The Alpha’s Only Daughter

Chapter 3

Layla’s POV

Not much had happened since Monday when I had lunch with Cami. Lou had taken over patrol scheduling from James and started doubling up on the night patrol shifts and shortened the perimeter.

I knew I would be restless the night before my birthday and decided to sign up for a patrol shift.

I connected to Lou via mind-link asking him to come to the Alpha’s office for a moment.

A knock came at the door.

“You may enter,” I called out.

“You needed something, Layla?” Lou was a tall werewolf. Taller than most, which was part of the reason why I considered him as my beta even though I would never be the one to choose this pack’s beta. He was strong, tall, and he would be an excellent addition to the leadership of this pack.

“Yes, I would like you to replace someone on patrol tonight and add me to the shift.”

Lou looked down at me sitting at the Alpha’s desk, “Are you sure?”

I stiffened. It was infuriating, but I felt that sometimes I had to remind the pack that I was capable of things that any other normal she-wolf is capable of. In fact, in some ways, I was more capable. I was the tallest woman in our pack standing at 6’1” and by far the best trained.

I looked up at him and growled through my teeth, “Why would I be unsure of protecting my pack’s territory?”

Lou sat down in front of the desk. He was good at calming a situation down before it got out of hand. Another good Beta quality.

“I only ask because you are our last hope for the continuation of this pack as it currently is,” he paused and sighed. “I know there is pressure for you to find your mate and be the perfect Luna to him and our pack. But right now you are playing the role of the Alpha and this pack cannot afford to lose you.”

I softened and closed my eyes. I had no right to be mad at Lou. He never questioned my abilities, he was merely concerned for the pack. I should not have doubted his intentions.

“Tell you what. I can add you to the patrol for tonight, but I won’t replace someone else. That way you can protect while also having some serious back-up.” When I opened my eyes, Lou was looking at me with compassion and understanding. He knew when to give in to my demands.

I nodded lightly, “Thank you, Lou.”

“I’m on patrol too, so I will see you at 7:00pm,” he stood up again, “Is there anything else you needed, Layla?”

I shook my head, “Not right now.”

He bowed his head in a nod and left the room.

•••

I made sure to get a little sleep before the patrol as I knew I wouldn’t get a full night of sleep when the patrol ended in the morning due to the duties I had to fill as acting-Alpha before my birthday celebration that night.

When I awoke, I threw on my sports bra, some running shorts, and my tennis shoes and grabbed my cinch bag. I headed to the kitchen and grabbed an apple before heading outside to the tree line where the patrol was meeting. As I approached I saw Lou talking with the rest of the patrol.

“Tonight we’ll be joined by our future Luna on the eve of her 18th birthday. I can’t stress this enough, if an attack happens, protect her at all costs.” He looked over at me as I approached with my eyebrow disapprovingly arched, “Though I doubt she will need it.”

The others laughed and nodded. Cami and I had grown up with Lou, he had always been funny and easy to get along with. Somehow I had never imagined that he would be her mate someday. Though the connection made sense.

I moved over behind a tree, removed my clothes and put them into the cinch bag and hung it on the broken branch on the tree as I always did.

I shifted into my wolf form, a tri-colored shaggy beast, much bigger than my she-wolf counterparts. I always assumed it was my Alpha blood that made me so much bigger than the rest.

Looking at my pack members, I recognized Theresa who we also grew up with. Tom and Brad who were older stood off to the side awaiting instructions. I sent a mind-link to Lou and the rest of the patrol, Do not forget that we are shortening our perimeter. I do not want to lose any of you, so stay with someone at all times.

The rest of the patrol agreed. We began our run.

Lou’s brown wolf bound ahead of the rest while I took the rear to decide which way I would go when the time came. As we approached the edge of our new perimeter, Lou and Tom went east while Theresa and Brad went west. I planned on going west before feeling something in my soul jerk. I skidded to a stop. My heart rate increased and I looked around frantically. Something was calling to me, though nothing spoke. I felt an intense yearning and desire burning throughout my body. I whimpered.

Layla, are you okay? Should I turn around? Lou’s concerned mind-link tore my concentration away from what stopped me.

I shook the shiver off of my body, I’m okay, I’m heading west now.

Trotting gently in the direction that Theresa and Brad had gone, I went slowly in case I felt or heard something again. Whatever it was would not leave my mind. I felt the tug as if I was tethered to this unknown source.

When the patrol ended a few hours later, the moment was still on my mind.

Good work tonight everyone. I’m glad to see everyone intact. Lou’s eyes scanned everyone else’s eyes before landing on mine. And may I be the first to say, “Happy Birthday” to our future Luna.

I snorted in appreciation.

See everyone tonight at the celebration, be safe until then. Lou disconnected from the group.

The new patrol was getting ready for their run already in their wolf forms as I went back to the tree where I left my things to shift back.

I shifted from my wolf form into my human form and got dressed before coming out from behind the tree. But I felt something watching me as I headed back to the others. I scanned the landscape to see if I could notice anything out of the ordinary, wishing I had been in wolf form as I noticed this mysterious presence so I could sniff them out. Was this a part of what I felt earlier..?

My thoughts were interrupted as Lou came jogging up to me “Is everything okay?”

I brushed him off and said, “I’m just tired. I’m going to go back to get some sleep.”

“See you tonight!” He started jogging back to the pack house.

I looked back into the forest wondering what it was that I felt before heading back myself.