FATED TO ALPHA RENZO

CHAPTER ONE:

FOUND HIM.

RORY'S POV

"How does it feel to have a wolf side, Elara?"

I asked my sister, Elara, who seemed more confident and stronger ever since she turned. Her hair color brighter, and her eyes sparkled with a fierce inner light.

"This is the hundredth time you've asked Elara that, and I'm sure more of it is to come,"

my mum chuckled, pulling me closer to herself. The forest seemed to have had only the three of us in it, as only the birds could be heard. We were on an evening hunt, hoping to get some dinner before the day ran out.

"I wish I had a wolf too," I said, looking at Elara with a mix of admiration and longing.

I heard Elara sigh, and I could feel her roll her eyes. My sister was probably just as frustrated as I was about my transformation taking so much time. Everyone in the pack had already turned, even before they turned twenty, but there I was, twenty-one but stuck in my human form. I felt isolated when they unleashed their wolves. My mum stopped abruptly and pulled me back to face her; Elara stopped too, looking at us.

"But you do, every werewolf has a wolf in them," she said, with a smile spreading across her lips.

"It's in here," she said, pointing to my heart.

"Then why hasn't she turned yet, Mum?"

Elara asked, shoving the bag onto her shoulder before moving further away.

"She only needed one thing," Mum said, looking at me with so much certainty.

"What was that?" Elara and I asked in unison, our curiosity piquing.

"A proper trigger."

Before I could process my mother's words, a heavy wind blew across my face, shoving me to the other side. The smell of the forest, a strong mix of pine and damp earth, felt harsh on my nose.

"Mum?" I called out, trying to stand on my feet, but there was no response. Everywhere seemed so quiet.

"Elara!"

I yelled even louder, my heart racing with panic. I'm wolfless and unable to defend myself. Elara and Mum were nowhere to be found.

"Mum, please!" I cried out.

The wind came again, heavier than the first time, blowing me to the ground. My knees knocked hard against the trees, and I could feel my bones cracking. I screamed in agony, but all I could hear was my own echo, as there was no response.

"Elara, please come here, my knees are hurting,"

I said, shivering from both pain and fear. I sensed something coming closer, its fists stomping on the ground heavily. I was shaking with fear before I remembered my mother's words about a proper trigger, and this might just be it.

"Werewolves are strong, and they own the whole Serene land; no one can bring me down,"

I said, standing to my feet and trying so hard to conceal my fear. But the next thing I saw almost brought me back down to the ground. A swarm of skarvs was approaching me. Mum had always told us that skarvs were twisted creatures, accompanied by fierce, heavy winds. They were the scariest things that existed in the forest, but I would have been able to fight them if only I had my wolf. The wind that accompanied the skarvs had separated me from Mum and Elara; now they couldn't hear me or come to my rescue.

"No, no,"

I said, limping backward. They came charging towards me, with their twisted bodies.

"Don't come closer, I'm a wolf!"

I said, trying to charge at them, but they seemed more fierce than I, and my fear was overwhelming.

They came rushing and tackled me to the ground. I closed my eyes because the skarvs were all over me, but before they could start tearing me apart, someone or something began slashing at them with a knife. Now I heard packs of skarvs slumping to the ground, their dark, armored bodies cracking open as their thick, greenish blood splattered everywhere.

"Woo!"

A whisper escaped my mouth. Whoever or whatever that was has just saved me from being devoured. If this was the trigger Mum was talking about, then I have failed miserably at fighting them off. I would probably never be a wolf.

"Are you okay?"

The person who had just killed the skarvs appeared, and for a moment, my heart stopped beating. My lungs also seemed to stop breathing. I felt like I was choking. He walked majestically towards me, his knife still clutched in his hand, his chest bare. He was just a few feet away, but I could perceive him clearly - he smelled like sandalwood. His blond hair rested gently on his shoulders, and his piercing grey eyes seemed to bore into my soul.

"Forgive the skarvs,"

He said, helping me stand. My eyes rested on his chiseled chest; his nipples seemed hard, and I felt an overwhelming urge to touch him. Yet, despite his human appearance, there was something angelic about him. His voice had a musical quality.

"You don't speak?" he asks with a grin, his gaze piercing mine.

