The Alpha's Downfall

The night was eerily calm. Under a barren sky, a pregnant werewolf trekked an uneven path that led her into a thick canopy of trees.

She should have been afraid. There were creatures that lived in these woods. Creatures that only came out at night to hunt. No werewolf, especially not women or children, dared to come here after nightfall. But she had no choice.

The chilly night wind brushed over her, causing goosebumps to erupt on her arms, slithering through the gaps of her clothes and seeping under her skin. Werewolves could withstand cold to a certain extent as their body temperature ran high. But a pregnant wolf was much weaker, even at an early stage of her pregnancy. It took all this she-wolf's strength to keep moving, so she had barely any energy left to keep her temperature stable.

She wrapped her shawl tightly around her body as she entered the forest. This was the only place that would keep her safe tonight. Glancing at her surroundings once more, she took a deep breath and dashed through the woods, leaping over thin winding creeks and their slippery rocks.

She was thankful for the recent rains. Her scent blended with the earthy musk, making it harder to catch amid the trees. Still, for extra security, she jumped in a nearby muddy puddle, soaking her dress. Now they wouldn't find her even if they did catch her scent.

They wanted her—or, more precisely, her baby. It'd been two months since she'd started running from him and his men. She would be safe only until he found out about her secret. He would come for her once he learned about her pregnancy, but she still had time.

Lost in her thoughts, she didn't realize she'd almost reached her destination. The woods began to widen, and the branches of the trees started to thin. Turning along a twisted creek, she came across a small clearing, one with a cave hidden behind its fallen pines.

She let out a relieved breath. This had been her mother's favorite spot. They used to come here every now and then for picnics. She would be safe here for the night. She could restart her journey tomorrow.

Her stomach rumbled, reminding her that it'd been a full day since she'd eaten her last meal. She hadn't eaten anything when she'd started her journey in the morning, and she'd had no time to hunt. It would have been far too risky. Now, as she stopped to rest, her adrenaline faded away and her hunger poked its head out.

She needed to eat something for her baby. Deciding to hunt for something quick, she went out, making sure to stay close to the cave and careful not to leave a visible trail. It took a while, but she found a rabbit. It would suffice for now.

After feasting on the rabbit, she settled back into the cave, thinking about her uncertain future. Would she be able to survive without a pack? How long could she raise her baby alone and keep it hidden? What if they found her? With all these questions in mind, she drifted to sleep, hoping she would remain safe.

***

Rays of warm, amber sunlight danced across her face, waking her up from her deep slumber the next morning. She sat up immediately, hands clutching her belly automatically, and glanced around, nostrils flaring. She relaxed only when she sensed nothing out of the ordinary.

It was still early, so if she started now, she could reach her destination by evening. She hurriedly washed herself in the creek before making her way out of the clearing. Her limbs were sore, aching from all the traveling she'd done on foot.

Chirping birds and amber sunlight accompanied her, soothing her nerves. Along the way, she picked small red berries from the bushes. They did not satisfy her, but they helped to keep her hunger in check.

She had a clear view of the sky now, meaning she was no longer protected from the rain or the night. She could smell the moisture in the air. Soon, it would rain again. It was rainy season after all. The rain would wash away any markings or scents she'd left behind. She just hoped they wouldn't come looking for her trail before then.

By now, they must have realized she was gone. Had they already sent out a search party? There was no time to waste.

Fortunately, the rest of her journey was uneventful. She stopped a few times for food but mostly kept moving.

Then, her struggle finally bore fruit. She'd reached New Rocknesse, as expected, in the late evening. Now she just needed to find the one she was searching for. Spying a grocery store on the corner, she made her way toward it, deciding to start there.

"Ex-excuse me?" she hesitantly greeted the person at the counter. He was human, in his mid-thirties, and he smiled at her welcomingly.

"Hello, how can I help you, Ma'am?"

"Can you tell me where I can find Mr. Thomas?" she asked, fiddling with the corner of her shawl.

"Sorry, Miss, but there's no Mr. Thomas here. You must have the wrong address." The man gave her an apologetic smile. She returned his smile before turning away and moving toward the door.

