Alpha's Way

The Latte and the Howl

Living a human life was mostly about mastering the art of pretending.

For seven years, Boom had perfected the subtle routines of mundane city living. He knew precisely how long to microwave his morning oatmeal, how to stand in a packed elevator without touching anyone, and how to smile politely when his landlord complained about the radiator. At twenty-five, his world was bounded by the four walls of a modest accounting office and the quiet comfort of an apartment that smelled like fresh linen and ground coffee beans.

He was content. The inner beast that used to rage beneath his ribs during his teenage years had been lulled to sleep by spreadsheets and predictable routines.

...Then came the phone call on a rainy Tuesday morning.

"Boom, your father's back gives out whenever he shifts now," his mother's voice had boomed through the receiver, entirely unbothered by the fact that he was currently sitting at his office desk. "The Crescent Moon Pack needs its Alpha. Pack up your apartment. The car will be outside in an hour."

Boom had stared at his computer screen, his thumb hovering over the mouse. "Mom, I have a quarterly audit on Friday."

"The audit can wait, my boy. The pack cannot."

With a sigh, Boom started making calls and submitting reports. They are not entirely wrong. Someone else can step up for the audit. The pack, however, stands without an Alpha. And if not for too long, the pack will… let’s just say UNpack.

And in just the blink of an eye, Boom stood in the middle of a sprawling wooden estate tucked deep within the misty pine forests of Oakhaven. Instead of a leather office chair, he was greeted by an ancient carved throne made of dark oak. Instead of his morning latte, a heavy stone goblet of spring water was placed in his hand.

And instead of a quiet workspace, he was met with a chaotic whirl of pack members arguing about territory borders, venison distribution, and ancient ritual moon dances.

"He doesn't even wear the pack colors," a gruff elder whispered from the side of the hall, eyeing Boom's neatly pressed polo shirt and khaki trousers. "He looks like he's about to calculate my property taxes," everyone stifled a laugh upon hearing this comment.

Boom pinched the bridge of his nose, feeling a familiar migraine blooming behind his eyes. He missed his apartment. He missed his noise-canceling headphones. Most of all, he missed the comforting simplicity of being just a guy named Boom who worked in finance. But what can he do? He just stared at the people whispering, imagining how judgy they seemed to be. The people then avoided his gaze, seemingly to say that he is still the Alpha... and he commands respect.

"Alright, everyone, please step back!" a high-pitched voice suddenly squeaked from the entrance of the grand hall.

"Give the Alpha some breathing room!" Boom looked up just in time to see a girl tripping over the threshold.

She tumbled forward, her arms flailing wildly as a stack of heavy leather-bound ledgers went flying into the air. Boom reacted by pure instinct, stepping forward and catching her by the waist before her face hit the hardwood floor. The ledgers crashed around them in a deafening cascade of parchment and dust.

For a second, the entire hall went silent.

Boom looked down into a pair of wide, shimmering hazel eyes. The girl was breathing heavily, a stray lock of honey-brown hair clinging to her cheek. She smelled faintly of vanilla and rain, a scent so warm and inviting that Boom's dormant inner wolf suddenly stirred, letting out a confused, inquisitive rumble in the back of his mind.

"I... I caught you," Boom said stupidly, his hands resting on her waist.

The girl blinked, her cheeks instantly flushing a deep, radiant crimson. "You did! Wow, your Alpha reflexes are amazing. I was fully prepared to break my nose." She offered a sheepish, incredibly sweet grin that made a sudden, unexpected knot form in Boom's chest.

"I'm Luna. I'm supposed to be your official pack guide."