I am Alpha

Chapter One.

19 Years Later...

Faire.

I woke with a start, my dreams lingering in my brain with dark and bloody images I tried to furiously shake from my thoughts. It was still dark out. Which didn't help.

I stalked out of bed, toward the lone window in my quarters. I peer out of it, watching the snow drift slowly to the frozen ground, hundreds of feet below. First snow of the season. I smile. I love snow. I wish the window opened so I could smell and feel it's beautiful chill properly.

I could see some houses already have light streaming through their windows, which means it's morning, but still very early.

My room was the highest point in the kingdom. It was placed at the highest point of the only tower of Alpha Theris' palace. It used to be a conservatory, but repurposed years ago for storage, and I suppose that's what I was to be. Stored away.

From here I could see almost the entirety of the Blood Moon pack. He kept me here to keep me safe, and unofficially, out of the way. It was only partially effective, but I have my ways.

I am the ward to the Alpha, an Orphan he found as a new born on the border of his territory. My governess, when I was a child, said the moon Goddess must have blessed me to be found by such a gallant and Powerful man as Alpha Theris. Powerful, yes. However is motivations for keeping me and keeping me safe, are unknown to me.

He seems to have this sort of obsession with keeping me alive and safe, but not really letting me live, and I have given him a run for his money these last 19 years, sneaking out at every chance I got.

I wasn't always in this tower. When I was sixteen I was on one of the lower levels, so I would sneak out to meet with my friend, Jack. Jack was one of the youngest high ranking warriors of Alphas pack, being only 16 himself at the time and a leader of his own legion.

Jack and I had late night rendezvous often, but not for what you think.

He had made a promise to the Alpha to protect me as he would a little sister, so he did. However Alpha Theris' idea of protection is having guards stationed over me 24/7, and perpetually ignoring me otherwise.

Jack's idea was to teach me to protect myself. However the Alpha forbade me to train with the other she-wolves in my class. Simply stating "it is not a Lady of the courts place."

Even though is own mate is one of the mightiest warriors in the pack. She is the Luna of the pack, essentially his queen.

I made progress with Jack. We would train for hours at a time, sometimes until day break. A couple months in and I was nearly able to take Jack down with a few well placed punches.

I was strong. I always have been. But after just a couple months I was stronger and I knew how to use my strength and agility, and knew how to use a broad sword.

One night however, the night I was supposed to start my archery skills, I was found sneaking out of my second story window by a roaming guard. The guard took me in front of a pajama clad Alpha whose eyes only had fury in them.

"What were you doing sneaking out of your room at 1 o'clock in the morning, Faire?" His voice was calm but edged. The calm before the storm.

I did not answer, but watched my toes with guilt.

"ANSWER ME." He growled. A stark contrast to the fake calm he had previously. His wolf peaked through. An Alpha order

You can't deny an alpha when he orders you. Not just because he is your alpha and as a part of his pack you are obligated to answer, but there is a magic in Alpha orders. A pain that occurs if you deny him. It's compulsory for most wolves to follow.

Not me.

His orders do not affect me the way they should. But I answer him anyway, though I don't do it honestly.

"I couldn't sleep. I wanted to go for a walk in the moonlight."

That night was a long fight between my Alpha and I. He knew I was lying, and he knew I could oppose his Alpha Orders which infuriated him to no end.

Soon a panting soldier, wearing dark armour came barging into the Alpha's office. A guard from the border.

"Alpha we have been attacked by unknown wolves near the Nuvo Lake in the East."

I blanched at that. That's where I was supposed to meet Jack.

Alphas fury diminished slightly, a warriors look on his face now, though I could still hear the clipped tone in his words. As if he knew that was where I had planned to go in that exact moment.

As if he turned on Alpha mode he followed the soldier out of his office in his black sweat pants and white t-shirt. I tried following too, but he told the guards stationed outside of his office.

"I want maids to bring all of Faire's things to the top floor of the Braids Tower, both of you can escort Faire there now. He turned to me, your new quarters, since you can't be trusted to remain in your old ones."

He turned and left at full speed, running toward the land where I should have been an hour ago. The one Jack was at.

I've been up here since. Only allowed out of my tower if I have at least two guards at my side. One exit in and out.

If there's a fire here I'm screwed.

The people knew of me but rarely saw me, and when they did, they either did not recognize me as a Lady (because I neither dressed nor acted like one) or if they did, they did not have kind looks or words to share with me. I was a wolf like them, but my wolf had not made herself known to me yet.

And since I hadn't shifted, the people saw me as weak. But I was also protected by royalty. They did not like that someone was weak and was living in the palace. That I, wolfless orphan, had power over them, to a certain extent.

And I did in a way Alpha had never allowed anyone to belittle or disrespect me when he was privy to it.

Though my overly protective Alpha rarely saw me either. When I was a child he seemed to love me, almost like a father might. But then his Mate came to be with child after so long of them trying.

When his son was born, there was a great party to celebrate the Alpha's first born. His name Tyberius. And since that party my Alpha became less like a father figure and more like a prison warden. But to be fair, I do recall doing things I knew would get me in trouble a lot more often.

What can I say, the more he tightened the leash, the more I strained against it.

Tybeeious is thirteen now, and has already shifted into his wolf. But he was spoiled, and from what I can tell, he does not have the Alpha Aura.

I didn't see much of Ty but when I did, he'd sneer at me, or tried to put tree sap or bugs in my hair. He was a jackass, and did not present himself the way a young Alpha should. Alpha Theris seems to not pay much attention to him either.

All of his attention and spoils come from the Luna, who absolutely cherishes the little mule.

The Luna has never liked me, nor has she been kind to me in my teenage years. However she was a good Luna, and never hurt me physically, she has always hated the way I presented myself. Once she said to a maid "Having her as a respresentation of this palace is just utterly embarrassing for me. I'd much sooner have a frog in a tie as my ward."

ribbit... I could be a were-frog.

I watched the snowflakes fall as I took a large intake of breath. Today is my birthday. I am 19 today. Which means as the Alpha's ward, I am to be mated off as a means to create connections between our pack and another, or so the Luna had instructed me.

My Alpha already has a few suitors lined up for me to be married to, but an illustrious ball will be put in place, and will welcome any high ranking member of allying packs. However I do not get to choose, as it is my Alpha that will decide for me. Or so my Luna tells me.

She seems to be very excited for the nuptials. You would almost think she's excited to be rid of me! For shame!

I trust my Alpha. Despite everything I trust him. So I will do as I am bid, for once in my life.

But I feel something rotten about this day. Something is coming. It's making the crisp morning air feel thick and slow moving, as if time doesn't want to move forward.

I'm about to turn away from the window and try to stomp down this feeling of impending doom, when something catches my eye.

There in the tree line, I just barely see something move. Tree branches bristle as if something large is moving through them. I blink and there stands a wolf, larger than I have ever seen.

Eyes glowing red and looking straight at me. I don't think I'm breathing when I blink again, or? Did I blink?

The wolf is gone.

So instantly, it was likely never there in the first place.

I shake my head and rub my eyes. Looking at that spot where I saw the wolf one more time before I walked away from the window.