ALPHA

I awoke the next morning alone in Rhys’ bed, the sheets on his side were crumpled and cold indicating that he had been awake for a while. Sitting up I glanced around the room in search of him only to find that he wasn’t here. As if sensing my confusion I felt a nudge in my head from our mindlink.

‘I’m downstairs with River, my love. Come down and join us.’

Relaxing slightly, I decided to take my mate up on his offer. Knowing today was the day we began our search for Victor, I dressed in preparation for a long day. Putting on a simple pair of jeans and a loose t-shirt, I threw my hair up in a ponytail and slipped on some tennis shoes.

Taking one last glance at myself in the mirror I made my way downstairs in search of Rhys and Alpha Thompson. The sound of deep laughter from the kitchen caught my ears and I recognized Rhys’ instantly.

My eyes were instantly drawn to my mate whose face was scrunched up in laughter as he clapped a hand onto River’s shoulder as the Lycan shook his head in mild annoyance. Whatever had just happened, must have been amusing to Rhys.

His blue eyes caught mine and I felt myself striding towards him before I could think.

“Good morning Alpha Adira, sleep well?” River asks me with a knowing look on his face as he took a sip of his coffee. A dark brow rose in my direction.

My face heated up at the fact that the Alpha of all Alpha’s had heard Rhys and I's nightly activities. I cleared my throat ignoring Rhys’ cheeky grin “I slept okay Alpha.” I elbowed Rhys in the gut making him grunt. His toned stomach didn’t do much to help.

“Here, have some breakfast. You’ll be needing all your energy today.” Rhys says pushing a plate of pancakes towards me.

Hearing my stomach grumble gave me the motivation I needed to begin eating away. Glancing around I noticed that we were all alone, I hadn’t caught sight of any of River’s men or my warriors. “Where is everyone?” I questioned voicing my thoughts.

“Killian and Elias began gathering the warriors not long after I heard you wake up. We’re leaving as soon as you’re finished eating.” Rhys explained.

Suddenly remembering why we were here I pushed my plate away and stood to my feet “I’m finished. Let’s go.”

“Adira you’ve hardly eaten.” Rhys argues moving to sit me back down.

I swat his arm away with annoyance “I’ll be fine Rhys. Victor is still out there, we need to find him. We’ve wasted enough time as it is.”

“But-”

“Not one to butt into a couples quarrel, but Adira is right. We need to find Victor, arguing will only waste daylight.” River interjects rising to his feet. It was then I noticed he was wearing...normal clothing. It was strange to see the Alpha sporting gym shorts and a t- shirt.

“Fine.” Rhys shook his head and pulled me close “You drive me insane woman.”

“Yet you love me.” I resorted with a wink.

“That I do.”

I stood next to Killian as the warriors gathered around us to hear River and Rhys speak. The reality of the dangerous situation we were now in made my stomach tie in knots. My mate’s life was in danger and the wolf to blame is still running loose. I didn’t have a good feeling. Something about today just didn’t feel right.

“We will split up into groups of two and scout through the forests. Alpha Rhys and I will take the north, Beta Killian and Beta Elias will take the South, Alpha Adira and Warrior Chase will take the west, and the rest of you will be partnered up by Beta Killian.” River orders.

My eyes snapped to Rhys who winked my way seeing the confusion etched onto my face.

’Chase requested he be partnered with you. I believe he wants to continue your conversation from the other night.” Rhys says through our mindlink before kissing my forehead and murmuring one last ’I love you.” With one more reassuring smile he left just as Chase began to make his way towards me.

“Are you ready Alpha Adira?” He asks, scratching the back of his head nervously.

Seeing Rhys and River take off into the woods followed by Killian and Elias, I nodded my head “Yes, let’s start on foot, then we’ll shift when needed.”

“After you.” He gestures towards the thick forest.

Chase and I walked in silence as we took in the trees and foliage around us. There were no unknown scents in the area and the rancid stench of rogues were nowhere to be found.

“No tracks. It doesn’t look like there’s been anyone around here for at least a few days. Are they sure there were rogues out here?” Chase questions squatting down where a faint trace of a paw was shown in the dirt trail.

“Killian and Erica said the place was full of rogues. The pack was trapped.” I say with slight confusion running my hand over the nearly faded print. Standing to my feet I wiped the dirt off my palms “Come on let’s keep going. There has to be something out here.”

I continued forward with Chase quickly following behind “Hey Alpha. I want to apologize for the other night. I didn’t mean to come off as a-”

“Ass?” I finished for him.

Chase chuckled “I was going to say a jerk but ass works too.” His smile dropped “I don’t want to reject Erica you know.”

“You don’t?”

He shook his head with furrowed brows “No. The moment I laid eyes on her, I knew she was mine. But....it’s complicated.”

“Chase, it shouldn’t be complicated. Believe me, the longer you wait, the more the need for her will grow.” The words were true. A part of me wished that Rhys and I’s beginning wasn’t full of confusion and pain but in the end it made us stronger as a couple.

“I know that Adira. It’s just…forget it.” He sighed running a hand through his hair.

