The Mistaken Alpha

Chapter 9

Lana’s POV

The afternoon goes by in a blur after I assessed the damage done by Abigail. I spent hours making some stupid hula decorations before I am dismissed for the day. I can feel my stomachache as I run towards the edge of the pack territory past the orphanage. I did not get a chance to grab anything to eat before Jeremy arrived this morning and due to the party planning, I thought getting out of the pack house was better than finding something to eat. The air was suffocating me and it’s not like I was permitted to eat anything in the ruling pack house. No one unless they lived in the ruling pack house could eat any of the food or use any of the amenities there. Granted the other pack house is almost an exact replica, it’s considered an honor to be asked to dine or be entertained at the ruling pack house. As for me, unless I am commanded to go there, I stay as far away from there as I can.

I slow down as I near the edge of the pack territory. At the edge of the territory is a city. The city is neutral grounds. This is a place any pack member can go without being accused of being in a different pack’s territory without reason. My old high school is in the city. Two packs attend this high school as they are all on the edge of the city: Silver Lake Pack and of course, Blood Moon Pack.

I miss high school. I had friends there from Silver Lake Pack. We still meet at least weekly at the diner I work at to hang out. They know that I am not allowed to leave pack lands unless it is to come to the diner to work a shift since I finished high school this past summer.

I get to the diner 30 minutes past my shift time. I wave of relief and serenity washed over me as I walk into the diner as I am finally able to be who I am without constant rules set over my head. As I grab my apron out of my locker and walk to the front I hear, “You’re late! One of these days I should fire you.” Old man Jones always tells me that he is going to fire me. He never has because deep down I know he cares about me. I’ve thought about leaving the pack and working at the diner, the probably is where I would live.

I could stay hidden within the city, but I would never be able to leave it. I am not sure if I could do that. Have some freedom but never be allowed to leave. There is always a pang of regret whenever I think about leaving the pack. Something doesn’t feel right about it.

I drop that thought and say, “Well maybe you should. You can just leave me to rot at Mrs. Hilden’s or Abigail’s hands.”

“You’re lucky I tolerate strays.” He calls to me from his booth in the corner.

Most people would be ashamed of having the nickname stray, especially in wolf territory. I on the other hand am proud of my nickname. Old man Jones uses the nickname as a reminder of the day we met.

It was downpouring one afternoon when I was a junior. I had missed the bus like most days. I tried to get to the bus before everyone else. That day I was held back in class for a teacher to congratulate me on my test. Every teacher knew to not praise me during class. I am assuming Alpha Thomas talked to someone when I started middle and high school. Abigail would throw a fit in elementary school when I was given praise and she wasn’t. She must have complained to daddy, and he talked to somebody. Anyways, I ended up missing the bus because I saw Abigail in the hallway flirting with a soccer player. She was always flirting with guys whenever she wasn’t dating Alpha Ryan.

I didn’t want Abigail to see me, so I hid in the bathroom until I knew she was gone. If Abigail would have caught me in the hallway alone, she would have harassed me verbally or physically. I chose to miss the bus instead of deal with her almightiness.

As I was walking home, it began to rain. I was used to a little rain but when it started to downpour and I saw a flash of lightning, I ran for the first building I saw. It happened to be the diner. Old man Jones was sitting in his booth when I entered.

“Hey, come take a seat.” I heard from him. He motioned for me to come sit with him. “The rain isn’t going to stop anytime soon and your wet to the bone. Sit down before you catch a cold.”

I walked over to his booth and sat down. “You’re shaking and drenched. Order something to help you warm up.” He suggested.

I could tell he was a wolf from his smell. “I have no money sir,” I tell him. “I’m just going to wait for the thunderstorm to die down and then I’ll be on my way. No reason to inconvenience you anymore than I have to.”

He looked at me for a few minutes before he called to someone. “Get a cup of hot chocolate and some fries.” He winks at me then. “I know what teenagers like to eat and you seem to be a young lady who enjoys hot chocolate.” I blush because I am not used to anyone saying something nice to me.

“Sir, I cannot take your food. I have nothing and I cannot pay for it.” I tell him.

“Nonsense, I own the diner and what I say goes. I say you are getting food and you are going to have food. There is no need to argue with me and you need not worry about paying for anything. It is on the house.” He tells me. I smile at him. He looks towards the kitchen and mutters, “Is anyone going to help the OWNER?” he asks accusingly.

“I can get the hot chocolate if you tell me where it is. I really don’t mind.” I say as I get up out of the booth to wonder behind the counter. The diner was empty, but I didn’t see anyone besides the cook and a bus boy in the back.

The old man gruffs. “The hot chocolate mix is in the yellow container. The hot water is beside the coffee pot.”

I collect a mug and make myself the hot chocolate. I peer through the kitchen opening and see the cook frying the fries. My mouth begins to salivate. I sit back down at the booth and begin a friendly conversation with the old man. I discovered his name, that he bought the diner after he became a rogue, and how he too feels lost at times. He goes on to tell me that the diner is his second home and if I need a second home, I am welcome here. I ended up leaving that afternoon with a full stomach and a job.