Chapter 3

As the door burst open, a blonde girl rushed into the room, causing the nurse to recoil in fear. Her face was a mixture of guilt and anger, her disheveled bangs falling over her forehead. With teeth as sharp as the necklace dangling around her neck, she gripped my collar, her voice piercing the air with a high pitch.

"You ruined my life!" she screamed, her words reverberating throughout the room. The intensity of her anger was palpable, and her grip on my coat conveyed her seething frustration, emanating heat and sweat.

Before she could finish her sentence, someone forcefully entered the room, immediately taking hold of the girl and calling out her name, "Akira, stop!" His commanding voice resonated with authority, and she reluctantly calmed down in his embrace.

It seemed as though she had been compelled to comply. The nurse, reduced to a small presence in the corner, trembled as these two powerful wolves took over the room. Fear gripped my heart, and I found myself breathing heavily in the face of the threat.

The tension in the room was palpable as the alpha male's voice cut through the air, commanding attention and respect. "Enough is enough, Akira," he declared, his tone firm yet tinged with a hint of weariness. "If you can't accept the fact that she is more deserving, then leave this pack right now."

Akira's face twisted in a mixture of pain and anger, her fists clenched tightly at her sides. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes, but she fought to hold them back, unwilling to show any vulnerability. Her gaze locked onto the alpha, filled with defiance and desperation.

"She won't do you any good, will she ever satisfy you like I do?" she cried out, her voice quivering with a mixture of sorrow and resentment. Her words hung in the air, heavy with an unspoken challenge.

The alpha's expression remained stoic, unwavering in the face of Akira's outburst. He stepped closer to her, his presence dominating the room. With a firm grip, he grasped her cheeks, forcing her to meet his gaze.

"Look, Akira," he said, his voice piercing through her anger. "You're old enough to be another world in this pack. You don't need this position anymore. She can surpass you in every way." His words struck a nerve, the weight of truth settling upon her shoulders.

Akira nodded, the tears threatening to spill finally escaping down her cheeks. Her screechy voice trembled as she struggled to find words amidst the whirlwind of emotions. Her eyes shifted momentarily to me, filled with a mixture of resentment and a desire to inflict harm. The intensity of her glare made me instinctively flinch, feeling the weight of her animosity.

But the alpha refused to let her be consumed by anger. With a forceful grip on her arm, he brought her focus back to him, his eyes burning with determination. "Leave, now," he commanded, his voice leaving no room for negotiation.

Gulping down the bitter realization that she was no longer needed, Akira formed another tight fist, her nails digging into her palm. She turned on her heels and ran out of the room, her departure filled with a mixture of fury and a hint of resignation.

As the door slammed shut behind her, the room seemed to exhale, the heavy tension dissipating. The alpha remained strong, his gaze shifting towards me, assessing my reaction to the intense encounter. His commanding presence and unwavering resolve were palpable, leaving an indelible impression of strength and authority.

No one likes to be overshadowed, and it seemed that Akira struggled to come to terms with the fact that another wolf had taken her place. I had overheard the previous debate between the two males, where the higher-ranking male had chosen me.

The male wolf standing before me was unlike the others. He sported only two tattoos, a dragon and a moon, adorning his muscular arm. The intricate designs, inked in red, accentuated his powerful muscles, making him even more captivating.

His eyes blazed with a fire that matched his physical prowess, yet they also held a softness that drew me in. As he clenched his jaw, a vein disappeared beneath his honey-toned skin. The alpha male gestured for the nurse to depart as well, leaving us alone in the confined space.

He approached me slowly, his steps creaking on the wooden floor. His body leaned in, bringing his lips dangerously close to mine as he whispered, "Are you okay?" His voice was hoarse, low, and seductive. His eyes, framed by thick lashes, held a captivating power.

I could have gazed into his eyes forever, losing myself in their depths. Time seemed to stand still as he placed his hand gently on the mattress, tension filling the air. My heart pressed against my ribs, my throat grew dry and sore. His other hand reached for my nape, his thumb rubbing soothingly against my skin as he repeated his question, "Are you okay, love?"

Caught in the midst of this enchanting illusion, I struggled to find my words. The proximity of this encounter made me uncomfortable, yet it also ignited a longing deep within me. As I gathered my courage, I knew that what I was about to say would shatter his heart.

"Get away from me!" I exclaimed, my hand instinctively coiling into a tight fist as I forcefully pushed him away, the impact of my palm meeting his chest. The surprise etched on his face quickly morphed into a mixture of annoyance and a subtle twinge of sadness, his brows furrowing in response. The air between us grew heavy with tension as we stood there, a frigid silence settling in the room.

His presence had been overwhelming, invading my personal space without warning. I took a step back, creating distance between us, while the distant echoes of trumpets reverberated through the cold, stone walls of the castle. His retreat mirrored mine, his gaze never leaving me, before he abruptly turned and vanished into the labyrinthine hallways. Now alone in the room, the chill in the air seemed to seep into my bones, mirroring the icy ache within my heart.

Sorrow consumed me as I grappled with the news of my mother's demise. There had been no time for mourning, no chance to properly bid her farewell. Tears welled up, unbidden, as I buried my face in my arms, seeking solace in the familiar embrace of grief. Each tear that cascaded down my cheeks burned against my skin, a poignant reminder of the void left by her unreadable.