003

“What did you just say?” He asks, his voice a rough growl dripped with the Alpha aura that blankets me with uneasiness.His scent undeniably strong and dare I say.. alluring.

“No… not to you.I was talking to my wolf” I quickly defended myself.A moment of silence passed between us, only spiking the tension furthermore then came his deep voice.

“Name”

“What?” I blink in confusion.

“Your name and age” He demands.

Why will I tell him my name? Who is he even?

When I don't answer, he lets out a breathy ‘fuck it’ before shoving my face to the side on the ground and stuffing his face in the crook of my neck.

“Get off me!” A panicked shout escaped past my lips.I wiggle to get out of his strong grip but I might as well be trying to move a wall.

His nose brushes against my bare neck as he inhales a deep breath, sending goosebumps all over my skin.Unlike my panicked brain, my stomach did a weird flutter.

“Inez..My name is Inez and I'm eighteen” I say in a rush which makes him freeze then with a blink, he is quickly off me.I place my palm on my chest, feeling it's fast heartbeat before quickly getting up to stand on my feet.

‘Why use my name? And Eighteen? Are you kidding me? He doesn't look like he will buy your lie’ Inez says but I ignore her as I stare at the man in front of me.Without my heels, I look even shorter next to his almost six feet tall frame.He could be taller at how his chest was at my eye level.

“Why are you out in the woods alone?” He continues, “specifically here”

“My Pack..my choice and who are you to question me about anything?” I retorted.

“Just answer me” He demands.

I scoff in disbelief, “Piss off”

With that I turn to march off only to feel a hand at my nape, pulling me back and coming face to face with this stranger.

“Watch how you talk to me” His voice edged with slight anger but I was done letting everyone treat me like I am obliged to do and answer everything so I growl in response, leaving him stunned for a moment.

“Who the hell do you think you are? Let go off me or else—

I am cut off by a loud horn that echoes in the forest.The sound which is used by the Council members to summon everyone for an emergency meeting.

Oh Goddess what was that for? Last time, it was to tell us how our Alpha was attacked brutally.Thankfully, he made it out alive.Then what emergency is it now?

My train of thoughts comes to a halt when this stranger speaks.

“You will find out and when that happens, we will have this talk again without that grumpy attitude of yours” He stares down at me, almost leaning a little too close to my lips.My heart almost skipped a beat, anticipating what was coming next.He continues,

“Till then live because it's going to get worse”

He lets go of my neck and sprints away.I rub the back of my neck, my skin unusually hot as if his touch still lingers there.

‘Who was he to leave such a threat?’ Inez scoffs.

‘My life is already worse..How worse can it get?’ I sigh before making my way out of the woods.Once I was back on the road, everyone was in a rush to reach the Pack ground.I spotted Maria in her car with her friends.

I am taken off guard when she stops by, “Hop on, it's emergency”

Still surprised, I get in the backseat then she drives like a maniac making me hold onto the seat for my dear life.

“I really hope it's not true..I can't imagine our Pack without—

She is cut off by Maria's stern but tensed voice, “Shut up! Speak good for once”

I am still confused as they argue, “I'm really scared, Maria”

“So am I but that doesn't mean we'll start assuming the worst” My sister speaks, her voice strained which is very unlikely of her.They know something but won't tell me even if I ask.

We reached the Pack ground and quickly left the car to join people that were gathering around the stage.Once we got closer, I spotted Beta Ken with the rest of the five Council members.Their face pale and scent sour.

In the corner on the stage, Alpha's only daughter Sharon is barely standing.Her bloodshot eyes makes my stomach drop and assume the worst possible scenario.

No..please no.

“Attention everyone” Beta Ken says into the microphone, “As you all know our Alpha was injured” He pauses for a brief second then continues, “Unfortunately he didn't make it—

The crowd erupted in whispers and murmurs, hard to believe such a thing when we were told our Alpha was doing fine then how is it possible?

“Quiet everyone” Beta Ken starts again, “Our beloved Alpha is no more with us and he made some decisions before taking his last breath”

We are all silent for a while, unable to process such devastating news.I look over to Sharon who is now crying silently with no one by her side.

“The Council had been discussing who our new Alpha will be but since Sharon is still young and umated which makes it a tough task to put such responsibility on her—

Beta Ken glances at Sharon, “Our Fallen Alpha's nephews from the Dark Shadow Pack will be taking over the responsibility.One of the DeLuca Sons will be our New Alpha”

The whole Pack gasps at the mention of the Dark Shadow Pack.

The Pack is infamous for its superiority and very strict security.Not only that, no one ever dares to speak ill of that Pack or stupid enough to be on their bad side.

“DeLuca sons? Oh Goddess! Sharon used to say her cousins are a menace” One of the girls behind me speaks, “Menace would be an understatement.Do you not know when Luisa visited their Pack years ago, she told us about those scary rumors”

“What rumors?”

“The second born son is known a literal beast…whether it be his physique or sex drive”

“Oh please, don't listen to her.Only Luisa can tell us important information about the sons”

I look over to see who the girls are, recognising them as one of Sharon's age-mates.Everyone starts to walk out of the ground but I rush over to the stage.I should tell Beta Ken about the stranger in the woods.What if he had something to do with the Alpha's death?

Beta Ken and the council members were leaving when I felt a hand on my shoulder.I looked over only to see my mother.

“Now where are you going in a hurry?” She looks mad as always.Eyes tired indicating the horn disturbed her sleep.

“I have something to tell Beta Ken” I answer honestly, “When I was in the woods, I saw someo—

“You were in the woods? Are you kidding me Sofia Vez?” My mom cuts me off, grabbing my arm in a tight grip and glaring at me.

“Mom..I—

“How many times do I have to tell you not to wander off in the woods ever yet you went there? Can you make things any harder than they already are”

I look down, biting my inner cheek as once again she scolds me without even listening to me.

“Did you shift and who saw you—

“I didn't shift and mom please, there was someone in the woods.Maybe He was behind Alpha's death” I dare to cut in her scolding.She squints her eyes at me before releasing my arm from her tight grip.

“What? Who are you talking about?” A very familiar female voice interrupts us.Mom and I look at the owner of the voice.Two steps away stood Luisa with a stunned expression, staring at me.

“There was this man.. He came from the other side of the bridge” Upon hearing my words, Luisa looks back to where her father stood talking to the Council.

“Not here..Let's talk in there” Luisa whispered, signaling at the small outhouse at the far end of the ground.Mom and I followed her quietly inside.

I frown at the sweet smell coming from inside but the sound of footsteps steals my attention.

I turn to look at Beta Ken walking through the door, “What is it Luisa?” He asks, glancing at each one of us.

“Sofia claims she saw someone in our Pack from across the Forbidden bridge” After hearing her words, His eyes widened and I saw clear panic in them.

“He might still be in the Pack” I say quietly.