"Alpha Shadows: Forbidden Shackles"

A few seconds passed before McQueen emerged, standing with a weary sigh. "You and Olivia always catch me," he muttered under his breath.

The Queen shot him a stern look, her voice heavy with authority. "Will you ever stop your games? Should I send you on cave missions to teach you the importance of respecting your Queen?"

McQueen quickly bowed, fear evident in his voice. "Forgive me, Your Majesty. I won't repeat my mistakes. Please, forgive me."

Her eyes, cold as ice, locked onto him. "Why do I keep receiving complaints about you from your teachers? Do you think that just because you're young, you can do as you please?"

McQueen stiffened, anxiety spreading like wildfire through his veins. This was a critical moment, one that could have dire consequences.

The Queen stepped closer, her voice firm and unyielding. "You are a prince in this kingdom, and much of our future depends on you. I expect you to put in more effort. If not, I will send you to the caves. This is your final warning. Go."

McQueen rushed out of the room, but a heavy weight settled in his chest as the door slammed shut behind him. Before he could take a moment to breathe, a strong hand landed on his shoulder, causing him to flinch in surprise.

A soft giggle reached his ears, making him pause. He turned to see Olivia standing behind him, walking with the quiet confidence she always seemed to possess.

McQueen clenched his teeth and muttered, "Because of you, I think I'm going to have a heart attack."

Olivia didn't stop. She walked out of the hall and into the parking lot before suddenly halting. Turning back, she said, "Wait! I need to ask you something."

McQueen froze, confused by her sudden change in behavior. "When are you going to stop eavesdropping on the hall? If the Queen finds out, it'll be the end of you."

Olivia gave a bitter laugh, her eyes dark with mischief. "You have so much to learn. Study harder. If you get into more trouble, I'll expose you to the Queen, and you'll see what happens then."

A dark aura seemed to swirl around Olivia as she spoke, and McQueen felt a wave of unease wash over him. He quickly asked, "But how do you know what I'm doing?"

Olivia's smile deepened, a mysterious glint in her eyes. "Are you underestimating my abilities?"

"No... no... I don't," McQueen stammered. "I just... I want to know more about your power."

Cautiously, he followed her as she continued her walk. Olivia's voice grew quieter, but her tone held firm. "I won't repeat myself. If you want answers, go to Father. Ask him everything."

The Alpha stood before the towering window, his gaze locked onto the looming darkness outside. The sky churned, thick clouds gathering like a storm preparing to unleash its wrath. Inside the grand hall, the air was charged with an ominous energy, a silent pressure pressing against his chest—a warning unspoken yet impossible to ignore.

This was no ordinary threat. No simple rebellion. No mere omen of impending doom for the kingdom. It was something deeper... older.

Slowly, he turned, his cold, calculating eyes meeting those of Eamon and Khoury, both standing in tense anticipation.

"Double the guards around the palace. I want no openings, no weaknesses."

Eamon hesitated for a fraction of a second before stepping forward. "Alpha… do you believe this enemy is... ancient?"

The Alpha didn't answer immediately. Instead, he walked toward the throne, his fingers grazing the hovercraft beside it. A faint pulse resonated beneath his touch, as if the throne itself could sense what was coming.

"Not ancient... but dangerous enough to make death seem like mercy."

The flames in the torches flickered violently, as if something unseen had brushed past them. Eamon and Khoury exchanged wary glances before Khoury took a cautious step back. The Alpha, however, moved to the center of the hall, his presence commanding.

"It is time to face the shadows we once buried in the past."

Outside, atop the jagged cliffs, a faceless figure loomed, its hollow gaze piercing the night. The wind howled around it, swirling unnaturally, as though the very elements obeyed its will.

"Prepare yourself, Alpha… the game has already begun."

And with that, it vanished into the darkness, leaving behind only a chilling whisper that echoed through the depths of the kingdom.

1. Do you think McQueen will rebel against the palace's restrictions, or will he succumb to the Queen's pressure?

2. Who do you think the mysterious enemy the Alpha spoke of is? Could they be connected to the kingdom's past?

✨ What do you think of McQueen's actions? Is he just a reckless teenager, or does he have a deeper reason for what he does? Share your thoughts in the comments!