Tainted Alpha's Promise

I knelt by the altar with my head bowed down, struggling to keep my tears at bay.

"What is this?" Lucas sneered. "She's weak, her aura is faint. Can she even transform?"

I remained on my knees, digging my nails into my palms aggressively. The insults kept coming and each one felt like an arrow piercing through my chest.

"I, Alpha Lucas, reject this worthless thing as my Luna." He said. "She's a cursed child, what could she possibly bring to my pack?"

I could feel the heat of their eyes burning through my back, the hate they all felt for me just because I was nothing but the worthless child of the once great Alpha Gerrard.

The next Alpha approached me, his voice softer than the last. "I respect your father and will always look up to him. But I can not accept this union."

I got the same response from every single Alpha and the moment the blood moon was over, they all disappeared.

I remained frozen in place, my mind numb and foggy as I mindlessly scratched my palm with my premature nails. It wasn't until I felt the warm, sticky blood dripping down my finger, pooling in my palm that I stopped.

The pain snapped me back into reality. "I failed again." I muttered, my voice barely audible as tears streamed down my cheeks.

As I knelt there, lost in my own despair, I noticed a subtle change in the atmosphere. The once calm and still forest was now alive with tension. Slowly, I raised up my head to scan my surroundings.

That was when I saw them - three large wolves emerging from the darkness, their eyes fixed on me.

"Rouges." I breathed out.

The largest of the three werewolves, a towering figure with piercing yellow eyes, was heading towards my direction. Its growl grew louder, more menacing, and it sent a wave of fear over me. I opened my mouth to scream but nothing came out, my throat felt dry and words had deserted me.

The second werewolf was a bit smaller than the first, its fur as black as coal. It began to circle around me, its eyes fixed on me with an unnerving intensity. I tried to follow its movement, but my head felt heavy, my vision blurring at the edges.

The third werewolf, a smaller, scrappier-looking creature with a mottled brown coat, hung back, its eyes fixed on me with a curious expression. It seemed to be sizing me up, wondering if I was worth the trouble.

They began circling around me, their growls sending fear through my chest.

The largest of the three began walking towards me. Once it got closer, I felt his hot disgusting breath on my face and I tried to stand up to run but my knees buckled to the ground in fear.

"What do you want?" I asked, my voice no louder than a whisper.

His growls became louder and he was no farther than a foot away from me.

"You're our dinner!" He snarled and raised his claws in the air.

I shut my eyes closed, waiting for the impact of his claws but instead I heard a louder growl echo through the forest. Unlike theirs, this one seemed more powerful and dangerous.

I slowly opened my eyes and saw a man emerging from the forest, his eyes blazing red with intensity.

"I advise you boys to go find another prey unless you want me feeding you your hearts." He said, his voice dangerously calm.

The wolf in front of me took a fearful step back. "Let's go!" He snarled and ran off, the two others trailing behind him .

The man still kept his attention to the fleeing werewolves. When they were finally out of sight, he gazed at me and his expression softened.

He took a step closer. "Are you okay?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

I nodded, still trying to process all that had happened. If he hadn't come to save me, I would have been killed by those rogues, just like my father was.

He stretched out his hand to me. "Can you stand?

I looked up at him and felt a jolt of electricity run through me. His eyes were not as red as before, but still, they complimented his jet black hair and sharp features.

I hesitantly took his hand, it felt large and rough compared to my pale skinny hands. "I'm fine, thank you for saving me."

"You're welcome." He replied, his eyes never leaving mine. "My name is Drako, what's yours?"

"Hayley." I whispered, my heart beating hard against my chest.

Drako smiled. "Hayley." he repeated as he helped me up. "You're shaking like a leaf, come here."

Without waiting for my response, he slid one hand behind my leg, the other supporting my back and carried me.

I yelped in surprise and wrapped my hands around his shoulders.

A light chuckle escaped from his lips that sent heat to my cheeks.

"You look like you were going to pass out any second. Tell me where you live so I can take you home."

"You..you really don't have to." I stammered.

He smiled at me. "I want to. It's late and those rogues could still be lurking around."

The thought of the rogues coming back to finish what they had started prevented me from arguing further.

"You are an Alpha, I didn't see you at the blood moon ritual." I said.

"Ah, so you're the Omega we Alpha's were summoned to choose as our Luna." He looked at me. "Seeing as I found you almost eaten by rogues, I take it didn't go well."

His words had sent a sharp pain to my chest. "I'm cursed." I said quietly.

He nodded his head slightly. "Aren't we all."

"You didn't answer my questions as to why I never saw you at the ritual and I don't think I have ever seen you before either."

He grinned at me. "You've never heard of a certain Alpha Drako of the Silver moon's pack."

I gasped at the sudden realization. I was in the arms of one of the most powerful Alpha in Crescent city.

"So does that answer your question as to why I don't have time for nitty bitty rituals like that." He stopped walking. "Now, left or right."

I pointed to the right, still unable to wrap my head around all that was happening. I stole a glance at his face and couldn't help but notice how attractive he was.

I tried to keep my head in focus so I could direct him properly but the closeness between the both of us sent me on edge. He sent warmth throughout my body and his scent; It was a mixture of earth and wood. I felt like I could sleep peacefully in his arms for a very long time.

***

"Hayley!" My mother embraced me as we entered the living room. "Where were you? The festival ended hours ago, I was so worried."

I gave her a reassuring smile. "I'm sorry mum, I got a little carried away."

She smacked my arm. "Carried away doing what?! The woods are dangerous by this time of the night, there are rogues everywhere."

"I know, but I'm fine mum, really. I didn't bump into any rogues."

I could feel his gaze as I said that but I couldn't worry my mum more than she already was.

That was when she noticed Drako standing behind me.

"Dr..Drako?" She stammered, her eyes wide with surprise.

His mouth widened in a grin, showing off his canines. "Hello Theresa, what a pleasant surprise."

I glanced between my mum who had shock registered on her face and Drako who looked amused by that.

"You both know each other?" I asked.