ALPHA

-Rhys-

This was a dream. A wonderful yet terrible dream.

I was face to face with my best friend. My supposedly dead best friend. This can’t be real. It couldn’t be. I watched him die, I felt him die.

Adira’s gaze was on me but I couldn’t bring myself to look at her. I didn’t want to see the confusion and maybe hurt in her eyes. I stood still unable to move as Killian ran towards me. The pounding in my head was growing harder and harder.

His body collided with mine as he pulled me into a deep embrace “Where the hell have you been? We’ve been looking everywhere for you?”

I returned the gesture still unable to believe he was here “I thought you were dead.” I say mostly to myself trying to make sense of what’s happening.

Killian pulled back in confusion. His dark brows were pulled together and his deep brown eyes studied me “Rhys, we all thought you were dead. Fuck man, you disappeared on us.”

I disappeared? That wasn’t right. It couldn’t be. What the hell was going on?

The pounding in my head returned must more intensely this time. My vision began to become blurry and Killian’s form was slowly fading away. Shit, this was too much.

“Rhys!” The last thing I saw was my mate’s panicked expression as she ran towards me and a pair of arms catch my falling body. Then it all turned black.

“What exactly happened the night of the fire.”

“Pardon my next statement Alpha Adira, but I’d like to have this conversation with Rhys if you don’t mind.”

“That’s my mate Killian, I have a right to know what happened.”

The voices of my mate and Beta sounded so far away as I came to my senses. I could feel I was laying on a soft mattress and judging by the sterile and clean scent around me I had a feeling I was back in the infirmary.

I willed myself to open my eyes but felt myself unable to do so. Why wasn’t I opening my eyes? I wanted to see Adira, I needed to see her, to let her know I was fine and that she shouldn’t worry. I could feel her anxiety and fear through the bond. The unknown status of my health was terrifying her.

I was breathing normally, I could feel that. My fingers and toes twitched slightly indicating that I had feeling and control in my body. Whatever was happening with me was totally mental.

Please, please Moon Goddess, let me wake up.

Suddenly a harsh gasp escaped my mouth as a flash of white filled my senses. As if my mind has become a view master, clips of my memories raced through my head at what felt was a hundred miles an hour.

I saw Killian, Sam and I as children climbing trees and fighting in our wolf forms. Time fast forwarded to the night of my parent’s deaths and the red eyes of the rogue that had slaughtered them. I was beginning to remember it all, my alpha ceremony, my friendship with the Lycan Alpha, the pack, trying to give Killian his rightful position, the attack and the wolves behind it.

I could see a pair of purple eyes and a rosey colored smirk appear before a cloud of violet powder overcame my sight. Then I recalled the running. I ran for miles and miles through the Colorado forests without stopping even through my hunger and thirst, until my memories seemed to stop on the memory I treasured the most, seeing Adira for the very first time.

The confusion seemed to fade away as her vivid green eyes clouded my mind. The scrunch of her nose and sound of her gentle laughter made my chest fill with total and utter devotion.

Mate.

Without warning, my eyes snapped open and my body lurched forward. My head was still spinning and my breathing was now harsh but I didn’t give a damn, I had my memories back. I remembered it all.

“Rhys!”

Adira was now in front of me holding my head in her small hands. The electric feeling from her touch seemed to calm me down as I looked up to meet her eyes “I remember.”

“You-you have your memories back?” She asked gently not removing her hands as she studied me closely.

I could only nod my head in response. Adira kissed my forehead and moved back to glance at her sister “Selene, get Doctor Beckham in here.”

I glanced around the infirmary room to see Killian and the rest of my friends in the corner of the room apart from Adira, Selene, and Lucas.

Killian approached me with a light smile “You really gave us a scare there Rhy. I talked with you for five minutes and you faint on me?” He teased, clapping a hand on my shoulder.

I let out a laugh and moved my gaze to the others on the other side of the room “Sam, Erica!” Now out of my shock of seeing my friends, I finally acknowledged the rest of Killian’s companions.

“You son of a bitch!” Sam placed himself next to Killian with a relieved grin on his face “Next time you run off, try to give us a little heads up okay?”

I let out a laugh as his large body collided with mine. Killian shook his head as Sam punched my arm “I can’t believe you ran a thousand miles away from the pack. What the hell man?” He joked.

“I was just trying to get away from you two dumbasses.” I shrug not bothering to hide my smile.

“Ouch. Nice to know you’re still an asshole.” Sam muttered. Killian smirked before nodding his head towards Erica who had lingered behind the two men.

“Come on Erica, we haven’t seen Rhys in months are you really going to hide in a corner.” Killian urged with slight amusement.

Erica looked over at me momentarily before looking away. She tucked a piece of her ginger hair behind her ear and shook her head “I think it’s best I keep my distance Kil.” Her wary blue eyes met my mate’s who was standing protectively near my bed. Adira’s cold gaze never left Erica’s as the two she-wolves held each other’s stare.

“Oh fuck.” Sam laughed out nervously “This is awkward.”

Realization of what Erica was in my life hit me like a ton of bricks and I knew what would happen next would be nothing but a clusterfuck. Shit.

“Who is she Rhys.” Adira demanded looking between the two of us suddenly aware there was something between us.

