ALPHA

-Rhys-

“Okay trackers, lets have team 1 take the west end of the forest and team 2 take the east. Selene has her trackers taking the north and south. The Ash Pack has a lot of land and with no other packs are hundreds of miles the assailant could be anywhere.” I say looking between the 8 wolves Selene assigned to me.

Though it was a few weeks since Adira’s attack we’ve been searching for the assailant non stop. We couldn’t quit knowing there could be any clue to who would have attacked the Alpha.

All tracks have disappeared and any scents have faded. Natalia has worked hard to tighten border security and to keep warriors guarding the pack house in different rotations.

But security didn’t matter, there was still someone out there who wanted my mate dead we needed them found soon.

The thought of the bastard roaming free sent me into a rage and the urge to rip their throats out was heavy. I willed myself to calm down. I knew my group was semi afraid of me, I still considered an outsider.

A part of me wondered what would happen once Adira introduces me to the pack? Would we lead together? Would she even want me to have any sort of title?

Titles weren’t important to me and I hoped Adira understood that. Hell I’d give anything up just to be with her. She was my whole world now.

“Any questions?” I asked peering at the wolves in front of me.

“No Rhys.” They replied simultaneously.

“Good now get to it and report to Selene of any findings.” I dismissed and watched as they sprinted into the forest shifting as they did so.

Letting out a deep sigh I rolled my shoulders while failing to hide the smile on my face and began walking towards the training grounds. With the morning I had, I wasn’t sure anything could bring my mood down.

Adira loves me.

Fuck. I’m so damn happy.

Hearing those words escape her mouth made me feel complete. With how our initial meeting went I didn’t think I’d ever hear her say it.

Ad loves me.

Now I had to plan out this date that I was taking her on. How the hell was I supposed to accomplish this?

I couldn’t bring Ad into the woods for a picnic, not when her life is still in danger. She was well able to protect herself and I would damn sure keep her safe but I couldn’t risk it.

It wouldn’t be a great first date if we were watching over our shoulders the entire time.

I was so screwed.

“What’s with the face?” Sel questioned with a laugh walking up to me. As usual, her hands were tucked into her jacket and her hair was thrown into its standard ponytail.

“Nothing.” I grumbled rolling my eyes continuing towards the field.

“Right. Does it have to do with your date with Ad tonight?” She questions with a smirk while following me.

“How the hell do you know about that?” I ask side eyeing her.

“Uh duh, Ad is my sister? She tells me everything.” She replied as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

We reached the field where warriors were sparring with each other. Some were working on hand to hand combat, others used bamboo sticks.

Seeing how disciplined and well trained Selene kept her warriors will always impress me. For someone like her, a gamma and a female, it was a huge accomplishment.

“Yes it’s about our date.” Fuck I felt like an adolescent again. Though...I don’t remember my teenage years, I imagine it felt as ridiculous as this.

Sel chuckled and gestured for me to follow her into one of the sparring pits. Knowing I needed as good workout I followed the gamma and rolled my shoulders once again.

“Look don’t try to plan anything fancy. Adira is simple and likes a good gesture rather than anything flashy.” Sel says removing her jacket and adjusting her ponytail.

“I know that. But your sister deserves more than a mediocre date.” I replied getting into a stance. Selene followed my movement and readied herself.

She eyed me calculatingly and I felt slightly intimidated. I’ve never seen Selene fight or even spar for that matter. I wasn’t sure of what she was capable of.

She was the first to strike and shit if she was fast. I almost didn’t see her move. Slapping her fist away, I swung my own fist towards her to counter only for Sel to dodge it.

Not giving me any time to re-evaluate myself she sprinted towards me and slid underneath my legs to appear at my back. Kicking her leg at my back I was sent sprawling forward. I caught myself before my chin could hit the muddy ground.

Sel tried to land another kick only for me to twist around and swing my legs under hers causing her to fall on her back letting out an “oof sound.”

I quickly got up and attempted to restrain her hands in order to have her yield only to not see her fist coming towards my face.

