Chapter 1 Chapter 01: Alpha Caius

Chapter 01: Alpha Caius

I took a deep breath and briefly closed my eyes. The swaying of the carriage only intensified the anxiety in my chest. Everything felt like it was happening too fast. It feels surreal, but everything is raw and real.

"No, Grandfather. You can't be serious. Sending Hana to that pack is madness!" Drake's voice was filled with intense opposition.

He stood up in disapproval, shaking his head. We all looked at him, knowing he was standing up for me. But we all knew that no one could defy our grandfather. His mother tried to calm him down, asking him to sit.

But he remained resolute. "She's just 19—"

"20," I corrected him.

This time, everyone turned to look at me. I took a deep breath and stood up from my seat. I couldn't remain silent in this situation because my life was on the line. Drake stared at me, then turned back to our grandfather, who was quietly listening.

"Right. She's just 20. She hasn't even had her first mission. Why send her to that devil's lair?" His twin brother, Blake, stood up next to me.

"Drake's right. You should really consider it," Blake added with a sigh. "Hana is precious to us, even if her mother made a mistake before. Don't be too hard on her."

Grandfather's expression hardened, but he remained silent.

"She's also your granddaughter—" Drake began, but he was interrupted when our grandfather stood up from his chair.

"Enough. I believe she's ready for her first mission now. I've trained her for this moment. Don’t treat her like a child," he said coldly.

"But grand—" Drake started to speak, but was silenced by the glare from our grandfather.

"Who is the head of this family, Drake?" he asked seriously and darkly. Drake closed his mouth. He knew we could talk, but we couldn't defy our grandfather's decision.

And he was right. I've been training myself to exhaustion for the first mission he'd assign me. But I didn’t expect it to be this difficult. I mean, the man I’m supposed to kill is known as the Devil Alpha.

He’s ruthless and cold-hearted. He wouldn’t hesitate to take someone’s life. He’s our enemy. His family has been wiping out our clan for generations. In return, we've been hunting their kind.

I should have thought about it that way, too. But I'm different. I can’t kill them, and my family knows why. So, I’m confused as to why my grandfather wants me to take on this mission.

There are many skilled hunters in the organization. They should be more qualified to do this mission. I bit my inner lip and took a deep breath.

"It is my pleasure to accept the mission, but may I ask why me?" They all looked at me. Grandfather's lips curved slightly.

"Why you? I know you know the reason, Savahna," he said with meaning.

I shook my head. "I don’t understand, Grandfather. Could you clarify for me?" I asked calmly. He nodded.

"I see. I won’t beat around the bush. I chose you for this mission because you’re a new hunter, and no one knows you yet. There’s a chance you might succeed," he explained.

I stared at him. Why do I feel like there’s another reason? "And also, they won’t be suspicious of you because you have wolf blood, Hana," added Drake and Blake’s father. Oh, I get it now.

They’re sending me as bait. But bait for what? To the Devil Alpha? Getting close to him is already difficult, let alone ending his life. Drake is right. This is madness.

“That doesn’t mean that devil won’t hurt her,” Drake interjected.

“Son. I know you’re worried about your cousin, but in a mission, it’s normal to get hurt. Hana needs to be independent. You’ve always spoiled her. She’s a grown woman now. I believe she’s better and stronger in combat than both of you,” he said.

I saw the twins trying to control their rage, so I held both of their hands. "It's okay. I'll accept the mission. They’re right. I need to be independent. I need to stand on my own feet." They shook their heads.

“You can refuse, Hana. This mission is dangerous. What if that man—” Drake started, but I smiled at him.

“Calm down. I’ll make sure nothing bad will happen to me,” I said softly. They couldn’t do anything but look away.

“Very well then. Everyone leave, Hana, you stay,” Grandfather said, dismissing them. The twins looked at me one last time.

“Alright. If we can’t stop you, we’ll go with her,” Drake announced.

Grandfather coldly looked at him. “No, you can’t. You and Blake have different missions,” he quickly disagreed.

“She’ll go alone?” Blake said, disbelief in his voice.

“If one of you is with her, it’ll only put her in more danger. Alright. You two stay and listen to the mission plan so you can be at peace,” he said calmly, though it was clear he was getting irritated.

“Stop being stubborn,” I whispered to them. But they just grimaced and looked away. They’re impossible. Everyone else left, leaving only the four of us in the room.

Grandfather had a point. There’s a chance I can do this mission because I’m a hybrid—the product of the forbidden love between my hunter mother and werewolf father. They won’t suspect me as a hunter because who would betray their own kind?

I was snapped back to reality when the carriage I was riding in began to move again, taking me to the pack house. Their so-called Devil Alpha was hosting a grand ball, an annual celebration to find the woman he would make his Luna.

Grandfather saw this as an opportunity for me to infiltrate the pack. I don’t even know how he managed to pull something like this off.

“Forgive me, my lady. Someone suddenly crossed the road,” I heard the chauffeur apologize.

“No worries, mister,” I replied. All I need to do now is act like a noble lady and figure out how to get close to the alpha or anyone close to him. Maybe I can stick with his beta. I’ve heard he’s kind and a gentleman, the opposite of the Devil Alpha.

“We’re almost at the pack mansion,” he said again.

“Thank you for letting me know, Mister.” I looked out the carriage window. He was right. I was close to either success or my end.

I made sure not to die on the first day of my mission. I would do whatever it takes to succeed. In the name of the Mortritch family, I would not fail. I cheered myself on.

But my optimism suddenly dropped when I stepped inside the mansion. My hands and forehead started to sweat, even though it was cold.

Thank goodness for the half mask covering half of my face, or they would see how nervous I was. Calm down, Savahna. Nothing bad will happen to you.

I took a deep breath and sighed. Once I calmed down, I was about to walk in to find the Beta, but I froze when I felt someone staring at me.

Who is that? I looked around, and then a sweet, addicting scent hit my nose. What is this? I felt dizzy from the smell.

I covered my nose and tried to walk forward. That scent was so strong. I tried to breathe again, but the same scent lingered.

Annoying.

"Let’s all welcome, Alpha Caius!" I froze mid-step when I heard a woman’s voice. We all looked toward the staircase.

A man was walking down the stairs. I was in awe; I couldn’t take my eyes off him. He looked like an angel descending from the heavens.

But my admiration was broken when I remembered what they called him. Alpha Caius.

Everyone bowed their heads, and that’s when our gazes met. My eyes widened. Damn it, I quickly lowered my head.

Don’t be suspicious, Hana. You can’t fail on your first mission. I gritted my teeth in frustration. Why am I feeling this way?

Why is my heart beating so fast? Something I’ve never felt before. So, what the hell is wrong with me?