A U D R E Y
It's been two weeks since I found out I'm pregnant and whenever I try to date Chloe or Cameron discover me. After a big scolding because I know that it is not safe for me to go out for my safety, they hug me saying that everything will be fine, but I can no longer be locked up here. I lived all my life in a forest, running with wolves and being free... To have my freedom taken from me so suddenly is something horrible that I do not wish on anyone; I feel like a caged animal.
After spending about an hour looking at the streets of Manhattan with a grimace from my bedroom window, I let out a sigh and decided to take a long shower to try to forget everything that is happening to me. My pregnancy, the pack, Ethan: all those thoughts cleared when I began to play with the foam in the bathtub like I was a child.
When I came out with my pajamas on, I lay on my bed staring at the ceiling for a few minutes. Being pregnant really takes away all of your energy, especially with your baby being a wolf and possibly an alpha. Without realizing it, my eyes slowly closed until I fell into Morpheus's arms.
"I was walking with Choe through the quiet streets of the community that my grandparents had painstakingly built, my parents reinforced, and I try not to destroy. The few moments I had to relax were when I was with my best friend, so they were the ones I appreciated the most.
Each omega, beta or alpha that passed by us greeted me with respect, to which it corresponded to later listen to the mockery that the brunette whispered causing several laughs from both of them.
"Hears. They say that the future leader of Crescent Moon is very handsome and is your age, Audrey." She commented with mischievous eyes, which made me roll mine.
The future leader is the son of Alpha James Montgomery, who has spent years trying to unite our packs to "strengthen" according to him. But every time I said it, I felt that his intentions were the opposite, so I respectfully rejected them without being willing to put my people at risk.
Apparently he will hand over the position to his only son Ethan, who I have never crossed paths with because, from what his father told me once, he was solving problems with other packs. And apparently my friend is right, since all the omegas that have seen him say that he is very handsome; But the only boy I am interested in knowing is my mate, whom I really don't think I can find.
"You know I'm only interested in boys for a one-night stand." I reminded her with a shrug, so she sighed.
<< Here comes the speech >> I thought in frustration knowing that a long speech was coming on the reasons why I should open my heart to someone new.
"Audrey, when you find your mate, I'm sure you'll forget all this you're saying right now. And maybe you'd find it faster if you let me use magic on you."
"When I was little they told my parents that he didn't exist, that he might have died. I'm not going to have any illusions to break my heart myself when he doesn't exist anymore." I confessed biting my lower lip and continued walking with her behind me, surely embarrassed.
"Emily calls you 'old maid' and there are times I'd love to rip off those red hair extensions she has." Chloe said with hatred in her voice, coming to my side.
Emily isn't a beta of my pack for her fortune or I would have banished her long ago. She's more of a bitch than a wolf in my opinion since she walks through the houses of several alphas here looking for someone to mark her, without being successful. I must admit that the rumors of how she yells at the alphas she sleeps with to tag her is my favorite show; it is harmless, so there is no problem with it staying here.
"You know we can't do anything, she's not worth it."
"I know, I just hate it when I say that." She declared seriously, so I hugged her shoulders smiling.
"In due course I'll get my revenge. You just wait." I winked at her smiling."
It was when I woke up from that dream. Or rather, a memory of a few weeks before meeting who was my worst demon and angel at the same time. I did have my revenge in some way: witnessing Emily's stunned look when her ex-boyfriend named me Moon of the Pack ... She's the one who finally laughed when I start to think clearly.
E T H A N
I spent the nights awake without being able to sleep because of the cold and empty space in my bed that I was not used to. Nor did I allow Emily to sleep with me until it was absolutely necessary: when I made her my Moon. I remember when I met her, with her strong, brave and stubborn character, but loving when she was confident. Always concerned about others before herself; I think that's why the packs love her so much and keep looking for her. It was a good moon for all of them.
"We were celebrating Aiden and I with some beers that tomorrow will name me Alpha of this pack, they will give me that place that I deserve so much. My father finally realized that I am the best option to fill his position because I have tried so hard to convince him. But even if I did achieve that, his pride is something even more difficult to achieve.
"Congrats friend." Aiden said with a sincere proud smile.
He has never been jealous of me even though he also would have liked to have been Alpha of the pack; That is why he will be my beta and right hand man, as well as being my best friend.
"My father has finally given me what I deserve... I've worked so hard and still he's not proud of me." I murmured, looking down and playing with the bottle of alcohol in my hands.
