The Alpha King and His Mysterious Mate

The birth of the cruel Alpha

[ Jacob's pov ]

"- Rachel" I called when I came out of the office "Please take care of the mess in there. Get as much help as you require. I will need it ready in an hour for my meetings. One more thing, do you know where my brothers are? I need to speak to them."

"- Yes sir, your office will be ready and your brothers are in their wing. There has been extra security added for their safety" my housekeeper replied as she rushed to the office door.

"- Thank you..and Rachel?" I said as she turned to me, giving me a curious look "I apologize for the mess you will find in there, beforehand." With that said, I took my leave. However, I didn't manage to get far, before I heard the shocked gasp coming out of Rachel's mouth as she reached the office door.

I think I will need to start paying her even better after today. I made a mental note as I walked to see my brothers.

Emmet and Charles were in their study room, with guards at each window and door. I guess Rachel wasn't kidding about the tight security. There was almost no space to breathe in here. My brothers were trying to do their homework, but you could see they were struggling to remain concentrated, not that I blame them under the circumstances. As soon as they saw me, they ran towards me and a million questions were written on both of their faces. I motioned for them to sit on a small sofa, while I sat on the armchair next to them. My brothers obediently obliged.

I dismissed the guards as it was a private conversation, but not before I asked one of them to tell Alarick and his son to meet me in my office in 1 hour.

The room was finally empty and it was swallowed in silence. I looked at my brothers, they were watching me expectantly with a myriad of questions written on their faces. This was not an easy conversation, but it needed to be done.

"- Guys" I started speaking, trying to sound confident and reassuring to them. "I know this has not been the easiest day and you are worried about our parents and I am sorry I wasn't there for you today, but I promise I will do better. You know our parents are missing and there is little information about their disappearance as of yet, but I promise you I will find them no matter what it takes.

Things will change around here. From now on I will be very busy, but that does not mean that you cannot come to me when you need me. I will be there for you always and I will bring them home to us, even if I have to move mountains or even oceans. I will get them back. This is my promise to you. Until then, I need you to be strong. We represent the royal family now and we need to be tough, at least until our parents come back. We need to show a united front to our kind, but also to our enemy. Please do continue trying your 100% for the pack as you do now and, let the rest to me. And if, no sorry, when there are any news about our parents, you will be the first to know. Come here" I motioned to both of them as I got on my knees, with my arms wide open. As soon as I was finished with the gesture, they rushed into my arms and I entangled them in a warm embrace. We stayed like this for half an hour until all the sobs coming from them calmed down. I knew now I could let them go, they would be OK.

"- I have to go now" I told them as I kissed each of them on their foreheads "I have an important meeting to attend to, but I will check on you before you go to sleep. I know it is hard, but try to finish all your homework. Make our parents proud."

As I added the last sentence I could see determination sparkling in their eyes and a smile curling up their lips. Well, at least, I can cross off inspirational speeches from my Alpha's essential skills list, I thought to myself as I took my leave.

It took me 10 minutes to reach my office and, to my surprise, Adam was already there waiting for me. As soon as I entered, I saw a brand new desk. My files were once again organized and the room was squeaky clean.

Rachel is a miracle in disguise and I need to thank her properly. She finished the task I assigned to her in record time with more than 20 minutes to spare. Where did she even get a new desk so quickly? I was pulled out of my thoughts by Adam's hand. I didn't even notice that he stood up and had approached me.

"- What is up with the new table?" he asked, beating around the bush, trying not to ask about my parents straight away.

"- My last moment of weakness, that is what happened and I know what you really want to ask me, so I will beat you to it. I am fine, I had time to deal with all of this mess so, please, don't even start. We have more important issues to address and I need your undivided attention."

The truth was that I was not exactly lying, I was fine, in fact, I couldn't feel a thing, no emotion, just like when my grandfather died. I cried all night and day, and after that, I felt nothing, not even on the day of his funeral. It is like I lost a part of my heart, I lost the ability to feel. I have slowly regained some of it over the years, but now it has been shattered to pieces once again.

This time my whole damn heart was lost, not just a piece of it. I don't really feel anything and maybe that is just what is needed of me right now. I don't have time for emotional roller coasters, my pack needs me, my brothers need me, my parents need me. I must have a clear mind for everyone's sake, so, this is probably for the best.

"- Fine" Adam replied "I know you well enough to understand that you won't tell me anything, no matter how much I push, if you are not ready. Just know that when you are, I will be right here for you" he cleared his throat and continued "So, changing the subject, tell me why I was summoned?"

"- Thank you, Adam, I will keep this in mind. Now, you know you always were supposed to be my beta when I got the throne and I know we haven't completed the alpha-beta training yet, but whatever progress we have made, will have to suffice under the circumstances. I just need to know that you are up for the role, now that I have to step up and be the Alpha King, at least until my parents come back. I will need you to think about it seriously and tell me honestly if you feel ready, because it is a big change and a lot of responsibility. You should know this already from your father. No more being late, because of "training" in the cabin" I said as I did the air quotes with my hands "No nights out in clubs, nothing, at least not for now. I will need all of your time, because we have way too many things to do. You basically will have to put your life on hold for a while, so I need you to really think it through".

