The Future Alpha's Forbidden Love

Chapter 2 : Secrets and Disappointment

Fists tightened, jaw set, Lysabel marched to the dais. Stepping right in front of the Emerald Phrynge, she glared up at him. Her neck ached, but she did not look away. Even though she was shorter than him, she felt they were looking into each other’s eyes. His words had dug a hole in her chest. She swallowed hard, forcing her chin to stop trembling. "Dead brother" rang in her ears until the Sapphire Phrynge spoke.

“ I am sorry for his wickedness. He isn’t like this all the time. He meant to say that you came here to make a wish, and we know that because we are always aware of the person’s intention the moment they enter the cave.” Her silken voice felt like spring and honey wrapping her in warmth and sweetness. It shook Lysabel back to her senses, and she remembered who she was glaring at.

Straightening her shoulders and spine, Lysabel stepped away from the Emerald Phrynge, whose lips twitched with amusement.

“He is testing your patience, child. Don’t let him get into your head,” Ruby Phrynge counseled. Sparing the Emerald Phrynge a sideways glance, he murmured in a low voice, “ But I wonder why.”

Lysabel had enough of the conversation. Hastily, she knelt in front of the Phrynges. Head bowing, she confessed, “I wish to become an Alexandrite Phynge. Please consider my request, Phrynges.”

Sapphire Phrynge looked at Ruby Phrynge as they listened to her. The eyes, mirroring the stone she protects, glistened with unspoken fear as Sapphire Phrynge softly shook her head. Ruby Phrynge looked back at Lysabel, whose head almost touched the ground. She was oblivious to the sickly complexions on Sapphire and Ruby Phrynge’s faces.

Exhaling softly through the nose, Ruby Phrynge commanded lowly, “ Rise, child.”

As soon as she was on her feet, gazing at them with hope shimmering in her eyes, Ruby Phrynge declared, “ You can leave now.”

Forehead creasing, Lysabel asked, “ Will my wish be granted?”

She dared to step closer to the dais.

“You will know during the ceremony,” Sapphire Phrynge informed, a forced smile dragging the corner of her lips, aching her cerulean blue furry cheeks.

“But—”

“Just leave!” Emerald Phrynge growled, his deep gruff voice echoing in the cave.

Heart pounding with anticipation, Lysabel turned around and hurtled out of the cave. Once outside, she released a breath she had not realized she was holding. Plopping on the ground, she brought her knees to her chest as her head hung low. Her ears burned, something heavy pressing on her ribcage. Fisting some of her hair with both of her hands, she wanted to scream, but all she could make out was a soft groan at the back of her throat.

The clock struck 5 in the evening, causing the four Alphas to ring the bell together, signaling everyone to gather in the open arena for the transitioning ceremony. Girls and boys stood in separate lines, all wearing white from head to toe. Each new shifter stood with chaperons, who would accompany them to the center of the field while people in the audience were searching for seats with the best view. Lysabel was still not present in the arena or even in the vicinity.

Iora was seated with her best friend, Luna of Xandire Kingdom, but her eyes searched for her daughter. Luna sensed distress radiating off of Iora. Wrapping an arm over her shoulders, she pulled her best friend closer. “ She will be on time, don't you worry,” she said in her ear, trying to solace her.

Iora heaved a sigh, shaking her head. “ You don't understand, Beatrice. She... I—” Holding her stomach, Iora felt acid burning the inside of her mouth while tears gathered in the corner of her eyes.

Luna Beatrice combed through her blonde hair with trembling fingers, though it was perfectly in place. “ Breathe, Iora.” She reminded, caressing her back. Twilight-blue eyes gleamed with writhing agony for her best friend. She had always known Iora as the strongest, but bit by bit, her warrior of a friend was tearing apart, and this downfall began with her son's horrifying death.

As if sensing her mother's concern, Lysabel ambled through the iron gate. Relief rushed over Iora as she saw Archelaus entering the field with her daughter. Exhaling through her nose, a smile graced her face.

