The Tail of Two Alphas

"NOVA!!! Can you please quit daydreaming and pay attention in class", Mr. Lockeheart screamed at me to get my attention. "Sorry, Mr. Lockerheart," I answered.  As everyone turned their attention back to the board I sank into my seat. I know having the proper education to run my pack was necessary but why did it have to be in this hell of a school?  ****RRRRIIIINNNGGG*** thank you goddess for that bell.  "Nova I need to see you for a minute before you leave", as quit as I started to get up I sat right back down, "Yes sir" I muttered, "Nova Peirce, you are soon to be the alpha of our pack you need to show an interest in your education to show the others that it is one of the important things we need to be civil",  "I know I'm sorry I was just distracted by the thought of the upcoming ceremony ".  Mr. Lockeheart was always the most understanding teacher and quite frankly one of the only ones who I even cared for in this place.  "I understand you are stressed with your eighteenth birthday coming up this weekend as well as the alpha ceremony, but you still have 3 days before that and your pack is going to require you to have an understanding of our past and what it can mean for our future"  "I know thank you I will do better I promise."  I know I have the responsibility to my pack to be the best alpha I can be since I am the only heir from my father Alpha Roman Peirce and Luna Summer Peirce to our North Star Pack. That bell was the last one of the day. I walked to my locker and put away my things **SLAM!!!**  "Hey girl hey" laughed Monica Winter  "You know you may be my best friend but I will still kill you for almost giving me a heart attack "  "You know you can't kill me because then no one would drag you out to all the fun things in this town" She smiled from ear to ear knowing she was right.  Monica and I have been best friends since I can remember. Her dad was Beta James Winter my father's right-hand man, Her mother, Raven, was also my mom's best friend. We grew up in the pack together with our birthdays being only 2 days different from each other of course she always had to remind me she was older by 2 damn days.  "So what are you wearing to the ceremony ?" she asked me in a way I knew all too well meant she wanted to go shopping. "How about I pretend I have absolutely nothing to wear (I said in the most southern belle accent I could) and you can just tell me where we are going in the car " I laughed. She smiled skipping down the hall toward the parking lot knowing damn well she was getting her way. I followed her after throwing my bag over my shoulder and picking up my jacket. We walked for what seemed like forever finally reaching my car, a 67 convertible mustang midnight blue with white seats and blue trim. The pack was one of the biggest in the country and midnight blue was our signature color showing our status. As I throw my stuff in the back of the car I look over at Monica giving me puppy dog eyes to put the top down and our bags in the trunk. She didn't get a car yet because driving her mom's she wrecked it 4 times just on the way home from the DMV. I sighed and opened the trunk putting our things in and waiting for her to say thank you. To my surprise when I shut the trunk she was locking eyes with the b***h of the school. Amber Townes, thought she was the top s**t around her she was 19 and still in high school. She had her mate on her arm as they walked past my car. "Hmmm what do we have here, a mutt and the almighty princess." she hissed with a smirk on her face "How about you and your boy toy take a short walk off a high cliff", Monica growled She kept walking after snickering at her posse who followed like mindless sheep behind her. As we put the top back I tied up my hair and gave an extra hair tie to Monica. We hopped in and took off toward the center of town. We parked right in front of our favorite little pizza place. "How about we get a snack first then we can head down to the dress shops" I smiled. "Well since we are already here why not", Monica smiled back As we walk in the smell of fresh garlic bread and pasta hit our noses, we sat down at our normal booth and waited for someone to come by when they could. We didn't need menus but we looked anyways we always got the same thing. I got the two slices of alfredo pizza with a cinnamon roll and Monica got the house salad with a slice of meat lovers. "Well if it isn't my best two customers" a voice came up from the kitchen "Hey Mr. Maxwell", we both said in a cheerful tone "Yall want the usual?" he asked we nodded and we went straight to work on our order. Monica looked at me while waiting for me to put down the menu. She had this look on her face of disappointment and sadness. "What's wrong?" I asked "It is just that tomorrow is my birthday and then Sunday is yours and then you become the alpha what if you are too busy for me", looked down at the table I grabbed her hands and held them close," Monica you are my best friend and the only one whom I would choose to have stood by me every step of the way, when the alpha ceremony is done and over with then we can focus on finding your mate. " Monica's worry that I would be too busy for her anymore was no concern of mine but I knew she wanted her mate and was worried that without me she would be lonely until she had found them. Alphas on the other hand once they turned eighteen and were able to shift freely their wolf would come forward and help with that part of life. "So