The Seventh Alpha

|1.| Codex

*Selene*

Water dripped down the old and moist concrete walls. Cobwebs in every corner as the smell of dead animals made me cringe at my nose. Walking down the empty hall, I make a turn and walk deeper into the old hallways. No one was around. It was the darkness and me.

Quickening my pace, I make another turn and stop. Then, grabbing the torch on the wall, I descend the slippery stairs. The clicking of my heels echoed down the row of stairs.

As I reached the end of the stairs, I walked to where the old enormous dark wooden doors stood. Raising my eyes, I stare at them. It was a sight to behold every time I would come here.

Lifting my slim hand, I put it over the symbol. Moving the emblem in the middle, I turn it over. The four locks on the sides of the door started rotating until they reached my hand. A loud bang was heard on the other side, the double doors unlocked. I move my hand away as they open for me. The smell of humidity and burning reached my nose. I waved my hand as the smell made me cough.

Wet concrete walls, crumbling pillars, and slippery floors greeted me. I was stepping into the enormous cave. I set the torch on the side. Reaching the small set of stairs, I sigh. The torch lights illuminated the old place. Reaching for my skirt, I descend the stairs carefully. Hearing a rustling sound, I look to the side.

“Damn rats!” I hissed, annoyed.

Continuing my path, I finally reached the center of the cave. I moved a hair strand that bothered me as I looked to the front. A dark wooden podium laid in the center of the cave. On top of it was what I had come for, the codex.

Walking over, I stop and stare at the book. I scoffed at it.

I was not too fond of this. Reaching for the lock, I open the book. Dust flew all around me as I turned to the page I’ve been looking for. Sliding my finger down the yellow pages, I stopped once I found it.

“Ten, is it now?” I murmur to myself. Sighing, I pinch my nose and continue reading. Turning two more pages, I stop when I see a specific name. “Twenty more years….” I whispered, “Is there nothing that I can do?”

Shaking my head, I sighed. It was something I never liked. Going back to the ten names, I pulled a dagger out, cutting the palm of my hand. Raising my hand over the names, I mutter a phrase and let the blood drip over them. Each word started disappearing as I glared at it. In less than five minutes, the ten names vanished from the codex.

“Father will surely ask me how many this time,” I sighed, cleaning my hand. Looking at how the wound closes, the mark of the eye appears again. “I simply can’t understand how this can be called a gift,” I said and closed the codex, locking it once again. Turning around, I head back out.

“Ut Claudat Ostia,” I whispered as the two enormous doors closed behind me.

…

Finally reaching the entrance of the place, I look up to the sky. It was gloomy.

“You’re finally done?” someone asked. Turning around, I find my brother.

“Deimos,” I mutter.

“Shall we go, dear sister?” Deimos asked, offering his hand. His pitch-black eyes and short black hair made him look ethereal.

“Sure,” I mutter, grasping his hand. Then, glancing over my shoulders, I frown. This place had a terrible omen to it.

“Is father waiting for my return?” I asked as I stared outside the window.

“Yes, he’s been wondering how it goes. He seemed worried,” Deimos said, chuckling, “You know father worries for your wellbeing.”

“I know,” I said, looking his way, “but he shouldn’t.”

Deimos stopped smiling. Instead, he glared at me.

“Selene,” Deimos said, making me roll my eyes.

Without saying another word, we continue our ride back home in complete silence.

As we arrived, we get down from the carriage. I lift my head and find my other brother waiting at the place’s entrance. Janus was smiling at us.

“Shall we sister?” Deimos said.

I look back at the road as we hear thunder. Rain will soon reach here.

I turned back as Deimos pulled my hand. My eyes shifted to the enormous gray pillars that made the entrance of our home vast. The white double doors and massive chandeliers hang, illuminating the gloomy day. Gray and white walls with marble floors that reflected our faces made way for me. I looked to the side, and several servants were working in the garden.

“The roses are blooming,” Deimos said, squeezing my hand. I smiled as I stared at the white roses.

Every time I returned home. It felt like it was the first time I was coming here.

“Welcome home,” my brother Janus said.

“Thank you,” I said as I looked into his blue eyes like mine.

“Our father is waiting,” Janus said, walking next to me.

“Tell him I will meet him later,” I said, making a turn towards the stairs.

“What?” Janus frowned.

“You heard me, Janus. Don’t make me repeat myself,” I spat angrily. Janus frowned and turned his head. Turning my back to them, I head up to my bedroom.

