C3 3 - The Alpha King

The image of Pierce Sencio lingered in Araceli's mind long after she returned to the Alpha House. She hated herself for it, not because there was anything wrong with admiring the Alpha King. Nearly every young woman in the Silver Moon Alliance admired him. His strength, status, and reputation made him the subject of countless conversations, whispered hopes, and impossible fantasies.

She was disturbed that her thoughts so easily returned to him. She had learnt long ago that to let herself fantasise of things she could never have simply brought disappointment. Reality always crushed fragile hopes before they could become anything at all. Pierce Sencio was out of her depth. He was the Alpha King, a name that instilled respect in the alliance. She was an omega servant, silently doing her task in the background, hardly observed by most, and even less remembered.

They lived on opposite sides of an imaginary wall that was never breached. They were not separated by miles, but by position, by status, by the unspoken laws that dominated their world. Araceli knew this as surely as she knew the routine of her chores each day, but knowing did little to stop her thoughts from wandering.

She was exhausted as she got into bed that nite. Her muscles were sore from the work of the day and the room was quiet save for the faint sounds that floated through the house. But sleep still refused to come. Every time she shut her eyes she was reliving the little event from the training grounds.

But the picture wouldn’t go away. Long after the gathering had broken up, she thought about the way he'd stood in front of the warriors, commanding their attention without appearing to try, the ease with which he earned their respect, and the quiet confidence that ran through every word he spoke. But most of all she couldn't get over the way he'd stared at her. No, not to her. Toward her. There was a difference, and to Araceli it was an important one.

She rolled onto her side and pulled the blanket closer around herself, as though it might help silence the restless thoughts circling her mind. "Stop it," she whispered.

There was no reply from the darkness. Outside the window the moon hung high over Silver Moon territory, casting a pale light on the sleeping pack lands. She looked at it for a bit and another thought rested firmly in her chest. Tomorrow is the nite of the Moon Blessing Ceremony. She'd find her mate quite soon.

The thought should have occupied her mind. Instead, she found herself wondering what kind of woman Pierce would eventually choose as his Luna. She imagined someone beautiful, strong, and confident, someone admired by the entire pack and effortlessly suited to stand at his side. Someone like Chloe Olivier.

The thought made something inside her chest tighten unexpectedly, a strange sensation she didn't want to examine too closely. Araceli immediately pushed it away and focused on the things that actually mattered. None of it mattered. Tomorrow her own future would begin, and perhaps for the first time in her life, that future felt uncertain in a good way. The realization settled quietly over her as the night deepened around her, and with that final thought, sleep eventually claimed her.

The Silver Moon Pack was a hive of excitement the next morning. The Moon Blessing Festival would formally start the following evening, but already there were celebrations spilling forth all across the territory. Music flowed out onto the village streets, a lively soundtrack to the budding celebrations. The market stalls were full with people, the vendors calling to consumers as they passed, youngsters running through the busy aisles with silver ribbons trailing behind them in the wind.

Araceli looked about; everyone appeared so joyful, their faces lit up with anticipation and enthusiasm. There was real hope in the air, as if the whole territory was bewitched. The Moon Blessing always did that. It gave back to wolves the sense of destiny, love, fate, and the ties that bound them, bringing the pack together in a celebration of all they felt was meant to be. With eagerness they took the customs to heart, taking solace in the promises embodied in the meaning of the holiday.

Those promises always sounded far away to Araceli. Destiny, love, fate, unbreakable relationships, were all things she had observed much of her life from the sidelines, not experienced herself.

"Move faster."

Helena’s voice sliced through the constant hum of the kitchen, sharp enough to disrupt her thoughts. Araceli adjusted the basket in her arms and straightened her back.

"Yes, ma'am."

The older woman grimaced, not impressed. "The council asked for more supplies to the training grounds in the north."

"I'll get them right away."

"You should have done it already."

Araceli lowered her gaze, keeping her expression carefully neutral. Experience had taught her that apologizing was easier than arguing. It always was. Offering an explanation would only invite further criticism, and she had neither the energy nor the desire to endure another lecture.

She said no more, only collected the things she asked for and locked them up in the basket before exiting the kitchen. She quickened her steps, wanting to get the job done before Helena spotted another fault or more work to do.

The hike to the northern training fields took over twenty minutes. The trail skirted the perimeter of the hamlet, passed residences and storage buildings and then slowly climbed to the high fields where Silver Moon soldiers practiced. Cool morning air pressed against her skin, bringing the distant sounds of bustle from the settlement below, but those noises slowly faded as she moved closer to her destination.

