ALPHA

Adira

When the Ash Pack was a much smaller pack but it’s numbers had begun to increase, it was decided that a council will be set in place. Mostly as a form of protection from the pack to keep any future Alpha’s from having total power. It was a good idea in theory but now, I hated everything about the council. After the events of this afternoon, the council building was the last place I wanted to be.

I was doing my best at reigning in my anger and annoyance as Lucas followed me through the long hallway. I ignored the paintings of past Alpha’s on the walls that demanded anyone’s attention and approached the large wooden doors where I knew the council was residing.

“Hey, it’s gonna be alright Ad.” Lucas reassures with a side smile “Just don’t let them get to you. You know their views are traditional.”

Nodding I took a deep breath and signaled for him to open the doors. I squared my shoulders and raised my chin as I walked through the doors.

The council consisted of six members, four men and two women. They sat at an elevated council table in throne like chairs. I could feel all twelve pairs of eyes instantly on me as I entered the room.

“Alpha Adira.” The head council member, Sullivan greeted with an incline of his head.

Sullivan was the oldest of the wolves and was more opened minded the rest of his colleagues. His gray hair was slicked back and his golden eyes peered down at me with a familiar warmth that reminded me of a grandfather.

Next to Sullivan was John, Stewart, on one

side and Obediah, and Carla on the other. They were slightly younger than Sullivan but seemed to make it their mission to make my time as Alpha pure hell. And finally next to Carla was the youngest of the council members, Delilah Wilson.

“Hello Councilman Sullivan.” I nodded back “I was informed the council wishes to speak to me.”

“Alpha, it has come to our attention that you have encountered several assasination attempts over the past several weeks.” John leaned back into his seat with slight boredom “We are concerned.”

“Councilman John, I assure you, my Gamma and her warriors have it under control. There will not be any more attacks.” I reassure refusing to look away from the older man.

“The pack is not safe Alpha Adira and frankly neither are you. From what we have heard, you do not have things under control.” Obediah chimes in.

“Along with your lack of control, you have pack members becoming injured because of these attacks.” Stewart continues glowering down at me.

“I will do everything in my power to keep this pack safe, you have my word.”

“And yet your word is merely not enough.” Carla pushed a strand of gray hair away from her face and leaned forward looking between her colleagues “Why must we waste our warriors and precious time on an assailant when the solution is right in front of us?”

“And that would be Councilwoman?” Delilah asks curiously. Out of all of the council, she was my favorite despite being Abraham’s mate. She had taken a liking to me and usually always votes against any council decisions against me. The she-wolf was the only council member to believe in me as Alpha.

I admired her. Especially after being the youngest and the second woman to ever become part of the council. It was all thanks to my mother, she had persuaded the pack and Sullivan to allow Delilah in. If it wasn’t for mom, she wouldn’t be sitting in that chair.

“The young Alpha needs to find her mate of course!” Carla exclaimed smacking her hand against the wood of the table “The Ash Pack requires a strong male wolf to lead us.”

“Excuse me Councilwoman Carla, but I am strong enough to lead this pack, my father and grandfather did it, it is in my blood!” How dare this old hag think I would even allow my birth right to be taken away? I could feel my wolf snapping inside of me, demanding to be let out. She wanted blood.

“I agree with the Alpha. It is her birthright to lead this pack.” Delilah states calmly eyeing the gray haired woman sitting adjacent to her.

“It is not her birthright, the Alpha position has always gone to the first born male. She may be the first born but the title is not hers.” John argues back “She needs to find her mate.”

Murmurs of agreement began to fill the room as the council began to talk over themselves.

“Ad, you need to calm down.” Lucas whispers into my head putting his hand on my clenched fist.

I hadn’t realized I was doing it and relaxed my hand. I knew Lucas and most likely the whole pack could feel how furious I was at the moment. The anger in me was raging and it was getting difficult to control myself. They hadn’t allowed me to even explain that I did find my mate.

Sullivan raised his hands to silence the rest of council. I gulped hoping I would like what the older man has to say.

