The Alpha Assassin

I stood in blackness, darker than anything I had seen or felt before. It pulsed through me. It was me.

My parents' bodies under my feet were twisted and bloodied, indicating a death that was anything but painless; I knew they fought back until the very end.

blood was the only thing that I could smell; its thick tang coated the air, coated my hands. I knew they were there, but my head was clouded, my vision blurry from the moment I stumbled upon them.

I looked for them for solace, to help me, but it was too late, and I could do nothing to help them.

I fell to my knees, accepting my fate. I reached for their hands, still warm from the life that was just taken from them.

I couldn’t cry. I couldn’t feel.

I sat there waiting to die with them, wanting to die with them.

I had nothing to live for, no one else to live for. Everyone was gone.

I couldn’t feel anything but the hollowness, the complete emptiness that shook me to my core.

Footsteps sounded, and I felt something that might have been a relief. My nightmare would be ended, and I could rejoin my family and my pack in the next life alongside the Moon Goddess.

Strong arms pulled me off them, away from my parents.

I screamed for them, but I didn’t hear it; I only knew I did because my throat was on fire.

I kicked and fought whoever was taking me away with my last strength. They ripped me from the death that I didn’t want until tonight, when everything I knew, everything I loved, was stolen away from me.

My knees ached as I was thrown onto the cold ground. Senses that felt numb and far away.

“Here she is, Alpha. In one piece as you requested.” A cold hand pulled my hair back, baring my face to him.

“Good, keep her that way,” I swayed even on my knees. The last thing I remembered was his cruel blue eyes, devoid of any emotion except a flicker of amusement at my suffering.

The hollowness in me burst into flames and turned into raging, unshakable hate that was too soon quelled by the darkness I slipped into.

***

Four years later...

“Aren’t you looking lovely? Is that for me because you shouldn’t have?” Dominick leaned against the large entryway, attempting to block my way. I tried to brush past him, but Hudson showed up right behind him.

“Going somewhere?" Hudson leaned against the other side, a dangerous glimmer dancing in his cold blue eyes, “We wanted to have a closer look at what will be ours in a few short weeks. Oblige us, won't you?” He reached out to touch me but pulled back at the last second; I fought a smirk, looking to my feet instead.

Were they not sick of hearing their idle threats? They couldn’t touch me anyway, not until I was eighteen. Commanded by their father, their Alpha, an Alpha who would never be mine.

Hudson kicked off the wall and stepped towards me; Dominick followed him. Dominick might have been older, but Hudson was by far the cruelest and the most wicked of the three brothers.

They both got their dad's light brown hair, dull and lifeless, like them.

They started circling me slowly, like animals that had already caught their prey and were just toying with it now. I knew how this would go, how it always went, and I settled into my character effortlessly.

“In just a few months-” Hudson chuckled.

“A few weeks, actually,” Dominick cut in his brown eyes, roving over my body; Hudson nodded in approval.

“A few weeks, and then you belong to us. Play coy all you want. It will just make it more fun when I take you,” He took a step closer to me; although he couldn’t touch me, his hot, wet breath could.

It fanned over my neck and made me shudder against my will. I didn’t want to give him the satisfaction, “Over and over again, you’ll be locked in my room, nothing but an Alpha’s whore. I hope you fight it; it will be that much more fun to break you.”

“Who said that it will be you?” Nolan, the youngest, strolled in, looking bored, assessing the situation. He was the only one who got their mother's sandy blonde hair, or what I assumed was her natural color under all that bleach blonde.

“It’s not going to be you anyway.” Dominick scoffed, barely taking notice of his younger brother, who was never a threat to him Nolan crossed his arms and watched, “Whoever gets her, let's just all take a turn with her,” he suggested, not even looking at me, always the peacemaker.

“I’m not sharing,” Hudson growled. To be fair, it probably would be him who would become the Alpha.

They did things differently here at Black River, now Blood River. I couldn’t stomach even thinking about part of the name that they stole from my pack, Blood Moon. Here, the title wasn’t inherited by the oldest. The Alpha’s sons fought for the title. Nothing was more important than a strong bloodline to them.

Which is why I was here—alive—the last living direct line of the great, unbroken, and ancient Blood Moon pack. The word ancient now had a new meaning: I was the last living pack member.

I would be the next Alpha’s breeder, not Luna, never Luna, never a position of power. I would produce heirs with a strong bloodline, and they would compete with whatever heirs were born from their mate or chosen Luna for the next title.

No one even bothered to think what their actual Luna would think of this, and no one cared. She would accept it if she wanted to become Luna, and if she didn’t, then they would find another suitable alternative.

“I want to be the one to break her in,” Dominick shrugged, “Once I’m done with that, I might let you guys take a turn just to see what you’re missing. That is if you live long enough.” He chuckled darkly.

There was a chance that not all of them would survive to see who was crowned the next Alpha. The fewer of them to deal with, the better.

“Our father said that he would let us be there for your first shift. Did you know that?” Hudson stopped in front of me. I didn’t. I fought the look of confusion in my eyes and tried to keep them blank, scared.

