The Alpha's Mark

Four months had passed in a steady, quiet routine, bringing Odesse to her fifth month of pregnancy. The early days of exhaustion had faded, replaced by the distinct, heavy weight of the child growing inside her.

Valex had been gone for nearly four weeks, summoned across the kingdoms for the mandatory High Council Summit—a month-long assembly where Alphas debated territory treaties and trade laws directly with the High Chief. In his absence, the daily governance of the Moonlight Pack fell to his council. While Odesse held no formal political ambitions, she was the highest royal authority left in the palace, meaning that the final word on domestic matters occasionally landed on her desk.

On this particular morning, the sun cast long shadows across the polished floor of the small council chamber. Odesse sat at the head of the long oak table, her posture slightly adjusted to accommodate her prominent belly, one hand resting on the thick velvet of her gown.

Opposite her sat the three senior elders of the pack—Elder Myr, Elder Raen, and Elder Fenris. They weren’t there to pressure her with military crises; instead, they were guiding her through the finer points of a persistent neighborhood issue.

"It is a matter of the southern marketplace, Your Highness," Elder Myr explained, adjusting a thick scroll of parchment in front of him. "The leatherworkers and the grain merchants are disputing the boundary lines for their seasonal stalls again. The leatherworkers claim the grain carts are blocking airflow to their premium hides, while the grain merchants argue they need the shade of the stone arches to keep their stock dry."

Odesse listened quietly, taking a small sip of the warm herbal tea that Cara had placed near her moments before. Cara remained standing a comfortable distance behind her chair, observing the room with quiet attention.

"Has this been an issue in previous years?" Odesse asked, her voice calm and measured.

Elder Myr shook his head, a wry smile touching his aged features. "Every single year, Your Highness. Usually, the Alpha simply fines whoever shouts the loudest, but with the harvest festival approaching, both sides are being exceptionally stubborn."

Odesse looked down at the hand-drawn map of the marketplace layout spread before them. She traced the lines of the stone arches with her eyes, thinking of how she used to navigate those crowded paths when she was a servant.

"Fining them will only breed resentment before a festival," Odesse said softly, looking up at the three elders. "If the grain merchants need the shade, could we temporarily reallocate the covered eastern wall for their carts? This keeps their grain dry and clears the stone arches so the breeze can reach the leather stalls."

The three elders exchanged a brief, impressed look. Elder Fenris nodded approvingly, his sharp eyes softening. "A practical compromise, Your Highness. It utilizes public palace ground that usually sits empty until the festival week begins. I shall have the clerks draft the relocation order for your seal."

"Thank you, Elder Fenris," Odesse smiled, leaning back against her cushions with a small sigh of relief. "Let’s ensure it’s delivered before the market opens tomorrow, so they have time to move without disrupting business."

"Right away, Your Highness," Elder Myr said, neatly rolling up the parchment. "That concludes this morning’s domestic registry. We appreciate your time."

The three elders rose from their seats, bowing respectfully to Odesse before gathering their documents and walking toward the heavy double doors, leaving the chamber quiet once more. Odesse yawned softly as she stretched her arm gently and said, "I had no idea royal duties as a queen were this hectic. More complaints one day or another since His Highness traveled."

Cara smiled and moved to face Odesse. "That is why you are suited for this role—an amazing wife, a competent queen, and soon," she looked at Odesse’s belly and smiled warmly, "the best mother."

Odesse blushed softly. "You keep flattering me, Cara." She shifted from her seat, making it creak against the floor, and stood up slowly, holding her waist for support. Cara moved closer and said, "Let me help you."

Odesse looked at her, raised her eyebrows, and smiled mischievously. "I am pregnant, Cara, not handicapped. You don’t have to rush to my aid all the time."

Cara laughed and replied, "You’re my best friend, so I have to care for you."

Odesse smiled warmly and touched her shoulder. "But you need time for yourself. You are always with me. The only time you get to be alone is at night and early morning when I’m not awake."

They began walking out of the council chamber and down the long, quiet, and dim hall. Cara smiled and looked down, saying, "Compared to when I was living in the Silverclaw Pack, I would rather spend my life devoted to serving your descendants."

Odesse’s eyes widened in shock as she said, "You can’t say that, Cara. You need to find happiness." Cara smiled and replied, "But I have. My happiness is seeing you and His Highness happy." She paused, looking down and blushing a bit as she pressed her hands together. Continuing, she said, "My happiness is being able to stand beside Kael, even though nothing will happen between us."

Odesse looked at her best friend, unable to say anything as tears rolled down her cheeks. Cara continued, "My happiness is living in this pack." She turned to face Odesse. "So, Your Highness..." Then, her eyes widened. "Your Highness!" They both stopped walking as Cara asked with concern, "Why are you crying? Did I say something wrong?"

Odesse shook her head and wiped her cheeks slowly, forcing a smile. "I am fine, Cara. I just... I got very emotional because I was wondering what an amazing person you are." Cara chuckled softly and said, "This is nothing compared to what you have already done for me, Odesse." She took Odesse’s hands and added, "I really am grateful."

Odesse smiled, her eyes glowing warmly. They began walking again, and a comfortable silence settled around them, one that felt peaceful. But then Odesse broke the silence, her face wrinkled with worry as she said, "I haven’t heard anything about Eryx. It’s been four months since his sudden disappearance; no one has seen or come in contact with him."