“Adira before I tell you-”

“Who is she.” My mate demanded once more. Lucas had moved from his spot against the wall to stand closer to his Alpha. The Beta was ready to protect her if need be.

I sighed deeply preparing myself and laid back into the pillows “Erica was my fiancee.”

Silence filled the room and the tension rose tenfold. Adira could do nothing but stare at me blankly. Before she could utter a word the door of my room opened revealing Doctor Beckham and Selene.

“Alphas.” She greets cautiously as she moved towards my bed. If she noticed the edge in the room, she didn’t comment. Selene on the other hand gave me a questionable look and I had a feeling I’d be in deep water with her. “Alpha Rhys how are you feeling?”

“Like utter shit.” Was what I wanted to respond with at the moment. I could feel the pain and hurt coming from Adira from our bond. I hoped she would give me a chance to explain the situation. I couldn’t lose her, not when we finally became one.

“Please let me explain Adira.” I could only hope she heard the desperation in my voice as I spoke through our mind link.

“Okay Doctor Beckham.” I respond, my gaze never leaving Adira who was suddenly very interested on the floor.

“I was made aware that your memories have returned. Is that true?” She asks pulling out a small flashlight to examine my pupils.

“Yes.”

Doctor Beckham hummed and stood back “Just to be sure you are no longer suffering any memory loss I will send in Natalia to run a cognitive test. It should only take a moment. From there she will let you know when you can leave. You seem perfectly fine but we’d rather not take a chance on our Alpha.”

I nodded my head and the woman made her leave but not before tilting her head in respect towards Adira. When the doctor left the room silence filled the air once more.

“What the hell did I miss?” Selene says breaking the silence.

Lucas grimaced before leaning over to whisper in his mate’s ear quietly. Selene let out a laugh of disbelief and her dark eyes met mine with a mixture of shock and amusement “Oh shit. You’re in trouble.”

I looked over at Adira who shook her head slightly at my desperation to explain things indicating one thing. Not here.

Killian cleared his throat awkwardly grabbing my attention once more “Alpha, would you like to properly introduce us?” I could tell Killian was trying to break the tension but I wasn’t sure this was the best time for introductions.

“Right,” I begin “Killian, Sam, Erica, this is my mate Adira. The Alpha of the Ash Pack. These two are her Beta and Gamma, Lucas and Selene Steele.” I took note of Selene’s blush on her face at the use of Lucas’ last name. The Beta on the other hand was beaming proudly next to his mate. “They are my new family.”

I was aware that Killian and the others were once considered my only family. I could only wish they’d accept that Adira and her siblings are now my family as well. My packmates stood quietly before Sam spoke up “Any family of Rhys’ is a family of ours! Nice to meet you all.”

Selene and Lucas were wide eyed as Sam lifted the two of them in a tight hug. He was wise enough not to touch Adira. I noticed the small smile on her face at the sight of her Beta and Gamma being lifted up by the bear of a man. “You too man.” Lucas wheezed out.

Sam winced then set them down gently “Sorry, I forget my strength sometimes.” He chuckled in embarrassment. Like me, Sam towered over most wolves and had muscles that nearly rivaled mine. He was a true beast but anyone who knew him was aware that Sam was just a big softy.

Killian chuckled and shook hands with Selene and Lucas while bowing his head towards Adira “Thank you for allowing us into your territory and for taking care of our Alpha. The Crimson Pack is in your debt. I do hope we get to know each other better in the future.”

Adira nodded her head with a small smile holding her hand out to shake his “I do as well Beta Killian.”

I held back a scoff as Killian offered my mate a charming grin and kissed the back of her hand. It was no secret that Killian Chan had a way with women. The bastard was charming and he knew it. Though he never acted on it as an adult, his endearing personality helped us a lot as teenagers. “Get your hands off my mate Kill, I may be momentarily bedridden but I can still kick your ass.” I grumble earning a smirk from my Beta.

Adira let out a giggle and I felt my heart leap with hope. She was laughing, that was a good sign. I held my breath as I spoke through our mindlink “I love you.”

It took a moment for her to respond “I love you too. We’ll talk later.”

Happiness filled my body and I knew everything was moving in the right direction. I wasn’t going to lose my mate. I’d be damned if I’d let her run from me again.

The group of us spoke for a few moments together. Adira, Selene and Lucas had taken a liking to Killian and the rest of my friends. Adira kept her distance from Erica but Selene had instantly became friends with the she-wolf and the two bonded over their love of being warriors in their packs.

Our conversations were halted at the sound of the door once again opening. I noticed Killian’s head snap towards the entrance of my room as Natalia entered looking down at her clipboard studying my file “Honestly Rhys Carson, I leave you and Ad alone for one day an-”

She looked up and let out a startled gasp as her gaze met Killian’s. The clipboard in her hands slipped from her grasp and clattered hitting the ground. She continued to stare at my Beta in utter shock with her mouth gaping like a fish.

Adira and I exchanged wide eyed expressions knowing the all too well signs of what was occurring at this moment.

The deep rumble of Killian’s voice echoed in the air as he uttered one word towards Natalia “Mate.”

Three of the sisters have now found their mate! It's crazy to finally be able to say that! ALPHA is getting very close to it's ending and I can't believe we're nearly there!

Don't forget to comment, review, or just say hi! I love to hear all of your thoughts and feelings towards the story, it really encourages me to keep writing!

Until next time readers!