CHAPTER 17: CHAPTER 17

The earth trembled beneath our feet, just slightly, as if the land itself recognized the majesty of what was approaching. I stood beside the crazy Alpha, my hands clasped tightly in front of me, the morning sun casting a golden glow across the open field where the warriors had assembled.

Today was a historic day. The day the Dragon Skull arrived. Not a replica. Not a painted version carved from wood or molded from bronze. No, this was the dragon skull—the real one. The remains of a creature so ancient and powerful, most thought it belonged in legends. A relic that had only ever existed in history books...until now, My heart pounded in my chest, a mix of excitement and reverence.

"Are you alright?" Alpha Zack asked beside me, his deep voice snapping me out of my thoughts.

"What? Did this psycho just ask me if I was all right? Oh God, what is happening to him today? I looked up at him. Tall. Stoic. Powerful. His jet-black hair was tied back in a warrior’s knot, and the silver Alpha mark on his collar shimmered under the light. He looked every inch the fearsome leader he was known to be.

"Yes Alpha," I whispered, unable to hide the awe in my voice. "I never imagined I’d live to see a dragon skull in person."

He gave a short nod. No smile. No sign of emotion. But his eyes flickered, just for a second, betraying a hint of pride. Of course he was proud. He had killed the dragon himself as they said. The psycho Alpha is definitely the strongest Alpha in this werewolf world. I overheard some pack members talking about how he was the one who had faced the last remaining dragon in a brutal battle that lasted three nights and two days in the Dreaded Highlands. And he had returned not just alive, but victorious.

It was said he didn’t even shift into his wolf form until the final blow, that he fought most of it in human form, relying only on instinct, strategy, and unshakable resolve. Now the skull, massive and scorched from ancient flames, was being transported across the packlands to be mounted in the sacred hall. It would be a symbol of victory, of power, of fear. And above all, of Alpha Zack. The warriors stood in formation, their postures rigid, expressions unreadable, but I could feel the undercurrent of excitement running through the air like a storm about to break.

Then it came into view.

Two dozen massive black horses, bred from the Shadow Herd, pulled a reinforced cart, creaking with the weight of the dragon’s head. Behind them were thirty guards from the Bloodfang Elite, flanking the relic with drawn blades and full armor.

Gasps rippled through the ranks. Even the most hardened warriors leaned forward to get a better look. I couldn’t breathe for a moment. The skull was enormous. At least ten feet from snout to the base of the neck, its surface marred with claw marks and burns. Jagged teeth, as long as my arm, gleamed like ivory daggers. The hollow eye sockets stared ahead like portals into another time. My knees nearly gave way. I gripped the edge of my cloak and turned to Alpha Zack. He looked at me like he wanted to rip my throat off and i let go of him immediately

"This psycho must be very powerful, I choked on the words. "This is incredible, he really killed that?"

He didn’t respond at first, just watched the skull as it passed slowly by us. Then, finally, he said, "It was necessary."

I shook my head, utterly in awe. "He’s more than just strong. He’s legendary. No other Alpha could have done this. No one else would’ve even survived long enough to land the first blow. His really deserves to be the alpha of this pack. Before I could finish the last statement in my head, a strange sound cut through the air.

"Wheeeeee! Look at the teeth! So sharp! So white! I want to touch it! I want to climb on it! This is the best day of my life!"

I blinked, confused. The voice had come from...somewhere. But no one around me had moved.

Everyone else was still serious. Focused. Reverent. Not a single warrior had cracked a smile. No one looked like they were squealing with joy.

Maybe I was hearing things. I looked at Alpha Zack again. He hadn’t moved, his face still carved from stone. His arms crossed over his chest. His expression is unreadable. Then the voice came again, even louder this time, filled with pure, childlike excitement.

"IT’S A REAL DRAGON SKULL! AAAAAH! I’VE ONLY EVER SEEN DRAWINGS! I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE SMALLER! THIS IS SO COOL!"

My mouth opened in shock. It’s the psycho’s inner voice. I tilted my head slowly toward him, who remained perfectly still.

Alpha psycho. The strongest, coldest, most fearsome Alpha in the entire realm. The one who could crush a skull with his bare hands, the one who is always looking for ways to strangle me. He was squealing inside his own head like a pup at a candy store.

"I wonder if I can keep one of the teeth! No, no, that would be stealing. But maybe just one. It’s not like anyone would miss it. Or maybe I can take the tongue—wait, skulls don’t have tongues. Ugh. Why didn’t I keep the tongue when I had the chance?!" He said in his inner voice

I nearly choked trying not to laugh. He was completely losing his mind internally while maintaining the perfect image of stoicism on the outside. I pressed a hand to my mouth to stop myself from giggling, pretending I was coughing.

"I’m so proud of myself," his inner voice continued. "So proud. This will look so cool in the hall. Everyone will think I’m a badass—which I am—but now they’ll see it too."

"Should I name the skull? No. That’s stupid. Okay maybe something cool like Flamefang. No. Shadowmaw. Yes! Shadowmaw the Destroyed. That’s epic."

At this point, I was physically trembling from trying not to laugh. I turned away under the pretense of wiping something from my eye, shoulders shaking as I silently wheezed into my sleeve.

Alpha Zack gave me a sidelong glance. And I immediately straightened myself.

"Silly toad, she must be excited to see the dragon skull too. He said in his inner voice before looking away from me.

Excited is an understatement for me, I wish I have a camera to take pictures, I said to myself.

"OH MY GOD I CAN’T WAIT TO SHOW THIS TO THE OTHER ALPHAS. I’M GONNA FLEX SO HARD. MAYBE I SHOULD STAND ON IT FOR THE CEREMONY. YES. STAND ON THE SKULL LIKE A KING. Or maybe sit on it? Like a throne? No. Too much. Too much. Or is it?" He continued in his inner voice.

I bit the inside of my cheek so hard I almost drew blood. There was something hilarious, something human about hearing this terrifying, emotionless psycho alpha be so damn happy over a giant skull. Maybe he isn’t that bad after all.

The cart finally rolled to a stop in front of the sacred hall. The warriors split into two rows, forming a path of honor. The ceremonial guards stepped forward with shields raised, creating a wall of gleaming silver on either side.

Alpha Zack moved then, taking a step forward to lead the procession. He looked majestic. Powerful. Untouchable. But in his head?

"I hope nobody notices how excited I am. I need to walk slowly. Powerfully. Like I do this every day. Maybe add a little swagger. No. Too much. Calm down. You’re cool. You’re Alpha Zack. The dragon slayer. The beast. The legend."

I was going to die. Right here. Right now. Death by laughter. As he walked, I followed close behind with the rest of the ranking members, trying to glue my face into a neutral expression. But my heart was doing cartwheels inside my chest. The cold, ruthless Alpha was nothing like the mask he wore. Inside, he was chaotic. Loud. Dramatic. Childishly excited. And...kind of adorable?

No. No, Elie. Focus, he will strangle you if you don’t focus.

"Maybe I should get a painting of this moment. No. A statue! A GIANT STATUE! Of me fighting the dragon. I’ll commission the best sculptor in the realm. It’ll be legendary. My abs better look amazing." He said in his inner voice.

I snorted out loud. Several heads turned.

Alpha Zack glanced at me, just once. I coughed violently. "Sorry A-Alpha

He frowned, then turned his attention back to the ceremony. I exhaled shakily. I was not going to survive this day.Not with the psycho Alpha screaming joyfully in his head every five seconds. But what can I do? He’s so adorable. Wait? What? Did I just said this psycho looks adorable? Oh no.