PROTECTOR OF THE ALPHA'S CURSED HEIR

Only a moment before the wolf feasted on Annie, a second wolf - larger, and faster, crashed into the bad wolf with a bone-shaking snarl. They tumbled into the mud, snapping and tearing,

The fight was short and brutal.

The second wolf - fierce and panting hard, stood over the bad wolf lying still in the mud, eyes glowing, It turned its head toward Annie.

Annie opened her eyes for a brief, hazy second before she blacked out, she saw the wolf change into someone familiar - Onika. She thought she looked like the woman she saw Alpha having sex with in his study.

"...You.."

She fainted.

****

Rain poured down the car window hard, Alpha sitting in the back, worried but trying not to show it, he fixed his eyes on the wet blur of trees rushing past as they drove.

His phone vibrated, just once. He grabbed it instantly.

"Onika," he answered.

Her voice came through, trembling but making an effort to sound firm.

"Alpha, we've found her. Annie's safe... but she's badly hurt."

There was a moment of silence before Alpha responded, his voice low but edged with steel.

"What happened?

Onika paused, choosing her words carefully. "She's alive, Alpha."

"You lost her while she was under your care, Onika," he said coldly. "How on earth did she manage to leave the villa?"

A rumble of thunder came from a distance.

His voice dropped, controlled yet very angry. "How could you let this happen?"

"I'm sorry, Alpha."

"Do not take her to the hospital. Get doctor Owen right away. I don't want anyone outside the villa or from the council to find out about this. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Alpha."

He hung up, exhaling sharply. "Turn the car around," he instructed the driver.

The driver made a U-turn immediately.

A few moments later, headlights pierced through the downpour, illuminating his brothers waiting in the SUV parked at the roadside, with the rest of the convoy still holding.

As the Alpha stepped out brooding, Kael leaned out the window, looking at him for explanations.

"We've been waiting long enough, brother."

Alpha offered a thin smile that clearly indicated he was not impressed.

" Kael. Don't flatter yourself. Dante probably made you wait"

Kael clenched his jaw, while Dante shot him a self-satisfied grin.

"Let's get moving," the Alpha commanded, and the driver sprang into action without needing any other person's approval.

Kael muttered something inaudible to himself.

The convoy continued. In the back seat, the Alpha lost himself in thought, his gaze drifting out of the window. The thought of Annie filled his mind. He had never had to worry about anyone like this before, but now he couldn't help it.

"What was the emergency all about Killian, don't you think you owe us some explanation?" Kael demanded.

Apha didn't look at him, he just said quietly. "It was taken care of."

"Yeah, I bet it was. But is that all the explanation we get? You can't keep doing this Killian."

Alpha finally turned, eyes sharp "Something went wrong at the villa. That's all you need to know."

"The villa? What could...?"

"Enough Kael, you'll be informed when it concerns you. "

"You know what? I don't care about one of your little secret projects, I just need you to be the leader that this pack needs and stop chasing shadows..."

Dante cuts in "Can we just have a quiet ride to our destination?"

Malory tapped Kael on his arm "Let it go, darling, I guess you'll know when the Alpha wants you to know" she said softly.

Alpha ignored them all, eyes fixed on the dark forest. His mind was not with them at all, it was with her-the mother of his child, hurt and bleeding.

****

The council meeting was already in session, they were used to waiting for the Zerok brothers. The hall was full - pack leaders, witches, vampires, and one human delegate Mr Cyril from the Mayor's Office looking wildly out of place.

Lady Eden, the witch who had seen a vision about Annie's baby being a means to their end. "This child's birth will unravel every boundary that holds our world together. Blood against blood...

The door creaked open.

The Zerok brothers entered, Alpha Killian first, Kael followed closely, his face a mask of irritation with Malory gliding by his side. Dante came in last, casual as usual, one hand in his pocket and a smirk on his face.

Every eye turned their way, some looked terrified, some a little too fascinated as they whispered.

"They are finally here"

"Always late"

"That's the Alpha who wiped out the entire mighty arrow pack at the age of 16"

"He's so handsome"

"I hate his guts"

"They are the richest werewolf family"

Elder Isaiah cuts through the murmurs - tall, grim, and never liked the Zerok brothers especially Alpha Killian, he hated his aura. Needless to say, he is such a hater.