The hallways of the place were empty. But, as my father calls it, this place or mansion had twelve bedrooms, two libraries, four living rooms, a dining room, a training hall, four offices, an enormous kitchen, and a piano hall. It was the home our father, the king of vampire seekers, built for us.

A vampire seeker was a hybrid vampire. I was born to a royal vampire and a special breed of a seeker. In this case, my father is the seeker, and my mother was the royal vampire. A vampire seeker is born with extraordinary gifts. Magic or powers. We could have one to two skills, and we get respected more than any other supernatural being. No one could oppose us and go against us. We are born with a strength that no one can compare. But I hated this so-called gift. Not only because I was the only woman in the seeker’s royal family but because of my gift.

My gift is the Eye of the Codex. It is a gift where I take life away from others. However, it wasn’t any person or being, but only wolves. I take the life of wolves every six months.

Opening the doors to my bedroom, I find someone on my bed.

“Seth?” I said, frowning. The man with long brown hair turned his head. Then, smiling, he stood up and walked over.

“Finally home, my princess,” Seth whispered as he moved a hair strand. I frowned slightly.

“I wasn’t expecting you,” I said, turning away.

“Surprise then?” Seth smiled as he kissed my cheek. I stood still as Seth moved his hand down my back.

Grabbing my waist, he pulls me. I put my hands over his toned chest.

“Are you in a foul mood?” Seth asked, chuckling.

“I’m just tired,” I said, pushing him.

Seth grabbed my arm and turned me around to face him. Leaning closer, he kisses me. I closed my eyes as he moved his lips. I wasn’t in the mood.

“Come on, my beautiful seeker,” Seth said, making me sighed.

“Not today, ok?” I said, turning around and walking to the bathroom. Closing it, I lean against the door. Then, noticing that the bathtub was ready, I undressed.

I flinched as the warm water touched my skin. Once my body adjusted, I leaned my head and relaxed.

...

Feeling someone carrying me, I tiredly opened my eyes. Somehow I had dozed off.

“Deimos?” I said as I tried to sit up.

“Relax,” Deimos whispered as he sat me down in the bed. Crouching, he looks at me. I gripped at the towel that covered my body. “How many times have I told you not to fall asleep during a bath?”

“I fell asleep?” I asked, confused.

“Yes,” Deimos said, standing, “I found Seth a while ago, and he told me you had been taking a bath since two hours ago. The bastard didn’t even check on you.”

I look down. It wasn’t the first time I had fallen asleep during a bath.

“Let it be the last time,” Deimos retorted. I nodded obediently.

Standing, I walk into the closet to get changed. Deimos leaned against the door frame. His back to me.

“Father is impatient,” Deimos suddenly said. I flinched at his words.

“I know, I will go right now,” I mutter as I fix my hair.

Once done, we head down. We walked towards the adjacent building. That’s where my father and the elders gathered—ordering the guards to open the two white doors. Deimos steps in first. I followed behind with my head down.

“Welcome,” my father said as I peek under my lashes. “It’s about time you’ve come.”

I rolled my eyes in annoyance. Then, bowing, I lifted my head and looked at him. His black eyes met mine.

“You seem tired,” my father said.

“No s**t,” I spat back.

“Feisty as always,” my grandfather Drystan said, laughing. “Welcome home, my dear.”

“Thank you,” I smiled.

“So tell us how many this time?” my father, King Veles asked.

“Ten,” I answered, “Just ten.”

“That’s surprising,” my grandfather said, humming.

“I also found it surprising, but that’s what the eye saw,” I said, sighing, “I just did what it asked for.”

“Good, we shall put this into the record. We have been hearing rumors that a witch paid a visit to the Alpha King,” my father explained tiredly, “I don’t think the witch will tell him, though.”

“Never trust a witch,” my brother Janus said, “You know they can be good with what they say.”

“I know, but I have the feeling she won’t mention it,” my father answered back.

“Can I go now?” I asked with arms crossed.

“Already? Not staying?” my grandfather asked.

“No, I just want to rest,” I mutter with a smile. My grandfather nodded.

Looking back at my father, he quietly nods. I excused myself and headed back out.

Tiredly, I walked back to the mansion. I was dragging my feet. Passing by the vast windows, I stop and stare outside. I heard thunder as rain poured down.

“What a strange day,” I mumble as I continue walking. Shutting the doors to my bedroom, I started undressing.

