KEILAH
Everyone watched me in utter astonishment as my words hung in the air, causing a hushed silence to fall over this big room. I was tired of being intimidated by their threats of death, so it was up to me to face them and speak up for myself. I was undeterred by the intimidating presence of everyone, including their leaders, who exchanged glances, clearly taken aback by my unexpected interruption.
Keilah Rivera,” Ralph’s voice echoed in my head, calling my name. Shocked, I snapped my head over to where he was standing, his grave eyes fixed on me.
What was happening? Was he playing with my mind? I wondered.
“What do you think you’re doing there?” he asked again, his voice reverberating in my head.
My knees trembled, but I steadied myself from falling. “If you value your life, get away from there,” his voice warned.
I gave him a long, shocked stare, wondering how he was able to communicate with me like this. My gaze flickered away from him, refocusing on those I had come to confront.
” I heard you all are here to kill me,” I began, my voice steady. “Simply because I am human and also the alpha’s chosen mate. But before you do that, I want to ask what right you think you have to kill a person just because you don’t like them.”
Before I could continue, a vice–like grip clamped onto my arm, a forceful hold that threatened to fracture my bone. I looked up, meeting Ralph’s chilling gaze, his eyes piercing mine with an icy intensity that reverberated within my soul.
His mental command sliced through my resolve. “Stop this madness and do as I instructed,” his voice demanded, cutting through the airwaves of my mind.
Despite the courage I’d summoned, Ralph’s sudden display of authority reignited the buried fear within me, reminding me of the power he wielded, a force that eclipsed even my newfound bravery. As his grip intensified, a surge of pain shot up my arm, compelling a desperate wish for someone to intervene before he could break my bone. Just in time, a voice pierced through, breaking the tension.
“Alpha Ralph, I command you to release her. She has something to say,” one of the gray-haired wolf leaders commanded firmly, his tone brooking no argument. In an instant, Ralph’s grip on my hand relented, though his chilling voice lingered in my mind, a warning to measure my words carefully. As he shifted back into his composed posture, a heavy breath I hadn’t realized I was holding escaped me.
I turned my attention back to the wolf leaders who were impatiently waiting for my speech. “As I was saying,” I began, my confidence shaken by Ralph’s earlier intimidation, “you have no right to kill me because I am now part of you.”
My words were met with a cacophony of growls, a collective reaction of disdain from Ralph’s people as if I’ve said the disgusting thing ever.
I quickly turned around, facing Ralph’s people.
“You all must be disappointed to have a human like me among you, but the Moon Goddess herself, your god, has chosen me as the mate of your alpha,” I declared, my voice steady despite the rising tension. “Therefore, I suggest you all maintain your composure around me, for you’ll be seeing my face every day, whether you like it or not.”
With a satisfied smile, I spun around to continue my speech to their leaders. However, before I could proceed, they abruptly rose from their seats and departed without a word. Panic seized me as Ralph clasped my hand once more, his grip almost as forceful as before, dragging me along with the departing wolf leaders.
Where are you taking me?” I cried out in protest, my words falling on deaf ears as they continued to move forward. My attempts to resist were futile, and I glanced back at the old woman who had encouraged me to speak my mind out, assuring me how soft hearted they are that they’ll listen to me. Her eyes were filled with a sense of helplessness. Everyone in the room fell silent as they watched us walk out.
We crossed from the big room and entered a smaller room. The room was filled with various types of unfamiliar old items, including crafts and portraits with wolf symbols.
Alpha Ralph, we need to talk to you alone first. Your mate can wait outside,” said the gray-haired man. Ralph nodded at him and quickly let go of my hand. “Wait outside. Don’t move or do anything foolish,” he instructed before closing the door on me.
I paced back and forth, my heart racing with curiosity about what they were discussing. It seemed to be taking them forever. Each passing moment felt like an eternity, teasing my nerves with wild conjectures. What could they be talking about? Were they plotting something sinister against me? I wondered but quickly dismissed the thought.
Impatience was consuming me. I darted around, checking for any signs of being watched, but fortunately, there were none. I hurriedly returned to the room where everyone was gathered and cautiously peered inside. Everyone was still silent but restless.
I rushed back to the closed door and pressed my ear against its surface, yearning to eavesdrop on their elusive conversation. Disappointingly, not a single sound leaked through the barrier. It dawned on me that the room must have been designed to prevent any auditory intrusion- like a soundproof chamber.
Leaning against the door with a sense of disappointment, it suddenly swung open, sending me stumbling forward and causing an embarrassing landing at Ralph’s feet. “Shit, this is embarrassing,” I muttered under my breath, feeling the flush of humiliation rise to my cheeks as I awkwardly peered up at Ralph, who wore an unmistakably unhappy expression. I hope his glum demeanour stemmed from their earlier conversation. He shot me a pointed glare, then retreated outside, firmly shutting the door behind him.
“What’s your name, human?” inquired one of the leaders, breaking the awkward silence that lingered. Swiftly collecting myself, I rose from the floor, managing an awkward smile.
“I’m Keilah Rivera,” I replied, trying to mask my embarrassment with a semblance of composure.
They all stared silently for a moment. The two of them gave me a disgusted look, their faces filled with a mix of maturity and animosity. It was clear that given the opportunity, they would tear me apart. The older one with grey hair started speaking. “As you know, you’re under a roof full of werewolves who desire nothing more than your demise. A simple gesture, and you could cease to exist.”
“I know,” I interjected, my voice clipped, then continued, “Since you’re their leader, can’t you let me go? I swear on my life not to breathe a word. I promise to carry what I’ve seen here to my grave.”
It won’t work the way you want it to. Humans can not be trusted. We heard that you already met your family, and weren’t sure if you haven’t told them about us.
They know nothing. Please don’t involve my family in this. They know nothing about you people, I pleaded.
It doesn’t matter now. You and your family
are involved. And you’re all in danger, dying together. However, I will give you an option and a chance to save yourself and your family, he said, taking a few steps toward me.
The option I am giving you is to make Ralph fall in love with you and then make him mate with you out of desire. You only have four months for this to happen. If you fail, we know where your family lives. We will start with them by killing and will do it before your eyes.
I will do it, “I replied without a second thought. The other two smirked. Your time is ticking, they both said before leaving.
It’s going to be tough for you being here,” he said, giving me a faint smile before leaving as well.
I was left alone, lost in thoughts about what I had agreed to. Suddenly, the commotion brought me back to reality. I immediately stepped out of the room, only to see everyone dispersing in different directions.
The high-heeled woman I don’t like a bit accompanied by four others was the last to leave. She noticed me and smirked devilishly.
“Girls, we need to show some respect to the long-awaited alpha’s mate,” she said to her
companions, then approached me. Closing the distance between us, she whispered in my ear, “I don’t know what you did to make the council accept you, but you should know that no one is on your side. Everyone knows the alpha’s mate is me. I am their luna. The alpha is mine alone. No one touches what’s mine.”
She stepped back, wearing a sinister smile.
“Ladies, let’s show some respect to our alpha’s mate,” she said to her friends.
The most muscular one among them stepped forward, extending a hand in a gesture of respect. “Please accept my bow,” she said, swiftly bending forward. However, her rapid motion caught me off guard, and her head collided with my chest, knocking me off balance to the ground. Pain shot through my body, the impact jolting my senses, making it difficult to understand what they’re saying, but it was clear that they were laughing.
I couldn’t help but wonder what I had gotten myself into.