Alpha Katherine: The Chosen One's Revenge

Episode 3

Lucian's POV

I was out hunting in the thick forest, my senses on high alert as I tracked a deer through the underbrush. The sounds of rustling of leaves surrounded me, but suddenly, I heard a faint, muffled noise that seemed out of place. Frowning, I paused and listened more intently, trying to pinpoint the source.

Following the sound, I pushed deeper into the trees until I came upon the most breathtaking sight. There, lying on the mossy ground, was a woman - the most beautiful woman I had ever laid eyes on. But my awe quickly turned to horror as I saw the blood that stained her pale skin and soaked her torn dress. She was in distress, that much was clear.

“Just end it already," she rasped, weakly,

"Kill me. Make it quick."

I laughed. "I am no killer. My name is Lucian," I introduced myself. "Who are you and what happened?”

Before I could say another word, her eyes rolled back and she fell unconscious. I rushed to her side, gently shaking her shoulders, but there was no response. I was at a loss for what to do. I had to help her, but I didn't know who she was or where she had come from. I couldn't just carry her back to my pack, especially since I didn't know if she was a threat or not, she might even be a rogue.

As I stood there, desperately trying to think of what to do, how to save her, I heard the familiar rustling of leaves that signaled the approach of my beta, Matt. He came out of the bushes, his brow furrowed with confusion when he saw the woman.

"Who is she?" he asked, kneeling beside her.

"I don't know, man.” I ran a hand through my hair in frustration. "I was out hunting when I heard sounds and found her like this. She begged me to kill her, but then she passed out before I could get any information.”

Matt's eyes narrowed as he studied the woman. "We can't leave her here. She's obviously in trouble."

I nodded. "I know, but I don't know what to do. I can't take her back to the pack - the others are weary of new members because of the rogues. And I have no idea who she is or where she came from.”

"Well, then," Matt said, a spark in his eyes, "Maybe we could use this to our advantage."

I looked at him, confused. "What do you mean?"

"Your uncle has been urging you to find a mate, right?" Matt reminded me. "Says you need to settle down if you ever want to become the Lycan king?"

“Yeah, William has been on my case about it for months now. Says I need to prove I can be a responsible leader.”

Matt grinned. "Well, here's your chance. We could take this woman back to the pack and present her as your potential mate. That would get your uncle off your back, at least for a little while."

I was taken aback. "What? How does that even make any sense?”

"Details, details," Matt said, waving a hand casually. "We'll figure that out later. Right now, the important thing is getting her back to the pack, for the healer to heal her under our protection. Who knows what kind of trouble she's in?"

I thought about it for a bit and stared at her sad face. I knew he made sense but at the moment, I had an urgency to help her quickly. I felt the need to protect her and then whatever would come after would be fine. However, I froze on the spot and I think it's mostly because I'm trying to find out why I feel this energy surge coming from her.

“Come on, Lucian,” Matt urged, placing a hand on my shoulder. "This is your chance to finally get William off your back and prove you're ready to be the Lycan king. Think about it - with her as your mate, you'd have the security and stability the pack needs. Isn't that worth a little white lie?"

I sighed, I looked down at the unconscious woman again. Her brow was furrowed, as if even in her state of unconsciousness, she was troubled by some unseen torment. I couldn't just leave her here, vulnerable and alone. And Matt was right - this could be my ticket to finally gaining my uncle's approval and securing my place as the Lycan king.

With a resigned nod, I bent down and gently scooped the woman into my arms. “Let's go.”

Matt patted me on the back. "Yes! I can't wait to see the look on William's face when you tell him.” With that, we began the journey back to the pack.

As soon as Matt and I arrived back at the pack, I rushed the unconscious woman inside and called for our healer. The old woman worked tirelessly over the stranger, muttering incantations and binding her wounds with healing herbs. It was a tense ordeal, but finally, the healer stepped back with a weary sigh.

“She's stable now, but the poor thing has been through a terrible ordeal," she reported. "It will take time for her to fully recover."

“Thank you. Please, ensure she is fully recovered. Do everything you can.”

The healer nodded and left, leaving me alone with the mystery woman. I pulled a chair to her bedside, my thoughts racing. What had happened to her? Who was she, and why had she asked me to end her life?

