Against the Black

Chapter 3

They brought food out at some point during the ceremony and now all the members were eating and talking. The grove near the lake was lit with lanterns and lightning bugs, offering a magical feel to the surrounding greenery. I walk through the crowd with a bubbly drink in hand that hints of peach. I shake hands and receive congratulations while making my way to the buffet table.

“Congratulations Alpha Roxanne.” A voice speaks beside me. I turn to see Doctor Michael’s sun-tanned face smiling brightly. His usually shaggy blond hair was cut short and styled neatly away from his face. He wore his dark gray scrubs and black tennis shoes with a gold watchband. Looking far too toned to be a pack doctor.

“Mike! Thank you. How were you able to get away from the pack hospital?” I asked conspiratorially. He leaned in close to whisper,

“The nurses said they’d do this crazy thing to let me know if they needed me. They said they’d…” He paused and leaned closer, “Call me!” He exclaimed and I shoved him playfully.

“Well, you better hope none of our mothers go into labor tonight or you’ll be sure to get an earful when it takes you ten minutes to arrive.” He laughs and nods.

“I have my fingers crossed. I really should get back though. I just wanted to come by and congratulate you and wish you luck.”

“Well, thank you. It means a lot that you would take the time out of your busy schedule to come see me.” He bowed his head and gave me a soft kiss on the back of the hand, causing me to blush softly.

“Enjoy the party. You deserve it.” And with that, he left.

“You know, I always hoped you two would end up mates.” My mother spoke behind me and I jumped.

“Mom! You startled me. I didn’t realize eavesdropping was a pastime of yours.” She just laughed and placed her hands on my shoulders.

“I was simply waiting my turn to speak to the new Alpha.” She squeezed my shoulders and dropped her hands. “You know, ever since your ancestor Kaila founded the Obsidian Falls pack, we’ve had a long line of proud Female Alphas.”

“I know, mom. I’m pretty sure I heard this lesson like a hundred times in school.” I rolled my eyes, but knew she’d continue anyway.

“Yes, but we’re the only pack that has female Alphas running the place. Other packs have always laughed at us. So it would have been nice if you had found a mate that understood our way of life. I worry you’ll struggle with your mate otherwise.”

“Hey,” I take her face in my hands, “dad was a stuck up Alpha prick. Plenty of our ancestors were able to mate other Alphas and live together with some form of respect. Besides, mates are overrated when I have a pack as beautiful as this one.” I hugged her tightly.

My mother met my father at a ranked mating masquerade. They’d scented each other out and found the nearest tree to mate under. When he realized she was the Alpha of the Obsidian Falls pack, he rejected her. He said he couldn’t live under the rule of some woman playing pretend. My mom came home heartbroken and suffering the loss of her mate, only to find out weeks later that she bore his child. My father is a power hungry loon and should be avoided at all costs. I know my mom worries the same will happen to me.

“You’re lucky I let you run off to college and travel all over before handing the pack over. You’re almost thirty, and though your figure doesn’t show it, you’re getting older. I don’t want to see you spend your life alone.” She winked at me and then smiled a sad smile.

“Weren’t you just threatening to keep your title for another year?” I laughed while hugging her again. “Besides, I’m not alone. I have you, and Babs, and Vera, and Lenny. I have this pack and our people. I’m not alone. I’m right where I need to be.” She pulled away and I could see the moisture she was trying to blink away.

“Speaking of mates,” she quickly sidestepped the sappy bits of our conversation. “There’s a ranked mating masquerade coming up.” I groaned out loud and made to turn away. She grabbed my arm and dragged me back to face her. “Don’t give me that. I want grandkids! Now, the ball is in a week and it’s being held at the palace this year.” She almost squealed with excitement.

“Mom, I just got my ranking. Can’t it wait a year? Besides, how can you be thinking of grandkids when I have so much work to do as Alpha? I can’t be popping kids out right away.”

“It can’t wait a year because this is the first time in over a decade that they’ve held the ball at the palace. So you have to go this year so I can live vicariously through you.” I laughed and almost spit out my drink. “Also, you can wait to have kids for a little while. But you’ll never have kids if you don’t get out there and find your mate. I mean really, I figured after letting you gallivant all over the place, you’d have found him by now.”

“But mom, wouldn’t it be better…” She cut me off before I could finish.

“No, it won’t be better.”

“You don’t even know what I was going to say.”

“It doesn’t matter.” She held her hand up to stop my protests. “It won’t be better. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Besides, you’ll be taking Babs, Lenny, and Vera with you and you can’t keep them from their potential mates.” She gave me the stern look only a mom can give. The kind of look that says ‘we both know I’m right, so just accept it.’ I groaned and relented.

“Fine, I’ll go for them. But what will the pack think of me being gone so soon after becoming Alpha?”

“Quit your complaining. You’re not getting out of this. They’ll understand! Everyone needs their mate. You’re no different. Besides, I’ll be here to cover for you, and I know a thing or two about running this joint.” She throws her thumb over her shoulder, motioning toward the pack house. I knew I wasn’t getting out of this.

“Fine, but only because I love you sooo much and you want me to go sooo bad.” She smacked at my arm but I dodged out of the way and shouted, “Pack run!” There were hoots and hollers and howls of excitement, and everyone ran to the forest edge. I stripped my satin dress and shifted into Kalua. She was silver and white to match the color of my hair. Kalua was larger than most Alpha wolves because we’re one of the few full Alpha blooded Alphas. Most Alpha bloodlines have been diluted along the way. But the goddess has gifted each of my ancestors with an Alpha mate to keep the bloodline strong.

Kalua howled and dove into the trees, leading tonight’s run as her pack’s Alpha.