The Alpha Within

Chapter 3

(Alexandria)

I had expected him to leave but not so abruptly, I hadn’t even said Goodbye. I sat still, attempting to process what he had said.

Son. He’d be returning to a son? How was that possible? I’m his daughter. A girl. His only child. How could he come back to a son? Was there someone to replace me?

No, they wouldn’t be true Alphas and he didn’t take anyone with him. Father could never accept that, either. That couldn’t be it.

Then it finally clicked.

I turned to the White witch slowly, understanding quickly seeping into me, like drowning in a rapid river, pulling me under crashing against the rocks. She looked back at me with knowing eyes. She could make that happen. She could make me the man Father wanted. A true Grand Alpha. Not a pitiful girl like I was.

This is why I was finally able to leave the packlands on a trip with him. I thought he was finally going to present me to other Alphas in our territory that maybe this stop with the witch was only to gather more healing vials. I thought he had finally accepted me. I was so stupid. How could I have been so foolish. He always avoided me like the plague. But much like the plague I was always around.

He always said he would find a way for me to become Grand Alpha, if that’s the last thing he did. And as a strong believer in the mate bond, he never took another after mothers' death. I was his only heir. A girl who could not take his place, his legacy and our ancestor's legacy would’ve ended with me. A female, a girl he never wanted. I guess he figured out how and that’s why he brought me here.

Why hadn’t he told me? Why didn’t he prepare me for this? Why did he just leave me here? Why did he always leave me alone?

This was why. This was why he kept my circle so small, I realized.

I had only met a few pack members. The maiden, that brought me my meals and helped me with various things. Now I knew why she never left me alone, escorting me only to preapproved areas of the packlands. She was there to keep an eye on me and make sure I never wandered too far. Everything with Fathers preapproval. Fathers' informant.

My Aunt on Father's side and his niece who would come and visit me occasionally to play. Why I had never worn a dress and only men's clothes. Why my hair was regularly cut short, even when I would want it grown out, envious of my cousins pretty brown and silky hair. Why I always trained with Beta Albert in private as opposed to training with the pack warriors. Why I had always been locked in on the Main floor of the packhouse, away from view.

“Alexandria?” she murmured just above a whisper as if she could sense my inner turmoil, coming to sit next to me. Placing the cup of warm tea into my hands. I hadn't realized I set it down. She brushed my hair aside and then started again “Take a sip, it’ll help calm you down.”

I straightened up taking a sip as she had suggested and wiped my tears. I felt the calm instantly wash over me.

I would do as Father asked, I would keep his legacy alive for Mothers sake. I would become the Grand Alpha, protector of all the packs in our territory. I will become the man Father wanted.

I looked at Auntie with determination, I had made my choice. But voicing it wasn’t as easy.

“Alexander Medina Sidonia or Alex, that’s what I’ll be called from now on. The next Grand Alpha. A man.” I exclaimed calmly renouncing my femininity.

Evangeline nodded solemnly, “I understand, sweetheart.” she wrapped her arms around me. I really did like Auntie Evangeline. She would fix this. She could fix me. Father will be proud.