The Beta Killer

Alissa stretched out her toes, feeling the soft grass under her feet, she sighed; content. She wondered if the day was going to be the day. Her brothers had told her to expect burning first. She knew it would hurt, your first time always hurts. Alissa should have been studying about the wolf council but her mum had given her the afternoon off to enjoy the sunshine; her parents were enjoying themselves too. The sun always brought out a different side of them, they were play fighting in the kitchen; giggling like pups. She drowned out their voices focusing on the trees and the birds, the world at peace.The hairs on the back of her neck prickled. She opened her eyes scanning the tree line, she couldn't hear anything, but something didn't feel right. She scanned harder; nothing. Her mind had to be playing tricks on her. She relaxed her shoulders, feeling the sun on her face. She thought of the pack, she looked forward to joining them. Being the youngest, she would be the last of the fami

He yanked her through a door into his office, the wooden cladded walls held a single painting of woodland over the fireplace. Wolf heads guarded the door facing the large oak desk which lay central. Alpha Cain let go of her, leaving her standing behind the chairs used to hold audiences. Alissa had never sat in the chairs even as a pup she’d never needed to see Alpha Cain in a formal sense. She remained stock still as he sat behind the lavish desk. He swept his mocha hair streaked with grey from his face before stating, “My son is arriving during full moon. You will ensure the house is pristine for the ceremony and him, other packs will be arriving throughout the day. As my last day of Alpha, it would be unfortunate for you to embarrass me.” Alissa’s eyes drew upwards from the floor. He was leaving? Hope warmed her, if only a little. “I have told my son all about you, don’t get any ideas. He has agreed your status will remain. A parent murderer; a beta murderer has no claim to the Wuf

Luca's bedroom stood opposite the bannister. Alissa gulped as she turned the brass doorknob, the feeling she was breaking rules twisted her insides. A thick layer of dust encased the room, no-one had entered this room in close to a decade. She opened the windows and took the dusty sheets from the mahogany furniture. She dusted the two paintings, one of a river and the other a woodland. She wondered about the man Luca was, she was ten when he had left. She barely remembered him. Alissa looked at the gleaming walnut floor of the entrance hall leading into the sitting room, she sat on the floor exhausted. She had managed to get the mansion spotless and it wasn't even dinner time yet, she wiped her forehead. Footsteps echoed on the stairs behind her. She stood up quickly trying to grab at the cleaning supplies but a hand caught her wrist, “Think we've finished have we?” Michael's low voice came from behind her. “Michael, please,” she whimpered, “I've been working all day and need to sta

Alissa closed her eyes in prayer, if someone were to challenge and win Alissa may be free. She swallowed hard in anticipation, her hands grasped together in front of her stomach in hope and prayer. If the Moon Goddess could have one hint of mercy for her she hoped it would be within this moment. She begged one person to say ‘aye’. One person to see they could beat Luca. It had happened before, Alissa remembered the history lesson her mother had told her of their ancestor who overthrew the Wuffaman’s. But that was almost three hundred years before, and hadn’t lasted long. While Alissa prayed, begged, pleaded. Cain and the Elders continued to look over the crowd, surveying each face with piercing eyes. Nobody made a sound. Satisfied, Cain stepped down as Alpha, he bowed to his son to bring the ceremony to a close. Every pack member walked up to the new Alpha accepting him and pledging their loyalty. Alissa was not included in this, she had been allowed to stay but had never had her i

Jack strolled back into the infirmary, a women in her thirties following close behind, “Let’s see…” Felicity ummed as she quickly looked Alissa over without speaking to her. “I think I have some aloe for the burn, what burnt her?” She turned, addressing Jack.“I’m not sure Aunt Felicity.”“The arga,” Alissa mumbled. “One moment Jack, I need to check her other injuries,” Felicity informed him, Jack nodded and turned. “Your bruises are forming nicely,” Felicity stated, pulling Alissa’s t-shirt to check where she pointed to pain. Felicity went through pressing on bones and feeling for any breaks. “Nothing’s fractured that I can feel.” Felicity pulled Alissa’s top down “She’s decent, I’ll just get the ointment and dress the burn,” she announced while Jack turned back around, sitting in a chair between the two beds. “What do you think’s happening?” “Well Luca just called for Natalie, I think he’s talking to everyone, he just shouted her name as a command.” “Hate I can’t hear Alpha comm