The Alpha's Choice

Chapter 4: Spineless Beta?

I rise from my chair, neatly placing it back in its spot and casually motioning to my closest friend.

"Get to work, or at least make it look like I assigned you to watch those human soap operas on your phone again." I say with an authoritative tone.

With a playful salute, Selena springs up, jesting, "Yes, my lady. Noted! No binge-watching soap operas during your shift. Shall I also polish your shoes while I'm at it?"

Selena's eyes glint with an otherworldly intensity as she briefly extends her claws, the sharp points gleaming.

But just as quickly, her claws retract, and her hand returns to its normal state.

"Are you okay?" I ask carefully, pressing a cup of water to her mouth.

A puzzled expression crosses her face as she shakes her head slightly. "I don't know why she badly wants to come out," she murmurs, as if speaking to the primal force within her. "I think I'm just hungry. I need to go hunt."

Selena looks at me, her eyes grateful for the water, and then nods in agreement. "It's been a while, Nora," she admits, her voice tinged with a hint of regret. "With all the preparations for the claiming ceremony, I haven't had the chance to let my wolf roam freely."

I can sense her restlessness, her longing for the wild, and I know she needs this release. "Go," I urge her gently. "I can handle things here. We'll manage the ceremony together when you return."

A hint of a smile tugs at the corner of Selena's lips as she stands up, her movements fluid and confident. "Thank you, Nora," she says, her gratitude evident in her eyes.

I simply roll my eyes and motion to the door once more. "Go," I say, smiling as my friend leaves the room, blowing me a kiss as she moves.

"Hey, Spineless!" a familiar haughty voice calls out as I try to open my car door, juggling a stack of files in one hand and a coffee in the other.

With closed eyes, I silently ask for strength before facing Gabriel Star, our pack's future Alpha, and the one person who never calls me Nora.

I force a smile. He's been calling me Spineless since we were kids, and the more I protest, the more he seems to enjoy it.

"What a surprise, Gabriel. I didn't think an Alpha heir would dirty his hands with actual work. Don't you have a skirt to chase or something?" I remark coolly, adding a sweet smile for effect.

Like all Alphas, he has a finely cut, chiseled face, and toned stomach and biceps which make him look very intimidating without trying. So, it's no wonder most women are captivated by him.

His deep black hair humiliates my own ginger strands. Our physical looks serve as a constant reminder to everyone of how different our personalities are.

But despite his good looks, Gabriel, he can be so haughty and self-centered.

At his age, he's yet to find a partner, which I suspect suits him just fine, as it allows him to continue pursuing the pack of she-wolves.

The pack is concerned, and there are whispers that their future Alpha's mate might have died sometime ago, because why else is he yet to be mated?

If Gabriel is aware of these rumors, he chose not to address them.

It's unusual for an Alpha not to find their mate within two years of adulthood.

He scowls as he invades my personal space, his towering six-foot-three frame casting a shadow over my five-foot-six stature.

Even though he looms above me, I meet his gaze without flinching, refusing to convey any discomfort.

"I learnt tonight is your ceremony," he murmurs, mockery lacing his voice. "I bet you are going to end up with some tacky pushover for a mate. You might as well just die lonely."

I gave a deep, syrupy snort and said, "I know you think so low of me, but I promise you," I say, beating my chest, "Tonight will give you the greatest shock of your life."

Gabriel waves a dismissive hand. "You are just a lonely, spineless Beta."

He pauses for effect, "I bet there's nothing shocking about tonight. You will only embarrass yourself if you keep on creating baseless arguments like this one."

Gabriel pats my shoulder and starts to walk away.

He barely takes five steps forward when my voice halts him.

"Whoever it might be, I know for sure that when I meet him, nothing else will matter."

Enjoying the bemused look my words planted on his face, I added, "He will always be mine, and unlike your family, my own family will embrace and protect him to the very end." I smirk and conclude by saying, "They don't judge a wolf's worth by his rank."

Gabriel's jaw twitches, and I smiled broadly, relishing the sinister pleasure of getting under his skin.

He relentlessly tries to make me feel bad as my ceremony draws near, but all to no avail.

If only he knew that my true desire is for my wolf's cry to go unanswered.

If he knew, he'd definitely change his tactics, trying to entice wolves to stand beside me while extolling our supposed compatibility.

Gabriel looms closer, his steely grey eyes locked with mine, unconsciously pushing me against the car door.

He growls, "We will just have to wait and see then, Nora-e-do-well."

Another scornful name.

"Step back, Star," Someone yells and we both turn to see Othello—the pack's finest warrior—standing nearby, arms folded, glaring at our prospective Alpha.

Othello was an abandoned child, discovered swaddled in a blanket at the pack border a few days old, without a note.

He was brought in by the border patrol and entrusted to a warrior couple who couldn't have children. They raised him as their own.