"Hey, I'm sure he's actually proud. He just doesn't show it because he doesn't want the fumes to get to your head, knowing you as he knows you." My best friend gave an excuse that we both knew was false, but I still smiled at him nodding my head.
"Thank you. I just hope I can find my mate when they name me Alpha... I've been waiting for her for a long time, it's time for her to show up." I confessed hopefully.
"You must be patient and keep looking. You will surely find it soon." My friend assured me, optimistic as ever; one of the reasons I want it is that.
(...)
Today was the day of my appointment as Alpha of this pack; I'm sure I'll get it right, I must be. There was something I had to do to impress my father: make a deal to unite the packs with the Alpha of Moonlight. That has been his plan for as long as I can remember, but he has never succeeded due to the Alpha's rejection of that pack. Well, it was my turn to convince him, be that as it may.
Alphas and betas came from all over the world for the ceremony as is tradition - in addition to clearly the members of my pack - but the most important is I named her above. They have been the most powerful and feared by all for centuries. When the old man died, Mark Thompson with his Luna Destiny, they left the position to one of their sons: the most intelligent apparently, since he has known how to make good deals with other packs. Many, except ours; what will soon change.
My father had them put a chair on the stage that was in the middle of the park - where we decided to hold the celebration because of the large number of people who attended were comfortable - to be able to say his speech and then I mine, which I have been perfecting for weeks practicing.
"Welcome and thank you very much to everyone present who took the time to come, it'ss an honor to have each of you here. Today we are gathered for appointment as the new Alpha of the Crescent Moon pack due to my retirement to my only son, Ethan James Montgomery." My father began his speech. "I want to tell you that I leave my pack to my most trusted man and that I am sure he will do well. That's it, now you say a few words, son."
When my father called me, I passed saliva by the nerves that invaded me. My feet moved without being ordered to the center of the stage, where he with the fake smile patted me on the back and handed me the microphone, which I took with my hand almost trembling. I cleared my throat, shaking off stupid nerves and put a confident smile on my face.
"Hello, and thank you all for attending one of the most important days of my life. It's an honor for me to be their Alpha, to be able to help them in everything they need and to improve relations between all of them for a good coexistence... I hope that everything goes as it was in the mandate of my father. We will surely get along very well." I finished my speech and some of the wolves here rolled their eyes, so I discreetly gave them a bad look.
I'm considered the "bad boy" of the pack because I love teasing the weak omegas in practice to be protectors of this community. But I think that if they can't defend themselves against a single Alpha, how will they do it with another pack in which there are three hundred or so Alphas? I also have enough valid reasons.
After several applause, congratulations and greetings from most of the people who were present, I let out a sigh, fed up with the fake smiles that in the background said: "Let's see how long Daddy's little boy will last before he sends everything to hell." They are all hypocrites, including myself.
It was when I felt a warm hand on my shoulder. Just his touch on my body made all the tensions present in me melt away.
I turned to find the owner of that sweet touch. Light brown, almost blonde hair, bright green eyes, a smile that left me spellbound for several minutes, and fine features. She was just a work of art in anyone's eyes.
"Good speech, but what about the omegas you annoy? Will you be good to them too, or is it just one of those typical empty promise speeches?" Asked her powerful but at the same time sweet voice that made my whole body tremble. However, understanding his words all the charm was gone.
Surely it would be a beta who loses the leash when her Alpha isn't present and wants to pretend to be brave. Well, two of us can play that stupid game. Underestimating me is not something that suits her or anyone else.
"I don't know who you are and I don't care, but I'm superior to you and you should respect me." I spoke in Alpha's voice, causing her to laugh sarcastically. I frowned at her, thinking she must be scared and submissively lowering my head out of respect for someone of higher rank.
<< Who are you? >> I thought without taking my eyes off her. It made me so ... familiar. And that frustrated me by forcing my brain to search for some memory of having seen her before, without obtaining anything.
"I should respect you... but I won't because it makes fighting more fun. Do you at least know who I am?" She questioned, pointing to herself.
"You're just a silly girl who doesn't realize she can't get over me." I replied self-centered, smirking.
"You clearly have no idea who I am, which disappoints me a bit considering your father visited me just to personally invite me to come here." She sighed with a shrug. "But, well, I introduce myself. My name is Audrey Thompson, Alpha of the Moonlight Pack."
