The Alpha's Heir Deadly Salvation

Elara's POV "s**t!" My travel bag's zip just bailed out on me. The next thing I hate after waiting for approval letters is packing my bags for a trip. Department of Cryptid Containment (DCC) agency just sent my approval email. Being a wildlife biologist who specializes in wolf conservation, I'll be going to Alaska in search of the unique wolf species I have read about only in books, hoping they aren't myths. DCC argues they aren't though. I booked my flight from Atlanta to Alaska earlier today, with the funds the agency sent me. I feel honored because not only did they offer to foot my transportation, they decided to provide me with an apartment to stay in and some extra funds for feeding. Since the agency has so much faith in me concerning this project, I can't back down. A zipper has nothing on me. My phone buzzes and draws me out of my thoughts. Mata and Maya, my favorite twins and closest friends, want to have a farewell dinner with me. I stroll to my closet and bring out my dress from Shein which I haven't worn. Placing it on my body, I spin around looking at myself in the mirror. 'Gorgeous,' I mutter to myself. I am indeed pretty... but helplessly single. Never have I ever celebrated a one-year anniversary with a partner. It's either they feel I'm too good for them or they're not enough for me. Sometimes I wonder if I'm just destined to be married to my work. At least wolves don't break your heart, right? Sighing, I reply to Mata's text telling them I'll be at Cuba's diner by 8pm. I reply and put down my phone to wage war against my zipper. After 20 minutes of unsuccessful attempts to close my bag, I give up and drag out my huge travel box from where I had dumped it. This old thing has been with me through three moves and countless field trips. It's beaten up but reliable unlike most men I know. I take my shower and sit at my dressing table to do my makeup. I always have problems deciding what lipstick to wear. I settle for nude since it blends well with my face and smile. I take a selfie for the gram and close my phone. Picking up my dress, I feel so excited and ready to rock it. It brings out my curves perfectly. I order a ride at 7:40pm since Cuba's diner is 15 minutes away from here. Taking more pictures in front of my full-length mirror, my phone pings alerting me that my ride is here. At 7:58pm, step into the diner and do an eye search. I spot the M's at our usual corner table and wave. The twins are already deep in conversation, probably gossiping about someone from Maya's yoga class. "You look stunning!" Mata says as I approach, standing up to give me a hug. "As always," I reply with a mock hair flip, making them both laugh. Maya rolls her eyes playfully. "And modest too." The waiter comes to our table to take our order. I opt for a glass of cocktail while we catch up. "So, Alaska huh?" Maya says, leaning forward with excitement. "Tell us everything!" I can't help but smile. Their enthusiasm is infectious. "It's a research project for the DCC. I'll be studying a unique wolf species that might not even exist." "Might not exist?" Mata raises an eyebrow. "That sounds... risky for your career." "That's what makes it exciting," I say, taking a sip of my cocktail. "If I can prove they exist, it could change everything we know about wolf evolution." The conversation flows easily as we order our food. I get my usual,mashed potatoes and roasted steak with veggie sides. "Make a change for once, Elara!" Mata huffs. I'm not really a fan of trying out new things; I love playing safe. Besides, Cuba's diner makes the best mashed potatoes and steak, so why fix what isn't broken? Some things are worth sticking with. My phone's screen lights up and I pick it up. DCC sent me another email. Clicking it open, I open the PDF in the email, it contains already existing research on Blackwood Mountain in Alaska, my main region of research. I make a mental note to personally thank Dr. Havgrove, my mentor, for this. I've always worried about how to start, but this is good. Really good. I close it and rejoin the conversation, feeling a flutter of nervous excitement in my stomach. This is really happening. Our food arrives and we eat while chatting about everything and nothing, Maya's latest dating disaster, Mata's promotion at work, my upcoming adventure. It feels bittersweet knowing I'll miss these moments. After dinner ends, we say our goodbyes with me promising to always text and call the group. These girls are my anchors, my chosen family. Leaving them behind is the