The Secrets That Lie

Chapter 2

Raff

I was sitting in the Ceremony hall listening to my father drone on about how much of an insult it was to have a female take the title of alpha when a scent caught my attention. As soon as I smelt it I started shifting all the while my wolf says only one word. “MATE!!!” he screamed so loud I almost fainted. Before anyone can see the shift I stand up, and run for the exit. My dad looked over just in time to see my back disappear through the door. When I push the door open the setting sun shined right in my eyes forcing me to use my hand to block it out. My eyes adjust quickly, and I am able to take my arm down as I make my way towards the treeline. I glance around the parking lot to see if anybody is out there ony to stop dead in my tracks. The backdoor to a sleek black Infiniti q50 2018 opens, and when it did time froze. Suddenly my wolf was calm. Almost purring at the black gown that fell out. Which paled in comparison to the woman wearing it. Without wanting to I watched as a tall black haired wolf took her hand to help her out. I instantly want to rip out his throat for touching her, but as I move forward she stands up, and the orange rays from the sun hit her beautiful face. Once again I am frozen when she stands she looks up and her green eyes meet mine. I think I saw a flicker of a smile on her pink lips before it is gone again. We stare at each other for a moment taking in each others features. Her long golden brown hair shows a hint of red in the lighting, and I can still see her high cheekbones through the makeup. Her deep set green eyes show mystery, power, and control. Her slender frame is draped in an exquisite black gown that does little to hide the muscle underneath. Out of the corner of my eye I see a brown haired wolf come out of the driver side of the car, and walk around the car to take her arm. As soon as he touches her I instantly get furious, and begin to shift again. Realizing this I break eye contact and run into the forest just in time for my wolf to take over. He is so violent and angry about not only one, but two males putting their hands on my mate. When we caught the scent of a rabbit we instantly went after it. It didn’t take long to catch it but when we did he let out all of his anger on the rabbit. “How dare they touch our mate! She is mine! MINE!” Suddenly the image of her standing in the sunlight flashed in my mind again and a calm settled over Neal once more. I felt my jaw open and the rabbit slide out lifeless. I knew I wouldn’t be able to run forever, or stay in my wolf form through the whole ceremony. Even though I have never been able to control my wolf well I would have to today. I couldn’t let anybody find out she is my mate, or what my wolf looks like. I run back to the ceremony hall letting off a little bit more steam as I do. Trying to prepare myself for what is to come. At the edge of the forest I shift back into my human form not wanting anybody to see. I quickly put on a spare change of clothes I always keep with me just in case. I see a few people standing around outside, looks like we missed the speech. I think to myself as I walk in through the door. It is loud at this point, and many wolves are talking and laughing amongst themselves. As soon as I walk in a female wolf comes up to me and places her hand on her shoulder. I shudder at the touch of another female who isn’t my mate my mate. I look down and see she is wearing a very low cut red dress that barely covers to her thighs in length.

“Hey handsome,” she says moving her arm on my shoulder down to my chest, and slowly drawing on my chest. Just her touch is making me feel disgusted, and is upsetting my wolf who is already growling. I have to resist the urge to throw her across the room.

“I’m not interested” is all I say as I shrug her hand off me, and make my way through the crowd to find my father. When I find him on the other side of the room standing close to the stage he is speaking with the now former alpha Lowell along with his wife Alice, and daughter whom I didn’t even know the name of. When I see her I freeze not ready to speak with her. She looks over just in time to make eye contact her smile never faltering as she looks back at my father to answer a question. I turn around to find something to do when I hear my father call my name.

“Raff get over here, and say hello to the new ‘alpha,” he chuckles at the last part making air quotes with his fingers. I roll my eyes knowing where this is headed before I turn back around, and head over to say hello.

“Hello, my name is Raff it is a pleasure to meet all of you.” I say respectfully looking at each of them. Not wanting to make things worse than I already know my father will. All the while Neal is going crazy with us being so close to our mate. He is scratching and clawing trying to get out just to touch her small hands.

