HER ALPHA’S SHADOW

2- KAIA

Hey Mira! Looking good girl! I think you get hotter every time I see you.”

“Dan, You saw me yesterday…at training…when I kicked your ass.” I didn’t actually kick his ass. I just didn’t get beat, and gave him a run for his money.“That’s better every time too.” He closes his eyes and smiles and we all just laugh. “You are so stupid!” I say to our future Delta. “Does that line work on any girls?’

“I save my best lines for you, until I find my mate of course. Then I won’t need any lines, she will love me no matter what.” He puts his hand on his heart. “Lucky girl.” I pretend to vomit on Dandy, who just laughs. “You’re lucky the Moon Goddess is going to force someone to be with you forever. Otherwise, I don’t know if anyone would put up with you that long.”

Zen huffs a laugh. I don’t know if I have ever seen our tough-as-nails friend really show any emotion outwardly. He’s actually a really nice guy, when you get to know him, but to the outside world he’s stern and quiet, but he seems to make that look work based on the amount of girls that try and get him to open up, so determined to ‘fix’ him or ‘save’ him.

I don’t think he’s broken, just reserved. His mate will be the only person he shows that side to. We head into the school ready to start the first day of our senior year.—-The first week of classes were about as expected. Mean girls say mean things, but the guys don’t let it go too far. They don’t step in right away like they used to.

When I first got here, it was a big deal that I was human and best friends with the Alpha’s son, and no matter what race, species or supernatural powers you have, teenagers can just be assholes. So the guys would jump in to protect me, but that just made things worse. It made me a bigger target to pick on because I was perceived as being weak, an easy target. I struggled to even just get out of bed after the accident, the kids at school didn’t help.

Aldric used to drag me to training to get me out of the house. It did give me an outlet when my depression morphed into the anger stage of grieving. One day at training a girl got extra rough after she got laughed at. A prank she tried to set on me backfired and she ended up with syrup on her pants for part of the day. She decided to retaliate publicly. Since I was human, she assumed I wouldn’t know how to really fight even though I train with all of them every day, her first mistake.

She also thought she wouldn’t have to put a lot of effort in because, again, I was human and she was a wolf and there is no comparison. Her second mistake. I beat her severely, and since then I have been training with the guys as a future warrior as well as training self defense at my mom’s studio.

There are things I can’t do, like shift into an enormous beast, but I still train with them even when they are in their wolf form. It has made me faster and more aware. I think the guys go easy on me, but the jealous girls do not. My skill set is varied and probably better because of that. I have also been working with the trainers on using my other senses to enhance them like any other muscle. I have found I am really good at tracking and hiding from trackers. Even though a wolf’s sense of smell is very strong. I can even fool Aldric , who is one of the strongest with Alpha blood.

“So, what exactly is this meeting about? I mean all of the alliances are good, right?” Dan asks Aldric as they are circling each other in the sparring ring after school.“ I think it’s more about getting me and the other future Alphas ready to take over. You know meeting the other Alphas, establishing relationships, that kind of thing. I’ve known most of these guys my whole life, so it won’t be too bad. Mostly a formality.” Aldric dodges a series of punches, but doesn’t respond quick enough, because he talks with his hands, and is taken out with a leg swipe and he hits the ground hard, recovers and rolls before Dan can land another kick.

Aldric pushes Dan’s foot away, causing him to stumble and stands to take the offensive. Before they get too rowdy, Dandy steps up and taps Dan on the shoulder, switching out to partner with Aldric. We rotate frequently to work on his stamina. I went first and got a great right hook in, but I was taken out shortly after with a punch to the ribs. I may have heard a few crack, but I am not saying anything to them. The last time they thought they hurt me, no one fought against me for a month. I have been working with our main healer at the clinic on ways to heal faster and not get sick as often.

Werewolves apparently have no issues with sickness or disease the way humans do and they heal from broken bones in days and scrapes in a matter of hours. My human body needs more time, but the herbs and teas our healer has speeds up healing and takes away most of the soreness and pain. “When do you leave?” Dandy asks as they continue to work around each other.

“We take off tonight, so make sure you keep an eye on her.” He pointed to me and I almost spit out the water I was drinking. “What are you talking about ‘watch me?’ What do I need a babysitter for? You’re going to be gone for the weekend.” I am trying to stay calm, but not doing a great job. I hate it when they get like this. “You know there have been rogue attacks up and down the southern borders. They haven’t been too close to us, but now that I am in transition for the Alpha title we are vulnerable and you will be a target for several reasons. The other new Alphas have noticed a similar situation. It’s just a precaution, I promise.”

“What reasons are those exactly?” I can’t let the idea drop. He’s been more obsessive in his protectiveness of me lately and I don’t know why. Something is going on and I want to know what it is.“You know why Kaia, come on.” He pleads, knowing where this conversation is going to lead. He can't focus on me for too long though, Dandy is still working his grappling skills and they all use me as a distraction for Aldric. “Nope, I’m going to need you to spell that sh*t out for me.

