The Alpha Complex

The Chase - Mel

I jumped and sprinted to the door before my wolf bursted through. The shift used to be painful, but now it was liberating. I headed towards the north, where the wolf on patrol had mind-linked me from. I could smell the wolf in our territory, he’d taken a sharp left and I’d followed. I saw gray fur just off in the distance, but I felt someone coming up behind me. Beta Jackson large brown wolf was right off my feet. He was struggling to keep up in his older age, but none the less he was there to help me. He’s been wanting to sabotage me, but it wasn’t worth hurting the pack.

I pushed harder till I was on the gray’s hind end and lunged shoving him into a tree. I stood over him and bit his neck, forcing him into submission. He barely fought back, looking up at me scared before closing his eyes and laying limp. I let go slowly, then he shifted. This was no man, this was about of barely fifteen. “Jackson, call the guards and tell them we caught the wolf. We should only need two, this is a mere boy”

“Yes, Alpha”.

I shifted back, my wolf still tense and growling to shift back. The young boy looked me up and down, and made a confused face. “Who are you?”, he asked calmly but I could hear the fear. I stood straighter trying to seem intimidating. “I’m Alpha Mel. We are taking you to the pack house. You can confess now, or then. But you will confess why you’ve entered our pack territory with out permission”.

He nodded, “but - you are female? I’ve heard of a few select warriors, but never an Alpha”. I looked at this boy, wanting to be intimidating. However, I was sad for him. I hope he confesses before the guards would hurt him. Am I being weak? Or compassionate? I heard many footsteps behind me as the guards and Jackson approached. They began to haul him to the packs basement. There were several rooms down there just for this instance. We haven’t used one besides to house a rogue or two before convincing them to join the pack.

I sighed, “Give him spare clothes, and wait until I get there. He is still just a child, no one touch him”.

“He’s a rogue in our territory, I..”

“Jackson I don’t care what YOU want. I’m the Alpha and I said to wait until I’m there”.

Before he could continue I shifted and ran towards my parents cabin, needing a breath before dealing with the boy. I ran as fast I could, feeling the soil between my paws. I howled out, getting a chorus back in response. I felt powerful, but also weak. There was something about the boy I couldn’t explain. I grabbed spare clothes from the storage chest at my parents, then walked back to the pack house. My inner wolf was anxious, and really so was I. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do, but I did know I didn’t want to hurt that boy.

I walked to stairs and headed down into the basement. Down the hall in the very last room on the left was where the guards were standing. I nodded as I passed through the door, and was annoyed to say the least. His face was red, from being slapped or punched. I looked to see Jackson in the corner, avoiding eye contact. “You’re dismissed.”

“Melinda, I should be here and as your beta-“

“ENOUGH! It is Alpha Mel, and quite frankly I’m not in need of your opinion. I told you not to touch the boy, and yet you have. Get. Out. Now.”, I sneered, I’ve been disrespected and I wasn’t going to take it lightly. The boys eyes were wide, and Jackson made sure to shoulder check me on the way out. I mind-linked a guard upstairs, “Beta Jackson is not allowed to leave the premises”.

“Yes Alpha Mel”

I looked at the boy, who was now grinning.

“My brother is going to like you.”

“Excuse me?”

“He’s coming to get me. He will probably be here in a couple days. My name is Ashton. Ashton Silverton-“

“Of the Silver Stone pack. Why are you here? And how did you make it through the territory between us. Also, isn’t there seven of you boys? Last I knew your eldest brother, Alpha Adam was still in charge. Is he coming for you?”

“You are quite knowledgeable for a woman. It’s so strange, even most Luna’s don’t know this much. Adam is still alpha yes, but no he won’t becoming. Anthony will be.”

Ah, the second eldest brother. A mere year older than I, and one of the best warriors in their pack. I looked at Ashton, a bit annoyed with how seemed so perplexed women could be on the same level as men. I sighed, “Well, I will make sure you get three meals a day. You’ve told me what I needed to know, so you may join our pack to eat. The omegas are nice, and will make sure you are taken care of while you are in the pack house. I’m sorry about Beta Jackson, he is having a rough time.”

“Because you are female?”

“Goodnight Ashton.”

After telling the game plan to the guards I headed up stairs to where a very mad Jackson was yelling about how this was ridiculous. “Elders please join me in the Alpha office, we have some concerns to discuss”

“Yes Alpha, Mel”

The way they always spoke at once in my head was still unnerving, but I was easier to deal with than the yelling Jackson was still doing.

When the last one arrived, and was seated I began “Good evening elders, sorry for disturbing you this late in the evening. I would like to discuss the role of Beta with you. Jackson looked down very nervous. I then explained the chase, what I told the guard and Jackson. Then how when I arrived Jackson had disobeyed. A few of them looked at him disgusted, but Elder Gregory just stared at me. “I don’t think I can run the pack appropriately if my Beta is going to disobey me. So I move that third in command, Conner take over as Beta until Jeremy is of age and has been officially trained”, my wolf was determined to come out. She was fearful that I had overstepped, but fought to stay calm on the outside.

“I would like to disagree, however I can see where this will be a struggle. Especially with you only having three months to prove yourself. Don’t you agree Elder Gregory?”, Elder Mitchell grinned. He’d been on my side since my father first spoke of me being Alpha.

“I suppose you’re right Elder Mitchell. Jackson, you are relieved of your duty and Conner will take over,” he frowned before a small smile lifted his lips. “Alpha Mel, have you thought about your mate yet? Twenty-one is a little old to be without”, and there it is. Not even 6 hours since I’ve been made temporary Alpha.

“I have Elder Gregory but I’m not yet concerned. Alpha Clint from the Blood Moon pack has yet to find one and he is twenty-five. I have faith in the Moon Goddess that she will bring him along in time. I have already thought about his title too. I’m not sure he’d like to be called a Luna, but maybe Lunar. It’s a little more manly. Don’t you think?”, someone snorted before laughter erupted, but I never broke eye contact with Elder Gregory. There were 9 members, and I wasn’t going to let a single one intimidate me.

“I spoke to the young boy that Jackson has slapped by the way”, my eyes rolled to Jackson and then back to the elders. “He is Ashton Silverton. Of the Silver Stone pack. I plan to invite them over, if you all agree to tell them how sorry we are, and for Jackson to apologize for slapping their kid brother.” The elders looked amongst each other, no doubt mind-linking before Elder Erik nodded. “Your motion is granted. We will have Beta Connor call them and invite the entire pack over. We haven’t quite announced our new Alpha being female, let’s see how they react once they see you in person. Until then, no one will mention anything about your gender. Let’s get a feel on the receptiveness of the other packs.”

“Thank you elders”, I smiled as they left, Jackson in toe behind them. I could feel his hatred for me, but I didn’t care. I was going to make the Silver Stone pack respect me. This will help define me. I headed out of the office, locking it and heading to my suite across the hall. I laid down in my bed, “Gracie thank you for your heads up, I caught Elder Gregory off guard”

“You’re welcome Alpha. I will always have your back, even when you’re too busy from me”

I could hear her laugh from here. And like that, for the first time in months, I fell asleep at peace with where I was at in life.