"Exactly as you have said... To beco the greatest Alpha you wish to be, you must beco evil—to eventually turn out good," the priest affird, agreeing with Bernard’s earlier declaration.
He extended his hand forward. "Co closer, Alpha. Let the mind of the spirit co into you."
Bernard stepped closer, cautiously. As instructed, he inhaled the white smoke—the sacred mist of the land of the holy ones.
The mont the smoke entered his lungs, Bernard collapsed to the ground. His senses beca overwheld, his mind a whirlwind of confusion. He couldn’t explain what had co into him.
"The one who brings terror to you and your kind is coming... and the storm will be far greater than you’ve imagined," the priest muttered, now in a trance. "Be strong and ready. For what you see before you... is never the full picture of the terror to co—not just to you, but to the entire universe!"
He moved erratically with the smoke waves, arms raised, voice deep and haunting.
Bernard stood frozen, unsure what to make of the cryptic warnings. None of the priest’s words made sense to him.
After about five minutes, the old man returned to himself. Without a word, he walked back to his seat and sat, calm once more.
Bernard moved closer, unsure of what to say. He bowed his head low, unable to et the priest’s eyes.
"Speak, Alpha. I can see your heart is heavy, full of questions," the old man said, his voice steady and commanding.
"I... I want to know what you ant," Bernard finally said. "None of it made any sense to ."
"The words of the spirit are not always ant to be understood imdiately," the priest replied. "So truths take years to reveal themselves. So, months. And so, you will understand right away. But in all, be guided by the spirit within you. Let it lead you on the path of truth and righteousness."
Bernard took a breath. "Then how will I know what to do in tis of trouble? How will I know who the enemies are? My decisions won’t just affect —they’ll affect my pack, my family..."
"The smoke you inhaled is not ordinary," the priest said gently. "It is the spirit of the land of the holy ones. When the ti cos, you will know. You will see who your true enemies are."
Bernard went silent again. His face said everything—he was determined to uncover the truth and restore peace to all that mattered to him.
"So... can you promise protection for my family now?" he asked, lifting his eyes to the priest at last.
"Nothing in life is guaranteed," the priest replied firmly. "And we do not hand out favors. What you enjoy here—this very conversation—soone paid for that. For you to have your own request granted, you must earn it."
"Then how do I earn it?" Bernard asked, now sounding more anxious than curious.
"Be an Alpha filled with love and respect. Understand the pains and joys of others. Keep this in your heart, and you will beco strong enough to protect your family as you wish."
Bernard nodded deeply. "Thank you... I promise to follow everything you’ve said and beco a better version of myself."
He bowed to the old man, who watched him calmly as the guards escorted Bernard out of the land of the holy ones...
***
Three years had passed, and nothing in Maria’s life had balanced out. The situations around her remained unresolved. She still lived under Bernard’s roof, with his family, haunted by her parents’ death and the revenge she hoped to claim.
More than anything, she longed to gain her freedom—and the key to that, she believed, was in certain important docunts she hadn’t yet found.
"Co on, Jas, do it now!" she urged, her voice low and eager as she turned, lifting her velvet dress seductively toward him.
Jas, aroused yet hesitant, grabbed her arm and pinned her gently against the bathroom wall. He stared into her eyes, brushing her hair aside with tenderness.
"Are you sure you won’t regret this later?" he whispered, his voice deep and full of restraint. "Can you handle it... when I start?"
Maria rolled her eyes in frustration. "There’s nothing to regret about having sex with you. Let’s just do it already."
She was losing patience. "It’s not our first ti, Jas. Why are you acting like this now?"
"Just... rember, I’m not your chosen mate. It’s B—"
Before he could finish, Maria shoved him away and adjusted her dress. "Forget it. If you’re not ready, I’m going back to class."
Angrily, she stord out of the bathroom.
As she entered the classroom, she sighed and wore a neutral expression. Thankfully, everyone was too busy chatting and laughing to notice her return. She slipped into her seat beside Cassandra.
"Hey baby girl, where’ve you been?" Cassandra asked with a teasing smile.
"Nowhere," Maria replied, forcing a smile.
"Hmm, really? Where’s Jas?" Cassandra raised an eyebrow.
"J-Jas? I don’t know. Why would you ask that?" Maria stamred, clearly rattled.
Cassandra laughed. "Relax, it was just a question. But Jas left the class right after you did. Sothing’s going on between you two, right?"
"There’s nothing going on. Just a coincidence," Maria said quickly, though even she didn’t believe it.
"I don’t buy it. You’re hiding sothing... and I’ll find out what it is," Cassandra said with a smirk.
Maria smiled faintly, trying to shake off her guilt. No one—especially not Cassandra—could find out what she and Jas had been doing.
"Do we still have class today?" she asked, changing the subject.
"It’s 2 p.m. already," Cassandra replied. "Mrs. Laura probably won’t co. Her class was supposed to end at 2:30."
Maria frowned. "I hope she does..."
"Why? Don’t want to go ho?" Cassandra asked knowingly.
"Yeah..."
"Is it because of Bernard?"
"Cassie, please. Don’t ntion his na," Maria snapped.
"You can’t avoid him forever. He’s your chosen mate," Cassandra said seriously.
"He’s a forced mate on paper—not soone I chose," Maria said bitterly.
"Still, he is your mate. You should try to accept it. If not for him, you wouldn’t even be in college."
"He could’ve helped without making his mate."
"It wasn’t even his idea. It was his parents’."
"And he just followed it like a coward," Maria hissed. "I hate that kind of weakness."
"Well, he ca looking for you after you left," Cassandra said.
Maria turned sharply, surprised. "Where is he?"
"He must’ve gone ho when he didn’t find you," Cassandra said, grabbing her bag. "See you tomorrow."
She hurried out with so other students.
As Maria got up to leave, Cassandra suddenly rushed back in. Maria blinked. "Did you forget sothing?"
"Yes—my advice," Cassandra said firmly.
"What?"
"Cut off whatever’s going on with Jas. Everyone in this college knows who your chosen mate is. Don’t ruin your reputation."
"Seriously?" Maria asked, stunned.
"Bye, Maria."
Before she could say another word, Cassandra waved and walked out again.
Maria shook her head and left the classroom, deeply unsettled.
As she walked out of the college gates, a wave of sadness hit her. Another night in that miserable house awaited her. She wished she could stay sowhere else, but the contract she signed wouldn’t allow it.
Three years ago, her parents died in a fatal accident. Since then, life had been unbearable.
She’d just turned eighteen and gotten into college when everything fell apart. Bernard’s parents took her in, offering support—but at a cost: she had to marry their son.
Bernard had been her childhood friend, but nothing more. She never had romantic feelings for him, and she believed he didn’t, either—until it was too late.
He agreed to the arrangent, despite knowing how she felt. That, more than anything, was what made her resent him.
And for three long years, that resentnt only grew...
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