As I lay in bed, I stare at the window. Raindrops slid down the glass as lightning and thunder crashed together. Then, closing my eyes, I fall asleep.

A man, a hand, his voice, and his green eyes, those eyes that pulled me to him and made me shudder; I couldn’t distinguish his face. It was blurry. Grabbing my hand, he reassuringly squeezed it. His lips moved. What was he trying to say?

Trying to answer back, I notice that only my lips moved. What was happening? Suddenly a hand reached for my neck, slamming me against the cold floor. I tried to scream, but my voice wouldn’t come out. Scared, I tried to push the person away. Who was he?

Confused at what was happening, he suddenly stopped. He bends over and whispers in my ear. All I could hear was the word “see.”

Breathing hard, I tried to push him away, but he put his weight over me. Struggling under him, I panic. Then, as my vision blurs, I hear a loud crashing.

I sat up in bed. Sweat and tears slide down my face. Panting, I reached for my neck. My entire body was icy as I nervously checked my neck.

“It was a dream, Selene,” I mutter. Then, closing my eyes, I try to take several deep breaths.

Sighing, I open my eyes again. It was still raining hard. Moving the blanket away from my sweaty body, I stand up and walk towards the window. Putting my hand over my chest, I breathe. The temperature was dropping.

Distracted, I noticed a movement outside. I frown. What was that?

Staring intently, I try to see if I can find the shadow again. Noticing it move behind some trees, I frowned. There was someone. Running out of my room, I make haste towards the garden. I know that not anyone could step inside our land. But, especially since my father placed a barrier all over our territory, was it someone familiar?

Rushing down the stairs, I turn and head towards the kitchen door. Everyone was already asleep. Pushing through the doors, I step into the rain. My bare feet made a tapping sound as I looked around.

“Where did it go?” I mumble, squinting my eyes. The rain wasn’t letting me see well. Suddenly something passed behind me. I turned around, but there was no one. Closing my eyes, I try to concentrate on my surroundings. Then, hearing a footstep, I turn and move my hand. I was reaching for the shadow.

Grasping something, I yank it. The person stumbles back. Slamming him hard against the ground, I bring my fist down, but the person stops it. Eyes wide, I stare at the person. He covered his face with a dark cloak. Unable to see his face well, I try to reach for his hood, but he flips me over. I groaned as he reached for my neck. Lifting my leg, I kick him. The man cursed as he backed away. Standing quickly, I pulled a dagger that was under my nightgown.

The person smirked as he moved to attack me. Smiling, I dodge his attack, cutting him near his stomach. The man grunt as I turn and slam my hand on his face making him fall backward. Jumping over him, I reach for his hood. The man used his arm to block me, but I caught it and pulled it away. A man with golden eyes looked at me, surprised.

“Wolf?” I mumble in shock. Distracted by him. He finds the opportunity to push me. We heard voices behind us. Seeing the chance to flee, he runs away. Fisting my hands, I stare at him.

“SELENE!” My father yelled. Stunned by everything, I keep my eyes on the man that disappeared. “Selene, are you alright?”

“Yes,” I mumbled without looking at him.

“Janus! Track that man down, now!” my father ordered.

“No!” I said, raising my hand to stop him.

“Why?” my father asked angrily.

“Let him; he’s just a wolf,” I said, standing. My entire body was covered by the rain and mud.

“What did you just say?” my brother Deimos asked, “He was a wolf?”

“Yes,” I said, turning around, “Just let him go.”

“HOW CAN WE LET HIM GO?” my father yelled angrily. I knew why he was so mad.

“He won’t make it out of here,” I said, walking away.

The dagger I used to cut him had poison. A lethal one for any kind of being. One that would only take ten minutes to kill him on the spot.

“Send someone later when the rain has subsided,” I said, waving my hand.

Running up to me, my brother calls my name. I stopped halfway up the stairs and looked at him.

“You know they can’t know about you, Selene,” Deimos said worriedly.

“Nothing will happen,” I said, smiling weakly, “Trust me.”

“But Selene!” Deimos repeated. I smiled again and lowered my head.

“Just trust me,” I mumble, “Trust me this time.”

Deimos just looked at me. A crease formed on his pale face. Heading up, I leave him alone. I knew it worried everyone. But they had to trust me at least once. Reaching my room, I go back to the window.

Leaning my head, I looked towards the forest.

“Yes, just trust me,” I mumbled and closed my eyes.