Taken by the Alpha

The First Restless Night

=Alaric=

I stirred in my bed, sleep was avoiding me like the plague. These were the restless nights that set in after an alpha found their mate. Everyone in the pack knew the moment I found her, it was just a reflex, a very unfortunate reflex. The second unfortunate thing to happen during that time is that every member of the pack including those who are spies for others also knew at that time. It would be hours before every other pack around knew about her, once they knew they’d scramble to get to her before anyone else. We had to pay a hefty price for Alex when Bruno found out she was his mate, unfortunately she was not worth the price either.

We spent hours bickering over the smallest things. She was definitely raised to be a queen, but wasn’t prepared in the event she was a courtier. Hopefully, she’d be a bit more well received to my mate. 

“Her name’s Natasha.” Theo’s voice sounded in my head. We was experiencing mild restlessness too apparently. 

“Anything else about her?” Might as well get to know her before we uproot her life.

“She’s kind of nice honestly. I think if we had more time she’s come willingly.”

“Doubtful, humans just don’t understand pack ways.” My parents were working tirelessly right now to get everything prepared for her. We wouldn’t have enough time before this full moon to get her, but immediately afterward we would strike. Having a place to hold her up while we wait for the next full moon was the most concerning thing. 

“Alaric!” The shout came from my sister Hildr, she was slightly younger than me and always found a way to be just annoying enough to make me hate the fact I still lived with her. 

“What the f**k do you want?” I jump out of bed throwing on a t-shirt. It was preferable to not display myself to the world this early in the morning. 

“Relax, mother wanted to let you know we’re setting up the room.” 

The room. Oh that prison that was going to hold my love for four weeks, it was the only place she would be safe. It pained me to think she was going to be treated this way. There was no way she was even slightly prepared, and here I was meant to be the one who loved and cherished her above all others. I was ready to take her freedom and the closer it came to the day the worst I was going to feel. 

“Hey darling.” My mother, the kind and gentle Ada Black her lineage could be traced back centuries to the old wolves of france. My father loved her the moment their eyes met. She was not only a fine mother, but the entire pack adored her. My mother was always more than happy to bring in the new pack members, every new pup she watched, every new converted wolf she treated with the utmost respect. “We are using the guest house while yours is finished. Your father said he’d make sure it was sound proof and escape proof.”

“Gee thanks mom.” I rolled my eyes, the last thing my mother needed to remind me of was the physical and mental anguish my mate was about to go through. 

“Theobald,” My mother was the only person who called Theo by his full name. “He gave us her address. We’ll set up to take her the night after the full moon. It’ll be difficult because apparently she lives in a crowded dorm building. Don’t worry though we aren’t going to let anything happen to her. Obie is on watch during the day. Your father will watch her during the night.” There it was, my mother already making plans, sometimes it’s hard to know who was the real alpha when it came to my parents. Sure, I’ve had plenty of alpha duties, and my beta and gamma have already been established, but before I am able to take over completely I need my mate. She was supposed to complete me, how could I rule without my better half by my side? The pack wouldn’t accept it and they’d never give up my mother without someone trained to take her place. 

“Is there any indication of other pack’s coming around?” News had to have reached them by now.

“Don’t worry,” My mother smiled, bringing a large plate of bacon and pancakes to me. “She’ll be fine. From what I hear she’s a fighter.” She paused and looked at the time then back to me. Her eyes softened when she realized I was the first one sitting at the breakfast table which never happened, “Did you get enough sleep sweetie?”

I smiled, hoping the fake teeth showing would divert her worry. “I’m fine. It’ll be better soon.”

Nodding she turned her attention up up the set of stairs, “Hildr, Brian, you two better get down here breakfast is ready!”

Brian, our younger brother, was the troublemaker of the family. Every time he entered the room my mom treated him like a convict looking him up and down searching for weapons or other contraband. He sulked into the room slinking into his seat hands firmly placed in the pockets of his overly large hoodie. 

“Darling, sit up properly, we’re not animals.” She slapped his shoulder causing him to sit upright, “Now we need to go over a few different things today.”

“Let me guess.” Brain glared at me and didn’t wait for me to respond, “We all felt it last night. It could have woken the dead.”

“Enough!” My mother called slapping her palms on the table, “Brian, your brother is well on his way to officially becoming alpha. You will not disrespect him.”

“Who knows how long I can hold a grudge.” I whispered which received a head turn from my mother. 

Hildr was next to skip into the room bright eyed and clearly getting enough sleep. “Mairead and I are going to spend the full moon on the lake.” She skidded her chair close to the table towering over her meal.

“The lake?” My mother looked at me. I guess she wanted me to respond but frankly I didn’t really care where she spent the full moon. 

“Oh come on, a bunch of us lower pack members are going.” Once again I was being tossed into the discussion.

“Why are you looking at me? Do what you want.”

“He doesn’t mean that!” My mother barked, “He didn’t get to sleep very well last night. If he was well rested he’d tell you that you are needed here to watch the borders.”

“Watch the borders?” Full moon nights were widely regarded as the party nights for the pack, so I could understand why she was reluctant to skip out for chores, but on the other hand it did make sense.

“We need to make sure no one sneaks in. This place needs to have tighter security than ever. We’re harboring a human girl for a few weeks. We can’t let anyone find her or get to her before she’s changed.” My mother ladies and gentlemen.

“The room’s all done.” Patrick, my father walked in sweat dripping from his brow. My mother of course light up at the sight and now we all wished we were gone from the world. He walked around us making a bee line for his mate. “Breakfast smells wonderful my love.”  He wrapped a large arm around her pulling her tightly to his chest giving her a long tender kiss on the lips and adding a few on her neck before parting their ways. 

“Could you not?” Brian growled slinking down into his chair.

“A bit early in the morning to lose your appetite.” Mother snarled waiting for us all to continue eating. 

“How’s the girl?” My father turned to me as he took a seat, “Theo say anything?”

I shook my head, no one was more excited than my father for me, but that moment passed quickly when he realized how much work was going to need to be done. “She’s fine. Her name’s Natasha.”

“Well from that shock we all got last night, I’d say she’s a fine young woman.” He grabbed a fistfull of bacon shoving it into his mouth.

I nodded finishing up my meal, “I’m going to take a look at the room. Obie said Theo will be back soon.”

“Oh I imagine Sheena will keep him occupied.” My mother smiled, “She was devastated he didn’t return home. You really didn’t give her much notice.”

“Sorry, next time I’ll be sure she is told before something important happens.” Not like I could have controlled meeting Natasha that night, it was Theo and Bruno’s idea anyway. Damn it, I was now in debt to those two since they helped me find my mate.