“The answer seems to be clear Alpha Adira, the pack is in need of your mate. Clearly he does not reside here so we as the council decided that we will host The Gathering of Alphas in order for you to find your mate.”

My mouth opened in shock at what I was hearing. They were determined to get me out of this position that was for sure.

The Gathering of Alpha’s was a yearly event where Alpha’s of packs from across the country gather together in search of new allies or possibly their mates, for the ones who were mate less. It was a huge event so usually the larger packs, like the Windpaw Pack, hosted.

“We haven’t hosted a Gathering in years Councilman, there’s really no need to do so this year.” Lucas argued “Surely you can allow Alpha Adira to just explain-“

“The decision has been made Beta, invitations have been sent and in three weeks time we will have the Gathering.” Sullivan interrupts with a lifted hand.

“But you should really-“

“There is no use in arguing Beta Steele, our decision has been made. Now you and the Alpha will-“

“I’ve found my mate!”

Once again all eyes were on me, this time in surprise. My chest was heaving and my fury was rolling in waves. These old coons think they can control my future? They were wrong. I would not submit easily. They wanted me to find my mate, well I did.

“Is it true Alpha Adira?” Delilah’s lips were turned in a frown. I knew she was hoping I wasn’t lying. Things would end up much worse for me if I was.

I sighed and nodded my head “Yes. Alpha Rhys Carson.”

“The rouge who trespassed weeks ago?” John demands incredulously “Surely she is joking Sullivan.”

“He is the Alpha of the Crimson Pack, Councilman. I recommend you watch what you say.” Lucas says with a glare.

Their eyes widened in surprise once again at the name of my mate’s pack. The council began to talk amongst themselves again.

“I’m going to guess that wasn’t how you wanted to tell the council about your mate?” Lucas asks inclining his head towards me never taking his eyes away from the council.

“No.” I sighed rubbing my forehead “But I couldn’t let them force me to meet Alphas in search of my mate. It would be a waste of time.”

“Don’t hold your breath Ad, you heard Sullivan, they mailed out invitations already. We may have to host The Gathering regardless.”

Before I could reply the council ceased their talking. Sullivan cleared his throat “If what you say is true Alpha, we the council have decided that for the good of the pack, your mating process will need to be completed the next mating ceremony.”

“Excuse me?!” I demand attempting to move forward only to be held back by Lucas. They wanted me to mate Rhys in a month? To fully be marked and mated by the next full moon? Are they out of their minds?

“We are in need of a male leader, since Alpha Rhys has experience and led a pack of his own, he is the best choice. Once he is initiated into the pack, he will be our Alpha.” Obediah continues coldly, his face held no expression.

“I refuse.” I argue back angrily, feeling my hands shake “You have no right to take my position away.”

“For the good of the pack we do.” Carla sneered down at me.

“Now, now.” Sullivan began looking over at Carla sternly then his eyes met me. He folded his hands together and leaned forward on the table “We are being generous with the time we are giving you Alpha, do not take it lightly. I suggest you go back to your Alpha duties and get to know your mate better. Our decision is final.” He waved a hand towards me “You are dismissed.”

I clenched my jaw and nodded my head spinning on my heel and stormed out of the room with Lucas on my heels.

“Adira?” Rhys calls out as I stomped past him. I wasn’t in the mood to talk, not even to Rhys. I could feel his thunderous steps catching up with me.

“Hey hey, where’s the fire?” He jokes cracking a rare smile before it dropped when he saw the expression on my face. “What happened?” He cupped my cheek with one hand and wrapped the other around my waist.

“I really don’t want talk right now Rhys. Let me go.” I tried to escape his grip but he held tight.

“Adira, tell me what happened. Please.” His brows were furrowed and I could see the concern on his face. My chest clenched with an unfamiliar emotion. This day had started out so perfect, everything in me wanted to go back to our time in the forest.

I held back frustrated tears looking away from his eyes “The council has decided to give us until the full moon to fully mate then will give you the Alpha position.”

“What!?”