The Alpha's Revenge

Chapter 48

Annalisa’s POV

It is the day of the Alpha meeting. Alpha’s have been coming to Full Moon since last night. A few who are further away were here yesterday morning. I have been making myself scarce. Having to recount my days in Dark Hollow for these strangers is the last thing I want to do. But I know that my testimony along with the video evidence is what’s going to push these Alphas to side with us. One of the hard parts about this is that Nicholas will be here. The last thing I want right now is him to know what I have been through, especially after triggering me the other day. It is early and I am restless. I take a look at the clock and it says 4am. Training will be starting in an hour, so I get up, we will go for a run before training. Letting Ruby run usually helps relax me, and that is exactly what I need right now. I start the run in human form until we get further into the treeline. I then strip and hide my clothes, I shift and Ruby shakes out her fur and stretches. She then takes off, zooming and weaving between the trees, jumping over logs and ducking under low branches. She chased a few rabbits but was more in the mood to play than hunt. She stopped at the river and took a drink. We then sat down and rested. About twenty minutes later we got up looked around. We knew and could feel that there was someone else around. Not a sense of danger, just someone close by. We ran for another fifteen minutes before going back to the tree where we left our clothes. We go and get dressed for training.

As we exit the tree line, there is a guy standing, leaning against a tree. I continue to walk towards the training grounds, not paying him any attention

“Good morning” he says trying to get my attention

“Morning” I reply but keep on walking

“Your wolf is beautiful. Her red fur reminds me of a fire, with its different shades and contrasts”

“Thank you” I say, still walking

“Someone is interested in you, Anna” Ruby says

“We have a mate and enough complicated situations. I don’t need anymore” I reply to her

“You are very beautiful too” he says

I stop and turn to him. I don’t want to be rude, but like I told Ruby, we have enough complicated stuff going on right now

“Listen, I don’t mean to be rude but …..”

“Donovan” he says, cutting me off

“Excuse me?”

“My name is Donovan”

“Okay, but like I was saying. Now is not…..”

“I’m from the Howling Wind pack”

“Why do you keep doing that?” I ask angrily

“Doing what?”

“Cutting me off and giving me information about yourself”

“Because you keep trying to brush me off, and I want to get to know you”

“I have a mate, so I ……”

“Where is he?” he asked, eyes wide from my comment

“What?”

“Where is your mate? You are not marked, and I don’t smell an additional scent on you. And no deserving man would let a mate as stunning as you walk around without him” he says

“It’s complicated and not something I’m going to discuss with a stranger”

“I don’t have to be a stranger. I would love to be anything but a stranger to you”

“That’s not possible. Excuse me” I say and start to walk away

“Donovan! My name is Donovan, and I understand, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be friends”

I turn to face him

“Would you be comfortable with your mate having male friends?”

“That depends on the situation. But I would trust my mate not to disrespect our bond. Also, I would mark her and claim her, so there would be no question about who puts the smile on her face"

I look at him shocked. This man does not know how to take no for an answer. I stare at him and, without my permission, my mouth turns up into a smile. I blush and put my head down. Stop it Annalissa, you have a mate.

“Goodbye, Donovan” I say and walk to the training grounds

I make it in time to start training. We start with a run and then sparing, since I still have time, I go to the shooting range for thirty minutes before heading back to my room to get ready for the meeting. I want to call it the worst day of my life, but I can’t, at the same time, talking about the worst day rates right up there. I shower and dress and for some reason I think about Donovan, and I smile

“Persistent, wasn’t he?” Ruby says

“Yeah” I reply while putting on my clothes

“Cute too” she says

“Ruby, we have a mate”

“I know, but there’s just something about him. And Nicholas…. I just don’t know” she says timidly

“I know. I feel the same way” I reply

We leave the discussion like that. Both of us confused but not really sure what we are confused about. We finish dressing in the blue pants suit that Aunt Opal said would be perfect for this type of setting. I put on the wedge heels grandma said to wear. I left my hair down in waves but pulled it back to show off my face. I put on light makeup and a pair of earrings that were in the box of family jewelry my mother left me. They are gold hearts with a teardrop pearl attached. There was also a necklace and bracelet to match. I remember a picture in my father’s office and my mom was wearing this jewelry set. I think of her when I look at it and now, I need them to be with me. I put my charm bracelet on the other wrist and walked to the conference hall about ten minutes from the packhouse.

I enter the conference hall and go to the backstage area. People are mingling and eating the continental breakfast that was provided. Though this is a serious meeting and a serious subject. This is the first time a meeting of this size has been held and the Luna’s who helped plan it, wanted it to be casual since the information provided would be so heavy. They decided to have multiple round tables, assigning seats to Alphas who live in different areas to sit at the same table to foster alliances and friendships. I peek out and look at all the people and I feel sick

“Are you okay cousin?” Thane comes up to me asking

“There are so many people. I am nervous”

“That’s understandable. But you are a strong and amazing person. You got this” he says and walks away

I turn and am greeted by Tessa

“Come with me” she says

Grabbing my hand, she takes me to the private ladies room that is in the back. She pulls out her phone and presses a button

“Okay guys” she says

“Good luck, Annalisa!” I hear from Finley and Zora

“Oh, my Goddess” I say

“Don’t cry. You will mess up your makeup and your grandma will kill you” Zora says

“I know. I’m trying. Guys, you have no idea…..” I start but stop because I am about to cry

“We know girl, this is a hard day for you. You understand it’s needed, but that doesn’t make it easier. We are sorry we can’t be there, but if you need to come back afterward because it’s too much, Tessa will bring you. Then we’ll sit and eat ice cream all night” Finley says

“You are going to be amazing, Anna. And no matter what, we are here for you” Lucia says

These women have become my best friends. In the short time we have been together, we have bonded, and it is stronger than anything I have ever felt. We are four different people, but we understand each other, respect each other, support each other and love each other.

“THANK YOU, GUYS! This was exactly what I needed”

“If you are having trouble, close your eyes and then picture the three of us sitting in the front row cheering you on and supporting you” Zora says

“Love you guys” I say

“Love you too!” they say in unison

I hugged Tessa and thanked her. She knew I was scared and nervous about today without saying anything, and she made this happen for me. And this is why I will always have these women as friends. I fix my makeup and walked to the conference hall. I get a cup of coffee and walked back behind the stage to take my seat. I see Nicholas, and we do nothing more than say hello. Xander and Uncle Derrick step up to the mike to get this meeting started, and I am nervous again. I look around and find where Tessa and Thane are sitting among the other Alphas, and I breathe a sigh of relief. It’s going to be okay. My experience is what helped me grow into the woman I am and continue to become. They don’t define me!