She needed to find Mr. Thomas. He was her only hope for survival. She knew he'd been here as she'd received a letter from this town. But she also knew he did not stay in one place for long.

It was possible he had already moved out or was living under a different name.

She paused and went back to the guy. "Sorry, but can you tell me if you've ever seen this man?" Removing the picture hidden in her breast pocket, she showed it to the guy. "Did he ever visit this town?"

The guy's eyes lit up when he saw the picture in her hand, and he snatched it away.

"Oh, that's Stephen! He looks so young in this picture."

Stephen? Isn't Mr. Thomas's first name James?

So, she'd been right. He'd used a different name here. New hope bloomed inside her.

"Do you know him?" The guy was startled, and he looked up at her. It was like he'd just remembered she was still here.

His smile brightened at her question. "Of course. That's Stephen Elliot, one of the richest men in town." He pointed to the east. "Head straight, turn left, and then continue straight again. You'll find his home at the end of the lane." She thanked him and followed his directions. After ten minutes of walking, she stood at the front gates of a small mansion surrounded by huge walls. She peered around but saw no one, so she pressed the bell.

"Who is it?" A low voice answered from inside.

"It's me, Father. Please…" She rattled the gate, her knees growing weak. "Please let me in."

Maybe it was the urgency in her voice, but the gates opened instantly, and she made her way inside. There, at the door, was a man in his late fifties, waiting for her. As soon as she saw him, she ran into his waiting arms.

"Father! I finally found you." Tears started to fall from her eyes, and his arms tightened around her. "I missed you so much."

"Why are you here? Is everything alright?" The softness in his voice brought more tears to her eyes.

"I-I should have listened to you." She choked on her words as the emotions she'd been holding in burst forth. "I'm sorry, Father. I'm so sorry."

Her father glanced around them. "Come, we'll talk inside." He urged her inside, closing the gates behind her.

The mansion was warm, and her father smelled just like she remembered. After so long on the run, she finally felt at ease as she settled into his home. That night, she slept in a warm, comfortable bed, and for the first time, she believed she would be safe. Her father would protect her no matter what.

***

A scream woke her from her slumber. She shot up from her chair, where she'd been feeding her baby earlier. Disoriented and still groggy, she tried to make sense of her surroundings. The fire was out. Only embers remained.

What was that?

"Father…?"

She walked to the door with her baby securely in her arms. Had she imagined it? The baby fussed in her arms, and she held her close to her chest, rocking her.

She heard another sound outside, and she immediately went on high alert as she hurried out of the study and down the stairs to the living room, where the sound had come from. Her heart raced, and a scream tore out of her throat, but it was too late.

"No!"

Her father was dead. His empty eyes stared aimlessly at the ceiling.

"F-Father…"

What came next happened too fast to stop. A blade plunged into her back, and her baby cried out as her grip unintentionally tightened around the bundle. Her vision swam as pain shot across her back. She glanced around at the werewolves in the room, her vision blurry, her body weakening at an alarming rate.

She gasped as the blade struck her yet again, and someone ripped the crying baby from her arms. She fell to the ground, panting for breath, eyes trained on her crying child.

"M-my b-baby…"

The blade came down once more. Then nothing.

***

In the silence of the night, a savage pack of werewolves ran out of a small mansion. One of them clutched a crying bundle tight in his arms as they disappeared into the dark.

Inside the mansion, a she-wolf took her final breath as a new wailing cry started up in a separate room.

Rommik was angry. How could he not be after what'd happened that morning? His blood boiled at just the thought of Konrad's behavior.

How could he treat his own daughter with such cruelty?

Kiara was nothing more than another pack member to him. And at times, it seemed he valued her even less.

Though his brother kept claiming he was over what'd happened all those years ago, he still held a grudge. He punished Kiara, was unusually hard on her, for his mate's mistake.

But it wasn't Kiara's fault. How could she be held responsible for her mother's actions?

Over the years, Rommik and Kian tried to tell Konrad this several times. But no one could stand up to his brother. The entire pack feared him. Afraid that if they so much as breathed too hard in his direction, they'd face his wrath.

