The lost alpha

Chapter 4

Both Tristan and Mackenzie sat there dumbfounded, trying to process what Nana had just said. Nana simply sat back and allowed them to recollect themselves, waiting for the barrage of questions that was about to follow.

“But Nana, why does Tristan need to start a pack? It’s not time yet, and besides, he doesn’t even have a mate.” Mackenzie blurted out, almost trying to convince herself that it was really too early.

Tristan didn’t say anything but switched his gaze to Nana to hear what she had to say. “It’s simple really, Tristan can’t be the Alpla without a mate. Usually one’s individual strength is enough to rule a space by themselves, but Tristan doesn’t have that strength yet.”

Again, Tristan's expression sours as he hears this, but Nana doesn’t stop speaking this time. “You need to find a mate to start a pack with in order to be recognized as a true alpha.”

“Why can’t he just rally the wolves without packs and adopt them? Does he really need a mate?” Mackenzie protested further.

“Sweetie, if he doesn’t officially become an alpha with a mate, then the other packs won’t see him as an alpha, he’ll just be leading a pack of rejects in the eyes of others.”

Nana knew why Mackenzie was so against the idea of Tristan starting a pack, once an alpha got a mate that would become his partner for life and raise the Apha's children.

Mackenzie had feelings for Tristan, whether he acknowledged them or not, but they were still there. Although it hurt her to cause her granddaughter heartache, she had to do what was best for their space.

Besides, Mackenzie’s family were simply bookkeepers who recorded and passed on information about the supernatural and Tristan would eventually need to find another female wolf to lead his pack with. Sadly, Mackenzie didn’t fit into that plan.

“Okay, so if I decided to find a mate, what would I do? How would I even know if she was the right one for me?” Tristan asked, not totally convinced.

“Well, usually you need to find a Luna within your own pack, but since the pack is only you and your father, you have to find a mate from another pack. Or you could find a wanderer, whatever the case may be, when you find your mate you’ll feel it.”

Tristan still felt like he was dreaming. A few months ago, he never thought he would be in this situation. But yet here he was thinking about how to start a pack and protect his territory as his father had been missing for months.

“Okay, I’ll do it…. I’ll start my own pack, to protect everyone.” He said while glancing at Mackenzie, who was obviously unhappy.

Nana nodded in support of what he had just said, her eyes lingering on Mackenzie whose gaze was on the floor.

“You’ll need to start looking immediately. The sooner you start searching, the sooner you can find a mate, then start gathering members of your own”, Nana said.

“Where would I even be able to find that many wolves? No one’s ever been bold enough to trespass into our territory because of dad”, Tristan replied calmly.

“Word travels fast, the fact that Grey Wolf invaded the territory and left unharmed…: you’d be surprised how many wanderer wolves would have started moving on the borders to confirm”

This made Tristan’s blood boil for some reason, he unconsciously began squeezing sides of the stone chair he sat on, causing them to c***k. Only Mackenzie’s arm on his thigh caused him to remember himself and calm down.

“Tonight you need to go into the woods and not only scout for potential pack members but mates as well” she continued, after seeing he was now calm.

“Alright… tonight I’ll go out and start searching” he said as he got up with Mackenzie following suit.

Nana got up and walked towards Tristan holding both of his hands in hers while looking up to him. “I know this must be a lot to handle dear, but trust me, it’s for the best.”

“I know Nana, thank you” he said as he gave her hands a light squeeze before letting them go.

He and Mackenzie took their leave from the library, first leaving the hidden room, then the main library to go back into the red truck they came in.

For a moment they both sat in silence, until Mackenzie broke it which she did so well. “Wanderers don’t have a pack for a reason, you know. They must have done something for their packs to exile them. Say you’re able to find some, how can you even trust them?” She said in one breath.

She wasn’t wrong, wanderer wolves were only that because their packs had kicked them out. They must have either disobeyed their alpha or gone against their pack code, so Tristan had to be much more weary about them.

“You’re not wrong, but I’ll simply cross that bridge when I reach it” he said nonchalantly. “Anyways, should I drop you home or are you going to stay here?”

“After all that Nana just said, how could you possibly be so calm?” She asked, the annoyance on her face.

“At this point, nothing would change if I overreacted. This is a responsibility I have to take care of, to protect the people that are important to me, you included.”

That last statement turned Mackenzie’s expression from annoyed to surprised, from surprised to flustered.

“Okay, you’re right. It’s simply what you have to do. And don’t worry, I’ll stay at the library today. You just go home and rest before you go into the woods tonight.”

Mackenzie unlocked the car and paused, before turning to Tristan to give him a kiss on the cheek. “Be safe” she said, leaving before giving him a chance to react.

Tristan sat there watching her as she went back into the library, a small smile taking its place between his fulll lips as he slipped the truck into reverse and started driving back to his cabin.

Time flew past and before he knew it he was already at his cabin. He ate some leftover spaghetti from the fridge made by Mackenzie the last time she came over, then went to bed.

When he opened his eyes, the air was crisp and cold, just the way he liked it. He opened the door to the back of his cabin, taking in the view of the forest that he had grown used to over the years.

Walking down a few hundred feet from his cabin until he stood in a field of grass and flowers. He inhaled deeply, closing his eyes and taking in the forest around him.

Slowly his bones began to shift, his joints to pop and his stature rearranged till he stood on all fours, till he was in his majestic wolf form. His glossy black fur glistened in the moonlight.

He looked ahead of him at the forest. That would signify the start of his journey to becoming an alpha in his father's place. He moved towards the forest, at first slowly, before picking up pace to take long strides before running at full speed towards the forest.