ALPHA
CHAPTER 1

-ADIRA-

The next few days following my father’s death went in a blur. The entire pack came out to pay their respects to their Alpha. The funeral was quick and it was immediately followed by my Alpha ceremony. There was nothing special about it, there was no celebration, no laughter, no joy.

What was there to celebrate anyway?

I remember the looks of anger flash across the faces of the males in the pack while I stood before them as their new Alpha. They were definitely not happy but with one look in their direction, they lowered their heads in submission. They didn’t have to like me as their leader but they did have to respect me.

I now sat in my new office working on the paperwork that had piled up in my father’s absence. I had been at it for hours and still haven’t seen a dent in the high pile. There was so much to catch up on and I could feel the headache coming on. With a growl of frustration, I pushed the document aside and leaned back in my large leather chair covering my face with my hands.

“Tired already Alpha?”

I removed my hands from my face looking over at the source of the voice, Lucas Steele. I glared and sat up in my chair. “It’s disrespectful to walk into the Alpha’s office without permission.” I huff out, my glare never wavering.

“I don’t think that rule applies to the Beta.” He replies with a smirk moving to casually sit in one of the chairs in front of my desk.

Lucas was one of my very best friends. Being the son of the Beta meant we spent a lot of time together growing up. We were inseparable at a time, at one point of parents believed we were mates. But at the age of 18, we discovered that wasn’t the case. Which was a good thing, Lucas found his mate, Selene.

It was a comical situation, with Luc being three years older than Selene, he discovered they were mates before she did. To watch my best friend turn from a cocky Beta in training to a lovesick puppy amused me to no end.

It was a wonder how my sister was able to put off mating for the past two years but she did it flawlessly. She was rarely alone in a room with Lucas and spoke to him when necessary. Soon, she would give in, Selene may have acknowledged her mate but she still hasn’t accepted him. It wouldn’t take long for her to stop resisting.

Lucas was handsome in a boyish way, with dark short hair and large brown eyes. He was quite a catch and one of the most sought after males in the pack, much to Selene’s distaste.

“Maybe I should revoke your Beta status then.” I drone out looking down at the paper in front of me.

Lucas’ smirk fell and he crossed his arms “That’s no way to treat your best friend A.” I rolled my eyes in response and began to read over the documents once more. This was the one thing they leave out in Alpha training, the actual amount of paperwork you have to do. There were always new pups being born, mates found, and newcomers being welcomed into the pack. Everything had to be documented and kept track of. It was stressful none the less.

“So.” Lucas begins clearing his throat regaining my attention once more. “Everyone is wondering when they will meet the new Alpha.”

I looked up with a risen brow “I’ve met the pack before Lucas, this is where I grew up.”

He gave me a pointed look “You grew up in the pack house Adira, it’s been years since you’ve walked among pack members. And even longer since you’ve visited the town.”

Fairbarrow was the town that resided in the Ash Pack territory. It was decently sized with a population of 7,000 people, consisting mostly of wolves and the few humans. I blew out a breath and leaned back in my seat once more “Just schedule some time next week to visit the town. I have too much work to do right now.”

Lucas shook his head “No.”

“Excuse me?” My eyes narrowed in his direction, my wolf snarled in my head. She didn’t like being told no, especially by her Beta. Luc bared his neck, a sign of submission, I didn’t realize a growl had escaped my lips.

Luc stood to his feet in determination but faltered seeing the look of agitation on my face “You can’t hide in here forever Ad. I know there’s tons of paperwork to do but right now the pack needs you. If you want to prove to those asshole elders and their sons that you deserve this title, you need to have the pack on your side.”

I bit my lip in thought and pushed the papers aside. Of course, Luc was right, I needed my pack on my side. Right now I was basically a stranger to them, that needed to change and fast.

Blowing out a breath I stood to my feet in exasperation running a hand through my dark hair “You’re right. Fine, after I check the pack grounds and our warriors I’ll head into town.”

He smirked in victory “Alright then Alpha, let’s get going shall we?”

I rolled my eyes as we began to walk out of my office. Bumping my shoulder with his I offered him a grateful smile “Thanks Luc, when did you get so wise?” I tease slightly making him huff in annoyance.

“I’ve always been wise, you just never listen to me.” He clarifies poking me on my forehead leading me out the door.

The pack grounds were strangely busy for being a weekday. Pups were playing in the grass, females were watching their children carefully while chatting in a small group, and the men were a good distance away watching the warriors train. Houses were built in rows creating neighborhoods and a sense of community.

I let out a sigh of contentment as I observed my home. It was so peaceful. Being one of the largest packs in America meant we had more allies and not as many threats, no one dared to go against our numbers. The Ash Pack was a safe haven, I just hoped I could continue what my father and grandfather before me started and keep this pack what it was made to be; a place of peace.

I said hello to pack members and spoke for a few moments to curious children who had many questions about being an Alpha. Lucas watched me with a grin on his face.

“What?” I questioned seeing the look he was giving me.

“You’re going to be a great leader.” He replies knowingly putting a hand on my shoulder.