Kiara was no exception. She feared him as much as the others, if not more. She stayed away as much as she could, feeling unsafe with him. But his brother never seemed to understand.

Unlike their father, Konrad treated the pack as if every member was merely an object created to do his bidding. He ruled them with an iron fist, giving very little consideration to their wellbeing. He valued power and authority more than anything else. So, as everyone mourned Rannolf's death, Konrad had rejoiced in the news. He hadn't even waited for the mourning period to end before taking charge as the new alpha of the pack.

Then things changed. While their father's rules had been created to protect the pack, Konrad used them to control it. They had no choice but to follow his orders and do everything he asked them to do. Konrad was cruel to every pack member, especially his daughter.

Rommik needed to talk some sense to his brother … before it was too late.

Making his decision, Rommik pivoted on his heels toward his brother's cabin. He spotted a few pack members huddled together, talking in hushed voices. They scrambled away upon seeing him.

Rommik could sense the discomfort and fear radiating off them. Their hearts raced, and their pupils were dilated as if he'd caught them doing something they shouldn't.

He ignored them and picked up his pace. It didn't take long for him to arrive at his brother's door, which sat at the very center of their village. He halted for a moment before knocking three times, waiting to be let in.

There was no response. Rommik knew his brother could smell him, but Konrad often chose to make him wait as a way of putting him in his place. Rommik controlled the urge to scoff, afraid it would only give Konrad another reason to ignore him.

Sure, Konrad was Rommik's brother, but that didn't mean Rommik had any special influence over him. He had a few extra privileges around the pack, but that was because of his position as a beta, not because he was the alpha's brother. If anything, Konrad saw him as a threat and kept him close only to keep an eye on him.

After a few more minutes of waiting, his brother bid him to enter, and Rommik let himself into the spacious cabin that doubled as Konrad's home and the pack's base of operations. Konrad's brooding figure leaned over the sturdy window frame, looking at the activities outside. More like keeping watch.

Maps and scrolls littered his brother's table. Rommik recognized the biggest map's terrain and noticed new markers near their southern border.

"Leave your weekly reports on the table and go."

Konrad did not even glance at him. Nothing unusual about that; however, he also did not question why Rommik was here at this hour. Rommik had never visited Konrad this late. He'd also already submitted his weekly report yesterday.

Did Konrad really not notice? Or was he trying to get rid of him? Rommik couldn't tell. His brother was an unpredictable wolf; dealing with him was like wading into murky waters. Rommik resolved to say what he had to say about Kiara, then leave.

"My reports have already been submitted, Brother. I came to talk to you." His voice was firm, keeping his emotions in check.

His brother finally turned to him, leaving his post by the window, and sat on his chair, gesturing for him to take a seat. Rommik hid his surprise, sitting down without another word.

"So tell me, brother, what brings you here so late in the evening?" Konrad raised his eyebrows in question. His voice was calm, but Rommik could tell his brother wasn't very happy with his presence.

Rommik had a sinking feeling this wouldn't end well. He had to tread carefully. He steeled himself, asking the question that had been burning in his mind since that morning:

"Do you care about Kiara?"

The rage that flared in his brother's eyes at her name was all the answer Rommik needed. Yet Rommik held his gaze, waiting for an answer.

Konrad looked like he wanted to tear him apart, but instead, he took a deep breath and reclined in his seat. The fire in his eyes died down a little.

"Really, Rommik? You came all this way to ask me such a ridiculous question?" He scoffed. "Of course, I care about her, or she wouldn't be here."

"As a daughter or a pack member?" Rommik dared to ask, bracing himself.

His brother needed to understand he couldn't treat his own daughter like she was nothing. Kiara needed affection from her father, even just the tiniest amount. Did Konrad even realize what he was doing? His ignorant behavior was being noticed by the pack. They followed his lead, meaning Kiara was treated like an outsider in her own home.

"I'm surprised you're even asking me this." His brother laughed mockingly. "When will you understand that the fact she's my daughter has nothing to do with how I treat her? She does not deserve special treatment just because she is my blood. Every pack member is equal, and they must earn their place. What made you decide to ask me such a foolish question? Have you forgotten your place, beta? Do I have to remind you again?"

