Chapter 8

Sibel’s POV

I can never forget that day. The day everything fell apart. The day I lost my father—the strongest, most courageous alpha I'd ever known.

He was the alpha son of our original pack. Everyone believed he would become a great leader, and he seemed destined for it. His strength, his resolve, his wisdom—they all spoke of the alpha he would one day become.

But life has a way of twisting fate. It was during a conflict between packs that he met her—my mother. She was a fierce, beautiful omega from a rival pack, and their love shouldn't have been possible. Yet, somehow, it was.

I still don't know how they managed it, but they fell for each other in the middle of all that chaos. Their love was a defiance against the rules that governed our world. And they left everything behind—his birthright, her home—just to build a new life together, away from the politics and the bloodshed.

For a time, they were happy. We were happy. A small village became our refuge, far from the packs that had shaped their past. But happiness is a fleeting thing. The past never truly lets go.

My father's pack, his family—they never forgot him. To them, he was a traitor. A son who had turned his back on his duty, his legacy. They saw my mother as a weakness, a stain on his honor. They wanted him back, to reclaim the title they believed was rightfully his. Or if he refused, to kill him for choosing love over duty.

And they came for him.

I was just a child when it happened. I still hear the screams, the clashing of swords, the sound of everything I knew being torn apart. The Golden Crescent Pack attacked us, bringing chaos in their wake. The smell of smoke and blood hung heavy in the air.

My mother tried to shield me from it all, but I saw everything. Our village burning, homes destroyed, bodies lying lifeless. The world I knew reduced to ashes in a matter of moments.

And then, I saw him. My father, standing tall in the face of it all, fighting back with every ounce of strength he had. But there were too many of them.

I still see the man who killed him—the man in grey, his face hidden behind a mask. He moved with deadly precision, his blade finding its mark in my father's throat. I stood there, frozen in horror, as my father fell to the ground, blood pouring from the wound. His eyes dimmed, and he was gone.

We fled after that, my mother and I, running to the Moonfang pack for refuge. But she was never the same. Grief and the trauma of that day weighed heavily on her. She grew sick, and despite my efforts, she slipped away from me, leaving me alone in a world that seemed so unforgiving.

But I wasn't going to let that be the end. I owed it to them—to my father, who had been stripped of his honor, and to my mother, who had given up everything for love. I threw myself into training, working harder than anyone, pushing myself to the brink. I would not be the son of a disgraced alpha; I would prove myself worthy.

And I did. I earned my place here, as Alpha Sibel's beta. I gained respect, found a purpose. Yet, the memories never leave me. The image of my father's death, the screams, the fire—they drive me every single day.

I won't let my father's legacy die like that. I won't let his sacrifice be forgotten.

***

Sibel POV

Beta Paul arrived, his presence instantly commanding attention. I watched as he addressed Cara with a firm tone, "What's going on here?"

Cara, sensing the seriousness of the situation, quickly bowed her head in respect, her eyes fixed on the ground as she waited for his next move. Her posture screamed deference and obedience; she knew she was in the presence of someone who held significant power within the pack.

As Beta Paul stepped closer, I instinctively spun around to confront him, my heart pounding in my chest. His face… there was no mistaking it—this was Beta Paul, my father's chief beta.

I had always known him to be a good and honorable man, someone I had admired since childhood. He carried himself with a quiet strength and dignity that had always impressed me, and he was one of my father's most trusted allies.

I inhaled deeply and let out a slow sigh of relief. With Beta Paul here, I felt certain the dispute between Cara and myself, along with Jolie, would be resolved fairly. Cara had accused us of stealing shoes—a ridiculous, baseless accusation that had spiraled into a serious situation. But with Beta Paul involved, I knew the truth would come out.

"What just happened?" Paul asked Cara, his voice calm yet cold, carrying a weight that left no room for evasion.

Cara stumbled over her words, clearly caught off guard by his direct questioning. "I… She… We…" she mumbled, her usual confidence faltering under the intensity of Beta Paul's gaze.

"Are you really stammering right now when I ask you a simple question?" Paul’s voice was laced with irritation, his patience quickly wearing thin. He took a step closer, his imposing figure towering over Cara. "When did a Gamma gain the right to expel tribesmen, huh? Answer me!" His voice was rising, his anger palpable, making Cara tremble.

"It's not what it seems, Beta Paul," Cara whispered, taking a step back, her eyes still cast downward in an attempt to avoid his wrath.

