The Alpha’s deception and the voice beneath the sky.

The Alpha’s deception and the voice beneath the sky.
Selene POV

We arrived at a place I recognized instantly—the scent of pine, damp earth, and the faint echo of howls through the trees. Fangwood. My heart thudded painfully in my chest. The guards dragged me out of the carriage while my knees nearly gave out beneath me. The air was colder here, sharper.

Then Eleazar stepped down, his eyes gleaming with a darkness that made my stomach twist. The driver and two guards bowed before him before turning back toward the palace. Eleazar leaned in close to whisper something to them, his tone low and dangerous, before they rode off into the fading dawn mist.

Two dark-cloaked wolves remained beside me, gripping my arms so tightly I could feel their claws threatening to pierce my skin.

“Why are you taking me here?” I demanded, my voice trembling with both fear and fury. “This is Fangwood territory—this belongs to Luna Seira’s pack!”

Eleazar’s lips curved into a cruel smirk. “Oh, you remember this place? Good. Because this is my territory now, red girl.”

I froze. “What… what do you mean?”

He chuckled lowly, stepping closer until I could feel his breath against my face. “Yes, my territory. I was born here. Banished once—but tonight I’ll reclaim it. And because of you, I’ll return stronger than ever. I will be Alpha again, the King of Wolfkind, and soon the ruler of all humans. They will worship me… and your blood will be the key.”

His eyes gleamed with madness.

“No!” I shouted, thrashing in the guards’ grip. “I’d rather die than let you take my blood!”

Eleazar’s smirk disappeared. His hand shot out, wrapping around my throat and lifting me slightly off the ground. His grip was iron, his voice a demonic growl. “You have no choice, Selene. You’re already in my territory. Tonight, the Blood Moon will rise—and your blood will awaken the beast inside me.”

He released me, and I crumpled to the ground, gasping for air as the wolves dragged me again—this time into the underground chamber beneath the Fangwood mansion.

The place smelled of damp stone and blood. A glass ceiling above allowed the pale daylight—and soon the moonlight—to pour in. I could already imagine the crimson glow that would stain it when night came.

Moments later, two figures entered. The Luna… and Amera.

Their faces twisted into cruel smiles as they approached. “Welcome back, Selene,” the Luna said softly, her tone mocking.

“You… traitor,” I spat, glaring at her.

“Oh, don’t be so dramatic, dear,” she replied, brushing a strand of my hair aside. “I did what must be done for the sake of our kind. Your blood is destined for this. You can’t stop it.”

“I’d rather die than help you!” I hissed, slapping her hand away.

“Well,” Amera said with a vicious grin, wrapping her hand suddenly around my neck, “then your wish is our command.”

Her grip tightened. I clawed at her wrists, desperate for air.

“When you’re gone,” she whispered darkly, “Aeron will finally see me. I’ll be his Luna soon.”

I could barely breathe. My vision blurred.

“Enough, Amera,” Eleazar’s voice thundered as he caught her wrist and pulled her away. “Don’t kill her yet. Wait for the Blood Moon. Her blood must be pure when I take it.”

Amera pouted, glaring down at me with burning hatred. “He won’t come for you, Selene,” she sneered. “He’s chosen his pack over you. You’re nothing but a curse now.”

She shoved me hard, and I fell to the cold stone floor.

I bit my lip to hold back the sob threatening to escape. My body trembled with pain, fear, and defiance all at once. The Blood Moon was coming… and if Eleazar’s words were true, this night might be my last.

I would never let my blood crown a monster.

They left me—locked away in the cold underground chamber, my wrists raw from the ropes that once bound me. The silence pressed heavy, broken only by the faint dripping of water from the stone ceiling. No light reached this place except the dim silver gleam filtering through the glass above. I didn’t know if anyone would ever find me here.

I looked around the shadows and noticed an old mirror leaning against the wall, cracked and covered with dust. I crawled toward it, my body weak, every movement sending pain through my limbs. When I finally reached it, I stared at the reflection that looked back at me—barely a girl anymore, pale and hollow, her face streaked with tears and dirt.

My hair, still tangled beneath the white cloth, fell loose as I pulled it free. It spilled down past my shoulders, gleaming faintly under the skylight like strands of living fire. The red shimmer looked like blood.

“I carry the crimson curse,” I whispered bitterly. “This is what they want.”

My hands trembled as I pulled my torn dress from my shoulder, revealing the red scar etched across my skin—a mark that never faded. It pulsed faintly, as though the blood beneath it called to the rising moon.

“It’s still here,” I murmured, tracing the scar with trembling fingers. “It means my blood is destined for sacrifice… but not for him. Not for evil.”

My vision blurred. “I won’t let Eleazar take it. I’d rather die first.”

I gripped the mirror and slammed it against the stone. It shattered, scattering sharp fragments around me. I picked up one, its jagged edge glittering faintly. My heart pounded.

“I’m sorry,” I whispered shakily. “My wolf still dormant… I have no chance to live here.”

I lifted the shard toward my wrist—then froze.

A voice echoed through the chamber, soft yet powerful, neither man nor woman.

“Stop,” it said. “You don’t need to do that. When the Blood Moon rises, everything will change. You are the bearer of peace… and your wolf will awaken with power.”

My breath caught. I turned wildly, scanning the shadows. “Who are you? Let me see you!”

But the voice faded, leaving only silence.

“Hey! Come back! Who are you?” I cried out, my voice trembling.

No answer—only the faint hum of the sky above, as if the heavens themselves had spoken.

And deep within me… something stirred.