ALPHA

-Adira-

The campfire crackled amongst the peaceful silence of the forest and the sounds of crickets echoed in the air. I laid staring up at the tent ceiling taking in the different sounds around me. Once camp had been set up and dinner was made, everyone retired to bed except a few warriors who were keeping guard while the others slept.

I rolled around in the sleeping bag unable to find myself falling asleep unlike my mate who had passed out hours ago. His blonde hair covered his forehead and his mouth was parted slightly as small puffs of breath left his lungs. Rhys was such a cute sleeper, it made me a little scared to find out what I looked like while I slept.

Deciding I wouldn’t get any sleep I opted to leave the tent and get some fresh air. Unzipping the tent I stumbled out and caught sight of Chase sitting around the campfire with his legs pulled up to his chest and arms wrapped around his knees. He stared deeply into the fire looking torn. Something was up with him and I wanted to find out.

He noticed me immediately and snapped his brown eyes up to me “Evening Alpha.” He nodded up at me.

“Evening Chase.” I sighed and took a seat next to him copying his position.

“Couldn’t sleep?” He sideeyed me before flickering his gaze back to the fire.

“Yeah. I’m nervous about meeting Rhys’ pack.” I admit quietly shrugging my shoulders “It doesn’t help that they have a serious rogue problem.”

“Don’t worry they’ll love you.” Chase drones out “They have no reason not to.”

“I guess you’re right.” Silence filled the air once more and turned my head to look at Chase “So are you going to tell me what’s going on? You’ve blown off your mate multiple times Chase, she’s hurt..”

“Since when do you care, Adira?” He muttered glaring in my direction.

“I’m your Alpha, Chase, of course I care-”

“You’ve never cared about my life or my feelings Alpha.” Chase all but snaps taking his eyes off the fire “If I recall correctly, you used to give me the cold shoulder any second you could.”

I was suddenly aware exactly what he was talking about. Chase was still upset that I never gave him a chance. I did feel slightly guilty but I knew giving him a chance wouldn’t be right. I could never have the same feelings for him as I do for Rhys.

“Chase, you were making advances on me! You know we aren’t mates yet you still tried!” I whisper harshly not wanting to wake up the whole camp.

“No one even knew if you’d find your mate Adira. No wolf knows if they’d ever find them. I just took a chance. If I couldn’t have my other half, I could at least have a chosen, I could have someone like you. Think about it hard Adira, if Rhys never lost his memory neither of us would have ever found our mates. The Crimson Pack is isolated, no one leaves or finds their mate outside the pack. Then what? Would you have still chosen me? No. So don’t come to me and act like you care about my feelings..” He snarls my way angrily.

I stared at Chase incredulously, it was like he was waiting to get that off his chest. Is that why he didn’t want to accept Erica? Did he still have feelings for me?

“Chase you can’t deny your mate because of me. Rhys and I are fully mated now, he is my mate and I wouldn’t trade him for anyone else.” I say cautiously putting a hand on his shoulder “Is that why you won’t accept her?”

Chase shrugged off my hand “Don’t flatter yourself Alpha. It’s more complicated than that.”

“Then explain it to me Chase!”

He shook his head and stood to his feet “Forget it Adira. Let me deal with my own problems. I’m going to check the perimeter.” Without another word he took off into the trees leaving me alone in the night.

That didn’t exactly go how I planned. Sighing I stood up and wiped the dirt from the back of my sweatpants and made my way back to my mate. The previous conversation had exhausted me. Rhys was still asleep when I crawled back into my sleeping bag. I pulled the blanket up to my chin and felt a strong arm wrap around my waist.

“Didn’t go that well huh?” Rhys mumbled sleepily kissing my shoulder.

“Terrible actually.” I muttered feeling my eyes grow heavy now being in my husband’s comforting embrace.

“Don’t worry my love. He’ll come around when he’s ready.” He says burrowing his head into my hair “Sleep Adira.”

The next morning came and soon we were back on the road. This time I was too lost in thought to converse with everyone else. I hoped that Chase would change his mind about Erica and accept her. They both deserved happiness.

Rhys took my hand snapping me out of my head and gave me an understanding smile. I kissed his knuckles and held his hand tightly. I was suddenly made aware that I wasn’t paying much attention to my mate. We would soon be returning to his home and I was worrying about another couple. I needed to bring my focus back on the reason for this car trip.

