The Girl The Alpha Chose (18+)

Chapter 13

Sunni pulls at the edge of her sweater nervously as she’s once again in the comfort of Archer’s car as the two drove to the packhouse. She was still a bit nervous about meeting Archer’s pack, a good handful being her classmates she grew up with but she was glad they were somewhat familiar people.

She turns her head to Archer as he speaks.

“So after you meet everyone, Dad and some of the higher-ranked ones will explain and answer all of your questions. Then we’ll plan for the full moon, just to make sure everything runs smoothly for your transformation.’’

She nods, not feeling relaxed but at least she knows what to expect from today’s visit. When they arrive, Archer is first to get out and moves to open her door, placing a hand on her midback and led her towards the house.

“So does everyone live here? There’s a lot of people in Birchwood, how would you fit everyone? Unless this house is bigger on the inside and it’s all an illusion.’’ Sunni asks, staring at the beautiful multi-story house in awe.

“No, the packhouse isn’t big enough, but the higher ranked ones live here as well as some of the shifters who were orphaned from past attacks,” Archer explains as they walk towards the backyard, where Archer’s parents were talking with a group of people. Noelle smiles and pulls the girl into a hug before pulling her away from Archer and towards the group, ignoring her son’s grumbling.

“Ah, everyone, Sunni is here. Sunni, these are your new pack members. You know my husband and daughter. There is our Beta, Hank, and his wife Lo and their two daughters Mara and Nina.’’

Hank is a stout man with shaggy black hair and brown eyes with his tattoo-covered arm around the waist of a slightly taller, fuller-shaped woman, Lo, with auburn hair and almond-shaped blue eyes. Their daughters looked to be no older than sixteen, twins, both with heterochromatic eyes, mostly blue like their mother with the brown pouring in from a part of their eye. Their hair was blonde except one was in a bob cut, the other waist length.

“Then there is our Gamma, Yuma and her wife Perla and their other wife Betty… Er Betty is the one who bit you…’’ Noelle said, finishing the sentence with awkwardness as if realizing what she said too late.

Sunni immediately zeros in on the two women. Yuma was tall, muscular with a cool umber tone. Her hair was shaved on one side, the other shoulder length and in braids, covered with small trinkets. Her eyes were a deep golden color. Pearla was shorter by half a foot, her eyes hooded and brown as she had a soft lazy smile as she waved. Her hair was curly and short, surrounding her face, giving her a sweet look.

The other woman she knew was Betty because she had the same cool grey, near silver eyes only this time it held an apologetic look. Betty was just as tall as her wife Yuma and just as muscular if not more and covered with tattoos. Her hair was black and pulled back in a tight ponytail. She gave a smile that was graceless, filled with teeth, and really shouldn’t be called a smile but Sunni just figured she wasn’t used to smiling.

Sunni gave a nod and a clumsy smile back, not sure how she should take in the fact the reason she was shifting was because of this woman.

Noelle takes in the uncomfortable atmosphere before speaking up. “Our general is coming back from visiting family so you might see him later. He’s the father of Aster, I believe you know the boy?’’

Sunni nods before the curly-haired girl stood shyly at the small group in front of her, tugging at the hem of her sweater as she gave a small, wobbly smile. “U-um it’s nice to meet you guys.’’

Someone coos and suddenly her cheek is pinched. “She is so cute!! Nina, you should ask her out!!’’

“Mom!!’’ a girl cries out and Sunni blushes as everyone around them laughs.

“I’m kidding….mostly. Anyways, welcome honey. We’ll make sure your transition goes smoothly okay? Don’t be afraid to ask for help.’’ Lo says, tugging a piece of her curly hair before returning to her husband, ignoring her daughter’s minor fit.

A hand is placed on her shoulder and she looks up to see William staring down at her with a stern look. She straightens up and bows her head, not comfortable looking into his eyes.

