Alpha Ripp

It was achingly quiet as the moon stood out in the starless night. There were no souls out in the dark, or wolves prancing through trees as the residents of the Blood-Moon Pack retreated to their homes, for fear of the unknown.

This wasn't a norm for them. But, this night, the moon goddess would be making her appearance. She did this on the first of every new year. Her presence signalled surplus, warmth, protection and jubilation once upon a full-moon. Now, it was associated with fear and anxiety, thanks to Alpha Arch's promise.

Alpha Arch had promised the moon goddess to give her his first male child in exchange of defeating the Blue Pack, and taking all their families under his wing. It had been a greedy deal, but it had to be done. For if he had being merciful, his whole pack would go extinct.

Now, it has been 500 wolf years, and there was no heir. This was a source of sadness for Alpha Arch and his Luna, Sheryl. But, no matter how many times they got intimate, a boy was not forthcoming. The priestess had warned them not to try anymore, the Omega's daughter, Tatiana who was a slave from the Blue pack would give them a child that would turn the history around.

For this very reason, Luna Sheryl brought Tatiana into the Alpha's quarters, making her stand by the deserted hallway, as she went into Alpha Arch's chambers after two consecutive knocks.

Alpha Arch wore a white robe which was made of leopard skin, sitting down on his shelf, a black ink poised on one of his left hands, while the other was resting absently on the bound letters. Luna Sheryl thought deep in her heart that she was so unlucky to give her mate to one of the slaves to mate. She felt like a failure.

This was not the time to feel sorry for herself. There was so much to do. Right now, what she needed to do was carry out the task she set out for this evening. She wouldn't let anything happen to her mate and all of the pack because of her selfishness. If she didn't do this, he would never agree to it.

With that, she stepped further into the room, her floor length satin night-gown brushing the carpeted floor with every movement. Alpha Arch still hasn't noticed her presence.

"My love, could you please spare me a bit of your time?" She asked softly.

The bent spine of Alpha Arch straightened, and he steered his neck sideways to see her. His face was still as handsome as it had been 500 wolf years earlier. But, there was one difference, he had been marked by two lines running from his jaw to his collarbone, a result of the promise he'd made. It had stayed with him.

"You do not need to ask this after all these years? My time and yours are interwoven intermittently, such that, it can never be separated no matter how hard one tries." He said with each word laced in truth and love.

Luna Sheryl smiled as she did when he hyped with words that were bigger than her. She didn't understand half of his poetry, but she knew that it was laced with devotion and love.

"I know that your love can never fail, and I'm immensely grateful for that, but..." She licked her lips.

Alpha Arch rose his eyebrows slightly, willing her to continue what she had started, but words seemed to fail her. She had not wished to start the conversation so abruptly, even though they've come through the root more times than she could count. Yet, it was so difficult to do. She had hoped for more time.

"But?" He encouraged.

She swallowed the thick wool of saliva as her wolf pleaded to her to not do what she set out for. 'Be quiet, Izana,' she scolded the she-wolf sternly.

"But, look at those blue curtains. What do you see?" She queried.

She watched him move stiffly to the curtain. She was aware that he knew what she meant, but played along as he'd always done. This time, wouldn't be like the other times, she would make sure of it.

Alpha Arch rose the cotton gingerly, then peered into the quiet, up the sky to the moon which stood out in white. It was slowly turning red, he caught glimpses of the hues on the undertone of the moon. It was only a matter of time for the Moon Goddess to make her decent. He pulled the cotton back down.

"I see a moon," he said flatly.

She shook her head. "There is no time to act in subtlety. I know you do it for my benefit, but do you remember what the moon goddess had said when she came here the last time?" She asked as calmly as she could.

Suddenly, he was holding her to him, like she were fragile glass. His war trained hands were so gentle as he shook her sternly. His dark eyes were filled with a quiet confidence that only an Alpha could pull off.

"I have told you Sheryl, there is nothing to be afraid of. I will protect you and our young daughter. I love you, and I will pay the brunt of my unfulfilled covenant this night. You will be safe. Do you not trust me?" He asked, tortured.

Sheryl rose her hands up his face, even with his hold on her hand. It aroused her when he was rough, and she tried her best to focus on the matter, reminding herself that now was not the time.

"There is no one I trust more than you. You're my mate and the source of my happiness. But, right now, you do not know what you're saying. There is no-one that can stand against the moon goddess. If not for yourself, think about your people. She can wipe us off in a minute." She said with a hint of smile on her lips. "Is that what you want?" She asked.

