The Alphas Purest Innocent

Chapter 2

Kevin POV

I woke up with a start, the darkness still pressed against the window. A glance at the clock: 3:55 a.m. I smiled. Whether the sleep was good or not, my body was trained to wake five minutes before the alarm. One year of my father waking me in the most brutal ways had drilled that in. The strength I have—every scar and ounce of it—is thanks to the hell he put me through. It made me strong enough to challenge him for the title on my eighteenth birthday… and win.

Funny. If he'd been a kind father, if he'd been loving at all, maybe I wouldn’t have been strong enough to rise. Maybe he’d still be Alpha. Maybe we’d all still be living in fear.

Splashing cold water on my face, I pushed my jet-black hair back, exposing both of my sharp blue eyes. Mental note: I need a haircut. I pulled on training shorts and socks. Most people would freeze in October’s morning chill, but being a wolf had its perks—like running hot.

Outside, I jogged toward the training grounds. A few early risers nodded or waved. Under my father, they would have looked away, trembling. But with me? My omegas smile. They greet me. My father would’ve seen that as weakness. I see it as the core of strength. My beta and I say it often: happy pack, happy Alpha. That joke keeps us sane. And true, if I can’t trust or respect my people, how can I expect the same from them?

At the training grounds, I wasn’t alone—not anymore. It used to be just me out here before 4:30 a.m. But now? Warriors and omegas were already warming up. I grinned. Omegas, on the training field. That would’ve made my father foam at the mouth. But these people earned their place. Some of them were promoted warriors—former omegas who’d fought their way up. Others were still proving themselves, fighting personal demons, or chasing something no one else could see. This pack was healing. But the scars still ran deep.

"You shouldn’t compare our leadership to your father's. We lead with strength and peace. He led with fear and greed. Stop disrespecting us by reliving his reign," my wolf, Deo, scolded.

"Sorry, man. Hard not to," I replied, surprised it was the first I’d heard from him this morning.

I checked my watch. 4:15 a.m. My wolf and my beta were both behind schedule. Irritating.

Opening the mind link, I growled, “You’d think my top men would be here by now. I'm standing here watching omegas outwork you.”

“Yeah, I see them too. That new young omega? He’s something else. We should watch him for advancement. Since he turned sixteen, he’s logged more hours than you and I.” Noctis, my beta, slapped my back as he walked up.

“I’m finalizing arrangements with Dark Moon for Alpha Dawson’s party tonight. I’ll be down in five unless you’d rather I leave it, and we end up sleeping in their garden as wolves. If not, start my group on their miles.” Gamma Mark's sarcasm crackled through the link.

Noctis and I laughed.

“Oh come on, Mark, it can’t be that bad,” Noctis teased.

“You’re late and giggling like schoolgirls,” Mark snapped before cutting the link.

These men. I’d known them since we were twelve. Mark was assigned to me as an omega. Noctis, the son of my father’s beta.

“Alright, everyone!” I barked, starting the day’s training.

Elites: 75 miles and then one-on-one combat, Noctis on their tails.

The skilled group: mostly teens aged 15–17, mixed in with others thanks to our new inclusive policies. Fifty-mile laps, followed by precision attack and defense drills.

Gamma Mark took the newcomers—usually 12 to 15—for basic defense and a 25-mile run.

Training passed quickly. We were sore, spent, and starving. Inside the pack house, Mark updated us on travel arrangements for tonight. Dark Moon Pack had a reputation for cruelty once, until something—or someone—changed their ways. I hadn’t seen enough to judge. But it was Alpha Dawson’s 60th, and all neighboring packs were invited. The last event this size was before I became Alpha.

Still, the timing... it felt off. But maybe it was just a birthday.

We’d be sending 350 unmated members tonight. Maybe some would find their true mates—though I wouldn’t count on it. The last true mate bond in our pack happened three years ago, the same year I rose to Alpha. The same year my father died.

In the dining hall, the smell of breakfast guided me to a buffet. I piled food onto a plate and brought it to my office, reviewing emails from both the human and supernatural worlds. Zehr Inc. was thriving. In three years, we’d erased my father’s debt, rebuilt the company, upgraded our pack, raised wages, and gave omega families their own homes.

People were safe. Happy. Respected. The Blood Moon Pack had become one of the most powerful and respected in North America.

After wrapping up paperwork, I met with my beta and gamma to finalize tonight’s plan.

“That’s about it, Alpha,” Mark said, closing the folder. “Everything is arranged. Should be an eventful night. Sarah’s looking forward to it.”

“Eventful?” I smirked. “I’m hoping someone—maybe even this Alpha—finds their true mate.”

“It’s cruel. Everyone else gets to watch and listen,” Noctis groaned dramatically.

Mark laughed—and blushed.

“You know what’s f--ked up?” I muttered. “My gamma, ex-omega, blushing ‘cause the beta said sex.”

We all burst out laughing.

Truth is, I don’t mind the idea of a mate. But a true mate? That’s off the table. My gamma and his mate Sarah were living proof of what that bond could be—joy, love, power. But that wasn’t in the cards for me.

I headed upstairs to clean up before leaving for Dark Moon. Mind-linked an omega to bring my new Audi R8 to the front and toss my bag in the trunk.

The drive was peaceful—mountains rolling, sky stretching. I wondered why I didn’t let Deo run. It was only two hours, but he’d have liked the air.

“I’m still exhausted from last night and patrol. Thanks, though,” Deo yawned.

“That exhausts you now?” I raised an eyebrow.

“Says the guy winded from writing emails,” he shot back with a wolfish laugh.

I rolled my eyes. “We need to stay alert tonight, just in case.”

“Always. But if you really want strength, find our mate. That’ll do it. I’ll even stop whining.”

My hands tightened on the wheel.

“We don’t need a mate. We need a Luna. A true mate is a distraction. A curse. One that could destroy this pack.”

Deo growled softly but said nothing. I continued, more bitter now. “We’ve been over this. Our mother cursed us before Father killed her. Even as her son, she banned me from the bond. Our true mate? She doesn’t exist.”

Deo whimpered quietly.

“What is with everyone and true mates today?” I muttered, frustrated.

As I entered Dark Moon territory, their guards nodded. I gave a respectful tilt of my head and drove on. Almost to the pack house, I pulled over. Deo wanted a breath of fresh air before the suffocation of a room full of Alphas.

Then it hit me.

What the hell.

I froze.

That smell—fruit and vanilla. But not just any vanilla. Something divine. No perfume could make this scent. It was primal. Beautiful. Powerful. My mouth watered. Deo’s head snapped around, searching.

I stood there, breathing in and out. My body reacted instantly—hard, tense. Adjusting my pants with a growl, I opened my eyes and scanned for the source.

Then I saw it.

A wolf.

But not like any I’d seen before.

Not black, grey, brown. Not even the rare white.

This one was pink and gold.

I blinked.

Gone.

“What was that?” Deo whispered, dazed.

“I have no idea…” I murmured.

“I feel... enchanted,” he said, humming softly.

“Enchanted?” I repeated, still adjusting myself, still trying to make sense of what the hell just happened.

I’ve known lust. I’ve taken lovers. But I’ve never smelled something that brought me to my knees in seconds.

I climbed back into the car, heart pounding, body still reacting, mind racing.

Whatever—or whoever—that was, I had to find her again.