Claimed By The Rival Alpha

Chapter 93: Chapter 93

Selena

I stepped into the shrine cautiously, my fingers still curled around the edges of the brown cloak covering my shoulders.

Something immediately felt wrong. Not dangerous exactly, but different.

The room was filled with familiar faces... My eyes moved across the room, searching instinctively.

He wasn’t there and only Beta Bastian stood at the front. Why was I expecting Alpha Kael to be here? I sighed.

Sally noticed my confusion and gave me a small shrug and I slowly walked farther inside.

Beta Bastian waited until everyone had settled before speaking. "Before anyone asks, Alpha Kael isn’t here but I’m here."

My attention snapped toward him. "Why?"

Beta Bastian looked directly at me. "I’m here for a reason."

There was something in his tone that told me the explanation would come later.

He turned toward everyone. "But there is something all of you need to understand before we continue."

The room gradually became silent.

Beta Bastian’s expression hardened. "Your meetings have not been invisible."

A few people exchanged nervous glances.

"What does that mean?" someone asked.

"It means Alpha Kael has known about this group for some time."

A murmur spread through the room. Sally looked at me with her eyes wide but I remained still.

Beta Bastian continued. "He knows about your plans. He knows about the meetings. He knows about the desire to end the vampires’ oppressive hold over our people."

Someone gasped. "Then why hasn’t he stopped us?"

"Because he shares your vision." Beta Bastian quickly added and silence filled the room.

I could almost hear everyone’s heartbeat.

Beta Bastian took a slow breath. "Alpha Kael wants the same thing you want."

The room erupted into whispers while Sally leaned toward me. "Selena... we should stop him."

I shook my head slightly. "No, let him speak."

Beta Bastian waited until the murmuring died down. "However, there is something else you must know."

His expression became grim. "One week ago, four vampires entered Blackbourne and they came looking for Alpha William’s daughter."

A noblewoman near the wall covered her mouth. "Alpha William’s daughter?

"Yes." He affirmed.

The room became chaotic as everyone started speaking at once.

I kept my face blank while Sally’s eyes immediately found mine and I tried to maintain a stoic expression

Beta Bastian continued over the noise. "They believed Alpha Kael had taken her into his pack and was refusing to surrender her."

My heart thudded.

"Three of those vampires were killed." Silence fell again. "And they were killed by Blackbourne warriors."

Someone whispered, "Then we’re finished."

Beta Bastian didn’t deny it. "Perhaps."

Sally’s expression changed. She looked frightened as she whispered to me. "Selena," She shook her head. "He doesn’t have to tell them everything."

"He does." I whispered back at her.

His voice was calm as he continued speaking. "What this group is asking for is noble." He looked around the room. "But it is also dangerous."

His gaze hardened. "Very dangerous."

Nobody moved.

"Many of you will die." The words landed heavily. "Some of you may lose your families. Some may lose their homes. Some may lose people they love."

A nobleman stepped forward. "Are you saying we’re already at war?"

"I’m saying three vampires are dead." Beta Bastian’s expression was cold. "Their people will not forget that."

Someone swallowed nervously. "And if they come?"

"Then we fight against the vampires." He said not sugarcoating any of his words.

Several people exchanged uneasy looks.

Beta Bastian let the silence stretch before asking, "Knowing this, do you still want to continue?"

Nobody answered. For several seconds, I wondered whether someone would leave.

Then Beta Bastian stepped back. "The Alpha supports you." He stepped down from the front.

The tension became almost unbearable. I looked around the room and no one still left.

I finally stepped forward. "Thank you all for coming."

My voice sounded steadier than I felt. "Everything Beta Bastian said is true." I paused. "And I know because I was there and I experienced it firsthand."

Every eye turned toward me as I added. "I was almost killed by one of those vampires a week ago."

Different gasps filled the room.

I swallowed and continued regardless. "I remember running through the forest."

The memories came rushing back. The trees. The sound of footsteps behind me and the vampire’s voice.

The terror that had seized my body when I realized running would never be enough.

"I remember thinking there was nowhere left to go." My voice trembled. "I thought I was going to die."

Nobody interrupted.

"I reached a cottage. Someone helped me. But even then, I thought the vampire would kill both of us."

I looked at them. "I have never felt fear like that before."

A young nobleman raised his hand. "Then how did you escape?"

I glanced toward Beta Bastian and he gave me a small nod.

