The Queen Alpha

The Morning After

(Kara)

After Misera’s story, the pack felt even more excited about Emma and I’s mate bond. Everyone grabbed another drink or something else to eat and got back in their seats for another story. Arrow, one of the other elders took his place in the center of us. He told the story of how our ancestors had to leave the mountains and find our home down here in the valley. After Arrow went the other elders, all with stories important to our history. With Each story I became progressively more intoxicated. Emma continuously fed me beers and as the night went on I felt myself relaxing, occasionally even laughing at someone’s joke.

Finally it seemed like all the elders had spoke except for my father. He hiccups heavily and shakes his massive head. “I think I’m going to skip my story tonight.” Dad slurs.

Arrow smacks him on the shoulder. “Oh come on Alpha, tell these pups how you became Jorah The Bear Killer.”

A lump forms in my throat as I realize it’s time to hear about the worst day of my life.

My father shakes his head. “Not tonight Arrow, I’m not feeling up to reliving my wife’s death.” He glares down at his friend who quickly drops the topic.

Everyone finishes their drinks and food and starts packing things up for the night. I try to stand up to help but my head is spinning and I have to lean on Emma to keep from falling over. “I think I might’ve drank to much.” I whisper into her ear and she giggles. Gods she’s so f*****g cute.

“I think your right, let’s see if Anthony can help me get your butt home.” Emma wanders off to find Anthony and I stay seated on my log like Emma asked.

Felix comes to sit next me. “You doing alright Alpha? You’re kinda swaying side to side.”

I look at the boy. His cherub cheeks are flushed from the frigid night air and his smile is soft. “You’re a good kid Felix, I’m proud to have you as my Gamma. You’ll never disappoint me and protect my Luna with your life, won’t you? She’s so very important to me.”

He laughs and blushes. “Of course I’ll take care of her Alpha, I’m going to be her sworn protector and I’ll lay my life down for her. I think we should get you home soon, you’re still smiling and honestly, it’s kinda freaking me out.”

I wrap my arm around his shoulders and Felix flinches. “Relax pup, I’m not going to hurt you. I just want you to know I love you like a brother. And if my mother hadn’t died I’d like to imagine my brother in her belly would’ve been a lot like you.”

I start to ramble on but Felix shocks me by pulling me into a hug. “Thank you Kara. That means more to me than anything you’ve ever said before.” I tense for a second but embrace him back. When I open my eyes I find that Emma is back with Anthony and they both look as if they’ve seen a ghost.

Letting go of Felix, I shove his shoulder. “You still need more practice though, you fight like a girl.”

His lips curl as he stands to leave. “I should hope so, every girl I know can kick some serious ass.” With that he says goodnight to Emma and Anthony and leaves.

“Anthony! You’ve come to drink with me haven’t you?” I smile lazily at him and tip the last of my drink back. “We’re going to need more beer.”

Anthony raises an eyebrow. “How much did you give her? I’ve never seen her this drunk.”

Emma shrugs, her own buzz throwing her balance off and she sways slightly. “I don’t know I gave her some of this, some of that, you know how it goes. Can you help me get her home?”

Anthony leans down so he’s eye level with me. “Kara, Emma wants me to help you home. I know how important it is to you that they never see you weak, so I’m going to need you to give Keira control.”

It’s about time. Keira hums in my head. I groan and put my head in my hands. “Great Anthony, you woke her up. I was finally getting some peace and quiet.”

I close my eyes and let myself drift backwards into my head while Keira graciously takes over.

………………………………………………………

I wake up in my bed, my head pounding and feeling as if I took too many rides on a carousal. Trying to comfort myself, I roll over to cuddle Emma, but I’m met with an empty bed instead. I frown, hoping Keira didn’t say anything to upset her. Oh f**k off I didn’t do anything but get your sorry a*s home. Keira grumbles at me.

Rolling my eyes internally at my wolf, I pull myself slowly into a sitting position. Emma must’ve helped me into some pajamas because I’m no longer in the clothes I wore last night, but instead in one of her graphic tee shirts and my underwear.

A pan clanks from downstairs and I get up, wrapping a throw blanket over my shoulders to go investigate.

I find Emma dancing around the kitchen, cooking eggs and toast. It smells fantastic but my sensitive stomach curls and I take a slow breath to force the nausea back down. “Good morning sleepy head. I was wondering when you’d get up.” Emma sings to me. I smile sheepishly at her and take a seat at the table. She places a piece of buttered toast in front of me. “Eat this first and make sure your stomach can handle food before I fix you a plate.” She instructs and toddles off to finish breakfast. I take a slow bite and let out a sigh of relief when my body doesn’t reject it.

Next she places a cup of orange juice and ibuprofen down for me, along with a heaping plate of cheesy scrambled eggs and six slices of bacon. “Don’t even argue, I know how much you wolves eat.”

I chuckle at her. “You also seem like you know a lot about hangovers.”

She shrugs. “When you spend most of your high school being bullied, you learn ways to numb yourself.” My heart aches with hers as she remembers those awful, lonely feelings. “But mostly I just smoke pot and it keeps me relaxed. Do you guys have any of that around here?” She sort of whispers the last part as if the FBI is going to show up.

I shrug. “You could see if Felix knows anyone, I don’t smoke, it’s not good for my lungs.” I had tried it once but it was very hard to run afterwards.

“So Felix is my Gamma, right?” She questions and sits next to me with her own plate.

“Yes, he’ll be sworn in tomorrow to protect you and any children we have.” I immediately regret what I just said when I see the surprise on her face. “ I’m sorry, I didn’t mean we’ll have any kids. I was just saying that because that’s the usual role they have..” I frantically look for a way to change the topic.

“Do you want kids Kara?” Emma looks in my eyes and I feel something I’m not used to; fear. Don’t say the wrong thing, dummy. Keira sneers.

Swallowing my food, I search her eyes for the right answer. “I’m not sure, it’d be a rather complicated thing for us to figure out. Plus I’d have to share you with a tiny person.” She snickers at my desperate attempt to give her an answer that would match hers.

“I don’t think I want kids. But I don’t not want them, I just don’t want them anytime soon. My life feels like it just started. But we don’t have to worry about that now, let’s talk about the coronation tomorrow.” She places her hand over mine, providing me comfort.

We go over all the things that need done today; our hair, nails, final decisions for the ceremony, which will be held in the courtyard since the ballroom is way too small to fit all of our guests. Ugh, guests. I’ll have to go down to the main building and introduce myself. Hopefully tonight Anthony and I can go out together for a run to shake off any nerves.

I kiss her on the cheek and go upstairs for a shower, inviting her to go with me but she says no, that we’re not having s*x until tomorrow night, so we can spend all night together. My core clenches at the thought of all the things I’m going to do to her, starting with marking her.