Snow White and the Alpha

Chapter 2: Help

|Nieves|

The memory Lola referenced was a particularly harsh one.

David’s step-mother had dismissed me disdainfully, deeming me unworthy of her son due to my humble origins as a daughter of a lesser branch of the Aphrodite clan. It was only through my grandmother’s influence that the White Clan held any significance at all on the continent.

My grandmother, Beatrice McKenna-White, belonged to one of the most prominent families in the Aphrodite Clan—the McKenna lineage. When she married my grandfather, she became an integral part of our branch of the family. Despite this, she continued to be held in high regard, largely because she was still the sister of Felicia McKenna, the reigning head of the McKenna Pack.

However, David’s stepmother, Aunt Astrid, was the sort of person who judged others harshly based on superficial impressions. Even though my grandmother maintained her respect among those who knew her, Aunt Astrid never missed an opportunity to belittle me. She often suggested that my presence in David’s life was nothing more than a result of my grandmother's influence—that I was merely riding the coattails of my esteemed grandmother and that my existence was a stain on my father's legacy of betrayal against our own clan.

I felt a lump in my throat as the sting of her words hit me. While it was no secret that my birth was a consequence of my father’s infidelity and that I was considered an illegitimate child, hearing it repeated still cut deeply. People often remarked on how fortunate I was to be part of the White Clan despite my origins, but their words did little to alleviate the hurt.

Taking a deep breath, I resolved to push those troubling thoughts aside. I needed to focus on the positives and be grateful for what I had. The Clarksons would be residing at Myrtle Peak for the next three months, which would give me ample time to both familiarize myself with David and to demonstrate to Aunt Astrid that I was more than deserving of her step-son. This was my chance to prove my worth and to carve out my own place in this intricate family dynamic.

Despite the endless barrage of insults that sometimes came my way, I knew that as long as my grandmother, Lola, was by my side, I could weather any storm. I paused the gentle massage I had been giving her, feeling a surge of emotion, and wrapped my arms around her in a tight embrace.

To me, my grandmother was everything. Every effort I made was for her sake. I had witnessed the years weigh heavily upon her, her once vibrant spirit now tempered by the weight of countless responsibilities. I had made a vow to myself: once I achieved the esteemed title of Luna of our pack and became David’s wife, I would make sure Lola could finally rest and enjoy life.

“I love you, Lola,” I murmured softly, pressing a kiss to her cheek. She let out a deep sigh and lightly patted my arm.

“I love you too, Nieves. Hearing those words from you now makes me wish you could stay a child forever. I miss the days when you used to run around and cling to my legs,” she said, her voice tinged with nostalgia. I couldn’t help but laugh at her reminiscence.

Whenever she spoke like this, I could almost predict her next words.

“Well, that’s because you’ve always been my favorite person, Lola,” I replied.

“Am I still your favorite?” she asked with a hint of uncertainty.

“Absolutely! You’re the best grandmother in the world to me. No one could ever replace you,” I assured her.

“That’s a relief,” she said, and we both laughed together, the sound filling the tent with warmth.

I continued to give her the soothing massage she enjoyed, chatting about inconsequential matters. We lingered in the meeting tent for a while longer, basking in the comfort of each other's presence before eventually deciding to head out.

As we stepped out into the crisp evening air, my eyes were immediately drawn to the canvas of the sky, painted in the vivid, molten hues of the setting sun. The moon, a pale guardian, hung low in the northern expanse, its presence already commanding attention. The familiar aroma of smoke lingered around us, a testament to the many beacons now casting their gentle glow across the landscape. The streets buzzed with activity, the steady flow of people rushing back and forth, a sign of the palpable anticipation that filled the air.

In just three days, our long-awaited guests would be arriving, and the entire town seemed to be in a state of organized chaos, preparing for the grand event.

“Let’s go,” Lola said with a weary sigh, her voice tinged with the stress of the day’s meeting. “After dinner, I plan to retire early. I need at least twelve hours of sleep to recover from this madness!”

Her complaint made me smile as we headed towards the dining area.

“Alright, Lola. But may I take a little time to visit the fields to the west before dinner?” I asked, my curiosity getting the better of me.

“Of course, dear. Just make sure to return before ten in the evening,” she replied, her tone gentle yet firm.

“I promise I’ll be back by nine,” I assured her with a reassuring smile.

Lola nodded in approval, accustomed to my evening excursions to the fields located a few hundred meters west of the town’s heart. It wasn’t too far, and with my horse to carry me, I was confident I would return in good time.

I chewed on my lower lip, lost in thought about one of my persistent insecurities. It’s a harsh truth that within the Wolf Tribe, a woman who cannot shift into her wolf form is seen as weak. And unfortunately, I am one of those individuals—lucky me .