I chuckled humorlessly removing his hand “I haven’t done anything yet Luc, talking with pack members doesn’t make me a great leader.”

He opened his mouth to reply when a voice interrupted us. “Good afternoon Alpha Adira.”

Lucas and I turned our attention to the group of older men who stood before us. They were sons of the elders, all men in their late thirties and forties, male wolves who were well liked in the pack. Males who hated me. The lead of this group was Abraham, his father was the head elder and thought he had all the power in the world. All of these men were overgrown children who still ran to their fathers when they wanted something.

I offered the friendliest smile I could muster up “Good morning Abraham.”

The man who stood before me was muscular with long dark hair that had begun to grey slightly. He was smiling but I could see the annoyance and distaste in his eyes. If he hated me so much, why was he talking to me?

“We just wanted to say congratulations on becoming Alpha.” He congratulated. Liar. “I’m sure you’ll make Alberto and Anna proud.”

A tight smile etched its way onto my face hearing the mention of my parents and thanked the man “Thank you, Abraham. I’ll do my best.”

“Now when will we expect you to replace your mate? I assume you will begin your search soon?” Abraham questions with slight excitement.

Um, what?

“I’m sorry Abraham, I’m a little confused?” I sputter out followed by a nervous chuckle. Was this guy crazy? I didn’t need to worry about a mate right now, not when I just took over the pack.

“Well, we need a male leader of course.” He laughs out loud as if I had just told him a funny joke. The men around him began to laugh as well. My wolf perked up at this and I could feel a growl rumbling in my throat “You don’t expect us to follow a female do you?”

“Actually I do Abraham.” I all but growl out. I felt Luca’s chest grumble as well. His wolf didn’t like these men questioning his Alpha.

Abraham’s laughter ceased “Alpha Adira pardon my disrespect but you cannot be serious. That is not the way of our kind, we need a strong male leader, a true Alpha, not someone like you. You belong as our Luna-”

I could feel my temper rising when a snarl escaped my lips making Abraham jump slightly and take a step back. I stomped towards to the group of men who immediately fell to their knees feeling the power exerting through me “I am your Alpha, regardless if I have a mate or not, this is my pack. If any of you question me again I will show what I am truly capable of.” I stood over the cowering men who bared their necks towards me. I could feel my wolf pacing inside of me, she wanted these men’s heads, to kill the ones who dared to question her ruling.

“Yes, Alpha.” They all reply simultaneously, some still cowering but Abraham. He sat on his knees with his fist clenched on his thighs, his knuckles turning white. I eyed him before moving to walk around the group of men.

“Well, that was entertaining,” Selene says in amusement jogging up to us. Her long black hair was pulled into a ponytail and she was dressed in workout clothes. She must have finished training the warriors. As my Gamma, I appointed her to train and raise up my warriors who helped protect the pack. That position made her happy to no end, well, as happy as Selene could get.

I merely grumble in reply and continued walking on the pathway with Selene and Lucas hot on my trail. I could hear Luc attempt to make conversation with my sister only to be brushed off. If I still wasn’t so angry I would have laughed.

“By the way, I just came from border patrol,” Selene reports walking in step with me leaving a disgruntled Lucas behind us. I rose an eyebrow indicating she should continue “Everything looks good. No rogues, no intruders, not even a rabbit passed through.”

My lips twitched up in amusement at her statement “Good let’s-”

“Alpha Adira!”

We all turned our attention to the frantic warrior running towards us. “What is it?” I demand, feeling his panic through the pack bond.

“On the eastern border, there’s been a breach. We need your help.” The warrior huffs out.

“Can’t you handle it? Our Alpha is very busy.” Selene sneers out only for me to put a hand on her shoulder. Lucas took a step closer to Selene and instantly her body relax. Realizing she was so close to Luc, she moved away. I did my best to ignore the look of hurt on my Beta’s face.

“It’s alright Sel.” She studied me for a moment before nodding her head then moved her gaze back to the young wolf in front of us. “Now, what is it?”

“A-a rouge, Alpha, it’s completely mad and has taken out most of our border patrol.” He sputters out “It’s the biggest rogue I have ever seen.”

Selene, Lucas and I all exchanged looks knowing we needed to handle this situation and fast before someone gets hurt. “Lucas, get to the border now and see what you can do,” I order quickly. Without hesitation, Lucas shifted into this dark grey wolf and sped off with the warrior in tow leaving Selene and me alone.

I turned to my sister “Order all pack members to remain indoors and get as many reinforcements as you can. If this is a severe threat, I don’t want any casualties.” She nodded determinedly and ran off towards the training grounds.

Shutting my eyes and exhaling deeply I felt the cracking and shifting of my bones as I transformed into my wolf. I could feel her happiness through our bond, she was happy to be out, it was only for a few moments.

For some reason I didn’t feel angry at the fact a rogue is attempting to enter our land, my wolf was....excited?

There was an odd feeling in my gut. Something was about to happen and I was walking right in the middle of it. I shook my head and ran towards the eastern border. Time to get this situation handled.

This was just a simple rouge breech, what could happen?