Her Alpha's Greatest Secret

Chapter 2- Home

The countryside slid past my window like water tumbling over a stone in a river. Moments and pieces- the rolling grasslands, the towns, the woods, it gave way to mountains dressed in vibrant green life. The rich Amber Moon pack lands took a long time to drive through as I wove up and down switch backs while overhead a crimson dragon coasted between two peaks frightening herds of mountain goats. My stomach buzzed with exhilaration- I longed to sit between its scaled shoulders and feel the clouds on my skin. I tended to be impulsive. I was forever at odds within myself- a swirling impassioned collection of raw emotion and ideas oscillating between rational and analytical and eager to leap into open air without care for the consequences.

I spent the night at an inn near the northwestern edge of Amber Moon. Lying in bed I fought the absurd urge to cry, and it lit a spark of frustration that burned hot through my veins. This wasn’t a permanent transition, I reminded myself- I wasn’t doomed to a forever in sow covered purgatory. Despite my insistence I felt my wolf’s delight at returning to our pack. She had never agreed with my desires for new and warmer lands and now I could taste her smugness at getting her way. I turned over to my other side, ignoring her satisfaction and reached for sleep.

After Amber Moon, I cut through the corner of Jewel Moon. Jewel Moon was a startling landscape of Mountains and canyons carved by relentless rivers and waterfalls fed by springs and Ice Moon’s snow melt. My ears popped several times as I adjusted to the higher elevations. Ice Moon occupied the highest points on Wolf territories. It was the top of the world and scarcely habitable. It was rich in ore, but little could grow there, forcing us to import most of our food and goods. My father was one of the many blacksmiths. Everyone worked with metal- either in the mines, the refining, or the creation of metal goods. Cold, strong, and harsh were the words I thought of when I considered my homeland.

Despite this, a thrill of excitement bloomed in my stomach as I crossed the border into Ice Moon. It was April and snowing- not unusual here. It usually snowed 9 months out of the year. By the time I reached my home the sun was setting casting the blanket of white in rosy tones. I examined the modest structure through my windshield- hesitant to meet the icy wind. I grew up with two brothers and one sister (I’m number 3). When we all assembled, the house could scarcely contain us and was all shared warmth and brushing elbows. I had shared the smallest bedroom with my older sister. My thoughts lingered on Saela- she was a legendary beauty and worked as a model in the capital. My older brother Henric was my father’s partner in their metal works business and my youngest brother Fritz was going to college at my alma mater- he was studying finance to further help my father’s business. I was the only one with a flexible work schedule hence my arrival in front of the cramped cozy house. I turned my key and grabbed my backpack of essentials off the passenger seat. I opened my door throwing my legs out into the snow sinking in up to my knees with a brutal shiver. Thank the fates I had worn thick pants and my boots today. I decided not to attempt bringing in any of the stuff crammed into my car as I waded toward the peeling butter yellow house eager for the promised warmth shining through the windows. The door was unlocked, and I let myself in, stepping unceremoniously out of my boots.

“Mellie!” My mother cried hurtling at me from the direction of the kitchen.

I hugged with all my might like my arms could protect her from the disease inside of her. I was relieved to see she still had enough energy for a welcome full of her signature enthusiasm.

“Mom, I’m so glad to see you,” I squeaked into her shoulder. I took a deep breath inhaling her scent- she smelled like orange blossoms and comfort.

“My Mellie girl is home!” she sang pulling back to take me in.

“You look great, mom!” I enthused, but the shadow of it was there in her face- in the circles under her eyes and the drawn paling of her complexion- she was sicker than she acted.

“Emilia!”

The deep booming of my father’s voice made me feel instantly like a child again.

“Hi, Papa,” I grinned at him as he joined us in the entry way.

He kissed the top of my head, “glad you made the drive in your little car alright.”

“There is nothing wrong with my car- just because it’s not an off-roading vehicle doesn’t mean it can’t hold its own,” I retorted.

His deep laugh vibrated down to my toes.

“Your brother will be joining us to dinner with Lilia,” my mother chirped brightly.

Lilia was Henric’s young wife and was hugely pregnant with my parents’ first grandchild.

“Don’t suppose he wants to help me bring in all my stuff…” I hedged.

“Of course he does!” My mother laughed, “or if he doesn’t, he had better act like it,” she threatened wagging her fingers playfully. “Come in the kitchen so you can catch me up on your life while I finish dinner,” my mother insisted pulling me along to the kitchen.

My dad rolled his eyes and followed us.

“Mom, there’s not much you don’t know. I’ve put it all in my letters and we have plenty of time to catch up while I’m… living here.” I didn’t want to say, ‘taking care of you’, she was acting so much like her regular self that it felt like a jinx to speak it aloud.

“Mellie, I know why you’re coming to live with us and it’s not just because you’ve missed my company.” The woman missed nothing- any pause or skipped word rang clearly in her mind as if it were spoken.

My dad sniffed behind me, “I’m going to go get cleaned up and leave you ladies to the cooking stuff,” he said lightly leaving behind the smell of metal and burning as he left to room.

I leaned against the kitchen counter appraising my mother, “you seem-“

“I’m dying, Mellie,” my mother interrupted.

I gaped at her- shock rippling through me at her frankness.

“We all do it,” she continued with a shrug turning her attention to one of the pots on the stove which she stirred with a large metal spoon. “I’m just doing it now,” she continued.

My head spun sickeningly, “but, your treatment-“

“It’s a last ditch, Pickle,” she said softly, meeting my eyes through the sliver of steam coming off her spoon. Her eyes were like mine- large and lively brown like rich spices and warm thoughts.

I flinched at hearing her eccentric pet-name for me. “Mom,” I said thickly, I cleared my throat against the lump there, “you shouldn’t talk like that.”

“You know I cut straight to the truth, you’re just like me like that, Pickle.” Her eyes twinkled and half her mouth lifted in a sad smile.

“Henric and Saela are like your father, Fritz reminds me of my own mother, but you’re like me, Mellie.” She smiled proudly at me.

My stomach flipped, I couldn’t be like her- she was beauty, light, and love incarnate and the best person I knew while I was impulsive, curious, and ruled by my emotions. I would never live up to her. She seemed to guess the line my thoughts had taken, of course.

“You are like me but made better by your father. You surpass me in every way, and I couldn’t be prouder.”

I felt a hot tear streak down my cheek. My mother stepped over and kissed my cheek. “Why don’t you go relax in your room, I have things under control here.”

I was suddenly deeply exhausted. Maybe a nap would improve my reality.