Chapter Two | 18th Birthday.

FRANCESCA

The golden hour arrived, and darkness enveloped everything as I heard voices – female voices, screaming, crying, and begging for their miserable lives back.

I never thought I would cherish that miserable life over dying in such a way.

Suddenly, the piece of clothing covering my eyes was removed, and the first thing that caught my eyes was the large fire in front of me.

My hands were tied tightly together, just like the other Omegas surrounding me. We were seven Omegas from different backgrounds chosen to be buried alive by the dark Alpha King Hector's side.

I could see the fear on their faces, feel the intense pressure of the atmosphere. We surrounded the fire as the Alpha warriors stood behind us, watching our every move. I didn't know where we were, but I knew it was the main territory of Alpha King Hector.

People were watching us. Many had come to the burial ceremony as I glanced behind me to take a look.

Surely, there was no escape. I couldn't believe I was going to die before turning eighteen tomorrow.

My destiny was cruel, harsh, bitter, cursed!

Now, it was beginning as men dressed in formal white, with pieces of gold attached to their clothing, appeared. They were carrying a white coffin adorned with ancient-looking gems.

It must be the Alpha King Hector, the immortal alpha who had never changed physical appearance since the fifteenth century.

Shock consumed me as I read what was boldly written by the side of the coffin as it was lowered below: "1500-2022."

"The Dark Alpha King Hector of the Lockwood Pack North lived strong and ruled great. If not for his iron fist and unwavering determination to become the largest and strongest pack in the entire world, today's achievement wouldn't have been possible. Gifted with immortality by the moon goddess herself, he led millions into a better part of light and purpose. As an honorable ritual requested by his infamous brother, dark Alpha King Alexandros of the Lockwood Pack South, we offer seven Omegas to be with him in his next life."

The priest delivered his eulogy, and I almost vomited hearing it. "He led millions to light?" More like he led them to slavery.

"Bring them!"

Murmurs could be heard from the crowd, while we cried for forgiveness for nothing we had done, just to escape the horror of being buried alive.

"10 seconds more to 12 am." The priest looked at the huge wall clock hanging above the building. The ticking sound applied pressure to the atmosphere until we heard the final word from the priest: "Bury them."

I was thrown into the six-feet grave first, and upon landing on the Alpha king's coffin, I realized it was way deeper than just six feet.

They couldn't possibly bury seven Omegas and the Alpha king himself in just six feet. This had to be at least twelve feet deep.

"Please, please! I'm not ready to die!"

"Mom, help me!"

I fought back tears trying to escape my eyes, anger consuming me as I faced the reality of dying like this, along with the other girls crying for help from their parents.

Crack!

I felt my bones shift, followed by excruciating pains in my abdomen that forced me to curl my body in the grave. It was burning my insides!

A burning sensation so intense it felt like it was killing me. Amidst that, my bones were breaking, and it became harder to breathe.

No one came to my aid. The girls were busy fighting for their lives as the grave was being covered with us inside, alive.

Soon, the most painful crack of my bones occurred, and then it all stopped.

I opened my eyes, finding myself amidst the people again, despite having just been buried alive twelve feet under. Everyone's face held shock as they looked back at me, and I realized I could sense their feelings of fear, regret, and hear their racing heartbeats.

Suddenly, I looked at my hands. Lo and behold, they had changed into paws with sharp claws.

I noticed something wafting behind me and looked – it was a tail.

The pain had completely disappeared, replaced by a new comforting feeling.

'Leave the rest to me, Francesca! I will make everyone pay dearly with their last blood!' A voice spoke inside my head, and I held my breath, frightened.