Alpha

[Slate]

My head is aching as the sun shines into my room. I definitely had way too much to drink. 

“Serves you right,” My wolf, Sage, mocks me. “You should have had more control. What kind of Alpha gets so drunk on his first night home that he takes advantage of the first pretty she-wolf he finds.” He shakes his wolfish head at me in my mind. “Did you forget how backward this town is? You probably besmirched that poor girl’s honor!”

“Damn it,” I say to myself as I sit up, as I hold my throbbing head. 

What a terrible way to start my first official day as Alpha.  

Looking at the time, I see I’m due back at Gold River in two hours to meet my council and the rest of the pack. Rushing through my morning preparations, I shower and dress, skipping breakfast to save time. As I rush out the door I pause for a moment to look out the window, the fall colors are beautiful, like flames. I had forgotten how beautiful this city is. Our pack is about an hour north of here, deep in the foothills of gold country, where the landscape is more rugged but no less striking. 

When my father died 12 years ago, I tried to forget everything about Gold River. The council said that without our parents, it wasn’t safe for us to stay in the pack. At 10 years old I wasn’t strong enough to lead, and a weak alpha leaves the entire pack vulnerable to attack. A weak alpha is a dead alpha. For the sake of everyone, my sister and I had to flee, to live far away until I became old enough to take my rightful place.

It might have been for our safety, but it didn’t lessen the sting. After watching my father die slowly, and then being sent away from home I knew, it felt like a double heartbreak.

So I threw myself into my studies as soon as we arrived overseas. My whole life was going to school and taking care of my little sister Blake. I didn’t let myself remember all the little things I loved. 

It was easier that way. 

I’m about to leave when as I turn away from the window, sunlight bounces off of a small object lying on the bed. Reaching over, I pick it up. 

A necklace. 

Smiling, I remember the beautiful girl from the night before, lying ready and waiting in my bed. I don’t know how she got there, and last night I was far too drunk to care. She smelled sweet and I let myself get carried away. Now it is my responsibility to find her and return what she has lost. It is a lovely piece, a shining star of diamonds on a simple gold chain. It looks like something precious, something she might miss. It will also give me the chance to apologize and see if there is any way I can make things right. 

I place the necklace in the handkerchief pocket of my jacket, the little star hanging over the pocket edge right above my heart.

Taking a deep breath, I roll my shoulders and open the door to my room.

It's time that my pack met their new Alpha. 

[2 hours later]

“Alpha,” Gamma McCoy beamed as he led me to a group of well-dressed individuals, each holding a tall flute of champagne,”Let me introduce you to the rest of your council.” He then pointed to each person, giving their name and title. “Beta Caroline Reed, she’s been here since your dad’s time and has been serving in this position as Beta for a number of years now.” He pauses long enough to give me a chance to nod in acknowledgment. 

“And then there is me, your Gamma Cameron McCoy, and of course our lovely Epsilon, Hannah Carson. She’s the one you need to talk to if you have any questions about pack law.”

I smile as I hold out my hand for her to shake. 

Gamma McCoy continues, turning to the last man who is walking towards us. “And then I’m sure you remember Delta Henry James, I believe he was the one who gave you and Blake a ride to the airport?”

“Of course,” I reply, not wanting to be rude, although I honestly don’t remember much about that day. 

“It’s so good to see you again, Alpha. You’ve grown into quite the young man. I hear you were top in your class at Oxford.” 

“I enjoy learning,” I state simply.

“And no mate?” he pries. 

“I haven’t found her yet,” I confirm. “But I hope I find her soon.”

“Yes, well finding your fated mate is an unforgettable experience. My first wife was my fated mate. But chosen mates can be just as good if you find the right she-wolf,” he winks. “Speaking of which, Alpha, may I introduce you to my wife and daughter, Tabitha and Ashlynd.”

He turns around to wave them over. They are both stunning, mirror images of one another, with long blonde sunkissed hair, bright blue eyes, and rosebud lips. As I extend my hand in welcome, the younger woman looks up at me with big stunned eyes. 

“You’re the…the Alpha,” she stutters. 

“Yes,” I confirm, giving her my warmest smile. “My name is Slate. And you are?”

She pokes her mother who looks at her strangely, and then points at my pocket. They look at one another for a moment, communicating without words, before turning to me again. 

“I’m Ashlynd Andrews,” she almost curtseys, her eyes still wide with shock. “Where did you find my necklace?”

“Your necklace?”

She points at my handkerchief pocket. 

“I thought you said you lost it last night?” Her mother confirms. 

Delta James looks from his wife to his daughter, his own eyes going wide. 

Damn it! I slept with the Delta's daughter. 

“What is going on here,” Delta James’ face is red as confusion slowly turns to anger. “Explain yourself, Alpha. How did you get my daughter’s necklace?”

“She left it…behind.”

“If you are saying what I think you are saying,” her mother, Tabitha, insists, glaring. “Then there is only one way you can make this right.” Although all eyes are on us, she gets down low so that nobody else can hear. “You took my daughter’s honor. You know what you should do.”

As stupid as these laws are, they are still the current laws of our pack. If I don’t make this right immediately, this poor girl could be banished, forced to live her life as a rogue, if I do not restore her honor by claiming her.

“Ashlynd Andrews,” I take a deep breath. “Will you agree to be my wife and chosen mate?”