#####Chapter4: Alpha’s Choice

Issa froze. Did they just say strip? She looked around at the other women. Some hesitated, their eyes wide with terror, but a few raised their hands, already starting to pull off their worn clothes, showing no resistance whatsoever it was clear that they had lost all hope. They knew resistance was pointless. One by one, they began to shed their rags, their thin clothes falling to the dirt. Issa’s heart pounded. Humiliation burned her cheeks, but she copied the others, her hands shaking as she pulled off her tunic, then her trousers.

She stood naked under the flickering firelight, exposed to the cold night air and the countless predatory eyes of the werewolves surrounding the clearing. Other women stood around her, their bodies equally exposed and vulnerable. Some tried to cover themselves with their hands and Issa was among them. While the others just stared ahead in defeat.

They matched them further down to an open hall, where a line of powerful Alpha figures emerged from the shadows. Their tall, huge forms radiate raw and untamed power. Their eyes were like the first captor she had seen, it glowed with unnatural light. They were Picking their "pleasure tools" for the night. One by one, an Alpha would step forward, scan the line of shivering women, and point.

"You," an Alpha with dark fur grunted, pointing to a young, trembling woman. "Come." The woman was immediately led away by a smaller guard.

"You," another Alpha commanded, selecting an older, gaunt woman. "Move."

Issa felt lightheaded. She trembled slightly, her gaze flickering across the terrifying faces of the Alphas. She prayed they wouldn't pick her. She prayed no one would. Just let her be ignored. Let her just be invisible to them.

More Alphas made their choices. A few more women were gone, their silent departures adding to the chilling atmosphere. Then, it was his turn. An Alpha that wasn't really like the others.

A blue eyed Alpha

He strode forward, he had a massive figure that seemed intimidating to the other Alphas. His presence was a force, a heavy weight in the air. His eyes, which held the color of ancient gold, swept across the naked women.

Issa squeezed her eyes shut for a fleeting moment, bracing herself. She felt his gaze lingering then felt it settle on her, causing her to sweat despite the cold night air. Every instinct in her screamed at her to disappear.

When she finally forced her eyes open, his hand was extended, his finger pointing directly at her.

A gasp escaped her lips, a silent, trapped sound. Was he—? Of everyone here it's him who chose her? The fear was overwhelming, She trembled, unable to move.

The burly guard who had ordered them to strip, the same one who had thrown her to the ground when she was captured, started towards her. "You heard the Alpha! Move, stupid human!" he snarled, reaching out to grab her arm roughly.

But just as the guards fingers brushed her skin in an attempt to instill force. a low growl, echoed deep and resounding, it was from The Blue eyed Alpha. "Hands off," he commanded, his voice holding an unexpected note of warning. The big werewolf flinched back, jerking his hand away as if it was burnt and his eyes widened in reverence.

He approached her, walking slowly one step at a time. He reached her, and Issa flinched, she expected a harsh touch, a blow maybe. Instead, a large hand, surprisingly warm and gentle, settled on her bare shoulder. His fingers were surprisingly soft as they brushed against her skin.

"Come," he said, his voice deep, the tone almost... coaxing. Not a command, but an invitation. It was the first time someone has spoken to her in such a tone after many weeks.

He led her away from the firelight, away from the other trembling women, away from the judging eyes of the pack. He didn't drag her, he guided her. Every part of her under his strange, gentle touch moved and followed him.

He took her to a private tent, larger and much softer inside than any other in the camp. A low table held a tray with food—actual, appealing food: roasted meat, sweet berries, a small loaf of bread—and a goblet filled with a dark, rich liquid.

"Eat," he said, gesturing to the food. His voice, which was once a brutal roar, was now calm and almost... soft. "And drink." He added as He handed her the goblet.

Issa hesitated, staring at the dark liquid. It smelled sweet, intoxicating. Something she had truly missed as she had for the last weeks only been fed with a hard stone-like bread.

She took a long swallow. Gulping down The sweet, fruity, and surprisingly potent liquid. It warmed her from the inside out, quickly taking away every timid part of her, loosening the tight knots in her chest. She drank again, and again, greedily and desperately.

He watched her, his golden eyes unreadable. He made no sudden moves as He spoke in a low, almost soothing tone, words she barely registered through the growing haze of the drink.

He touched her, his hands were surprisingly gentle as it brushed her hair from her face, his fingers tracing her jawline. The world began to spin. Her limbs felt heavy, detached. His face, which was close to hers, blurred and softened. The night that followed was a haze, a fading sensation that she couldn't quite grasp, before her eyes closed completely.