Orphan Alpha Daughter: Unwanted (The Sable River Series #1)

Chapter Seven

Ealiah

I woke in the morning after a very unsatisfying sleep on a wooden floor, to the smell of more smoke and the scent of bacon wafting through the packhouse. I realised I was usually the person cooking this as I got to my feet and looked around to get my bearings tiredly. I approached the burly-looking warrior at the entrance and asked if we could go outside, and what was happening. Trying to gauge where I was, what was expected of me, and if I needed to go back and prepare for the coming week in the kitchen.

In two days was the Alpha’s eldest son’s birthday, and we always had a big feast in his honour -even through he had disappeared those 8 years ago. Just like his father has now, I found myself thinking with a start. Could they be connected? Didn’t Larson go to look for the changed…?

I was snapped out of my impromptu reverie by the reply of the guard.

“You can move around, but only inside please, Miss. There’s a meeting in the big hall at 10am. All wolves to attend.”

I nodded, keeping my eyes and face neutral as my insides churned with realisation. That’s me. I’m an adult wolf now. I’m part of the Pack protection detail.

I must have missed that pack mind-linked message while I was snoring in there. I reddened a little with embarrassment.

I’d forgotten, for the time being, this important part of the first Turn. It signified your coming of age, that you could find a mate, and that you were officially part of the pack in terms of adult expectations, necessities like guard duty, protection and regular training. I was sure I would be upping my own training regime with the Sable River trainers, too. Seeing females as of equal importance was a fantastic element of this pack, but this also meant we were expected to be training and able to defend ourselves, too.

Turning also meant you were part of the pack mind-linking-which was an extra bonus of having turned for the first time. I quickly and tentatively tapped into the stream in my head, having not even given it a thought last night in the midst of everything - and was suddenly aware of the presence of hundreds, all silent currently, but there to be contacted when or if I needed them-and they me.

It was a comforting, weird and totally unique sensation, but it felt one hundred percent right. We are pack animals after all.

I nodded at the guard again, quickly stretched, and went looking for a bathroom. I found a little nook off the hall, and after using the facilities I went to wash my hands. I looked up and gaped in shock.

Looking at myself in the mirror, I could barely believe that was me.

My eyes, which were a gentle blue before, had turned a darker, almost iridescent blue. My hair was a glossy highlighted whitish blonde instead of normal honey blonde.

Even my skin seemed more toned and healthy.

I caught my breath, astounded at the difference in my human body. I looked pretty-and that’s something I never thought I would think. (When your father rejects you it’s pretty hard to feel worthy of anything, although I did try to push all that to the side. Still, seeing myself look like I stepped off a magazine cover was a nice boost.)

I finally breathed out and focused on my now-beautiful but messy, long hair. After my Turning ceremony, I had little sticks and leaves stuck through my hair, even a feather, all wound around and messed up after rolling around on the forest floor. Now THAT needs some fixing, I thought with some embarrassment. I looked like a scarecrow! I was surprised when I felt a twinge of embarrassment that the green-eyed mystery wolf had seen me looking so wild, but shrugged the feeling off. He was an enigma I did not have the headspace, or the time, to figure out this morning.

I quickly showered, and remedied the hair situation, bringing all my long hair up into a high ponytail. I found this the most useful hairstyle to get things done- it was a favourite style I often wore in the kitchen and when working around the packhouse.

I hadn’t been out to my bungalow yet, so I just put my clothes back on after a quick brush off. It was the best I could do at short notice.

Speaking of which, I had been gone for far too long. I quickly walked back to the big hall, and realised I must have taken at least half an hour, because the hall was filling up with all the pack wolves.

I shuffled quietly to the back of the group, watching this unfold with interest and trepidation.

Luna Clarena say sombrely in the centre of the pack group, with Beta Jason in front of her. She looked like she had not slept and had red eyes like she had been crying; but she sat proud and upright, with fire in her amber eyes.

Our Luna was truly the heart of the pack. She loved all, had previously congratulated me on my ability to bake, and was devoted to her mate Alpha Bronce.

She was a strong warrior-woman, but it must have been a shock to discover her mate was taken in a similar way to her eldest son, 8 years ago. She would be worried and feeling like half her soul was missing.

“Ahem.” A throat clearing brought the pack’s attention to the speaker.

“It’s not good news.” The pack Beta, Jason, turned slowly around the room, looking at each wolf in the eye as he moved.

“There is little sign of the wolves that were taken, including Alpha Bronce. It is possible that the kidnappers drugged them in order to move those 20-30 or so wolves in one go, so we’re keeping an eye out, tracking into the forest in teams one by one, and working on what to do if we can’t find them. Blakely is out there looking too, which is why I’m here right now.”

Out of respect for his Luna, Jason did not say the words many were thinking.

Blakely would tear apart this pack if he was left as the lone heir Alpha. He does not show leadership qualities or the love for those in his care, that an Alpha should do. Everyone was reeling, and it redoubled the determination to find the Alpha Bronce as soon as possible.

“Currently, every wolf is to be on alert, and ready for any further attack - or any word from the others. Otherwise, we will go about our business as usual, while expending every effort to find our lost.” While he spoke, he kept turning, looking around as he was before, and this caused the long black plait from the back of his head to swing around with him as he moved with intent.

‘We WILL find them, because we have to.” Jason boomed, via the pack mind-link this time. His energy was contagious, both solemn and motivating all of us towards the task we had been set.

We used mental linking as well as the spoken word, but not constantly if we were in human form. Obviously wolves can’t talk, so the linking thing is primarily for that.

We have to. The unspoken phrase rang out through the pack link like a death knell. What would happen if we couldn’t find the Alpha? Who had taken him and the others? I tried to stay focused and think it through, but my heart ached to find out who the mysterious wolf was, and why I kept thinking of him and dreaming of him and his gorgeous green eyes.

Also- and the dread settled in my stomach as I circled back to this thought - were we now vulnerable to another attack?