“Just to see if you are actually one of our mates,” he went on. I doubted The Moon Goddess hated me that much, “But that’s not why we’re coming, of course, mate or not, you’ll belong to the next Alpha.” He curled a side of his mouth in a smile that told me he thought it would be him.

“We’re coming to see you strip bare in front of us.” My heart caught in my throat; the thought of them, of the Alpha, seeing me like that made me shake.

“Now, now, don’t be nervous,” Dominick stepped up and bent to my ear, “We won’t fuck you that night. That honor is saved for the heir.” He stepped back and crossed his arms, studying my face, “But Dad did mention that we could touch.” I swallowed. I didn’t have to pretend to be scared anymore.

This was happening too soon. I thought I had more time, not just a few weeks. I wasted too much damn time preparing and took no action.

“Stop acting shocked,” Hudson had a mad glint in his eye that always unnerved me. I could deal with anger and cruelty but unchecked madness that was unpredictable. “You knew since the moment you arrived here you were to be nothing but an Alpha’s breeding whore. I’m surprised you haven’t been practicing.”

“I wouldn’t want used goods,” Dominick scoffed at his younger brother. I stood there, arms at my side, looking downcast. I learned early on they would get bored sooner if I didn’t react, didn’t give them anything that they wanted besides scared submissive.

“Mom wants us at the front; the visiting Alpha is early.” Nolan cut in, and Hudson shot him a glare that promised death. He was a cat that wasn’t done playing with his mouse.

A plaything that was all I was reduced to, something to torment out of boredom or to try to get a reaction. I noted my anger at that thought and locked it away for later when it would be useful.

“You should get dressed,” Hudson crooned, “Wear something pretty for me, something fit for my chosen whore.” Dominick laughed and turned on his heel, following Hudson out the way they came.

Nolan gave me a wary glance, and I was left there alone. I let my shoulders sag for a split second under the weight of their words before I straightened myself up and headed to my room. I was an Alpha’s daughter, after all, and that's who I still was, even if I had no pack.

I stopped by the kitchen, where it was a bustle of activity.

“Miss Simone, can I help you with something?” The head Omega, Amelia, wiped her hands on her apron and offered me a genuine smile.

The Omegas here always treated me kindly and respected the station I once held, now reduced to nothing besides my powerful bloodline.

I shook my head, “I don’t want to be any trouble. I just came for a snack.” She nodded and let me pass. I knew where everything was here; this place had become my refuge since I was allowed out of my room.

Since I lost my home, this kitchen was the only place where I felt remotely comfortable. I craved its warmth and constant activity, which helped to distract me from thoughts and memories that replayed in my mind whenever I had a moment of solitude.

I went right toward what I was looking for. I knew this kitchen and the rest of the castle well from hours spent wandering alone. I made to pick up an apple slice covered in cinnamon and sugar that was destined for a pie, earning me a playful scowl from the Omega closest to me. A small innocent distraction to take what I needed, I skillfully slipped what I came for into my pocket unnoticed.

The weight felt heavy but warm against the fabric of my leg, like a promise I made to myself finally solidifying.

I trudged back to my rooms. The packhouse was old and drafty. Most of it was made from stone, and it reminded me of a castle—a dreary, depressing castle.

The first Alpha that took these sacred lands made the house and now stands in homage to how long their line has ruled over their stolen grounds.

Thick rugs covered every stone floor, and fireplaces were present in every room to heat it against the biting cold, cold enough that werewolves needed shelter and warmth against the winters here.

The updated part of the packhouse, a recent extension, was made of dark wood and glass. It was too modern for the rest of the place, and it stuck out as a mismatched afterthought, but Luna Addison insisted.

The ranked members and their families moved into the new construction, which was almost completed as soon as I arrived. They held smaller events there and guest rooms for the most important visitors.

The Omega’s quarters, head warriors, and additional guest rooms stayed in a part of the original pack house along with me.

It was still used for dinner most nights and larger gatherings and events. I didn’t understand the purpose of the remodel, but I didn’t care enough to ask.

The privilege of dining with the family was bestowed on me last year when they were certain I was one of their pawns. Only a few months ago was I allowed to join other events that didn’t include the immediate family. To prime me for one of the son’s beds so that I would be less of a feral rogue and more of an obedient lady, I could only assume.

I heard Alpha Raymond joke to Luna Addison that I was finally house-trained and no longer a mutt. She took it as a compliment, as she was in charge of my initial berating. She didn’t much like a stray dog being taken into her pack, and she never let me forget it.

Once they trusted me enough not to try to run, I was allowed out of my room. They locked me in the night they took me. It took over a year for them to trust me, and in that year, my grief, loneliness, and anger were my only friends.

The Omegas were switched out frequently, so I could never form a bond with them or, more importantly, them with me.

Once they saw how broken and fragile I was, I was allowed to wander these ancient halls.

