Chosen by the Alpha

Chapter 4: The Prophecy

The sun hung low in the sky, casting a warm golden glow over the sprawling forest surrounding Emma’s home. It had been a few days since the incident at the bar, and she had done her best to process the chaos of her life. Jace and Leo had given her space, but that didn’t ease the turmoil in her heart. The weight of the prophecy, which she had yet to understand fully, loomed over her like a dark cloud.

After a restless night spent tossing and turning, Emma had resolved to seek answers. She needed to know the truth about the ancient prophecy that intertwined her fate with the two alphas. Maybe then she could make sense of the turmoil inside her.

Emma went to the town’s library, an old brick building between a café and a boutique. It had always been her sanctuary, where she could escape reality in books. Today, however, she wasn’t looking for a distraction; she was searching for knowledge.

The familiar scent of aged paper and polished wood enveloped her as she entered. Rows of shelves stretched into the distance, each filled with countless stories waiting to be uncovered. She went to the back, where the historical texts were kept, hoping to find anything that could shed light on her situation.

After sifting through several dusty tomes, Emma finally stumbled upon a weathered book bound in cracked leather. It felt different from the others as if it held secrets waiting to be discovered. She pulled it from the shelf and opened it, the pages crumbling at her touch.

“Prophecies of the Moonlit Packs,” the title read, and her heart raced. This was it.

She flipped through the pages, her eyes scanning the text. The writings were ancient and cryptic, but as she read, she began to piece together fragments of a story that resonated with her current reality. It was a tale of two rival packs, their alphas bound by fate to a chosen one destined to unite them through love and sacrifice.

“Emma,” she whispered as if saying her name would make the words more real.

But as she read further, her excitement turned to dread. The prophecy spoke of a union, yes, but it was also filled with dark forewarnings. It talked of bloodshed, betrayal, and the heavy price one must pay to fulfill their destiny. Each line sent a shiver down her spine as if the words were alive, warning her of the dangers ahead.

And then, just as quickly as her excitement had bloomed, it was snuffed out. The pages turned, but the prophecy was incomplete. The final verses were torn, leaving only fragments that hinted at a choice that would lead to chaos. Emma’s heart sank as she realized she had more questions than answers.

“What does this mean?” she muttered, frustration bubbling. She needed clarity, not uncertainty.

As she continued to read, the library door swung open, the soft jingle of the bell catching her attention. She looked up to see Jace stride in, his expression a mixture of concern and determination. He spotted her almost immediately, and his eyes softened when he saw her hunched over the book.

“Emma,” he called softly, making his way toward her.

“Jace,” she replied, smiling as she closed the book, hiding its contents from him. She wasn’t ready to share her findings yet. Not until she fully understood what they meant.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, leaning against the shelf beside her. His presence was a comfort amid her chaos.

“Just… researching,” she said vaguely, glancing at the book before meeting his gaze. “Trying to find some answers.”

Jace raised an eyebrow, clearly sensing her evasiveness. “Answers about what?”

“About the prophecy,” she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.

His expression shifted, a mix of relief and worry flickering across his face. “You found something?”

“Some things,” Emma replied, glancing at the book again. “But it’s incomplete. The parts that mention my role are torn, and it doesn’t give me any clear idea of what I’m supposed to do.”

Jace’s jaw tightened, and he ran a hand through his hair, the gesture a telltale sign of his stress. “I should have known. The prophecies are often fragmented over time and tend to be vague.”

“Vague doesn’t help,” Emma shot back, her frustration boiling. “I’m caught between you and Leo, and I need to know what will happen. I can’t choose if I don’t understand what it all means.”

Jace stepped closer, lowering his voice. “I know it’s overwhelming, but you’re not alone. We’ll figure it out together.”

Emma met his gaze, the sincerity in his eyes washing over her like a wave of warmth. “You think so?”

He nodded. “You have the power to unite our packs, Emma. But it will take time, and you need to trust yourself.”

Emma sighed, leaning back against the bookshelf. “Trust me? How can I when the stakes are so high? If I choose wrong, it could mean war.”

Jace’s expression turned serious. “There’s no wrong choice if it’s what you truly want. But know that I’ll fight for you, for us, no matter what.”

