Alpha?

Tess 

I’m sitting quietly with a fresh cup of coffee opposite Cora, who’s burning holes into the coffee table, still in shock over my words and seeing my scar-free back. 

I don’t blame her. It is pretty unbelievable that a shifter’s blood could do something like that. I wasn’t kidding when I said she’s powerful, and now that I have accepted her as my Alpha, I feel that power deep in my heart and soul. She didn’t just heal me; it feels like Demy, my wolf, and I have been reborn.  

That rebirth might also be the reason behind my behavior last night, not that I feel bad about ripping into that pig or threatening that Alpha. 

The corner of my lips smugly twitched against the mug's rim, remembering last night. Damn, that felt good.

I meant it when I said nobody touches my girls and gets away with it, especially the one that I’m currently looking at. 

I still can’t believe it is indeed her.

Sure, I felt her aura getting stronger as time passed, but when she shifted, I couldn’t believe my eyes! 

She was almost pure white!  

A pure white wolf is unheard of, and personally, I’ve never seen one - until now, and I instantly knew what that meant, thanks to that annoying, rambling, secret little birdie that likes to stay hidden in the basement. 

It’s the sign and color of our Queen, and, more importantly, this Queen is also our savior. She will be the one who is going to free us from the bullshit regime that we have been in for decades. 

When Luna’s fur has turned entirely white, it means the transformation is complete and ready to take her place. Based on what I saw, she’s almost there.

I was already on edge because of those wolves at the diner, but when that fight broke out with those other stupid wolves, I was scared not only for me or Freya but for Cora. I had just found her, and there was no way in hell I was going to let those fuckers take any of them. 

Thank goodness her mate and his Beta were on our side and took care of them for us, but I’m no fool. I didn’t, and still don’t, trust that Alpha, so I had to think quickly, and I was left with no choice but to accept her as my Alpha right then and there. 

It was not how I wanted it to happen, and I wasn’t even sure if it would help or weaken her even more, but like I said, I was left with no other option. I had to ensure I was connected to her if something happened. 

Now that we are, I can sense she’s not at full strength, but it doesn’t matter. I will help her in any way I can to get her there. However, that is the last time she gets hurt while I’m around. 

I will stand and protect my beautiful Queen until my last breath.

When Luna stood proudly before us, I was utterly speechless at her beauty and size. Luna was the same size as a male Alpha wolf, but unlike a male wolf, she looked stunningly regal, with those mesmerizing bright blue eyes more pronounced in her wolf form. It took every ounce of my self-control not to show emotion, but internally, I cried in relief, disbelief, and awe. 

She is truly breathtaking, and for the first time in my thirty-plus years of life, I could see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Honestly, I feel like an idiot for not seeing the signs earlier. I should have realized when Cora began complaining and dyeing her hair to hide the whites. Whatever our hair color, our furs tend to be similar, if not the same, and she thought it was premature aging, which made no sense as she is a young shifter. Heck, I’m a few years older than her, and I haven’t started that phase of life yet. 

Now that I think about it, these changes, such as the color of her hair or her aura becoming more prominent, began happening around one of her birthdays. Even her behavior regarding her pup has changed. She’s become highly protective of Elijah, scenting him far more often than she used to, and the same goes for her apartment. Plus, she’s been going to her guy more than she used to. She tries to be sneaky and hide it, but we can still tell. 

I don’t particularly care what she does, and according to her, the guy thinks she’s human, but either way, she’s become very…Primal.

The first time she growled at me while holding Eli, I initially thought she figured out who I was or who I was related to, until I saw that she reacted similarly to the other girls. Not going to lie; I was very relieved she didn’t know anything. 

I don't want anyone, specifically her, to know my past or, more importantly, who I am related to. Shit, if Cora knew, she would probably run for the hills, and now that it’s confirmed who she is, I can’t let that happen. 

I spent a lot of time last night in between thanking the Goddess Cora escaped when she did and the other half of the time gloating about the fact my piece of shit brother and father had the most powerful she-wolf in their grasp, and they never knew. 

I know her ex is the reason she’s still scared, but it doesn’t matter now because there is no way I or the others, when they find out who she is, would let any harm come to her. I have yet to deduce this mate of hers, but I think the same applies to him as well. However, a chat with him is in order before I can say so indefinitely. 

It’s actually kind of comical now because I constantly went back and forth with Sofia about her. I admit, I had serious doubts it was Cora whom birdie spoke of, especially when I first saw her wolf, which was brown back then. Yet, I also couldn’t deny that there was something special about her—from the color of her eyes to her faint aura. 

Even back then, when she was extremely weak, her aura felt vaguely similar to an Alpha’s aura but different. Gentler, warm, relaxing, safe. Unless she’s pissed off, as I recently found out from Freya.

Now that she’s my Alpha, all those feelings have intensified, and then some. I don’t think I slept so peacefully in years. 

Until I heard the screaming. 

Safe to say, any doubts I had have well and truly flown out the effing window because I don’t know another she-wolf who can do what she can, and to think she’s not even at full power!  

“Cora, are you planning to speak anytime soon? We have things to do, and I must get to the diner for my shift. Unless you want to dye your hair later,” I ask, sipping my coffee. 

Speaking of chats and things to do, I need to have a quick chat with birdie about why she never said anything about Cora’s blood being able to heal. Hopefully, Sofia is with it, as I don’t have the time or patience for her riddles today.  

