The Secret Alpha

Chapter 1

Tonight, is the night I have waited 18 years for, my first shift. I am a little nervous about the pain of course but everyone had told me it was only the first time. Despite my fears, my desire to meet my wolf makes my heart race with excitement.

“Are you ok Victoria?” Vincent can always tell what I am feeling, but of course the same went for me. I could always feel what my twin brother was feeling too.

“Yes Vinny, I’m just a little nervous about my first shift is all.” I sip my coffee and look around the pack diner, noticing it is rather busy today. Of course, with my brother and I being the Alpha’s eldest children, tonight will be a rather large celebration. Not only will it be our first shift but my brother will swear his oath to our people and formally accept the title of next Alpha.

“You won’t be alone Vicky. I’ll be there with you for the entire process.” We smile and nod at an older man who wishes us happy birthday.

“I know, I’m just afraid my wolf won’t like me. I know it’s silly to think that way, but I can’t help it. I’ve waited a long time to meet her and I’ll be devastated if she doesn’t.” He chuckles and pushes his unruly ashen white hair back off his forehead.

“You always worry about the weirdest stuff. She has been picked by the Moon Goddess just for you.” His green eyes sparkled every time he talked about the Moon Goddess. I reach out and grab a strand of my wavy hair, the same pale color as my brothers, and twirl it around my finger.

“You’re right, I know. I need to stop worrying so much. How are you feeling? You have to take your oath tonight.” He flashes me a smile that I can tell is forced.

“I’m fine, dad helped me practice my lines. It’s gonna be no problem.” He knows better than to try and hide his feelings from me.

“You’re going to make everyone proud Vinny. I think you’ll be the greatest Alpha that The Rain Moon Pack has ever seen.” I genuinely believe Vincent will achieve great things for him and our pack.

“Shut up.” He hates when I brag him up but I cant resist, I am proud of him.

“OK, let’s get out of here and get our bags set up.” We have to pick formal attire for the oath ceremony as well as a change of clothes set up along the tree line for when we return from our first run.

I throw money on the table and stand up at the same time as Vinny. He looks every bit the part of Alpha already, towering over me at 6 ft 6in. I myself still towered over the other she-wolves at 5ft 9in but I feel small in Vinny’s presence. We both train with our father and the pack on a regular basis so of course we both are in good shape but my twin has the build of a true Alpha.

“After you, b****es first as always.” He smiles and bows dramatically.

“F**k off loser.” I stride past him with my head held high but make sure to ‘accidentally’ shoulder check him.

The pack house is a quick walk away from the diner so we make it to the main entrance in no time at all. Just before we open the front door he stops and gives me a very serious look.

“Ok Vicky the plan is to get inside and make a run for our rooms before anyone stops us. Do you understand?” I nod once in response and he flings the door open and rushes inside. The smell of breakfast in full swing hits my sensitive nose all at once.

“S**t. They’re still eating, we’re dead.” I hesitate and glance at the doorway of the pack house dining room.

“Correction, you’re dead.” He slams the front door and before I can react runs up the stairs to the 4th floor. Our father immediately appears in the doorway of the dining room.

“Victoria where in the hell have you and your brother been? You missed breakfast with the house this morning, everyone wanted to spend it with you both.” I glance at the empty stairs to my right and sigh.

“I don’t know where Vincent is, but I went to the diner.” I should throw him under the bus for this but I show him mercy and lie.

“The Diner? Victoria, your mom and Mrs. Hagen made all of your favorites and you choose to go to the Diner? Alone? Get in here and apologize.” My face flushes at his command but I can’t refuse my Alphas order. I drag my feet in to the dining room and bow my head. The eyes of my mom, the Betas family, and the Gamma's family stare at me with disappointment in their eyes.

“I’m really sorry. I'm just nervous about tonight and I didn’t want any of you to know.” Most of their eyes soften at my apology. This time my mother speaks up.

“It’s fine dear. Just leave us a note next time. Happy Birthday sweetie, now head up to your room.” Her grey eyes glisten with pride. My mother has gifted me with her stunning silver eyes, my brother however, was gifted with our fathers’ intense emerald ones.

“Thanks mom.” I turn to leave but my father speaks up stopping me in my tracks.

“Happy Birthday honey.” He places a kiss on the top of my head before returning to his seat at the head of the table. I take this chance to make my escape to my room.

