ALPHA'S FORSAKEN BRIDE

SILVER’S POV The moon was nearly full tonight. The cool night breeze on the balcony fluttered my skin, and every breath I took felt like it carried a promise and a very bright reward of everything I've ever worked for. Tomorrow was the day. My first shift. Our first shift. “You’re staring at the moon like it owes you something.” Sterling said as he dropped into the chair beside me on the balcony. He didn’t bother hiding the irritation in his voice. Here is my twin brother who became the thorn in my flesh ever since we were five years old. Even till now, I didn't know what his problem was with me. I didn’t turn to face him. “Maybe it does.” He scoffed. “Don’t tell me you’re getting sentimental about your birthright again.” I finally turned to look at him. His dark eyes were sharper tonight, jaw clenched just tight enough that I could tell he’d been thinking—steeping in whatever resentment he’d kept hidden under that fake smirk he always wore. I knew he hated me and whatever I was, but I chose to ignore his childish antics. Mother spoilt him so much that it would take a very big circumstance for him to change from his childish and immature ways. I always avoided him every chance I got. “We’re both turning eighteen, Sterling. We both shift tomorrow. But I’m firstborn.” I said flatly. “The title’s mine.” Not that I was bragging or wanted to remind him all the time, but this was the same chap he keeps pulling, trying to make me feel incompetent for the title. He was always mad when I reminded him of the facts. “Only because you slipped out ten minutes before me,” he snapped. “Ten damn minutes doesn’t make you more capable of leading a pack.” “No,” I said, standing slowly. “but our people think it does. And more importantly, so does Dad. I've proven myself in all aspects that needed to be Alpha.” His eyes flashed. “He’s old. Biased. He just wants to parade his perfect little daughter like some progressive token Alpha. A female Alpha? Please.” I clenched my fists. “You’re such a child, Sterl. There have been women Alphas in every pack. You're just bitter.” “No,” he said, standing now too, meeting me toe to toe. He was much taller than me, but that didn't matter. “You’re just too stupid to see that you’re being handed something you don’t deserve. You're just a girl who would bear children and keep appearance.” I exhaled slowly through my nose. “I’ve trained harder than you, I’ve studied longer. You skipped every council meeting Dad held last month. Who are you to talk?” He waved me off. “I don’t need meetings. I was born to lead.” “Entitlement doesn’t make you a leader.” “Neither does bleeding every time the moon pulls on your uterus.” That did it. I shoved him. Harder than I meant to, maybe, because he staggered back a step before catching himself and letting out a dark chuckle. “There it is,” he muttered. “The temper. Don’t worry, Silver. You’ll ruin yourself before I even get the chance. You're too emotional to be an Alpha.” “What the hell is that supposed to mean?” But he didn’t answer. He just turned and walked away. --- Later that night, I found myself under the stars again, this time near the training grounds, alone. The grass was cold beneath my bare feet, and the wind kept fluttering on my face. “Rough night?” The voice made me turn. Kaiden Accus. Sterling’s best friend, unfortunately. Tall, confident, the kind of handsome that made girls around the pack giggle and roll their eyes at the same time. He was handsome, no doubt about that, but he was just the same as Sterling. Arrogant and an ass. At least he wasn't misogynistic like Sterling. I always thought he was trouble, and he had never proven me wrong. He was older than us with just two months and had already shifted to his wolf, but you would think shifting would at least give him a sense of maturity. Nope. “Not in the mood now, Kaiden.” “That’s funny,” he said, stepping closer. “Because you look like you could use someone to talk to.” “Someone, maybe. Not you.” “Ouch,” he said, holding his chest like I’d shot him. “Your words cut deeper than my training blade.” I crossed my arms. “What do you want?” “Just checking on the soon-to-be Alpha.” he said, eyes narrowing slightly. “You know, there’s a lot of pressure on a title like that.” “I can handle pressure.” “Yeah? Even the kind that crushes you?” I stared at him. Something about the way he said it sent a chill down my spine. “You and Sterling have been talking, I see.” I said. It wasn’t a question. “Always.” He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “We’re like brothers, you know. I’ve got his back. Just like he’s got mine.” I took a step back. “You two are planning something.” “Planning?” He blinked, mocking surprise. “Now why would we ever do something like that?” “You’re not as clever as you think you are, Kaiden.” He moved in closer, enough for me to smell the hint of mint and arrogance that always clung to him. “And you’re not as untouchable as you think you are, Silver.” I didn’t flinch. “Try me.” There was a beat of silence between us, like the air itself had stopped to listen. Then he grinned. “Can’t wait to see how tomorrow turns out.” --- By the time I made it back to my room, I could barely think straight. My chest was tight, my skin hot. Our first shift was less than twenty-four hours away, and everything inside me was restless. I stripped off my clothes and stared at myself in the mirror. I was beautiful. I was always told that, and I knew that. My blue eyes accompanied with my silver-white hair—what I was named for—looked back at me with something deeper than fear. The girl version of Sterling, but i was nothing like him. It was the look of a girl who knew her world was about to change. Maybe forever. And no matter what Sterling or Kaiden tried to do... I would not break. Not without a fight. I took a quick shower and then laid on the bed, squirming about as I couldn't wait for tomorrow to arrive.