He lifted me effortlessly to my feet. At that moment, I wasn't even thinking about Elara or Mum. I didn't have the wolf yet, but I knew a human when I saw one, and it was highly forbidden by Alpha Renzo to be seen with humans. I tried to take a step backward, but I almost fell. He quickly grabbed me by the waist, drawing me close to himself.

"I can speak,"

I said, trying so hard not to stutter. He smiled, his grey eyes twinkling.

"Don't hurt yourself," he said. He was so close to me now, his breath all over my face. His scent replaced the heavy smell of the forest. I was shaking, trying to hide my shivering body from him, but I was obviously failing.

"You are human, I can't be seen with a human," I blurted out, my voice shaking. I watched as he scoffed silently, a wry smile spreading across his face.

"Alpha Renzo..."

"Same human that just saved you,"

His hands now on my face tracing my jaw line. My heart is throbbing so hard. I have never had a man so close to me in my entire existence. I tried touching his chest but decided against it.

"I'm not harmful,"

His voice has a certain quality that captivates me. Something in me longed for him. I felt an overwhelming need to stay in his arms.

"I am Prince Ryker, the human Prince," he said, his eyes roaming all over my body. I have heard about the human prince, but I have never met him. He is everything anyone has ever described.

"I am Rory, a werewolf,"

I said,my voice quivering.

"Your spirit is as fierce as the starvs. Let's meet in this part of the forest any day you can. I will always wait for you,"

he said, his lips just a head shake away from mine.

"I don't want to run into those skarvs again, though,"

He chuckled with a grin. He leaned towards my ear, and I could feel him caressing my earlobe. It felt like I had caught a chill, and my legs shook slightly.

"And I will be here to save you again,"

he whispered. I lifted my hands to touch him again, my hands shaking heavily as he stared at me. But then, in an instant, someone struck him from behind. He fell to the ground, blood spilling from his mouth. I had never seen that coming. I watched in horror as he fell, my heart shattering into a million pieces.

"NO!"

CHAPTER TWO: NOT MEANT TO BE

RORY'S POV

"Elara, you could have killed him!"

I shouted, slamming the wooden door shut behind me. My hunting coat fell to the floor with a soft thud.

Elara spun around, her eyes blazing with a fierce intensity.

"You don't dare yell at me that way, Rory,"

she hissed, her left finger jabbing accusingly at my face.

I stood my ground, my heart still racing from the encounter with the human.

"You were reckless, Elara,'

"You were with a human, Rory. Are you blind to the danger? Everyone knows it's a death sentence to be seen with one."

Elara's voice dropped to a whisper, barely audible over the rustling of leaves in the park.

I glared back at her, my defenses rising. "That human saved me when you and Mum got lost in the wind."

Before Elara could retort, the wooden door burst open, and Mum strode in, her face thunderous. Her eyes had darkened to an inky black, and her wolf claws were fully extended, gleaming in the dim light. Mum's wolf instincts always surfaced when she was angry, and now my heart is racing with anxiety.

"We were on the other side, battling the skarvs, Rory," Mum said, her voice icy. "We weren't playing games,"

"Mum, I have no wolf, and those skarvs could have eaten me up!"

I exclaimed, frustration and desperation etched on my face.

"But Prince Ryker came to my rescue without a second thought. Maybe we should bury whatever hate we have with humans."

Elara's face twisted in scorn.

"You sound so stupid, Rory," she sneered. "You keep making excuses about not having a wolf instead of finding a way out of your predicament,"

Her voice was laced with annoyance.

"Ooh, now I sound stupid," I muttered, my voice laced with sarcasm and hurt.

Elara's words cut deep, and I felt a sting of embarrassment.

"Elara, he saved me," I protested, my voice filled with gratitude.

Elara's expression transformed into a sly smirk. "But I caught him almost kissing you!" she exclaimed, her voice dripping with malice and glee.

My eyes widened in shock, and I felt my face heat up with embarrassment. I went quiet, unsure of how to respond to Elara's bombshell.

Mum rose up from where she had sat listening to Elara's and my banter. Her expression was stern and concerned. She took me by the hand and sat me down on the stool, her grip firm but gentle.

"Do you know what Alpha Renzo will do when he hears of your encounter with prince Ryker?"

Mum asked, her voice low and menacing.