He let her go like she'd dove a stake through his heart. He walked back to his shelf, picking up the ink, and swirling it round and round. Sheryl wished she knew what he was thinking. She wished she could help him, like he'd done so many times.

"You know that they mean much to me. I can't afford to be selfish even if I wanted to. I've fought for this pack without a care for my life. You know this!" He snapped suddenly.

"Then mate with Tatiana," Sheryl said abruptly.

Alpha Arch slammed the ink on the shelf, and its contents leaked like rain droplets, staining the carpets, and soiling his feet and robe. He turned to his eyes dark, and his shoulders hunched. His hands were fisted by his sides, as his fangs came out unbidden. He was in-between shifting. If he did, then all the efforts and planning would be lost. Sheryl would not allow that to happen.

She moved swiftly to him, caressing his face, speaking to him through their mind link as she mentally willed him to come back to her. He gritted and howled, then he cried. For a good ten minutes, all he did was cry. His fangs retreated, giving way to a strong white canine.

"This is all my fault. Why does it need to come to this? Why? I only wanted us to be safe. Now, I can't be faithful to my mate. I feel so awful. I do not deserve you!" He wailed.

Sheryl shook her head, then sighed deeply. "I'm the one who doesn't deserve you. You've been the best thing that has happened to me. There would never be a better Alpha than you to lead the wolves to victory all round. Don't hurt yourself. I do not mind, for I know, we shall live for a thousand lives together, no matter what happens." She said frantically.

Alpha Arch pulled away from her, going back to the window. The red hues had covered a quarter of the moon. If they needed to do anything, it must be now.

"Send her in." He said with quiet authority.

It was done. Sheryl said no more words, for fear that she might spike something in him. Instead, she moved quickly out of the room, in a bid to send Tatiana in.

The young woman stood there clutching at her shirt, and casting weary glances across the hall. When she caught a glance of the Luna, she bowed low in respect.

"Do you remember everything you need to do?" Sheryl asked once more.

"Yes, my lady," She accented.

Luna Sheryl nodded impressed. "Go in now! We do not have much time. The herb you've taken would steer your womb to conceive this night. You must breed a healthy male child that would be in line to the throne. Now, go!" She ordered, pushing Tatiana softly towards the door.

Now, she had done her part. It was left for the gods to do theirs. 'If only I can run through the undergrowth in my wolf-form.' She thought to herself, as a cold chill hit her. But, she couldn't do that. It was too risky to venture outside. Now, she just needed to wait outside this door for good news.

Luna Sheryl could hear every little moan, groan and curse that was thrown from Tatiana and Alpha Arch as she stood by the hallway. She wanted to hit something, anything at the moment. It felt like her heart was being torn from her soul.

Her fingers fisted her satin gown, her fingers turning into claws as it pierced her flesh. She couldn't do this. She couldn't stand here and pretend she wasn't bleeding from the inside-out. It just wasn't possible.

She closed her blue eyes, waiting in vain for the intense feelings to go off, but it intensified as the moans hit her eardrums. They were so filled with carnality, and she knew what had caused it. She knew exactly what Alpha Arch must have done, and damn the moon goddess, she didn't love to see it.

Luna Sheryl straightened up her spine, and opened her blue eyes. Staying here was one hell of a nightmare. She needed to inform the priest that the mating was going on. She had to, for her own sanity. She could easily have informed the Beta, Jones to relay the message, but she needed something to do.

She cleaned the dried blood on her satin gown, and walked deeper into the hall towards the general hall. This was where the major players in her game were waiting. They wanted her accent to put the plan into work.

She pulled the door open, and stepped into the humid room. It wasn't cold in here thanks to the heater from the artistically crafted stove. The members rose to their feet quickly, lowing their heads to the floor in obeisance. They loved her madly, and it hurt them that it had come to this, but it had to be done.

"Rise," She said.

They did as she said, their eyes taking up a sombre glow. There was so much gloom that perused the room, and something akin to pity. They pitied her. She stood straight as the thought came to her. No matter what, there was no place for pity for her. She was a Luna! She was not just any Luna, but, the Luna of the Blood-Moon pack! There was no place for pity for her.

"Priest, I want you to come with me. It's almost time," She said firmly.

Priest Antoine bowed low. "Yes, my lady," He said respectfully.

Together, they both walked out of the room, into the cold hall. Luna Sheryl clasped her hand tightly in front of her chest. She stopped in her tracks, as she turned to face him.

