Resisting The Alpha Wolf

The sun was setting, as I shifted and started my run through the neighborhood near my home. I felt better than I had in days after working double shifts at the hospital for the last week. It didn't leave me a whole lot of time to relax, let alone take the time to shift into my small agile red fox form. Being a fox I didn't have the same problem that other shifters had about concealing myself from humans. Running through the backyards in my neighborhood, I didn't bother to hide as I made my way through the neighborhood, knowing that I looked just like any other fox you would normally see. Pausing only to watch a moving van park in front of the house across the street from my beautiful 19th century restored farm-style home. Not giving much thought about my new neighbors or even care all that much I continued on my way. After passing through the neighborhood, and into the 100 acres of land that my family owned and shared with other shifters in the area, which gave those that weren't part of the local packs a safe place to run and hunt in peace. My family has lived in this area for over 50 years after the larger packs had decided that being smaller shifters was a bad thing and forced most of the smaller species out of their packs and their territories. While others had started to outright hunt and kill the shifters that they considered inferior to them. Thankfully the local shifters didn't mind any of us being here as long as we didn't trespass on their land without permission. According to rumor the local bear clan's alpha to be had found his mate who was a serval. While servals found in the wild are predators they are a medium-sized African wild cat breed and what most would consider beneath a bear's status among shifters. By the time, I made to leave the small forest and head home. The sun was starting to rise, and as refreshed as I felt from my run I was ready to sleep the day away. Making my way home, I didn't bother sticking to the backyards and sideyards, knowing that most humans were asleep and those that weren't were waking up for the day. Rushing into my fenced backyard via a small hole cut out I had made in the fence shifted as soon as I hit my back porch. Leaving my clothes in a heap by the steps, I rushed inside ready to finally sleep. Collapsing on my bed, I didn't bother putting on any nightclothes. Why would I? I wasn't expecting any company… Two hours later I woke to a pounding on my front door, startling me from the dreamless sleep that plagued me. I rolled over, and then proceeded to fall off the bed in a tangle of limbs. Throwing on my robe, I made my way down the stairs halfway hoping that the person on the other side had given up and left as it had taken me a while to gather up the effort to pull myself up off the floor next to my bed. Opening the front door, I knew I looked like hell warmed over. My hair sticking out at odd angles resembling a rat's nest, and big blueish black bags under my eyes. I just couldn't bring myself to give a f**k at that moment. Tall, dark and handsome stood on the other side of the door looking like the yummie snack he was. His hair dark brown almost black hair was cut short and close to his head causing his bright green eyes to stand out. Mr. talk and Dark wore a dark gray shirt and jeans that left little to the imagination. "You must be Anna," He said, as a knowing smile crossed his lips. Clearing my throat, I tried to find my voice after getting caught checking him out. "Who asking?" I practically growled as I caught his scent, realizing that Mr. tall and dark was a wolf shifter too late. "Easy there, firefox," he said holding up his hands in surrender, "I'm your new neighbor Alec." gesturing behind him to the house across the street where I saw the moving van yesterday. "Ok great nice to meet you have a great life." I rushed out, trying to slam the door and end this odd interaction. Instead of slamming it thudded against his foot. Great, I thought as I looked from his foot to him both confused and frustrated. "I'm sorry Anna, but I need to speak with you. May I come in?" "I don't think that's a good idea. I don't trust you, so how about no?" I said, smiling sweetly, trying to hide the panic I was feeling inside. Why the hell does this wolf want in my house, and who the f**k does he think he is trying to force his way in. I swear if he so much as tries anything, I'll gut him before he can take so much as step into this house! My thoughts instantly turned to the worst-case scenario. "Look, I can see you're weary, but I don't mean you any harm or anything. I just…", letting out a sigh, he looked away, ducking his head. He ran his hand through his hair, "I heard you were the one to talk to for outsiders to be able to get permission to run or hunt on your family land." He shyly glanced up at me and saw the look on my face. His face changed from shy to panicked, "I promise I'm not trying to take over your land or whatever it is, your thinking judging by the look on your face...I just prefer to run by myself most of the time. I'm not comfortable with crowds, and I definitely don't like running with a bunch of other wolves..." he trailed off seeming lost in thought and pain tracing his features. "Look.." pausing, I gathered my thoughts, "I'm not sure that the other shifters that run here will be comfortable with that..." I trailed off guilt immediately as I saw the look on his face. "I understand I do, but I've got to ask. My alpha knows my predicament, he's the one that actually heard about you and your family. He suggested that I come to speak to you... Is there any chance I can change your mind?" The desperate look on his face almost broke down my boundaries. Letting out a sigh, I looked down at his foot still between my door and the frame. I was desperate to end this interaction. "OK, here what I can and will do is I will set up a meeting with the other shifters in the area and see what they think, and I'll let them decide. Here isn't like a pack where I make the decisions, I just make sure everything is nice and maintained. How about once I set it up well, go from there for now if you need to run either go back to your pack land or check with me, and I'll run with you temporarily. Don't go by yourself, I'll warn the local shifters that if they smell you, you are aloud then and to not be alarmed." looking back up at the wolf standing before me, I knew immediately I had done the right thing. "Thank you so much!" a smile suddenly graced his face, "It was nice to meet you, Anna!" he said, as he stepped back from the door and took off back across the street, looking like the happiest person in the world.