"He wouldn't even care that he saved you; he will burn you alive and feed your remains to the werewolves,"

Her words sent a chill down my spine, but despite the fear, I couldn't help but recall the feeling of Ryker's warm breath on my face.

"And they will gladly eat you!"

She rolled her eyes, her expression a mix of disdain and amusement.

"But what if I'm in love with Prince Ryker?"

The words tumbled out before I could stop them. Elara's scoff was like a slap, and Mum's claws extended, her eyes darkening to an inky black.

"Leave!" she thundered, making the windows rattle. The room seemed to shake with her fury.

"Mum, she didn't mean it,"

Elara stepped forward, her voice soothing.

I stood my ground, my heart pounding.

"What if I do?"

Mum's face twisted in a growl.

"And I said leave," she growled, her hand rising as if to push me out.

Just then, a loud boom echoed outside, making us all pause. Elara's eyes flicked to the window before she turned back to us.

"That's a call from Alpha Renzo. We need to go,"

She grabbed her jacket, her movements brisk.

Mum's gaze lingered on me, disappointment and anger etched on her face. I took my jacket and slipped out of the wooden room, avoiding her eyes.

Outside, people were running wildly to get to Alpha Renzo before he got angry. Everyone was scared of him. But instead of joining the crowd, I went in the opposite direction - to the forest where I met Prince Ryker.

***

"Anyone here?"

I stepped into the forest, my voice barely above a whisper.

The only sounds were the soft crunch of leaves beneath my feet. Moonlight lit up the clearing where I first met Prince Ryker.

My eyes scanned the area, searching for any sign of movement. But I was alone. The werewolves had all answered Alpha Renzo's call, leaving me to sneak back to the forest undetected. Fear of getting caught lingered, but my concern for Prince Ryker's safety outweighed the risk.

As I approached the spot where Elara had struck him, my heart sank. The only reminder of our encounter was the faint stain of blood on the ground.

"Anyone?"

I called out again, my voice cracking with anxiety.

"I'm probably never meeting him again," I said, turning to leave. But then the rustling of leaves behind me made me spin around.

"I'm here, Wolf," Prince Ryker said, his voice weak and laced with pain.

My heart skipped a beat as I took in his disheveled appearance. His hair was messy, and his eyes seemed sunken. "You're alive," I exclaimed, my voice trembling with relief.

Prince Ryker smirked, wincing as he took a step closer. "I was out for a minute," he said. "I was heading back before I heard you. The universe is working in our favor."

I froze, my eyes locked on his, as he stopped just a few steps away. His gaze held mine, and for a moment, everything else faded into the background.

I wonder if he feels the same way, if the connection between us is more than just coincidence.

"I'm glad you came by,"

Prince Ryker's eyes burned with intensity as he cradled my face. His thumbs traced gentle circles on my skin.

"We can run away, Wolf," he murmured. "Where your Alpha will never find us. We can be together forever."

Before I could respond, his lips brushed against mine, soft and tentative at first. His mouth moved closer, and our lips met again, the kiss deepening as our breaths mingled.

His lips were warm and gentle, yet demanding. I felt a rush of excitement, my heart pounding.

His hands moved down to my waist. I had never had a man touch me in this manner, and now my legs were shaking heavily.

"You're trembling," Prince Ryker whispered, his breath dancing across my ear.

"I...I don't know what's happening," I replied, my voice barely audible.

Prince Ryker's hands moved down to my waist, his fingers tracing the curve of my hips.

"I'm making you tremble," he whispered, a smirk playing on his lips.

Just as his hands began to slide under my jacket, he froze, his head cocked to the side.

"A wolf!" he exclaimed, his eyes flashing with warning.

Before I could react, he leapt away, disappearing into the darkness.

"I caught you," Elijah, Alpha Renzo's beta, growled from behind, his eyes blazing with fury. The Alpha's enforcers, Victor and Luca, flanked him, their faces stern.

"You were with a human," Elijah snarled, his breath hot against my ear.

CHAPTER THREE

PAIN!

RENZO'S POV.

"Dear Wolves of Selene pack,"

From the center stage I shouted to the crowd who stood approximately ten feet in front. From my pipe I drew an intentional smoke while I studied my territory with a feeling of satisfaction. These were my wolves, and I own them.

