The Girl The Alpha Chose (18+)

Chapter 7

It was dark. 

That's all that was surrounding her, no matter where she looked.

Just an empty black void.

Taking a few steps forward, she turned her head to look behind her and noted her footprints left a dim light in their wake. She then looked forward and noted with each step she took, the void slowly shifted into a forest scenery, and soon it was clear to her this must have been a form of a safe haven. Usually, when she zoned out, she'd think of something that would bring her comfort and she wasn't surprised it was a forest.

It was still dark but it held a variety of shades of blue, light enough for her to see where she was going.

A snap sound caught her attention and she noticed a bright light nearby. Feeling curious and a slight pull, she follows that feeling. The light seems to notice her as well as it comes towards her as well. 

The light soon takes the form of a creature and Sunni slows down as a sliver of fear shoots up her back as she notes the wolf-like form stalking towards her. Its muzzle drew back into a snarl as a low growl filled the air and that's when she snapped out of it and bolts the other way. 

She books it across the wooded area, being mindful of the branches and small bushes that blocked her way all the while picking up speed as she hears a howl close by and a rapid thudding noise. She doesn't know how long she runs for until she finally reaches a pond. She stops and skids across the floor with a tumble, winching as the twigs and rocks scratch at her skin before she looks behind her. 

The wolf is there, staring at her with an intense look as it slowly stalks towards her. 

The blood rushes to her head as she starts to hyperventilate, the sound of her heartbeat pounding in her ears as cold dread fills her. Was she really going to die at the hands of a wolf? Just like him?

The wolf pauses and Sunni looks into the wolf's eyes and gasps at the nebulous and unhinged look, but the emotion that catches her attention the most is the anamnesis like the wolf recognized her.

Then before she could say or do anything, the wolf pouches and they both fall back into the water. She lets out a scream which is quickly muffled by the water and she sits up in shock.

Not because of the dream but the fact that she was here, sitting in a small pond in reality. 

She heard the chirps of the birds and the wind blowing against the trees as she controlled her breathing and took in her surroundings. How did she get here?

She shivers as a sudden wind blows and she quickly shuffles out of the water. 

She suddenly regrets wearing shorts and a tank top to bed. 

Looking around, she doesn't seem to know the area and she ponders. Unknown area, no phone, sopping wet and most likely an angry parent waiting for her.

She supposed she should find a road and work from there.

She looks around and despite the horrors of her dream, follows the sudden urge and goes west. Wrapping her arms around herself as best as she could, she trudges forward, keeping an eye out for any signs of life. She doesn't know what causes her vision and hearing to be a million times better, but she's grateful as she tunes in to the sounds around her. 

She kind of wished whatever this was could warm her up because she was cold as hell!

She walks for a good chunk of time and suddenly she picks up on the sounds of chatter. Feeling excited but a bit cautious, she treks forward and soon comes upon a huge house, which she takes a second to marvel at the beauty of it before a voice snaps her out of it.

There was an older man speaking to a handful of other men, the air business-like despite the nonchalant are from the others walking past them. He held an air of power, his thick, salt and pepper hair wavy almost reaching his shoulder and his beard nice and trimmed as he straightened out his button-up.

"So we spoke with the other packs about it and they'll keep an eye out. We shouldn't expect much but-"

"Um, excuse me! Can someone please tell me where I'm at?" Sunni speaks up, resisting the urge to throw up at the violent shivers that rack her body to warm her up.

Everyone freezes as their eyes snap to stare at the small figure at the treeline, confusion filling them. Before anyone could say anything, their possible future luna rushes through the packhouse glass door and rushes towards the girl.

"Sunni?! What happened?" Moira frantically asks, pulling the girl closer to her, wincing at the cold and damp skin. She looks up to their Alpha. "Alp- I mean Mayor Woods, this is a classmate of ours, Sunni."

Sunni perks up and it clicks on why the man looks familiar. This was William Woods, the Mayor and Archer's father. She had only seen him a handful of times at the town fairs or small political movements. He had always had a kind smile on his face but right now he looked downright scary. 

She flinches and moves slightly behind Moira as she stares at the man. His eyes were ice blue, intense, and hard as the two stared at each other. Sunni's fight or flight mode was going off like crazy, feeling desperate to leave the man's gaze and presence as soon as possible. 

"William Woods, where are your manners?" A strong feminine voice ranged out and suddenly William was shoved out of the way and a tall gorgeous woman appeared. She had beautiful thick auburn hair and Hazel eyes. Archer may have gotten some of his looks from his father but it was clear his mother was dominant in the other physical factors. They even had the same mole on the bottom of their left eye. "You poor thing! What are you doing out here, especially dressed like that? You could catch a cold!"

The woman rushes to her and pulls her into the house and Sunni is grateful as she avoids Williams' gaze again. The woman pushes her onto the couch and wraps a blanket around her. The smell of apricot and apples fill her senses and she relaxes at the calming smell. That seemed to be the right reaction as the woman smiles softly and rushes out of the room, returning a few seconds later with a mug in her hand. "I don't know if you like coffee, but it seems that's what all these teenagers want to drink. It even has that new fancy chocolate creamer in it!"

