The Alpha Algorithm

Bytes and Bites

~ Damon ~

The morning announced itself as I glared at the stubbornly blinking cursor on my screen, willing the code to write itself.

No such luck.

Marcus burst into my home office, his usually stoic face twisted with urgency.

“Alpha Damon, have you seen the news about CEO Caleb?” Flagging his phone.

Marcus only referred to me as alpha behind closed doors. Atleast for now.

I grunt, not bothering to look up. “About his court sitting at noon? Old news, cousin. I’ve got bigger fish to-”

“No, not that,” Marcus cut me off.

Now he has my attention.

I spinned in my chair, fixing Marcus with a hard stare. “Spit it out.”

Marcus cleared his throat, holding up the phone. “Caleb’s declared he’s taking a wife. ASAP.”

“You’ve got to be f*****g kidding me,” I snarl, snatching the phone from his hands.

There it was, in black and white, mocking me. ‘TECH TYCOON SEEKS SOULMATE: Lunaris CEO Caleb Stone to Wed!’

I ran a hand through my hair, frustration building. Tossing the phone back to Marcus.

“Dammit! Has the whole world gone insane? Why is everyone losing focus?”

Marcus flinched, but held his ground. “It seems... unexpected.”

“Unexpected?” I laughed, but there’s no humor in it. “It’s downright crazy. First, those i***t omega wolves botched a simple snatch-and-grab last night. A casual girl, for f**k’s sake! How hard was it to grab one measly human?”

I'm on my feet now, pacing, my hands clenched into fists.

“And now this? Our illustrious CEO decides to play house in the middle of our most critical project?”

“It is... poor timing,” Marcus offerred cautiously.

I whirled on him, eyes flashing. “Poor timing? It’s a disaster! Does Caleb think the world revolves around him and his d**k?”

Marcus wisely stayed silent, but I’m just getting started.

“I swear, I’m surrounded by incompetence. Those omega mutts are getting what they deserve for last night's failure. But Caleb? He has no idea what's coming.”

I slumped back into my chair, rubbing my temples. The headache building behind my eyes threatens to split my skull.

“You know what the worst part is, Marcus? That smug bastard has no clue what I really am.”

Of course, Caleb knows I am a big tough wolf, but doesn’t really know my background story.

To him, probably, only just another tech mogul, kissing his ass and calling him ‘boss.’”

Marcus nodded, his voice low.

“It must be... difficult, Alpha.”

“Difficult?” I barked out a laugh. “It’s f*****g humiliating. I’m an Alpha wolf, for Christ’s sake! If it weren’t for what happened to our pack…”

I trailed off, the old pain rising in my chest.

The Northwest Territories, 25 years ago. A harsh winter gripped the land, pushing even the hardiest wolves to their limits.

Young me. I controlled a large pack, the Silver Fang, had ruled these forests for generations. But this year was different.

It started with whispers of a new threat - humans armed with silver bullets and advanced tracking technology.

At first, I dismissed the rumors as fear-mongering. My pack was strong, cunning, and deeply connected to the land. We had weathered countless storms before.

But then the attacks began. Surgical strikes in the dead of night, leaving no traces except for the bodies of pack members. Marcus and I, my right-hand and cousin, fought fiercely to protect our kin. We devised new strategies, set traps, even attempted to negotiate with the local human settlements.

Nothing worked.

The turning point came during a blood moon. My pack had gathered for a sacred ritual, seeking strength from our ancestors. That’s when the hunters struck. With military precision, they surrounded the clearing, unleashing a barrage of silver-laced bullets and sonic weapons.

In the chaos, I made an agonizing choice. I ordered Marcus to take the youngest pups and run, while I and the remaining warriors created a diversion. The plan worked, but at a devastating cost. Marcus and I were the only survivors, watching helplessly as our home burned and our packmates all killed.

We headed south, towards the sprawling cities where we could hide in plain sight. Seattle became our new hunting ground, the tech industry our cover.

I force myself to take a deep breath, pushing the memories away.

Marcus’s eyes softened with understanding. We both carry the weight of that loss.

“At least we made it out. Seattle gave us a fresh start. And look at us now – you’re neck-deep in tech, I did my stint in the military. We’re rebuilding, slowly but surely.”

I nodded, but my mind was already racing ahead.

“What’s Caleb’s angle with this mate business? It doesn’t make sense. Not now, not with everything else going on.”

My thoughts drifted back to last night’s hunt. The thrill of the chase, the satisfaction of filling our experimental quota. And then... that scent.

“Marcus,” I say slowly, “do you remember that woman I told you about at the coffee shop?”