"You absolute fool! What were you thinking?" Gianna snapped, her fury directed at her son, Isaac, who winced under her glare. His battered body bore the marks of his reckless actions, and the sting of alcohol balm being pressed against his wounds drew a scream from his lips.
"You're lucky Selena saved your sorry ass, or you'd be a vampire's dinner by now," Aldric chuckled, earning a sharp glare from Isaac.
Eric placed a firm hand on Selena's shoulder, his expression filled with pride. "You're extraordinary, Selena. I only hope you'll be the one to save this family and restore our legacy," he said, guiding her out of the room's chaotic din. "Come with me."
As they walked through the dimly lit hallways, Eric's voice took on a more serious tone. "I'm sure you've heard of the four Alphas?"
Selena nodded. "I'm aware."
Eric glanced at her, his eyes sharp. "And are you aware of your destiny?"
Again, she nodded. "I'm destined to kill them all."
Her father's chest swelled with pride—the one man who truly accepted her as she was, bastard or not.
"Yes," Eric confirmed, "and to do so, you must prepare for the Crowning. Without it, you'll never achieve your goal. You must be blessed by the Moon Goddess. Just as an Alpha is gifted a Luna, a hunter is granted the power to destroy Alphas by the same Moon Goddess."
"It's the circle of life," Selena murmured.
"It's the food chain," Eric countered.
"It's balance," they concluded in unison.
"Born, live, die," he added gravely. "There's also a rumor—one of a fifth Alpha. A being so powerful you may not be able to defeat him. But I believe in you, Selena. I believe you can protect the human race from monsters that should never have existed."
Selena's throat tightened, her eyes glistening. "I'll make you proud, Father."
Eric patted her shoulder. "Go see the fortune teller. She may provide insight."
---
Instead of taking a car for the journey, Selena opted for her horse, craving the thrill of moonlit travel. She rode with determination, the night air cool against her face, and arrived at a modest Chinese restaurant nestled in the shadows of a temple.
Removing her shoes, Selena stepped inside, the sound of a soft flute filling the serene space. She greeted the elderly fortune teller and sat across from her.
"You've come to know your fate?" the woman asked, her bony fingers tracing the lines of Selena's palm.
"You are destined to face five," the fortune teller began. "Four will fail, and one will prevail. Your closest allies, the ones you trust most, will become your enemies. And you, the hunter, shall become the hunted. Beware, for you walk in the embrace of death."
A shiver coursed through Selena's body as she snatched her hand away. "What the hell are you saying?"
"It is as I've spoken," the fortune teller replied calmly. "Those you have sacrificed your life for will drive a knife into your heart. They will end you."
Selena's hands clenched into fists. "You're nothing but a delusional psycho," she barked, storming out of the restaurant, anger searing her chest.
---
As dawn approached, Selena found herself heading toward the shack of the dog keeper. Inside, her breath caught as her gaze fell upon the werewolf pup—now a human child of about three years, his small frame already walking with tentative steps. His curly white hair framed his face, and his icy eyes locked onto hers with what seemed like simmering resentment.
"He's grown so much," Selena murmured, shock evident in her voice.
The keeper shrugged, cradling the child in his arms. "They grow quickly—about three weeks to reach this stage. In a month, he'll be a full-grown adult."
Selena's heart pounded when the child suddenly called out, "Selena."
Her breath hitched.
The keeper smiled, amused. "He's been saying that word for a while now. His first words were your name, Selena."
As the keeper played with the child, Selena watched, the weight of her destiny pressing heavily upon her.