The smallish man was holding a blue substance in his hands. He was shaking profusely, either from fear or cold, it was hard to tell. His white coloured eyes looked at the Luna with a reckless abandon.

"How much time do we have before the moon goddess gets here?" Sheryl queried.

He clicked his tongue, then said in an abstract voice. "I believe we have less than an hour. But, no-one knows what the moon goddess does. She may call us at any time." He said softly. "I don't mean to go over myself, but did our Alpha agree to it?"

Luna Sheryl looked forward, her heart wrenching in sadness. "Yes," She whispered.

"Don't you worry, Luna. Your sacrifice would not be in vain. This thing you've done would be written in all of the history books." Priest Antoine said with such authority.

She turned to look at him. "That's all right. But, we must go to the Alpha's den now. Come with me," She encouraged.

There was total silence, each in the succour of their own thoughts as they drew nigh to Alpha Arch's room. The moans increased in tempo as they moved. Luna Sheryl gritted her teeth hard to block it out.

"The Alpha will surely have a male child this very night. I can feel it deep in my loins." Priest Antoine said suddenly.

Luna Sheryl blocked his words out, and without much thought, knocked on the door. The moans died immediately. Though, there was a muffled sound of weeping. Tatiana was crying. What must have happened? 'No, I will not think it!' She whispered to herself.

Without waiting for a response, she opened the door. Alpha Arch was completely naked, as he stood gazing out the window. Tatiana was also naked, except for a clean sheet protecting her from prying eyes. Her mascara was wet as she cried softly. Luna Sheryl could see the marks that lined up the exposed part. It was healing quickly, but not quick enough like a royal blood or a Luna. They were claw marks. She had been tortured.

"Do what you have to do," Alpha Arch ordered.

With her head bowed to his naked bark, she said respectfully, "As you wish, my Lord."

She stepped closer to Tatiana, watching as the girl pulled into herself. She felt her heart break at this, but there was no time to pity her. One look at the moon showed that it was almost time for the moon goddess to make her appearance.

"Tatiana! Do not squeeze your legs too tight, the sperm may escape and we may lose the only chance of having a male child," She admonished.

The girl spread her legs more, a soft whimper escaping from her lips. She was hurt. A soft growl escaped Alpha Arch's lips in response to her plight. This whole thing was just unbelievably painful, but there was not much else that could be done.

"Please come, priest," Luna Sheryl said to the Priest standing by the door.

The priest came in quickly, and Sheryl stepped back, giving them space. Her eyes looked at her husband once more, and she almost screamed at the pain that blinded her. He stood, staring at the moon, his shoulders hunched tight. Tearfully, she drew her eyes away from him, to Tatiana.

The girl was visibly shaking as Priest Antione chanted some words while spraying the blue substance over her. Suddenly, she growled, and changed to her wolf. It stood tall on fours, a deep red colour with blue eyes. And, she was growling.

Alpha Arch moved so quickly, cradling the animal in his hands. Tatiana barked at him, wanting to hurt him as much as he must have hurt her, but that was like an ant scratching a leopard. It did not work.

"Enough!" He thundered.

Tatiana laid low in submission, her tail between her legs. Alpha Arch looked at his Luna for a fraction of a second, his eyes showing the pain he was going through in spades. Sheryl bit her lip so hard, she tasted blood. This was what she had not wanted.

"Tell me, priest," He said, looking away from Luna Sheryl and stroking Tatiana's fur.

With his head bowed, Priest Antione said jubilantly, "She is with child. Congratulations! The blue markings are all over her."

"That..."

The room went dark, the moon bleed red. It was time! The goddess has arrived. Alpha Arch let his iridescent eyes shine through the room. It was of no use, he could barely make out anything. He stood tall, waiting still. His hands held Tatiana close, but she was too big. And, somehow, he stood second guessing how true the tale had been that she was an Omega.

"I can scent the ivory scent of a new-made foetus. I would love to think that you've finally gone through with your end of the deal," A voice that sounded like still waters sounded through the room.

The Luna swallowed in fear. The moon goddess was right here with them, but she couldn't be found. She didn't even have an idea of how she looked like. She only hoped, it would spare her, spare them all.

At the other side of the room, Alpha Arch thought of how best he could handle this situation. A lot was at stake, but his pride wouldn't let him to cower like he was a coward.

"I have fulfilled my promise," He said boldly.

A soft cackle sounded, shaking the whole room. "I needed a baby and not a foetus. This is not what I'd hoped for." The goddess said with disappointment lacing her words.

