The Seventh Alpha

|5.|A Yearning Heart

*Selene*

A hand around my neck. I struggled as the tightness around my neck became unbearable. Why was he doing this?

I tried to free myself. I wanted to tell him to stop. But once again, my words didn’t come out. His lips moved. What was he telling me?

I tried to reach for his face, but I couldn’t. Who was he? I felt tears on my face as the suffocating feeling got my broken heart.

...

“NOO!” I yelled as I abruptly sat in bed. What was that about?

Looking around confused, I tried to find the lights.

“Selene?” my brother Deimos said as he opened the door and rushed to my bed. I pushed his icy hands away from me as I panicked. “Calm down. It’s me!” Deimos said as he tried to reach for me.

“STAY AWAY!” I said as I backed away from him. My hands trembled as I put them in front. Then, turning the lights on, Deimos looks at me worriedly.

“Breath Selene,” Deimos whispered. Taking deep breaths, I close my eyes and try to calm down. Then, feeling his hand on my cheek, I open my eyes again and stare at him. His eyebrows furrowed as he worriedly searched for anything wrong with me. “What happened?” he asked.

“J-Just a dream….” I mutter, averting my face. Something cold fell on my hand as I looked down. Confused, I reach for my face. I was crying.

“It’s been the seventh time you’ve had nightmares since coming here,” Deimos said worriedly, “I don’t like this.”

It’s been over a month since we arrived. I have been trying to adjust. In the beginning, I thought I could, but honestly, it’s taking a toll on me. It’s like something is telling me to leave this place, not to be here. Like if my heart is yearning for something.

Sighing loudly, I laid back. Deimos moved closer. I could see he was concerned. Then, putting his hand over my forehead, he frowns.

“You have a fever,” Deimos muttered.

“I do?” I asked.

“Yes, let me call the doctor,” Deimos said standing, I reached for his hand, stopping him. Shaking my head, I ask him to stay. “Selene, what if this gets worse?”

“It won’t,” I mutter, pulling him. Sighing, Deimos gets to bed. Laying down, I curl next to him. Tiredly, I closed my eyes, but my mind kept replaying the scenes. I gripped Deimos’s shirt; I couldn’t stop shaking.

“Selene, tell me, what was your dream about?” Deimos asked. Every time I had nightmares. He would ask the same question. I could never be honest and tell him what it was. For a reason, my lips couldn’t move and tell him.

“Nothing, let’s just rest. I want to train hard tomorrow,” I said, hugging Deimos.

“Selene, you’ve been training since you arrived. You’ve become addicted to the fights. Why are you so insistent in becoming strong?” Deimos asked curiously.

I stare at the window. Then, smiling weakly, I knew the answer.

“I need to become strong. I have to, no matter what,” I mumble. Deimos stayed silent. After the witch came and visited me, I had this need in my heart to become strong. I would do anything just to be a powerful woman. I couldn’t let anyone in the future get to me.

“Fine, let’s sleep now,” Deimos mutters, pulling the covers over. I calmed down as I listened to the breeze outside.

…

I groaned as I looked outside the window.

“Really now?” I mutter under my breath.

There was a tremendous storm. It has ruined all my plans for the day. As I look up at the sky, I notice the sky getting darker. I slam my head on the window glass.

“Watch it, Selene,” Janus said as I groaned.

Opening my eyes, I pout. I had so many things on my mind for today, and everything got ruined. Pushing myself up, I backed away and sat on the floor. A fur rug and pillows of different colors and sizes formed a comfortable seat. Crossing my legs, I grabbed a book that was on the side.

“A history book?” I said, frowning.

“Yes, I’m reading that,” Janus said as he kept his eyes on another book, “You should read it. It talks about the history of wolves.”

“Why would I be interested in that?” I asked angrily.

“I don’t know,” Janus said, shrugging his shoulders, “Thought you wanted to know about them?”

I curiously looked at the brown book: yellow pages and crooked edges. I flip through it. I was going over specific paragraphs.

My curiosity was getting the best. Crooking my head to the side, I furrowed my eyebrows. The Alpha Kings?

“This book mentions the Alpha Kings?” I asked curiously.

Janus looked at me.

“Yes, there’s a brief story about them,” Janus explained.

“All of them are here?” I asked as my eyes moved down the names.

“They must be there. I know the last seven are written there. Also, information about the kings got written, and I think a certain description of how they look is also there,” Janus smirked, “What interested in one of them?”

“No,” I said, looking up, “Why would I be interested in any of them? And aren’t they already dead?”

