THE ALPHA'S NIGHTMARE

Selene's POV

“This is a crucial moment that should be engraved in your heart…” David Morrison was suddenly cut off by a growl as addressed the crowd. The onlookers held their breath as the Alpha slowly turned towards them.

One, two, three seconds passed, murmurs erupting as the pack members moved closer to a familiar face. 

“Find the absentee.” I mindlinked Colton, my father’s trusted guard, suspecting that Avina and Nigel were the culprit. But why would they interrupt if they had no intention to join the party?

“Yes Alpha.” He nodded, motioning for Philip to accompany him. My eyes darted to the nonchalant Alpha, but his piercing gaze forced me to look away.

“SILENCE.” My father’s deep smooth voice resonated through the crowd, smothering the noise. There was a pin drop silence, as nobody dared to disobey David Morrison, not even his own daughter.

“Alpha, Avina and Nigel need to be punished.” Colton’s reply was tinged with irritation. As the chief head of guards and my father's right-hand man, Colton is strict on matters regarding security.

“Just let them be.” I swallowed the thick lump of emotion, remembering our last conversation.

Yesterday at 7:40am

“What is he getting from this?” Avina glared at the container in front of her,  clearly envisioning her Alpha. Avina and I literally grew up together, so she witnessed his hatred towards me. Every member of the pack did.

“He said all I had to do was obey him.” I shrugged, sipping my hot chocolate.

“F*ck*ng *ssh*l*.” Avina growled, her frustration evident as she tightened the lid of the carton milk until it rolled off, splashing on her black crop top.

“Calm your f*ck*ng nerves, Shavina.” Nigel’s mocha brown eyes flashed with rage. 

“You know d*mn well that won't solve the problem.” He snapped, running a hand through his tousled dark hair, 

“It's Avina, you moron.” Avina's eyes simmered with anger as she corrected him.

“What?” Nigel looked bewildered, still fuming. She glared at him and stalked towards the sink. If looks could kill, Nigel would be six feet under or more. Maybe eleven? I took a whiff of the calming scent of my hot chocolate and released a sigh of relief.

“Whatever,” He mumbled and turned towards me.

“We will do something about it, and trust me David Morrison will have no choice but to disperse the crowd.” I stared at his determined handsome face.

Back to present day

‘What a plan, they chose the day of your coronation to die.’ My wolf scoffed dryly. She also wants her freedom but not at the expense of their lives.

I took a peek at the Alpha, his unreadable face, sending a shiver down my spine.

‘I prefer him yelling.’ My wolf murmured, increasing my restlessness.

‘Hopefully, Colton won't snitch, right?’ I sought reassurance but who was I kidding?

Despite Colton's confirmation, worry still plagued me.

Fifteen minutes into the ceremony, the hair at the back of my neck stood at attention. I left the stage with a mission, heading straight to the eastern part of our territory.

“What do you think you are doing? Get back here.” David Morrison's authoritative voice halted my steps. 

“Something isn't right,” I paused, using my wolf's ability to detect any anomalities. But all scents were mixed.

“So you think I don't know?” He squinted at me, his gaze piercing.

“You are no different from them, Selene, once a murderer, always a murderer,” he sneered, his words harsh, making me wonder if he was my biological father. 

The ground shook for a few seconds, before it turned into a racing field, shaking vigorously.

“Run!” I shrieked upon realization. But the fear held them in place as they stared at me with horror filled eyes. 

“TAKE COVER.” I yelled in my Alpha voice. This sent everyone running helter skelter but it was too late. A huge brown wolf pounced on a pregnant woman who was running towards the packhouse.

My heart raced as chaos ensued, children calling for their parents, mothers screaming for protection, a heart wrenching scene unfolding.  

“Take them to the cave.” I instructed Avina, urgency in my voice as I placed the children safely on her brown wolf. She nodded, whisking the children away to safety. 

