Chapter 1: Sypha’s Fall

The full moon light bathed the silver fang pack, "Try to keep calm," Hector said placing his hands on her dress and soothing the nonexistent wrinkles.

"Today is the day," he said, taking her hands in his, soothing her tender hands in his as she looked up at him, her bright blue eyes shining under the moonlight.

It was their true Alpha eyes; the females in her family had blue eyes when the males had red; whenever she needed to mingle among humans, she had to put on contacts to hide them. 

He tucked her hair behind her ear, revealing her oval-shaped and pink cheeks.

"Thank you, Sypha, for giving me all of this. I know your dad would be very proud of you for putting the park first just like he would."

She placed her head on his chest, tears gathering in her eyes; she wished her dad would be here. 

"Everyone would be shocked, but this is what I want to do, I love you," she mumbled into his chest. She tried pulling away, remembering she was wearing makeup and today was his big day.

He pulled her back to him, wrapping his hands around her waist. "I love you too, darling, and I promise to take care of you and the pack with my life."

"Let's hurry so we won't be late; everyone is waiting," She said, pulling him out of the room and into the hallway.

He pulled her back, snaking his hands around her waist as he pressed a kiss on her lips. "I'm the happiest man on earth, Sypha; thank you for making me the happiest man alive." 

Sypha's smile went ear to ear at the praises he showered on her; he had always been a sweet and loving mate, and she knew he was best for the pack and her uncle was wrong about him.

Sypha stood at the front of the pack hall, her heart pounding in her chest as she gazed over the gathered wolves. The weight of the Silver Fang legacy pressed down on her, but it was nothing compared to the anxious flutter in her stomach because she was about to pass it on to Hector.

"As strong as you are, Sypha, being an Alpha requires more than just strength. You don't have to bear this weight by yourself. Let me take it, I'll lead, and we'll rule together," he had said more often than necessary.

She had believed him—she had to believe him. She loved him and Hector knew the pack as much as she did and everyone loved him despite being a new wolf in the pack.

With their eyes fixed on her, the Elders formed a semicircle behind her, anticipating her words that would convey the Alpha title. Hector stood tall next to her, his countenance unreadable as she cast a glance at him. She felt momentarily reassured as his eyes met hers. However, there was an aloof quality to his stare that eluded her. The silence was broken by Elder Aldrin's voice, "Sypha, the pack awaits your decision."

Taking a deep breath, Sypha stepped forward, her voice steady despite the turmoil inside her. "I, Sypha of the Silver Fang Pack, hereby relinquish my claim to the Alpha title. I trust Hector, my mate, to lead this pack with honor and strength."

A murmur swept through the crowd. Some looked relieved, others confused, but none spoke out against her decision.

As they chanted the dagger was placed into her hands by the elder his eyes filled with concern, she took it and pressed the tip of the blade into her palm until it drew blood she watched as her blood dripped into the fire and Hector did the same, they joined their hands.

Sypha handed over the pack's crystal orb, the orb said to be the pack's protection from evil, given to them by the moon goddess Selene. The weight of it leaving her hand felt like a part of her soul was being torn away.

As the last of the blessings left the elder's mouth, the air in the room shifted. Sypha could feel the pack bonds transferring from her to Hector, severing her connection as Alpha and placing it in his hands.

The room seemed to hold its breath as the power settled into Hector's shoulders. Sypha felt the change in the pack's energy, like a tug on her heart. She no longer carried the weight of her ancestors' bloodline, the responsibility that had been her birthright. Instead, it now resided with him.

The crowd erupted in cheers.

"Thank you, Sypha," he said, his voice soft, but his eyes gleamed with something other than gratitude. He stepped closer, and though his hand rested on her lower back, the pressure felt heavier than ever before. "You've made the right decision." He placed the orb back in her hands.

"Right?" Uncertain if she was asking him or herself, Sypha mumbled. She could feel doubts eating away at her, but she forced herself to ignore them. Hector cherished her. He'd said it innumerable times. They could only live as mates and companions in this manner. 

"You have served your purpose, Sypha. But this pack needs a true leader, not a deluded girl clinging to power." the weight of the bond being served weakened her, and he pushed her onto a chair, her eyes fighting to stay awake.

Before she could say more, Hector turned to the crowd, raising his hand to silence them. "Today," he announced, "marks a new era for the Silver Fang Pack. I vow to uphold the traditions of this great pack while leading us into a future of strength and prosperity." As though the title had always been his, his voice reverberated with the authoritative command of an Alpha.

Cheers broke out from the group, their voices mixing into a chorus of agreement. Sypha felt her heart stiffen.

Why didn't she feel the same sense of triumph? She fought to stand up, walking back to where he stood. She needed to stop this.

 Hector raised his voice, full of practiced sorrow. "I have done everything to love her, to support her, but she is not well. She has been plagued by visions, and whispers of dark magic."

He pointed to the Orb in her hands, no longer crystal but black and filled with evil. The pack gasped and some screamed, it was a bad omen.

"For the safety of our pack, I must make the hardest choice."

Sypha's stomach dropped. No.

"I didn't do this, it has always been safe with me," she screamed.

"Witness my people, like I said, unstable."

"This stone has been with me since my crowing, untouched and genuine."

The elders stepped forward examining the stone and they gasped, their expressions grave. "Sypha Belandes, you are hereby stripped of your rank and exiled. Your presence endangers us all."

Her protests were drowned in Hector's false grief, his performance flawless.

And just like that, Sypha Belandes the rightful Alpha was nothing.