“Told ya she is safe.” Luna Beatrice squeezed her best friend’s shoulders, releasing a weary exhale.

Once Lysabel stood in line beside Archelaus, her gaze scanned the field.

“Are you looking for me?” The voice she wanted to hear the entire day finally reached her ears.

Lysabel felt a weight lifting off her chest and warmth bubbling in her stomach. Squealing, she turned and came face to face with her father. Wrapping her arms around him, she inhaled her father’s citrusy cologne, which enveloped her in a blanket of protection.

“ So I was missed, I presume?” her father chimed, chuckling and balancing their weight.

“Deeply, Mr. Santiz.” Lysabel grinned, hugging him tighter than before.

Breaking the embrace, Santiz stood beside his daughter. Lysabel looped her arms with his and inhaled with the hope that everything would work out.

“Welcome, all! I am proud to be your host today. Wolves from my Xandire Kingdom are larger in number this year. Amongst them, my son, the future Alpha of Xandire Kingdom, Archelaus Warse will also shift for the first time. Please give a huge round of applause to our children from the four kingdoms!” Alpha Rendell’s voice boomed in the field, as he spoke into the microphone, which he hardly needed. His aura brought everyone’s attention to him the moment he stepped into the light. Claps erupted in the audience, along with whistles and awoos. The harder the audience clapped, the faster Lysabel's heart raced.

The four Alphas sat above everyone on the vast balcony of a wooden tree house. Constructed purely from bamboo, the tree house stood tall and strong atop a white oak tree.

Four thrones uniquely described their respective kingdoms. The vacant throne of the Xandire kingdom in the middle shone bright Prussian blue. Blue electric-like veins embellished the crest of the backrest that continued through the sides and legs, ending at the base. The seat and backrest were cushioned in midnight blue, plush enough to provide the Alpha with comfort. While Alpha of the Saprale Kingdom had chosen a throne whose crest was furnished with glassy swells of water and cushioned in aquamarine blue, right beside him, Alpha Briggs of Merxan Kingdom was seated contently on his violet throne, crest embellished with purple hollow circles.

Each Alpha had a smile plastered on their faces except the Alpha of Dribera Kingdom. He constantly shifted on his throne as if it pricked him, and no matter how much he repositioned himself in search of solace, he could not find it. Beside Alpha Rendell's radiant throne stood his throne of the deepest black— its crest adorned with sharp, ebony thorns, pulsing with the same restless energy as his diamond-cut face. A line creased between his brows, his gaze searching for his son.

“ Isn't Eden here yet?” Alpha of the Saprales Kingdom queried, his voice laced with curiosity.

“ Is that the reason for your sour expression, Landon?” Alpha of Merxan Kingdom mocked, the corner of his lips curled into a smirk, earning him a glare from the Alpha sitting close to him.

“ You are quite right, my friend,” Alpha Landon admitted, rolling his tense shoulders. “ My son seems to be akin to disappointing me. Keeps his old man on his toes for sure.” Even though every bit of expression was erased from his face, sourness filled his mouth.

“ I would request boys and girls to stand at the center of the field, so I can introduce them all. Escorts, please accompany them.” Alpha Rendell announced in his silky deep voice, his eyes on his son. A proud smile graced his face as he watched his son walk to the center of the field. His smile brightened as Lysabel and Archelaus grinned at each other. Inhaling and exhaling deeply, he set his heart to ask his Beta for his daughter's hand as soon as the ceremony ended.

Santiz chuckled as he listened to his daughter's heart beating loudly against her chest. “ You don't have to be nervous, Belle. You're going to be alright. Loosen up,” he reassured, patting her forearm.

Lysabel smiled up at her father, but when it didn't reach her eyes, Santiz knew something was bothering her. His face fell in a flash. “ What's wrong?” he queried, brows furrowing as he took in his daughter's stance.

Lysabel gulped and tried to smile again. “ Nothing's wrong, Papa. I am just— nervous. That's all.” She shrugged her shoulders, scrunching her nose.

Her father nodded ever so slowly, and at once, she knew she had failed to convince him.