Sunni nods and smiles, taking a sip of the coffee and sighs in appreciation as the warmth fills her immediately. She quickly downs the cup and blushes when the woman laughs.

"I, too,  would do the same if I was cold and wet...er darling, why were you out there?" 

Sunni pauses, confusion filling her again. Yeah, what was she doing out there? " I honestly don't know ma'am… I guess I was sleepwalking because I was at my house then I woke up in a pond!"

The woman nods. "Hm, that must have been a crazy dream then! And call me Noelle, ma'am makes me feel old!"

Sunni smiles shyly and nods. "Do you-"

"Sunni?" 

The curly-haired teen looks up and sees Archer staring at her with a bewildered look. "Sunni, are you ok?"

He strides to her, kneeling down in front of her. He takes her hands as he looks over her form, looking for signs of injury before smiling at her. She blushes slightly as she smiles back. "Hi Archer… as to how I am? I'm just confused more than anything."

He chuckles softly and takes the towel out of his mother's hands, Sunni didn't even know she left and places the towel on her head. He finds his hands along with the towel as he dries her hair and she closes her eyes, enjoying the feeling. Normally she hated people touching her hair because she was tender-headed, but for some reason, she enjoyed Archer's gentle touch. 

Like his presence made her feel safe.

Suddenly she felt guilty even more about snapping at him the other day.

She looked up shyly, a small smile on her face. Archer stares back with a fond smile. “Sorry about what I said.’’

Archer blinks before giving a teasing smirk, removing one of his hands from her head, tapping her chin up with a light tap. “I’m not too pressed, it held some truth…’’

While the two made small chatter, they didn’t notice the multiple pairs of eyes studying them. 

Never had they seen their Future Alpha stare, much less showed any interest, in girls, much less a person, and here he was, staring practically enamored at the very same girl who was the talk of the pack. A girl changing without the bite of an Alpha. 

Noelle’s hazel eyes stared at her son, a mix of emotions filling her. She looks away from the pair and looks towards Moira, her chocolate brown eyes filled with sadness as the teen stares at her son.

It was heartbreaking, the poor girl had feelings for her son but Noelle had always known there was something, er someone, that was in the way and now she knows who was to blame.

Not that she blamed this Sunni, the heart wants what the heart wants. She had just hoped that… well never mind that now since she won't be human anymore. 

So far, she seemed like a sweet girl.

“Wolves? Oh no, can’t stand them.’’ the curly-haired teen said, shaking her head.

She held in a growl as she saw her son flinched at the declaration. She looked to her left as she felt her husband slip next to her, the both of them listening to the girl as she continued.

“Beautiful creatures, just very dangerous. That’s why I wasn’t in school a few days ago, I got attacked!’’

Noelle almost facepalmed. Of course, the girl would have some reservations about wolves. She looked at the girl’s face and noted a somber, almost remorseful look. She was curious but before anyone could say anything, Sunni jumped up, a wide eye looks on her face as she looked around.

“s**t, s**t, s**t! What time is it?’’

Archer looks at his watch. “It’s almost seven-thirty. If you're worried about school, it doesn't start for another hour and a half.’’

“No, it's not that, it’s my mom. She’ll kill me if she finds out my brother’s by himself!’’ She lifts herself from the couch, placing the mug on the table, and takes off the blanket, folding it messily as she looks around, unsure of where to put it. Noelle quickly takes it from her with a smile. Sunni smiles back and Noelle could see why her son had a fondness for the girl. She was beautiful. “Thank you so much for your help! Um… which way is Bulhmark?’’

Archer grabs her hand, giving her a smile when she looks at him curiously. “I’ll take you, just let me grab my bag.’’

She gave him a grateful smile and within Sunni was in the passenger seat of Archer’s car, practically melted as the seat warmers were set on high. “This. is. Amazing.’’

Archer chuckles and the two ride in comfortable silence and soon they arrive at Sunni’s place. Sunni peaks out the window and cheers. She turns to Archer and leans over, giving him a kiss on the cheek in thanks. She pulls back suddenly, a blush on her face. “Uh, T-thanks for driving me. I’ll see you at school!’’

She quickly exits the car and Archer snaps out of his stupor, a hand on his cheek. “W-wait!’

Sunni turns, her face still bright pink. Archer felt his stomach tighten as her grey eyes looked directly into his and he could feel his wolf howl with desire. Desire to kiss her and make her his but he quickly stamped down that feeling. He nods towards her house. “Go get ready, I’ll wait for you.’’

“That’s not necessary. Why don’t you come in and wait, son.’’

The duo freeze at the new voice as they look at a stern woman, arms crossed as she looks at the two of them.

Sunni’s head ducks. “Hi ma...you’re home early…’’