Banished by the Alpha

Cory POV It’s another beautiful day at the pack house where we live. I wake up and stretch in my big, comfy bed. My father, Corbin McCallister is the Alpha of the largest pack in the Midwest. The Great Lakes Pack is a hugely successful and highly respected pack because generations of my family have run it just like my father. He treats everyone like family and that means that the other families that live in the pack house with us feel more like extra siblings and cousins than separate families. I climb out of bed and get dressed quickly so I can get a good spot at the breakfast table. If I’m any later all the good food will be picked through by everyone else. I run down the stairs, colliding with Ricky in my rush. My father’s Beta, Thomas, has 3 sons; Tom, Kevin, and his youngest, Ricky, is my best friend. We’ve been together since birth basically but he’s older than me by a week. We just had a party to celebrate our 15th birthdays and he likes to pick on me and remind me that he’s older. He really is like having another brother. “Jeez Cory, slow down before you kill one of us.” He shouts as he catches me before I hit the ground. “Sorry Ricky, I just want to make sure to get to breakfast before all the good stuff is gone!” I jump out of his grip and keep heading towards the dining hall. I hear him chuckling behind me as he walks after me. “Mmmm” I let out a small, excited moan at the fact that I made it with plenty of food to spare. My favorite chocolate crepes with a fruit bowl and a pile of crispy bacon. My mouth is watering, I love food. “Your daughter tried to kill me this morning Alpha.” I hear Ricky tattling on me to my dad. “I did not! I ran into your stupid face because you move to slow and I wanted food!” I shout through a mouthful of food. Mom Just glares at me for talking while chewing. Dad just laughs at us and continues to discuss business with Thomas and Ricky’s mom sits down beside him with a full plate. She smiles her warm smile at me. She’s convinced that when we turn 18 Ricky and I will be mates but our wolves won’t reveal our mate until then. Most of my friends have already experienced their first shifts. I’m what my mom calls a “late bloomer” because I haven’t quite hit puberty yet and that’s when we get to experience our first shift and meet our wolves. I’m happily munching away enjoying the conversations around me when the door suddenly slams open and in walks Lucas Raven. He graduated last year and just turned 19. He likes to criticize my father on how he runs the pack. Literally making a comment on every single decision. He’s made it his mission to make my dad miserable it seems and, as a result, the rest of the family as well. “I, Lucas Raven, challenge Alpha Corbin McCallister for the title of Alpha of the Great Lakes Pack!” he loudly announces. Silence fills the room and all the smiles are gone. I always knew that someone could challenge for my dad’s title, anyone in, any pack could challenge their alpha but it almost never happens because when an Alpha demands something of a pack member, they have to do it, it’s an order. Plus, my dad is highly respected both in our pack and across the country. I look over at Ricky, he looks just as worried as I am. “That’s your right Lucas, but know that if you lose, pack law states that a member who challenges for the title of Alpha and loses shall be banished to prevent future problems. I would hate to have to do that to you, you have such a bright future.” “I’m not going to back down Alpha.” Lucas replies. “Very well, the dual will be carried out at the outdoor sparring circle behind the house, at dusk. The same rules as any challenge shall apply; fighters must be in human form for the duration of the fight, no-one steps outside the circle or they are disqualified, no-one comes into the circle to help or there will have to be a rematch, and it will continue until one of the fighters either concedes or dies.” My father states all of it so matter-of-factly, as if his life doesn’t depend on him winning. Now I’m really scared. Will one of them die or concede? My father is an amazing warrior, with years of training and experience, but Lucas has youth and stamina on his side and is also a well-trained wolf.r talking while chewing.     My dad just laughs at us and continues to discuss business with Thomas and Ricky’s mom sits down beside him with a full plate. She smiles her warm smile at me. She’s convinced that when we turn 18 Ricky and I will be mates but our wolves won’t reveal our mate until then. Most of my friends have already shifted for the first time. I’m what my mom calls a “late bloomer” because I haven’t quite hit puberty yet and that’s when I’ll get to meet my wolf.     I’m happily munching away enjoying the conversations around me when the door slams open and in walks Lucas Raven. He graduated last year and just turned 19. He likes to criticize my father on how he runs the pack. Literally making a comment on every single decision. He’s made it his mission to make my dad miserable it seems and the rest of the family as well.     “I, Lucas Raven, challenge Alpha Corbin McCallister for the title of Alpha of the Great Lakes Pack!” he loudly announces.     Now there is silence and all the smiles are gone. I always knew that someone could challenge for my dad’s title, anyone in any pack could challenge their alpha but it almost never happens because when an Alpha demands something of a pack member, they have to do it, it’s an order. Plus, my dad is highly respected both in our pack and across the country. I look over at Ricky, he has the same worried face as me.     “That’s your right Lucas, but know that if you lose, you will be banished per pack law. I would hate to have to do that to you, you have such a bright future.”     “I’m not backing down Alpha.” Is all Lucas replies.     “Very well, the dual will be carried out in the outdoor sparring circle behind the house at dusk. Same rules as any challenge. Fighters must be in human form for the duration of the fight, no-one steps outside the circle or they disqualify, no-one comes in to help or there will have to be a rematch, and it will continue until one of the fighters either concedes or dies.” My father stated all of it so matter-of-factly, as if his life didn’t depend on him winning.     Now I’m terrified. Will one of them die or concede? My father is an amazing warrior but Lucas has youth and stamina on his side and is also a well-trained wolf. Lucas POV I finally got up the guts to actually challenge Alpha Corbin. Even I was a bit surprised when the words actually left my mouth. I had been criticizing his leadership since I turned 18, barely a year ago, but never knew if I would actually have the courage to challenge him for his position. I have been training since I was a child alongside Alpha Corbin’s oldest son, Connor. He was a born Alpha and is supposed to take over his position eventually but not after I win. Connor and I were friends but I’m sure we won’t be now that I’ve challenged his father for his position. The Alpha has a lot of training under his belt and years of actual experience fighting rogues and outside packs but he’s also older, a bit bulkier and slower than myself. I’ll have to use all of that to my advantage to have any chance at winning. ------------ This is a good ham and cheese sandwich. I think to myself as I eat dinner. I wanted to eat light tonight so I wouldn’t have a full belly slowing me down. It’s almost time for the fight to begin so I finish up and head out for a quick run to loosen up. After a 5-mile sprint I arrive at the sparring ring behind the pack house, shifting back to my human form and throwing on some shorts stashed nearby as I approach. I do some quick stretches, push-ups, and crunches to fully prepare for the fight ahead. About the time I’m finishing my warm-up, Alpha Corbin walks up to the ring. It’s clear he also just warmed up before coming out, probably in the pack gym. His Beta, Thomas walks with him, he also looks like he had a light workout. I’m guessing as a sparring partner. Thomas would be the referee for this battle. He’s a very fair man even though he has been by Corbin’s side their whole lives, I have no doubt he would stay objective for the fight. We step into the ring and Thomas announces, “If both of you are ready, you may begin.” Corbin and I begin to circle each other, waiting for our opponent to make the first move.