“They are except for one,” Deimos said from behind. I looked towards the table that was on the corner. Deimos was writing something down.

“You mean the remaining king, right?” I asked him. Deimos stopped writing and glanced my way. I waited for an answer, but he only continued writing.

“Yes, the last king. If I’m not wrong, his name was Allerick?” Janus answered. I repeated the name on my mind.

“Allerick,” I whispered. Then, looking back at the book in my hands, I flipped through the pages until I found his name. “Interesting,” I said, smiling.

“What is it?” Janus asked, closing his book.

“It says he is one of the strongest Alpha wolves, and he has never found his mate,” I said, giggling, “Poor guy. I would like to fight him.”

“The only way you can fight him is if he captures you,” Janus said, chuckling. I tense at his words. Then, hearing a slamming behind me, I close the book and stand up.

“Refrain from unnecessary words Janus,” Deimos hissed angrily, “Where are you going?” he asked as I put the book back on the shelf.

“To my bedroom,” I mumble as I flee the room.

For a moment, I had forgotten about him. Was he the one the witch mentioned? Leaning against the hallway wall, I try to think of any detail mentioned in the book—anything about him.

“Was there nothing?” I murmured.

“Is something the matter?” I heard a voice aid from behind. I snapped my head and found my father’s acquaintance standing with a cup in his hands. He frowned as he looked at me from head to toe. “I asked, is something the matter?”

“Nothing,” I said, turning away from him. My father’s acquaintance was a hybrid, half-vampire, half-mage. He was pretty imposing and gave off a dangerous aura. He barely spoke to me since I arrived a month ago. “Excuse me,” I muttered.

Reaching my bedroom, I close the door. Locking it. Hearing thunder, I yelp and turn around.

“Damn it!” I cursed, annoyed.

Walking over to the window, I take a seat on the armchair and stare outside.

“I should take a warm bath,” I mumbled. Untying my dress, I throw pieces of clothes on the floor. Once naked, I tied my hair in a bun and got in the bath. The bathroom looked dark as the gloomy sky covered the sun. “How long will it rain?” I retorted. I hated rain.

…

Combing my hair, I hear a knock on the bedroom door.

“Come in,” I said without looking. The door never opened, and I frowned. “I said come in.”

Putting the comb down, I get up and try to check who it is. Opening the door wide, I find the hall empty.

“Did I hear wrong?” I mutter. The storm was still strong, so maybe I got confused by a noise outside?

Closing the door again, I returned to my vanity table when something reached from behind. I tried to scream, but they covered my mouth with a piece of cloth.

Raising my leg, I reach for my ankle and pull a dagger out, stabbing the person behind me. The stranger screamed in pain as I turned and hit him on the face, making him lose balance. Suddenly I heard a loud crash downstairs. What was that?

Moving my eyes towards the door, I wait for one of my brothers to come in, but no one arrives.

“f**k it,” I said, gripping the dagger and running out of the room. Hurriedly I tried to reach for the stairs, but the same stranger pulled my hair. I screamed in pain. “Let go!” I said, flipping the dagger around and attacking him. This time he dodges it and moves back.

Taking a better look, I notice half of his face is covered. Who was it?

Another crash has me looking down worriedly. What was that ruckus? I could hear Deimos hissing.

“Eyes here, b***h,” the stranger said as he ran up to me. Crouching, I flip over and move behind him. I ran and jumped to kick him on his back. The man yelled as he fell over the stairs rail.

“DEIMOS! JANUS!” I yelled.

“SELENE!” Janus said, calling from downstairs. Hurriedly, I ran down and grabbed his hand.

“What is happening, brother?” I asked worriedly.

“We have to go. I can’t explain now,” Janus said, pulling me. I noticed he was bleeding from his chest.

“What about Deimos?” I said, pulling him back.

“He will be fine; the mage is with him,” Janus said, yanking my arm, “We have to go.”

“But Janus!” I said, stopping again.

“Selene, we have to go. The wolves are here. They have come for you,” Janus whispered, looking behind, “Please!” he begged. Looking behind, I curse and start running.

I didn’t know where Janus was taking me, but we kept running. Occasionally I would glance behind. Finally, we were far away from the house.

“Where are we going?” I asked breathlessly.

“Somewhere, it’s safe,” Janus said as we ran quicker.

Tripping on something, I fell and ripped my dress.

“Are you alright?” Janus asked as he helped me get up.

“Yes, let’s continue,” I said as I noticed a shadow move from the side. Slanting my eyes, I gasp when I see the gigantic figure running towards Janus—pushing him away. The beast bites on my arm. I rolled with him.

