Secret Alpha

2_First Shift

Together we cruise through the streets, happiness bubbling inside of me. So, what if my world was shaken up with a nasty truth? That part is where my story begins, not the now or where it will end. I will not let it get to me. Dave is my dad, DNA or no DNA.

A dim pain is starting to develop between my shoulder blades and the intensity is increasing fast. At the first clearing, I pull over and get off my bike. I rip off my helmet, the pain is becoming unbearable, and sweat is starting to form on my forehead. In an effort to breathe, I take off my hoody, but it does not bring much relief.

Dad pulls in next to me and worriedly hurries over to me.

“Honey, what is wrong? Are you okay?” He asks urgently.

“I don’t know,” I moan, “the pain, it’s getting worse.”

“You are shifting. Do not worry, I am here.”

“Daddy, it hurts.” I cannot stop the tears from forming.

“I know, Alex, it is just the first time and I am here. It will be over soon, just trust me.”

Helpless to the pain, I just nod. I am aware that Dad picks me up and carries me into the woods. He places me down and takes off my pants and shirt, leaving me in just my underwear. I will be honest, if it were not for the excruciating pain, I would have screamed bloody murder because Dad was undressing me. Quickly he strips down to only his boxers and then he kneels beside me holding my hand.

“I am going to shift with you, do not worry. You will be fine. Just look into my eyes and concentrate on my words and your breathing.”

All I could do was scream as another wave of pain crashed over me.

“Do not fight it, honey. Your wolf will communicate with you soon. Just breathe.”

By now every bone in my body is cracking and the pain is everywhere. I try to concentrate on my breathing and Dad’s words and suddenly all is over. I am standing on all fours looking into my dad’s brown eyes.

“You’re beautiful, I’m so proud of you,” he says before shifting into his magnificent white wolf.

“Damn right, we are.”

Who said that? Frantically I look around but see only Dad’s wolf.

“I am Storm, your wolf. Nice to finally meet you.”

“Uhm … Hi”

This is so weird talking to yourself and getting an actual answer. Dad comes over and licks me behind my ear. It feels odd but satisfying.

“Want to go for a run?” he mind links me.

“Hell, yeah.” I agree and we run off into the woods. It is the most amazing feeling. I can hear and see perfectly in the dark. I smell everything and am aware of so many things. It is awesome. I try everything, jumping over fallen trees and rocks. Rolling around on the group. I even chased a rabbit and nearly caught it, but I am still new to this, and I fell over my own feet, nose first into the ground.

“Easy, Alex,” warns Storm, “you’ve been a human for seventeen years and a wolf for seventeen minutes.”

“Can we howl?” I ask curiously, not even slightly bothered that I fell face-first into the ground.

“Of course, we can.”

I immediately come to a halt, sit down, take a deep breath and hooooowwwwwwwwl.

“Time to go home.”

“But Dad …”

“We will run again tomorrow morning, honey, but your mother will worry. She is already on edge because I got you a bike.”

“Fine.”

As we run back, I push myself to see how fast I can go and within seconds I am way ahead of Dad. By the time he caught up with me, I was fully dressed and sitting on my bike.

“Damn, you’re fast.” He smiles and I can burst with pride.

“Thanks, Dad, this was the best night of my life.”

“I’m glad you’re feeling better.” He playful ruffles through my hair before he puts on his helmet, and we make the journey home.

Mom’s standing on the porch waiting for us. I find it almost funny to see how she is fuming because we were away so long.

“What took you so long?” she demands even before I can take my helmet off.

“She shifted,” Dad informs her with pride in his voice, “but do not worry. Nobody saw us and I was with her the whole time.”

“It was awesome, Mom.” I cannot stop smiling. I hang my helmet, turn to her and freeze. Mom looks like she has seen a ghost. Her blue eyes are wide with shock and her face white as snow. “Mom, are you okay?”

“Your eyes,” she whispers.

Confused I look at her and then at Dad. He too turned pale and clenched his jaw.

“This is going to be a problem,” he grunts as he grabs my elbow and pulls me inside the house. Mom is following shortly on our heels.

Once inside I run to the first mirror to look at myself. Shocked beyond belief, I am staring at myself. My once pale, blue eyes are now a vibrant purple.

“What the hell does this mean? Will it change back? Is this like a curse? Blue at day, purple at night. I mean, what …”

“Calm down and breathe, Alex.” Contrary to his words, Dad’s voice is harsh, and I know he is about to freak out as well.

Mom seems to come to terms with the situation first as she walks to the cabinet and pours each of us a shot of whiskey. “Drink and sit down,” she commands, and we comply without argument.

“Alexandra, there is more about the man who conceived you that you need to know. His name is William Hayes and he is the alpha of the Blood Moon pack.”

“I think I need another one,” I reply, holding my glass out to her. Dad gets up and pours both of us another shot which I gladly swallow. The burning sensation was a nice change to the confusion and questions I have been dealing with all day. Everyone and I mean everyone, knows who William Hayes is. He is Satan himself. There is not a crime known to man that he has not committed. He has the second largest pack and every criminal desires to be part of it. One of the reasons why Blood Moon is so strong in numbers. If you can prove, that you are ruthless and evil, he invites you in with open arms. The only way out is by death. You are being slaughtered on the spot the minute you show kindness or humanity – even to your own kin. Another thing William is known for is the colour of his eyes … piercing purple. Up to date, he is the only wolf with that eye colour on this continent. Everyone with two brain cells will be able to do the math. Ah, sh!t.