I faced the room again. "Because vampires have weaknesses."

Everyone leaned forward.

"They are powerful." I nodded. "They are fast. They are difficult to kill. But they are not invincible."

I took a breath. "That is what saved me." I looked around. "I will never force anyone to join this cause."

My voice became firmer. "If you’re afraid, you can leave."

No one moved.

"You can walk out of this shrine right now and I will not think less of you."

Still, nobody moved.

"You only have one responsibility if you leave." I paused. "Keep what you’ve heard here to yourself."

Silence filled the room that if a pin dropped, it would be easily heard.

Then someone raised his hand. "I’ll stay."

Another followed. "So will I."

A third voice came from the back. "I’m not leaving."

One by one, everyone agreed to stay.

A smile slowly formed on my lips. "Then we continue."

I looked at them. "Alpha Kael and his warriors are expecting an army of vampires at the pack gates anytime soon."

The room became tense again.

"We don’t know when they will arrive." I continued. "But until they do, we can still act."

I stepped forward. "We can change how our people think. We can teach them that vampires are not gods."

"Exactly." Different affirmations filled the room. "We can show them that fear doesn’t have to control us."

I smiled. "Exactly."

One by one, they began speaking. "I’ll help with the lower villages."

"I can speak with my family’s workers."

"My father has influence among the merchants."

"I can help with supplies."

"I know several noble families who might listen."

Hope began spreading through the room.

Then I remembered House Hawthorne. "There is something else." I quickly uttered.

Everyone quieted.

"I visited House Hawthorne."

I explained everything. The wrong house. The young lord. The girl and the conversation I overheard.

"The girl inside wasn’t Lady Sophia Hawthorne."

Several people looked confused. "Then who was she?"

"Someone ordinary."I shook my head. "Someone forced to impersonate her because the vampires wanted the real Lady Sophia."

A young noble man stepped forward. "I may be able to help."

I looked at him and he smiled slightly. "I’m Young Lord Eion of House Black."

"I know Lord Henry Hawthorne."

My eyes widened as he added. "We’re acquaintances."

"Can you find anything out?" I quickly asked.

"I can try and find out some useful information." He said.

"Thank you." I appreciated him.

Sally stepped forward. "We also need information about the innocent girl in question."

She looked around. "Who is she and where she’s from! We also need to know about the real young lady Sophia."

Immediately, people began offering suggestions.

"I know someone who works for House Hawthorne."

"My family trades with them."

"I can ask questions."

"I can find out about their business." The room became alive with possibilities.

I looked at Sally. "You take over."

She nodded while I walked toward Beta Bastian and sat beside him.

As Sally began organizing everyone’s offers, I lowered my voice. "Where is Alpha Kael?"

Beta Bastian looked at me before speaking, "He travelled to the Velmora region."

My heart skipped. "Why?"

"To investigate something."

"What is he investigating?" I couldn’t help but ask.

"The three young Alphas who came after you those moons ago."

A chill ran through me as I remembered them immediately.

The three Alpha sons who had infiltrated the castle... The three men who had nearly killed me.

"We still don’t know why they came after me." I lowered my eyes. "Or what their father’s agenda was concerning me."

"Then we’ll find out." Beta Bastian placed a hand on my shoulder. "Everything will be fine."

I gave him a weak smile. "You sound very certain."

"I am." He smiled. "You’re stronger than you think, Selena. Not just physically... but mentally and emotionally strong too."

I looked toward the people around us. "They’re trusting me."

"They are."

"I’m scared I’ll fail them." I muttered.

"You won’t fail them, Selena."

"How do you know?"

"Because I’ve watched you." He squeezed my shoulder. "You’ve survived things that would have broken stronger people."

I smiled faintly as he added. "I know you’ll lead them to victory."

He stood up. "If you ever need to move this meeting somewhere more comfortable, just say the word."

I shook my head. "We don’t need comfort." I looked around the old shrine. "All we need right now is focus and discipline."

He smiled before walking away while I remained seated.

The room slowly grew quieter as everyone continued with their preparations. But my thoughts had already drifted elsewhere to Alpha Kael.

My wolf stirred inside me. She missed him... I could feel it.

The strange ache in my chest deepened and I lowered my head. I missed him too... More than I wanted to admit.

And as I sat there alone, surrounded by plans for war and rebellion, one thought remained painfully clear.

I wanted Alpha Kael back.

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