Chapter Two

Myla’s POV

I woke with a strange feeling in my stomach. Hunger? No. Fear? I laughed as I dismissed the idea. No. This is something else. Something telling me to be prepared. I hopped out of bed wishing I could take a day off. I never let anyone from my pack know that every once in a while, I would like a day off to just be a girl. The other girls would go shopping, hang out, and just do things that most girls enjoy I always felt left out. I have to admit, shopping is not something I like or even want to do but, if it gave me time to spend with my girlfriends, then I would go. No, not me. I am the Alpha; I am feared by most of the male Alphas in the neighboring packs. They knew just by reputation to not mess with me. They called me the Alpha Bitch, the Monster Alpha, oh, and my favorite, The Alpha of Death. Then again, some had started calling me the Bitter Alpha. I hated that one. They thought it was fun to tease me by calling me bitter since I had yet to find my mate. Most of them thought I would be mateless for my entire life because no male would be able to handle me. They often joked that I would be a black widow, claiming I would mate and then kill the male after doing the deed. I would never admit it to anyone but, their words hurt. I knew I was not a typical female werewolf, but I wasn’t given a choice either.

I brushed the tangled mess of my long black hair before throwing it up into its typical messy bun. I checked my appearance in the mirror before heading out to join Barrett and Jade for breakfast.

As I turned the corner, I could see them sitting at our normal table. Before I could take my seat, someone yelled “MATE,” I froze wondering if they could be talking about me. Slowly I turned to see the source of the commotion. The warrior who I bit yesterday was standing staring at a pretty blue-eyed blonde who looked startled at the realization that he was talking to her. She stared back knowingly, both seemed afraid to move. Time seemed to stand still before they rushed into each other’s arms and began kissing. Everyone stood and cheered for the happy couple. I felt a sense of relief but also disappointment as I watched them.

As Alpha, it is my duty to hold a meeting with them to verify the acceptance of their mate bond and to announce them as a mated pair at the next full moon. “Great,” I thought to myself. I have 3 days to meet with them and then announce them. After that, we have the “wedding,” I groaned to myself. I didn’t want to lose another warrior’s undivided attention because they found their mate. I hate to admit it, but I was jealous. I wanted to find my mate but, I would never allow anyone to know that.

“Are you ok?” Jade’s gentle voice broke through my thoughts bringing me back to the moment. I turned to look at her.

“Yes, of course. Why wouldn’t I be, ok?” I hoped my voice sounded more confident than I felt.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to, it’s just when you heard him say, mate, you looked almost,”

“Sick?” I offered.

“No. I was going to say “hopeful.” She looked at me as though she knew my feelings. She probably did.

“I’m fine. You know how I feel about mates, nothing but trouble.” I reached for my chair as I felt a hand touch my shoulder.

“Alpha,” A small meek voice asked.

“Yes?” I said turning to see who touched me.

A little girl with brown eyes and braided brown hair stood looking at me. I smiled down at her. “What can I do for you?” I asked relieved to have someone distract me from my own thoughts.

“Um I just wanted to know, when will you find your mate?” She looked so sincere. I couldn’t get mad. Not at a child.

“Well,” I started, trying to hide the shock in my voice. “I will find him when the Moon Goddess Says so.” I hoped this was a sufficient answer.

“Ok,” she chirped happily. She turned and ran off to find her family.

I let out the breath I was holding. As I plopped down in my chair, I suddenly didn’t feel hungry anymore.

“Myla are you ok?” it was Barrett’s worried voice.

“Yeah, I uh, I think I will go for a run. You know, I don’t really feel like eating right now.” I stood up.

“Myla wait, you don’t have to leave. Nobody is judging you.” Jade looked as though she was trying to convince herself.

“Yeah, I know. I just feel like my wolf needs to burn off some energy.” I turned and headed out the door. My breakfast would be cold by now anyway.

I ran through the gate and to the edge of the forest. Stripping off my clothes, I let my wolf take over. My bones cracked and shifted, fur sprung from my body, and before long, I was standing on all fours. My wolf is huge for a female. It’s because I am the alpha. As I looked at my paws, I saw the white toes on my front paw. I inherited this trait from my mother. The rest of me was black as night.

