The Shewolf Alpha

Marked

Alice woke up hours later with a feeling that she had never experienced before… security. She was lying on the hospital bed with her best friend at her side and knowing her baby sister was in a comfy room with one of the most beloved and kind Omega ever, they called her “Nani”. At that moment the doctor came in and Nicki jumped out of bed in full attack mode.  

- Woah! - the doctor gave a step back.

Nicki was already a full wolf, she was 20, and as the guardian, second to her Alpha, she was a warrior. Tall and toned, with short hair with a long braid on the side, claws out, and sharp teeth she looked even fiercer next to Ali that had long wavy hair and was very petite like her mother. 

- Calm down - said Ali reaching out to her paw that turned into a hand in no time

- I am here to review your wound and release you - said the doctor, with sterile gloves and unshakable hands she took out the bandage off Ali´s face, with a pair of tweezers she pulls from her skin the stitches and with a sharp breath told Alice - It is healed, you can take a bath and then go, a nurse will bring you fresh clothes. 

- I need to see my sister, and… Can I see my mom? - 

- She is still in the induced coma, Alpha Caleb required your presence in his office - by the tone of the doctor Alice knew it wasn't a question it was an order

Ali stood up and went to the bathroom followed by Nicki, she felt odd and was about to ask why she was following her when she suddenly saw her reflection in the mirror. 

She knew Nicki was telling her something but she ignored her and came closer to the mirror, she became suddenly deaf by the sight she encountered, her face had the same little dollish look but she now was a broken doll, with two big tick and reddish scars crossed her face, the first one cut her left eyebrow, scratch her eyelid and ended near her earlobe, and the second one parted her nose in two and crossed her check making a split in her face. 

Nicki hugged her when Alice broke into tears and went knees down onto the bathroom floor, they held hard to each other as always while trying to make this moment pass. After a few moments Alice started to calm down, the hand that was combing her hair was the one that Nicki had tattooed.

- What does this mean? - Ali asked putting her finger on the symbols

- The red line means that we believe that the blood that runs in our veins is from our wolf ancestors, and that you are next in the bloodline, the heir and next Alpha - she said in a whisper

- And these ones? - Ali caressed the two ancient symbols

- In the old stories a lonely wolf and the moon fell in love, she transformed them into human form so they could be together, they formed the first pack, the first half wolves-half human. This is “lūc” or Luna, “the one who shines” - she said about the first symbol - and this one is “ālep” or Alpha, the first one, or first leader and werewolf. From them, we become half wolves and half healers. 

- How did I not know this story? - Alice sight deep and looked into Nicole´s eyes, she saw that she was full of sorrow

- It was an old tale that my mom told me before dying - Ali cleaned a tear that fell from her eye, they never mention her name, and her father, Roderick, never mention her at all - hey - Nicki said awakening her from her thoughts - go get clean, let me bring you some clothes

Nicki stood up, pulled her up, and pushed her to the shower. She was the older daughter of Roderick, a true Beta by birth she could be bossy and overprotective of her pack, it was her job. She got back to the hospital room where she saw some pants and underwear in the bed, she took them and the wasted pair of red converse and entered the bathroom to leave everything to Alice. 

The second she entered the bathroom the steam of the shower hit her hard, all the room smelled like flowers, leather, lemon, and sweet vanilla, Nicki felt her stomach contract in an almost painful nod and her heartbeat go to a thousand times per second,  the word that came to her mind was a beautiful bliss, but she silenced it, she left the clothes in the vanity and run out of the room. 

In the sterile hallway of the clinic, the pine scent of the cleaner made her head feel more focused, but in her clothes, she could still smell the scent. She sat on the floor with her head on her knees and she pressed her hands against her eyes. She wanted to cry or to yell or to run away but she needed to stay calm. 

- Are you okay? - the worried voice of Ali scared her, she quickly stood up and looked at her

Alice was combing her wet hair leaving wet sprinkles on the floor, Nicole wanted to pick a drop and put it on her lips, she erased the thought from her mind and led them into the room, “let me braid it” said softly to her. Ali closed her eyes while Nicki´s fingers caressed her hair and scalp to do a french braid. 

Ever since Elyon was pregnant she was intrigued, she used to come close to her and sniff her belly, as the daughter of the Beta they lived in the same house as the Alpha and Luna, and when Alice was born Nicki went crazy over her, she had a younger brother, but she always wanted a sister. They grew up closer than sisters, they were family and that's why they both were hurt by last year's events. 

Secretly all of them knew that Joe would never choose Nicole as future Beta, but it wasn't his choice to make, Nicole and his brother Peter trained hard and were skilled, strong and fierce warriors, some even argue that Nicki was faster and more agile than Pete, but when his little brother turned 18 Joe announced him as official “in training” Beta, so he was the one that attended the meetings, events and they made a big pack celebration. 