“Are you okay?” I asked curiously as Killian, Sam, and Erica had fallen into their own conversation.

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” He grins in my direction “After all you are about to meet my family.”

My stomach dropped at the revelation. Rhys had no immediate family, with the deaths of his parents, the pack was now his family. Would I get their approval? My own pack despised me, why would my mate’s be any different? I was normally confident in who I was, my Papa raised me that way, but this situation was making me lose confidence.

“Hey hey. I can feel that uncertainty in you. They’re going to love you just like I do.” Rhys reassures, casting me a side glance. I nibbled on my lip, still not convinced.

The hours continued on and soon we were nearing Crimson Pack territory. As we grew closer to the pack, I began to notice a difference in the environment. More and more mountains appeared and the ground became a flat grassland that is now browning due to the winter weather approaching.

“Didn’t you miss this Rhys?” Sam perks up from the back seat in excitement.

“Yeah. I did.” He mumbled to himself taking in his home. I couldn’t help but feel guilty for the position I put Rhys in. He wanted to make me happy and keep me as Alpha in the Ash Pack, but what about him? I couldn’t let him sacrifice his own happiness for me.

Suddenly a forest of trees appeared and we drove between two mountains entering what seemed to be a hidden valley. There was a sudden change in the four wolves and I realized we were now in the Crimson pack. We had made it past any rogues and since there had been problems at the borders, there were not warriors guarding it.

I glanced out the windows to see rows of farms and farmers harvesting their vegetables and grains. Houses appeared in the distance as neighborhoods. I spotted children playing amongst each other and women sitting on their porches laughing together. It seemed peaceful and serene.

Pack members stared after the vehicle as we drove past. Soon a small crowd had gathered following us towards what I assume to be the pack house. My eyes widened at the sight of the large wood cabin. It was several stories high and was much larger than our own pack house. How big was this pack exactly?

“What do you think?” Rhys asks with a bright smile. I couldn’t hold back my own at the sight of him looking so happy. There was a light in his eyes that I had only seen in our moments alone. It was rare but nonetheless it took my breath away each time.

“It’s beautiful.” I admit taking everything in.

Rhys parked the vehicle and immediately got out followed by Killian and the rest. I opted to take my time and let the pack welcome back their Alpha.

“Alpha Rhys!”

“It’s Alpha Rhys!”

Slowly I got out of the suv and closed the door smiling at the crowd circling around Rhys welcoming him back home. Rhys chuckled and said hello and greeted his people.

He caught my eye and grinned holding out his hand for me to take. Suddenly all eyes were on me making my heart begin to race. I grasped Rhys’ hand tightly as he pulled me into his embrace. The pack members were curious and stared at me like I was an exhibit in a museum.

“Everyone, I would like to introduce you to my mate Alpha Adira of the Ash Pack.” Rhys says looking down at me with adoration. I felt my cheeks heat up realizing everyone was looking at us. Gasps rang through the air and the people whispered amongst each other. My nerves began to skyrocket as I prepared for backlash. I pressed myself closer to Rhys.

What I didn’t prepare for was the sudden sound of applause and cheering to ring through the air.

My mouth gaped opened as the circle of pack members who were excited that I here? That couldn’t be right.

Rhys pushed me forward to say hello to the people eager to meet me. How was I supposed to interact with them? When it came to most of my pack members I felt like I was walking on eggshells, like anything I said would offend them

“You are beautiful Alpha Adira!”

“Our Alpha is finally mated!”

I tried my best to greet as many as I could. I’ve never felt so welcomed in my life. Is this how Rhys was always treated?

“Alpha if you need any baked goods, my bakery has some of the best pastries in the pack!” A man shouted from the crowd.

“Alpha Adira we have gorgeous dresses in our shop for you to try!” Another woman grasped my hand in excitement “You would love them!”

Rhys chuckled at my overwhelmed expression and pulled me back into his side “We will continue this at another time. My mate and I have had a very long trip.” With another nod he led me away from the crowd towards the pack house.

“You did very well.” He murmured, kissing my head.

“For being mobbed she did well.” Killian chuckled walking in step next to us “Our people are very...friendly. We don’t ever get visitors.”

“That’s an understatement.” I chuckled breathlessly “It’s a good thing though.”

Rhys grinned and opened the door of the cabin “We’ll stay here until Alpha River arrives, he should be close.”

