The Forgotten Alpha

Tension was high in Elden Hollow as the residents got ready for the night. A full moon's pale light created unsettling shadows on the clearing, and a howling wind blew through the thick trees that surrounded the remote settlement. Sophia darted through the narrow paths, her boots kicking up dirt as she carried a bundle of firewood to the elder's house. The weight of the bundle wasn't nearly as heavy as the stares she endured from the other villagers. Sophia could hear a whispered voice say,

"There goes the cursed one."

Sophia lowered her head and gazed at the ground with her silver eyes. She didn't want them to notice how much her heart hurt. She was accustomed to their disdain-the looks, the whispers, the way kids were dragged away as she passed. All because of her eyes-unusual, bright silver, unlike any other in the pack-and the fact that she had never, ever transformed into a wolf. Another voice whispered,

"Freak."

She bit back a reply, her hands tensed.

She had learnt from years of mockery that defending herself simply made matters worse. As she reached the elder's house, she pushed the door open with her shoulder and dropped the firewood near the hearth.

The elder looked up from his seat by the fire. His wrinkled face was stern, but his eyes carried a flicker of pity. "Thank you, Sophia," he said sternly. "You should go home right now. It's not safe tonight.

Sophia scowled. "Is it unsafe? Why?

The older man paused, looking out the window. "Rogues in the area have been mentioned. A big bundle. They have begun attacking neighbouring villages.

Sophia felt a shiver go down her back. Outcasts who lived by their own laws and attacked without mercy, rogues were feral werewolves. "Don't we need to alert the others?"

"I've told the hunters," the elder said. Now go.

Sophia nodded, but she felt a knot in her stomach. The village felt strangely quiet as she stepped outdoors. Instead of the normal laughter and talk, there was a quiet murmur of anxious voices.

She quickened her pace, heading home. The small wooden house she shared with her adoptive father stood at the edge of the village, near the forest. She pushed the door open and found her father sharpening a blade at the table.

"Rogues?" he asked without looking up.

Sophia nodded. "The elder said to stay inside."

Her father grunted, his expression grim. "We'll be fine. Just keep the door locked and stay out of sight."

Sophia sat by the window, staring out at the forest. As if alive, the shadows appeared to move and writhe. She had a persistent sense that something was seriously amiss.

-------------------------------

Hours went by. The village was illuminated by silvery light as the moon rose higher. Sophia stayed by the window, her nerves jangled, while her father dozed off in his chair. Suddenly, a distant howl pierced the silence.

Her heart leapt into her throat. She leaned closer to the window, scanning the treeline. The howl was followed by another, and another, until the air was filled with an eerie chorus.

"Father," she whispered, shaking his shoulder.

"Wake up."

He woke up, dazed. "What is it?"

But before she could respond, the howls became growls and snarls, and then-screams.

Sophia's blood became icy. Here were the rogues. Taking his blade, her father walked over to the door.

His voice was stern as he ordered, "Stay inside."

"But-"

Before leaving into the darkness, he snapped.

Sophia hesitated for a moment, then followed him to the doorway. She could see shadows moving between the houses, shapes too large to be human. The villagers were screaming, fighting back, but it was chaos.

One of the creatures-a massive, black-furred wolf-lunged at a villager, dragging them to the ground. Sophia's father ran toward the fray, swinging his blade.

"Dad!" she screamed, but he didn't look back.

A figure emerged from the shadows behind her, and she barely had time to react. A rogue pounced at her, its eyes blazing crimson. Sophia staggered back inside and slammed the door. With its claws ripping at the wood, the wolf smashed into it.

She felt a rush of fear, but she also felt a peculiar burning sensation deep in her chest. Her vision became blurry, her breath became rapid, and her heart thumped. Her limbs started to shake, and she could feel the heat radiating from her body.

The rogue rushed in as the door flew open. Sophia let out a cry and raised her hands in a helpless attempt to protect herself. But then something extraordinary happened.

A surge of energy exploded from within her, and she felt her body shift. Her muscles rippled, her bones cracked and reshaped. Pain and power flooded her senses. In an instant, she was no longer the frail girl everyone had mocked-she was a wolf.

A magnificent, silver-furred wolf.

The rogue hesitated, clearly startled. Sophia growled, a low, menacing sound that she didn't know she was capable of. The rogue lunged, and she met it head-on, her instincts taking over.

The fight was brutal and fast. Sophia's claws slashed across the rogue's chest, and her teeth sank into its throat. The rogue yelped, struggling, but she didn't let go. With a powerful twist, she ended its life.

Panting, she stood over the rogue's body, her silver fur gleaming in the moonlight. Adrenaline and confusion swirled through her head. She had shifted. She had fought-and won.

The sounds of battle outside drew her attention. She bolted out the door, her heightened senses picking up every detail-the scent of blood, the cries of the wounded, the growls of the rogues.

Sophia joined the fray, her movements fluid and fierce. She fought alongside the villagers, her presence turning the tide of battle. The rogues began to retreat, their ranks broken.

As the last of them fled into the forest, the villagers gathered in the clearing, staring at Sophia in shock. She shifted back into her human form, collapsing to her knees. Her thoughts were spinning, her body shaky.

One of the villagers murmured, "That's her." "The Silver Wolf."

The older man stepped forward, his face serious. "Sofia, you're not safe here." Her voice was no more than a whisper when she said,

"What do you mean?"

The elder hesitated, then spoke words that would change her life forever. "The rogues weren't here for the village. They were here for you."

Sophia stared at him, her heart sinking. The villagers' fear was noticeable, and she knew what was coming.

The elder said, "You must go." "Tonight."

She nodded despite the tears in her eyes. She knew in her heart that he was correct.

The dying rogue's words, "The true queen lives," replayed in her head as she packed her belongings.

Sophia was keen to learn what it meant, even if she didn't know.