"In nine months, he would be here. Just a bit more patience! We've been trying for 500 years, now he is here, my promise," He said quietly.

There was a silence for a while, then the same voice rose high. "I will be here on the seventh month. And, you would definitely be punished for making a mockery of your covenant." She said, and the lights came back on.

They had seven months for the baby to grown in its mother's womb. Alpha Arch gritted his teeth as he watched the fat tear that rolled down Tatiana's eyes as she whimpered. The tears felt so useless, because it was just useless. Only seven months for everything to change.

He took one look at his Luna who was in the process of changing into her white wolf, and smiled a sad smile. Everything was changing right before his eyes, but there was nothing he could do about it.

"Alpha, we need to regroup right now!" Craig, Alpha Arch's Beta shot out frantically as he sprang into the office.

Alpha Arch dropped the books he held in his hands, that would bring more information on what a moon goddess weakness was. It had been completely useless. No-one could fight with their god or it would lead to suicide.

He looked at Craig, his wingman anxiously. What could be the cause of such a pandemonium? Craig looked completely disheveled and downright awful.

"What is the matter, Craig?" He shot out as calmly as he could.

Craig visibly paled. "Some of the rogues who had escaped during our war with the Blue Pack, have returned in armies. It had taken them 500 years to train, and I fear they might destroy us all if we don't act fast!"

Alpha Arch got up immediately, everything in him moving towards the war zone. He walked so quickly, removing his royal blue robe that signalled his status, his eyes fixed on Craig.

"Tell me, how many are they?" He asked fiercely.

"Ten thousand men excluding women," Craig supplied immediately, his voice quirk in fear.

Alpha Arch nodded. He shot out a voice note through the mind-link, informing the Soldiers to meet at the war court in the barren terrain, two meters away from the border. They had to move now, if they didn't, it may lead to unpleasant tales.

He pulled Craig towards the door. "Listen, we must protect what's ours at the cost of our lives. I will meet you at the terrain, I have something to do." He said with such authority, that Craig had no option, but to submit.

Beta Craig raced out of the court, leaving Alpha Arch at the door of the office. As soon as the Beta left, Alpha Arch rested his back on the door. It has finally come to this. This was the punishment that the goddess had alluded to them.

He pulled himself away from the door walking to the maiden wing at the left part of the pack house. There, he met a couple of women carrying milk and honey in glass tumblers. He ignored them all, focusing on the wooden door.

He pushed the door open. His rage almost getting the best out of him. He thought of killing the child, but changed his mind. That would have been too easy. Tatiana lay in bed, her tummy was so small like she wasn't with child. Her hair was like painfully crafted strokes around his bed. She was 7 months pregnant!

Tatiana looked at him with fear masking her features, and Alpha Arch openly relished it. She needed to be afraid of him. He was sure that Luna Sheryl was far from the premises. She was already on her way to the terrain, preparing to fight till her last breath. It was just as good.

"You should have sent for me," Tatiana whispered.

He said nothing, simply going over her, towering over her as she lay there. A few women stood by the door, waiting to see what might happen. Alpha Arch didn't care, they would be witnesses to what he was about to do.

With pristine fingers, he pointed at her belly. "This child shall never be strong. He shall be spat on as an Alpha for the rest of his life. For the shame you've pushed me to see and feel, your name shall be shame. I, Alpha Arch, mighty in splendour, one of the most feared and ruthless in all of the werewolf community curse you! You shall be completely useless at the hands of the moon goddess. Your name is Alpha Ripp. It shall be a reminder of all you've caused." He said fiercely, then slit his hands, dropping the blood on Tatiana's exposed belly.

"No!" Tatiana screamed, but it was too late!

Alpha Arch dived out of the room from the available window, his features shifted immediately from man to wolf. He was a dark wolf, and he prowled on all fours to the terrain. In his wake, Tatiana got induced into labour out of panic.

The dawn met the dusk at an impasse, as the sound of hoofs and howls met the ears of the night. Alpha Arch could make out his Luna, she was beautiful in her white pristine wolf. He did not go to her, instead he growled pulling them towards him.

They were seven thousand men, excluding the women and teens. He growled once more, as he turned his head to the direction of their enemy.

Using the mind-link, he barked out orders. "When we get to them, we wouldn't try to talk to them. They are rogues and have no sense of right. They are engineered to kill. If we lower our guard, they would finish us all. The families we've left behind needs to be protected." He paused. His paws scraped the dry earth, and the wolves howled in response.