As if sensing my presence, the woman's eyes fluttered open. As she looked at me, her face was filled with anger.

"Why didn't you just let me die?" she rasped, her voice hoarse.

I recoiled. "I couldn't just leave you there," I spat. "You were hurt. I had to help you.”

"Help me?" she snapped. "You should have killed me and been done with it! Who the hell do you think you are..."

"Calm down," I said, raising my hands in a calming gesture. "Tell me what happened to you. Maybe I can help."

"Help? The only thing I seek is revenge. That is all I desire.”

I paused, considering her words. "Revenge? Against who?"

Her eyes narrowed to slits. "Against those who ruined my life, who took everything from me." She let out a shaky breath, her body trembling. "I want them to suffer the way I have suffered."

My heart went out to her despite her hostility. Clearly, she had been through some unspeakable trauma. I leaned forward, placing a hand on her arm. "Then let me help you," I said softly. "Whatever it is you need, I'll do my best to make it happen.”

She looked at me suspiciously. "And what do you want in return?"

I hesitated, then took a deep breath. "Be my Luna."

Her eyes widened in shock. “Your Luna?”

"Yes," I said quickly. "I need a mate. The Elders, especially my uncle, have been pressuring me to find one, or else forfeit my chance at the throne. If I present you as my mate, it will get him off my back. And in return, I'll help you achieve the revenge you seek.”

She studied me for a long moment, her expression unreadable. Then, to my surprise, she nodded. "Very well. I accept your offer."

I blinked, stunned. "You... you do?"

"Yes," she said simply. "I have nothing left to lose. And if this is the price I must pay for my revenge, then I'll do it.”

I sighed with relief. "Thank you. I promise, I will do everything in my power to help you."

“I'll hold you to your words,” she nodded.

“May I know your name?” I asked but before she could respond our conversation was interrupted by a commotion outside. I heard Matt calling my name. Sighing, I squeezed the woman's hand reassuringly. "I'll be right back.”

I rushed out to the main hall, where Matt stood with a serious look on his face.

"William is here and he's demanding to see you," Matt said in a hushed tone.

"William? What's he doing here?”

"I think... I think he may have heard about the woman you brought back."

I cursed under my breath. Of course he would have found out - nothing escaped his watchful gaze. Steeling myself, I nodded. "Alright, let's not keep him waiting."

Matt and I made our way down the stairs to the main hall, where William was pacing with a frown on his face.

"Lucian," he said as I approached. "Care to explain who the woman is that you've brought into the pack?"

I straightened my shoulders. "She is my mate."

William's eyes narrowed. "Your mate?" he scoffed. "Don't be ridiculous. You expect me to believe that?"

"It's true," I insisted.

William's expression darkened. "We'll see about that," he growled. Immediately, he turned and stormed out of the house.

Matt came up to me. "What do you think he's going to do?"

I held up a hand, silencing him. "Shh, not here. Let's go upstairs."

Once we were safely in my study, Matt turned to me. "What are we going to do?"

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. “I don't know, Matt.”

Matt's eyes widened. “William's going to…”

"I know, I know," I interrupted, raising a hand.

Before Matt could respond, the sound of footsteps and voices from downstairs caught our attention. We hurried back down to the main hall, where we were greeted with a surprising scene.

William had returned, and he was accompanied by the pack's shaman and some of the Elders. I felt my stomach twisted as William turned to me.

"Lucian," he said, his voice deceptively calm. "The shaman and I have come to confirm whether this woman you've brought is indeed your mate, as you claim.”

I opened my mouth to protest, but William raised a hand, silencing me. "Don't bother trying to make excuses, boy. Either she is your mate, or you forfeit your claim to the Lycan throne. The choice is yours."

Knowing I had no other choice, I nodded and led the group to the room where the woman was resting.

She looked up as we entered, her expression guarded and wary. The shaman immediately began chanting, his hands moving in intricate patterns. I held my breath, bracing myself for the verdict.

Suddenly, the shaman stopped, his eyes widening in what appeared to be a mixture of shock and respect. "It... it is true," he breathed. "This woman is Lucian's mate. But she is also... the Chosen One."

“The Chosen One?" gasped the Elders in unison.