Alpha Gideon’s deception

Sam's perspective

Location: Crescent pack (Samuel’s home)

Turmoil is whirling in the Crescent Pack. One of their pack members has been banished and forced to leave their territory. The trial took place earlier that day, the verdict carried out swiftly. The man’s belongings are still strewn throughout his house, only the bare essentials removed as he departed with just a few suitcases. He’s been convicted of stealing funds from the shared pack vault, money intended for the elderly and the poor. While the verdict was fair and just, all those involved are still reeling from the shock.

Samuel, Alpha of the Crescent Pack, had to be the one to determine the punishment, a responsibility that weighs heavy on his shoulders.

He prides himself on being a kind and caring leader, giving the benefit of the doubt when accidental missteps occur. He strives to run his community as equitably as possible. As a leader, he has a reputation as easy-going and kind — something he prides himself on. However, in order to maintain control, he knows this kindness can never be mistaken for weakness — or men like this will inevitably take advantage.

While Sam rationally knows he simply did what needed to be done, this doesn’t remove the nagging feeling of guilt and sorrow from his mind. Self-doubt creeps in from time to time; he’s only held the title of Alpha for a couple of years now and still questions his own judgement calls from time to time. He worries about the man he banished, once a close friend and confidante. Even a pep talk from his Beta, Chase, does little to assuage his concerns. Heading back to his apartment to retire for the night, he finally gives into his mental fatigue and tries to get some sleep; but the night passes slowly, his sleep disturbed by confusing and strange dreams. His rest is interrupted throughout. He wakes up several times that night.

It’s around six in the morning when he wakes up yet again. It’s still early, the sun barely up, faint light shining through his thin bedroom curtains, but he knows any attempts to go back to sleep will be futile. He’s simply too stressed to continue sleeping, so he gives up and gets out of bed. The events from the night before are running through his head still. He needs a distraction, a way to get the adrenaline out of his system.

On days like these, when his duties as an Alpha weigh heavy on him, he tries to seek out solitude. An introvert at heart, he thinks most clearly when totally alone, away from the hustle and bustle of his pack. This is as good an opportunity as any for some quiet time. Most of the pack will still be asleep. If any emergencies do occur, Chase, his Beta, will be more than capable of dealing with them.

Sam grabs a dirty pair of jeans and yesterday’s T-shirt. No point in dressing up, as he knows he is likely to get muddy. Grabbing a cereal bar from the kitchen counter, he heads outside. The air is still damp and cold, but the sun is out now, gradually heating up Sam’s surroundings. He puts on his leather jacket before approaching his motorbike. The extra layer will be needed, as the wind gets quite chilly at the speeds he will be going at.

He plans to release some adrenaline on this ride, trying out the muddy and coarse roads of the nearby forest. He has ridden on this terrain before and knows his bike will be able to handle it. It’s a true dirt bike — old, but sturdy, capable of pulling through deep mud. Still, such a ride can be challenging, even with the most reliable vehicle. It’s just the thing to blow off steam and take his mind off yesterday's events.

The main road is still deserted. Sam takes advantage of the solitude by picking up speed, riding fast, headed towards the town’s immediate borders. While this area is technically still part of his territory, these roads are commonly shared by visiting packs of wolves. His pack is placed centrally, surrounded on all sides by neighboring packs they’re on good terms with; these roads connect their territories. Today, Sam is taking the road that leads to the nearby Forest Grove pack, home of Alpha Charles, one of his trading partners. His aim isn’t to make it all the way there – instead, he’ll be headed towards the forest that is shared by the two packs. He’ll be using the smaller and much more coarse country road that runs through the dense woods.

It takes about twenty minutes before he reaches the start of the forest. Slowing down significantly, Sam rides into the woods, staying low to avoid branches hitting his face as he heads forward. The path, at first well-maintained, becomes more and more coarse as he progresses. The deeper he goes, the rougher the terrain gets. Deep into the forest, where few people go, the path is overgrown and harder to discern. Tree branches cover the path; some large, some small.

This is exactly the kind of terrain Samuel set out to find. Even on a steady dirt bike, the area is unpredictable. It can be unsafe. He has to focus on the road; focus on nothing else. Control his speed, stay calm, pay attention to his surroundings.

A fallen tree, cut down by a lightning strike, is covering the path. It’s far too broad to run through, he will have to move over it. Carefully picking up speed, he readies his bike. Adrenaline courses through his veins as he pushes the bike’s wheels against the heavy tree trunk, forcing the bike over it. He grins from ear to ear as he makes a safe landing, feeling relieved to touch the forest ground again. The rush of knowing he made it through safely, always fills him with joy.

He continues driving for a while longer, before eventually slowing down and getting off his motorbike. He feels calmer now, more composed.

Parking his bike up against a tree, he sits down on top of a nearby tree trunk. The morning sun has come out in full force by now, so the forest is warming up and feels quite comfortable, but the tree trunk is still damp with condensation, making his jeans a little soggy. It doesn’t bother him. Surrounded by the tranquility of nature, birds chirping all around him, Sam finally feels truly relaxed. The ride helped him achieve the peace of mind he was looking for. He grabs his cereal bar and takes a bite, deciding to head back soon. He got what he came here for, no need to linger.

That’s when he notices the smell.

It’s faint, coming from at least a mile away, maybe more, but it’s undeniable. It’s a scent unlike anything he’s ever smelled before.

To say it’s delicious would be an understatement. To be clear: the scent is appealing, with a slight hint of vanilla and summer breeze, but there is much more to it than the mere odor. It’s irresistible, drawing him in like a drug calling out to an addict, like the song of a siren pulling in fishermen.

Colby, Sam’s wolf, responds to it with an intensity Sam has never experienced before.

MATE, his wolf howls at him, I CAN SMELL OUR MATE! GO FIND HER!

Sam doesn’t need to be told twice, excitement immediately rising within him. Is this it? Is this the moment he is going to meet the love of his life?

He gets up, tossing his cereal bar aside, only pausing for a moment as he tries to decide how to get there. He grabs his bike and climbs back on it. It will be harder to track her scent while in motion, but he doesn’t want to waste any time reaching her.

All the care and focus he exercised prior are completely gone as he rides through the woods this time. He’s speeding recklessly through the forest, narrowly avoiding obstacles. He knows it’s dangerous, he’s going too fast, but he can’t help himself – his wolf instincts are guiding him, telling him where to go.

The smell gets more and more intense as he gets closer to his mate. He can tell she is moving towards him. Did she detect his scent too? Will she be excited to meet him?