“I’ll take her to my office so that we can talk in private for a moment,’’ William says, tilting his head for Sunni to follow. She quickly follows behind him and soon they are in a room filled with books and brown leather furniture, a huge desk near the fireplace, the office giving a warm but business-like atmosphere. William points to the couch with his hand and moves towards the bookshelves as she took a seat.

“Eventually, you will move into the packhouse, to train and gain control of your powers until you are able to become in sync with your wolf. I would have you move in now but I don’t think it would bode well with your mother. For now, I’ll have a few wolves stand guard at your home to make sure nothing happens. Though if something does happen, you will be immediately moved into the packhouse for your family’s safety. You seem to have a good control now but we never know.’’ William explains as pulls a book from the shelf. “Ah, here we go.’’

William walks over to the opposite couch from her and places a thick, old book in front of her and she peers at it curiously. It was leather and a blank design but she could tell it held importance.

“This right here holds information about the history of werewolves. How we came to be, who were the first wolves, Et Cetera, Et Cetera. You’ll have to read it here so that it doesn’t fall into the wrong hands.’’

Sunni nods in agreement. It would be bad if someone found out. She knows her reaction wasn’t bad but who knows with other people. She took the book in her hands and traced the spine, noting the small, worn-out design then hands it back with a smile. “I can definitely make time. I’d like to learn as much as I can!’’

Her response seemed to please William as he nodded, his eyes losing some of the coldness as he placed the book back on the shelf. He then turns to her and gives her a calculating stare and she gives him a confused look before giving him an awkward smile.

“I still don’t understand how you were able to turn into a werewolf. You need to be bitten by an Alpha in order for your body to even accept the virus.’’

Sunni’s eyes widened comically as she blanched as she points to herself. “Virus? I have a weak immune system, are you sure I’m going to be ok?’’

William placed his hand on his mouth and inhaled, suddenly tired. He didn’t know if the girl was trying to make a joke or if she was just…dumb. Either way, he knew this whole process will be

tiring but as her Alpha, it’s his duty to make sure everything goes smoothly.

“It’s not really a virus, we just call it that but yes you will be ok.’’ He said, watching the girl relax before stifling a snort. She was amusing as she was annoying and if what his wife told him, she was going to definitely be around a lot more.

A knock interrupted them and he isn’t surprised to see his son walk in, heading straight for the girl.

“Did you know it’s a virus?’’ she asked excitedly before smacking her head. “Of course you do, you probably know everything, huh?’’

William watches as the girl goes off on an exciting tangent, her hands flinging everywhere as she voices her thoughts before turning to his son, his eyes softening at the enthralled look on the soon-to-be Alpha’s face. His son was always wearing a neutral face, only really showing annoyance or giving a smile to his mother or sister, as expected because his son was like him, an emotional range of a teaspoon as his wife so lovingly puts it.

To see such a look on Archer’s face, the same one he’s seen on mated couples’ faces and even his own when he looks at Noelle, warms his heart a bit. To see him so expressive because of this girl warmed his heart.

But it also breaks it as well.

There is no way that Sunni will ever be Luna, she just isn’t leader material in his eyes and he doesn’t suspect it’ll change.

Turning away to give the two shifters some privacy, he walks out of the office. He can at least give his son a moment with his object of affection for now before having a talk with him about finding a proper mate.

Archer silently thanks his dad as he hears the door close before he tunes back into Sunni’s rambling.

“...And I’m super excited to see what my wolf will look like. I mean it’ll be scary but I always thought wolves look so beautiful.’’ She finishes off, her fingers twisting around each other in a nervous tic. She suddenly looks down, suddenly sad and Archer tilts his head as he taps his fingers against her tightly wrapped hands.

“...You okay?’’ he asks, gently prying her hands apart before taking one in his. She shrugs and he tugs at their conjoined hands, pulling her closer to him. She’s hesitant but she complies, placing her head on his chest and sighs.

