IN THE ALPHA'S OFFICE

ALICIA.

“Hey rogue, how are you doing?” Bernice shouts as she enters the classroom. It's on a Saturday morning and I thought I will be the only one in class so that I can catch up on what I missed yesterday. But now with Bernice around I don't think I will be doing any studies.

Bernice and I know each other for a very long time because we were together at my former pack. She was the daughter of a single mother who later left the pack to unknown destinations only for me to discover that they moved here. Bernice has changed from that friendly girl to a bully who keeps on tormenting me, calling me all sorts of names. Of late she calls me a rogue because of my stay in the woods. I always ignore her.

“You won't answer me Scarface?” She starts coming closer. The name Scarface is intended to irk me. She is referring to the scar on my face. I ignore that too.

“Listen, you can't just ignore me. You are not in my level so you better be humble and answer my simple questions.” She says as she sits on top of my desk.

“What do you want Bernice?” I ask. I am trying very hard not to lose my temper. She smiles slyly at me.

“Just a few questions rogue and I'll leave you alone, just the way you love it.” She says. She is doused in a foul smelling perfume and I will do anything to get rid of her, even if it means that I answer a thousand questions.

“Well, seems to me I have no options but to answer your questions.” I say, sitting back on my chair.

“First, why are you here on a Saturday, instead of being home doing laundry and other chores?” I wonder why that is her concern.

“I already did my laundry when everyone else was asleep. But I would ask you the same question.” I reply.

“And why didn't you attend the party at the pack house yesterday?” She keeps the questions coming.

“Well, I wasn't interested. Besides, I was too tired and I needed to rest.” I reply.

“No. That was not the reason. The Alpha would have been shocked to see such an ugly person in his house and you were afraid that he was going to throw you out. That's the reason why you stayed away. Self preservation. Also, the fact that you are a rogue doesn't help matters, does it?” She taunts. This one makes me angry.

“Tell me what you want. I am really busy doing my studies.” I say calmly.

“Clever girl who has no time to waste. Coming to the party would have been a waste of time because the Alpha wanted a mate. You are so ugly to qualify as one.” She says.

“And since you are so beautiful, why didn't you qualify?” I ask. She looks at me with contempt written all over her face. It's as if she wants to slap me but something restrains her.

“Watch your words Alicia Waters. I can easily have you deported back to your pack.” At this juncture I get up from my seat and walk away, leaving her to talk to herself. The studies I was so eager about will have to wait. Bernice has just spoiled it for me.

Outside the class I find several other classmates. They are busy talking about the party. Mostly they are making jokes of the girls who were literally throwing themselves at the Alpha but he kept on ignoring them. There are no prizes for guessing that Bernice was among them.

“Hey Alicia.” I recognize Raymond's voice and turn.

“Hi Ray.” I say as we shake hands. Raymond has always been nice to me. We joined the pack on the same day and we have been in constant communication. At some point he even invited me for a cup of tea.

“I am happy to see you. You see, there's a meeting later today at the pack house. Alpha Drake wants to meet all those who didn't attend the party last night." He says.

“Noted Ray. I'll see what I can do. Did you attend?” I ask him. He shakes his head to indicate that he didn't.

“But I will be there this afternoon. See you there.” He pats me on the back to dismiss me. I walk away as he joins his comrades.

I don't go straight home because there's nothing much to do. Before leaving in the morning I did the laundry and cooked breakfast. Usually, Benjamin and David leave in the morning for duties they have been assigned by the pack. Benjamin is a trainer while David is a border guard. That leaves Melissa at home alone and I am sure she can cook her own lunch.

I decide to walk around the pack and find myself at the shopping mall. This is a big building with all sorts of businesses going on. There are shops, boutiques, restaurants and cafes. All the pack members come here for their provisions and others come to while off their time.

I walk into one of the restaurants and settle at a corner, then I ask for a cup of coffee. The atmosphere here is so cool I start regretting why I didn't come with some books so as to conduct my studies here.

But five minutes later a tall man, accompanied by another one who is almost as tall walk in and make a beeline to where I am seated. Merely looking at them makes me feel worried and I wish it's not me they are after.

“Hey there.” The tall man says in a deep voice.

I whisper my response.

“You didn't attend the party last night and the Alpha wants to meet you.” He says.

“Me? He doesn't even know me.” I say. I wonder how they know whether I attended or not. Who are they?

“My name is Beta Jim and this here is Gamma Boniface. We would like you to accompany us to the pack house.” He says.

“Maybe I can come some other time.” I say.

“We are not leaving you. Now, let's go.” Well, that sounds like an order. I slowly get up from my seat and hand over some money for the coffee then walk side by side with the gigantic men to a car outside.

In less than a minute the car screeches to a halt outside a very big impressive building. I am not given time to admire the architecture because they usher me inside.

After going through a maze of corridors, they knock at a big door and someone inside tells them to come in. We all get inside. My heart is thumping seriously, almost tearing up my ribcage. My biggest fear is that the Alpha may send me back to my pack.

Once inside, the two men leave and I am left standing. The man behind a huge mahogany desk has broad shoulders and a head full of jet black hair. He looks at me from head to toe and I can't fathom what he's thinking about.

Finally he rises from his chair and approaches me and I can't face him. I look at the wooden floor, and let fate take it's course.