ALPHA

-Rhys-

I was a fucking mess.

After my conversation with Natalia, the day continued very slowly and almost boring. That is until my trackers returned from their run empty handed. No clues, no tracks, no scents. Nothing.

I tried not to let the news ruin my good mood but it was difficult to not let it get to me. A surge of anger ran through my body and I could feel the familiar urge to shift come over me.

How could someone just disappear like that? Especially in a pack so large and full of many patrollers. Something wasn’t adding up but I couldn’t dwell on it for long. Sel, Lucas and I will have to discuss some theories to figure this out.

I can not have my mate in danger.

The trackers eyed me warily afraid of what I could do. I took a calming breath willing my wolf to relax once more. I couldn’t give them another reason to distrust me, lashing out is the last thing I needed to do. “Thank you for your hard work. Report back to Selene for further instructions.” I order, my gaze skimming through each wolf.

“Yes Alp-Rhys.” One of the trackers replied stumbling over his words seemingly shocked with himself. I was right there with him. It was the first time any of Adira’s people had nearly referred to me as Alpha.

I nodded my head stiffly and dismissed the trackers. My head was pounding at all the thoughts running through my mind but the number one thing consuming my thoughts was Adira and our date tonight.

Deciding to give myself some time to think and to get rid of the intense pounding in my head, I retreated to my bedroom to get some rest before tonight.

It didn’t take long for sleep to consume me and soon I was out.

My eyes snapped open to reveal I was sitting behind a cherrywood desk in an unfamiliar white office. There were bookshelves against a wall and minimalist styled photos hanging around the room.

Where was I? Have I been here before? A sense of deja vu washed over me.

My heart was racing as I glanced down at the sheets of paper in front of me. They were documents...for the Crimson Pack. Newly paired mates, newborn pups, deaths of elders, all the paperwork was right in front of me.

A knock on the door startled me and I swallowed the lump in my throat trying to ease my nerves “Come in.”

I felt relief when the familiar face of Killian poke his head into the room “Hey man, you good in here? You’ve been strangely quiet the past few hours, you usually come and bother me by now.” He joked looking down at the watch on his wrist as he entered the room.

A chuckle left my mouth and I leaned back into my seat almost robotically. It was as if I was reliving a memory. “Is that your way of saying you miss me today?”

Killian snorted and plopped down on the chairs set in front of my desk lazily “No, I actually came in to thank you for giving me a break from your shit.”

I let out a laugh “What do you want Kil? You’ve come to accept my offer? You said you’d think about it.”

Killian leaned forward resting his arms on his thighs and sighed deeply. His brown eyes no longer held humor in them “You know I can’t do that Rhys. My family has done so much to this pack in the past, the last thing they need is a Chan taking over as Alpha again.”

“The position is rightfully yours.” I argued back not bothering to hide my annoyance towards my best friend “When my grandfather offered to take over after the war, he was under the impression that your family would resume their place once everything died down. You deserve to be Alpha, Killian”

Killian deserves much more than that. He was the rightful Alpha of this pack and has paid the dues of his grandfather and father. The pack respects him and would be pleased to have him lead. He just needed the confidence.

“The pack won’t like that Rhys. Hell River won’t like that. We’ve done so much damage. I refuse to be like him.” Killian replies running a hand through his short dark hair in frustration.

With the Alpha blood coursing through his veins, it was easy for Killian to get angry. It resulted in a lot of our arguments getting heated very quickly.

Two Alpha’s butting heads is never a good thing.

“This is your pack-“

“Not any more Rhys. You’re their leader and it’s going to stay that way.” The fire in his eyes dies down and they soften slightly “The pack doesn’t trust my family Rhys, they never have and they never will and I don’t blame them. I can’t be their Alpha. Let’s just keep the people happy.”

I exhaled and nodded my head deciding to let this conversation go...for now “Okay fine. But promise me one thing, Kil.” I began with all seriousness “If anything happens to me, you’ll take over without a fight.”

Killian stiffened at the mention of becoming Alpha but agreed “I promise. Just…” he says with a sigh offering his hand to do our signature handshake “Just try not to die on me anytime soon okay?”

I smirked and clasped our hands “I’m not going anywhere.”

Our conversation was interrupted by the sound of Sam racing into the room, fear etched on his sweaty face “The pack is under attack.”

A loud pounding on my bedroom door caused me to abruptly wake from my sleep. I was covered in a light layer of sweat and felt my head pounding even harder. I think I just had another memory.

Fuck, my head hurt.

