Alpha Kieran.
I stood still at the edge of the hills waiting for the luna goddess as this night marks my eighteenth birthday when I finally take over my father's pack. I remember back then in fifth grade when I was humiliated and bullied by my peers. I would sit alone and cover my face in my locker, shed a couple tears and try to clean it all with my handkerchief. They mustn't find me crying, my dad was going to skim me alive. So I took it all in hoping that when I finally turned eighteen, I would prove to everyone that I'm not just a faint hearted heir waiting to be crowned Alpha of the Bluehost Pack but one who is ready to face his fears and finally rewrite the narrative people had about me.
Many said I was weak, others say I try to hide it with a stern and tough look. Even my father had that same impression of me. He will look at me and shake his head " I pray you make a great Alpha." And I will nod in response. Even though I wasn't ready back then and feared for the most, I knew one day I will pick the mantle and finally rule my pack.
Beside me was my father, the late Alpha who the pack doctor had just confirmed to be suffering from a critical illness. I looked at him, his eyes shut, his nostrils stuck with two cottons. I looked away, my muscles twitching as my stomach churned. The smell of garlic and metallic dust infiltrated my nostrils and for a moment I couldn't catch my breath. The wind howled and my tousled black hair cascaded down the glowing moon as my shadows stared at me. And for some reason I felt small. My head fell to my thighs as I lowered myself to the ground.
Just then, the luna goddess appeared, her fine white robe reflecting in the bright night light. The leaves and trees around me stood high swaying in respect. I looked at her, my feet still planted on the ground close to my dying father.
She's silent,apart from the echo of the wind and the rustling sound from the bush. So I remained calm, waiting for her to finally speak.
"Was I going to be crowned Alpha and finally prove my strength to my pack or was there something else she was going to say?" I couldn't help but wonder, her silence was giving the latter. But I waited until she finally choked out, her voice soft but hoarse.
"I'm afraid your father might not make it. But… you can help."
My ears stood paying close attention as my eyes shifted from my father to the goddess.
"Find your fated mate and bring her back to the pack." Her words sliced through my ears. I didn't know why I felt a sharp, strong pain in my abdomen but I shoved it off, pressing my ears to listen further.
"She's in an All girls academy and you must find her before your rival alpha does so."
You mean Alpha Kingsley of the Whitehost pack?
"Exactly!" She concurred.
But..how can we…he was my high school classmate back then and his dad was my father's sworn enemy.
"Never think an enemy will change. Her voice was cold. You've got a lot of catching up to do because it seems as though you were more focused on college than getting to know the history and problems of your pack."
So what are you insinuating? I asked, staring back into her eyes but her gaze overshadowed mine.
"You can't take over this pack until the wolf scent is complete and brought back for cleansing." I shifted back as I exhaled deeply.
"What was she even saying?" I muttered from within, but she still gave a stern look making my feet tremble.
"And how are mine even supposed to get into an all girl's academy and find my fated mate when I just got into college. I'm barely two semesters in." I grumbled, folding my hands and looking away. But that didn't help. Because for every time I look, the face of my father slapped back at me and the weight of the pack and new responsibility pressed me like a matched doe wanting to be used.
I was still facing backwards, refusing to shed a tear or show cowardice as my father would say when she finally spoke out again.
"If he finds her before you, you lose everything. Your father, your pack, your strength and most of all your sanity." And then I turned immediately but she was gone. She disappeared into thin air. I scanned and scanned hoping she would return and give me more time or even clarity. But she never did.
I sat alone on the floor, my throat dry and my limbs weak. I refused to get back inside. This was not part of the plan. I was supposed to be made Alpha but what did I get? Nothing but an impossible task. Where on earth was I going to find my fated mate? What does she even look like? Like.. how are mine supposed to know she's the one when I meet her? No clue. Not even a picture. Not even my wolf was ready to speak. The universe just stared at me in total silence.
The Mate scent was something I had always wanted but it just never happens. Many of my friends would say it surfaces when you finally turn eighteen but mine had refused to say a word. Everything was beginning to feel like a nightmare to me. A rogue Alpha's son.. going after my fated mate. That was something I would never have thought in my life.
Growing up Kingsley was my very good childhood friend even if his father and my dad were at loggerheads and deep rivalry. We were in different packs. His was the Whitehost and mine was the Bluehost pack. After school each day, I always go to his pack to play a couple games with him and some other friends. Not until the animosity between his father and my dad grew worse. But by this time I was already in high school, same with Kingsley. I would watch him always bully me and make me feel less of myself. But I just couldn't understand why? nor the reason for the sudden change. I just felt really bad that my once childhood bestie was no longer interested in our friendship again.
I couldn't click it. I was too blind to see it. Nothing ever felt right until this night. And now, everything is clear to me and in little or no time I would be facing him again, now grounded and informed.
I snapped up from the ground, this time ready to finally face it squarely. My feet spread apart covering huge space and my chin high enough to make the trees bow. Nothing was going to make me small. Never again!
I reached out to where my father was laid and carried him to the closet.
He wasn't the best dad, but… I knew he needed me more than ever. And by the calm of night no one would know the next move of the enemies. So I needed to make sure he's safe. Once the lock was confirmed, I freed my fingers from the door and turned to face it.
I prowled down my pack, my ears raised and my senses heightened, thunder lightning disintegrated the sky, making the clouds give rain. My feet hurried to my packhouse. But the luna goddess words never left my ears. It stood tall, strong and overpowering. But I refused to let it break me. All girls Academy there I go and my mate I shall find.