Chapter 4

Gavin's POV

Today I am going to be Alpha. I have trained my entire life for this. I've studied. I've trained. Endless hours of constant practice. And finally, the time was here. In my short 27 years of existence, I had learned all I could for this position, father said the rest comes with experience… I am prepared, I think, but I was beginning to feel overwhelmed. 

I stare off into the distance, watching the sunrise over the limestone hills cloaked in lush trees. My favorite part of the day was now. When the world around me began to buzz to life. Stripping down, I jump from the balcony of my room, shifting into my wolf as I hit the ground. I took off running, accelerating quickly as the wind whipped through my fur. The smell of pine and wild flowers, the fresh dew of the morning filling my nose as I ran. 

I didn't want to think, just feel the ground beneath my heavy paws. To let my wolf side be free. I ran until I reached my favorite spot at the edge of a small cliff. I stood there for a while, panting as I took in the scenery around me. 

I watched intently as the waves crashed against the shore below me. Listening to the sound of morning doves chirping and squirrels rustling in the trees. 

Peace. 

"Gavin? Where are you?" My mother's voice cut through the peacefulness that surrounded me. I tried to block her out to enjoy just a few more minutes… but she kept pushing at the mind link. "Gavin Thomas! Don't you dare ignore me!" She snapped.

"Yes mom? I'm just out for a run."

"Get back here, your father wants to speak with you and your sisters have arrived. Come greet them." 

I let out a frustrated growl. So much for peace and quiet. I howl out, before running back to the pack house. I shift back, grabbing one of the robes that hang outside in the shed and throwing it on, tying it tightly. 

"Gavin!" I heard my sister, Robin screaming my name as she came barreling toward me. She threw her arms around me, squeezing me tightly. The youngest of my two sisters, Robin, was very very, well, obnoxious. Her shoulder length, strawberry blonde hair was disheveled, falling in all directions. She looked up at me with a wide smile, her twinkling blue eyes squinting from the push of her cheeks. A spitting image of our mother she was.. 

Being the loving brother I was, I patted her head.. Her perky demeanor quickly changed to annoyance, a frown now replacing her smile. 

I knew she hated that,, she hated the idea of being shorter than her 'baby brother'. Realistically she wasn't even short, per say, it was just that fact that I, like our father, was just a few inches shy of being 7 feet tall. 

I smirk at her, as she scowls, folding her arms over her heavily swollen belly. "Hello Robin. I see you're pregnant again?"

She rubs at her swollen belly, her smile returning as she speaks. "Baby number 5. Last but not least of course. I'm getting too old for this nonsense." She sighs, resting a hand on her back. 

"I mean," I gave her a look, suggesting that her age was indeed getting to her. "you said it." I really couldn't help myself, messing with Robin was a joy in itself. And it had been a long while since I was able to get under her skin. 

She hit me a few times- no age would change out sibling banter- telling me how rude it is to call a woman old, when my oldest sister Sarah walks in. Robin was no longer laughing as Sarah approached us, her face looking sullen. 

Her and Robin were polar opposites, and have never gotten along, always some sort of quarrel between them.. Sarah was regal and cold, I rarely ever saw her smile. When she became the female Alpha of the Western Ridge Pack, she definitely became even more rigid than before. Her mates pack was known for their strictness and punishment, seeming to be the perfect fit for her. 

"Sarah. Thank you for coming." I coughed, trying to keep my voice as steady as possible. I honestly could have done without seeing her, but I'm sure mother insisted she come. 

"Congratulations Gavin." She says in an even tone. "I'm sorry my husband couldn't make it, a lot of business to handle on his end, you understand." It wasn't a question, just a statement. " I brought Allen along, I thought maybe he could learn a thing or two from this." 

I simply nod, thanking her once again. Allen was much taller than the last time I saw him, a miniature version of my sister, the same dark hair that framed his rounded face and piercing grey eyes. He was maybe 4 or 5 the last time they visited, and that was 9 years ago. 

