Alpha Dane's Secret

To say my Alpha is overprotective of me would be an understatement. Ever since he rescued me and brought me back to his pack when I was a child. My parents were killed in the attack and my pack was turned to ash. I am the only survivor. That I know of at least. I was six years old when he brought me here. Usually, neighboring packs take in orphans following an attack. But the Red Sun pack is known to put those orphans out of their misery. Not wanting to waste their time or resources. It was a surprise to everyone that the Alpha not only spared the life of an orphan, but he brought that orphan into his pack house. Alpha Dane of the Red Sun pack was a tall man even for werewolf standards. He was built of solid muscle and is famous for his ruthless nature. Sounds like a stereotypical Alpha. But Alpha Dane of the Red Sun pack has a secret. A secret he protects at all costs. Me. [EVA’S POV] “Wake up mutt. I can’t sleep and I want pasta.” Luna Leah’s voice woke me up from my attempt at sleeping. I say attempt because the ‘bed’ in my ‘room’ is a worn mat on the floor. And the ‘room’ is smaller than most of the bathrooms in the pack house. I let out a sigh. I miss the pack house. “Yes, Luna, I’ll be right down.” I answered, doing my best to sound polite. I look at my alarm clock. It wasn’t even 4 pm. Werewolves are naturally nocturnal, so our days usually start when the sun goes down. The rays of sunlight creep through the cracks in the wall. The Luna is insufferable. I hurried downstairs once I finished getting dressed. The kitchen in the Alpha’s house was smaller compared to the pack house kitchen, but it was still opulent. The Luna’s standards were obnoxious. I kept my head down and began making pasta. A year ago, Alpha announced we were moving to a mansion outside the pack house. Luna Leah was so excited to design the interior to her expensive taste. I didn’t know why I had to move with them, but Alpha Dane has always been very strict with me. I guess he wants to keep me close and under his control. Luna was enraged by this decision but decided it was a great way to make my life a living hell. “I am having all these cravings lately. I must be pregnant finally…” Luna’s voice fills the room while I focus on my task. “Eve are you listening?” “It’s Eva, Luna,” I said. “You will answer to whatever I call you.” She snapped at me. “Yes Luna,” I replied. I set down the bowl of plain noodles in front of her. I kept the smirk from my lips. “Your pasta Luna.” “What the f*ck is this mutt?” Luna yelled. She flipped the bowl of hot noodles towards me, but I moved out of the way in time to avoid being burnt. “The pasta you requested, my Luna.” I said with the most pitiful look on my face. Playing dumb was the only way to bring a little joy into my life. “A bowl of plain noodles!” She shrieked, standing up. She raised her right hand. I saw the claws descend from her fingertips before she struck. I didn’t close my eyes or even wince. Before her hand could contact my face, Alpha Dane had gripped Leah’s wrist. He let out an angry snarl. “Don’t.” That was all he said before throwing her hand down. Luna collapsed to the ground dramatically. “Eva, clean this up now.” He ordered; the venom still laced in his voice. I nodded and began cleaning up the noodles. “Dane! How can you do this to me? I might be pregnant!” Luna Leah’s voice came out in sobs. I saw Alpha Dane’s lip turn up for a moment. That can’t be right. Though Alpha has always defended me against his Luna, everyone knows how much he loves his Luna. They were chosen mates. They’ve been together since they were in school. The typical popular guy with the popular girl couple. Why did he make a face like he was disgusted? “You are not pregnant Leah. I would smell my heir. Stop being ridiculous,” Alpha Dane said, trying to sound even-tempered. I decided to start making pancakes since everyone was awake anyway. “Put berries in mine, Eva.” Alpha requested, realizing what I was doing. “But I want pasta.” Luna whined. “But you will have pancakes,” Alpha Dane said. If Luna Leah hadn’t always treated me like cr*p, I would feel bad. It wasn’t until moving out to the mansion and being isolated with her that I started instigating the Luna. At the pack house I had places to hide. She also had a whole staff at her disposal. Once we moved to the mansion, I became her only punching bag. I’ve always known Alpha Dane is protective of me, so I started using it to my advantage. Breakfast went by awkwardly. We sat in silence. Well mostly silent. Luna Leah kept sniffling. She was yearning for sympathy. Alpha Dane was usually very attentive to his Luna except when she got violent with me. I’ve never understood why Alpha Dane is so protective of me. He’s yet to have his own children and for the past eleven years I’ve been like his child. After finishing my morning chores, I began my daily task of preparing and delivering the Alpha council’s lunch. This was a much easier task when we lived in the pack house as the council’s offices are, you guessed it, in the pack house. At least the walk to the pack house was beautiful. It was a short hike by wolf standards. Through lush greenery and trees, the moonlight always dazzles along the path. The pack house was full of life and noise today. I could hear laughter before I opened the door. Everyone was moving around and chatting with each other. I couldn’t help but smile. Of course, once people noticed me, they quieted down. I was used to people clamming up around me. They probably all assume I will report anything to my papa alpha. What a joke. Most of them know I’ve always been a glorified maid. “Eva!” My best friend Erin called out before draping her arms around my shoulders. “You’re here early today.” “Luna woke me up at the butt crack of dusk craving pasta,” I complained. “Cravings? Is she finally pregnant?” Erin said, amused. “According to Alpha Dane no. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t trying…every night…loudly.” I continued to complain. “Ew, they’ve apparently been all over each other since their school days. I am surprised they don’t have a ton of pups already,” Erin joked. I left my best friend in the hallway as I headed to the upper floors where the main offices are. I walked the familiar path to the Alpha’s office first. Being the nosy little wolf that I am, I couldn’t help but listen to the voices that were trickling out of the office. I stayed down the hall enough to keep my scent away from prying noses. I can’t let them know I’m eavesdropping before I hear any juicy gossip. “Eva turns 18 next week, Dane.” Beta Niles said sternly. Surely, they aren’t planning some kind of party for my birthday. Alpha Dane was very strict on who I was allowed to socialize with. And a wolf’s eighteenth birthday is a very intimate experience. I will meet my wolf for the first time. I would shift for the first time. It doesn’t usually involve a big party. “I assure you I am very aware of that, Niles.” Alpha Dane sounded annoyed. “What are you going to do?” Niles asked, his voice sounding concerned. “I’ve been trying to figure that out for years now,” Alpha snapped. He’s been planning my shifting for years? Even for Alpha Dane, that seems excessive. “She is going to find out, Alpha.” Beta Niles warned. The urgency in the Beta’s voice is beginning to unsettle me, but not as much as when Alpha Dane responded with a deep growl. “This isn’t something you can just growl away from Alpha! She’s your mate. Your true mate!”