The pounding on my door continued “Rhys I swear if you don’t open this damn door I will have Lucas come and knock it down and you know he will!”

I groaned and sat up rubbing my head before making my way to the door. I knew Selene wouldn’t leave me alone until I answered her.

Opening the door I peered down at my mates sister with a sigh “What is it Selene?”

“Well you look like shit.” She laughs before her nose crinkled “And you’re sweaty. What the hell are you doing in there?”

“I was sleeping.” I deadpanned “Before you decided to ruin it.”

Selene rolled her eyes “Whatever Sleeping Beauty now, here.” She shoves a pile of clothes into my arms “I had Kris lend you some date appropriate clothes for tonight. Hopefully they fit.”

I was slightly offended at her comment but knew she was right to be concerned. Kris was the closest to my size but was still slightly shorter than I was. I was just glad she didn’t have Lucas lend me clothes.

“Thanks.” I say awkwardly.

“Sure.” She shrugged uncaringly “Now hurry up, I’m supposed to escort you to your date and I don’t have all night.”

“But what about Ad-“

“Didn’t Nat say she’d take care of everything?” Sel asked impatiently.

“Well yeah-

“Then stop asking questions and get ready. Nat has got Ad handled.” She pushed me back into my room and closed the door leaving me alone once more.

How the little spitfire didn’t drive Lucas crazy, I’ll have no idea.

It didn’t take long for me to quickly shower and get dressed. The clothes fit a little snug but not enough for anyone to really notice. The outfit consisted of a simple white dress shirt that was tight on my arms and slacks that were a little short. Not my ideal clothing choice but regardless, I’d have to thank Kris next time I see him.

Selene gave me a nod of approval seeing me now showered and dressed before gesturing for me to follow her out of the pack house.

“So where is this date taking place. I know Nat said she’d take care of it but I’d like to have some knowledge of what’s going on.” I say keeping in step with Selene who was walking very fast through the dirt path towards a part of the pack that I have yet to explore.

She led me past the final row of houses before we began on another winding path uphill. With her hands tucked into her jacket, she side eyed me with slight annoyance “Natalia set up a candle light dinner at our parents old cabin. It’s where we used to live as kids before Adira’s intense training began.”

“Why there?” I questioned.

Selene kept her gaze ahead refusing to look at me, the wind blew the wisps of dark hair away from her face “It’s where our happiest memories are, before our parents passed and for Ad, before she became Alpha. We figured it would be the place to have one more good memory for Adira.”

Not knowing what to say, I decided to keep silent for the rest of our walk. The Angelo girls never really talked about their parent’s deaths and I knew the wounds were still fresh but I’ve always wondered what had happened to them.

Ad would open up about it one day, but I wouldn’t push her.

We neared the cabin and I was in awe of its size and structure. I pictured a small house with a measly fireplace, something cozy but stood before me was a two story home that seemed much more grand than I was expecting.

I could see a large sparkling chandelier from the glass front doors and a winding staircase that lead upstairs. With so many large open windows I was able to view the large dining room and living room. This looked more like a vacation home rather than someone’s actual home. And with it sitting on top of a hill overlooking the pack, I could tell it was any Alpha’s dream home.

“Yeah we get that reaction a lot. ” Sel stood next to me with a small smile on her face “Mom liked to host parties, she would invite basically the whole pack so Dad made sure he built her the space for it. She was a little….extravagant. We tend to stay away from here, things haven’t been the same since they...” She trailed off sadly.

“I’m sorry Selene.” I say looking over at my soon to be sister.

She shrugged then plastered a smile on her face “No need to say you’re sorry.” She knocked her shoulder with mine playfully “You should probably get in there, Ad should be here any second.”

I gulped nervously realizing that this was really happening “Right….thanks.”

“No problem. Try not to screw this up okay? Ad really likes you.” Selene chuckled before punching my shoulder.

I rubbed the spot that was now tender from her punch. I was by no means a lanky man and have some muscle on my body but damn did Selene carry a pack with her punches.

Rolling my shoulders to rid myself of my nerves I took a nervous step towards the large cabin and prepared myself for what could happen tonight.

But I’m back and I’m so happy with this chapter and I hope you are tooooo!

I just wanted to say how thankful I am for all of you who have given reviews, likes, comments, and added this story to your lists! It’s so overwhelming (in a good way) and I’m so glad you all love this story and these characters as much as I do!

Again I love you all dearly!

So onto the story! What did you all think about Rhys’ memory? And of Killian? (Who I love very much btw)

Any new theories?

Until next time my little Alphas!