'Just tell him I'm still sick and I'll just stay here'
We have just walked into the house and my anxiety had gotten the best of me.
'It's alright sweetheart. We will all go and when its time for the run we will stay at the back and you can hide in the woods and meet up with us when the run ends.'
I didn't understand how they could be so calm about this. The risks were too high.
'What if someone stays back he sees me wonder off. It will look suspicious'
'Darling its alright. You know we wouldn't let anything happen to you' my father was always able to get me back on the logical track. In saying that, I was still nervous.
I spent most of the day reading after unpacking the last of my books. Lost in the fantasy of a strong female assassins life, I hadn't thought about my impending doom. Until my mum called out the 1 hour warning. That meant time to get ready. After a shower that I hoped would melt off my anxiety, that didn't work, I slipped on a lilac sundress. No one would show up to a dinner in jeans expecting to run, it was raise awareness. 20 minutes later I has put up my hair in a ponytail that hit my lower back, slipped on my black flats and applied a light layer of mascara. Found it brightened my green eyes and hoped it drew attention away from my box dyed hair. I still had to avoid standing in direct sunshine, even through the dye, it still shimmered in bright light.
We left early, deciding to drive to the pack lands in case any stragglers might be around the borders.
As we pulled into the clearing, we could clearly see all of the people crowding out front of the building the feast would be held. I know they are a large pack but id never seen anything like this.
At least with this many people in one room hopefully I would go unnoticed.
'You made it! Welcome back to the pack house'
Unfortunately I was wrong. Leigh Adams, sorry Alpha Adams, (eye roll) had been standing near the entrance greeting people and noticed us within seconds of walking in the door. The moment I heard his voice my whole body was on alert. Part of me wanting to go straight to him. Fortunately my underlying ear had me rooted to the spot.
'Good afternoon Alpha, thank you for having us' always polite my father.
'Please, call me Leigh. I don't care for the formalities in casual settings.'
His grin had my knees feeling weak. Seeing his genuine smile I could tell how proud of his pack and lands he was. It seemed to radiate off him within his confidence. He seemed more relaxed tan I had seen him.
'This is my Beta, Fang' he introduced a handsome blonde man. Nothing in comparison to the alpha.
'Rodger, Fang is a childhood nickname. He is the wolf and I'm the fang. Always there to protect him.' The beta seemed nice but obviously took his job seriously.
Now Wolf Adams made sense.
'It's nice to meet you, I am Karl, this is Eleanor and Alexis'
'Lovely to meet you Hunt family. I have heard much about you'
With that the beta left to greet more people. As I watched him leave, I could feel the Alphas eyes on me.
'Where shall we sit'? My mother broke the silence.
'You may sit at my table.'
At that my head spun around.
'Oh no Alpha we couldn't, that table is for higher ranking wolves' my mother would always be my saviour.
'Oh please, I am alpha and it is my choice who sits at my table. Besides, it will be goo for the pack to see i acknowledge you as a trustworthy family though you are not in our pack'
'Only if yo insist Alpha'
'I do, please, it is the table up the front' he waved us toward the table.
With a nod my parents started toward the table.
'Alex may I speak to you a moment' I couldn't think beyond his had on my lower back. My while body seemed to vibrate and heat.
'We will see you up there darling' my mother worded her approval with a charming grin. I didn't want to know what she was thinking.
After a moment making sure my parents were out of ear shot he spoke.
'Are you alright?'
For a moment I didn't know what he was talking about.
'Oh yes, I feel much better than I did this morning. I think I ate too much before running that's all.' I gave a polite smile and tried to stop away. His hand grabbed my wrist. Gentle but firm.
'I'm glad you are feeling better but I can smell your fear' I looked around worried others could too.
'It's only faint as you are trying to hide it but I am aware of your emotions more than others and I know its there. What are you afraid of?'
'That's a little creepy to say. I'm not afraid of anything. I just don't like big crowds' I lied.
'You have no idea what's happening do you'
'What are you?'
I got cut off by a tall blonde I recognised from school. She came bounding up to Leigh grabbing onto his arm.
'Hi Alpha' she drawled in what I'm sure was meant to be a seductive voice
A small growl escaped my mouth I hadnt meant to make.
Aurora what was that? She didn't reply but I could see her snarl.
The blonde looked at me with a snarl of her own
'Can I help you' she obviously didn't like me
'No, though I'm sure I could help you learn some manners and not interrupt others conversations' I had not planned to say any of that. Aurora couldn't help pushing my emotions.
Whats going on with you Aurora?
The blondes snarl turned into a growl as the grin on Leighs face grew.
'What did you just say to me? Can you believe how rude she is Alpha' I see, she wanted the Alphas attention and thought she could play victim. I remembered her face more now. She was always shooting me glares when I sat near Leigh in class.
'Sophie she is correct you were rude by interrupting our conversation. You may go find your seat and I will see you later.' My eyes shot open wide at his response to her. Her however, turned to me in a look I'm sure would burst me into flames if she could.
With a humph she left us.
'You were saying Alex?'
'I should find my parents. Thankyou for your concern Alpha but I am fine'
I took the opportunity to make my escape. I sat next to my mum and let out the breath I had been holding.
'What was that about?' My mother asked with too much excitement in her voice.
