The Alpha’s claimed obsession

I pulled the hood of my jacket up, hiding my almost white blonde hair. It was a small precaution, but a necessary one. Even in my human form, I was different and being different was my least favorite thing. The wind carried the scent of pine and earth as I walked through the narrow streets of our pack’s small town. The cobblestone roads were lined with old houses, their wooden shutters rattling softly. A few people bustled about, some gathering supplies, others heading toward the little cafés scattered throughout the town. The air always carried a faint sweetness like sugar and smoke thanks to the cafes. It made the town feel sweeter than it really was. Peaceful, sure. But I never quite fit here. Like a puzzle piece hammered into the wrong box. The café at the corner of the street was my favorite place, a quiet escape where I could pretend to be just another girl in the pack. As I stepped inside, the warmth of fresh bread and spiced tea wrapped around me like a comforting embrace. A familiar voice called out from behind the counter. “El! You’ve been out of reach for some time now. What’s up?” I turned to see Griffin, my childhood friend. I watched him from across the counter, captivated by the quiet focus in his eyes. His dark brown hair fell slightly over his face, a little messy but effortlessly charming. He wore a light blue button-up shirt, the sleeves rolled up just enough to reveal the veins along his forearms as he held the kettle. A dark apron with leather straps hugged his frame, with a small patch stitched onto the front. He moved with such care, slowly pouring hot water from the gooseneck kettle into the dripper. The steam curled up, catching the light as it rose, but he didn’t seem to notice, too focused on the coffee blooming beneath his hands. The café around us felt warm and quiet, filled with the soft hum of conversation and the comforting scent of roasted beans. It was like watching a scene from a film, simple, yet impossible to look away from. He leaned against the counter, wiping his hands on a towel, his dark curls falling into his eyes. “I had a lot on my mind,” I admitted, sliding onto a stool. Griffin arched a brow. “More nightmares?” I hesitated. “Not nightmares. Just… the usual.” The usual was the weight of a thousand thoughts pressing against my chest. The questions I couldn’t ask. The truths I wasn’t ready to face. “What are the usual?”…..he asked looking at me expectantly. “I wish I could explain better, but I can’t” That wasn’t a lie but it’s not exactly the truth. I really do wish I could explain better, even to myself. “Okay, if you ever feel like talking I’m right here” he assured me. “What about the painting you’ve been working on, I’m so eager to see it. You done?” Griffin asked excitement evident in his eyes. I loved art. Art was a part of me. Drawing made me feel alive, another reason to keep going. And the fact that someone was excited to see my work just made me happy. “I’m not done with it yet” I said. “Umm okay” “My tea?” I asked smiling sheepishly at him. Griffin didn’t push, though I knew he wanted to. Instead, he handed me a cup of tea and changed the subject. “So, you ready for the pack run tonight? Everyone’s going.” My stomach twisted. The full moon meant the pack would shift together, running through the woods as one. But for me, things were different. I’m wolfless. My wolf had only appeared once in my life. I could still remember the horror in my parents face when they saw my all white fur. And that was it. I sometimes can’t help but feel like it was their instant rejection that made her hide. “I might sit this one out,” I said carefully. Griffin sighed, resting his chin on his hand. “You always do. One of these days, people are going to start asking why.” They already did. My parents had done their best to keep the questions at bay, crafting excuses, making sure I was never forced into situations where I might reveal too much. But their control was slipping. I finished my tea quickly, the feeling of unease crawling over my skin. “I should get home. My parents will be waiting.” Griffin nodded, though I could tell he wanted to say more. I offered him a small smile before stepping out of the café, bracing myself for the stares that always seemed to follow me. I moved through the streets, keeping my head down. It wasn’t until I neared my house that I noticed something strange. My father was standing outside, speaking in hushed tones with a group of older pack members. I mean, they always visit father for important business but there was something different about today and I could feel it in my bones. Their expressions were tense, their gazes flicking toward me before quickly looking away. My mother, usually the first to greet me, wasn’t outside. I slowed my steps, listening. “…she’s not like us,” one of the elders said. My father’s voice was tight. “She’s my daughter.” A scoff. “You took her in. That doesn’t make her yours.” My breath caught in my throat. I’d always known I was adopted. But to hear them talk about me like I was an outsider, like I wasn’t meant to be here, sent a sharp pang through my chest. “We’ve protected her for years,” my father continued, his voice quieter now. “We agreed……” “That was before the rumors,” another elder interrupted. “Before people started asking questions. You can’t keep pretending she’s normal.” I backed away, my heartbeat thundering in my ears. They were talking about me. And for the first time, I realized my father wasn’t arguing that they were wrong. I hate to admit it but that broke my heart. Later that night, I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. I could hear the muffled voices of my parents downstairs, arguing about something I couldn’t quite make out. But I already knew what it was. The truth was clawing its way to the surface. And soon, I wouldn’t be able to hide anymore. I shut my eyes tight in an attempt to block out their voices. Sometimes I can’t help but wish I could runaway away to somewhere no one knows me and start a new. Go to high school and become a famous artist. But that was just a dream because so as long as l lived here I’ll forever be a nobody. Life has never been fair to me I thought I as drifted off to dreamland.