I nodded my head and looked around the room admiring the wooden and stone walls. Walking away from Rhys I decided to do some exploring for myself while he and his friends spoke together. There was a main living room that was massive, a large flat screen hung on the mantle over a fireplace, a sectional couch sat in the middle centered with the tv.

What took my breath away was the large open windows giving a great view of the two mountains in the distance and the tall trees of the forest below. I stared out and admired the scene before me. This place was so tranquil and peaceful. It was hard to believe a war took place here so many years ago.

“Who are you?” A voice says behind me.

Startled, I turned around to be faced with a girl. She appeared to be around Selene’s age and had bright fire truck red hair and was wearing clothing that looked more expensive than everything in my closet. She looked vaguely familiar. Her brown eyes were narrowed and she put a hand on her hip “Well?”

I broke from my staring and cleared my throat “I’m Alpha Adira from the Ash Pack.”

“How did you even get past our borders, they’re-” She shook her head and took a step towards me “Never mind that, I’m turning you into the guards. We don’t like trespassers on our land.”

“Queenie!” Killians voice rang through the living room and I had never been more thankful to hear it. I would have not responded well if this stranger put a hand on me.

The girl, Queenie, looked over at Killian and let out a squeal “Killy you’re back!” Forgetting about me she ran over to Killian and wrapped her arms around his waist. He let out an oof from the impact. She was pretty tall for a girl, top of her head reached just below Killian’s brows.

I rose a brow seeing another female hug my sister’s mate and Killian shook his head to indicate it wasn’t what I thought.

“Let go Q.” He groaned out just as Rhys walked in the room with Sam and Erica.

Queenie’s eyes widen in surprise “Rhys! They found you!” Just like with Killian she ran over to Rhys and pulled my husband into a tight hug. I couldn’t help the warning growl that left my mouth at the sight of her hugging my mate.

Rhys shot me a grin before pulling away from Queenie “Be careful Q, you wouldn’t want my mate to go crazy on you.”

Queenie turned to me in surprise and I noticed her cheeks turn as red as her hair “Your mate?” She put a hand to her face in embarrassment before running over and hugging me as well “I’m so sorry! I didn’t know you were Rhys’ mate!”

I stared down incredulously at the girl then at my mate and his Beta who were trying to hold back their laughter “Adira, this is Queenie, she’s my sister. Q, Adira is Rhys’ mate.” Killian explains.

His sister. That explains why she was so comfortable around the group. That made me feel slightly better about her. “Erm-it’s okay Queenie.” I gently pried the girl from me and gave her a friendly smile.

“Sorry about that, my sister is a hugger.” Killian apologizes giving her a pointed look.

Queenie stuck her tongue out at her brother who rolled his eyes in return.

Queenie stuck her tongue out at Killian who rolled his eyes in return. “Hey what are we chopped liver?” Sam asks with a smirk.

Once again Queenie’s cheeks turned red, this time she didn’t go in for a hug but merely waved shyly at Sam “Hiya Sammy.”

“So Alpha River just phoned, they should be here any minute. I’m having someone prepare dinner for us.” Rhys informs me wrapping an arm around my shoulder. Good, as much as I wanted to relax, we came here to find out what was going on. The quicker we did that, the quicker I could return to my pack. Leaving them for so long made me anxious.

The Lycan’s arrival was comical. I had never seen a crowd of so many stunned wolves. They all gaped at the Alpha Lycan in awe as he and his guard walked past them to greet Rhys and I.

Queenie’s reaction was just as funny. I swear I could see heart eyes on her face as the sight of River. I didn’t miss the jealous glint in Sam’s eyes as Queenie gushed over the Alpha to Erica who tried to hide her amusement.

“Thank you for coming, River.” Rhys greets the Alpha with a firm handshake.

“Of course old friend.” River replies, tightening his grip with a friendly smile, at least I think it was a smile. The Lycan turned to me with a nod “Hello Alpha Adira, it’s nice to see you again.”

“Likewise Alpha.” I tightened my hold on Rhys arm feeling myself relax at the sight of the Alpha. It eased my nerves knowing River was now here. But I still couldn’t take the strange feeling away, everything has been too easy. Why haven’t we encountered rogues yet?

“I hope there is dinner, my men and I are starving.” River’s voice broke me from my thoughts and I focused back on my mate and the Lycan.

Rhys grinned and gestured for the men to follow him “You’re right on time. Come inside, we have a lot to discuss.”

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Until next time readers!