Chapter 1 BIRTHRIGHT

CHAPTER 1

Rose stood inside the grand hall of the Solemn Roar pack's castle.

Her gaze was set on the man seated on a throne carved from dark oak and draped with many diamond and gold pieces.

This man is Alpha Vale, one of the oldest werewolves alive.

He was revered as one of the most powerful werewolves to have ever existed.

However after living over a thousand years, which is twice the average lifespan of a werewolf, he is nothing but a shell of his former self.

Rose bowed her head respectfully. "You wanted to see me, Father?"

Vale's gaze softened as he looked at her. "I can feel it," he said, his voice heavy with years of wisdom.

Rose frowned slightly, accustomed to his cryptic remarks. "Feel what, exactly?"

He sighed deeply, his eyes distant. "My time is up, Rose. I've lived for centuries and seen more than most could ever imagine. But you, my child... you are my world."

Tears welled up in Rose's eyes, and she smiled sadly. "Father..."

Vale continued, his voice growing softer. "I only truly started living 18 years ago when you came into this world." He paused, then suddenly began to cough, his frailty more evident than ever.

Reed Justice, the young Beta who stood beside the throne, immediately stepped forward with a look of concern. "My Alpha! Please don't overdo it, allow me to assist you."

But Vale waved him off with a trembling hand. "It's fine, Reed," he rasped.

Vale rose from his throne, his frail body trembling as he stood. His cough grew worse, racking his chest until he coughed up blood. The sight of it shattered Rose's heart. She had always known her father was old, that his time in this world was short. From a young age, she had been raised to be strong, to be the future leader of the Solemn Roar Pack. She had prepared herself for this moment, or so she thought.

But as she watched him now, struggling to stay upright, she realized that no amount of preparation could prepare her for this. She wasn't ready to lose him, not yet.

"Father," Rose whispered, her voice thick with emotion. "Please, sit back down. You don't have to-"

Vale shook his head slowly, his eyes meeting hers. "Rose," he said, his voice rasping, "I've lived long enough. It's time for you to take your place. You are ready."

Rose clenched her fists, fighting back the tears that threatened to spill. "I've tried to be strong, like you taught me, but... I'm not ready to lose you."

Vale managed a weak smile. "You will be my child. You must be."

Rose bit her lip, nodding despite the ache in her chest. "I'll try, Father. For you, I'll try."

Rose was raised to be a strong-willed woman. She was raised as the future of the Solemn Roar pack.

She knew all this, she had braced herself since childhood.

However, she still wasn't ready to lose her father.

Vale slowly walked up to Rose. Seeing him approach, Rose couldn't hold back any longer. Tears streamed down her face as she began to bawl, her emotions overwhelming her. She knew this day would come, but the reality of it was too much to bear.

Vale gently placed a hand on her shoulder, his touch as steady as it could be. "Rose," he said softly, "you are ready. I made sure of it."

Rose looked up at him, her eyes red and swollen. "Father..." she choked out between sobs.

Vale's expression softened with love and pride. "Thank you for being my daughter," he whispered. He paused to cough again, his voice growing weaker. "You will lead the pack as the next Alpha. After all, you have my blood."

Rose nodded, trying to process his words through her grief. She knew what he meant. When an Alpha with a single heir dies, their Alpha Force-the power that defines an Alpha-is passed down to their heir. It was her destiny, and now, with her father's blessing, it was closer than ever.

Vale gently wiped away Rose's tears, his touch warm despite his weakness. "Don't cry, Rose," he said softly, pausing to take a deep breath. His eyes wandered around the castle, and a smile of satisfaction crossed his lips.

They embraced, a final farewell hug filled with unspoken words. "With my last breath," Vale whispered, "you will inherit all of my strength."

Suddenly, Rose felt something warm splatter across her face. She pulled back, eyes wide in horror as blood gushed from Vale's chest.

"Reed, what the hell did you do?!" she screamed, her voice filled with shock and fury.

Reed Justice, the Beta her father trusted with his life, stood behind Vale, his claws buried deep in her father's back.

Blood dripped from his fingers, staining the floor beneath them.

Reed let out a sigh of relief before his expression twisted into a maniacal grin.

He began to laugh maniacally, it was a cold and cruel sound that echoed through the grand hall.

"For centuries," Reed said, his voice filled with bitter satisfaction, "from my first ancestor down to myself, the Justice family has served Vale as Beta."

Reed twisted his claws further, tearing through Vale's chest. This caused the Alpha to cry out in pain as he let go of Rose and collapsed to his knees.

"Father!" Rose yelled, kneeling to his level. She raises her head to meet Reed's eyes.

"Why?!" Uttered with her voice breaking.

"Why would you betray him? My father was not like most Alphas! He was kind, gentle, and fair!"

"Fair?" Reed chuckled darkly, his eyes narrowing as he pointed at Vale. "For centuries, Vale has had many mates. But none could give him a child."

Alpha Vale had lived for over a thousand years, and in all that time, he had taken many mates, hoping to continue his bloodline. However, he was unable to conceive a child.

He had sought the help of witches and banshees and tried every method he could think of, but all had been in vain.

His dream of an heir seemed hopeless until twenty years ago when he met Rose's mother.

Reed looked down at Vale's crumpled form, then turned his gaze to Rose, his expression twisted with hatred.

"Your father was a narcissist, Rose," he spat.

"He refused to name his loyal Beta as the next Alpha. He kept that power to himself. And for that, he deserves to die."