Jessie's heart froze in her chest, while her father's stiffened immediately and his instincts kicked right into action, sharp as a blade. With a silent gesture, he raised his hand, warning her not to move, or even try breathing too loudly.
The Pit was suddenly too quiet, the trees swaying like uneasy witnesses. Together, they moved in perfect silence toward the treeline, every step deliberate, every breath measured. Jessie's pulse thundered in her ears.
The bushes shook violently. The wind howled through the branches, and then…
Out darted a small creature, scampering through the underbrush.
"A squirrel?" they both chorused, before bursting into a relieved laughter.
Jessie clutched her side, shaking her head. "Well, that squirrel gave us quite the scare."
Her father's chuckle rumbled deep in his chest. "That's enough excitement for one night. Let's pack it up before the forest decides to throw another surprise at us."
They gathered their belongings and began the walk back toward the house, the evening tension dissolving into the warm, familiar comfort of their home.
***
That night, however, Jessie's rest was anything but peaceful.
She found herself back in the woods, shadows pressing close, her breath ragged with fear. The air grew heavy, thick with the scent of earth and iron. From the darkness, figures emerged; half-human, half-beast, crawling from the shadows with eyes that gleamed hunger and bloodlust. Jessie gasped as one emerged before her, its body bizarre, its head monstrous, not one but seven, each face snarling in unison.
Her legs trembled. She wanted to scream, to run, but fear kept her rooted on the spot. When she finally turned to her father for courage, for protection, he was gone.
"Dad!" she cried out, her voice breaking. But only the beast answered, its seven mouths opening with a roar that shook the ground.
Panic surged within her as she immediately kicked into action and bolted into the forest, branches clawing at her skin, tears stinging her eyes. She tripped, fell, scrambled back up, running until her lungs burned. The creature's footsteps thundered behind her, closing in, closer, closer…
Just as she thought it would swallow her whole, a blinding light cut through the darkness. A figure on top of a white horse surged forward, powerful and majestic. He reached out, his hand strong, steady, pulling her up before the beast could strike. Her knight in shining armor.
Jessie clung to him, heart hammering, as they raced through the endless dark.
Then…
She jolted awake with a scream, sweat dripping down her temples.
Her grandmother rushed in, worry etched across her face. "Jessie! Child, what is it?"
Jessie sat trembling, shivering so hard her teeth nearly chattered. Elira pressed a glass of water into her hands, pulling her into a warm embrace until the tremors eased.
"Talk to me, what did you see?" her grandmother whispered.
Jessie's voice shook. "I saw it, Grandma… a beast with seven heads. And then… I saw a knight in shining armor. He saved me."
Elira stroked her hair, her own face troubled but calm. "It was only a dream, Jessie. Nothing more. That knight… it is just your heart painting pictures of what you long for. A reflection of your deepest desire."
Jessie closed her eyes, clutching her grandmother's sleeve. But even as Elira soothed her back to bed, she couldn't shake the feeling that the dream was more than a dream. The beast's roar still echoed in her chest. And the knight's touch still burned against her skin.
***
The clang of pots and the low crackle of the fire filled the kitchen, but the young maids spoke in hurried whispers, their voices sharp with nervous energy.
"I still can't believe that evil woman is gone for good," one said, glancing over her shoulder as though Alicia might sweep through the door at any moment. "Do you remember how she used to make us redo an entire feast just because she claimed the soup was 'too bland'?"
Another maid, kneading dough with flour-stained fingers, gave a quick shudder. "Too bland? Please. She once poured a whole pot on the floor, just to watch us scramble to clean it. Said she wanted to see if we could do it faster the second time."
The youngest, Mary, leaned in, her voice barely above a whisper. "And if you didn't move fast enough, she'd wait until the Alpha returned and then lie straight to his face. 'So-and-so disobeyed me, so-and-so insulted me.' Next thing you know, someone is being dismissed, or worse, thrown in the dungeon for days."
The others nodded grimly, the memories still raw.
"She ruled this Den with iron fists," the flour-dusted maid muttered. "We all walked on eggshells around her. Even the Matron herself had to tread carefully."
"And the Alpha?" Mary asked softly. "He never saw it, did he?"
"What do you expect? Alpha Travis was always away for one reason or the other," another answered. "Either off handling the provinces, signing treaties, or keeping order. And whenever he came home, all he saw was her tears and her lies. And he… he simply believed her."
Silence fell around the kitchen for a beat, broken only by the hiss of boiling broth. Finally, one of them sighed, shaking her head. "Now she's gone, it feels… strange though. The Den is lighter without her, yes. But look at the Alpha. He hasn't eaten, hasn't spoken. He's breaking apart while the rest of us are just starting to breathe again."
A heavy hush settled over them, their words trailing into the crackle of the fire. Fear lingered in their eyes, not of Alicia this time, but of what her absence had left behind.
***
Beta Justus paced the hallway, his steps echoing off the stone walls. When the door to the study creaked open and a maid shuffled out carrying yet another untouched tray, his eyes narrowed.
"He didn't touch it again?" His voice was low, heavy with concern.
The young maid froze, trembling. Her eyes brimmed with tears as she stammered, "He… he was very angry, sir. I've never seen him like that before. He warned me never to set foot in his office unsummoned again. I tried to explain that I was only ordered to make sure he ate, but he…" Her voice cracked, and she broke down, unable to finish.
Justus sighed, softening his tone. "That's enough, Mary. Go wash your face. I can't have another meltdown in this house. You're excused."
She scurried away, and the Matron of the Den appeared, her aging eyes filled with worry.
"Not you too, Matron," Justus muttered, forcing a thin smile. "We don't want the Alpha's Den feeling like a house of mourning now, do we?"
Her voice was gentle, but the wisdom in it carried weight. "Then you must act fast, child. Get him out of that study. I've heard whispers across the province and they're not good. Rumor has it that the rogue Alpha was spotted near the West Gate. Too close to the mountain, and we both know rogues never wander without purpose."
Justus stiffened. "Where did you hear this?"
"From a very reliable source," she replied firmly.
His jaw tightened. "Make sure no one else hears of this. I'll look into it at once."
"And the Alpha?" she pressed. "The clan needs to see their leader is still standing strong, and able to protect them when danger lurks"
"Leave that to me," Justus said, his voice hardening. "I know what must be done. Now get on with your work."
The Matron inclined her head and turned briskly, shooing the maids who had been straining to overhear back to their chores. Justus gave a sharp snort and left the hallway himself, the weight of duty heavier than ever on his shoulders.
***
The forest pressed in like a cage of shadows. Luna Alicia trudged forward, her once-glorious gown now tattered rags clinging to her thin frame. Weeks of wandering had left her gaunt, her skin streaked with dirt, flies feeding on the stench of exhaustion. Yet her eyes still burned with defiance.
Her mind replayed the day of her banishment; the smug relief in the pack's eyes, the cold judgment of the council, and worst of all, Travis's cruel resolve. He had chosen his pack. His pride. Not her, his wife of sixteen years. Never her.
At first, she thought it a bluff, punishment meant to break her will. Surely he would come. Surely the bond they shared mattered. But days had stretched into weeks. No one came.
A bitter smile cracked her lips.
"He will regret this. Even if it takes my last breath, Travis will wish he never turned his back on me."
She dragged her body through roots and leaves until the forest broke into a clearing. A crooked hut stood waiting, smoke curling from its chimney like a beckoning finger.
She knocked. The door creaked open. Darkness breathed out.
Alicia smiled, wicked and devious.
The Alpha's doom had just begun.