Alpha's Vet

Weak

Lucas POV

I have so much f*****g work to do today.

People think being Alpha of all Alphas is some kind of throne. A privilege. A crown.

Idiots.

It's a weight. A responsibility that crushes your spine if you slip even once.

They call me ruthless. Cruel. Heartless.

They’re right.

But they don’t understand why.

I will do anything — anything — for my family. And my pack is my family.

My beta, Eric.

My brother and sister.

They’re the only ones who know both sides of me — the good and the monstrous. Everyone else gets the monster.

I will torture anyone who threatens my people. I will kill slowly. Painfully. And I will sleep just fine afterward.

But tonight is not about blood.

Tonight, apparently, is about “socializing.”

My siblings asked me to go with them to The Wolf’s Howl tonight. They want me to “bond” with the pack. They say I’m too aloof. Too distant. Too alone.

They don’t get it.

They’re not my friends; they’re my responsibility. I protect them — that’s my job. That’s all I’ve done since our parents died. I was sixteen when I became their Alpha. Their guardian. Their everything.

Jacqui, my wild little sister, can get away with anything. Everyone knows it. I should be firmer, stricter, but… I can’t. She’s lost enough. The world has taken enough from her.

Everyone else, I can command, punish, break if needed.

But not Jacqui.

Alphas don’t wallow, though, and I don’t have time for self-reflection. I have two hours of work to finish before I even think about pretending to be “approachable.”

Knock. Knock.

“Alpha? May I come in?”

Shit. Jessy.

The clingiest woman in the pack — exactly what I do not have time for today.

Yes, she helps take the edge off when I need the release, but lately she’s starting to think she has a claim on me.

She doesn’t.

I haven’t found my mate yet — not for lack of trying, but because I genuinely don’t care. A mate will make me weak. Distracted. Vulnerable. And I can’t afford that.

I’m happy she hasn’t shown up. Hopefully she stays away for a few more years.

“Come in,” I say, using my Alpha voice.

She enters, smiling too brightly, head bowed just enough to avoid irritating me… almost. Her presence grates on me today. Her voice always does.

“Alpha, do you need help with anything?”

She wants to be Luna. Everyone knows it.

The problem is: I don’t want her. I will never want her.

“No. I’m busy.”

I don’t even bother looking up. “Get out.”

But of course, she doesn’t listen. She steps closer, ignoring my tone. She always pushes. Always tests.

She reaches me and places her hand on my c**k.

I bite back a growl — not of anger this time.

Fuck.

I’m irritated, stressed, tense, and she knows exactly how to handle that.

Before I can decide, she drops to her knees and unzips my pants. My hand tangles in her hair only to guide her — not gently.

I let myself go, but I don’t think of her.

I think of the girl from my dreams.

When I’m done, I zip myself up.

“Get out,” I say sharply.

She flinches, disappointment radiating off her, but keeps her head down and obeys. I know I need to send her away for good soon. She’ll keep hoping otherwise, and I won’t tolerate false hope.

She will never be my Luna. I could mark her if I wanted to — even if she’s not my mate — but I won’t. I can’t imagine a lifetime with her. And wolves live long lives.

One day, I’ll find my mate.

But not today.

Not when I’ve seen her only in dreams.

Her hair — blue-black and wild.

Her eyes — piercing blue, sharp enough to cut through my soul.

Her scent — daisies.

My mother’s favorite flower.

Strange. Fitting. Dangerous.

I don’t know if she’s real.

But every night she feels closer.

And the idea terrifies me more than any enemy.

My father was powerful, violent, respected — but he was weak for my mother. He loved her too much. Needed her too much. Never raised his voice at her. Never denied her anything.

I’m too much like him.

I sigh. Loud.

Annoyed. Frustrated. Late.

Jessy’s interruption cost me thirty minutes I didn’t have.

I still have a meeting with three local Alphas — rogue attacks have increased, pack members have been killed, and the pattern feels wrong. It feels organized. Targeted. Coordinated.

Something big is coming.

But I can't put my finger on it.

I have to finish my work, attend the meeting, then pretend to be friendly tonight.

Fantastic.

Later

The meeting dragged on, full of too many egos in one room, but at least we have the start of a plan.

Now it’s time for the part I’m dreading:

“Mingling.”

Bonding.

Smiling.

Acting like I’m not one bad conversation away from snapping someone’s neck.

Perfect.

Jacqui POV

I’m so freaking excited.

My big brother is actually coming out with us tonight. Lucas — the Alpha of all Alphas — is going to be in public without a death threat attached to his name. This is monumental.

He needs this.

He needs to relax.

He needs to find his mate.

And no, Jessy does not count. That woman is a walking red flag. She only cares about herself and clings to my brother like a leech.

Though, let’s be honest, Lucas is probably the one doing the using.

Still. He deserves someone who loves him for who he is — not his title.

I can’t stop smiling as I dig through my closet. Something big is going to happen tonight — I can feel it buzzing under my skin. My wolf is restless, excited, dancing with anticipation.

I find the tight pink dress I know Lucas hates.

Perfect.

I shimmy into it, grinning at my reflection, and start dancing around my room.

Tonight feels important.

Fated.

Electric.

Something is coming.

And I can’t wait.