As soon as Lola and I stepped into the dining area, we were welcomed by the warm, familiar faces of our pack. Our numbers are small—fewer than a half-thousand, not counting the children and elders. It has become our tradition to share our meals together, a practice born from necessity and closeness.

Dinner often devolved into a boisterous celebration, a riot of laughter and conversation that I cherished deeply. Despite our modest size, the bonds within our clan were remarkably strong. For me, there was a certain comfort in knowing that their attention toward me was largely due to my lineage as Beatrice White’s granddaughter. Yet, that recognition was enough for me to feel a sense of belonging.

After the meal, in accordance with my grandmother’s wishes, she retreated to her private cabin, while I mingled with our people before settling into my nightly routine. I had no fear about leaving the confines of our grounds. Within a mile radius of our hearth, our lands were protected by vigilant warriors who patrolled the surrounding forest, including the fields I planned to visit that night.

My favorite spot lay near the edge of our territory, almost at the borders, where I could find solace away from the bustling life of our pack.

Just a few hundred paces from my cherished sanctuary lies the domain of one of the three dominant clans—the Hades clan. Though their reputation paints them as the most merciless and savage of the three, and despite the elders’ stern warnings about the perils of wandering here at night—particularly the threat of encountering a Hades clan member—I felt no trepidation. My visits to this field have spanned nearly half my life, and danger has yet to materialize. Even when I am unable to shift into my wolf form, an instinctive sense of an unseen presence in my territory has never yielded anything more threatening than the occasional subtle sensation.

A contented smile tugged at my lips as I emerged from the forest, greeted by the scene I never tired of. I tilted my gaze upwards, where the night sky was adorned with a myriad of twinkling stars. The crescent moon hung high, casting a gentle glow. The true gem of this place was the lake, shimmering a hundred meters away.

I deftly pulled the reins of my horse, bringing it to a halt. Disembarking with practiced ease, I guided the horse to its usual spot and secured the reins. Then, with an eager heart, I turned toward the expansive field and sprinted barefoot towards the lake’s edge. I felt like a child racing to a beloved playground, thrilled to be back in this magical place. The landscape looked even more enchanting as fireflies began to dance around. It baffled me why the elders discouraged their children from visiting such a wonder.

The soothing symphony of crickets, the gentle caress of the evening breeze, the cool grass beneath my feet, and the earthy aroma of the musk and grass were my personal sanctuary from the world’s chaos. This serene moment, with nature cradling me in its embrace, was what I defined as true peace.

I waded into the shallows of the lake, the chill of the water biting at my toes. Delighted, I splashed and kicked, sending glistening droplets soaring across the surface. Occasionally, if my playful antics left me drenched, I would indulge in a spontaneous moonlit swim. These small, simple joys were what brought me happiness.

Time slipped away unnoticed as I lost myself in the tranquility of the lake and its picturesque surroundings. The hem of my dress grew damp, but it was only when I finally turned to leave that I noticed the sky painted in vibrant hues of orange and yellow—a stark contrast to the gentle darkness of the night.

My brow furrowed as I observed a dark plume of smoke rising ominously into the sky, accompanied by a distant cacophony of sounds. Despite my inability to transform into my wolf form, my senses—sharpened by both nature and necessity—allowed me to detect and analyze the situation swiftly.

As the screams and yelps pierced the night air, and the realization dawned that the smoke and light were signs of a fierce blaze, a sense of dread tightened in my chest. It became painfully clear that danger had befallen my town, and I had to act quickly!

It felt as though my feet had a will of their own, guiding me toward where I had tethered my horse. My gaze remained fixed on the upper branches of the trees, a sense of urgency propelling me forward. As soon as I reached my horse, I swiftly untied its reins and leaped onto its back, yanking the rope to spur it into a gallop.

Fear gripped me as the cacophony of screams grew ever louder, filling my ears with a chilling intensity. The acrid smoke wrapped around me, growing denser with every passing second, making it increasingly difficult to breathe. Sweat dripped down my forehead and neck, a mix of heat and panic.

“Please…please… I hope everyone is safe!”

Desperation surged through me. I had to ensure the safety of everyone—make sure the fire threatening our town was merely an accident and not something more sinister. I needed to believe that the danger was not as dire as it seemed, that perhaps I was just imagining things.

I drove the horse harder, whipping it with all my strength to cut down the time of my journey. My heart pounded violently against my ribcage, dreading the sight that awaited me beyond the forest’s edge.

But as I burst into the open, my heart sank. Before me lay a vast inferno, its flames roaring hungrily into the sky. The horror was compounded by the heart-wrenching cries of my people trapped within the blazing hellscape. Their voices pierced through the chaos. And they were all screaming for…help.