“Chase?” I put a hand on his broad shoulder “You can tell me anything you know that, right?”

“My family is complicated okay? Mom and Dad have always wanted the best life for me, in their eyes that meant climbing the ranks in the pack. Mom’s influence on the council could help. Mating with Erica is going to....change their plans.” He trailed off not meeting my confused gaze.

“What are you talking about Chase?” I question grabbing hold of his arm, halting our steps.

Chase sucked in a deep breath turning to face me, a trace of guilt evident in his expression “Alpha, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Before Chase could utter a word, Rhys voice pushed into my head “Adira, we’ve found a rogue. We’re near the south border, hurry.”

I snapped out of my daze and returned my gaze to Chase “They’ve found a rogue. Come on let’s go.”

My warrior nodded his head and prepared to shift alongside me. Once we were in our wolf forms we both took off into the forest, the brown leaves crunching against our paws.

“We’ll continue our talk later.” I mindlink to Chase who merely eyed me in acknowledgement.

Our run was brief and soon we crossed the threshold of the tree line to see Beta Elias in his lycan form holding a scraggly man by his neck as he thrashed in the air trying to claw at the stoic man. River was shifted and pacing back and forth reminding the rogue that an escape was impossible.

I felt slight fear at the sight of the lycans, it was my first time seeing one in it’s true form. Those stories were every bit true. River stood upright like a man but still sported the similar traits of a wolf, with a long snout, tail, extra long fangs and chocolate brown fur covering his entire body.

The muscles in his body rippled and shifted with each movement. I could see that he was still much taller than Elias and the rest of the lycans. The power of this creature could be seen a mile away.

River’s golden eyes met mine briefly before baring his fangs towards the squirmy wolf.

“Where is Victor you disgusting mutt.” Elias growled out tightening his hold on the rogue.

The rogue laughed maniacally “By the time you find him, it’ll be too late.” His laughter soon turned to whimpers as Elias continued to tighten his grip. The rogue’s face was turning a shade of purple.

River let out a huff ordering Elias to loosen his grip. Elias gave a snarl of frustration “Where are they?”

The man’s crazed eyes met mine with a malicious smile “You’ll be too late. Soon, the Alpha’s world will finally burn to the ground.”

The threat didn’t fall on deaf ears when my mate gave a warning growl moving to block me from the rogue’s view. His large body towered over mine. I put a hand to my head trying to process what the rogue just said.

The Alpha’s world. Burn. Finally.

“Rhys.” I breathed out gripping Rhys' dark fur in fear“He’s not talking your world, he's talking about mine. He’s talking about The Ash Pack. Victor is going to burn it down. He's using me to get to you.”

Elias returned his gaze to the rogue “Is she right!?” He demands harshly. I could see his long claws extending, digging into the rogue's flesh..

The wolf merely chuckled as blood began to trickle from his neck “Once Alpha’s Rhys’ new family is gone, my master won’t hesitate to take the little Alpha as his mate. And then...then Victor Chan will finally take his place as Alpha.”

His crazed laughter was cut off when Elias let out a snarl and quickly shifted to tear the rogue’s throat out. River eyed his blood covered Beta who ordered the rest of the Lycans to get rid of the body.

“We have to go Rhys. My pack, my sisters are in danger!” I felt panic race through my body. At the mention of my sisters, I could see the fear in Killian’s eyes realizing his newly discovered mate was in danger. Rhys quickly shifted and got dressed pulling me into his arms trying to offer some sort of comfort.

Rhys seemed to try to control the anger that was evident on his face “River, how soon can we get some of your Lycan’s to the Ash Pack? Victor is a whole day ahead of us, I have a feeling they will attack before we even get there. Lucas and Selene will need some help.”

River shifted back into his man form and threw on a pair of shorts “I can get them there by the evening. We will need to leave now if we want to make it to your pack. Elias and I will run in our Lycan forms, it’ll be faster than driving. The rest of my warriors will follow behind you.”

I gulped and felt bile form in my throat as guilt consumed me. I left my family alone and now their lives were at risk. What kind of Alpha was I? Were Lucas and Selene prepared for any kind of attack. How would I get to them on time?

As if sensing my thoughts Rhys placed his large hands on my face lifting my head to look at him “None of this is your fault Adira. We didn’t know Victor’s plan. Now I need you to be strong, your pack, our pack, needs us. I will not let anything happen to them, okay?”

I nodded and inhaled deeply reigning in my emotions as Rhys began to call out orders and lead us back towards the pack house.

There would be time to worry later. The Ash Pack needed me to be focused. Soon we would be entering a vicious battle, as battle my family would begin alone.

Goddess be with them.

I have finally been able to finish writing this chapter. I'm SO sorry for the long wait. The writers block I had was killing me. But I think I've finally over come it! Most of my motivation is just to complete this story!

Thank you to everyone who has, for some reason, continued reading this story without recent updates and showing so much love for it! I've seen your comments, likes, and reviews!

I will do my best to upload again soon! Alpha is nearing it's end and thankfully I have begun a few chapters for the next book in the series! I can't wait to share it with you!

Until next time!