The Secret Alpha

Chapter 2

We all arrive in the center of the pack town at 6:00pm. My brother and I take our seats on the stage and our father wastes no time in giving the people what they want. I look out at the faces of our pack staring back at me and suddenly feel nervous. I just want this to be over so I can meet my wolf already.

“Hello, it is good to see all of you here to celebrate the 18th birthday of my 2 wonderful children.” Our father gestures to us and the pack rewards him with light applause.

“Tonight, we will also celebrate my son taking his oath to become the next Alpha of Rain Moon.” The pack goes wild with applause and cheering. I can’t help but feel a little jealous at the praise he is receiving from the pack. e always received praise from the other members. I can feel how nervous my brother is all of a sudden causing my selfish thoughts to fade. I bump him with my shoulder and give him a reassuring smile.

“I don’t want to waste any more time, we have much celebrating to do. Please come over here both of you.” We both follow his command and walk to center stage. His beta approaches him and hands him the pack tablet, it was my first time seeing it. The beauty of the engraved ancient language carved in the polished obsidian pulls at something in me. My eyes fixate on the glowing black opal moon in the center.

“Victoria please give me your hand.” I wasn’t looking forward to this. His beta now hands him a beautiful ornate silver knife. My dad takes my hand in his and in one quick motion cuts my palm open. I try my best not to wince at the feeling of the silver slicing through my flesh. I make a fist and recite the oath I have been practicing since I was 10.

“I Victoria Vandenberg of the Rain Moon pack, daughter of Alpha Jack and Luna Elise, pledge my life to The Moon Goddess and vow to spend my life cherishing the gift she has given me. I will always use my powers to better our people, and to protect them from those who cause them harm. Until the day she calls me home.” My eyes never leave the little moon in the center.

I place my hand on the exact spot and feel something pulse in my chest. My blood seems to fill every engraved letter before seemingly being absorbed by the obsidian. The opal in the center glows brightly before fading away. The crowd applauds and call out their congratulations, pulling me out of my trance.

“Congratulation my daughter I am so proud of you.” My dad’s words bring tears to my eyes, so I bow. He takes a step to stand before my brother. The crowd goes so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

“Vincent my only Son, hold out your hand.” My father cuts his palm open in the same quick motion. Vincent straightens his back and looks out toward the pack.

“I Vincent Vandenberg of the Rain Moon pack, son of Alpha Jack and Luna Elise, and the next Alpha of this pack, pledge my life to The Moon Goddess. I vow to spend my life cherishing the gift she has given me, always using my powers to better our people, and to protect them from those who would cause them harm. I promise to lead our pack with strength, and compassion. I vow to become an Alpha that you all can be proud of. Until the day she calls me home.”

My brother follows the same steps I did, only the light from the moonstone glows so brightly it seems like the moon itself were in front of us. The crowed “ooo’s” and “ahhs” at the tablet’s reaction to my brother. Once the glowing stops the crowd erupts, some pack members even begin shedding tears. I feel pride swell in my chest for my twin. Our dad raises his arm to calm the crowd before turning to my brother.

“Congratulations my son, I am so proud of you. I can’t wait to see the kind of leader you will become. I know that you will give your all for our people.”

“I will give my very life if I must.” My brother bows to him. Both our mother and fathers eyes are filled with pride for Vincent.

“Now everyone please eat, drink and enjoy yourselves.” Vincent grabs me by the wrist and drags me off the stage toward the tables filled with food made by various pack members. He passes me a napkin and we both wipe the fresh blood off our hands. Neither of us have eaten since breakfast but I know he was using food as an excuse to escape.

“Oh, my goddess that was embarrassing.” He blurts out before snatching 2 rolls, shoving one in his mouth and thrusting the other in to my hand. I rip a piece off and pop it in my mouth.

“I know right?” I mumble between bites. We each grab a plate and pile it full of our favorites before taking a seat at our reserved table.

“I’m sorry that they didn’t act the same when you took your oath Vicky.” He nods toward the pack members seated all around us.

“It’s ok Vinny. I’m not the one who will become their protector. I guess I am a little envious but it’s really ok. Now eat up we will need our energy for tonight.” He sighs knowing our shift would also be unique as the entire pack will witness it and partake in our first run. This was mostly for my brother’s sake but since we were twins it was inevitable that I be a part of it. I can tell how nervous Vinny is and attempt to mind link him for the first time.

‘You’re gonna do great bro, relax. After all this is done its just you and me and we get to finally meet our wolves.’ He jumps a little before responding.

‘I know, it’s just a lot of responsibility to accept.’ His deep gravely voice echoes in my mind.

‘You have plenty of time before you officially become Alpha, we will figure it out together.’

