MATED TO THE SECRET ALPHA

When the thick blanket of darkness fell over the sky, wishing the shifters a goodnight, a few individuals didn't wish their nights to be good. In fact, they snuck around in the shadows, their eyes glowing like embers in the dark, hearts burning with schemes and resentments, plotting the perfect moment to strike, and to amplify their schemes.

A few shadows, dressed in black, blended seamlessly into the darkness, their presence as silent as the night itself, as they crept forward with deliberate stealth, their movements eerily choreographed, their target the small cabin where a few servants lived.

At another location, another group in black, their faces obscured by hoods, gathered around a large, ornate map spread out on a wooden table, their eyes scanning the intricate markings and symbols etched into the parchment, their leader's voice low and menacing as they discussed their plan;

"This is her quarters," the hooded figure said, a bony finger tracing the outline of a marking on the map, "and this is where the beta and warriors live. We'll go through the forest behind the servant quarters and…" he jabbed a finger on a marking, "gather here in the next ten minutes…" he continued.

The air was thick with tension as the group nodded in unison, their faces hidden, but their eyes gleaming with a sinister intent.

"Now, we move out, brothers. Failing is not an option. Leaving your scent behind is also not an option, so you must not shift." the leader's voice was low and deadly, his words dripping with a ruthless urgency. "We have one chance to take her out, and if we succeed, you know what awaits us."

With that, they dashed out in great numbers, splitting into groups as they did. Some went left, some went right, and others forward, their black-clad figures dispersing like a dark, living mist, each group vanishing into the shadows with a speed and stealth that belied their numbers.

At another location, a single person, wearing a dark cloak, hurried through the damp forest, their heavy and clumsy movement rustling the fallen leaves and breaking twigs. Their breath came in short, sharp gasps as they pushed themselves to move faster, driven by a sense of urgency and a desperate need to reach their destination before it was too late, the fading moon casting eerie shadows on the trees.

Suddenly, the individual was yanked from behind, a hand clamping over their mouth and nose as they were dragged backward, behind a tree, their feet scrabbling against the forest floor as they struggled to break free, their eyes wide with fear as they realized they were not alone in the darkness.

"Quiet," a low, raspy voice whispered in their ear. "I'm not going to hurt you, but you need to be still and listen." When the hooded person's head bobbed fervently like a rattlesnake, the hand eased off their mouth, but the grip on their arm remained tight, holding them in place as the voice continued, "Hold you breath for five minutes, if you can."

The hooded person's eyes widened under their hood, the whites gleaming with a mixture of fear and adrenaline as they nodded vigorously, their breath catching in their throat as they prepared to hold their breath for the allotted time.

Shortly after, they saw figures in black, their silhouettes stark against the faint moonlight, moving stealthily through the forest, their eyes scanning the surroundings with an unnerving intensity, their presence seeming to draw the very air out of the atmosphere, leaving only an oppressive sense of menace in their wake, as they drew closer and closer to the hiding spot, their footsteps eerily silent on the forest floor.

They had no scent!

The hooded individual registered. That was when it dawned on them that their captor, rather, their savior was also scentless, and a shiver ran down the individual's spine.

However, the individual didn't care to breath. They were too terrified as the figures in black drew closer and closer, until they glided past, their faces hidden behind masks of dark leather, their movements eerily silent, as if they were specters rather than living, breathing beings.

Surprisingly, their numbers were large, yet they moved with a precision and coordination that was unsettling, as if they were a single person, rather than individual entities.

These were enemies, the hooded individual concluded, a shiver running down their spine as they watched the dark figures disappear into the trees.

The individual was so lost in their thought that they didn't realize it when their savior slowly released their grip on their arm, and it wasn't until they felt a gentle tug on their cloak that they snapped back to reality. But before the individual could utter a word, their savior had shifted and disappeared into the forest.

The individual stood there, contemplating on what to do. Heading back to the pack house was not an option and trying to mindlink someone was also not possible, because the distance was quite far.

Frustrated, the person yanked their hoodie off, revealing none other than Mirian. She bit her bottom lip, her gaze locked on the direction of the pack. And then, in a flash, her eyes lit up, remembering that high-ranking warriors had flares, and Xavier would too. With that, she resumed her journey, racing through the forest with all her might.

…

Meanwhile, Reana was fast asleep. Unlike other nights where she would sleep with one eye open, tonight she slept soundly, a small, peaceful smile on her lips, as if her subconscious had finally found home, and for the first time in three years and six months, her sleep was undisturbed by the dark memories that usually haunted her in the form of disturbing nightmares.

And it was all thanks to the man occupying the free space on her bed, uninvited. His strong arms wrapped protectively around her. His eyes were closed, chest falling and rising in a steady rhythm.

They looked perfectly entwined, a portrait of peaceful intimacy, and for a moment, it seemed as though nothing could ever disturb the tranquility of the scene, until, suddenly, Ryder's ears perked up, and his eyes snapped open as a zap cut through his mind.

'Intruders.' The voice sounded through his mindlink.