Now, years later, the picture of the submissive, shattered, dead Alpha’s daughter, they knew I wouldn’t leave and didn’t pay me much thought unless they were bored.

Even though my room was close to the new addition, closer even than I would have been to them if they had stayed in the original Alpha suites, it still made me feel better knowing I was in a different part of the house from them, sleeping under a different roof than those monsters.

I shut the door behind me, making sure it was locked before removing the thick, faded rug closest to the foot of my bed and prying back a small loose stone, barely larger than my fist. It took me much longer than I cared to admit to hollow out this space.

There were too many prying eyes, too many people with access to this room. I hadn’t risked hiding anything permanently.

I dug around until my fingers brushed the only thing I kept there and pulled it out. The stone was cool in my hands, but it thrummed with promise, like it was waiting for me to be ready to use it all this time.

I walked on silent feet to the door, listening and waiting. Once I was certain no one was coming, I went to my bathroom, turned on the water in the tub, and took a spot near the door of the bathroom, one eye on the shadows I memorized under my bedroom door.

The churning water drowned out any soft sound, but that meant I had to rely on my eyes only.

I worked as fast as possible while still being thorough; once I was pleased with my work, I stashed everything and covered it again, triple-checking it before unlocking my door.

I sunk into the bath that was barely warm and scrubbed myself mindlessly, replaying in my mind my plan, the lullaby that drifted me off to sleep, my mantra that woke me up in the morning, the only thing keeping me here. My plan.

Soft feet sounded on the carpet in my room, but I didn’t move. I knew who they belonged to.

“Miss, it's almost dinner time, and you’re expected.” I reluctantly sat up in the bath and dragged myself out, hugging my shoulders inward as Alice, one of my favorite Omegas, draped a towel over my shoulders.

“Thanks,” I nodded to her, my eyes distant.

“I laid out a dress for you, the one that you like.” I looked at the bed and saw that light purple floor-length dress with long sleeves made out of some velvet material. Fucking hideous, and it fit all wrong hanging off me. I absolutely loved it for this version of me.

I gave her a timid smile and nodded my thanks.

After I was dressed, she brushed my hair in front of the fire. I always tensed when she did this. It felt so wrong. She probably took it as a side effect of my constant fear, and I let her.

She tried again in vain to curl some of my pin-straight hair, but it wouldn’t hold. Alice was sweet but not the brightest. How many times have we tried the same thing?

She looked flustered when she finally set down the curling rod and swept some hair off my face, pining it back.

Even as a child, I don’t remember Omegas helping me prepare for dinner. This seemed excessive, decadent, like something from a time long since passed. I wasn’t sure if anyone else got this level of help or if they deemed it necessary for a person in my delicate state.

“Thank you, Alice.” I gave her a small smile at my appearance.

My skin had grown paler than normal these past years, and even though my home pack was neighboring this one, I used to get outside daily. A luxury that I didn’t feel the need to take advantage of here.

It didn’t matter that I wasn’t drowning in my grief anymore, that I had found a purpose. I was still a shell of who I used to be.

My black hair hung almost to my waist now, and my once bright gray eyes were filled with a sort of sadness, of knowing that I didn’t have to fake. It seemed that my eyes carried the weight of what happened, and I couldn’t even will them to look anything but depleted.

“They want you to come down.” Alice pulled me from my thoughts.

I stood up and grabbed a bunch of the ugly purple dress and let her open the door for me before letting the dress drag behind me down the stairs.

The dining room was quiet, not what I expected when they had guests. I took the final steps into the open doorway; no one looked at me.

Good. It was just the immediate family here so far, and I went to take my regular seat next to Luna Addison.

The Alpha sat at the head, his three sons to his right, and Luna and me to his left. It wasn’t an honorary position, as usually, there weren’t any others joining us, and I was just there to listen to their odious conversations and pick out whatever I could that I deemed useful.

“No,” Luna Addison waved me away and shot her husband an exasperated look, “You sit at the end. We have guests today.” She rolled her eyes and swatted my hand away from the back of the chair. I pulled it back quickly after her ring-encrusted hand made contact with mine.

I fought the scowl and chose a hurt look, taking my hand in the other, nursing it.

“I’m sorry, I thought-”

“You’re not used to events, are you?” She looked at me with mocking sympathy, “You were so young when your parents died,” she said as if it wasn’t her mate who was responsible for killing them.

I stared at her blankly.

“Move.” She pointed, and then her eyes darted behind me. “Ah, Alpha Ben, Beta, come come, we have had our Omegas slaving away all day for you. You must be starving.” She whisked past me, and I moved to the end of the table unnoticed.

The food might have been good, but I wasn’t paying attention. The visiting Alpha from a newly established nearby pack was whispering to Alpha Raymond.

I stole a glance, and he looked confused. I waited a moment before stealing another glance, and now he looked furious, his fist clenched around his fork. I let myself take a long bite, pretending to contemplate my food. My last look at him, now he was pale, his eyes wide.

“What is it?” Hudson asked his dad, bored, twirling his steak knife on the table. I wasn't the only one who noticed.