The Queen Alpha

Wolf’s Play

(Emma)

Kara and I spend the day getting pampered in town. First our nails, then our hair shampooed and trimmed at the salon. Kara disappears briefly to get her dress tailored but returns in time for our crowns to be fitted. It feels so great to meet the pack members and socialize with them all, so far they’ve all seem taken with me.

It’s nearly time to go to the Crest and greet the guests that have started pooling in last minute. Kara and I head home to change into some cocktail dresses. Trying to pick something that won’t draw much attention but still command the room, Kara picks a white satin gown that’s snug to her body, stopping just above her knees. She pairs it with white heels and diamond jewelry. Seeing her in this dress, I’m completely convinced she was sculpted by a Greek artist.

I step out of the bathroom in a cherry red evening gown that goes down to my ankles, the neckline is loose and exposes my cleavage. My outfit is monochrome, shoes and jewelry all in the same shade of red, as well as my lipstick. Kara’s hair is straight and flows down her shoulders like always and mine is curled slightly to frame my round cheeks. “You ready?” She asks and I pick my jaw up long enough to answer. Instead of walking, we take the car around to the entrance and slip into the ballroom through a back hallway, the same one Kara comforted me on not so many days ago. We say hello to the ones that have been here since the beginning of the week first, asking if they’ve enjoyed their stay and the activities I had planned for them. Next we move symbiotically to the front door and greet the guests that just got here.

They all seem to blend together and Kara speaks to each one in the same voice, her face tight and expressionless. I however, am complimenting other Luna’s left and right, asking where each one is from and trying my hardest to stand out. Suddenly I see two familiar faces I hadn’t prepared myself for. Jeremy and Susan come up to say hello.

“Hello again Princess Kara. Emma, you look stunning tonight. I hope you don’t mind that we came in place of Carter, after his breakup he didn’t want to make things awkward but I thought since we’re allies now, someone from my pack should be here to congratulate you.” Jeremy clears his throat nervously. He’s come to make sure his son didn’t f**k anything up, I assume.

Susan pats her husbands chest. “Oh come now dear, there’s no need to lie. Carter is home, he was too busy f*****g his new mate. Such a sweet girl, they just met but he’s already crazy about her.” She smirks as my face blushes with embarrassment.

Kara holds my hand. “Yes I’m glad he’s found his mate, hopefully she doesn’t bruise easily, he seems to enjoy hitting women.”

“Don’t you insult my son like that.” Susan snaps and Kara maintains a cold stare.

“Don’t come into my pack and try to get a rise out of my mate. She’s done nothing to deserve your hatred, and if you don’t respect my mate your husband will end up leaving without his.”

Susan tosses her gaze up to her husband, who has now started sweating. “You’re going to let some girl talk to me like that?”

Jeremy looks down at his wife. “Darling, watch yourself. We shouldn’t insult our host or her mate.” He turns to Kara. “I apologize for my wife’s behavior. It was a long flight and she’s not herself.”

“Yes we’ll hopefully she’s able to rest and be more respectful. The secretary will give you your room assignment.” Kara gives him a slight nod and turns on her heel, dismissing them both and pulling me with her.

Kara surprises me by pushing me against a wall, and whispers softly to me. “Do you want me to kill them both? I’ll give you that b***h’s head. It’d make a nice cookie jar.”

I look into her eyes and realize whose in control right now. “Keira that’s very.. thoughtful of you, but I’m fine. Let’s just enjoy ourselves. Today is about you becoming queen tomorrow.”

Taking my face in her hands, she kisses me gently, reminding me that I am her mate and she will always protect me.

After she’s finished, I look up at her with so much love and devotion her mask falters and she smiles at me. “Let’s go mingle kitten, I want to see which of my business partners have shown up.” She guides me towards the crowd that’s gathered for happy hour at the bar.

We make small talk for a while, she introduces me to so many people from all over the world, mainly Russians and Scottish folk. I can’t help but keeping an eye on Jeremy and Susan. Susan being here in my new home makes my blood boil. She finds any chance to make me miserable and I’ll never understand why.

Jeremy sees me watching them and begins to approach us. Crap.

“Emma you look incredible.” He says sheepishly. “Can I ask you to dance?”

I look at Kara who is waiting for my response. “Yes that’s fine, one dance, I have a lot of business to attend to this evening.” I tell him and kiss Kara’s hand, whispering that I’ll be fine.

Jeremy and I walk out to the dance floor and he takes my hand in his, placing his other on the small of my back. We dance in silence for a few seconds before he speaks. “So the Princess is your mate? Is that why you left Carter?”

I nod. “Yes she is, but I would’ve left Carter anyway, he was very cruel to me. You’re part of the reason I stayed. Then you betrayed me as well.” The last part came out colder than I had meant.

“I thought I was protecting you by arranging your marriage. Witches are looked down upon so much and I wanted you to have a position of power.” He tells me.

“I was talking about covering up all his affairs. You arranged for Carter to start dating me?” A lump in my throat forms at the realization Carter never wanted to be with me in the first place, no wonder he was so mean. I knew that Jeremy had approved deeply of our relationship but I didn’t realize he had set it up.

Jeremy curses under his breath. “Emma, from the day you and your mother showed up at our pack looking for safety, I loved you. Susan refused to have anymore children and I had always dreamed of a daughter. You were so sweet and kind. I want you to know I will always see you as my daughter and will do anything I can to make you happy. If this pack is what makes you happy, then that’s all I want for you.” He smiles gently at me, before his face falls again. “Is what the Princess said true? Did my son hurt you?”

