Chapter 4 Vesarius Rage: The Alpha

INGRID.

The castle loomed before me like a silent judge, its dark spires tearing into the stormy dark sky. My boots crunched against the gravel pathway, each step echoing.

The air was suffocating, carrying a chill that wormed its way beneath my skin.

My hand instinctively grazed the hilt of the dagger hidden beneath my cloak. I had faced death before, but something about this place-about this man-made me doubt myself for the first time in years.

Then, I froze in my tracks. I quickly looked down on the ground. It was trembling. A low, heavy thud echoed from behind me. Another thud followed, closer this time. The ground trembled beneath my boots, the stones rattling as if they were afraid too.

The first sound was a deep, resonant thud. Then another. And another. Each impact sent tremors through the ground beneath my feet, rattling my bones.

Then it happened. Before I could even react, a blur of dark motion exploded from the shadows behind me.

The force of the attack knocked the air from my lungs as I hit the stone ground, my dagger clattering uselessly away from my reach. The creature was massive, its weight pinning me in place. Sharp claws pressed against my chest, just shy of breaking skin, but firm enough to make escape impossible.

A guttural growl rumbled through the night, vibrating through my body like a warning bell.

My wide eyes locked onto the creature towering above me-a werewolf, who was thrice the size of me. Its fur was as white as the snow, absorbing the soft glow of the moon. Its eyes, golden and piercing, bore into mine with an almost sentient rage.

Shit. An ambush attack from behind?!

It growled low and deep, a sound that seemed to rumble through the earth. My breath hitched, body frozen and shaking with fear.

"P-Please," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "Don't hurt me. I. . . I didn't mean to come here. I got lost in the forest. Someone. . . someone was chasing me, and I just-I just found the castle by accident. Please, let me go. . ."

The beast didn't move. It just stared at me, its eyes cold and unblinking. Then, it growled again, a sound that made me flinch.

Just as I thought it was the end, the pressure on my chest eased. The claws pulled back, and the werewolf tilted its head slightly, as if it was studying me. And before I could even catch my breath, it nudged me roughly, forcing me to lay flat onto my stomach.

"Hey! W-What are you doing?!" I gasped, trying to push myself up.

The beast didn't answer-not that I expected it to. It clamped its teeth around the back of my cloak and lifted me off the ground like I was a rag doll.

"Hey! No! Stop! Put me down!" I cried, kicking my legs in the air like a little kid throwing a tantrum.

However, the werewolf didn't listen. It snarled, then dropped me on my feet, shoving me forward with a strong nudge from its nose. I stumbled, catching myself before I fell. The beast huffed impatiently, a sharp exhale that ruffled my hair. Then it pushed me forward with a deliberate nudge, the force of its snout propelling me a step closer to the castle's dark doors.

My eyebrow frowned. I turned to face the creature. Don't tell me it wants me to go. . . inside?

"Okay, okay! I'm going!" I pointed to the castle's entrance, my hand shaking. "Just don't. . . don't hurt me."

I started walking toward the castle, I can still feel my legs shaking but they are steady enough to move. The werewolf followed close behind, its heavy steps a reminder that running wasn't an option.

As I reached the towering castle doors, their iron surface cooled under my trembling hands. I pushed it lightly, and to my surprise, the doors creaked open with a low groan, as if it was expecting me to arrive. It revealed a dimly lit hall.

The werewolf nudged me again, this time harder, making me stumble forward. It growled softly, its glowing eyes never leaving me.

"Okay, I'm moving. . ." I whispered, swallowing hard as I stepped into the castle.

The hall was massive and eerily quiet. The stone walls were covered in dark banners, and faint candlelight flickered from iron sconces, casting long shadows. My boots echoed on the cold floor, each step hesitant, my heart pounding in my ears.

The werewolf's steps were heavier behind me, a reminder of its presence. I didn't dare turn to look.

"Where are you taking me?" I asked, my voice shaking.

The werewolf didn't respond-of course. Its sharp exhale brushed against my back.

My mind raced with thoughts and questions. I'm already in the lair of the enemy's territory, led by a creature that could rip me apart in seconds. My fate is uncertain, it's either I'm making out here alive or just the opposite, I'll be dead before I could even execute my plan.

Suddenly, the werewolf stopped in front of another huge door. Its claws clicked on the stone floor as it stood still, its growl fading into a low rumble.

I turned slowly, my hands raised in a gesture of surrender. "What now?" I whispered.

