Chapter five

"Bring her to me," his commanding voice echoed through the grand chamber, each syllable carrying a weight that demanded immediate obedience. My eyes were fixated on his arm, adorned with an intricately designed tattoo that seemed to come alive as it snaked across his taut muscles. A regal crown rested atop his head, adorned with dazzling diamonds, emeralds, and rubies that caught the flickering light. A fine silk cloth draped over his chest, exuding an air of royalty and power. It was him, the same male I had pushed away earlier in the room, now exuding an aura of cold indifference. 

Slowly, he descended the majestic brick stairs that led to the throne, every step purposeful and commanding. The entire room seemed to hold its breath, enveloped in an eerie calmness, save for the murmurs that erupted in hushed whispers. Amidst the whispers, I could hear my name being called out, a mix of curiosity and anticipation laced in their voices. But it took just one word from him to silence them all.

"Howl," he roared with a commanding authority that reverberated off the fortress walls, causing even the most seasoned warriors to quell their voices. At that moment, it was evident that he held absolute power, ruling over this pack with unwavering strength and dominance. He strode towards me, his steps exuding confidence mingled with an underlying anger, perhaps provoked by my earlier rejection.

"Hello, princess," he cooed into my ear, his voice laced with a combination of smugness and a hint of amusement. Bending down to meet my eye level, he towered above me, a towering presence that seemed to stretch towards the heavens. A lump formed in my throat, my heart racing as a sense of foreboding washed over me. I realised my earlier defiance had consequences.

"Hello, your majesty," I managed to stammer, my voice barely audible, a sign of my apprehension. He smirked, his lips curling in a way that exuded both satisfaction and a touch of superiority, before slowly pulling away, leaving me to grapple with the weight of his presence and the unknown future that lay ahead.

I inclined my head in a respectful bow, my gaze still fixed upon the alpha, eager to hear his next words. But before he could utter another sentence, a weathered voice pierced through the hushed crowd. The atmosphere instantly grew heavy with anticipation as a new figure emerged, commanding the attention of all present. With a mane of grey hair cascading down his head and spectacles perched upon his nose, he exuded an air of wisdom and age. His steps were steady, supported by a gnarled walking stick, while a graceful, silver-flecked tail swayed behind him, catching the dim light that filtered through the room.

"Who's this, son?" the old man's raspy voice reverberated through the space, causing a collective intake of breath. All eyes turned to him, their curiosity piqued by the arrival of this revered elder. The alpha's gaze softened as he locked eyes with his father, a mixture of respect and affection shining in his eyes. It was a tender moment as if time itself had momentarily halted.

"She was discovered injured last night and brought to the safety of our castle by the beta. We believe she may be the one who can take the beta's place," the alpha murmured, his voice laced with a hint of reverence, casting a glance towards his father as he spoke. The grandpa, with age etched upon his weathered face, approached me slowly, his every step deliberate and purposeful. 

As the alpha bowed before his father, a gesture of deep respect, his hands gently settled upon the elder's back, offering support and reassurance. The room held its breath, anticipating the interaction between the revered patriarch and the fragile newcomer.

A flicker of recognition glimmered in the grandpa's eyes as he studied me as if glimpsing something familiar within my features. It was as though he could see the spirit of my mother walking beside me, her essence preserved within my very being. The old man extended a weathered hand towards me, his touch carrying the weight of a thousand stories. I hesitantly took his hand in mine, feeling the warmth and strength that belied his frail appearance. At that moment, I sensed a connection, a bond formed through shared experiences and the trials of life.

The ballroom remained in a state of suspended anticipation, the grandpa's presence infusing the air with a sense of age-old wisdom and dignity. As the echoes of his voice and the alphas' conversations lingered, the room held its breath, ready to unfold the next chapter in this captivating tale of fate and destiny.

 I stood frozen in place, the weight of a crushing realisation settling upon me. The truth hit me like a sudden gust of wind—I had unknowingly betrayed Akira, the very wolf who had saved me that stormy night. Guilt washed over me, intertwining with a sense of unease as I grappled with the consequences of my actions. How could I have taken her place without even knowing the full extent of the situation?

The grandpa's aged eyes darted between me and my tail, his gaze filled with curiosity. He circled me, studying the distinctive markings that adorned my tail, before returning to his position. A smile played on his lips, a flicker of joy illuminating his weathered face. With a voice cracked by years of experience, he addressed his son and then turned his attention to me.

"She is the perfect beta, my son. She can be the lucky charm of our pack. Her tail holds a tale yet untold," the grandpa's words carried a sense of delight as if he had discovered a long-lost treasure. For me, however, confusion lingered like a cloud overhead. I still felt like a small, insignificant wolf caught in a whirlwind of overwhelming circumstances.

The weight of the grandpa's proposition hung in the air, waiting for my response. Becoming a part of this pack was a monumental leap, far beyond the dreams I had once shared with Mama. Before I could gather my thoughts and formulate an answer, a familiar voice pierced through the silence, echoing from the depths of the basement. It was a voice that struck a chord deep within me, causing all other considerations to fade into the background.

Startled and drawn by the familiarity of the voice, I forgot about the proposal hanging in the balance. 

It was too familiar.