Chapter 5
I stood frozen in the hallway outside Alpha Charles's office, my heart pounding against my ribcage like a trapped animal. The polished wooden floor beneath my feet seemed to sway as I waited, hands clenched at my sides to stop their trembling.
The heavy oak door swung open, and my mother emerged, her face unreadable but her eyes telling a different story.
"Alpha Charles wants to speak with each of us individually," she said, her voice low and tense. "He says it's pack protocol, to make sure our stories match."
"What do I tell him?" I whispered, feeling panic rise in my throat.
Mom gripped my shoulders, her fingers digging into my skin. "Tell him Alpha Gregory was going to exile us. That's not lying—it's the truth. He doesn't need to know why."
My breath caught. "But what if he—"
"You have a wolf, Maggie, okay? She'll come. You'll see." Her voice softened, but her eyes remained hard. "Just stay calm and answer as we discussed."
"What if he asks about my... situation?" My voice quavered, betraying the fear that threatened to overwhelm me.
"Shh, calm down. Everything's fine." She stroked my hair once, an uncharacteristically gentle gesture. "He probably won't ask you much since you're our child. Remember, no matter what, we're with you."
Dad's hand suddenly grabbed my arm, his grip firm but not painful. "We did all of this for you, Maggie. We moved for you." His voice was barely audible. "This is our only chance to stay together."
"We need to complete the blood oath ceremony," he added, glancing nervously at the door.
"Is everything alright out there?" Alpha Charles called from inside, his deep voice resonating through the wood.
Dad squeezed my arm. "Please, Maggie, once it's done, it's done. It will stop, I promise."
I nodded, my hands shaking as I pushed open the door.
The office was spacious, with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the forest behind the packhouse. I closed the door behind me, keeping my head down as I'd been taught to do in the presence of an Alpha. When I finally looked up, my breath caught in my throat.
Alpha Charles was younger than I'd expected, but no less intimidating for it. His features seemed carved from stone, sharp and defined, with storm-gray eyes that held the calm before tempest—quiet yet threatening to surge at any moment. His blue-black hair was slightly tousled, with a few strands falling across his forehead, giving him an unexpectedly roguish appearance that contrasted with his authoritative presence.
He wore a deep gray shirt with the sleeves rolled up, revealing muscular forearms. His entire body radiated power in a way that made the spacious room feel suddenly smaller.
But it was his scent that truly caught me off guard—like a forest at dawn, primal and pure. I felt my cheeks flush and bit my lower lip hard, trying to regain composure.
"Please, sit down," he said, gesturing to a chair across from his desk.
I perched on the edge of the seat, my back rigid, hands clasped in my lap.
"You're Margaret?" The way he pronounced my name, with a slight emphasis on the second syllable, sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.
I nodded, not trusting my voice.
"You may call me Charles," he said, his tone matter-of-fact as he looked through some papers on his desk. "How old are you, Margaret?"
"Seventeen," I managed, my voice barely above a whisper.
"Almost eighteen, then," he noted, glancing at what appeared to be my birth certificate and my parents' documents. "Soon you'll be able to find your mate. That must be exciting."
No one would want me. I'm basically human with enhanced senses, I thought bitterly, but forced a smile and nodded.
"Are you looking forward to attending our school?" he asked, his eyes studying my face.
I hesitated. "Does anyone look forward to school?"
One corner of his mouth twitched upward. "I did. I'm surprised you don't, considering you're the Beta's daughter."
School was great until they discovered I was a freak, I thought, but kept my expression neutral.
Charles leaned back in his chair, his gaze never leaving my face. "I heard your family left your old pack because your father Simon struck their Alpha's daughter. Is that correct?"
My heart nearly stopped, my mind going blank. How did he know? Had someone from Gregory Pack contacted him? Were we discovered already?
"It was... a misunderstanding," I stammered, my voice trembling slightly. "There was a confrontation that got out of hand."
Charles's eyes lingered on my face for several seconds, searching for signs of deception. I felt exposed, as if he could see straight through me to the truth I was desperately trying to hide.
"Now that you're part of Sunrise Peak Pack, whatever grudges from the past end here," he finally said. "But I warn you, Margaret, in my pack, I don't tolerate any betrayal or lies. If I find out you're hiding something, the consequences will be more than you can bear."
His words cut through me like an icy blade, sending chills down my spine. I swallowed hard, unable to respond.
Charles stood and walked to the window, his back to me. "The blood oath ceremony will take place this evening. Everyone who joins the pack must complete it to prove their loyalty. It will be conducted in front of the pack. Be ready."
I stared at his broad shoulders, terror gripping my heart. What if I don't have a wolf? Will it show during the ceremony?
The sun was setting as we gathered in front of the packhouse, its dying rays casting long shadows across the lawn. Dozens of pack members formed a circle around us, their faces cold and scrutinizing. I felt like an insect under a magnifying glass, exposed and vulnerable.