But the wolf did not answer, his gaze on me as if he was telling me to go in. I then pushed the door with such ease and when the door opened a large throne hall lay before my eyes, it was dimly lit, black satin draped every surface.

My eyes were drawn to the throne at the center, raised on a platform of smooth stone. Its surface shimmered faintly in the moonlight pouring through the massive window behind it. The carvings of the throne-sharp and sprawling like the branches of a twisted tree-seemed alive. Behind it, a towering window stretched nearly to the ceiling. Through the glass, the full moon hung in the sky, perfectly framed, glitzing its silver glow across the room.

And then my eyes caught something-someone. . .

A figure on the throne sat motionless, as if carved from the same stone as the seat itself. His face was hidden in shadow, but when he opened his eyes-two bright burning pools in the color of blood piercing through the darkness, locking onto mine.

I froze at the sight, my feet rooted to the ground. My pulse thundered in my ears, drowning out all other sounds. Bullets of sweat began to form on my forehead. What-What is this tremendous power I'm sensing?! It's something I've never encountered and experienced before.

I pressed my hand to my chest, right over where the white moon crescent tattoo is. The pain there felt strange. It wasn't just a sharp ache-it was a burning sensation. I could almost feel the heat radiating from the ink itself, as if the tattoo was alive, pulsing with a force I couldn't explain.

The werewolf behind me pushed me lightly for me to get inside the hall but this time, for some reason my legs wouldn't move.

The figure leaned forward slightly, the faint movement enough to make my heart skip a beat. His voice cut through the silence, deep and commanding.

"You dare step into my domain?" His tone was calm, yet it carried the weight of an unspoken threat.

There's no room for doubt. It's him. It's Vesarius Rage. The Alpha.

"I-I didn't mean to," I stammered, my voice barely above a whisper. "I was being chased. I got lost in the forest, and-"

The figure raised a hand, silencing me instantly. His fingers were long and veiny, the tips glinting faintly in the moonlight. The movement was small, but the power behind it made my knees weak.

"You've wandered far beyond where you belong," he said, leaning forward just enough for the moonlight to catch the sharp angles of his face. "And yet, you're still alive. Interesting."

I could feel my knees weakening, but I stayed standing. I had to. I couldn't let them see fear-not now, not ever.

I swallowed hard, the weight of his gaze pressing down on me like a physical force. I dared to glance at the figure beside me, but it remained silent, its golden eyes watching my every move.

"Tell me," the figure continued, his voice dropping lower. "What is your name, and why should I not end your life where you stand?"

"I-Ingrid," I managed to say, my voice trembling, convincing. "My name is Ingrid. I'm. . . I'm not here to cause trouble nor bare harm I swear. I just. . . I needed to escape."

The figure's eyes narrowed, the red glow intensifying. For a moment, the room felt even colder, the shadows creeping closer around me. Then he laughed, a low, rumbling sound that sent shivers through my body.

"Escape?" he repeated, almost amused. "Fate has a cruel sense of humor, it seems. Do you know whose territory you've stumbled into, little girl?"

I shook my head, my throat was too dry to speak. I must play along and let him think I'm weak, defenseless and in need of rescue. I can't let them, let him sniff out my motives.

The figure stood slowly, his towering frame emerging from the darkness. His face remained partially hidden, but his presence filled the room, dominating everything around him.

"Good." he said, his voice like a growl of thunder.

My knees buckled slightly, but I forced myself to stay upright. And for some reason, my instincts screamed at me to run, I already disturbed the sleeping lion in his lair. I knew it would be useless and futile to escape. It's too late to run now.

Before I could say anything else, the werewolf beside me began to shift. Its white fur rippled and shrank, and its towering frame became smaller, more human-like. The cracking of bones echoed in the room, and I stared in both horror and awe as the beast transformed before my eyes.

In moments, a man stood where the werewolf had been. His black hair was messy, his sharp golden eyes still glowing faintly. He wore dark pants, but his chest was bare, scarred with old battles.

With his head lowered, he kneeled with his one knee on the floor. "Forgive me for interfering, Alpha." he began. "She's a human," the werewolf said, its voice rough and deep. "I smelled no threat nor another scent on her."

For a moment, I almost let out a breath of relief. But then Rage-Vesarius Rage, the infamous Alpha-narrowed his glowing eyes. "Human?" he repeated, his tone sharp, questioning. He stood, his massive frame towering even from across the hall. "Then tell me, why do I smell them on you?"