The threat behind his words was clear, and it made Rommik shudder with a memory from a long time ago. He needed to choose his words carefully, or the past would repeat itself. But as threatening as this situation was, he cared too much about Kiara to give up now.

"That won't be necessary, Alpha, but this has been bothering me for quite some time." He inhaled deeply, eyes focusing on his brother. "Kiara is your daughter, and I'm not telling you to give her special treatment, but you should at least treat her like your daughter. Your actions determine the pack's behavior. They're—"

"I don't care," Konrad cut him off before he could finish his sentence. "If this is not about pack affairs, you may leave."

Rommik sensed that Konrad's patience was wearing thin. But Konrad needed to realize his actions had consequences. The pack members were growing restless. The years of mistreatment had boiled down into this. Rommik was hearing whispers. If Konrad didn't change his ways—

"Konrad, listen to me, please. I have the pack's best interest at heart. You need to lighten up. The rules you're trying to enforce are straining the pack. They're there for our protection, but it doesn't feel like that anymore. There's no peace. Instead of seeing you as their protector, they fear you. Don't you sense the rising turmoil, Brother?"

Konrad slammed his palms on the table, causing everything to rattle. "Careful, beta. I'm in no mood to listen to this crap. I don't have time for it."

Rommik clenched his jaw. "You can't shut me out forever, Brother." His voice had been climbing and had almost reached its peak. "Times have changed. Most of these rules don't even apply to us anymore. The pack is suffering. Can't you see what it is doing to them? Your strict rule is causing infighting. The only thing that's stopping them is the fear they have of you. You don't need these harsh rules to maintain your authority."

You don't have to be a tyrant.

Rommik didn't say that though.

Konrad jumped to his feet, a snarl contorting his face. "I don't care what they think of me. My job is to protect them and provide for them." He circled the table. "And I'm doing just that. We are one of the most powerful packs in existence. The rules were created for a reason. We've followed them for generations. Anyone who tries to challenge them will meet the same fate she did."

Konrad's voice boomed as he came to a stop right in front of him. Rommik knew the wolves outside could hear them clearly. His brother had done that deliberately, another show of his authority.

Konrad leaned in to grab Rommik's chin in a tight grip, claws digging into his skin and drawing blood. "Know your place, beta, and think twice before you question me. These rules apply to you too. I won't be as lenient next time." His brother cocked his head to the side. "Unless you think you would be a better alpha? You're always welcome to challenge me."

Rommik opened and closed his mouth, trying to come up with a reply. Konrad's smirk continued to grow.

"What? Cat got your tongue, Brother?" He let go of him.

"This is not what our father would have wanted," he whispered in a defeated tone.

Konrad's fists clenched by his sides, eyes darkening at the mention of their father. "Our father is dead. This is my pack now. Leave. Unless you do wish to challenge me?"

Konrad was taunting him. He knew he was the strongest wolf in the pack. No one could win against him in a challenge. Rommik shrank further down in his seat. His mind was in turmoil, but there wasn't anything more he could do here. Their conversation was over. Feeling defeated, he stood and left the office, his head hanging low.

How ignorant could his brother be? His pack was splitting apart. A few brave ones had come to Rommik to share their concerns. Many wanted to leave the pack, only staying because of the penalty for desertion. They would be marked for death as soon as they left their pack lands. No one escaped unscathed.

"Any luck?" Kian, Rommik's younger brother, asked when he saw him outside. He was waiting on the narrow path that led to their respective homes.

He smiled at him with a hopeful look. Kian was still optimistic that their brother would have a change of heart. But, instead of answering him, Rommik just shook his head.

"Sorry," he mouthed, glancing back at the direction he'd come from.

Konrad wouldn't be able to suppress these wolves for much longer. He couldn't continue to treat them unjustly. Change was inevitable. And it would destroy his brother. Not even Konrad had the power to stop it. History was proof enough of that.

Rommik put a hand on Kian's shoulder. "Let's go."