Episode 1: The Alpha

Episode 1: The Alpha

If I can turn back time, I wish I didn’t leave.

This pain and torment they’ve caused still lingers,

And revenge is my morphine.

“To be a great leader, acknowledge your boundaries. Study your tactic and focus on defenses.”

I smiled as father taught me of these things. A war on a battlefield is an unending history, both an honor and a sacrifice. Being the General’s daughter, everything was complicated. A ceaseless deliberation, a risky life-and-death situation, that I must take over. It was fourth moon when I returned home from the academy, witnessing an unexpected scenery.

“Your kind can never be superior to us.”

A tear escaped from my eyes as rivers of death flows ahead of me. Fist clenching as I kept my mouth shut, didn’t dare to talk or reflect my presence. Lifeless bodies sprawled on the bloody floor and there were victorious smiles on their faces. I saw nothing but ferocious beast on their every corner, a brutal massacre.

“You can never defeat us. Such a lame strategy of a useless general!”

In a blink of an eye, they’re gone, leaving only ashes of the once prosperous kingdom, nothing was left like the entire Sinandaya territory was purposely erased. Grudge… and resentment became my greatest hook. Building an empire hidden from the world’s naked eye, I became a leader of my own battalion.

                  Sinandaya territory rose from dust, a kingdom that became every survivor’s hope. Having enough ability and strength, the plans and tactics laid down for many years can finally be executed. I, Adira Vallejo will bring back the honor and justice we long deserve.

“Gaia,” I whispered to myself facing the crystal clear running waters ahead of me. A name I used to hide my identity. In this world full of deceptions, you cannot trust anyone but yourself. And if you do give away easily, you lose and may never get up.

                  Turning and walking away from the river, I took a sip of the last drop of blood I can consume before entering the wolves’ territory. Wearing an identical armor of their  commander, assassination is not an exception for me to succeed her. Everything is settled down just before we head to the Abberant pack where my target is located.

“Gaia, warriors are now at the bottom of the cliff. Be ready,” Felipe reminded me, setting all the archers on the goal to cause commotion for me to enter their group and replace the commander. I just nodded as an answer and secured the bronze mask covering half of my face. Just how fast time flies, Felipe has now become a skilled leader－far from the old cry baby that was orphaned by that brutality. He became a brother to me. He’s the mastermind of this planned task, by the way.

“Aim… Fire.” With His signal, I swiftly flew below. Kicking the masked female commander off her stallion in a blink of an eye. Using the sorcerer’s enchantment, my vampiric scent was temporarily hidden away from these wolves. According to Mayari, this troop was bound to return to Abberant from a recent reinforcement from the war in the Aramoor part of Claveria which was a great opportunity for me to enter their territory.

“Head north! No one shall stop until we reach the borders!” I shouted and everyone shifted to their wolf form just as expected. I let them surpass me in order not to be seen through. With miles and hours spend, we finally reached the borders. At this time, everyone shifted back to their human form. And they’re naked in front of me!

“Soyosoy di dagem, bulan ay manpaila, (Blow of the wind, the moon appears,)” I calmly responded when a masculine man appeared at the huge bronze gate. A passcode Mayari had discovered and given to me－every wolf with high rank in this pack only knew about it.

                 The gate opened, letting the twilight strike its majestic rays. Behind these enormous walls were a scenery I never imagined. Majestic mountains and a broad river surrounds the valley, the pack territory was really wide and abundant. A gorgeous paradise. I smiled bitterly, knowing that behind this splendid place was a bloody stain on every warrior’s hand around. Killing and stealing what we once have makes them obtain this kind of life.

“Commander Gaia, the Alpha invites the entire troop inside the pack house.” A man in fine clothing approached us which I only nodded as a reply and followed him towards the place he mentioned.

                Even the grounds were exquisitely crafted out of tanzanite colored sirha stones, one of the rare findings of Claveria Haltera. The greenery where the path lies shouts splendor and vainglory. Pups running around and other groups of warriors training on the other side. Everyone enjoying this kind of life yet they don’t care how and what other creatures feel whom they treated like ants they just stomp and kill mercilessly.

“Warriors, please head to the banquet hall. As for the commander, a report to the alpha is necessary,” a man with blond hair enunciated as we entered the manor. I managed to keep poised and tag along with this man which I assumed as the beta judging from the way he freely wander around this place and take the Alpha’s orders directly. He silently opened a door on the second floor, revealing a grandiose place inside.

“How was the task?” a voice sprung up from the opened veranda. With the twilight beaming behind this man, I managed to see him clearly the moment he stepped closer to where I stand. Those blue eyes met mine and a bizarre feeling erupted.

“All done, Alpha. Any more requests?” I held my guard up, not losing control nor letting my affections take over. My hands rested and ignored the way he darts his stares at me.

“Nothing, I wonder where your falcon emblem is.”

              I froze, falcon emblem is a commander’s badge affirming its status and ranking which I didn’t expect for this Alpha to notice it is missing.

“Vampires ambushed us on the way, such unexpected attack costs all my attention that I may carelessly have lost it. Spare me for my recklessness, Alpha.” I kneeled down and felt his steps closer and closer until his distance was no longer a meter away.

“Tell me your name.” In an authoritative manner, he raised my head with a dagger pointed on my neck. And again, his oceanic eyes collided straight into mine causing turmoil and an unexpected blaze inside of me craving for his blood.

“Gaia,” I answered with all my defenses up. Holding on to my senses that I may not lose them to this sudden temptation every time our eyes crash. “Commander Gaia of the fifth infantry division,” I added.

                 And I witnessed a sly sneer on his face as he keeps the dagger’s blade slanted on my nape as if it was only a harmless toy intended to be placed around my neck. “What would you want to be your reward, Gaia?”

                 His voice…

                 Why does it sound so euphonious? The wrath that had surrounded me has dissipated, but this sudden thirst of blood entices me to draw closer to him.

“It’s Balaraw. Hand me a dagger that is winged with a symbol of nobility and a warrior. I want it to be finely-worked with precious metals and ivory.” I raised my head and reached for his hand, averting the blade from further piercing my skin.

                 The whole room silenced upon my answer and only a chuckle from this Alpha ahead of me echoed, kneeling and leveling with my head elevated. “From all the officials entering this den, you’re the only one who asked very demanding for a reward. How audacious!”

“I don’t dare to, Alpha. This mere commander is answering a question coming out of a superior’s tongue.”

“Don’t you think you are actually thinking highly of yourself being rewarded with such precious things?”

“I don’t, the Alpha has asked for what this commander would want for a reward. And I think I am worthy for such things because I, myself faced the frontier and risked my life under the honor of the Abberant pack.”

                   He quieted, not exiting the staring contest. And for a couple of minutes, he again chuckled and faced his beta on the right corner of the spacious room. “Cedric, grant this creature with the dagger she asked for.”

“Right away, Alpha. Any more orders?”

                   The Alpha just shook his head and returned his gaze on me when the door closed, “You may take your leave.” My head nodded before I stood up and head my way off the room when a sudden action dragged me back to him. Slammed on those cerulean eyes again with his lips murmured a word that caused chaos to my head, “Do you know you are my mate, Adira?”