The Alpha Supreme

Chapter Two

Hailey’s POV

I lay flat on my back, staring up at the cracked stone ceiling of my room.

The dim light from the single candle on the dresser flickered as the cool night breeze blew into the small room.

The events of earlier tonight played on an endless loop in my head, each part more infuriating and irritating than the last.

First, it was the thugs from the city who thought they could outrun me. Foolish amateurs.

I’d gotten away clean with the cash I stole from them, leaving them scrambling in the dark like the fools they were.

But just when I thought I was in the clear, he had to show up… the i***t who thought he was some hero.

I scoffed bitterly, flipping to my side, the sheets tangling around my legs.

Who did the fool even think he was? Charging in and acting like I needed his help.

In my head, I took consolation in the image of his shocked and painful expression when I kicked him in the balls.

Although my anger still boiled underneath, it made me grin.

However, there was just something about this stranger.

His eyes… his eyes were sharp but curious. Like he was caught in-between wanting to act and not knowing why.

Also, the way he just stood there looking at me, as if he saw something more than just a thief, or a girl on the run.

It sort of made my skin crawl and I hated it. I hated it not because it was threatening, but because it wasn’t.

A knock on my door suddenly snapped me out of my thoughts.

“What?!” I yelled, my voice sharper than I intended.

The door creaked open, and Galzar, my father’s Beta-s***h-errand-dog, stepped in, his broad frame taking up most of the doorway.

“Your father wants to see you.” Galzar said, leaning in and folding his arms.

“Of course, he does.” I answered, sitting up and swinging my legs over the side of the bed. “What does he want now?”

Galzar’s expression remained neutral. “You know how he is. Something about the pack, probably. Just… don’t keep him waiting, okay?”

“Whatever,” I muttered, waving him off.

He stood there for a moment, his eyes scanning me like he wanted to say something else.

But he just shook his head, turning away and closing the door behind him.

I sat there for a moment, gripping the edge of the bed.

My father, the Alpha of Night Pack, who to others was a huge figure… the strong and brutal Alpha who’s kept us safe all this while.

But to me, he was just the man who made my life a living hell.

For as long as I could remember, our relationship has always been broken.

He never understood me, and I didn’t care to understand him back.

He ruled the pack with iron fist, cruelly demanding loyalty and obedience from everyone including his daughter and only family.

But I gave him neither.

Finally having enough of my brooding, I stood up and grabbed my jacket from the chair by the dresser, pulling it on over my top.

The air in our underground hideout was always cold, the dampness seeped into everything.

As I stepped out into the dim corridor, the low sound of voices echoed from further within the hallway.

Night pack have lived in these hills for decades, hidden from humans and other werewolves alike.

We were like ghosts, shadows that slipped through the world above at night.

It was a life of hiding and survival, and I hated every second of it.

When I reached the main chamber, father was right there, standing by the stone table in the center of the room, Galzar beside him.

He looked up as I entered, his piercing eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re late,” he said, his deep voice carrying no love.

“I didn’t realize this was a timed event.” I replied, crossing my arms.

His jaw tightened, but he didn’t move.

“I’ve been hearing things, Hailey. About you being in the city again. Care to explain yourself?”

“I was just out,” I said, shrugging. “Needed some air. God knows we all do in this goddess-forsaken place!”

“Air,” he repeated, his voice pitching with rising anger. “You know the rules, Hailey. The city is dangerous! Especially for us!”

“Yeah, well, maybe if we didn’t live like rats in a hole, the city wouldn’t feel so tempting to others!” I snapped back.

His eyes almost glowed with the rage I knew he was suppressing, and for a moment, I thought he might lash out at me.

But he just sighed and took a deep breath, the weight of his position and authority choking down on the room.

“Everything I do is to protect this pack,” he continued softly. “To protect you, Hailey.”

His tone now sounded like he was truly concerned, but I knew better.

I let out a bitter laugh. “Don’t pretend this is about me, Dad. It’s about revenge and control. It always has been for you.”

He didn’t respond to that, he just watched me with that familiar look of disappointment and disgust.

“Are we done here?” I then asked, my voice cold.

