Alpha's Chosen

9

Cole's POV

"I'm coming" she says firmly, but I can see in her eyes her mind is still wavering.

"You don't have to" I reply softly, before looking behind me to see Trent leaning a little closer.

I swear, he's a great warrior, but his need to know everything drives me to near destruction.

I slam the truck door hard behind me, hoping Trent will get the hint without me having to spell it out for him.

I sigh as I turn back to Meredith, again speaking softly as I reassure "You don't have anything to prove".

Meredith looks down, seeming to rethink her options, but surprises me as she looks back up with more determination than before.

"Yes I do" is all she firmly says before opening the back door and getting in.

I, too, get back in, hearing her now behind me dismissing her father's guide. But not before forcing him to swear secrecy, that he has not seen her, for even a moment.

But looking at the poor guy, I can see already he would tumble like a house of cards if the Alpha even breathes his way.

Proving he is not the dumbest guy, he shakes his head immediately, bowing to his young Luna before exiting the vehicle.

Trent scoffs beside me, laughing as he remarks "full of bravery that one, hey".

I give Trent a look before nodding my head to the adjacent car.

"What? Really?" Trent says in an almost whinge.

I don't even answer him, only holding out my hand until he drops the keys into it.

"You wanna ride back there or up front?" I ask over my shoulder as Trent jumps out with a huff. Meredith climbs over the chair dividing us as I slip into the drivers seat, placing on her seat belt before smiling at me as she asks "he's not your favorite, is he?".

I shrug "He's a good warrior, great in fact".

"Just too chatty?" Meredith smirks.

I give a single nod as I agree “sort of” before starting the engine and getting our trip started.

After some minutes of silence, Meredith looks over at me again, her eyes glowing with mischief as she asks "Are you going to kick me out too if I talk too much?".

I give her a look before turning my attention back to the road as I answer "no".

She seems to lose her nerve then, allowing the roar of the engine to become the only sound between us.

We are around half way there, only simple instructions leaving her lips thus far as she holds her arms tight against her body.

I glance over to study her delicate features and my suspicions are confirmed as I see the creases of worry written between her brows.

"What are you thinking?" I ask near automatically before catching myself and turning back to the road before she can see my eyes on her.

"Nothing" she shrugs the lie, pulling her knees up to hug tight against her chest as she continues to look out the window.

"Truth" I order instinctively.

But as she turns, eyebrows raised I realize my mistake.

She isn't one of my wolves.

"I apologize.." I begin as she interrupts, "Fair's fair. You can ask me a question, but you need to answer one in return. Oh, and no follow up questions allowed either".

I am about to decline but then I notice the change in her features, her knees now released as she wiggles back into a more relaxed seated position, her brow no longer furrowed but rather curious as she looks over at me.

"Fine" I nod "Fair's fair but you first".

"What am I thinking?" she asks to confirm.

I nod.

"Wellllll" she breathes..... "I was just thinking how much my father's going to rip me to pieces should I come back in one that is".

I am about to respond when she gives me a look reminding me 'no follow up questions'.

“Mmmmmmm” she hums while she thinks, obviously seemingly wanting to make the most of her question.

"Did you always want to be an Alpha?" she asks.

I nod, no doubt, no hesitation. "Kind of built for it too" I add, earning her soft chuckle of reply before she looks out the window as more trees pass.

"How old are you?" I ask, wanting to keep her worry at bay.

"Twenty.... well, in six days I'll be twenty" she replies, her hair flipping over her shoulder as she turns back to me, her scent traveling with it too.

I open my window, flexing my neck as I try to ignore the scent, the curiosities rising within.

"What about you?" she asks, rolling her eyes at my questioning look.

"It's not a follow up question since you asked me. Fairs fair" she smiles, her eyes alight with mischief, a look I wish she'd always wear.

"Twenty four..... twenty five ... next year" I reply, subtly teasing her need to be older, a smirk pulling at her lips as I do.

"How long have you been Alpha for?" she asks before I tut in reply.

"Fine... your turn" she rolls her eyes playfully, her spirit so carefree from the woman whom sat beside me mere minutes ago.

"Have you trained?" I ask, wondering just how cautious George has been these years.

"Who exactly is a wolfless wolf meant to train with?" she huffs out a laugh.

"Too weak for wolves, too strong for humans.... not that I've ever met humans".

"You've never...".

"Ah" she cuts me off quickly.

"Four years" I answer before continuing on with my own question.

"You've never met a human?".

"In case you didn't notice, I don't really get out much" she says a sadness in her eyes that doesn't at all match her smile.

A silence threatens to linger, Meredith sensing it too, a long breathe leaving her before she shifts the conversation.

"Do you have a Luna?".

"Yes" I reply, Ares scoffing as I do.

I fall into a well danced back and forth with my wolf only being pulled form it as Meredith says quietly, "There's a sharp left coming up.... just there".

I nod, Ares withdrawing as I do.

"We should be there soon".

"You've been before?" I ask, Meredith shaking her head as I do.

"You?" she replies.

"Not for a while...." I breathe, trying not to remember the last time I was.

The gates appear before me, pulling me from my thoughts.... we're finally here... and it's beautiful.

The devastation obvious but the signs of life also beginning to return a beauty all of its own.

I open my window further, the sound of the forest breaking through as the car slows.

"Can you hear them?" I ask.

"Hear what?" she frowns as I internally scold myself for the stupid question.

"There's wolves, true wolves, about ten miles that way.... they are calling home, dinner found for today".

"How.... how can you tell?" she asks.

I shrug, not ready to bore her with the dreary story of how much Ares looks the wolf pack back home.

“F*ck” I whisper, my smile falling as my eyes focus back on the scene before me... the devastation before me.

“Yeah” Meredith breathes, “not exactly a small job. . . But we have the Embry pack arriving tomorrow and Red lake have already started on the worst affected areas”.

I breathe out a sigh, nodding as I convince myself that we can do this before pulling the car to a stop and jumping out, waiting for Meredith to join me before leading us into the packhouse.