Chosen by the Alpha

Chapter 13: A Glimpse of the Past

Emma’s mind was still reeling from the Council’s revelation as she decided to seek answers. She knew that if she was going to make sense of the prophecy and find a way to unite the packs, she had to understand the past—the origins of the rivalry that had kept them apart for centuries. The Council had hinted at a dark history that seemed to echo in her current predicament, and Emma was determined to uncover it.

Guided by a sense of urgency, she sought out the only person who might hold the answers she needed: an ancient seer named Elara, known for her deep knowledge of werewolf history and the prophecies that shaped their world. Elara lived in seclusion, far from the territories claimed by Jace and Leo’s packs, in a hidden enclave that few could find without guidance. Emma had heard tales of Elara’s wisdom but also of her eccentricity; some said she could see the past as clearly as the present, while others whispered that she was mad.

When Emma arrived at Elara’s dwelling, a small, overgrown cabin surrounded by thick, gnarled trees, she felt a chill run down her spine. The air was thick with the scent of earth and old magic. She hesitated momentarily before knocking on the weathered wooden door, half-expecting no response. But after a few seconds, the door creaked open, revealing a dimly lit interior.

“Come in, child,” a raspy voice called out from the shadows. “I’ve been expecting you.”

Emma stepped inside, her eyes adjusting to the darkness. The room was cluttered with ancient books, scrolls, and relics, their purpose unknown but undeniably powerful. Elara was seated by a small, flickering fire, her silver hair cascading down her back, her eyes bright and sharp despite her age. She looked at Emma with a knowing gaze as if she could see straight into her soul.

“You wish to understand the past,” Elara said, her voice soft but steady. “To see where it all began. But be warned, child, the past is not always a place of comfort. It holds pain, betrayal, and truths that can shatter even the strongest hearts.”

“I need to know,” Emma replied, trying to keep her voice from trembling. “If I’m going to stop this war, I must understand why it started.”

Elara studied her for a moment before nodding. “Very well. But to uncover the truth, you must be willing to confront it, no matter how painful.” She gestured for Emma to sit across from her, and when Emma did, Elara placed a hand over a small, ornate bowl filled with a shimmering liquid. “Close your eyes,” she instructed. “Let the past reveal itself to you.”

Emma did as she was told, and soon, the room around her faded away, replaced by visions that flickered before her like scenes from a dream. She saw two figures standing at the edge of a cliff, their eyes locked in a fierce, desperate stare. One was a man with dark, wild hair, his eyes burning with anger; the other was a woman with a regal, stoic expression. Emma could feel their tension, which spoke of betrayal and heartbreak.

“This is where it began,” Elara’s voice echoed in her mind. “Centuries ago, the Silverclaw and Bloodmoon Packs were not rivals but allies. Their alphas, Fenrir and Seraphine, were not just leaders—they were lovers, destined to unite the packs under one banner. But their love was not to last.”

Emma’s heart ached as she watched the scene unfold. Fenrir and Seraphine were arguing, their voices rising with each word. Through their heated exchange, she learned that Seraphine had been accused of betraying Fenrir and conspiring with an enemy to weaken his pack. The accusation had driven a wedge between them, turning their love into bitter resentment. It was clear that they had once cared deeply for each other, but now, they stood on opposite sides, unable to bridge the gap that had formed between them.

Emma’s vision shifted, and she saw the aftermath of their feud—a brutal battle between the packs that left both sides scarred and shattered. Families were torn apart, and friendships turned to ashes. The alliance that could have brought them strength had been destroyed, and with it, any hope for peace. The feud had only grown over the years, with each new alpha inheriting the hatred and distrust of those who came before them.

“History repeats itself, Emma,” Elara’s voice was softer now, almost mournful. “The prophecy you seek to understand is not just about your future but about breaking a cycle that has continued for far too long. Fenrir and Seraphine’s love could have united the packs, but their failure to trust each other tore them apart. And now, you find yourself at a similar crossroads.”

Emma’s eyes snapped open, the vision fading but leaving her with a sense of profound sadness. She now understood why the packs were so deeply divided, but she also saw parallels between the past and her situation. Jace and Leo, like Fenrir and Seraphine, were powerful alphas who could either bring their packs together or drive them further apart. And she was at the center of it all, caught between two futures—one of unity and one of destruction.

“But how can I break the cycle?” Emma asked, her voice barely above a whisper. “How can I choose, knowing what’s at stake?”

Elara’s eyes softened, and she gently took Emma’s hand. “The answer lies not in choosing between Jace and Leo but in understanding the bond that connects you to both. The prophecy speaks of a triad—a bond that requires all three of you to work together to find a new path. It is not about favoring one over the other but healing the wounds that have festered for centuries.”

Emma’s mind spun with the implications of Elara’s words. Could it be possible for her to unite the packs without having to choose between the two alphas? It sounded like a dream, but she could not deny the truth in Elara’s eyes. The seer had seen the past, and she understood the future better than anyone.

“There is one more thing you must know,” Elara said, her expression grave. “The enemy that seeks to exploit the division between the packs is not new. The same force manipulated Fenrir and Seraphine, feeding on their insecurities and fears. It is a darkness that thrives on discord and has returned because it senses an opportunity. If you fail to unite the packs, it will grow stronger, and it will bring ruin not just to the packs but to all who live within their territories.”

Emma felt a chill run down her spine. She had thought her biggest challenge was choosing between Jace and Leo, but now she realized that the stakes were far more significant. The dark force that had driven Fenrir and Seraphine apart was still lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike. And if she didn’t find a way to break the cycle, it would succeed.

As she left Elara’s cabin, Emma felt a new determination. She had come seeking answers and found them—though they were not the answers she had expected. She understood now that her role was not just to be a destined mate but to be a leader, to bring peace where there had been only conflict. But she also knew that it would not be easy. Breaking the cycle would mean confronting the fears and insecurities that had kept Jace and Leo’s packs apart for so long and facing the darkness that threatened them all.

But for the first time, Emma felt hope. She had seen the past, and she knew what was at stake. Now, she had to find the strength to do what Fenrir and Seraphine could not—trust, heal, and unite.