Running with the Alpha

Atlas

4.

I step out of the lodge and look at everyone gathered. I hoped I would make an announcement soon welcoming Calypso to the pack. With Letha's reassurance, everyone in the pack seemed to be tolerating the idea of her. I am the alpha, though; what I say goes. It helps, though, when you have a love for your people. I didn't want to be like Rupert, the leader of Pebblebrook, which is why I couldn't allow him to have Calypso back. If he wanted her back into his pack, there must be a good reason.

Thankfully Liam had an in at the RHA and let us know about Pebblebrook's interest in Calypso. It wasn't for love. You send your six-year-old granddaughter out into the world or to be killed. You don't have affection for her. There is something about her that he figured out or wants. This is why I had our man inside take her to the car to tranquilize her. I wanted the doctor to run tests on her while she slept. This was good since the blood banks refused to let her have any blood. Luckily he figured out she could consume lycans blood. 

Thankfully we have a great pack, and five people volunteered to give blood to her. Hopefully, more will be after the meeting tonight. I have to say Calypso was very lucky to have Letha on her side. Without her, she wouldn't be able to gain any favors with this pack. 

As I walked out to greet the pack and make my announcement as I approached the crowd. I hear gasps and screams start to break out from the outskirts and slowly move to the center of the crowd—a rabid hybrid. I keep hearing screams. This is not how I wanted this to go. Getting her back the little bit of grace she had with the pack will be difficult. Hopefully, there is a reasonable explanation for what was happening. 

Suddenly, my wolf took over my mind. I have not lost control of my wolf since I was a teenager prone to sudden bursts of anger. It all made sense what was happening with her wolf. I never dreamed I would find my mate. Most people settle for partial mating from years of being alone. Some people go their whole life never finding it. 

Finding out my mate was the hybrid was a terrible yet wonderful revelation. Hopefully, my pack would accept it and not create a divide within the pack. Mentally I reach out to Liam, my wolf, allowing this much. Send everyone back to their rooms. We will try again soon for a run. 

Alpha, are you okay? Liam responds. I could feel his worry and confusion about what was happening. Mates usually didn't find each other like ours were. Usually, it happened by chance, but clearly, her wolf was not trained. Why would she be, though?

She is my mate. Keep this quiet for now. I started, giving a command with the alpha energy, not wanting to be challenged. Liam was a great Beta. I really couldn't ask for a better lycan to have my back. I trusted him with my life and the life of my family. We have created a great pack together, and he will respect my wishes. I quickly ran towards the woods, hoping her wolf would follow me. 

My wolf didn't like this plan. He wanted me to run straight to her but understood the need to protect her from the crowd. She didn't have control of herself. She wasn't dangerous just had never been with a pack before, so why would she have the technique? All her wolf knows is that she has to find me. It's overwhelming all her other senses. So come and find me, little wolf. 

I hear Liam shout at everyone, "we will try this again. Her wolf has never been trained around people and has gotten overwhelmed! Please excuse her behavior. Her wolf is similar to a teenager right now." I can see mutters of understanding and some skeptics, but I approve of how he handled that situation. I send pride and appreciation through the link.

My wolf howls, sending her a signal to follow him. She will hopefully follow. Since she is half lycan, I wasn't sure how her wolf would be at following commands. Her mother was a lycan. I was hoping that the lycan part of her was stronger than the vampire self. 

Suddenly, my wolf was on high alert. I heard her approaching, and suddenly I saw her. Pure white wolf with her left blue eye and right eye green. She was so unique. I hadn't ever seen a white wolf before, and while I wasn't in control, I had to remember this. There was something in my subconscious that knew this was important. However, I wasn't in control and just gave up the fight after seeing her. Okay, buddy, you're in the driver's seat now.

Her wolf's ears were back, but her tail wagged quickly from overly excited. My wolf wanted to erase all her anxiety, deciding that her wolf needed to play. She had been neglected all of her life, and he hated it. My black front paws pawed at the ground before me while letting out a playful growl. It had been a long time since my wolf also was allowed to play. Always responsible for everyone else, on guard, and ensuring everything was in order. 

Her wolf responded immediately, and we played a sort of tag, nipping at each other when making contact. We ran for miles, jumping while bumping into each other and exploring the forest. The way a young pup would see it in a light I haven't got to experience in such a long time. My wolf wanted to mark hers as his but decided it wasn't the correct time. He didn't want to scare her off when she was so happy. 

She was much quicker than all the other wolves; I imagine that was because of her vampire side. I could barely keep up sometimes, and her wolf sensed it. I didn't particularly appreciate that we couldn't communicate like I could with my other lycan pack members. I wouldn't be able to without initiating her into the pack and accepting her. Or, of course, if we completed a mating bond. There was time for that; I just had to learn to be patient. 

Finally, I think her wolf was slightly tired and slowed. I know my wolf was. Her wolf cuddled up next to mine as we basked in the moonlight. I could hear the river flowing close by. We were called the Lost River pack for a reason, the river flows underground, and nobody knows where it flows out. It was one of the many mysteries of this land.

My wolf nuzzled her face, pleased they were resting yet on alert as she dozed off in a slumber. My wolf also fell into a light sleep content for the first time. I didn't even know he wasn't at peace until now. I sighed in relief next to her, knowing he would fight everything to keep her. I hope she can forgive me for my reasoning for bringing her into the pack. 

I can feel the morning sun shining on my skin when I wake. I was spooning a beautiful naked woman, my woman. Who smells of apples and lavender with hair as white as snow. I haven't seen her face yet, but I know she is beautiful. Suddenly I feel her stretch out against me and turn to look at me. Her mismatched eyes were wide with surprise.