Sounds of battle floated on the air before they rounded a corner and saw the training grounds. Hard, clanging blows of metal against metal."Do this! Do that!" Across the fields, the voices of the teachers called, ordering, correcting. The packed soil was alive with the constant rhythm of sparring sessions and perfected routines, of thundering feet.

Hundreds of warriors practiced everyday under Silver Moon’s direction, the sprawling fields never quiet. For wolves, power was everything. It garnered you respect, secured status and determined your place in the pack. Weakness, in contrast, seldom survived.

Araceli had learned that lesson early. She shifted the basket against her hip and continued forward, weaving through the edge of the training grounds without drawing attention to herself. Before she could get much farther, the crowd suddenly erupted into cheers. The roar swept across the field with enough force to make her flinch, and she instinctively turned toward the source of the commotion.

The moment her gaze found the center of the field, she understood why.

Pierce Sencio stood in the arena once again. This time, however, he wasn't sparring. He was teaching.

He was surrounded by dozens of warriors in a wide circle, their attention all on him. From afar his presence overshadowed the training fields. When he spoke every wolf listened, when he moved every wolf stared. The space seemed to turn about him. He had an effortless authority, a confidence that drew all attention to himself.

Pierce stooped to pick up a training sword and turned to face the assembled soldiers. “Just one second can mean the difference between winning and losing.”

His voice rolled across the pitch with an easy, steady command that reached out to those standing at the farthest reaches of the audience.And the strongest warrior is not necessarily the winner.

Several younger wolves listened intently, their attention fixed entirely on him as he paced across the arena.

"The smartest one does."

Then, without warning, he attacked one of the training captains.

The motion was so rapid that Araceli could hardly keep up. A few of good hits, a switch of stance and a quick angle. Seconds later the captain was disarmed and the crowd broke into applause. Pierce smiled faintly, taking neither the praise nor the attention as if the result had been a foregone conclusion.

"Strength without discipline is arrogance."

The warriors nodded in understanding, their faces showing respect and agreement. Araceli stood, paralysed, watching and listening as the spectacle unfolded before her. Now she understood why so many of the wolves admired him. It was not merely because he was powerful. Most of the Alphas were strong. Pierce was another breed. There was about him a subtle air of power, a kind of quality that pulled people to him without his demanding their commitment. He inspired the people around him, he earned respect not command and even his enemies looked up to him with admiration.

He carried responsibility as naturally as breathing, and there was something reassuring about that, something undeniably admirable. A group of girls standing nearby practically swooned as they watched him.

"Did you see that?"

"He's incredible."

"My relative claims he took out three rogue Alphas alone.

"He ended the Blood Fang rebellion in a single night, or so I've heard."

One story after another, more startling than the last. Most were probably excessive. The legends increased. Each time they were told, exaggerations were added. But Araceli easily believed them. She was looking at Pierce now. The Alpha King strode with a quiet confidence that felt organic. Like it was made for this. Like he was made for this. Meant to leave his mark on history. Favoured by fate itself. A giggle burst from her. She couldn't stop it. The disparity between them was almost absurd.

Pierce Sencio. Alpha King. Coming king. Famed hero of the pack. An Omega servant. An unwanted orphan. Araceli Geraldi. The contrast was impossible to overlook and the analogy so ridiculous she shook her head dismissing the thought almost as soon as it was made. The basket in her hands suddenly appeared much heavier, the weight pressing harder against her arms. She turned away and tried to focus again on the tasks that awaited her. There was work to do and standing there starring at the Alpha King all day wasn't going to get any of it done.

By the afternoon the hamlet had become even more congested, as tourists had come in from the neighbouring areas, so that the streets were filled with a constant stream of strangers and lively talk. Warriors patrolled the roads in orderly rotations, their presence a stabilising influence on the swelling throng. Merchants cried out from market stands, eager to entice in buyers. There was an air of celebration as joyful tunes from musicians near the central square floated across the village. Silver Moon Territory had become a festival, and energy and expectation surged through every aspect of the settlement.

Most of the afternoon, Araceli spent helping to prepare lodgings for the arriving visitors, flitting from task to task while rooms were cleaned, supplies were delivered and last-minute preparations were made. It was hard work, her shoulders hurt, her feet were sore, but it gave her something to do and she was glad of the distraction. Busyness kept her from being lonely, from having time to fantasise things she couldn't afford to dwell on, or allowing disappointment to settle in her chest.

The sun was starting down, and she was eventually let back into the omega quarters. The long day weighed hard upon her body and she entered expecting the customary silence which welcomed her at the end of her chores. But she knew at once that she was not alone. A group of girls her age were sitting near the common room fireplace and their talk died when she walked in. There was silence for a moment, then whispers began, faint enough to not draw notice yet impossible to ignore.

