The Girl The Alpha Chose (18+)

Chapter 14

*Warning, a bit of graphic description ahead**

Five Years Ago

Between humans and Rogues, he’d much rather deal with humans. 

He absolutely hated rogues. They’re reckless, deranged from the lack of pack to ground them, dangerous, and a threat to their society. It was already hard enough keeping this secret from humans with the pups getting into their powers, but now there was a rising level of rogue attacks. So much that hunters are going to be snooping around their area again.

He smirks. 

If they choose to come for his pack, let them. He’s confident enough in his ability to protect his pack.

Jeb wasn’t the General of their pack’s attack and defense warriors just because his father and his father before that were. No, he earned his spot through hard work and loyalty. He loves his pack and will do everything to protect them.

Shaking his head, he zoned back in at the task at hand, the same topic of his thoughts.

Rogues

They had snuck into their territory and split up after they were spotted by his pack members.

William, himself, and a few others were still trying to track three of the remaining rogues, being mindful to stay away from humans when they came to a stop, a chilling Metallic scent in the air.

Blood. Human blood.

They searched the areas when one of the wolves with them called them over to where he was at. 

There stood a bear trapped, rusted, clamped shut, and bloodied.

That caused all of them to be even more alert. 

If hunters were in the area, then they had an even bigger problem. While rogues were considered a common enemy with hunters and them, Hunters wouldn't team up and would have them all dead regardless of status.

'Jeb, scout the area with Yuma. If that's human blood then either there's a casualty or they're injured somewhere. I'll take the other two and track the rogues. Be alert and if anything happens, call for backup.'  Alpha William says through their shared link before he and three others left, racing through the treeline.

He nods his head to Yuma and the two split up immediately. 

He trots around the area, trying to spot a scent when he notes something a few yards away near a tree.

Blood and pieces of shredded clothes.

He doesn't know what possessed him to shift back into his human form, knowing there were rogues and possible hunters around but he did. Untying the string that held his pants and t-shirt to his leg, he quickly dressed before creeping closer to the mess on the ground. He lifts the ragged clothing and studies it before looking back to the ground, his face twisting when he sees blood and what he assumes were small chunks of skin tissue.

He tsked. A casualty. Although he hated humans, coming face to face with a rogue was something he'd never wish on his worst enemy.

He was about to mind link to William when something dripped onto his shoulder. 

Stilling, he slowly turns his head upwards, studying the high branches before his eyes widen in alarm.

There, limbs barely clinging to the branch, was a girl no older than his boy, Aster.

Her black hair was matted with dirt and her face was deathly pale. Her eyes were closed as she wobbled slightly to keep her balance-

Again, something dripped on him and he looked to what was causing it. 

He flinches slightly.

Her lower calf was mangled, bloodied, and torn and suddenly he thinks back to the bear trap.

His noise of disgust alerted the girl as she gasped and opened her eyes. 

Tired but beautiful grey eyes stared into his own. 

They stared at each other, both frozen for different reasons. Hers out of fear and his uncertainty, unsure what the girl was capable of. He couldn't rule her out for being a hunter just because she's injur-

Her lips wobble as her eyes fill with tears as she moves her body forward. Jeb jerks forward as he catches the girl as she drops herself from the high tree branch. He freezes as the girl shaking it clings to him, like a child desperate for comfort as she wails in anguish. 

Despite her being human, it doesn't stop the parental bone in his body as he holds her, petting her back as he tries to calm the girl.

"Shh, it's ok, it's ok.." he winces at the poor comforting words.

She mumbles something over and over and when he pulls away, she bursts into even more tears.

"M-my dad-d. Big-g w-wol-" She sputters out before the loss of blood gets to her as she passes out but he understands.

He looks back to the pile of bloodied clothes behind him with a deep frown.

-----Present time---

Though it was many years ago and though the older man wasn't there when she woke up in the hospital, she never forgot the man who found and saved her.

And the fact that he remembers her filled Sunni with happiness.

"I never got to thank you." She managed to say, still clinging to the man. 

Jeb hugged the girl back, his mind going back to the injured girl. He was glad she was ok but he couldn’t bring himself to contact her after taking her to the hospital, especially since they never recovered her father’s body. 

He knew it was because deep down, he couldn’t bring himself to look into her eyes again. Eyes filled with traumatic anguish that should never be shown through a child’s view. He doesn’t know what he would have done if he was there when she found out about her father.

Call him a coward but he could only imagine Aster or Blake in the girl’s shoes and his heart hurts every time.

Patting her head, he takes in the girl in his arms. She was taller by half a foot and definitely a bit more muscular, though he wasn’t sure if it was because of the transformation or just her in general. “I’m glad that you’re doing well, pup.’’

Sunni looks up at him curiously. “Pup?’’

“You’re newly transformed, or will be fully when you have your first shift. You’ll basically be like a newborn puppy.’’ Jeb awkwardly explains. Sunni’s lips quirk upward before pulling away, holding out her hand.

“Well, this pup never fully introduced herself. Sunniva Grayson.’’

The older man takes the girl’s hand and squeezes tightly, his smirk widening as she squeezes back with vigor as if a child challenging an elder. “Jebediah Cross, General of this pack.’’

Sunniva’s smile turns soft with appreciation. “As I said earlier, Thank you for saving me back then. Who knows what would have happened if you didn’t show up.’’

Jeb doesn’t comment, just giving a nod in answer. The two turn to William when the Alpha clears his throat.

“Well, it looks like there’s no need for any more introductions. I know eventually, you’ll get to know everyone…’’

Jeb turns to look at the curly-haired girl once more as William continues on. While he is glad that everything is going well, despite the rocky start with Betty biting Sunniva and Sunniva actually handling her instincts fairly well, he couldn’t help but pity her.

It seems that her life was destined to be intertwined with werewolves. From losing her father to being turned into one, he’s surprised she’s even taking this well.

Peering at his son, he notes him staring at Sunniva and when Aster’s eyes connect with his, Jeb raises his eyebrow teasingly, causing Aster to roll his eyes and look away, the tips of his ears red. 

“About time!’’ He thinks.