The Alluring Alpha

Ash was pacing back and forth across the Luna suite of the packhouse. She was anxious and more than a little annoyed. It felt wrong, that they had to jump through these loopholes the council was insisting they follow in order to re-establish their parents pack. Ash glanced over at the couch where her twin brother Alex was sitting, watching her. “ Quit pacing already” Alex chided her. “You’ll wear the carpet out, and Sam will be pissed. Ash stopped, and glared at Alex. “Carpet. That's all you have to say? You're worried about the carpet? How can you just sit there so calmly?” Ash resumed pacing, before stopping over at the large bay window that looked over the packlands. Looking past the training ground, and over the trees to the escarpement beyond, Ash felt her throat closing up as the memories of her childhood rushed towards her. She used to love coming to this room to sit with her mother, listening as she would tell her pack stories. Her favourite was the one about when her parents found out they were mates. She looked out the large windows, reminiscing. Over there by that tree was where she and Alex had played as children. A bit further on, she could see the old training arena. Though they had rebuilt the training facility closer to the packhouse and installed state of the art equipment at Alex’s insistence, they had kept what remained of the old building to serve as a reminder of what they had been through. It now formed a part of the pack memorial garden. They had planted their mothers favourite flowers all throughout, and installed various plaques on the walls of the old facility bearing the names of all the fallen pack members. It had taken Ash and Sam, Alex’s mate, months to go through the pack records and account for everyone, but it was well worth it. Ash smiled softly, proud of what they had achieved. Their little pack was slowly healing. She was frightened that the council would try to take it all away from them though. Ash resumed pacing. “I don’t want to go tonight. It is a waste of our time. We should be here with the pack, not being forced to go all the way out there to socialise and dress up, as if we were debutantes, entering society for the first time!” Ash continued, huffing. “There is still so much to do. Everyone knows who we are, I don’t see why we had to and attend this farce of a ball!” Ash looked over at Alex again, who gave her a small sad smile before speaking. “You know that’s not entirely true. Everyone knew Mum and Dad when they were Luna and Alpha. They worked hard to shield us from the politics of greater pack life, such as the council and these social events. You’re just going to have to get used to these events.’ Alex nodded almost as if he were trying to convince himself too. “You don’t need to worry about the pack. Chad is a great Beta, and will have everything in hand”. Ash nodded too, knowing he was right. “You know, none of this seems to bother you, you seem quite at ease. I simply cant stop worrying about everything.” Alex chuckled “ Despite what you may think, I’m churning up inside too. I'm really grateful I have Sam to share my worries with though. You’ll understand when you have a mate to share the load with too”. Ash snorted derisively, as she turned and sat down next to Alex. “Yea right. I dont have time to go looking for my mate. I doubt they’d understand what we're trying to do here anyway. Its for the best really that I dont have one”. Her wolf, Lin, whined in her head. She didnt really believe what she was saying. Once upon a time, when she was a child, she dreamt of meeting her mate, and experience for herself that special bond that her parents shared. But she knew that the strength one gained in finding their mate also became their greatest vulnerability, something she unfortunately also learned through witnessing her parents bond. Vulnerability was not something she had time for anymore. Ash looked over at her brother, who looked at her. She knew that look. It was filled with pity. Well, she didnt need his pity. As she looked away, her eyes landed on the still closed bathroom door. Changing the topic, she asked her brother about his mate. “You’re sure Sam is ready to be Luna?” It was Alex’s turn to snort at Ash. “Are you kidding me? You try and take the Luna title away from Sam and see what happens. Besides, are you going to do it?” They shared a look before bursting into laughter, both knowing full well that administration, party planning and socialising were not Ash’s forte, and a great strength of Sam's. Shaking his head, Alex turned and took a look at his sister. “We both know that Sam is the best person for the job. Besides, I know you. You secretly love the fact that it’s a bit unorthodox.” He glanced at the bathroom door before looking back at Ash with a more sombre look on his face. “You sure you're ok with Sam being Luna, right? I mean, I know how Sam can be at times, but I having my mate here, after everything...” he left his sentence hanging. “Of course I am!” Ash quickly replied. “I love Sam, and I love that you found each other. You deserve to have someone like Sam. I see the way you look at each other; its the same way Mum and Dad looked at each other.” Ash swallowed hard, as her memories tried to resurface again. She smiled brightly at her brother. “Besides,’ she continued, “who else am I going to have girl nights with when the mood strikes?” At this, they both dissolved into laughter again at the idea of AsH and Sam in bathrobes, face masks and cocktails in hand. Ash checked her phone, noting they had to leave in the next 15min if they were actually going to make it on time. Ash got up, and walked over to the bathroom, and hammered on the door. “Hurry up Sam! Lets get this over with”. Turning back to Alex, Ash resumed glaring at him. “Speaking of Sam helping me with girl things...” She gestured to the off the shoulder midi dress she was wearing. “I cant believe Sam picked this out for me!” It was fitted around her breasts, flaring out slightly at her hips, allowing her to breath, move and eat freely, which she was grateful for. Alex chuckled. “You look fine. Lovely. Powerful with a hint of femininity!” Ash rolled her eyes at Alex. Alex continued to smile. “Are you saying that you had something appropriate to wear tonight then, and didn't need my mate to find a dress for you?” Alex waited patiently, knowing full well that Ash’s closet was full of jeans, shirts, gym clothes, and potentially a fitted blazer and suit pants. “No” she conceded, looking down again at her outfit. She conceded that it was flattering on her, and the deep green matched her eyes. At that moment, the bathroom door opened, and Sam sauntered out. “Sorry to keep you guys, I had to fix my hair”. Sam took a few steps forward, holding Alex’s gaze, before slowly turning on the spot. “So, how do I look?” Alex stood and made his way over to Sam, a wide smile on his face, accompanied by a sensual growl. “You look amazing. I won't be able to keep the men off you!” Ash turned away as she saw Alex start to kiss his mate. Ash liked Sam, and was happy for her brother, but the lovey-dovey stuff between the two of them was still uncomfortable to watch. Ash was never one for PDA. Sam playfully hit Alex on the chest, sporting a similar grin. “Alexander Pierce, you stop that! You’ll crush the fabric!” Ash snorted, quickly covering it with a cough. Sam looked up and over at Ash, eyes roaming up and down. “I knew that would suit you. That green really highlights your eyes.” Ash smiled in return. “Thanks Sam, you look great too. That fabric is really, uh, clinging to your body”. Ash turned and walked over to the suite’s door, unsurprised when she turned back around to see Alex and Sam locked in a passionate kiss. She cleared her throat, gesturing to the open door when they finally pulled apart, Alex at least having the decency to look sheepish. “Shall we?”