“For now,” he said. “But don’t think this conversation is over.”

I turned and walked away without saying another word, my chest tight with resentment.

I stormed out of the chamber, my father’s words still ringing in my ears.

The nerve of him pretending all of his decisions were for the good of the pack, and for me.

He didn’t care about me… at least not the way he should.

His own idea of care was equal to control… endless rules, weighing expectations, and complete loyalty.

That’s all he’s ever interested in and demanded from everyone around him.

But me? I wasn’t interested in playing by any of that.

•••

The underground tunnels of our home felt smaller than usual the following day. The damp stone walls seemed to press in on me.

I’d spent the entire day indoors, isolating from everyone, and now I really needed to get out.

I needed to breathe air that didn’t carry the scent of Night wolves and underground.

I couldn’t spend another second trapped in this place, pretending that this life my father forced on all of us was enough.

It wasn’t. Not for me.

Rising to my feet, I made up my mind. I wasn’t going to let him or anyone dictate what I could and couldn’t do with my life.

He didn’t know me, not really.

I quickly slipped into my usual outfit of complete black, the familiar feel of it soothing me.

It wasn’t just a costume… it was a symbol too. It reminded me that I was strong, capable, and not to be caged underneath a rock.

Quietly, I opened my door, peeking into the corridor. It was empty and quiet.

Perfect.

I moved quickly, sticking to the walls as I made my way through the tunnels.

My boots barely made a sound on the stone floor. Years of sneaking around had helped me perfect the skill.

As I neared the main exit where the sunlight pierced through the cracks of the stone walls, my heart began to race.

Not from fear, but from anticipation.

The city called to me, a world beyond these suffocating walls. Fresh air, Freedom, and Adventure.

The sunlight hit my face as I emerged from the tunnel. For a moment, I paused, looking back at the hidden entrance.

If father discovered I was out again… I smirked. Let him.

Pulling the hood of my cape over my head, I set off toward the woods. Towards the city.

But I had barely taken three steps when a growl cut through the air.

I froze instantly and turned my head just enough to catch a glimpse of movement behind me.

Suddenly… the cold familiar voice of Galzar rang in my ears.

“Going somewhere?”

I spun around, my heart hammering in my chest, and there he stood. Behind him, were a couple of my father’s men.

My hands squeezed into fists beside me as my chest burned with rage. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered. “He actually sent you to stalk me now?”

Galzar stepped forward, his heavy boots crushing dried leaves. “You know your father doesn’t trust you, Hailey.”

“Really? Well I don’t trust him either!” I shot fiery words back at him.

“You really shouldn’t fight him on this.” He answered with a calm voice, but I could detect the warning in it.

I couldn’t help but laugh, a loud and mocking sound. “Fight him?” I questioned Galzar. “That’s all I have ever done. All my life! Why should I stop now?”

Galzar sighed. “You don’t get it, do you? The city isn’t safe for you, or any…”

“I don’t need safety!” I snapped, taking a step back. “What I need is… freedom.”

“Hailey…”

I moved before he could finish his sentence, bolting into the trees.

The moment I took off, I heard the men follow behind me. My boots hit hard against the forest ground as I increased my pace.

But something suddenly tripped me, sending me sprawling to the ground.

I barely had time to get up before strong hands grabbed my arms, yanking me up swiftly.

I kicked at the men, violently struggling to break free, but I was no match for them.

“Let me go!” I growled, but they didn’t.

Galzar then stepped in front of me, his hard face unreadable as ever. “I told you not to fight it, Hailey.”

Without warning, I spat at his feet. “Go to hell!”

He sighed, then nodded, and the men started to pull me back toward the tunnels.

As they dragged me on, my mind raced with rage. I couldn’t go back. Not after how I’d so openly defied my father.

I struggled, twisting and trying to break free of their iron grips, but they were just too strong.

There was no way out. Unless if I...

A deep, burning heat immediately began to stir up in my chest as the idea developed in my head.

My pulse quickened as I tried to focus on the thought. If they wouldn’t let me go, I’d make them.

Suddenly, sharp pains ran through my entire body. My bones began to stretch, shift, break… and rearrange back together.