Avina arrived at the scene soon after I mindlinked her and she revealed that she and Nigel didn't get to carry out their plan because of the interruption.

The Alpha of Scarlet moon pack appeared wielding a sword just as I returned to the battle ground. I tilted my head and a slight frown creased my forehead. My eyes widened in horror as I recognized him.

“No, no, No!!” I screamed, running towards them. Transforming into my black wolf, I leaped at the man who had pierced my father's heart with the silver sword. 

Rage consumed me as I clawed at him, but another wolf intervened, knocking me back against a tree that served as a shield for the stage, darkness creeping in as I lost consciousness. 

When I came to, I clutched my head and groaned in pain as the image of the pregnant woman blurred my vision.

“Alpha? Alpha?!” Someone grabbed my hand bringing me back. Then I slowly calmed down as the image faded away. 

“Thank goddess you are fine.” Colton sat down with a sign. He looked haggard and had a cut close to his eyes.

“Where is everyone?” I inquired and slowly turned around because of the pain and noticed that we were not in our pack.

“Alpha,” his voice, sympathetic. 

I ignored the stabbing pain in my heart and gave him my full attention.

“The last thing I recall was fighting the Alpha wolf. How did I get here? And the Alpha, where is the Alpha?” I growled in pain.

“I'm sorry Selene, it's all gone. It's over, everyone is dead.” A tear dropped from his eyes. My mentor, a warrior, who taught me everything I knew about war, defense, strategic planning and how to fight, his sorrow was evident.

“Don’t” I blocked my ears with both hands.

“Don't say you are sorry! DON'T SAY THAT. How could you say that so easily?” I glared at him.

I was drained. The adrenaline had worn off and I knew the gravity of what had happened, but I couldn't accept it.

“We have to find them Colton, we have to..” I paused between words as realization hit me.

“What about Avina?” The kids were with her the last time I checked. I tried to stand, but it was more difficult than fighting off an Alpha wolf.

“Avina?” Colton asked, standing up. His eyes were bloodshot.

“Yes, my best friend, where is she?” my face contorted in pain as intense pain shot through my back. His frown deepened and he looked away.

“I don't know.” Colton answered, extending a helping hand.

“I searched everywhere for survivors after the Alpha ordered me to save you, but there were none.” He locked gaze with me.

“I won't give up.” I declared, determined to find survivors. Then I struggled towards my pack, determined to find hope admidst this hell. But the pain on my back intensified. Why was I not healing?

“There is no hope Selene.” Colton blocked my view and tried to talk me out of it but I shrugged his hands away and continued my quest. 

The eerie silence that greeted us as we graced the shattered pack with our presence gave me goosebumps. 

My heart pounded hard against my rib cage as my breath seized, my hands slightly shook at the sight and the pain was numb for a second.

My heart breaks with each discovery of lifeless bodies.  

“It's all gone Selene,” Colton's voice echoed in my mind but I refused to accept defeat.

“We have to find them, we have to.” I muttered, pushing through pain and grief.

As hours passed, the cruel reality sunk in and I knelt amidst the devastation. Colton never left my side but the weight of our losses was crushing.

“Why?” My body shook as pain and tears consumed me.

Selene's POV

“What the hell?” Colton exclaimed as soon as he saw my condition. He went in search of herbs and returned with two unfamiliar men and explained my condition to them.

“I saw them on the way and asked for help. Luckily they agreed to come here with me.” Colton explained as he placed me in a clear space on the outskirt of our pack. The men had a strange look on their faces as they examined me closely.

“We have never seen something like this before. Give us a few minutes to gather herbs that can help alleviate the pain first.” One of them hurriedly said, his eyes sparkling, for whatever reason.

Then they left and promised to return soon with the herbs. Since we were still in the vicinity of the Lunar Pack, Colton went to get something for me to eat again. I had continually refused food during my search for survivors until now.

“Selene can you stand?” Colton appeared in less than ten minutes empty-handed. His eyes darted around as he reached out