" Ahh, the great Zerok brothers finally decided to grace us with their presence. Shall we bow or applaud? He sneered

Alpha Killian unmoved, "You'll forgive the delay elder Isaiah, council, we had... pressing matters"

Elder Isaiah was irritated, but forced a thin smile "Of course you always do, something is always up with the Zerok family. Perhaps you might be the ones harbouring the vessel."

Alpha didn't reply immediately because he knew exactly what Elder Isaiah meant by his last statement - it's about Annie, he saw that coming. He gently went to his usual seat and crossed his legs "What vessel are you talking about Elder Isaiah?"

"Lady Eden was just telling us about her vision earlier today. A woman carrying a child would be the end of all the supernatural beings, she also said..."

Lady Eden cuts in "I can speak for myself, Isaiah". She never liked any kind of patronage from the other kinds, he always tried to flatter her but she didn't budge. "A woman - not any kind that we know, is the vessel carrying the child that will destroy the balance of the world. It's very appalling to see in my visions that a wolf is shielding her and defying everything this council stands for."

Alpha's face gave nothing away, but inside he knew that they were getting too close. "Elder Isaiah, so you very well believe that my family knows the whereabouts of this so-called vessel?"

"Elder Isaiah swallowed hard, he didn't back down." Well I am not accusing you of such but since your family has a knack for chaos, I reckon we will start the search in your villa and perhaps to prove your innocence."

Kael's voice cut in "You overstepped Elder Isaiah, you don't walk into our circle and accuse my brother of treason, not unless you are tired of breathing" surprised that Kael would say that. No matter what went on behind closed doors - the unspoken rivalry and the quiet resentment, Kael would burn the world down before letting anyone humiliate their family name.

"Speaking of breathing, someone might lose their breath in their Sleep tonight and the world will blame the Zerok brothers" Dante added in a sarcastic tone.

The elder's face flushed with red, the veins in his temple throbbing "watch your tongue boy"

"Funny, that's what people say before losing theirs" Dante rolled his eyes while he played with his ring.

Alpha, unmoved, raises a hand that commands silence. Both his brothers stop instantly. The hall feels the shift - the kind that comes when predators decide whether to kill or simply wait. Even though he had no wolf, he remained powerful.

"We're not here for banter. Lady Eden, please proceed."

"Well, we must find this vessel and end her and the werewolf protecting her before she gives birth. Otherwise, we all perish. My vision was very clear."

Alpha's jaw flexed, "So you are saying this baby is death to all our Kind?"

"Yes, the power in that womb will destroy everything we've built."

Alpha's cruel eyes tilted towards Elder Isaiah, poking through his forehead. "Then let's find the vessel and end her"

The hall murmured in agreement

"There's no way he could be hiding the vessel"

"He'll never forgive a threat like this, he's intact the only person that can end that cursed baby"

Elder Isaiah smirked, satisfied.

But beneath the table, Alpha's fingers curled into his palm - so tight his knuckles went white. His jaw clenched once, and guilt swept across his face barely noticeable unless you knew him well.

Dante saw it.

A gesture he always did right from when they were kids. He saw the worry in Alpha's eyes before he turned them cold again.

The Alpha continued "We don't hesitate, if she exists, she dies."

Damn right! Kael added, so instead of sitting here accusing us. You'd better get to work. By all means, find the vessel carrying that baby.

Malory by his side, nodded in agreement.

Alpha stood up "When you find her, bring her to me, if this baby is a threat to our stability, I'll personally carve the baby out of her womb. I will snuff life out of it, I will desecrate its body and bury it alive.

The hall suddenly feels hot, and everyone in the room feels the tension.

"This meeting is over" he added.

The words came out steady but Dante caught the lie buried inside them.

His brother's voice might fool the council, but not him because when he said "she dies,"

His hand had trembled like a man already mourning someone he valued.

Dante, who had been spinning his ring absentmindedly, suddenly stopped. For the first time, Dante's lazy smirk faded and realisation swept in

"Oh damn...he knows the vessel."