what are the plans for your birthday, where are we going what time and what do I need to get you for a gift," I asked trying to change the subject as quickly as possible not to keep the feeling of sadness around. Monica smiled and said started thinking, "Well we can just have a small gathering at the pack house and then we can go out to the lake house and we can spend the weekend there until it's time to come back for your birthday and ceremony." I smiled and knew that was exactly the plan I had already told my parents that we would be at the lake house until a few hours before the party of the century. That way we could have a few days to relax before the next full moon where not only would every wolf in the pack who hasn't shifted yet be doing that for the first time but also myself taking the role of alpha from my father and doing my first run with my pack as a wolf. "Here you go girls", smiled Mr.Maxwell We ate and talked while waiting for our food to settle so we could go dress shopping. Once we paid the check and waved to Mr. Maxwell we headed out the door and walked down to the first dress shop Monica wanted to go to. As we walked in she beelined for this silver mid-thigh long dress that would hug her in the perfect place and would shine in the moonlight. I decided not only was I spending the weekend at the cabin with her but I was also going to buy whatever dress she wanted for her birthday party. She ran to the fitting room and came out in a stunning dress. The dress clung to her hugging her hips and falling just below the middle of her thigh, the top had one strap that went over her shoulder and a sleeve of sheer that went down to her wrist, she looked like a model with her strawberry blonde hair, bright blue eyes, and tan skin. I found these blue heels that would add a pop of color. She sat down and put the heels on and then strutted over to the mirror for a look. She turned and nodded, "This is it, the dress the shoes everything is perfect." As she went back into the dressing room I went up to the register and paid for it, while paying for the dress and shoes I saw two charms bracelets with a moon and sun and grabbed them as well. when she walked out I grabbed the dress and shoes and put them in a bag and walked out of the store, she ran after me. "Nova! I didn't pay yet your stealing !" "It has been taken care of my dear sweet best friend", I said with a mischievous smile. I stopped letting her catch up to me and we continued down the sidewalk to find me a dress for the ceremony. We passed several other little shops coming to one at the end of the row. As we went in it was like entering another world. We looked around and grabbed a few things headed to the fitting room and went to work. after trying on dress after dress after dress I was starting to lose hope when Monica rushed into the dressing room with a floor-length dress that was a romper with a train the romper itself was midnight blue with small beading across the bust and a silver crystal belt like pin where the train attached. the train was a layer of blue, purple, and silver making it look like the night sky. As I put it on she grabbed a pair of silver heels which I thought were the perfect fit to go with the pin in the middle of the dress. As I stepped to the 3-way mirror I looked at my long jet-black hair flowing down my shoulders, how the shades of blue, purple, and silver made my mocha skin seem almost flawless and the shoes made me at least 4 inches taller than my 5'3 ass already was. she grabbed a silver headband beaded with crystals that had accents of blue and purple and put it on my head at that moment I knew I had found my ceremony dress. We went up to the counter but when I was about to ring up everything Monica snatched the headband, "Ugh uh, this is my gift to you for your birthday", she smiled. We packed up the car and headed to the pack house ready for the weekend to begin and the rest of our lives to start.     As we pulled up to the pack house we unloaded the car and headed straight for my room. Almost made it when I "Nova, Monica can you please join us in my office girls.", my dad yelled as we passed his office door. We walked in and sat down on the couch across from the desk. My mom and dad were sitting behind the desk while Monica's parents were sitting in the chairs to the left of us. "Girls now I know you're excited for this weekend to be here but you need to understand what is about to happen when Sunday comes", my father said in a low-toned voice. "Friday is Monica's eighteenth birthday and even though she won't shift until Friday she will still be able to hear her wolf for the first time and feel anything they can, it will also open up the mind link since Nova won't be able to use that till Sunday I will be letting you know when to head back here for the ceremony ok Monica", Her father added. "Now I know you girls are ready to get out of here but you need to know how crazy Sunday will be with the other pack leaders joining us for Nova's ceremony.", my mother added in a stern don't screw it up a tone "Father, why are the other packs coming to my ceremony it's not like they go to everyone else, why do they have to come to mine?" "Alpha tradition states that at the age of eighteen the next alpha will take the place of their current and continue to serve the pack, however, your ceremony is special because not only will it fall on a full moon when all those who haven't shift before will for the first time, but