His words ignited a spark of hope within her, but doubt quickly crept back in. “And what about Leo? He won’t back down easily. The rivalry runs deep between your packs.”

“I know,” Jace replied, his voice steady. “But this isn’t just about him or me. It’s about what you need. You’re the one who matters here.”

Emma’s heart raced at the intensity of his gaze. “What if I don’t want to choose? What if I want to find another way?”

Jace stepped back, his expression troubled. “Emma, it’s not that simple. The prophecy speaks of a choice. You have to make it eventually.”

The weight of his words hung in the air between them. Emma’s mind spun with possibilities. “What if I could find a way to unite the packs without choosing either of you?”

Jace frowned, crossing his arms. “That could lead to even more conflict. Both packs need to feel secure in their leadership. If they see you as undecided, it could weaken their trust in both of us.”

“Then what am I supposed to do?” Emma pressed, desperation creeping into her voice. “I don’t want to be the reason for more bloodshed. I want peace.”

Jace moved closer again, his voice dropping to a whisper. “Then you need to delve deeper into the prophecy. Could you find a way to complete it? Maybe there’s a hidden truth that can guide you toward the answer.”

Emma nodded slowly, determination blooming within her. “I will. I’ll find the missing pieces. There has to be more to it.”

Jace smiled a flash of pride in his eyes. “That’s the spirit. Just promise me one thing—don’t rush into anything. We have time.”

Emma considered his words, realizing how much she wanted to believe him. But deep down, a nagging fear lingered—what if time ran out?

“Okay,” she said, forcing a smile. “I’ll take my time.”

“Good,” Jace replied, his gaze lingering on her. “And if you need anything, I’ll be right here.”

“Thanks, Jace,” Emma said softly, her heart warming at his support.

Emma felt a flicker of hope as they stood together in the dim library light. She could unravel the mystery of the prophecy and find a way to unite the packs without tearing herself apart. She just needed to keep digging, to keep searching for the truth.

But as she glanced back at the ancient book, doubt seeped in. What if the prophecy was far darker than she imagined? What if it demanded a sacrifice she wasn’t willing to make?

Before she could spiral down that path, Jace placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Let’s get out of here for now. We can talk more later.”

Emma nodded, feeling the warmth of his hand seep into her skin. Together, they stepped out of the library, the world outside buzzing with life, but Emma felt a growing heaviness in her heart.

The prophecy loomed over her, a reminder that her destiny was more complicated than she ever imagined. And as the sun dipped below the horizon, casting shadows across the town, she couldn’t shake the feeling that time was running out.

Later that night, Emma sat at her desk, the ancient book spread before her. The air was thick with silence, broken only by the soft scratching of her pen as she took notes on everything she had learned. But with each word she wrote, the weight of uncertainty pressed down on her.

The words of the prophecy haunted her thoughts. "Only through sacrifice shall the packs unite." What kind of sacrifice? What price would she have to pay?

The thought twisted in her gut. Would it mean losing one of the alphas? Would she have to choose between Jace and Leo, risking everything for peace? Or could she find a way to bind them together without losing herself in the process?

Emma closed her eyes, feeling the weight of her choices bearing down on her. The image of Leo and Jace, solid and determined, flashed in her mind, their fates tied to hers.

What if they were both meant to play a role in her destiny? What if the true prophecy had been lost, but her connection with them was the key to uniting their packs?

With newfound determination, Emma

stood up, her mind racing with possibilities. The answers were out there, waiting to be uncovered. She just had to dig deeper to find the missing pieces that could complete the prophecy.

But as she turned to leave, a gust of wind blew through the room, rustling the pages of the ancient book. A single word, scribbled in the margins, caught her eye.

"Blood."

Emma’s heart skipped a beat. What did it mean? And, more importantly, what did it have to do with her?

With trembling hands, she closed the book and stepped away from her desk, her mind swirling with questions. The path ahead was dark and uncertain, but one thing was clear: her role in the prophecy was far from over. And as the night stretched on, Emma couldn’t shake the feeling that her choices were leading her down a dangerous path—one that could change everything.

To Be Continued…