Alpha Mazikeen

Month 1

With the help of Beta Kinney I planned my fathers burial. We kept it intimate. Which for an alpha means only his entire pack in attendance. Of course not even a mount after his official burial questions were raised of who would take on the title of alpha and my stomach was immediately knotted up worse than a pretzel. Thankfully Beta Kinney handled it.

“Attention please!” He boomed from the podium. “I know with the death of our alpha and his lack of a male heir the future of our pack is called into question. However Alpha Rafe left specific instructions concerning his successor and I intend to see them through.” The audience was filled with whispers and shushing as speculation grew. “We have an alpha, I can promise you that. Per Alpha Rafe’s instructions however that alpha will remain nameless and faceless for a year. I ask that you all respect that and continue to show Crescent moon your undying support” I couldn’t tell if the crowd agreed or if they just didn’t know what to say but I was grateful I was able to hide in background as usual, being female has always granted me that luxury. At least for now.

———

I spent my first week reviewing the packs foundation as well as watching training to select a new beta and gamma. Beta Kinney lacked a successor because his mate was cursed by a witch and unable to bare children. My father never assigned a gamma because he believed he would never trust anyone as much as Kinney to fill that roll. Unfortunately I needed all the support I could get.

I noticed three main contenders. A tall warrior with sandy blonde hair and green eyes. Kinney said his name was Jake. His movements were sloppy but his introspection and dedication was admirable. Then there was a shorter warrior with tan skin, dark hair and eyes. His movements were precise, and his leadership shone in the way he led his training squad during a drill, but he seemed to lack confidence. Constantly checking with his superior for approval. His squad, newly shifted thirteen year olds found this hilarious. His name was Nate. Lastly there was the class clown. He was pale for a wolf but his confidence radiant. He knew what he was doing and when he didn’t he acted as if he did. His humor was a distraction to the other warriors, belittling his superiors and rarely taking anything seriously. I found myself fighting a smile at a few of his quips. His name was Tony. I set up individual meetings with each of them.

I returned to my office and began looking over dealings my father had been in the middle of. My father had plans to merge with a smaller pack whose alpha never found his fated mate. They didn’t have much to offer other than more members seeing as they were too far to simply expand our territory. I was going over these details when my first meeting arrived.

“Come in” I answered with as much authority as I could muster. In walked Jake. He had a brief look of confusion before quickly hiding it. “Please have a seat. Im Mazikeen”

“Aren’t you the former alphas daughter?” He asked as he sat down in the chair across from me.

“That would be me. And you are Jake Thorne, son of Mary and Jacob Thorne. Your parents were rogues before my father offered them sanctuary in his pack and now you train as a warrior. Why?” Jake looked taken aback by the information I provided and took a moment to respond.

“Im sorry I thought I was meeting with the new alpha” he furrowed his brows before finally answering my question. “I guess I figured why not protect the pack that potentially saved my parents lives. Rogues aren’t exactly welcome everywhere. Alpha Rafe took a chance on them. I figured the least I could do was show him it was worth it.”

I ignored his comment about meeting the alpha. And continued my line of questioning. “If you were to be promoted to Beta how would you handle pack disputes?” At the mention of a promotion he immediately sat up straight and started to take me seriously. His response was delayed by another knock on the door. “Come in..”

“Hey um Beta Kinney sent me up here for questioning? I swear the fart bombs on the omega floor were not me.” Tony walked in hands up feigning innocence.

“That’s not what your here for, please take a seat and give me a moment.” I didn’t realize Kinney set up all these meetings at the same time. I mind-linked him immediately.

Kinney what the hell man. I thought I was doing individual meetings?

Sorry Alpha Mazikeen, I figured it’d be easier to keep the secret if you did them all at once. Witnesses to who else knows in case someone spills the secret.

Stop calling me that, it’s just Maze. I guess that makes sense. A little warning would have been nice.

I apologize Alp.. Maze.

I put a block up ending our conversation and realized while I was occupied Nate joined the group.

“Thank you for joining us Nate. For those who just joined us you are here to be questioned. The new alpha is looking for a beta and gamma. You three are prospects. I will ask questions, answer honestly. Your responses will determine if you get chosen” the three of them immediately sat up straighter and put on stoic faces. We’ll mostly stoic, Tony c****d an eyebrow up quizzically while the rest of his face was stoic. “First question; As beta how will you handle a pack dispute?”

Nate was the first to speak which caused Jake to scowl. “I would listen to the problem and create a solution from the pack laws” clearly Nate favored doing this by the book.

Jake didn’t hesitate to start his response this time. “I would hear every side of the dispute. It’s important to get to the bigger picture not just a biased version of the events and handle the dispute from there. Having every side ensures I can address not only the main problem but any residual problems caused by or an effect of the main problem.” Jakes answer not only surprised but impressed me. Tony was quiet. I glared at him waiting for an answer.

“Oh! It’s my turn. I was tryna think of a funny joke that would dissipate the tension. Can’t have any disputes if everyone’s laughing” I don’t know what else I expected from Tony. The three of them searched my face for any signs of approval but I remained neutral.

“The most important question I have, and probably the most defining, how do you feel about werewolf tradition as a whole?” I wanted to get these questions over with seeing as I wasn’t prepared to question all three at once, might as well cut to the chase. Who would accept a female alpha.

This time Tony spoke first. “Honestly, it’s outdated. I love our culture or whatever but a lot of our practices should have evolved by now.” Tony seemed surprised by his own answer before backpedaling and providing comedic relief. “Or you know Rah Rah Wolves and s**t” he cheered and looked over at the other men almost begging them to speak up.

“I think our traditions are what makes our community unique.” Nate once again by the book. “However that isn’t to say that traditions should be followed strictly. There should be some room for change” Nate might be more open that I initially anticipated.

“More specifically what tradition are we meant to consider daughter of the alpha” Jake caught on quickly, he realized something was up from the start.

“My name is Mazikeen. Whatever is said in this room is not to leave this room, the punishment for revealing such sensitive information will be banishment” I hadn’t actually thought of a punishment and while banishment seemed harsh it was the first thing that came to mind. All three men nodded. “I am the new alpha. My father left the pack to me. Beta Kinney is aiding in a smooth transition but I need to appoint my own confidants seeing as Kinney.. Beta Kinney does not have a natural successor.” I scanned each of their faces for any sign of protest.

“Alright Alpha Mazikeen, it’s about damn time they put a woman in charge!” Tony exclaimed and against my better judgment I chuckled. He appreciated my reaction.

Nate and Jake sat contemplating my words. “I will consider your responses and you will be notified of my decision in due time” I stated to close out this meeting. Jake stood first.

“Alpha Mazikeen thank you for the consideration” he nodded and made his way toward the door.

“I think this will be a welcome change Mazi.. Alpha Mazikeen” Nate said and he followed Jake out.