”He huffs and looks around at the rest of the guys, like they are going to save him. They know better than to jump into this warpath, but they aren’t running for the hills either.“ Fine. It can’t happen again, I can’t handle it, we can’t handle it. “He gestures at the guys. ”What, Al-d-ric,” I enunciated his name, “can’t happen again?”“You can’t get taken again!” He grits out through clenched teeth. “Nothing happened last time.”

My voice is getting stronger. “They had me for the 2 days, you have to get over this.” s**t! They attacked you because of me. That can’t happen again.” Change of tactics. “Who had to rescue me then, hmm?” I’m fighting for a calm that I don’t feel. I can appreciate their feelings, but I don’t have to put up with their stupid reactions to them. He breathes and stops his fight with Dandy. “You’ve escaped, okay? I know, we all know it, but that’s not the point. You are a human being who was left without protection,” he growled at me.

“The s**t?! I was and am a warrior with this package. Could someone in my position, in my location, have been taken or am I no longer good enough to keep that title?” Copyright © 2026 by WORLDCUP. “You know you are, I just...” He growls. “I can’t lose you, people know that you are important to me and they will attack you for that and for the fact that you are human.” He rubs his face.” Look, Zen, Dandy and Dan are important to you. Are you going to put a child care detail on them too?”

“What? No, of course not. That’s his job. They are just...” He stutters again, knowing that he is losing this discussion.” Just what? Guys? Werewolves?” I shrug my shoulders. “I know you care about me, but I’m not so stupid as to be in danger. So stop treating me like a fragile piece of glass. And what about your Moon? Are you going to lock it up when you find it? I would like to be close for that fight.”

“But you’re fragile, Kaia, ugh,” he jumps in front of me, grabs me by the shoulders and pulls me towards his chest, closing my arms next to me in his control restraint-like embrace. “You are more fragile than us. One of the new Alphas was moving his partner to his pack and his vehicle was attacked on the way. She is fine, but many people were injured and were detained for rescue. She fought Kaia, fought hard and was still captured.”

I can’t argue that they are less unbreakable than me, it’s a scientific fact. And a Moon is the heart of his pack, it is the only thing that makes an Alpha stronger, but it can also destroy it. He seems to keep forgetting, I’m not his Moon.” I’ll be fine.” I murmur without commitment.” Oh, really? How are the ribs?”

“What...?” Don’t try to lie, I felt like they were breaking. I don’t think they’re broken, since you’re capable of yelling at me, but that’s my point. You are my sister and very, very important. And very in need of the healer,” He squeezes my side and I shudder. “Let’s go.” I’ll be fine in a couple of days. The healer Blackwell gave me something to speed up healing. I’ll be as good as new to beat your ass when you come back.”

“Let’s go now or I’ll connect with mom.” Gasp. “Low blow, Aldric.” “Come on, Kaia, let’s give you a checkup and then he can buy us all something to eat to make sure you feel better.” Dan intermittent. He already has his things packed and ready to go. We’ve been fighting longer than I thought when I looked at the time.” Here, Kaia.” Ben hands me my bag. Well, I guess we’re leaving then.

I reluctantly follow them to Jeremiah’s car. I know that if I stop too long, someone will pick me up and throw me like a toy. They were two small fractures and the boys swore to keep it a secret. Aunt Mira tended to be very protective when she hurt me in some way. Worse than Aldric, and I always had bruises and scratches. It was wonderful that he let me train with the pack, but I think I knew I would find a way and the boys, and probably Uncle Bram, would have fully supported the anarchy. I had also been taking classes with my mother all my life, so I was not prone to accidents or weak, just human. I used to play hard, I always have, as if I were a wolf part myself.

When we returned to the packing house, Aunt Mira had all the pizzas prepared for us. Even though Dan made us stop for hamburgers on the way back from the healer, all the boys rushed for the food. Aunt Mira approached me while Uncle Bram and Liam, the housekeeper, carried the bags outside.

“We’ll be back in a couple of days, honey.” Aunt Mira hugs me with that worried look in her eyes.” Seriously, I’ll be fine. Besides, I have the band of boys to keep me company.” I point my thumb over my shoulder at Dan, Zen and Dandy sitting on the island working on a pizza. “You’d better go, so I can get there, you know they won’t leave me anything.” I hugged her once more.

I walked to the island and had to move Dan’s hand away from the last slice of cheese pizza. He just laughed like a little boy. Big strong arms surrounded me from behind and squeezed me hard.” I love you, Kaia. I left a shirt in your room, just in case.” He whispers in my ear.” Thank you, I love you too.” I lean towards him and squeeze his huge arm with my hand. Then he was gone.