Nicole was hypnotized by her memories while she finished the beautiful braid and tied it with a band, she extended her pinky finger and told Alice “let's go meet Alpha Caleb”, she smiled and intertwined her finger with hers. They have always done this, a promise to stay together, but this time she felt a bolt of electricity run from their touch to all her body.

- Are you okay? Are you sick? - Ali tried to come close and touch her forehead to feel if she had a fever but Nicki dodge her 

- I am fine, let's go - she said leaving the room and walking to the exit 

Nicki walked fast and heard Ali walking behind her trying to catch her, she tried to breathe deep to calm her heart and kept looking to the floor to hide her red blushed cheeks. They soon finished the clinic hall and entered the packhouse through a connecting bridge, at the end of the metal glass framed bridge a hourglassed-figured woman was waiting for them with a smile. 

- Hi, I am Natasha, Luna of this pack - she presented herself extending a warm hand to them - follow me, I will take you to my husband´s office

A black door with silver handles welcomed them into a modest office, Alpha Caleb was sitting in the small living room area right next to a big window that overlooked the river. He was seated on an individual chair, a young couple was seated at his left on the loveseat, Natasha walked to the twin chair and sat next to Caleb that extended a hand to offer the big couch to Nicki and Ali.  

- Alice, Nicole, thank you for coming to see me - Caleb said in a deep but calming voice - I present you my Betas, Alex and Frank. 

- Betas? - asked Nicki looking at them, she recognized the woman, she was the blonde one that reviewed them at the entrance and she was seated there next to a muscular black-haired man. 

- Alpha Caleb gave us both the position of Beta of the pack - Alex said with both pride and, a tone that sounded, like deep respect 

- It just makes sense - Caleb said shrinking his shoulders - if something happened to me or Naty before my heir came of age, they will take the leadership of the pack… and... speaking of which, please sit down 

They sat down next to each other. The nerves made Ali search for Nicki´s hand and intertwined her fingers with hers to seek strength, Nicki blushed from the touch but no one noticed as Caleb started talking. 

- Alice, Nicole, as you know, you, and all of your pack members are guests here for as long as you want, also you are safe and under our protection - he said - But, by having you here, we are breaking the “no intrusion” agreement, we are not supposed to give refuge to other pack leaders if a pack is under dispute. 

- Wait... - Ali moved on the couch to get closer to the edge - Dispute? There is no dispute, he banished us from the pack

- If you haven't taken us in we would have to go to another pack or be nomads - Nicki said pushing herself closer to Ali in a protective manner

- Alice… - Caleb started to say but stopped and looked at his Betas and Luna before continuing - Alice, you are an Alpha, you are the heir of the BloodMoon pack, Joseph may not recognize you, but that does not mean you are not entitled to claim the Alpha role

- Nicole - the deep husky voice of Frank startled them, all in the room looked at him for his next words - You are also Beta´s firstborn right? - Nicki nodded as she was not able to find her voice - You also have the position to claim your place as Beta

- Joseph already gave that place to Nicki´s brother - said Ali frowning her eyebrows making her scars burn a little

- That is why we are here, Joseph has made decisions that were not his to make. - Caleb said regaining the attention of everyone - we are here to give you a few alternatives so you can choose. First, you can stay here, but you would need to become part of our pack, made yourselves bow loyalty to us, and, quit all claims to the MoonBlood pack. 

- We don't have claims - Ali started to get angry and Nicki hold her hand stronger so she calmed down

- You do, and that is your second option, you can challenge Alpha Joseph for the pack - Nicki snorted but Luna Natasha kept talking - Per wolf law, you have the right to challenge him to a match for the pack and if you win you can reclaim the territory and take any pack member that wishes to bow to you

- IF - Ali pointed out - You are forgetting that I am untrained, I would never win a fight against him, can´t you see me?! - she yelled standing up - I am a weak, small, not worthy girl!! I am not even a wolf yet!! Do you see this?! - she pointed at the scars on her face as tears started to flow down her eyes - With one paw he almost ripped my face off!! I cannot challenge him!! He will kill me!!

Nicki stood up and embraced her, holding her tight to her body, Ali put her face inside her arm and cried while she squeezed Nicki´s waist to the point of pain. She was hurting and Nicki felt all her pain like it was hers, it hurt so much it was hard to breathe, but she put it aside and stroke calming rubs on Ali´s back. 

- If you choose to stay - Caleb said angrily - I still have the right to go and challenge him. He beat my sister and nieces and banished them from the pack, as Alpha and older brother I can go, beat him and attach his pack to mine 

- But - Alex stood up and Ali took her head out to look at her - if Alpha Caleb loses the match, Alpha Joseph can claim this pack as his, and he will gain a territory that doubles his current land and he could double his pack size.  

