The War of the Royals - Chapter 1

ALPHA MADISON EVANS POV

            ~Beep~

            ~Beep~

            ~Beep~

            ~Beep~

            I groan out loud as I turn over in my bed and slap haphazardly on my nightstand to turn off my alarm. It takes a few tries, but I finally hit it. I sigh in relief when it goes silent. I seriously contemplate just rolling over, burying myself back in to my covers, and going back to sleep.

            Goddess I loathe the early mornings. Not that that has ever been enough to keep me in bed, enjoying my slumber. Nope. I always push it aside to get up and get going on the overwhelming amount of responsibilities that I have. It is legitimately never ending. No matter how much I accomplish in a day, there’s always just as much, or more, waiting for me the next day.

            Yes, I’m wallowing, and I really don’t give a damn. I am staring at my ceiling while I wait for the drive and motivation to get out of bed to finally hit me, even though I know it won’t. I’ll have to push myself to get up and right now, I just don’t want to put forth that effort.

            I sigh when the text alert goes off on my phone. I pick it up and read the new message. Today of all days, I should have known it would be from Mama.

           

            Mama: Happy Birthday, my Sweet Pea!!! Daddy and I can’t wait to see you at breakfast today! I love you… bigger than Pi is infinite!

            A tear slips out of my eye while reading her text message. Mama always knows how to make me feel loved. When she uses our love phrase, the one we’ve had for as long as I can remember, it makes me feel like a carefree kid again. Back when I used to enjoy the early mornings; the adventure of a new day and what I could learn from it.

            I have long since forgotten what that feels like.

            I miss coming into the kitchen to see her cooking breakfast in the early mornings. I miss her warm, comforting embrace and the wide, genuine smile I receive as soon as she sees me. I miss the intellectual challenges she used to give me and the way I could talk with her about anything without fear of a misunderstanding or her being intimidated by me.

             My amazing Mama, I miss her being my rock and my shining star all in one. Now, I have to be those things for myself. And I have been, for many years. But fuck I’m tired. So, Goddess-damned tired.

             I text her back a quick message.

             Me: I can’t wait to see you both, too! Love you, bigger than Pi is infinite.

              I lie in bed staring at the ceiling for another minute. ~Happy Birthday, Infinity. Will you be enjoying the day with me today?~ I ask my wolf, hoping with all of my heart that I hear her sweet but slightly gravelly voice. Instead my question is answered with a low, angry, snarling-growl. More tears slip from my eyes hearing her non-verbal answer.

              ~Okay. I understand. I love you and I miss you.~ I tell her, not knowing if she understands me anymore. But I still try. Every single day, I try to reconnect with her.

              Reluctantly, I get up from my warm bed and head into the bathroom for my shower. I can hear the warriors beginning their sparring outside. The familiar noises of fists hitting flesh and the loud grunts of pain and exertion float in from the windows that I left open last night.

               Normally, I would be with them, leading them as their Alpha. But not today. Today is my birthday. The one and only day a year that I take off. Completely and totally. I’m not available through pack link or cell phone and I stay off property until early in the morning. I take the entire day for myself. No one seems to have a problem with it, nor should they. I work hard for the pack the other 364 days of the year. One day of freedom shouldn’t be too much to ask.

                I shower and get ready, dressing in a sexy black thong with a matching lace bra. I pair that with black skinny jeans and a deep V-neck purple sleeveless top. I strap on my black leather knee-high riding boots after I french braid my long dark brunette hair back and secure it with a tie. I grab my hot pink, purple, and black leather moto jacket out of the hall closet along with my matching gloves and helmet. I exit the Alpha suite, securing the door behind me and I make my way down to the garages.

                I pass pack members that give me the surplus of usual greetings like, “Good Morning, Alpha,” and “Happy Birthday, Alpha”. I give them all a head nod or a thank you in return, but no one tries to interrupt me from getting to my destination. Everyone knows not to stop me today. However, that doesn’t seem to keep my beta from saddling up next to me and following down to the garage.

                “So, Alpha. Any big plans for today?” Greta asks with mischief in her eyes.

                “Yes, actually. I’m having breakfast with Mama and Daddy. Then, I’ll see where the day takes me.” Yes, I still call my parents Mama and Daddy. I get weird looks sometimes when I bust out with that, especially from adults. But they are my parents, and I will call them that until the day I die.

               “Hunter is on standby at the airfield if you feel the need.” She tells me. I nod in acknowledgement.

               “Thanks, Greta. See you tomorrow.” I say as I strap on my helmet and start up my custom painted hot pink and purple Ducati Superleggera V4. I was lucky as fuck to get one of the last produced models and it is the only expensive indulgence I have ever had.

                I don’t shop like most females. I’m not into clothes or makeup, even though I used to enjoy those things. I do have some elegant dresses and periodically donning makeup is essential in my position. Despite that, all of my money goes into my savings, investments, or back to the pack. So, truthfully, I really didn’t bat an eyelash at spending over $100K on a motorcycle seven years ago. It’s been the best money I’ve ever spent on myself. I just wish I got to ride her more often than I do.

                I rev the engine, smiling as I feel the powerful vibrations rumbling underneath me and I take off out of the garage. As I emerge from the false bright overheads of the garage into the darkness of predawn, I pop a wheelie then head for the pack gates. The orphan pups on their way to the packhouse for breakfast see me coming. They run to the edge of the road, waving, and laughing. I pop another wheelie to give them a thrill as I go by and they go wild, making me genuinely smile. I love pups and the ease of amusing them.

               I pick up speed as I near the front gate that is already sitting open for me. I accelerate again and peel out of the gate. My patrol wolves howl in acknowledgement as I pass them.