Dylan stood beside Charles, holding a ceremonial dagger, its blade glinting ominously in the fading light. Alpha Charles stood in the center, his presence commanding attention. He'd removed his jacket, wearing only a fitted black tank top that revealed muscular arms marked with several old scars that stood out in the sunset, radiating a wild, primal power.
Charles made the first cut, slicing his palm and letting blood drip onto a stone totem carved with wolves at the center of the circle. "Simon, Ophelia, Margaret," he called. "Come forward and swear your loyalty."
My parents went first, each cutting their palms and mixing their blood with Charles's on the stone, murmuring their oaths in low voices. Then it was my turn.
I gripped the dagger, my palm already slick with cold sweat, my hand trembling slightly.
"Don't be afraid, Margaret," Charles said, his voice unexpectedly gentle. "This is your proof of belonging to the pack."
Gritting my teeth, I drew the blade across my palm, wincing as sharp pain shot through my hand. I let my blood fall onto the stone, watching it mingle with the others'.
Suddenly, Charles gripped my wrist, pressing our bloody palms together. A strange sensation rippled through my body from the point of contact, as if an invisible connection was forming within me. My heart raced, and heat rushed to my cheeks.
Charles stood behind me, his hard chest pressed against my back, his warmth seeping into my body. "Now you need to make your oath to me," he instructed, his breath warm against my ear.
"I, Margaret Tudor, swear my loyalty and my life to Alpha Charles..." I faltered, realizing I didn't know his last name.
I turned my head slightly to ask, and found our faces inches apart. His scent overwhelmed me, and I inhaled deeply, momentarily stunned.
"Howard," he murmured, his lips nearly brushing mine.
"I, Margaret Tudor, swear my loyalty and my life to Alpha Charles Howard of Sunrise Peak Pack," I finished, my voice stronger than I expected.
The moment the words left my lips, searing pain exploded in my head, dropping me to my knees. Charles caught me before I hit the ground, his arm wrapping around my waist.
The chattering of my former pack rushed through my mind, every word I'd ever heard there flashing through my consciousness, the voices so loud they made my ears ring and a scream tear from my throat.
Then, as suddenly as it had come, it stopped, like the snapping of a rubber band.
You're okay now. It's over, Charles's voice said in my mind, and I looked up to see him smiling down at me.
"Can I let go now?" he asked aloud, amusement flickering in his eyes.
That's when I realized his arms were wrapped around me, just below my chest. My face heated with embarrassment as I became aware that his arms were the only thing keeping me upright.
Great, I have a crush on my Alpha, I thought before I could stop myself.
"Alpha... can you... can you let go now?" I whispered, mortified by the stares of everyone around us.
Charles released me, his expression cooling. "The ceremony is complete. From now on, you are a member of Sunrise Peak Pack," he announced, stepping back.
I took a few steps backward, keeping my eyes on the ground, my heart still racing from his touch. The warmth of his palm seemed to linger on my skin.
"Simon, Ophelia, Margaret, you'll stay in the packhouse tonight," Charles instructed. "Tomorrow I'll arrange for you to move into your new home. Dylan will handle the details. If you have any questions, go to him directly."
"Yes, Alpha," my father responded, while my mother took my hand. "Don't worry, Margaret. The ceremony is over now," she whispered, though her eyes remained vigilant.
That night, I couldn't sleep. The packhouse felt oppressive, with its high ceilings and unfamiliar scents. My parents were in the adjoining room, discussing tomorrow's arrangements in hushed voices.
I lay in bed, replaying the day's events—especially Alpha Charles's piercing gaze and intoxicating scent. The memory of his arms around me, the feel of his chest against my back, kept me tossing and turning.
Around midnight, I gave up on sleep and decided to get some air. The hallway was quiet, with only a few dim wall sconces casting a soft glow. I tiptoed downstairs and pushed open the front door, welcoming the cool night breeze.
The yard was empty, moonlight spilling across the manicured lawn. In the distance, I heard the howl of a wolf. As I stood there, breathing in the crisp night air, a movement at the edge of the pine forest caught my eye.
Alpha Charles emerged from the trees, his stride confident and tinged with wildness. My breath caught as I realized he was completely naked, his body sculpted like a statue in the moonlight, muscles flowing in smooth lines, droplets of water glistening on his skin.
I stood frozen, my mind blank, forgetting how to react. Then our eyes met, and I snapped back to reality, my cheeks burning as if on fire.
"I'm sorry!" I blurted, turning and running back into the packhouse, nearly tripping over the doorframe in my haste.
I leaned against the closed door, my heart threatening to burst from my chest. Images of Charles's body, his silhouette in the moonlight, and those piercing eyes flashed through my mind.
"What are you thinking, Margaret?" I scolded myself, slapping my cheeks lightly to regain composure.
But the heat wouldn't leave my face. I dove under the covers, trying to hide my embarrassment even from myself, but my thoughts remained in turmoil.