"T-Them?"

"A vampire," he growled, his voice low and dangerous, "His scent clings to you like a second skin."

My stomach twisted painfully, like a lead weight dragging me down. I could feel the color drain from my face, my skin ran cold and clammy. How did he know? Just from my scent? It was over a week ago-how could he still sense Zagreus on me? We didn't even touch. There was no lingering closeness, no shared breath-only words.

The sharp intensity in his eyes told me he wasn't guessing. He knew.

My mind raced for an explanation, something that wouldn't betray my real purpose here. My voice caught up in my throat.

"I. . . I was attacked," I blurted out, trying to sound as panicked as I felt. "In the Blackwood Forest. A group of them-vampires-came after me."

He stopped just a few steps away, his towering frame casting a long shadow over me. He tilted his head slightly, studying me like a predator deciding whether or not to pounce.

"I-I'm human," I said quickly, my voice trembling but firm enough to sound convincing. "I was attacked, that's why I smell like them. I managed to escape, but they kept chasing me. That's how I ended up here. . ."

For a moment, silence filled the room, heavy and oppressive. Rage's glowing eyes stayed locked on mine, his expression unreadable. I could feel his power pressing down on me, as if he was peeling back layers of my soul, searching for the truth.

"Attacked?" he finally murmured, his tone softer but no less dangerous. "And yet you survived."

"I-I was lucky. . ."

For a moment, the room was silent except for the faint sound of the wind outside. Fuck. I didn't know what to say. I can't slip my tongue, a fish is caught with its own mouth.

His glowing eyes bore into me, and I could feel the tension in the air thickening with every passing second.

"You are a fool to wander this far." Rage's gaze flicked back to me. "And is a bigger fool to come to my castle."

"I didn't mean to," I said quickly, my voice barely steady. "I swear. . ."

He studied me for a long moment before turning and faced his back at us. He put his hands on his pockets and gracefully walked through the door. Despite him being a few meters away from me I still can't steal a glimpse of his face.

"You will not die here. At least not tonight." he said, his voice echoing in the vast hall.

Relief flooded me, but it was short–lived even though he had already left the place, the ominous suffocating feeling is still here in me, lingering.

"However," The man beside me continued, his tone shifting, "You cannot leave."

"What?" I whispered, panic rising again. "Why not?"

"If the bloodsuckers attacked you once, they will hunt you again. It's not safe outside these walls," he discussed. "If you stay here in Enigma, you live under his protection. But it comes with a cost."

I swallowed hard. "What cost?"

"You will protect them."

"Them?"

He gestured and walked towards the window behind the man's throne. The full moon bathed the castle grounds in silver light, and beyond the vast forest. My eyes grew. A village can be seen in the middle of the forest, warm lights showering the place.

"The Ashenfall," he said, turning slightly to gesture toward the window. "A human village hidden beyond this castle. They are under our protection, and now, they'll be under yours. If you want to stay here, you will protect them. That is your price."

My heart and mind raced. So. . .it's true. The whispers of wonder are true. These werewolves. The Enigma doesn't harm and prey on humans.

Protect an entire village? Against vampires? Did he think I was some kind of hero? Protect them? Humans? Out of all that, how in the hell do humans live in a wild werewolf territory?

"I. . . I don't understand," I said, my voice barely whispering. "What do you want me to do?" I blinked, trying to process what he was saying. How am I going to do that? I didn't come here to babysit. What could I possibly do that they, with their strength and power, couldn't?

"You will earn your place here," he said, his tone final. "Serve him and protect your kind. Protect Ashenfall."

I swallowed hard, my mind spinning. I wanted to protest, to refuse, but I knew I had no choice. I can make use of that. If this is the only way to get close, to spy on him, and to stay in this place, then so be it.

"H-How am I going to protect them? I'm just a human. A mere human like those you are protecting!"

"Don't play with me, Ingrid Hearst of Tenebris. I know who you are. I lied to the Alpha so he won't kill you right here, right now. Now, whatever your motive is, I suggest you drop it." He threatened as he stepped closer. "It won't work on him."

My heart skipped a beat. He knew something about me all this time? "W-Who are you? What do you know?"

"I'm Asval Vortigern. A Beta. A Prime Sentinel. The Alpha's right hand and the second in command." He discussed, stepping closer to me. "In exchange for saving your face. You will serve him not unless you want your little secret to be exposed, right? Assassin."