A part of me wants to protect him from his son’s sins. But he deserves the truth, he needs to know the man he’s handing off his title to. “Carter is a bomb waiting to go off Jeremy. He would be nice then switch in an instant. His mental a***e was worse than the physical. I think a lot of that is his wolf but if I were you I would keep an eye on what he and your wife have planned for your pack.”

Jeremy nods subtly, aware that Susan is watching us, her eyes squinting with irritation. “I wish you the best Emma, good luck with this family. I hope they treat you better than mine.” He kisses me cheek and let’s go of me to join Susan, leaving me alone on the dance floor. Tears sting at my eyes as I watch him go, this will probably be the last time I see him.

I can sense Kara’s presence behind me before she even places her hand on my hip. “Are you okay?” Her voice gives me peace.

I turn and wrap my arms around her neck, settling my face against her collar bone. “I’m fine babe, goodbyes hurt sometimes.” She embraces me and we sway together in the music until the song ends, then she kisses me and excuses herself to go talk with some more clients. It amazes me how many different companies she owns and manages, I could never do that. A thought pops into my head; what will my job be now? I ponder different options. Kara would support me no matter what I chose. I could be her secretary, although I’m not sure how much I’d enjoy doing that forever. I could be in charge of keeping the pack functioning, planning events and dinners like a Luna usually does. Or maybe I should be a history teacher for all the children here. The pack is large and I could teach grade school kids their history.

Darlene’s cat call reins in my wandering mind and I turn to face her just in time for a suffocating hug. “I’ve been looking everywhere for you! I came to ask you if you wanted to stay at my place tonight? That way Anthony and Kara can go out running, I know she doesn’t show it, but Kara’s so nervous about tomorrow. She needs to get out and let her wolf free. Plus you don’t want her to see you in your dress until you’re on stage.”

“As long as Kara’s fine with it, we can do that.” Together we find Kara and like a couple of school girls ask if it’s alright that we have a sleepover.

After Kara agrees, we both kiss our significant others goodbye and leave so we can stop at my house and get all the things I’ll need.

I run inside while Darlene stays in her vehicle and grab everything we bought for tomorrow. Next we stop at a burger joint to drown ourselves in greasy fries and grilled meat. After devouring our dinner, we drive back out towards the Crest, turning on a dirt road not far from my house. An adorable cottage comes into view and two huskies wait on the porch, their tails wagging in sync.

The larger one with a black and white coat rushes to the door to greet Darlene, while the smaller gray and white one approaches me slowly. The dogs belly is swollen and round. “Oh my goodness these dogs are adorable, are they both yours?” I ask, petting the dog gently on its side.

“Yes that one is Luna and this big boy is Max. Luna’s due for her pups any day now.” Luna licks my hand tentatively and I stroke her back.

“Can I have one of the puppies?” I ask, surprising myself and Darlene.

“Oh my gosh yes absolutely! You can have them all!” She squeals as she opens her front door, letting me and the dogs inside her home.

“Let’s just start with one.” I smile sweetly at her enthusiasm.

Everything about the living room screams southern comfort. The peach candles and warm colors are no doubt Darlene’s choices.

“Why I do declare if it wasn’t colder than a popsicle in an icebox outside I would’ve guessed we were in the Deep South.” I say, mimicking a thick southern accent.

She swats my arm. “Oh you stop that, I want Kaylee to know she’s got a little fire and ice in her veins.”

We change into our pajamas and get comfortable on her couch, the dogs laying on either side of us. “This is the best way to end a long day. A good movie, hot chocolate and my dogs to keep us warm.” Darlene kisses Max on his head. I must’ve fallen asleep because I wake up to her gently tapping my shoulder, offering me a pillow and blanket. I accept them and snuggle into her couch before drifting back to sleep, Luna curled up by feet.

(Kara) Emma went to stay with Darlene, so Anthony and I decided that our wolves needed to get some tension out of their system before tomorrow. Keira doesn’t even let me change out of my dress before leaping into the woods, taking her true form with ease. Her feet dig into the cold dirt and our lungs expand, taking quick, deep breaths so we can push ourselves further and harder, running until she catches a whiff of Akna, Anthony’s human scent still fresh on him.

(Keira) I slow down and lower myself so I’m close to the ground and hidden by the brush. I move silently through the forest, his scent getting stronger and the wind working in my favor by blowing his smell towards me but keeping mine hidden from him.

Finally I see his dense red coat and find him at the creek. Akna’s back is to me and I have the perfect strike. Readying myself, I spring out of the brush and land directly on his back, knocking him completely off balance and sending us both flying into the water. He rolls with expert precision and shoves my entire body under the water, my back pressed into the sharp rocks in the creek bed. I have no choice but to let go of the mouthful of fur I have and scramble to get my head above water.

Akna uses this to his advantage and the second I’m able to get my foot he plows into my ribs and once again I’m knocked off my feet. He’s kicking your a*s. Kara mocks and I growl at her and Akna both. Akna c***s his head, thinking we’re done but I’m not ready to accept loss yet. I leap forward once again, aiming for his legs, but at the last second I side step him and shoulder check his massive frame, knocking him over and giving me time to sprint further into the forest.

My lungs burn with each breath of Alaskan air and I push myself harder and harder until I can no longer hear my beta running behind me. I take this opportunity to hide behind a rock and lay in wait for him, my paws trembling at the excitement of our game. We play this sort of hide and seek for a good portion of the night before we decide it’s time to head home and get a few hours of sleep to get ready for the celebration.