also because its the summer solstice and the moon goddess will have the most power. You will be the first to shift under the full moon when it is closest to the Earth and with it being the solstice in 50 years, some say that just being in the presence of you for your first shift will show them the way of the goddess, others say it will reveal a certain prophecy that has yet to be fulfilled.", my father explained Now not only do I have to shift for the first time with the whole pack watching me but with other pack leaders as well great everyone is gonna be waiting to see my wolf and if I have some special power. "How many other pack leaders will be attending my ceremony mom?" "Four, the alpha of the white river pack and his beta, the alpha of moon haven and his luna, the alpha of blue star pack and his beta, and course the alpha of auroras' light and his luna, you know them as" "UNCLE MICHEAL AND AUNT MAY ARE COMING I HAVEN'T SEEN THEM SINCE I WAS 10!!!!" "Yes, your mother's brother and his wife are coming to watch their little star become alpha of their strongest allied pack. Now have you found your dress for the ceremony?" "Yes, Monica and I went shopping today after school to find our outfits ." "Well don't forget to pack a bag and stash it in the woods or the cabin for after your first run since you will be naked when you shift back into your human form.", my father added before dismissing us to my room It was getting late and tomorrow was all about Monica and her birthday so, for now, we need to get some much-needed rest and I needed to be prepared for whatever crazy things she had in store for me this weekend.   **UNKNOWN POV** "BETA when do we leave for the north star pack?" "We leave at noon on Saturday, do you want me to pack anything specific for the occasion?" "No just make sure you have something nice to wear for the little wolf's ceremony, I am wearing our signature red color to show which pack we are from, and to tell others our status you may wear anything that does the same." "Yes alpha, and are you going to be looking for your mate while we are there or should I notify your sister that we will be returning home alone?" "HAHAHAHA very funny, I'm just hoping I have a mate being 21 and a mateless alpha is hard enough, but yes make sure you leave enough room in case we do find my mate for her to come back with us" **NOVA'S POV** Waking up on Friday morning I made sure to be extra quiet so I didn't wake Monica as I snuck downstairs to make sure her favorite breakfast was made by Maria our loving chef. Maria had worked for us since I was 2 and not that mom didn't know how to cook but she didn't have time for it and all her Luna duties, plus raising a baby. "Good morning Maria" "Well good morning Nova, what is on the menu today for breakfast?" "Can you make me and Monica eggs in a basket with a hash brown casserole and some biscuits and gravy?" "Of course, I can why the big order though ?" "It's Monica's birthday and I want to surprise her with her favorite so she can start the day right." As Maria starts on everything I head to my dad's office knowing he has a few extra gift bags in the closet, I walk up and hear him and my mom having a conversation. I knocked and waited for them to say it was okay to enter. "Come in" "Morning mom, morning dad, I just need a gift bag for Monica's gift from the closet." "We have one thing to discuss with you before you are off of the weekend, So since you're turning eighteen and will be able to find your mate we need you to understand that once you become alpha many men will attempt to claim you as their mate simply because they will then be able to claim our pack as theirs.", my dad advises while sitting back in his chair "Wait why can they take our pack", I asked in a haste "Because once you are mated our pack will become a part of theirs or if they don't have a title they will become a part of our pack and since our pack is the largest in the country it's not uncommon for men to claim to be your mate. We just want you to be safe and once you are alpha you will be able to feel who is and who isn't your mate just be smart about who is around you.", mother added with a sense of worry in her voice I nodded and grabbed the gift bag and headed back downstairs to see how breakfast was coming along. Maria had just finished everything as I entered the kitchen, I put Monica's gift in the bag and set it on the table. I ran back up the stairs to the third floor and slowly opened the door to my room where Monica was still asleep I tiptoed over to the dresser and Bluetooth my phone to play our favorite song as soon as I was ready I turned up the speaker to full volume and hit play. ******Shivers by Ed Sheeran began playing******** Monica stirred a little and sat up glaring but I knew she would start singing as soon as the chorus hit... We sang in unison "Ooh, I love it when you do it like that, And when you're close up, give me the shivers Oh baby, you wanna dance 'til the sunlight cracks, And when they say the party's over, then we'll bring it right back" She jumped up and we started dancing, shivers was our song we had it on repeat for the last month. As the song came to an end I scream, "HAPPY EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY!!!!" Monica laughed and hugged me as we walked downstairs she could smell something that made her so happy, I knew turning eighteen heightened our senses but damn. she ran to the kitchen to see all her favorites, Maria had already