- No - Nicki said in a whisper, Ali turned to look at her eyes, the sight of the scars on her face made her angry and an intense pain crossed her heart, she never felt more protective over her, she was shorter than her so Ali had to move her head back to see her and holding her as the most important thing ever she said: - We also could go away, we can go to a faraway city, we can start a normal life - Ali's eyes started to shine, and tears were cut so she continued - we can move next to the beach, we could go to college and do something different, we can give Bea a normal life and your mom would love to see the sea, she has always wanted to see it. 

In her arms, Alice's heart started to have hope and she wished for every little thing Nicki was describing, but she needed to talk to her mother before. 

- That can be a third option, but - Naty said - don't make the decision now, please, rest, see your mom and think this through. I understand that you don't feel like you have a winning chance against Joseph, but you have one year until you can swift into your wolf, and in this year you can train with our best warriors so you would be able to have a good understanding of your strength. 

All of them kept silent for a minute, Alice mumbled that she wanted to see her sister and her mother, Naty nodded and walked to an intercom on the wall so they could meet with Bea in the kitchen to eat something before going to see Elyon. 

All the way to the kitchen they were silent, Ali's hand was still intertwined with Nicki´s, they felt confused, Bea greet them with a hug, she pouted at the view of Ali´s scars, but they quickly calmed her down, they became really good at making Bea distracted from the awful things around her. 

Nani, was with other Omegas making them a meal, Ali was holding her sister on her lap and rocking her while thinking about the options they have, but the only real one for her right now, was to stay there, under the safeguard of the BlueRiver pack. 

- I want to see our Luna - Nani said breaking the silence, they were almost done with their food, and Alice only nod in agreement

When they entered the hospital room Elyon was still sleeping, Bea stood by the door unable to enter, Ali went to her right side, and Nicki with Nani moved to the left. The beeping sound of the machine was the only sound in the room for a long time until she started to move on her bed, she was groaning in pain, Alice took her hand and with a lot of trouble, Elyon opened her big eyes. 

- Ali… - she mumbled - where is Joseph? - she asked worried, but before anyone could respond she sat down and tried to get up

- Mom, no - Ali tried to push her back to the bed but Elyon did not let her put her down

- Where is my son?! - she asked almost yelling - Where is Joseph?! 

- Elyon - Nani said taking her by the shoulders - Alpha is not here

- Where is my baby?! Where is it?! - she yelled making Bea cried, Nani, run to her, picked her up, and took her away

- Luna - Nicki said - the baby was born dead 

- No.No.No.No - Elyon started panicking and pulling her hair, she tangled herself with the I.V. and she ripped it out making her bleed - He is going to kill me!! I have to hide!! I have to leave!!

- MOM!! - Ali yelled trying to hold her down but Elyon was uncontrollable, she was crying and yelling and was full of pain, and her hand was almost completely red from the blood. 

- HIDE ME!!! WHERE IS HE??!! - Elyon was shaking, crying, and trembling while trying to run away

- DOCTOR!!! - yelled Nicki while jumping behind Elyon and holding her in a strong embrace that tackled her down to the bed. 

Alice took her mother´s legs as she was kicking trying to get free from Nicki, Elyon did not stop yelling, the doctor came in and injected a thick liquid on her arm and she immediately fell limp. Elyon kept mumbling something before she was completely knocked out, Nicki took Alice out, when they reached the packhouse they encountered a crying Nani that told them that Bea refused to talk and fell asleep crying. 

Alice closed her hands into fists, Bea had always had Selective Mutism, but Nani was one of the few ones that she was able to speak to, so, it was heartbreaking that she was not able to speak to her anymore. Ali turned around and went to walk outside, Nicki quickly followed her and they walked in silence until they reached the river. The sun was coming down, so the water looked like it was in flames.

As the day died on the horizon they stood there listening to the forest. Alice closed her eyes and her hand went to her scars. Now she started to feel something different like she wanted to hurt Joseph as he hurt her, Bea, and her mom. Alice wanted revenge. 

- Ali… - Nicki was worried and extended her hand to touch her on her shoulder

She turned to face her and when their eyes met they both felt a strong goosebump that shook them from head to toe

- This cannot stay like this - Ali said - we need to do something

- Alice, I know that you think that is a child's play that between us we called ourselves Alpha and Beta... But for me and for all the people that followed us in that vans is real - Nicki looked deep into Alice's eyes and blushed but she continued - Ali I am your Beta, I will follow you anywhere you go and if you want to claim your Alpha role, or leave it to Caleb, or go away, say it, your word is my command

Nicki extended her pinky finger but Ali pushed her hand inside hers and intertwined their fingers, a warm feeling of calmness shallow both, they looked into each other eyes and Ali said: “okay, let's go to Caleb, I need to talk with him… Alpha to Alpha”.