The sharp pain of her knuckles meeting my cheek bone had me seeing stars for a second. Fuck Sel could pack a punch.

She smirked in my direction and waved her hands in a “come and get it” fashion.

I let out a growl and ran towards her throwing one two combos at a rapid pace. I could tell Sel was having trouble keeping up.

Once again she tried to throw one last punch towards me. Being prepared this time I caught her fist and twisted her arm behind her back restraining her. I grabbed her other arm that was flailing and brought it to join her captured one.

She let out a whine and attempted to break free but I held tight.

“Yield Sel.”

Selene growled and muttered curses before stopping her movements “Fine, I yield.”

Grinning in satisfaction I released my old making Sel stumbled forward slightly. She rubbed her shoulders and glared at me before smirking “Not too bad…for a man.”

I rolled my eyes and ruffled her hair. Making her groan in annoyance. She slapped my hand away and sighed “The best person for you to talk to about this whole date thing is Nat. She and Ad are close and she probably knows her best.”

“Nat huh? Why not you?” I question already knowing the answer.

Selene gave me her famous ‘are you kidding me’ look “I’m not exactly the type of girl who cares about dates Rhys. As you know, to my absolute mortification, Luc and I mated already. We don’t need to date and I’m happy about it.”

I chuckled and shook my head “You may be happy with it but I’m sure Luc would want that satisfaction of taking you on a date. Trust me.”

Sel seemed mull over my words before glaring at me and began shoving me away from the training field “Get out of here will ya? You don’t have that much time to put together a date.”

“Okay okay I’m going.”I held my hands up in surrender and made my way towards the infirmary.

If there was one thing I hated most in this world it would be the infirmary. The idea of being sick and injured wolves under one room made my stomach churn.

I walked past the examination rooms towards Natalia’s office. The light brown wooden door was closed and a small metal sign hung on it reading ‘Natalia Angelo, Resident Pack Doctor”

I tilted my head and read through the sign before knocking on the door.

“Come in.”

Opening the door I peered in to see Natalia at her desk scribbling into a notebook while alternating between looking at a large medical book.

She looked up from her notes and smiled at me “Hey Rhys! Is there something you need?”

“Sorry to interrupt your studying Nat. I was hoping we could talk?”

Natalia’s smile never wavered as she pushed her notebook to the side and leaned back into her chair “Sure! What’s up? I could use a break anyways.”

I’ve always enjoyed speaking with Nat. Unlike the firecracker that was Selene, Natalia was gentle and soft spoken. She and Emilia were the same in that way.

“How much longer do you have to become the Pack Doctor?” I questioned curiously.

Natalia let out a breathy laugh “I just began my residency so I have a lot more time to go.”

“Wow well I’ll try not to take up too much of your study time.” I joked earning a pointed look from the dark haired girl in front of me.

“Just get to it Rhys.” She playfully rolled her eyes “If Dr. Beckham catches me slacking on my studies I’ll get an earful.”

“Okay okay. So I’ve been talking to Selene-“

“That’s dangerous.” Natalia interrupts with a giggle.

I chuckled “Very. Anyway, tonight I’m taking Ad on a date and I uhh don’t really know what to do.” I scratched the back of my head nervously “Selene recommended I come and talk to you.”

Nat grinned “Wow Sel actually gave good advice? Today is full of surprises.” She leaned forward in her chair “But she’s not wrong. I know Ad pretty well. So did you have anything in mind?”

I rubbed the hair on jaw “I really don’t know. I figured a candle lit dinner. Something simple yet memorable.”

Nat pursed her lips in thought before smiling widely “Okay I have the perfect idea. Simple and memorable just like you want.”

“What will I need to do?”

“Just show up.” She pushed her bangs out of her brown eyes “I’ll take care of the rest.”

“Wait really?” I asked in disbelief. Surely there has to be a catch. The Angelo women are really unpredictable, you never know what to expect from them.

“Of course. Consider it a gift from your favorite sister in law.” Nat shot me a wink.

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Until next chapter!