"We shall go into this war in troops," He continued. "It shall be a mixture of the strongest to the weakest according to their genders. If the Blood-Moon pack gets destroyed, thanks to the Blue Pack rogues, it would be a shame to us. But, if that happens, we must make sure we weaken them so badly, they wouldn't be able to stand on their paws!" He shot out.

"Yes, Alpha! We are with you till our last breath!" The mind-linked as one.

More howls shot through the dark night. They interlaced among themselves as the orders had been delivered. It was time for war! They were going for blood!

Finally done, they followed Alpha Arch's dark wolf into the night, breaking shrubs and howling as one. Death has never looked so pretty.

Back at the pack house, Tatiana was wailing and about to shift into a wolf. Priest Antoine grabbed a needle that was loaded with wolfsbane and injected it into her skin. She became half-calm at that moment. He had to do it for it was risky for both her and her unborn baby if she shifts.

The female midwives bound her in fetters, tearing her clothes off and covering her with a green blanket. They implored her to push, she had to push. She needed to, even when the baby was premature. It was the wolf in him that would bring him out to the world in such a crude way.

Tatiana felt weak and slightly intoxicated thanks to the wolf-bane. She imagined pulling the child through her fingers, but being bound didn't make that possible.

"You need to push," Priest Antoine ordered as he sprinkled a green concoction over her.

She gritted her teeth, as she pulled herself up. The baby seemed to be holding unto something in her womb. She wished then, they had babies like other animals, instead of a human child instead. The child didn't want to cooperate!

One of the midwives, plucked her hands inside her vagina, tweaking and pulling at something she couldn't see. She weakly moved her hips once more, the pain hitting her in waves. She couldn't see anything or make-out what they were telling her anymore. She hurt so badly!

Rolling towards the field was Alpha Arch who seemed at the point of dying. He had lost so much blood. He wasn't sure how long they've been fighting these rogues. They weren't depleting at all. His eyes were flitting in and out and he struggled to focus.

Just then, he felt a wolf sink his fangs on his right shoulder. It hurt so much and almost caused him to gag. He shrugged him off, but the rogue wouldn't let go. In a backward move, he pulled himself backward, slamming the rogue on the nearest tree with such force that shook the tree from its root. The tree didn't break, but the rogue wouldn't quit either. It tried to attack once more, using his claws to scratch Alpha Arch's face.

Alpha Arch growled, going backwards, and standing on all fours. With every form of strength he possessed he slammed himself into the other wolf. It whimpered and lay flat. Not willing to be taken unawares, he bit the hind legs so deep, he tasted the grey wolf's blood. The wolf was also trying to defend itself, but it was too late, its leg was almost dislocating from its body.

Before Alpha Arch could finish him off, something slammed its fangs into his side. He coughed out blood, in response. It took all he had, not to change back into a human. The pain hurt like hell was already in vogue.

"You mutt! I'm going to destroy you!" Luna Sheryl screamed across the terrain.

Alpha Arch felt the wolf grow limp by his side. He lowered himself on all fours in response to it. He tried his best to shift into human, but the strength needed for that to happen has being sapped from him.

"Alpha Arch! Please stay with me!" His Luna pleaded.

In a state of haze, he could make out her bloodied wolf collar. Her striking blue wolf eyes was thick with tears. Alpha Arch managed a small wolf smile, and let the unknown take him.

"No!" Luna Sheryl screamed. "You cannot die!" She screamed at him.

There was no response from him, and at that moment, something in her snapped. She shot out into the midst of warriors with blood in her eyes. She wished to die on that terrain. When her mate was no more, there was no reason for her to live.

Back in the pack house, Tatiana pushed the child weakly, and in that 100th attempt, the cry of a baby was heard. The midwives and priest tried to hand him over to his mother, but Tatiana was too weak to hold him.

"You shall be called Alpha Ripp as your father, Alpha Arch has spoken. You're too tiny for your own good." She said morosely.

With that last word, she took her last breath. The whole terrain and pack house went dark, as the moon goddess from the midst of it without any fanfare. She had promised to come in the seventh month, and there she was.

"Alpha Ripp, the curses your father has placed on you will prevail until you meet your soul-mate, accept and mate with her on the full moon. Then, you shall wax strong and be the greatest of your time. Anyone who tries to put you to death, shall die a death of a vagabond. My words is sealed with the seven moons and stars in the skies." She said in a still voice.

When she'd spoken her fill, the darkness gave way, as the cries of the new baby Alpha intensified. It was as if he knew the fate that has been mapped out for him.