Not even a second passed when I heard Adam's reply.

"- You are like a brother to me. For you, for our pack, I will make all the sacrifices needed. I don't have to think about it, I will be there for you day and night if that is what it takes. We are in this mess together, we have always been a team and I see no reason to stop now. I am..."

Adam's loyalty speech got interrupted by a knock on the door. Alarick was asking if he could enter, so I invited him in.

"- My king" he said as he bowed and entered the room "you called for me".

I was momentarily stunned, nobody had ever addressed me as the king before, so it took a moment, before I could reply.

"- Right, since you are both here, I want to inform you about our plan of action. As you both know, I have to step up as the alpha king. Although my parents thought I was ready to do this and had planned to give me the throne yesterday, if I had found my mate, I do not think I am ready. However, right now, what I need or believe is not important, what needs to be done will be done for the sake of our people. However, I will need help, a lot of it. Alarick, as you know, I have always planned to make Adam my beta. There is no one I trust more than him, but, for now, I will assign him as my gamma. I need you to stay on as the pack's beta for the time being, since both, Adam and I, lack experience. You have to teach us everything you know. Then, if we still have not found my parents, I will make Adam my beta. I had a talk with Adam before you came in. He says he is ready and committed, and so am I. Push us as hard as you must to teach us everything we need to know in the shortest time possible. Of course, we will find my parents way before that, but I need a Plan B just in case. This is what my father has always taught me to do, prepare for the worst-case scenario."

Then I turned to my friend and continued my monologue.

"- Adam" I addressed my best friend "I will need you to gather the pack and inform them about the new hierarchy. I will come shortly to join you. In addition, please, reach out to all the other packs and inform them about the situation. Everyone needs to be on high alert. Tell them to send their best trackers right here, one from each pack and also one elite warrior each. I need them here by tomorrow dawn. I do not care how they will make it, but they must be here by then. Take 10 of our elite warriors and, together with the warriors that will arrive, form a search and rescue team for my parents. Have our warriors prepare all the necessary equipment, so they will be ready to leave tomorrow, as soon as the others arrive. Now go and I will join you in 10 minutes, when I finish talking to your father."

"- Yes Alpha" he said.

"- Alarick, bring me up to speed with anything that I have missed since our conversations this morning and then I need you to go home to rest. You look like hell and I need you at your best for all of our sake. Adam and I will take care of the rest. Tomorrow at dawn, come find me at our training grounds. I will be there sending out the search and rescue team."

"- Jacob, I mean Alpha Jacob, I do not need rest, I don't deserve it either, after my major screw up. In fact, sleep is off the table until I know my friends are safe. Also, I would like to volunteer for the rescue team. He is my friend, my alpha, I need to help find him."

"- Beta Alarick, first of all, call me Jacob. There is no need for formalities. You know me from when I was still in diapers and you are like a second father to me. Secondly, you have to put your emotions aside and stop blaming yourself. We do not have time for this guilt trip. You are going to get some rest. This is not negotiable. I will shove sleeping pills down your throat if I have to, but you are going. This is an order!" I used my alpha tone for the first time on my friend's father.

"- You are not going with the team, you are needed here to help our people and this is what you will do. None of us are specialized in tracking. We may be good, but they are the specialists and, since it has been 24 hours already, we need their talents to find the Alpha and the Luna. And frankly, you will be in their way, with the emotional pressure you are under right now. As soon as the trackers find their trail we will join them, because we are the best warriors there are, that I can promise you. Whoever took them, will pay for it with their lives and you will be there to ensure this. So for now, everyone will do what they can do best, because this is what is needed at the moment. If you cannot get on board, then you will be removed from the beta position straight away. Your experience and advice are highly needed here and especially now, but if you can't handle your emotions, then you will do more harm than good."

After a long silence, Alarick replied:

"- You are right, I apologize, I am not thinking clearly and maybe getting some rest is not a bad idea. I have already failed your father. I won't fail you also, nor our people. I will see you tomorrow at the training grounds" Alarick stated as he stood up and walked towards the door, momentarily hesitating.

"- Since when did you become so mature and logical? I am an experienced beta, yet my feelings got the best of me. I expected you to be all over the place with your emotions, yet you have risen to the occasion. You are the man your father always knew you would be.

He was right in wishing to give you the throne, despite your young age. I didn't agree at first, partially since you are still young, but mostly because I didn't see what he saw. It is clear to me now that I was wrong. If today was any indication, you will be a great king and your parents will be very proud when we find them. See you tomorrow, Alpha" he said, emphasizing the last word and taking his leave.

"It is easy to be logical and strategic, when you feel nothing, you should have seen my office two hours ago" I whispered, but there was no one in the office, except me, to hear that.