The Rejected Alpha King

As I walked into the vast hall, I could feel the tension in the air, and the gentle buzz of electricity made my arms stand on end. Gold and blue torches flared, their light creating spectral shadows that danced around the stone walls. The PackLink Council was carved out of stone, standing in a semicircle close to the dais, their faces inscrutable.

He stood in the middle of it all.

The Alpha King was Alexander Kade. He fixed me with his storm-gray eyes, which were as icy and unforgiving as a winter storm. His intense stare made my heart race, and the brittle optimism I had been holding on to was on the verge of crashing. However, I stood my ground, erecting my shoulders and giving him a direct look.

Like a thousand tiny blades, the murmurs of the assembled pack slithered through the air and around me.

"An outlaw?"

"A rogue leading us?"

"The Alpha King will never allow it."

I pushed my chin up, but their remarks stung. I was no longer simply a nobody. I had to keep the fissures under my veneer hidden from them.

The ceremonial moonstone, shining dimly as if alive, lay atop the dais that towered ahead. Its light beat steadily, like its own heartbeat. Every step I took in its direction seemed like a test, yet I continued on, unwavering and steadfast.

The sound of Elder Reginald's voice pierced the clamour like a dagger. “Sophia Hayes,” he said in a commanding voice, “you have been called here as the Spirit Luna, chosen by prophecy to bring our kind together and bring the packs back into harmony.

The scepticism in the air was almost oppressive as the whispers became loud grumbling. To centre myself, I balled my fists and let my fingernails to dig into my palms. The light from the moonstone called out to me, pushing me forward.

Then he made a move.

Alexander moved in front of me, his presence a powerful storm of power. Around him, the air felt colder, with a hint of ice and pine. With a predatory elegance that promised both power and devastation in equal measure, he towered over me, every inch the Alpha King.

With a voice that sliced like a whip through the cacophony, he said, "You stand here as a symbol of hope." But there was no warmth in his remarks. "A rogue may have been elevated to this position by the prophecy, but hope must be earned." Strength has to be shown.

My optimism's smouldering flames went dangerously low. His remarks were a warning rather than a call to action.

Elder Reginald came up and extended the ceremonial sword to me. Its sharp, unforgiving edge sparkled in the torchlight. The weight of the moment pressed down on me as I reached for it, my pulse thumping.

I raised the blade, prepared to cut, prepared to let my blood to connect me to the power of the moonstone. However, Alexander's words echoed once more before the blade made contact with my flesh.

"I find this union intolerable."

Sharp, incredulous gasps echoed around the crowd. The words didn't register for a second. As the implications dawned on me, I gazed at him, transfixed.

"Alexander—" When a hand was raised, Reginald's protest was interrupted.

"She is unfit," Alexander said in a firm and determined tone. "A renegade cannot lead our people. She is not deserving of leadership only because of the mark.

Each phrase tore at my pride as the words struck me like a slap. Tears threatened to escape, but I resisted letting them fall as my eyesight became blurry. Not in this place. Not right now.

Reginald said in a stern tone of disdain. "Is this your final choice, Alpha King?"

"It is," Alexander said without holding back.

I felt the oppressive weight of his rejection pressing down on me. The blade glinted mockingly in the firelight as I lowered it, my fingers shaking. The crowd's murmurs increased, and voices began to overlap erratically.

"She doesn’t belong here."

"The King is right—she’s just a rogue."

"She’ll never lead us."

Their remarks rubbed against my already untamed soul, but I resisted giving up. A defiant, unforgiving fire blazed down in my breast.