“Oh come now there is no need to be so formal to these people Raff. After all they did give the alpha title to not only a child but a female.” My dad says pointing at the new alpha. She seems to ignore his comment and smiles at me extending her hand.

“Hello Raff the pleasure is all mine.” She smile so kindly, and I can’t help but stare at her perfectly shaped lips. Wondering what it would be like to kiss them. I extend my hand as well to shake hers. As soon as we touch I feel the sparks that travel from my hand through my arm. Neal and I immediately relax at her touch. She seems to not be affected by it as she simply shakes my hand and releases. “My name is Nina.” As she says this she looks up at my father again with the same smile. “As far as I am aware Alpha Leroy the twelve great packs all approved of this ceremony, so wouldn’t it then be the packs who gave me this title, and not my father?” She asks with a glint to her eye. I couldn’t help myself with the look my father got when she said those words I began to laugh. Her smile never faltered, and my father began to stutter not even as part of the twelve can he go against the orders.

“I still feel you are not fit to be alpha.” He says once he has regained his composure. “As such I Alpha Leroy challenge you Alpha Nina for the position of Alpha of the Valley Pack,” He says sternly. I look at my dad in shock.

“Dad!” I exclaim, “I know you might not like her being alpha, but don’t you think this is taking things a bit too far?!” I plead as he glares at her. When I say this he turns his anger towards me.

“Shut up boy! You will do as your told! You are not alpha yet!” He turns his glare to me which makes me gulp. We both know I don’t want the position of alpha. I might be born alpha, but I don’t care much for leading, or following rules.

“I Alpha Nina accept your challenge for the alpha title.” We both turn to her surprised. She stands straight not blinking. All remnants of a smile gone from her face. Her expression is stern.

“Let all who are here tonight witness this.” Lowell says loud enough for everyone to hear. All eyes turn to us. Nina’s face is blank it is almost impossible to read her expression.

“Let’s take this outside shall we?” Alice asks with a gentle voice. We are all surprised by how calm the three seem. Her parents do realize who she is about to fight with. My dad is known for being ruthless and strategic in battle. He has never lost a fight before. Yet they all seem unaffected by all of this. They walk calmly towards the exit where there is an empty parking lot greeting people as they go acting like everything is fine. Leaving my father and I speechless as to what we just saw. At this point my wolf wants to kill my father himself before he even has a chance to lay a hand on my mate. It’s so hard to keep him in check I have a raging migraine. We slowly step forward to the exit people watching all around. Once we are outside people slowly start to leave the hall to come witness this. This includes the other ten alphas and future alphas of the twelve packs. They all make sure to sit front and center. Most of them have a twisted grin on their faces. One of them is even laughing. I think they have all gone mad my mate is about to get herself killed and they are laughing. All because she had to take the alpha title. I want to take her place and challenge my father in her stead, but I know this will result in something much more dangerous than what is about to ensue. People are still coming to watch the show when I look over to see the two male wolves who were with Nina earlier talking to her. The brown haired wolf is speaking to her while the one with black hair gives her a hug whispers something in her ear and walks away to keep the crowd back. I’m instantly furious he was touching her. I am even more mad at my father though for saying such a dumb thing. Still if he finds out she is my mate he will surely kill her, and probably force me to be alpha. My wolf is anxious and mad I think I might shift at any moment. I look up when I feel someone shift, and I realize it is the black haired wolf who gave Nina a hug earlier. His wolf is black with dark brown and red spots all over. He keeps circling the area making sure nobody gets too close. I look over at Nina and see the boy with brown hair is still talking to her. She has a smile on her face and gives him a brief hug before he steps back with her parents who are watching closely for what happens next. My father removes his shirt stepping into the circle. To everyone’s surprise Nina doesn’t even remove her heals as she steps forward. At this moment I know exactly who is going to win, and my wolf goes even crazier fighting to get out. Clawing every second fighting for me to shift.