Chapter 8 - Provoked By The Alpha

“I awoke abruptly to sunlight streaming into the room through the window. My first sight was of the bed I had been in before. But I realized that something was different. I stood up, disoriented, and began to search frantically for Conan, my heart pounding as my search proved futile. He was no longer in his bed. A wave of fear washed over me, flooding my mind with troubling thoughts. Would I never see him again? Would I never smell his sweet baby scent? My anxious steps took me back and forth across the room, my hands shaking as I tried to open the locked door. A chair near the window caught my attention, and in a fit of anger and desperation, I threw it violently. I felt exhausted and completely nervous. Shouting, I ran my hands through my hair and took a deep breath, trying to regain my composure. Agatha, what a mess you got us into,” I shouted, directing my frustration at myself. 'Finally, the door unlocked to reveal Victoria, who entered the room with a gentle smile. Her eyes, now human, reflected an understanding I had never imagined. She approached me holding a breakfast tray and asked softly, 'Are you all right, dear? You must eat to endure what is to come. My only concern at that moment was Conan, and I ignored her instructions. “Where is Conan?” I shouted. “It's too dangerous for him to stay in this cabin right now,” she explained calmly, placing the tray on a table near the chair I'd thrown. “Do you think your all-powerful king can't protect his own son?” I taunted with a hint of sarcasm. Victoria chuckled at my comment and shrugged her shoulders. “You really don't like him, do you?” “I don't usually sympathize with wolves or guys trying to hunt me down,” I replied with a sarcastic smile, sitting on the bed. “Is he okay?” She nodded, understanding that my concern was for my nephew. “Please, eat. You're visibly weak,” Vick said, picking up the tray and carefully bringing it closer to the bed, every gesture showing kindness so as not to frighten me any further. “I'm not hungry…” I sighed reluctantly, “but I'll make an effort to eat. I must protect my brave nephew.” I was determined to protect him for the rest of my life. Concentrating on this thought, I sat down at the table and began to eat, determined to face what was to come. “Your transformation will happen today,” she warned, as if she could read my mind. “I want you to eat and go through the process!” I jumped out of my chair, startled. “Didn't I have three days?” I inquired, clearly distraught. “Darling, you've been asleep for two long days,” her voice sounded reassuring. “You're right, the baby isn't safe with my brother right now. He…” She glanced around to make sure no one could hear her voice. “He wasn't like this before. Ever since he was cursed, his behavior has been strange. I always thought your sister would help him overcome the evil. Maybe I was wrong…” Before she could finish, the Alpha suddenly entered the room and looked at us sternly. “May the moon bless you and light your way with us,” Victoria declared as she stood up and walked away with her head down, avoiding eye contact with her brother. “Everyone fears you, don't they?” I challenged him with a steady stare. “Do you fear me?” he asked sarcastically. “No,” I replied without hesitation. “No?” He approached me, predatory, trying to corner me. For the first time, fear was not in the air. “No. I know you don't want to kill me. I still don't understand why you want to keep me alive,” I said. “You are already almost a corpse. It would be cowardly to take your life now. You must go through the transformation, and only our Moon Goddess will decide your fate,” he explained. “What happens if I survive the transformation?” I asked, watching his heartfelt demeanor. It was strange to see how a bloodthirsty wolf could turn into such a handsome man. It must be the irony of fate! “If you reach the point of becoming a she-wolf, then I can really hunt you…” He pinned me against the wall, his human mouth coming close to my neck. I knew he was ready to taunt me in any way he could. “This time, human, I will enjoy your flesh and blood.” A strange sensation ran through my body. Despite the fear that dominated me, a burning flame ignited within me, eager to play with danger. I swallowed hard and tried to push him away, but he didn't move. I slipped under his arms, looking for a safe place to breathe. Likewise, I noticed a playful smile on his lips, but I chose to ignore it. “Will the transformation hurt?” I asked in a low whisper, lowering my gaze. “More than you can imagine, human…” The candor in his words made me raise my chin toward him. “How is the transformation?” He approached me again, speaking slowly. “First, your bones begin to break, throwing you to the ground.” His eyes were closed. “Then the dense fur will grow all over your body. The elongation of the limbs, I find the most exciting part of the pain.” He teased with a flick of his tongue before continuing. “Next comes the shortening of the snout and the development of sharp claws and fangs.” I took a deep breath, trying to process what was to come. “Is there anything else I should know?” I asked, my voice shaking. “Loss of control is imminent.” His eyes sparkled, as if he had relived some hidden memory in his mind. “The thirst for blood is insatiable; the beast will dominate, acting primarily on primitive instincts. Resulting in violent attacks on anyone or anything in its path.” “Will I become irrational?” I covered my mouth, trying to control the knot that had formed in my throat. “How do you control it?” Laughing, he had already caught up to me, pulling me close and digging his claws not too deep into my hip, eliciting a groan of pain. “Strength, training and having the goddess on your side are necessary, human…” He withdrew his claws, leaving only one long one, and returned to my chin, scratching it and collecting a drop of blood. He licked it and smiled. “Don't worry, I'll be here during your trial…” “To make sure I die?” With tears in my eyes, I took a few more steps forward, stepping into his dangerous game, noticing his breathing get a little heavier. “You look a lot like her,” he murmured, pressing his forehead against mine. “To make sure your transformation doesn't get out of hand, and to witness the deity's choice.” Increasing the pressure on our foreheads, he forced me to take a few steps back, causing pain.