'He was asking if I felt better'
'That's sweet of him'
'He said he could sense my underlying fear. What a weird, creepy thing to say'
'I think you should give him a chance'
'A chance at what?' I was both confused and irritated by what she was saying.
'Good evening everyone' Alpha Leigh announced loud enough for all to hear.
The room went silent. Showing how much this pack respected their alpha.
He looked delicious today. His eyes glowed bright. He was wearing tight black jeans, a dark purple t-shirt with a band logo I didn't recognise, and a black leather jacket. Something I hadnt noticed before, was the bits of tattoo peaking out of the top of his shirt from his shoulders. I wondered what the looked like. If if they would feel different to his bare skin under my fingers.
What was going on with me today? Maybe I really was sick.
'As you can all see we have some guesses tonight. Please share some warm welcomes to the Hunt family. They are new to town and live a short distance from our eastern border. I hope to have them join us on pack lands and activities more often'
The room erupted into claps and cheers
'With that, lets show them what a real pack feast looks like and dig in. Enjoy everyone!'
My eyes were glued to one ink marking his skin as he sat. Something nudged my arm causing me to blink. It had been my mother and I realised I had been staring. My face surely flushed crimson as a sexy smile spread across Leigh's face.
I shook my head trying to clear the dirty thoughts from my head. What is wrong with me.
'I am excited to have you join us in the run tonight. I would like you to join me and my beta in leading the run' I knew he was addressing my father with out needing to look up.
'Excuse me, I need the ladies room' I left before I cold hear the response. I knew my father would find a good excuse to stay at the back but I couldn't help but feel something was off with the alphas interest in my family.
I stepped into the ladies room at an even pace as I could manage and leant on my hands against the vanity and dropped my head taking some deep breaths.
I was concentrating so hard I didn't hear the door open and close behind me before my hear was being reefed backwards.
'What's so special about you huh?' Sophie's voice no longer was no longer the sweet song she had been playing before. Now it was sharp as she spat her poisonous words at me.
'He's only interested in you because your new. Your like the shiny toy he will get bored of once's he has played with you once or twice. I'm like the teddy he grew up with. He will always come back to me''
'What are you talking about?'
'He is mine. I am 18 in a month and the bond will snap in place but I know he is mine. We were made for eachother' she gritted her teeth as she pushed me into the stall door.
'You're a no body. He will never want you so give up now'
'You are delusional. I don't want the Alpha. I don't want any one. Mate or not he would be stupid to be with a crazy bitch like you' I spat back with fire of my own.
She was too busy laughing to see me coming. I launched off the toilet I had landed on and drove my shoulder into her stomach. She let out a loud groan as I pushed past her.
She was quicker than I expected as she shot her foot out tripping me over. In seconds she was on top of me with her hand raised above her head.
Her claws started elongating as she spat more hateful words.
'If you wont leave him alone, ill make sure he doesn't want you. No one will want you when I'm done with you'
As she hissed the last words, the door to the bathroom slammed open.
The look on the alphas face had me cringing away. His aura so strong I could feel it even without being part of his pack.
'Get the fuck of her Sophie' the words were almost forced out through clenched teeth, like he was holding something back.
She was so consumed by her anger she hadnt noticed him enter the room until he spoke. Stiffening in an instant and retracting her claws she started.
'Alpha, I'm so glad you're here' her sweet, innocent voice layed thick.
'She's a fraud. I heard her and her mother saying they were going to blackmail you and force you into mating with her. I was demanding she leave or I would reveal her disgusting plan to you'
She battered her eyelashes at his. Acting panicked and clinging to his arm.
He pulled his arm from her grip like it was something gross and smelled bad.
'It is not your job to deal with such matters and whom I mate with is not and will never be your concern. You will return to your seat for the remainder of the feast then return home. You will not be participation in tonight's run in the pack.'
'WHAT!' She demanded. The word forced out so hard and fast she physically spat across the room. Some landing on my face where I layed on the floor with her still standing over me.
I had the urge to force my knee up in between her legs but watching her get her head chewed off was entertainment enough.
'You will leave now Sophie. Before I loose my cool and decide to punish you for attempting to harm your future Luna' he growled the last word
'WHAT' we both shouted in unison
'You cant be serious Alpha. Her? She's a pack less no body'
'Get the fuck out Sophie' his claws elongated now. He was pissed.
My head was spinning. He's lying. He was just trying to piss her off or something. So many thoughts spiralled in my head I couldn't register anything around me.
I jumped when something touched my arm.
'Don't touch me'
'Alex are you alright'
I took a step back from him, putting my hand up in front of my like it would protect me.
'Did she hurt you?' He looked so concerned. But I didn't care
'I can look after myself. You shouldn't have come in here. I was dealing with her. She is just jealous over whatever crazy thing she thought was happening.'
'I'm sure you can'
I cut him off before he could say anything else
'You shouldn't have lied to her. Now she is just going to target me and make school a living hell. I knew I shouldn't have come here. I should never have sat near you. It's not long until I leave and I don't need your dramatic bullshit in the meantime.
'Alex I didn't lie. Wait what do you mean leaving?' He demanded.
'Just leave me alone.' I spat as I marched toward the bathroom door.
'And my name is NOT Alex' was my last retort before I took off out of the building and started running for the tree line.