When I don’t get a reply, I lean over the table and click my fingers in front of her face. 

Cora blinks and shakes her head. “Sorry, it’s just I don’t understand how...” She trails off. 

“I wish I had an answer, but I don’t know either. I do want to thank you.” I trail off, glancing over my shoulder. 

My scars were something I always wished I could erase, especially when I found Robbie. Not that they ever bothered him. He always said I was beautiful, and they were symbols of my endurance and strength, but to me, they were anything but that. My memories are enough of a reminder. I didn’t want another fucking memento of the bastard. He’s another on my shit list, and I await the day to rip him to shreds. I bit back my growl by clearing my throat and rubbing my upper lip.  

“Oh! You’re welcome. Not that I knew I could do that.” She awkwardly replied, blinking rapidly. “Do you think I could heal Freya?” She asked.  

“I have no idea. No harm in trying, but if you do that, she will have to do what I did, which is drink your blood and submit to you, and you will be her Alpha.” I say carefully.

“Uhm…” Cora says, nervously fidgeting.

“Tell you what, think about it as I do your hair,” I say, extending my hand. 

Cora takes it and stands up. “Does she have to accept me as her Alpha?” 

“Honestly, I have no idea. This is uncharted territory. I guess we can try, but maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea if she did, because then we would have the mindlink between us?” I say as we walk towards her bathroom, where she keeps the hair dye. 

“But I don’t want to be an Alpha or in charge. Help her? Sure, I am all for it, but that’s it. Then you can take her to the Sanctuary.” She says, stopping in her tracks and looking at me. 

Yup, she's definitely not ready to be in charge. I don’t need my sense of smell to know that the idea of being in charge scares her or that she doesn’t want to be. I'm not sure yet, but it’s a good quality to have in a leader. 

 

“Okay, well, don’t think about it as being in charge. Just focus on the part that if this is the only way to help, is it worth it?” I ask, tilting my head to the side.  

“Sweetie, don’t think about it too much, okay? Just think of the positives, like you may be able to help get her wolf back. We can mindlink if something happens or if you need me for anything. Apart from that, nothing has to change.” I say with a casual tone and a little shrug, walking into the bathroom ahead of her. 

“Wait a minute!” She yelled behind me after a few moments. 

I knew that would get her attention. Cora may not want to be in charge, but she cares deeply about others despite what she says or does. This is another good quality of a leader. 

“What do you mean to get her wolf back?” She asks, coming into the bathroom as I take out the box of hair dye.

I turn around. “Do you want those clothes on or not? In case this gets messy.” I ask, rattling the box.  

She looks down at herself and sighs, shaking her head. “I forgot about that.” She mumbles. “I’ll be back.”

“Okay, I’ll just get this ready,” I say as she runs out. 

She comes back in different clothing and brings a chair. I point my thumb to the chair, and she nods and takes a seat. 

“So what did you mean?” She asks as I put dye in. 

“I am not one hundred percent sure, but from my experience, I can only say that you have completely healed me physically. I can also feel Demy far more than ever. I bet I could also probably shift without any pain. This is why I am asking you to please think about it. If so, you may be able to help many of the women in the Sanctuary.” I say, rubbing the dye into her hair. 

She doesn’t speak the entire time I do her hair. I guess she took my words to heart and is thinking about it. That’s good, I’m glad. I just hope she comes to the decision I’m hoping for. 

“Alright, I’m done. Would you like me to help you rinse it out?” I ask, taking off the gloves and tossing them into the bin. 

“No, I’ll do that, thank you. You need to get ready for work anyway.” She says, standing up and picking up the bowl. 

Obviously, her mind is still reeling from everything. Again, I don’t blame her. A LOT of information and things have happened in the last 24 hours. 

I nod. “Alright, then. I will be picking Eli up today. Make sure you get some sleep, okay?”

“Actually, I will. Remember?” She says with a knowing look.

“Oh, yes, I forgot. Please be careful when you are running. He’s also a powerful little pup. Both of you are targets. Remember to use the mindlink just in case.” I say with a pointed look. 

“I will.” She says in a tired tone, her back to me as she washes the bowl. 

I went into my apartment and went straight for my shower. There was no time to waste, as I needed to go to Sofia before I went to the diner. I quickly dressed, picked up my stuff, and discreetly headed towards the basement.  

Plus, I know that Alpha is still outside, spying or hoping, I don’t know. I need to ask her about him as well. Maybe she knows something I don’t. I quietly scoff, shaking my head.

Knowing her, she probably does. 

I enter the lobby, take a quick look, listen, and whiff of my surroundings before opening the door and walking downstairs. 

I open a second door that leads into her living area. She is sitting in her recliner with a hot drink, listening to the TV but staring into space. To be fair, she is partially blind and cannot walk properly due to what happened to her, so the TV is there more to make her feel less lonely. 

I wonder if Cora could also heal her. 

Her voice breaks my train of thought. 

“You need to encourage her towards that Alpha. Wyatt. And before you ask, yes, he can be trusted.” She says, taking a sip from her cup. 

“Why do I need to encourage her?” I ask with a raised brow. 

“Because she needs to be marked and mated to be at full power.”

Excuse me? 

“Actually, they both do.”