The pack howled back at me. They shook with fear, but their eyes showed loyalty.

"I love seeing fear and loyalty in your eyes,"

I said, laughing out loud. My laughter bounced off the trees, echoing through the woods.

"Today's a special day," I said, grinning.

"I'm turning 100!"

The pack erupted into another chorus of howls, their voices rising and falling in celebration.

"You look twenty-seven!"

a voice screamed from the crowd. I descended from the stage, the sea of wolves parting as I strode towards them.

"Who dared to say that?" I growled, scanning the crowd with a piercing gaze.

A timid girl trembled forward, her eyes wide with fear. I walked over her, my voice thundering,

"That's right! I look twenty-seven!"

The pack erupted into a frenzy of howls.

I grasped the girl's neck, my fingers wrapping around her slender throat. She shuddered as I licked her ear, sending shivers down her spine. "What's your name?" I demanded.

"M-Mira," she stuttered, her voice trembling.

"You'll be joining my mistresses tonight,"

I declared, releasing my grip on her neck. The girl's eyes widened in terror, but I just smiled, enjoying the fear in her eyes.

I loved the thrill of selecting mistresses at random. The pack watched in silence, their eyes filled with a mix of awe and fear. But I didn't care about their feelings. I was the alpha, and I would do as I pleased.

Just as I was about to return to the stage, Elijah arrived with enforcers, dragging a girl with an hourglass shape and emerald green eyes in cuffs. Her eyes darted around, and her lips trembled as she tried to break free. The crowd murmured. Elijah tossed the girl at my feet, and she landed with a thud, shaking with fear.

"A mistake! This can't be!" a woman shrieked, pushing her way through the crowd to reach me. "That's my daughter!" she exclaimed, her eyes wide with fear despite her attempts to hide it.

I turned to Elijah, my gaze piercing. "Elijah?" I asked, my voice low and even.

"I found her with a human," Elijah replied, his expression unyielding.

The crowd erupted into a frenzy of howls and chants of "Burn her!"

I laughed, the sound echoing through the woods, my ribs aching from the intensity.

"This is going to be fun!"

"Bring her up to the stage,"

I demanded, moving forward with her mum and my enforcers following behind. Getting to the stage, I stopped and lowered myself to observe the girl. Her long black raven hair looked enchanting, and her emerald green eyes sparkled as she trembled in fear.

"What is your name?" I asked, but she moved her face away from me.

"No one dares to do that,"

I grabbed her face to look at me, and in that moment, I felt a strange calmness. It was like the turmoil inside me had paused. I felt a pull toward this frightened girl.

"Remove the cuffs," I ordered, and Elijah quickly complied. The wolves erupted into jeers and catcalls. "Burn her!" someone yelled.

Her mother pleaded, tears welling up in her eyes. "She's my daughter, please! She wasn't with any human, I promise." But I remained unmoved.

"The universe has given me a birthday gift," I declared, and the wolves responded with a chorus of howls.

I approached the girl, careful not to reveal my true intentions. "What's your name?" I asked, my voice low.

"Rory," she replied simply. I sensed that she felt the same strange connection that I did.

I leaned in closer, inhaling deeply. But her scent was off – she didn't smell like a wolf.

"You don't have the scent of a wolf," I spat, disgust on my face. Tears sprang to Rory's eyes as she shook beneath my touch.

"You disgust me," I whispered, before pushing her away.

Maybe the universe was punishing me. I'd waited a hundred years for a mate, and now I was faced with a wolfless Lycan.

"Now, wolves, for our judgment to be complete, we must ensure it's fair," I declared. "Were you with a human or not?" I asked, my eyes locked on Rory's.

Rory's mother spoke up before her daughter could respond. "No-"

"Woman, silence!" I bellowed, my gaze flashing toward her.

Rory stood tall, her voice steady. "I was with a human."

The wolves erupted into a frenzy. "Why did you break our laws?" I demanded.

Rory's eyes flashed with defiance.

"Love knows no boundaries. He was my first love, my heart's desire,"

A pang struck my chest, unexpected and unwelcome. My mate, bound to me by fate, had given her heart to a human.

Her mother stepped forward, kneeling before me. "You can't burn her-"

"Then I'll burn you instead," I growled.