Cara looked at her and replied, "Maybe he ran away because he was ashamed of what he did." Odesse shook her head. "No, Cara. I’ve tried pushing this feeling aside, but something evil is definitely going to arise."

Cara smiled and tried to comfort her. "You said that four months ago, Your Highness. I’m sure it’s just one of those weird feelings. It will surely go away. Do not worry about it."

Odesse’s face was etched with concern, and she fell deep into thought. "You don’t seem to understand, Cara. This feeling will never go away until the evil deed has been done. Why did Eryx suddenly disappear?"

Immediately, what Cara said drew her mind back. "It’s not like he’s suddenly going to appear tonight to kill you," she said playfully. Odesse’s eyes shot wide open as she looked at Cara. "Oh my, I deeply apologize! I shouldn’t have said that," Cara exclaimed, panicking.

Odesse smiled slowly and reassured her, "No, no, it’s fine, Cara. It isn’t an issue." Cara looked down and murmured, "Forgive me." Odesse smiled warmly. "It’s fine," she replied, although her eyes conveyed a different emotion.

They kept walking in silence, and Odesse began to notice the air’s thickness and the bland smell of the wind, which sent chills down her body. 𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦

...

The bedchamber was quiet and warm, with moonlight shining through the glass windows as the light curtains billowed in the cool breeze. Odesse had just finished her bath and settled into her nightgown, ready to sleep, when she heard a knock at the door.

Turning to face it, she wondered, "Who could it be? Is it Cara?" She walked slowly toward the door, the stillness of the room becoming more pronounced with each step. Pausing in front of the door, she placed her hand on the handle, bending it slightly as she pulled the door open just enough to peek outside. To her surprise, there was no one there. Standing upright, she muttered to herself, "Did I imagine it, or what?"

She turned and closed the door, letting out a sigh as she walked back to the bed. Just then, the knock sounded again. Odesse paused, her heart racing as her mind flooded with memories of what Cara had said earlier that afternoon: "It’s not like he’s suddenly going to appear tonight to kill you."

Stammering, she whispered, "Could it be...?" Shaking her head, she dismissed the thought. "No, no, there’s no way. Why would he...?" Suddenly, her ears picked up the sound of the door handle twisting. Her hands trembled as she exclaimed, "Huh?"

Turning back to face the door in fear, she began to back away slowly, watching as the handle twisted fully and the door opened slightly. Her breath hitched as she clutched her belly. Then, a head poked through the gap in the door. It was Cara, whose concerned expression eased Odesse’s apprehension.

"Cara!" Odesse exclaimed as Cara stepped inside, holding a letter in her hand. Closing the door behind her, Cara said, "Your Highness, what happened?"

Odesse exhaled deeply, as if she had been holding her breath, her forehead slick with sweat. "I’m fine, I was just feeling tired," she replied, walking over to the royal couch and settling down.

Cara’s face remained filled with concern. "Are you sure?" she asked. Odesse smiled and nodded. "Yes, Cara, no need to worry."

Cara returned the smile warmly. "Where were you when you knocked the first time?" Odesse inquired.

Touching her forehead with her palm, Cara lowered her gaze and raised the letter to show Odesse. "This letter flew from my hands when a sudden breeze blew in, so I had to go pick it up."

"Oh, alright then," Odesse said. Cara handed the letter to her, explaining, "This letter arrived not long ago. I thought you were still in the bath, so I decided to bring it in for you."

Odesse gently took the letter, her smile widening as she remarked, "It’s from His Highness!" She looked up at Cara, who said, "I knew you’d be happy to see it."

Cara bowed slightly and added, "I shall leave now." Odesse nodded, replying, "Goodnight, Cara."

With a smile, Cara responded, "Goodnight, Your Highness." She walked toward the door, opened it slowly, and closed it gently behind her.

Odesse looked at the letter with joy as she carefully opened it and began reading.

"To my beautiful wife,

It is torture being far away from you; my heart aches because I miss your angelic voice graceful beauty. The high chief asked about your well-being today, and I couldn’t help but speak about you for hours. Kael was the one who brought me back to the present. Saying you have stolen my heart is an understatement; you have truly stolen my soul alongside it.

I know that despite my absence, the pack is still thriving because of you, my intelligent wife. There are only a few official meetings left before I return. I shall be back in less than two days, and when I do, trust me, I will not leave your side for a second. Always know that as long as I exist, I shall forever be yours, in the land of the living and the dead.

Until I return, my love.

Your King."

Odesse’s face was crimson red after she finished reading the letter. She smiled so widely that her cheeks puffed up. Slowly, she stood up and walked toward the bed, rolling the paper and placing it on the bedside table. She sat at the edge of the bed and said, "I miss you, my king. I cannot wait for you to return." Then she put her legs on the bed and lay down slowly, sighing as she closed her eyes.

...

Hours passed as Odesse slept. It was past midnight, and the air was cool and quiet, illuminated only by the dim moonlight. A chilling wind blew into the chamber, causing Odesse to shift slightly in her sleep with her eyes still closed. Suddenly, she heard a voice calling her name, "Odesse, wake up." The voice sounded familiar. She opened her eyes immediately, widening in horror as she saw Eryx standing in front of her.