Hail the Alpha

CHAPTER 2. 

They say betrayal is the only truth that sticks. Rose was still reeling from this betrayal. 

"Twenty years ago... I became the new Beta, succeeding my late father. Ever since then, I had one dream—to become the next Alpha. And that dream was within an inch of my reach. I would finally achieve the eternal dream of my forefathers. I was so close... " 

Reed took a deep breath glancing at the dying Alpha, "Then one day, the Alpha brought an infant with him." His voice shifted to a more calmer tone laced with sadness. 

"You ruined everything! You’re the reason I was denied my birthright! A right that was earned through the sweat and blood of my ancestors for centuries." Reed's face darkened as his voice shifted once again, this time, it held nothing but pure hatred. 

His brown irises changed into a bright, unnatural red as his glare fixed on Rose. 

Rose’s eyes blazed with fury as she glared at Reed. "You’re a monster!" she shouted, her voice trembling with rage.

Reed shrugged, his expression indifferent. "Call me what you want, Rose. Devil, monster, I don’t care. But remember, I still love you. I was your mentor, after all. But my duty to my family comes first."

Behind her, Vale’s coughing grew worse. Rose’s anger turned to panic as she rushed to his side, kneeling and cradling him in her arms. 

"Father..." she whispered, her voice filled with sorrow.

Vale’s hand trembled as he reached up to touch her face. 

"My Eternal Flower, Rose," he whispered in her ear, his voice weak. 

"I’m sorry... sorry I allowed myself to be bested in such a disgraceful manner. But more importantly... I’m sorry you won’t inherit my power."

Rose’s heart sank. 

There were two ways to become an Alpha: by inheriting the power from a parent, or by taking the life of an Alpha. 

"Brace yourself... It will be difficult... But, I trust you will prevail..."

Tears streamed down Rose’s face as she shook her head in denial. 

"No, no, no! Not like this, Father. Please, not like this!" she cried, her voice breaking.

With a final, shallow breath, Vale whispered, "Goodbye."

His body went limp in her arms. Rose felt the last bit of warmth leave him as her father, the once-great Alpha Vale, was no more. 

Rose sat there for what felt like an eternity. She wanted to wake up from this bad dream. But every second that passed merely solidified the harsh truth. 

"I can feel it." Reed throws his hands in triumph. He laughed like a madman all while Rose remained on the floor clutching onto her father's corpse. 

"I am no longer the right hand. I am the Alpha now!" 

"Now then, if you'll excuse me, it's time I inform the Omegas that they have a new King." 

Not sparing her a look, Reed walked past Rose. "I'll leave you to your despair, princess." With that, he made his way to the courtyard where the other pack members were gathered. 

Rose was left to face her new reality... 

"Daddy... You don't deserve this way..." 

---

At the courtyard, dozens had their eyes fixed on the spot where Reed stood. 

The air was thick with tension, Some exchanged nervous glances, while others could only stare in silence. 

Reed scanned the pack members that had gathered. 

"Alpha Vale is no more," Reed spoke, his voice devoid of any emotion. "I died at my hands." 

His tone was flat, as if the words held no weight for him as if the life he had taken meant nothing.

This declaration confused spread among the pack members as they muttered amongst themselves. 

Reed unleashed a mighty powerful Roar. The intensity of his roar shook the very ground. Everyone went silent, rather, they all froze with fear. He forced them into silence.

'So, this is the Might of the Alpha's roar? The power to exert absolute dominance.' 

"I have finally grasped my birthright." He threw his fist into the air. "I am the Alpha now." 

"That's outrageous!" A man from the crowd yelled in resistance. This man was Pope, one of the oldest members of the pack. 

"The beta is the Alpha's sword and shield. Yet you committed such a treasonous act by murdering him!"

Before the words had even settled, Reed vanished from view, reappearing directly in front of the speaker. 

"That's right," he said, not bothering to deny the accusation. "Do you have an issue with that?"

Pope shook his head, "I refuse to follow a man like you who didn’t hesitate in killing a wise and humble leader like our Alpha. You stole Lady Rose’s birthright!"

Reed chuckled softly, then held out his hand to show a heart dripping with blood. 

The crowd watched in confusion as he held it out. 

Pope’s eyes widened in horror as he felt a sudden pain. He looked down and saw a hole in his chest. 

Reed sneered. "I do not need you." He crushed the heart in his hand.

Pope plopped to the ground completely motionless. 

The courtyard became quiet, It was as if nature itself mourned the loss. 

Reed coldly wiped the blood from his hands using the lifeless body of his victim. 

A sinister smirk emerged on his face as he turned to the others.

"Any objections?"

One by one, the pack members knelt before their new Alpha.

"Hail Alpha Reed!" 

"Hail Alpha Reed!" 

They submitted to their new leader. Their voices rose in a chilling chant that reverberated through castle walls. 

Hearing those chants, Rose, who had fallen into despair, felt a spark lit up in her. 

Anger... 

Sadness... 

Grief... 

She felt several emotions all at once. She then begins to transform. Her nails and teeth extended growing into sharp claws and fangs. 

She stood up before taking a final glance at her father's lifeless form; she steeled herself, wiping away the last tear that dared to fall.

"Reed!" She cried out from the bottom of her chest. With a brief yet powerful howl, Rose bolted outside. 

Her eyes met Reed from the other side of the courtyard. 

"Lookie here, the princess finally decided to join the party." 

"You traitor... I will kill you!!!"