Alpha Nicholas

Chapter 1: The Beginning

The wind blew softly across the trees, caressing their leaves almost lovingly – caring for the nature within its reach. The delicate currents were giddy and not yet fully dominating their chaotic power to full potential.

Much like the rest of the day, the night remained serene.

Calm before the storm perhaps?

Autumn had finally greeted the woods with her charming presence, dressing the trees in hues of copper and scarlet - now perfectly illuminated by the scorching bonfire burning strong and heavy into the darkness of the night.

Alex watched the display before her, enchanted by nature's performance.

A single scarlet leaf tumbled down an invisible spiral of gust, spinning gracefully as it allowed itself to be carried down to meet the rich soil below. Its purpose to show the decay of summer and allow the cycle to prevail.

Harvest had finally arrived – and with it a new responsibility weighed on her mind.

Breathing in, Alex closed her eyes.

For centuries, her kind had been hunted. Tortured, slaughtered, used for power and then disregarded when the light began leaving their eyes – magic drained out and no longer performing to a standard. Moulded into pawns and used in wars that were never their own to begin with.

Despite the sheer force of the magic running through their veins, children of the craft were still very human. They were still made up fragile bones and soft organs. Never as fast as vampires, profoundly weaker than werewolves - one wrong move or delayed reaction and that was it.  Game over.

Alex recalls stories her grandmother would utter when she knew nobody else was listening of crops drinking the blood of unimpeachable victims, instead of the pure water of the streams. Decomposing bodies were scattered across lands, disfigured past recognition and regardless of what spell was made, they could never be brought back.

Nature would never allow it.

Covens had been fewer and fewer until witches were forced into hiding or to maintain alliances with physically stronger species. Over time, protection flourished into powerful allegiances and even a certain degree of freedom.

They didn't bother anybody and no one bothered them.

As long as they remained in the Vampire's Northern territory under Lord Caius' leadership, maintain the alliance and not step out of line – everything would be in order, or so was beaten into her head since the day she could speak and actually understand what being a witch involved.

What nobody anticipated was that the length of this comfort would soon come to a brisk end.

The cold, crisp air entered her lungs and her chest tightened a little more.

Various vampire territories had been infiltrated and many were killed.

It was no secret that werewolves were on the winning side of their continuous conflict. There were far more of them and their brutality was said to reach no end. Regardless of the unspoken truce that had prevailed in the last few centuries, no official peace treaties had ever been stated.

Nature had previously always shown at least the smallest sign of disturbance when danger was brewing. A warning to foreshadow events and guide its children.

Yet, the skies were calm and Alex couldn't be more puzzled if she tried.

She brushed her blonde hair softly out of her face and hooked the loose strands behind her ear, so lost in her thoughts she hadn't noticed her coven mate's arrival.

"Alright?" She looked up then, her emerald hues locking with Serena's. Her coven mate smiled, her warm fingers giving Alex's small shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Of course," She nodded, willing her body to relax and confirm her confident tone. "Are the others here yet? The full moon is almost in power, we must start the ritual before it stops sharing."

Serena stepped closer to her – gaze not leaving the fire as the older witch remained entranced by her element.

Warm fingers intertwined with her own on both sides as the remainder of her missing coven joined the semi-circle around the growing fire. Locking eyes with Alaric situated on her left, Alex's face fell as her suspicions were confirmed.

It's only the beginning

Alaric's soft voice whispered into her mind and immediately her throat tightened and stomach churned ever so slightly in unease.

"Let's begin." The command broke the deathly silence of the night and as of that queue, the five began chanting.

***

I decided to write this story as I have been thinking about it for quite some-time now. Hopefully once it progresses, others will enjoy it too! Above is who I thought would best personify Alex: Florence Pugh if anybody was wondering.