‘Thanks sis.’

‘You’re welcome.’

For the next few hours we eat, dance, and socialize before it is finally time for our 1st shift. With the pack at our backs, we make our way to the edge of the forest behind the Omega housing. My heart is pounding out of my chest with a mixture of excitement and fear.

For the 1st time since we were kids Vinny reaches out and grabs hold of my hand. It was the exact comfort I need at this moment.

After a short 5-minute hike, we made it to the clearing where all members experienced their 1st shift. I look up at the moon high in the sky and know it will only be a few more minutes. My body starts to feel feverish, and I feel the overwhelming need to remove my dress to ease the burning sensation but resist. My bothers tight grip says he feels the same. Soon the heat I feel is too much to bear and I began to pant heavily.

It was happening there could be no mistake. I suddenly feel my bones begin to crack and pop causing me to collapse and cry out in pain. Tears begin streaming uncontrollably down my face fogging my vision. The sound of Vincent’s screaming begind to fade as my own pain grows immensely. I feel like I’m about to faint and my vision swirls.

My hands crack and pop in front of my eyes, large paws taking their place. I feel my entire body tear apart one piece at a time. When I feel like the pain is too much to bear, a voice calls to me from the depths of my mind.

‘Breathe Victoria. You must not lose conscious. You must breathe.’ The voice is so soft and soothing, like a lullaby. I know without a doubt it was my wolf. I try as hard as I can to take a few deep breaths through my nose at her command. Suddenly my senses came to life like flipping a switch.

‘Open your eyes.’ At her order I open my them and am stunned by the sights before me. The world comes to life like I have never seen it before. I can see every detail in the trees around me. It was like seeing the world for the first time ever. I sniff the air smelling the dirt and grass beneath my paws. I can even smell the rain that will come soon, and the leaves in the trees.

Another scent catches my attention. It smells like a campfire in summer and reminds me of my childhood. I follow my nose and turn my attention to where my brother stood moments ago. In his place though, is a large intimidating male wolf with glowing green eyes. His fur is the color of the pale moonlight and I know in an instant that this is my brother’s wolf.

He approaches me and rubs his head against mine in greeting. We both turn at our pack’s gasps and our mom’s sobs.

“Oh my. You're wolves are also twins. You are both so beautiful my pups.” We both glance down at our paws and see she is correct. My brother and I both have the same pale fur. My mom and dad both smile at us with pride and awe. The pack remains silent not wanting to interfere in this special moment. Wolf parents meeting their children’s wolves for the first time is a very special moment amongst their pack.

“Let’s run my children.” Our dad shifts in to the massive black wolf we had played with as a child and trained with as an adult. My brother tilts his head back and lets out a long deep howl that I can’t resist joining. Soon our entire pack has shifted and joined the howl with my brother and I.

‘Let’s go sis.” My brother mind links me.

‘After you.’ With that we both set off across the field and into the woods with unbelievable speed and agility. My senses on overdrive as I take in the sights sounds and smells. We both push our new forms, testing their abilities.

Onve we approach the river that flows through our pack’s territory, I slow to a stop on the shore. I was dying to see my wolf for myself. I approach the edge looking at my reflection and am awe-struck by the beauty of my wolf. Where my brother is large and intimidating, I am much more soft and elegant with a lean form. But it is my glowing yellow eyes that are most striking. Like 2 moons glowing back at me.

‘I have waited a long time to finally meet you, Victoria.’ The lullaby voice has returned. My wolf has returned.

‘I have too. What is your name?’ I ask her, eager to finally know.

‘I am known by Roswen, my brother is known by Rowan.’ Our wolves’ names are similar, just like our human ones.

‘Roswen, I am honored that you are my wolf.’ I truly meant it.

‘I am honored that you are my human.’ My heart swells at her approval. She giggles softly.

‘Of course, I approve. I have been with you since you were born. How could I not love you.’ Her voice is filled with its own pride. Pride for me. I look over to see my brother observing himself in his reflection, likely having a similar conversation with Rowan.

‘Would you like to run with your brother?’ I ask her when my brother makes eye contact with me.

‘I would like that very much.’ With that she pushes me to the back of her mind where I am left an observer. I watch her and her brother Rowan run and play through the woods. They often howl at the full moon causing a symphony of howls to echo through the mountainous woods around us.

Once dawn approaches, we find ourselves alone back at the clearing where we had previously placed our bags. The rest of the pack and even our own parents left hours before. Allowing us to be alone with our wolves’. We each go behind our chosen trees to shift and get dressed. Together we trudge back to the pack house gushing about our wolves to each other and wondering how long until we find our mates now. I make it to my room felling exhaustion settling in, and collapse on my bed and am asleep in an instant.