As usual, Araceli ignored them. She crossed the room toward the staircase without slowing, her focus fixed on reaching her room, but a voice stopped her before she could take the first step.

"Wait."

She turned and found one of the younger girls standing from her seat near the fire. The girl looked nervous, her hands twisting restlessly as she fidgeted with the sleeves of her dress.

For a moment, Araceli thought the girl might actually be trying to speak with her, and the possibility surprised her. Then the girl offered an awkward smile and said, "My friends wanted to know something."

Of course.

The others immediately giggled, and Araceli already knew this wasn't going to end well.

"What is it?"

The girl hesitated before asking, "If your mate rejects you tomorrow..." Laughter erupted before she could even finish the question. The others practically doubled over, some covering their mouths while others made no effort to hide their amusement.

"What will you do?"

"Maybe she'll cry."

"Maybe she'll beg."

"I'd pay to see that."

More laughter followed as the group looked at her expectantly, clearly entertained by their own cruelty.

Araceli’s face flushed, not with humiliation but with pain. But a small part of her had hoped they were really talking to her, that maybe, just this once, someone wanted true discussion instead of a quick entertainment at her expense. The truth of it ached more than she wanted to acknowledge, weighing heavy in her chest as she faked a pleasant smile and went toward the stairs without responding.

The laughing continued behind her, echoing down the corridor, but this time she would not let it follow. She kept her face placid and went to her room, closed the bedroom door behind her, locked it, and sat silently on the side of the bed. The familiar area felt oddly different, smaller than usual, the walls closing in around her. The air was silent, yet a cold was in the room, the silence just adding to the loneliness that had gathered about her.

Outside the music of the festival went on, the far-off notes wafting through the air, but within silence crept about her like a heavy blanket. She remained there for several minutes, her thoughts wandering through questions, possibilities and calm fantasies. Her mind wandered off to many places but always ended up in the same place.

Tomorrow.

Everything came back to tomorrow. Tomorrow she would discover her mate. Tomorrow fate would finally reveal its answer. Tomorrow she would learn whether there truly was someone in the world meant for her. The thought filled her with equal parts hope and terror, stirring emotions she couldn't separate no matter how hard she tried. What if they were right? What if nobody wanted her? What if fate had made a mistake?

Her chest contracted but she dismissed the thought immediately. Nah. She couldn't think like that, not today, not after she'd waited eighteen years for this moment. Araceli got up from the bed and walked over to the little window and gazed out over the hamlet spread below, gorgeous under the dying sunlight. The streets were already alight with lanterns, the warm glow moving over the winding streets and familiar buildings. Families stood outside their houses. Friends joked as they went through the crowds. Couples wandered hand in hand under the increasing canopy of light.

This time Araceli didn’t feel unhappy, she allowed herself to envision something else. She allowed herself to think of a future and it seemed brighter than the life she had always known. A future where she belonged, where she was wanted, where someone would choose her freely. Not because they felt sorry for her, and not because they had to, but because they really wanted her around. The notion nestled warm in her chest and a sweet grin creased her lips as she looked down over the settlement below. Maybe tomorrow would be the one at last. Perhaps fate had been saving something excellent for her all this while.

Something far below captured her sight and diverted her from her thoughts. A troop of warriors strode across the town square, their presence a spectacle even as locals hurried about their morning. Pierce Sencio walked with them. He was tough to miss, even from this distance. As he passed, a number of villagers stopped in their work to greet him, and Pierce returned each greeting with the same placid patience and respect, noticing each without hurry or arrogance.

Araceli could not help smiling at the sight. Then Pierce abruptly looked up, in a manner of sensing, toward the omega quarters, toward her window, toward her. Their eyes locked for the briefest of seconds, a heartbeat at most, but the moment appeared to hold still unexpectedly. Then someone spoke to him, and the queue was gone as fast as it had come. Pierce looked away and walked on without stopping, his concentration going back to the people around him.

Araceli froze at the window, her hands loosely holding the frame, her heart racing faster than she’d expected. She felt something unusual in her chest, something unfamiliar and impossible to describe. It was not excitement. Nor was it terror. It was something more, something she couldn't name no matter how she tried.

Outside, the moon moved slowly over the nite sky, spilling its pale light over a planet on the brink of transformation. It would be full by tomorrow nite. Long before either of them knew it, everything had been set in action and tomorrow destiny would arrive. Araceli and Pierce had no idea that fate was already weaving their destinies together.