“It’s just, I’m trying to be excited about this but I can’t.’’ She admits and Archer’s wolf whines at the sadness flowing from the girl. He wraps his free arm around her, his thumb rubbing her upper arm in comfort.

“It’s ok, trust me. It’s not every day that this happens and I really am sorry you have to endure it, but it’s not all bad. I promise you, it’ll be fun.’’ He said, trying to cheer her up and when she doesn’t say anything, he frowns heavily, a small feeling of guilt tugging at him. “That’s not the problem is it?’’

When she doesn’t say anything, he continues. “It’s because of your dad huh?’’

She freezes before looking up at him. “You know about dad?’’

He nods. “Your mom mentioned him the other day… and it wasn’t just a regular wolf attack. It was a rogue. Werewolves who’ve either abandoned or been abandoned by their pack.’’

Sunni’s face buried into Archer’s chest and he felt her shoulders shake violently. He releases her hand and wraps that arm around her, pulling her tight against him as he releases some of his scent to calm her but that seemed to make her grow more distraught.

She pulls away, her face red and her eyes wet with tears as she spoke, her voice cracking with a vulnerability that hurt his heart.

“How can I become the same thing that killed my dad? It’s so unfair!’’ She wails as tears spill from her eyes.

He cups her face, using his thumb to wipe her tears as he let her cry, not knowing what to say that could make her feel better. They stay like that for a few minutes, until her crying simmered down to sniffing and short exhales. When she opens her eyes, she scoffs and pulls away from him, rubbing at her face as she laughs sardonically

“Jeez, I probably look like a mess right now. I’m sorry you had to see that.” She said, shaking her face as she stands up straighter as if she wasn’t crying her eyes out moments earlier. He smiles as he takes her hand again and walks closer to her, practically leaning into her as he places his forehead against hers.

“It’s understandable… I can’t say that this will be an easy ride and I can’t imagine what it’s like for you, given your history but like I’ve said before. I’m here for you.’’ He said, wrapping his arms around her waist, moving to bury his face in her curls. She stiffens before relaxing in his hold. They stay like that for a second before Archer pulls his face back, his eyes holding a warm, intense emotion that causes Sunni’s throat to dry. He stares into her eyes for a moment before moving his hand once again against the side of her face. “Remember how I would tell you why I’m being nice?’’

She nods, her eyes shining with interest that causes him to chuckle lightly. “Well… the reason why is because you sav-’’

The door opens suddenly as heels clacked against the floor. The two pull away from each other and turned to see Moira staring at the two of them with mixed emotions. Archer felt annoyance and a bit of anger at being interrupted, glaring at the blonde girl. Moira frowns at him before schooling her face and turns to a blushing Sunni.

“Alpha Williams wants you guys in the living room now.’’ She said before turning on her heels and walked out, a bitter scent coming from her normal Rose and Dahlia smell. Archer continues to glare until a warm hand grips his. He looks to see Sunni smiling at him.

“Let’s go before your dad gets mad. I…don’t think he likes me a lot yet and I don’t want to overstep.

He sighs before nodding and leads her to the living room, where his parents were as well as a few others.

William looks up from the paper in his hand and nods. “Now that introductions are out of the way, I can answer any questions you may be having. We can also plan for your first shift since you are probably feeling the effects since it’s nearing.’’

Sunni nods before taking a seat across from him. Before they could begin, a gruff voice calls out from the front door. The group looks up as Aster walks in holding a suitcase. He blinks in surprise when he sees Sunni and she waves before her eyes widen at the man who walked in behind the blonde.

He looked like an older version of Aster, now that the two stood next to each other, except with short, dark brown, near black hair with greys at the side. His beard was longer than when she last saw him and he still had the same three jagged scars across his left eye.

His lone green eye bore into her grey and she let out a small whine, causing the other occupants in the room to react to the sad sound. Before anyone could move, the man walked over to Sunni and pulled her into a hug, shocking everyone.