddenly retreated.
One by one, they disappeared into the darkness without another attack.
The battlefield became eerily silent.
Rowan frowned.
"Why are they leaving?"
Kael didn't lower his sword.
"They weren't here to conquer us."
"They were testing her."
A cold wind swept through the ruined courtyard.
An arrow suddenly landed at Kael's feet.
A black ribbon was tied around it.
Kael untied the parchment attached to the shaft.
His expression hardened as he read the message.
Rowan stepped closer.
"What does it say?"
Kael looked at Aria.
Then he read the words aloud.
"Seven nights remain."
"When the Blood Moon rises, the girl belongs to us."
"If you refuse..."
"...Blackthorn Pack will fall."
Silence swallowed the courtyard.
The warriors looked at one another in fear.
The Blood Moon.
Every werewolf knew the legend.
It marked the night when ancient curses reached their full strength.
Kael slowly folded the letter.
His blue eyes met Aria's frightened gaze.
"No matter who comes..."
"No matter how many armies they bring..."
"I won't let them take you."
Aria felt her heart skip a beat.
For the first time in years...
Someone had chosen to protect her.
But hidden among the frightened servants, a hooded figure watched them from the shadows.
A wicked smile spread across his face.
"So..."
"The Cursed Alpha has already fallen."
He quietly disappeared into the darkness.
Neither Kael nor Aria noticed the small black mark he had painted onto one of the castle walls.
The mark of the Blood Fang Order.
The real battle...
Had only just begun.
- Writer