hardest part of this whole thing. I enter my ride and arrive at my apartment at 11pm. I have less than 15 hours before I leave for Alaska. The reality hits me like a wave, I'm actually doing this. I'm chasing something that might not even exist, thousands of miles from home. I take a quick shower and scroll through i********:, checking my likes, now 259 and 34 comments. Not bad for a wildlife biologist. I set my alarm for 7am and try to sleep, my mind racing with thoughts of what awaits me in Alaska. Will I find what I'm looking for? Or will I come back empty-handed and disappointed? Only one way to find out. I wake up by 6:58am just before my alarm goes off. I say a quick prayer to whoever lives in the clouds and kiss my parents' portrait before starting my day. Looking at their smiling faces in the frame, I feel that familiar pang of loss mixed with determination. They always believed in chasing dreams, no matter how impossible they seemed. "This one's for you guys," I whisper, tracing their faces with my finger. By 11am I stand in front of the airport and move in to take a seat after getting coffee and a fashion magazine. The coffee is terrible, airport coffee always is but I need the caffeine. My nerves are buzzing with a mixture of excitement and anxiety. This is it. The moment that could define my entire career. My flight number is called and I make a move to stand when someone bumps into me, splashing his drink on my dress. "Watch where you're going!" the man half-screams. What?! My mouth drops open in disbelief. Did this man just yell at ME? I look down at my now stained dress, the same dress I spent twenty minutes picking out this morning, the one that made me feel confident and ready to take on the world. "Are you crazy?" I retort, my voice rising. Looking from my dress to the silly person's face, I stare directly into the greenest eyes I've ever seen. His jaw is well-chiseled and he possesses plump pink lips which scream 'kiss me!' and he's a foot taller than me for sure. I still don't know what I did to deserve to be a 5'4" woman in a world built for giants. But attractive or not, this man has some serious audacity. He huffs and turns to move away. Without thinking, I drag his hair, forcing him to turn towards me. His eyes are bloodshot and I stare at them with anger. The nerve of this man! Who does he think he is? "Look at this woman! You bump into me, pour my drink, and now drag my hair?" he questions while looking down on me like I'm some high school kid. Oh, so now I'm the problem? This man has clearly lost his mind. "Look who's talking! You just stained my clothes and you think I don't deserve an apology?" I ask with annoyance, my hands gesturing wildly at my ruined dress. "This is basic human decency!" My flight number is called again and I eye him with disgust, grabbing my handbag off the chair. Some people have no manners whatsoever. I hope I never see this arrogant jerk again. I hold onto my box's handle and roll it towards the terminal, muttering under my breath about rude strangers and ruined outfits. At least I packed extra clothes. At least I hope I packed extra clothes that aren't wrinkled beyond repair. After I'm seated on the plane, I try to calm my nerves while reminding myself that what happened was nothing and nothing can stop my eagerness to achieve success in my research project. Deep breaths, Elara. One rude stranger isn't going to derail your entire life's work. I sleep for most of the trip and wake up a few minutes before we land. Alaska, here I come. Time to prove that those wolves exist and make my mark on the scientific community. When we land, I pull my box along and look for a cab. The air is crisp and different here, wilder somehow. I can almost sense the untamed wilderness calling to me. And just then, my box hits a small rock I don't see ahead and my zip comes open with my clothes pouring to the floor. No. No, no, no, NO! Can this day get any worse? My favorite bras, my thermal underwear, my carefully folded research notes, everything scattered on the dirty airport ground like some cosmic joke. I'm moved to tears, feeling utterly defeated. This was supposed to be the start of my grand adventure, not a disaster movie. I look up to see the evil stranger few feet away from me with an evil smirk on his face. Oh, I hate him already! That smug expression, like he's enjoying my misery. What kind of person takes pleasure in someone else's misfortune? I bet he's the type who kicks puppies and steals candy from children. This is just perfect. Absolutely perfect.