My eyes widened, staring at her in disbelief. Is the Alpha of the most powerful pack of all actually female? No, that's impossible. Dad always talked about him being strong and intelligent... Although, remembering better, he never specified his gender, so I obviously thought it would be a man.
I just made a fool of myself and treated like trash the person I have to convince that my pack is the best option to join us... I am definitely an idiot.
"It's nice to finally meet you too, Ethan." Audrey scoffed and smiled. "I have an idea. Let's start over as if nothing had happened, in exchange for you to start treating your people with equality."
"Please." I murmured in a tone that I even felt sorry for myself. She just shook her head in amusement, crossing her arms.
"Audrey Thompson, Alpha of Moonlight." She introduced herself again making a strange face that made me laugh.
"Pleasure. Ethan Montgomery, new Alpha of the Crescent Moon." I also introduced myself, extending my hand which he took delicately.
The instant our hands made contact, a totally new and exciting electricity ran through my body, causing my wolf to want to come out. I looked at her eyes that were shining more brightly, like mine must be doing it.
<< Mate! Mine! >> my inner wolf screamed, snarling as he wanted to get out, but I wouldn't let him. I just came up with a much better plan than the one I already had in mind.
"Alpha Audrey." My father interrupted causing us to quickly separate, returning to normal almost instantly. "I hope you are enjoying the party."
"Trust me, I'm having a lot of fun." Audrey murmured, looking at me with a raised eyebrow and a small smile on her face.
"This is Ethan, my son and the new Alpha of this pack." He introduced me to her using that false smile of a father proud of his son's achievements. Pathetic.
"Yeah, we just... introduced ourselves, I think."
"I hope it didn't bother you or anything like that. Ethan is talking without thinking." My father commented as if I weren't present.
"Easy, Alpha James, I'm not saying anything bad, we were just chatting." Audrey's cell phone rang insistent, so with a little "I'm sorry" in a whisper to us she walked away to answer the call.
"What did you say to her? You know if she gets mad at our pack, it would be a war that we could never win. We even have a chance to have an alliance with them, so you better not screw it up." He warned seriously.
<< What happened to the smiles and the pride, dad? Did they fade like mom did? >>
"You don't have to worry about that, father. I have a plan to make sure that alliance and more may come true."
"You better. I didn't give you my position so that you don't do anything good for the pack... Make that girl fall in love with you, give you everything we need and I swear that every day I will tell you how proud I am of you." My father whispered that last in my ear.
Before I could answer him, Audrey came over putting her cell phone in her bag and looking at us both with some pity.
"I'm sorry, but there are some snags between my wolves and I'll have to leave earlier than I wanted." She reported making a face.
"Don't worry Audrey, we understand perfectly and thank you for coming." My father whispered, putting on that mask of a good person with which he hides so many things underneath.
"Thank you both very much for inviting me and understanding." Before leaving she turned to see me. "Oh, by the way, Ethan, from my point of view, if you stopped being so arrogant and cruel to omegas, you would be a good Alpha welcomed by all. Don't think you're superior for just a title, honey, you can't win a war without help. Now I do retire, good night and congratulations."
Slowly I watched her walk away with a sensual hip movement that seems to be her normal way of walking, which I didn't like very much. A part of me felt empty as soon as it disappeared from my field of vision. After giving me a look full of annoyance, my father also left, but he was used to that by now.
A few minutes later Aiden arrived, whom I hardly saw all night for chasing after the betas and alphas of other packs, desperately searching for his intended destination. Apparently unsuccessful in that task.
"Hey, I saw it all when I went to get something to drink. What happened to Moonlight's Alpha?" He asked curiously.
"I can only tell you for now that I have a great plan in mind and she's the main thing I need to fulfill it."
"What will you do?" Aiden asked even more confused.
"I just hope Audrey is ready, because this will be a very hard blow for her." I replied with a cynical smile on my face."
And to think that now I'm tossing and turning silently regretting every bad decision I made after that night. Guilt kept me from sleeping, its memory much less. I made big mistakes with who is supposed to be the love of my life when she never had bad intentions with me... I should have been more courageous to tell my father on naming night that he should be proud of me to begin with being her son and because she really wanted to improve the lives of every member of this community.
"An innocent was injured for me to achieve my selfish goals. Are you happy now, father? Now I'm your damn pride?!" I yelled at nothing crying between the sheets we used to sleep with.
I'm sorry, Audrey. It was when I lost you that I realized what you really were worth. Although being sober during the day I say otherwise, my consecutive nights of drunkenness to tell the truth are the opposite.