"I'm going to get ready for the day, I'll see you all at the ceremony this evening." I excuse myself, no longer interested in any conversations with Sarah. I give an apologetic look to Robin giving her arm a quick squeeze before taking my leave. 

Bounding up two flights of stairs to my room, I throw off my robe, and head straight for the shower. I turn the water to high heat, watching the steam rise off of the flowing streams. Resting my head against the cool tiles of the shower, I let my mind wander, as the hot water cascades down my skin. My wolf half is growing tired of bit having a mate. He is getting restless, as am I, but the disappointment is getting harder to hide. Tonight I will be an Alpha. The blood of Alpha's runs thick through my veins. The desire to be the best Alpha for my pack is strong, and I'd hate to fail at it just because of a mate… Unlike others in the pack, in order to keep a strong Alpha bloodline without challengers, a strong heir is a huge part of the deal.

It didn't help, I was growing tired of different women in my bed. With them it was just mindless sex, filling a need of pleaseure and nothing more.. My wolf half, my animal instinct, felt incomplete without my mate, without that part of sex that made it so much more. I couldn't just keep getting my dick wet… 

I know I could just pick someone and mate them, but that bond just wouldn't be the same… I wanted what my parents had. Watching them over the years, the love the shared went beyond their bond, and I craved that. 

Shaking my head, I push the thoughts back, letting out a breath in a huff, I quickly wash, and get out of the shower. I needed to stop trying to force it. She will come when the time is right…. I just have to trust in the moon goddess and the gods beyond. 

….

When I enter my office, Pete is sitting in the chair across from my desk flipping through the pages of a book. He looks up at me, setting the book on my desk as he rises from his seat. 

"You made it back alright? I asked, as I plopped down into the oversized leather chair behind my desk. 

"Yeah. Sorry I'm later than expected, kind of got a late start."

"No worries man. Gave me time to get in a run. Plus my sister's arrived this morning. So there's that." 

Pete takes a seat back in his chair, looking at me with that, 'I know how that is' kind of look. 

"How was your sister's birthday?" I needed this small talk, anything to keep my mind off of Tonight and my mate. 

"Really well actually. Her wolf is magnificent. I've trained a lot, and I've never seen someone adapt so quickly to the transition. Makes me so fucking proud." 

He smiled brightly, the joy radiating I'm his hazel eyes. I can't help but smile too. The way he talked about his sister made me slightly envious. Although I was close to Robin, there was a large age gap between us, almost 10 years, so we weren't very close growing up, and by time we started to be, she met her mate and moved away to his pack.

"That's great to hear. Is she interested in being a warrior at all?"

"She may. She always said she wanted to be just like our dad. And she's definitely built for it. We always talked about her moving closer to the Pack house." He shrugged, sinking deeper into his seat as he tossed around his phone. 

"If you're not too busy tonight after the pledging, maybe I'll introduce you?"

"Well, I have a feeling we'll be rather occupied." A wicked grin grows on my lips as Pete wears a look of confusion. 

"Busy?" 

I nod. "Indeed, as my beta, we do have to make small talk and mingle. But I know we'll make time for your sister. It is her birthday after all."

I watched as Pete's jaw dropped as he practically flew from his chair. 

"Are you serious? You want me as your beta?"

"Of course Peter. You are my best friend, I couldn't imagine anyone else at my side. So what do you say?" 

"It would be my honor to be your beta, Gavin." 

I stood up from my seat, grabbing his forearm tight, as he grabbed mine. "Together until the goddess takes our last breath, I swear to serve with you, for my life is your, Alpha." We shook, as he pledged his allegiance to me, to the Black River pack. I smiled, as did he. Letting go, I gave his shoulder a smack. 

"Thank you Pete." 

"It is my honor Alpha." He gave a slight bow, showing his respect. 

"Now that that is out of the way, coffee and food?"

His face lights up at the mention of food. One of the things I enjoyed most about our friendship is that Pete liked to eat just as much as me. 

"Don't have to ask me twice. I wonder what Barb cooked up today!" He says, eagerly heading for the door. I follow ensuite, ready to fill the hunger that is growing in my stomach.