The Future Alpha

Chapter 2

The Future Alpha

Devin Hunter woke before sunrise.

The habit had been drilled into him for as long as he could remember.

"An Alpha who sleeps while his pack works isn't fit to lead it."

His father had repeated those words so many times they felt etched into Devin's bones.

With a sigh, he rolled out of bed and pulled on a gray training shirt before stepping outside.

The morning air was crisp and cool.

Silverwood Pack was still waking.

The scents of pine, damp earth, and distant woodsmoke drifted through the forest.

Devin breathed deeply.

This was his favorite time of day.

Before the expectations.

Before the responsibilities.

Before the reminders that one day all of this would belong to him.

A familiar scent approached from behind.

"Tried getting a full night's sleep for once?" Todd Carter called.

Devin smirked.

"And miss hearing you complain before dawn?"

Todd snorted as they started toward the training field.

"One day you're going to realize future Alphas need rest."

"One day you're going to realize warriors need discipline."

Todd groaned dramatically.

"You sound exactly like Rowan."

Most wolves would never dare call the Alpha by his first name.

Todd had practically grown up in the Alpha House. He got away with things others couldn't.

"That's because he's right," Devin said.

"See? Exactly like him."

The training field came into view.

Several warriors were already gathered.

Standing in the center was Alpha Rowan Hunter.

At forty-five, Rowan was still one of the strongest wolves in Silverwood. His dark hair was beginning to gray at the temples, but age had done little to slow him down.

The conversation among the warriors immediately died.

Respect followed Rowan wherever he went.

Not because he demanded it.

Because he had earned it.

Without warning, Rowan tossed a wooden staff across the clearing.

Devin caught it automatically.

The Alpha's mouth twitched.

"Again."

Todd immediately backed away.

"Good luck with that."

Devin rolled his shoulders.

The sparring match began.

Rowan attacked first.

As always.

The Alpha never waited.

Wood slammed against wood as Devin blocked the strike.

A second blow came from the side.

Then a third.

Rowan moved with the confidence of someone who had spent decades fighting stronger opponents.

Devin countered.

Blocked.

Attacked.

Retreated.

The sounds of combat echoed through the clearing.

Several warriors gathered to watch.

Most of them assumed Devin would inherit leadership because of his bloodline.

Rowan made sure his son understood otherwise.

Nothing would be handed to him.

Not leadership.

Not respect.

Not a pack.

Those things had to be earned.

Sweat dripped down Devin's neck as the fight continued.

Finally, he saw an opening.

Twisting sideways, he hooked his staff beneath Rowan's and knocked it from the Alpha's hand.

The wooden weapon landed in the dirt.

Silence spread across the field.

A few warriors exchanged surprised looks.

Then Rowan nodded once.

"Better."

Todd threw his hands into the air.

"That is the closest thing to a compliment I've heard all month."

A few warriors laughed.

Rowan ignored them.

"Come to my office after breakfast."

Then he turned and walked away.

Devin exchanged a glance with Todd.

Neither of them liked meetings that began that way.

---

An hour later, Devin stood in the Alpha's office.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the territory.

Rows of pines stretched toward the horizon.

Rowan sat behind a large wooden desk.

He studied Devin quietly.

The same way he studied everything.

It could be unnerving.

"You'll be taking on more responsibilities this year."

Devin nodded.

He had expected that.

"Patrol schedules."

"Understood."

"Diplomatic meetings."

"Fine."

"The Spring Gathering."

Devin leaned back.

"Also fine."

Rowan folded his hands.

"And we should discuss your future Luna."

There it was.

Devin should have known.

"No."

His father raised an eyebrow.

"No?"

"I knew this conversation was going too well."

A faint smile appeared on Rowan's face.

"Most of the pack already assumes Sabrina Carter will become Luna."

That wasn't news.

Everyone assumed it.

The Gamma's daughter was beautiful, confident, and came from a respected bloodline.

Half the pack acted as though the match were already arranged.

"And?" Devin asked.

"And I want to know what you think."

Devin blinked.

For years he had expected pressure from his father.

Instead, Rowan looked genuinely interested in the answer.

"I think Sabrina is Sabrina."

His father laughed.

"Very insightful."

"You asked what I thought."

"I did."

Rowan's expression grew serious.

"Listen carefully, Devin."

The humor vanished.

"When the time comes, don't choose a mate because it makes life easier."

Devin frowned.

"You don't want me considering pack politics?"

"I want you considering your future."

Rowan leaned back.

"The pack will survive gossip."

His green eyes hardened.

"A poor Luna can destroy a pack from the inside."

The words lingered long after the conversation ended.

---

The day passed quickly.

Festival preparations were underway throughout the territory.

Workers hung lanterns between trees while younger wolves hauled supplies.

The annual Full Moon Festival was Silverwood's largest celebration.

Everyone participated.

Whether they wanted to or not.

"Devin."

He turned.

Sabrina Carter approached.

Her blonde hair gleamed in the sunlight.

She looked perfectly put together despite helping with decorations.

Something Devin suspected required effort.

"I've been looking for you."

"I'm not hard to find."

"You actually are."

She smiled.

"My father invited you to dinner tonight."

Devin groaned.

"Should I be worried?"

"Probably."

"At least you're honest."

Sabrina laughed.

For a few moments, things felt easy.

Comfortable.

Then her attention shifted beyond his shoulder.

Her expression changed.

Devin followed her gaze.

Jade Sullivan was crossing the courtyard carrying a heavy crate.

Alone.

Several wolves stood nearby.

None offered to help.

Instead, they watched.

Whispered.

Moved aside.

The familiar discomfort returned.

As if something about the situation wasn't right.

Sabrina noticed his expression.

"She's still doing kitchen duty?"

"So it seems."

"I don't understand why she stays."

Devin looked back at her.

"What do you mean?"

"If I were treated like that, I'd leave."

Her tone wasn't cruel.

Just dismissive.

As though Jade's life were a problem easily solved.

Maybe it was.

Maybe it wasn't.

The truth was Devin didn't know.

He realized, somewhat uncomfortably, that he knew very little about Jade Sullivan at all.

Only the stories.

The scandal.

The exile.

The whispers.

As Jade disappeared around the corner, he noticed one thing.

Despite the gossip.

Despite the stares.

She never lowered her head.

Most wolves would have broken years ago.

She hadn't.

The thought stayed with him longer than he expected.

---

That night, Devin sat alone on the balcony outside his room.

Moonlight filtered through the forest below.

The territory looked peaceful.

A kingdom waiting for its future Alpha.

Yet instead of certainty, Devin felt restless.

There was pressure everywhere.

The pack expected leadership.

The elders expected tradition.

The Carters expected a future.

Everyone seemed convinced they already knew how his life would unfold.

The balcony door opened.

Todd stepped outside holding two bottles.

"Brooding again?"

"I wasn't brooding."

"You were staring dramatically into the moonlight."

Todd handed him a drink.

"That's Alpha-level brooding."

Devin laughed.

The two friends settled into their chairs.

For several minutes neither spoke.

Then Todd glanced at him.

"My sister likes you."

"Your insight is astounding."

"I'm serious."

"So am I."

Todd rolled his eyes.

"Most people think you'll end up together."

Devin stared into the darkness beyond the trees.

Maybe they were right.

Sabrina was smart.

Capable.

Respected.

It made sense.

Yet every time someone spoke as though the future had already been decided, something inside him resisted.

He couldn't explain why.

Above Silverwood, the moon shone brightly through the branches.

And for the first time in a long while, Devin found himself wondering whether fate cared at all about what the pack expected.