Most pack houses have their Alpha, Beta, and Gamma’s families living on each floor and ours is no different. I could take the elevator to the 4th floor but in hopes of running in to Carter on the 2nd floor, I decide on the stairs. He doesn’t show any interest, but I'm still super in to the Gammas youngest son.

Just as I get to the 2nd floor, I see Carter’s back just around the corner. He's so handsome with his golden skin, messy blonde hair and honey-colored eyes. He was about 5 inches taller than me and rather built, not quite like the more seasoned warriors but I still found him sexy.

Just as I go to call out his name I see a she-wolfs arms wrapped around his neck. Feeling embarrassed to catch them making out I scramble as quietly as I can to the 4th floor and throw myself through my bedroom door. Tears sting my eyes as I recall the way they he kissed her so passionately.

“What are you crying about wimp?” My brothers voice makes me nearly jump out of my own skin. Hes laying back on my bed with his hands behind his head.

“What the hell are you doing in here Ninny?” I knew he hated when I called him by his childhood nickname. We both struggled with the letter V as toddlers and called each other ‘ninny’ and ‘icky’.

“Awee did dad yell at his precious little Icky?” I'm not in the mood for this s**t.

“F**k off Vincent. Get out of my room!” I feel a little guilty, it isn’t my brother’s fault. I was the only one to blame for getting my hopes up for nothing.

“Just tell me what’s wrong already.”

“I saw Carter kissing some she-wolf in the Gamma wing.”

“So?”

“What do you mean ‘So?'"

“So, he is a man-wh**e. It isn’t exactly a secret Icky.” I know he has a bad reputation but still, how could he not even consider me?

“I like him.” My brother lifts his head and looks at me before chuckling.

“Well, you shouldn’t. He’s an a**hole. His oldest brother is super chill so I don’t get how he turned out like that.” Him and my brother have never seen eye to eye, and neither made any attempts to hide their contempt for each other.

“I know I shouldn’t but I can’t help it, I like him so much. What if he’s my mate?” I sit down in the arm chair across from my bed and close my eyes. This day already feels like it is never going to end.

"That’s just wishful thinking. You need to pick out your outfit for the ceremony, and pack your bag for after.”

“I know, but I want to take a nap so get your mammoth ass off my bed and go worry about your own s**t.”

“I was kinda hoping you could do it for me.”

“You threw me under the bus this morning. Figure it out for yourself, now get out so I can sleep.” Finally, he gets up and leaves the room. I pad over to my bed and throw myself on my favorite fluffy pillow and let my mind turn off.

•

•

•

A knock at my door scares me awake. I reach for my phone and check the time. 2:54pm.

“Who is it?” I try to rub the sleep from my eyes as I wait for a response.

“It’s me.” My mothers soft voice calls through the door.

“Come in.” My door creaks open and my mom’s smiling face appears.

“Let’s start getting you ready for tonight, have you even packed your bag?” She looks around the room noticing I have nothing to prepare. She throws my closet open and begins pulling out some dresses for me to try on.

“I’m sorry mom I was really tired.”

“Up now, get in there and get showered. I’ll pick out a few options for the ceremony tonight.” I oblige as she continues sifting through my clothes.

The hot water feels amazing on my muscles and I take a little longer than I need and soon my mom is yelling from my room to hurry up. After forcing me in and out of a half dozen dresses, she settles on a simple pale blue V-Neck A-Line floor length dress with long capped sleeves. She sits me down in front of my vanity and helps me curl my hair in to luscious flowing ashen waves. She keeps my make-up simple as always, only applying enough to accentuate my natural beauty.

Since it is early fall and there is a chill in the mountain air, she makes me add a silver knitted wrap and a simple pair of silver pumps. We wolves typically don’t wear jewelry on the night of our shift, so with that she is done with her preparations and I must say my mother, the Luna of The Rain Moon Pack, has done amazing. Simple and elegant. I look perfect.

“OK I need to go help your brother and make sure his tie and pocket square match your dress. We will meet you down stairs in 30 minutes. Your bag is packed and already at the front door with your brothers.” She is gone in an instant eager to get Vincent ready so we could make it to the stage by 6:00pm.

I take one last look in the mirror and wonder if Carter will even cast a glance my direction. I can't let him get me down. Plenty of other men have expressed their interest in me, but I think some only sought the title my family holds. I open the door to find my father dressed in a fine suit waiting to escort me downstairs. This time I take the elevator not wanting to catch Carter in another make-out session.

“You look lovely honey. You'll do amazing tonight.” My dad smiles with pride.

“Thanks Dad."