"Then what is it?" Paul asked, his voice firm. "You can't even answer a simple question, yet you think you have the authority to expel tribesmen? Who gave you that power?"

I watched Cara closely, sensing her shift as she tried to regain control of the situation. She began to approach Paul in a seductive, calculated manner. "I was just trying to help Beta Leo punish these thieves, you know," she purred, her voice dripping with false innocence.

I could see Beta Paul's eyes narrow in suspicion as he turned to look at Jolie and me. His gaze lingered on me, a shadow of doubt crossing his face.

"This isn't going well," Jolie whispered to me, fear evident in her voice. "We need to do something, or we'll be expelled."

I nodded, my mind racing for a solution. Before I could act, Jolie stepped forward, pleading desperately. "Please, Beta Paul, don't expel us from the pack! We'll do anything to make it right."

Paul remained unmoved, his expression stern. "I won't expel you from the pack, but there will be consequences. Theft is a serious offense." His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Jolie and I exchanged worried glances, knowing we were in a precarious situation. Even though we were innocent, the threat of punishment hung heavy over us.

"You'll both receive a public reprimand and perform extra duties for a month. And if I hear even a hint of disobedience or theft from either of you again, there will be no mercy." Paul's words were final, and I could feel the injustice simmering inside me.

Jolie fell to her knees, desperation etched across her face. "Please, Beta Paul, have mercy! We're innocent, I swear! My son is just a boy—he has nothing to do with this!" Her voice broke with anguish, tears spilling from her eyes.

Paul's expression hardened, his voice cold. "I’m afraid a reprimand and extra duties aren’t enough for this offense. You both need to be caned as punishment for theft."

My breath caught in my throat, the severity of the punishment hitting me like a blow. Caning was a rare and humiliating penalty, usually reserved for the most serious offenses.

“Ten strokes each,” Paul continued, his tone unyielding. “And it will be done publicly, as an example to others.”

Jolie collapsed, sobbing uncontrollably, and I knelt beside her, trying to offer comfort. “Jolie, please... we have to be strong,” I whispered, though the words felt hollow.

Cara, her smug grin plastered across her face, couldn’t resist taunting us. “They should be grateful it’s only ten strokes. I would have demanded more.”

Anger surged within me, and I turned to face her. “You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?” I spat. “You’re enjoying watching us suffer.”

Cara shrugged, her expression indifferent. “You should have thought of that before you stole from me.”

I could feel a fire igniting within me, a deep, simmering rage. “Don’t worry, Jolie. I’ve made plans, and I’m ready to reveal my true identity when the time is right.”

Jolie’s eyes widened, curiosity flickering through her tears. “What do you mean? What identity?”

I kept my voice low, steady. “I’ll reveal everything soon, but not now. Just know that I’m not helpless, and I won’t let us suffer unfairly. I have plans.”

Cara sneered, her laughter grating against my nerves. “Who do you think you are, Sibel? What stupid identity do you have that you think will save you?”

I smiled, meeting her gaze with unwavering confidence. “Oh, Cara. You have no idea what’s coming. Keep underestimating me. It will make the fall all the sweeter.”

“Who do you think you are, Sibel?” Paul stepped forward, looking uncertain. “What’s going on here?”

I locked eyes with him, my smile unwavering. “I think it’s time I showed you, Beta Paul. But not here, not now. When the time is right, you’ll know exactly who I am and what I’m capable of.”

Paul’s face was a mix of doubt and curiosity. “I’m not sure I believe you, Sibel. You’re just a low-ranking wolf trying to stir up trouble.”

I leaned in, my voice low and steady. “Oh, Beta Paul, you have no idea what I’m capable of. But like I said, you’ll find out soon enough.”

“You’ve been wrong about me all along,” I continued, my tone resolute. “I’m not just a weak omega, but someone who won’t be bullied and humiliated forever. I’ve had enough of your cruelty, Cara.”

Cara’s sneer deepened. “You’re just a pathetic little omega, Sibel. A nobody. You think you can threaten me?”

I held her gaze, my eyes blazing. “We’ll see about that, Cara. You’ve made a powerful enemy, and I won’t rest until I’ve made you pay for what you’ve done.”

Cara laughed dismissively. “You’re bluffing, Sibel. You have no power here.”

“Wait and see, Cara. Wait and see.”

Beta Paul, clearly unnerved by the tension in the air,