The Alphas Heir

Aunt Rennas Friend

Billy always had friends. He was casually popular, but I was mostly oblivious to it. I don’t know when I stopped paying attention to the things around me. Maybe when he hit high school and started going through those natural phases all boys do, mixed with his first shift. We grew distant, but I knew if I ever needed him, he was always there—always the protective brother. And yet, I find myself in situations where I’m glad he wasn’t around to see it. He would’ve ripped that guy’s head off.

I stepped into my room, towel drying my hair, trying to appear like I wasn’t literally raised by wolves. I should add that to my list of reasons why I’m so different. It’s not that I have any deep-seated turmoil about being a wolf. I like being a wolf. I wouldn’t choose to be anything else. But I also value being clean and put together. Asena did, too. If we’re expected to make a good impression, I’ll definitely shower.

Downstairs, I could hear Renna. Flustered. The house was spotless, everything set perfectly to display manners and decorum, but we could sense there was something else. Beneath her usual fear of disapproval was a tension, something more subtle, something even she wished she didn’t feel. I couldn’t quite place it.

DING!

The doorbell. Her friend was here.

I felt an odd drop in my stomach, a flutter of nerves that didn’t feel like mine. Why would I be nervous?

“Rachel, how lovely to see you. It’s been too long.” Renna’s voice was warm, but I could hear the undertone of ‘not long enough’.

That was my cue. I headed downstairs, feeling like I was stepping into an invisible battlefield. Normally, I was just an observer in these kinds of things, but this time, I was the focal point.

“This is my lovely niece, Greyson Pointe.” Renna’s tone made it sound like I should’ve curtsied.

I smiled politely and offered my hand to the tall, beautiful woman standing before me. Interactions with elders always came easily to us. They were easier to read, less driven by their instincts, more grounded in the everyday world.

“It’s lovely to meet you, Mrs. Henry,” I said, my voice confident yet soft. She loved it.

“Oh, please, Greyson, call me Rachel. I’m so happy to get to know you. Let’s sit.”

I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of awkwardness. Was this some trick to set me up? But I followed them into the living room, preparing myself for whatever this was. Asena was very intrigued by this woman. As I did, she held up her guard, mostly just wondering if this was something to be suspicious of. Even though we didn’t agree much, Asena also wanted what was best for me.

“Grey,” Renna began, “I know we’ve struggled to find a place for you here in our community, and I want you to know I don’t want you to leave. But I will admit, I needed fresh eyes.” Her words were over-explained, her concern about being misunderstood palpable. I knew she wanted me here, but this was for Rachel’s benefit.

It felt like I was being assessed. Great. Even my insides felt scrutinized, as if they were both looking for some flicker of Asena inside me. Trying to gauge at what points she could make herself present in our conversation.

But despite the awkward start and the subtle tension between Renna and Rachel, the visit turned out to be... pleasant. Rachel was charming, polite, and showed genuine interest in getting to know me. She asked thoughtful questions about my ideas, how my experiences shaped my worldview, and even allowed me to be modestly honest about my ranking in the pack. For each question, she had a story to share—some funny, others ominous.

For the most part, I enjoyed the conversation. We shared a few laughs, especially over some of her high school tales. But throughout it all, I could sense Renna’s subtle reactions. She didn’t speak much, but her body language said everything. Every story Rachel told, Renna would offer a small, almost imperceptible reaction, as if to say, ‘that’s not exactly how I remember it’. I knew we’d be talking about this later.

My wolf on the other hand was not so easily taken in by Rachels pleasing demeanor. She remained on edge and suspicious.

When the visit finally wrapped up, I felt a strange mixture of relief and curiosity. The conversation had been fine—enjoyable, even—but I was past ready to unload everything from my mind. The day had already been overwhelming, and this visit added a layer of uncertainty I didn’t expect.

We walked Rachel to her car, making small talk as we went. When she turned to say goodbye, her eyes shifted from me to Renna.

“I really enjoyed meeting you, Greyson. I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon.” The way she said it was more than polite—it was a promise, a certainty. As if something had already been arranged. I didn’t like it.

She climbed into her black SUV, smiled, and drove off. The moment she was out of sight, Renna and I dropped our polite smiles. I shot her a look that clearly said, are you going to tell me what the hell is going on, or do I have to ask?

Renna didn’t even try to deny it.

“No,” she said quickly, already turning to hurry back inside. I followed her.

“Wait, what’s going on?”

“Grey, stop. I need... some time.” She was pacing the living room, the tension in her body palpable. I’d never seen her like this.

“What is going on?” I pressed, trying to figure out why she seemed so on edge. “Who is that woman?”

Renna’s eyes glassed over as if she was holding back tears. “Grey, please, I can’t talk about this right now.”

Her voice cracked, and I realized this wasn’t just about some old friend coming back into town. There was hurt here. Fear. Sorrow. And something else... guilt.

I didn’t know what was happening, but I knew it involved me. And that scared us. Whatever this was, it was making Renna—who loved me, who protected me—nervous. If she was afraid, what did that mean for me?

I climbed the stairs to my room, feeling the weight of everything crashing down on me. My mind was exhausted, and I still hadn’t unpacked the bizarre encounter with that guy from earlier. Everything felt heavy.

I crawled into bed, pulling the covers over me like a shield. It was moments like this when I wished my mom was here. She would’ve held me, helped me carry the weight. But she wasn’t. And if she were, none of this would be happening.

I drifted off to sleep, hoping that when I woke up, the world might make a little more sense.