MARKED BY ALPHA

Alana's POV

At that moment, I knew I was in trouble.

My father stood in the middle of the hall, his face red with fury, pacing back and forth like a caged beast. My mother stood nearby, her hands clasped tightly, her eyes filled with silent worry.

"Alana Moon," my father's voice boomed, shaking the very walls. "Where have you been?"

I swallowed hard, trying to keep my composure. "I..I was just out with Eva," I said, keeping my tone neutral.

"With Eva?" He let out a bitter laugh. "Don't insult my intelligence, Alana. You think I don't know?"

My stomach twisted. Know what exactly? I forced myself to remain calm. "I don't know what you're talking about."

He slammed his hand against the nearest table, making me flinch. "Enough of your lies! Instead of looking for a suitor like you're supposed to, you're out there hiding a rogue in my territory!"

My heart stopped.

He knew.

I turned sharply to my mother, my eyes wide with betrayal. "You told him?"

She flinched at the accusation, looking away. "Alana, it's not.."

"I trusted you!" I cut her off, my voice shaking with anger. "I thought.. I thought you were on my side!"

My father scoffed. "On your side? You're a princess, Alana! Your duty is to this pack! And what do you do? You bring in some stray that could put us all in danger?"

I clenched my fists. "He's not dangerous."

"You don't know that!" he roared. "Rogues are unpredictable! They have no loyalty, no honor! And yet, you, my own daughter would rather risk our safety than do what is required of you?"

I felt the anger rise in my chest like a wildfire. "You don't own me, Father!" I snapped. "You've controlled every part of my life since I was born! Who I talk to, what I do, what I become! And now you want to force me into marriage, just to keep up with your ridiculous traditions?"

"Ridiculous traditions?" His voice was dangerously low now, his eyes glinting with rage.

I took a deep breath, standing my ground. "Yes. Why should I be the one forced to marry someone I don't love? Why should my entire life be dictated by rules that don't even make sense anymore? Have I ever had a say in my own future?"

My mother stepped forward, reaching for me. "Alana, please.."

But I shook my head. "No. Not this time."

I turned on my heel, prepared to walk away.

But my father's next words made my blood run cold.

"There are only three moons left before your nineteenth birthday," he said, his voice heavy with finality. "I will not risk you reaching that age unwed. You will be getting married next full moon."

I stopped in my tracks, my breath hitching.

Next moons.

That wasn't enough time.

I turned back to face him, my heart hammering in my chest. "You can't be serious."

He met my gaze, unwavering. "I've never been more serious in my life."

My father didn't wait for my response. He turned on his heel, his heavy footsteps echoing through the hall as he strode away.

"Follow me," he commanded my mother without even sparing her a glance.

I stood frozen as she hesitated, her gaze meeting mine for just a second, full of guilt, full of words left unsaid before she hurried after him.

I clenched my fists, my nails digging into my palms. This isn't fair.

I stormed up to my room, slamming the door behind me. But no matter how many times I paced, how many pillows I threw in frustration, I couldn't shake the sinking feeling in my chest.

I was trapped.

I sat on the edge of my bed, staring at the moonlight filtering through my window. My father was serious. If I didn't find a way out soon, I'd be forced into marriage before my nineteenth birthday.

I didn't sleep that night.

Instead, I thought.

What do I do? Who can I turn to?

As soon as the sun began to rise, I got dressed and made my way to Elsa's house.

She greeted me with a sleepy yawn, rubbing her eyes as she let me inside. "Alana? You look terrible."

"Thanks," I muttered, stepping in.

"What's wrong?"

I took a deep breath. "It's my father. He's forcing me to get married before my birthday. I only have two moons left."

Elsa frowned. "And…?"

I blinked. "And? What do you mean 'and'?"

She shrugged. "Alana, we all knew this was coming. It's tradition."

I gaped at her. "So you think I should just go along with it?"

Elsa gave me a sympathetic look. "I'm just saying… maybe it wouldn't be so bad? You're a princess, Alana. You have responsibilities. Your father isn't doing this to punish you, he's doing it because it's what's best for the pack."

I felt my anger rising. "Best for the pack? What about me? Does what I want not matter?"

Elsa sighed. "Of course, it does. But running away isn't the answer."

I clenched my jaw. "I didn't say I was going to run away."

She gave me a pointed look. "But you are thinking about it, aren't you?"

I didn't respond.

Instead, I turned on my heel and walked out.

I went straight to Amaya's house, hoping she would at least be on my side. But the conversation went almost exactly the same way.

"Your father is doing what he thinks is right," she said, sitting cross-legged on her bed. "You're lucky, Alana. You're not just anyone, you're the princess. You'll be married into a powerful family. You'll be taken care of."

I scoffed. "I don't want to be taken care of! I want to live my own life! Make my own choices!"

Amaya gave me a sad smile. "Sometimes we don't get to choose, Alana."

My frustration boiled over. "So that's it? That's your advice? Just accept it?"

She hesitated before nodding.

I didn't even bother saying goodbye. I walked out, slamming the door behind me.

I felt sick.

I had no one.

No one who understood, no one who cared about what I wanted.

So I have to take Pack's advice.

***

Without wasting any more time, I made my way to the cottage on the outskirts of the pack

He was sitting outside, sharpening a small dagger when he saw me approach. He immediately stood up, concern flashing in his eyes.

"Alana? What's wrong?"

I didn't answer right away. I walked past him, into the cottage, and sank down onto one of the chairs.

He followed me inside, setting the dagger down. "Hey," he said gently. "Talk to me."

I exhaled shakily. "I need your help."

His brows furrowed. "With what?"

I lifted my gaze to meet his. "I need to escape."

His eyes widened slightly. "Escape?"

I nodded. "Before next month. Before my father forced me to marry."

Marco leaned against the wall, crossing his arms.

He smirked. " running is not as easy as it sounds."

I sighed. "I know that. That's why I need you. I don't know where to go, what to take,what I need to survive out there."

He was quiet for a moment, then ran a hand through his hair. "Alright," he said finally. "I'll help you. But you need to be prepared. It won't be easy.".

"I don't care how hard it is," I said. "I just can't stay here."

Marco is a guy that my father once punished for trying to escape, he actually wanted to kill him but I pleaded on his behalf.

And he was banished to this cottage, he has been going to different packs before but that day I guess he ran out of luck.