I took off as fast as I could heading for my favorite spot. The small creek which ran through my territory always made me feel better. The way the water rushed and bubbled making soothing sounds as it went relaxed me and allowed me to think. It was my own personal solitude. I felt as though I could be free from the prying eyes of those around me.

I reached the creek in record time. I took a drink of clear cold water. There is something about drinking from a creek that makes you feel alive. I settled down on the bank letting the water race over my front paws. My fur danced as the water rushed over them. I wasn’t sure how long I had been here when I awoke to a sound. My wolf hearing could tell if a bug walked by on a leaf. As werewolves, we have super-sensitive hearing. I stayed still listening for any sound. It was then that I heard it. A twig snapped a short distance from me. Without hesitation, I launched myself in the direction of the sound. I stopped as I saw it. A lone grey wolf. He looked lost. I didn’t care. He was trespassing on my territory. All wolves knew to ask permission before entering another pack’s territory. I watched for another minute as the wolf sniffed the air. Before he could run, I launched out of my hiding spot and tackled him to the ground.

“Identify yourself!” my wolf snarled. He bared his neck to me in submission. “I will not kill you, yet. Now Identify yourself!” I snarled again.

The young wolf looked as though he may throw up. “I, I am Cobalt. I am from the Moon Eclipse pack. Please, please don’t hurt me.”

I could tell he was young. Maybe sixteen if I had to guess. I shifted into my human form. He stayed still as he lay on his back on the ground. “Shift,” I command him. He looks down as his human form takes control. He was tall and kind of skinny. He looked worried as though I may kill him at any point. “Stand up,” I ordered trying not to scare him too much.

As he stood up, he looked at me for the first time since I shifted. “You are beautiful,” he said his cheeks turning pink.

“Thank you,” I answered trying not to smile at his compliment. “Now, what are you doing here? Eclipse pack is a long way from here.”

“I, I got lost. I was trying to find my way back from a wedding and I got separated from my pack. I have been trying to reach my Aunts for a few days now.” He looked embarrassed as he explained how he came to be on my pack lands.

“Did you contact them using the pack link?” I asked questioningly.

“Yes, of course,” he answered without hesitation.

“Well, how did you end up lost if you contacted them?” I was beginning to get annoyed.

“I am not very good with directions; my aunt says I can’t find my way out of a wet paper bag.” He looked down as his face turned a deep shade of red.

I couldn’t help the chuckle which escaped me. “Ok. Well, I will take you to my packhouse. We can send word to your family that you are safe, and we can arrange a meeting to get you back to your pack.” I watched his expression as he realized I would not kill him.

He let out a sigh of relief. “Thank You. Um, does this mean I will have to meet your Alpha?” he asked suddenly looking worried.

“You already have,” I told him as I signaled for him to follow me.

His face showed shock as he realized who I am. “You, you are the Alpha of Death? I, I mean, Alpha Myla?” he asked trying to hide the shock on his face.

I chuckled, good to know even the younger generations have heard of me. “Yes, I am Alpha Myla. Now let’s go.”

When we arrived at the gates, my warriors were shocked to see me with a young boy in tow. “Prisoner, Alpha?” Wade asked as they both tensed up waiting for my response. They handed me an oversize t-shirt that reeked of Wade.

“Thank you,” I said pulling the shirt over my head. “Not a prisoner.” They relaxed at my answer. “I found him lost in the woods. I am going to contact the Alpha of the Moon Eclipse pack to make arrangements to get him back to his family.” They froze at the mention of the Moon Eclipse pack. I was not surprised by their answer. Moon Eclipse was the only pack that held the potential to rival my own. Their Alpha was said to be a fierce man who was not known for his pleasantries. I myself had never met him. He too refused to attend the annual Alpha summit. The summit was not mandatory but, almost every Alpha attended out of mutual respect. I never felt as though I needed to attend. Nope. I only needed my pack.