“SELENE!” Janus yelled, but we rolled down a slope. Landing, I groan and try to get up. The beast growled as I looked into his eyes. Golden eyes glowed at me.

“So it’s one of the dogs,” I spat as I stood up. My arm bled as I moved it. Seeing it was a superficial wound, I pulled a longer dagger from behind my dress. “Ok, how about I kick your ass now?” I smiled.

The beast growled as he shakes in anger. Smirking, I wait for him to attack me.

Attacking me, he tries to bite my arm, but I kick him straight in the face. The wolf cried as I heard a cracking sound.

“Don’t think I’m weak, beast. This b***h is going to peel you off and make a rug out of you once I’ve killed you,” I said, laughing. The beast’s eyes turned dark as he growled loudly. Moving inhumanly fast, I jump over him and grab him by the fur. He tried to turn his snout and bite my arm again. Smiling, I bring my dagger down and stab him twice in the neck. The wolf cried.

Shaking me off, I fall on my buttocks. I stood up quickly and advanced. The beast used his claw to stop me, but he was too slow. I moved fast and rolled under him, cutting him on his legs. He howled as I got up. Kicking me in the face with the tail, I groan. The wolf found a chance and jumped me over. Defensively, I put my arms up. He tried to bite my face.

Pushing his weight away, I let go of the dagger and used my arm below to stab him right under his snout. He shouted as he backed away. My blade is still on his snout. Shaking his head, he tried to use the claws to move it. I laughed as I watched him struggle.

“Don’t even try,” I said, walking up to him, “It’s a poisoned dagger. You will still die.”

Wobbling, he stumbles and falls sideways. I looked down at him as I kicked him in the face. He still had the energy to growl at me. Pulling another dagger, I stab him straight between his eyes. The wolf stopped moving and fell to the ground. I sighed as I reached for the blades and pulled them.

“Selene, are you alright?” Janus asked as he descended the slope.

“Yes, what about you?” I asked, checking his body.

“I’m fine. We have to go,” Janus said, glancing towards the dead wolf, “Deimos is heading that way.”

“He is?” I asked in relief.

“Yes, he is ahead; let’s go,” Janus said, grabbing my hand. Nodding, we ran down the river that was passing by.

Reaching a rocky cave, I look up. An immense mountain was over it.

“When did we run so far?” I asked, looking around.

“I shall explain later; let’s go. Deimos is over there,” Janus said, pointing towards the entrance. Climbing the rocks, we reach the entrance. Deimos was standing in a corner, covered in blood.

“Selene!” Deimos said, hugging me. I smiled as I hugged him.

“Are you alright, brother?” I asked worriedly.

“Yes, just some scratches. What about you?” Deimos asked, stopping where the bite was.

“It’s nothing. It’s already healing,” I said, lifting my arm. Deimos grabbed it and licked the blood off. “Deimos, please,” I said, pulling away.”

The wound started healing as I cleaned it. Rolling my eyes, I look around.

“Where is this?” I asked, confused, “And what happened to our father’s acquaintance?”

“He stayed behind,” Deimos muttered. Was something wrong?

“What? Why?” I asked, looking at him. Deimos averted his face. “Deimos?”

“He will be fine,” Janus said, shaking his head. What was happening?

Scratching my head, I sigh.

“No, what shall we do? They know we are somewhere here!” I said exasperated, “What if they find us here?”

“They won’t,” Deimos said, sitting on the rocky ground, “There’s a spell here.”

“Seriously, Deimos? A spell? Wasn’t there one over on the house, and they still found us?” I spat angrily, “What makes you think they won’t find us here?”

“Because there’s wolfsbane here,” Janus explained, “This mountain has wolfsbane. So they would never dare step here.”

Massaging my face, I sit down next to Deimos.

“Now what?” I asked, leaning my head on his shoulder.

“We shall wait for a while. Then we will walk down that path,” Deimos explained, pointing into the dark cave.

“What there?” I asked, frowning, “Why?”

“Because that leads somewhere else. Out of this place,” Deimos sighed, “We will be safe. Just rest now.”

I shook my head. I felt stressed, knowing that wolves could find us at any moment.

“No,” I said, standing, “Let’s continue. If we stay here, they will know.”

“You sure, sister?” Janus asked worriedly. He barely worried for me, so why now?

“Yes,” I reassured him, “Let’s not waste time.”

Janus and Deimos exchanged looks. Then, nodding, they stood up and grabbed my hands. We started walking down the dark path. I could feel Deimos’s hand tremble.

Squeezing his hand in reassurance, I followed them. I had an ominous feeling.