made our plate and see them on the table that's when she saw the bag. Monica's parents had just walked into the packhouse when we finished our food they brought her a gift for her to open later at the cabin and gave us the okay to go out and have fun. We headed upstairs to get ready Monica was so excited to wear the dress she got yesterday that she almost fell over the heels trying to get to the closet. I handed her the brush and her bag full of makeup and waited for her to be done. she did a half updo with a cute messy bun on top and let her hair fall down her back. Her makeup was so perfect she had such a steady hand, and the perfect smokey eye with a hint of blue and a light mocha lip made it, she slipped on the dress and then pointed to my closet. I knew this meant to get dressed so she could do my makeup, I giggled. I pulled out a black skirt, with a red top and leather jacket, and some combat boots . she smiled and nodded giving me the okay to wear that for the day. As I got dressed she pushed me into the chair sat at my dresser and started playing with my hair. she pulled two strands and braided them back and then put the rest in a high ponytail. She started on the makeup, a red smokey eye that made my hazel eyes seem kinda gold, and added an ombre lip from black to red, I felt like the hot bad girl from a movie. We took a million pictures and then headed down to the car and drove around the whole day to her favorite places taking pictures where ever we went. Making as many memories as possible and then as the sun started to set we headed to the cabin on the lake. As soon as we pulled up Monica leaned over in pain. "MONICA ARE YOU OKAY DO I NEED TO CALL YOUR MOM OR TAKE YOU TO THE PACK DOCTOR?!?!?" "NO! It's just my wolf is coming up." When she looked up her eyes were this light blue color and she said, "Hello Nova, My name is Snow I am Monica's wolf and have been dying to meet you." And then it's like she gave Monica control again she blinked and her eyes were back to her normal shade of deep blue. I smiled and hugged her neck just being glad she was okay. We made it inside before I told her how amazing her wolf is and how amazing her eyes were. The weekend was fun just having the cabin to ourselves. As quick as it began it ended because Sunday was here and I was eighteen with my ceremony tonight.   As usual, I was the first one awake and ready for the day to begin. Even though I was able to stay up most nights there was always something about seeing the first rays of sunlight that brought my world a sense of peace. I made breakfast and woke up Monica, I knew today would be long and we needed to have everything perfect. Eating chocolate chip pancakes, scrabbled eggs and sausage was the best way to begin the day. As the morning got closer to noon I knew that today a bunch of people were ready to see the new alpha and her wolf which of course made my stomach turn in knots. Monica sat on the porch facing the lake drinking her coffee. I walked out to join her before we both started getting ready for the day of events that were lined up for today's ceremony. "Nova?" "Yeah, Monica I know today it's no more games, no more messing around, time to take my father's place and even maybe find my mate.", I said as Monica just looked at me between her sips of coffee. "Do you think the first shift will hurt as bad as they say it does?", Monica asked with slight fear in her voice. Most omega wolves had a hard time shifting the first time, they say that they can feel every bone break in their body and then move into place as their wolf takes over. Alphas, betas, gammas, and most worriers shifted quickly and painlessly. "No matter what happens tonight I will be right by your side to help you through it. Even though I will be named alpha, that changes nothing about our friendship.", I had placed my hand on hers and grabbed it tight knowing that tonight would change so much but never how close we were and how strong our bond was. As the clock hit two, we knew we had to start getting ready. I got in the shower first, while Monica got everything out of the bags and unwrinkled it. As I stood there in the hot water letting it roll down my skin, I couldn't help but wonder what if I did meet my mate tonight. Whom would he be, what kind of wolf would he have, would he be as much a romantic as I am or would he even want me? I took the soap in my hands and lathered up my hair. I did the same with my conditioner. I grabbed the body and began washing my skin, making sure no trace of dirt could be seen or felt by anyone. Rinsing off, I let the hot water drip down my mocha skin and run down my curves. I wasn't a big girl, but momma gave me what I did get and that was enough for me. I turned the shower off and stepped out to grab my towel and start drying off when Monica burst into the bathroom. I guess I didn't realize how long I had been here she had to go so badly. I laughed watching her almost not make it. I walked out and finished drying my body off. I put on a pair of soft shorts and a tube top just so I could get ready. I let my hair down from the towel and watched it flow to below my shoulder blades. I moisturized my skin and waited for Monica to get done in the shower so she could help me with my hair and makeup. When she got out, she sat down beside me, smiled, and hugged me tightly. I knew this was one of those hugs that meant no matter what happens tonight, I love you. I wrapped my arms around her back and hugged her too.