Traded To The Ruthless Alpha

Summer had always been my favourite time of year. The days were longer, the weather was beautiful, and each person seemed to be the happiest version of themselves now we weren’t all trapped inside.

Sitting in one of the largest flower fields which sat within the borders of our pack, I began to slowly round up each flower the Luna had requested from me this morning, her fresh bouquets were always my favourite to make each week and I’d wake up early each time to find the best flowers for her.

After spending hours walking through the fields and choosing only the most perfect ones, I wrapped the brightly coloured flowers in brown paper and chose a yellow ribbon to match some of the helianthus the Luna wanted. Before long, I held the bright bunch in my hands and began to make my way over to the Alpha and Luna’s residence. Most people weren’t permitted to enter this area but, with special permission from the Luna herself, the guards allowed me through without question, and one even held open the large door for me.

Their house was beyond beautiful; it was a dated style consisting mostly of reds and golds, but I absolutely adored it. It was a place I always longed to live in and felt almost drawn to, but with me not holding any significant title within this pack and simply running a little florist, I knew that life could only exist in my dreams.

“Adeline, it’s so lovely to see you.” The kind voice of Luna Becca sounded from one of the long hallways, her voice snapping me out of my daydream and I quickly turn to watch her in hopes she didn’t think I was intruding.

“Good morning, Luna, I apologise for arriving later than usual, I just wanted to make sure your bouquet was perfect.” I smiled bowing my head to show respect while handing over the brightly coloured bouquet that had taken me all morning to create.

“No need to apologise Adeline, you create the most beautiful bunches of flowers I have ever seen, which is why I am glad I have this moment to speak with you. As you know, my daughter Heather, is about to turn twenty and the Alpha and I wanted to throw her a large party to celebrate. She is also a big fan of your work, and I know she’d absolutely adore if you were the person to create the flowers for such an event.” The Luna smiled looking down at the flowers in her hands astonished, where I was left a little shocked at her request, I started my florist's job when my mother became sick so I could help pay for her treatment, I didn’t think I’d ever reach a stage where the Alpha family wanted my help… especially, after everything that happened between our families.

“It would be an honour ma’am.” I smiled gleefully almost giddy at the thought of this somewhat big break, but my happy thoughts were soon cut off when the door to their grand home smashes open.

Jumping a little from shock and freight, I watch as the Alpha storms into the house, his Beta and Gamma in tow and all their faces holding the same mixed expressions, anger, confusion and hidden within that, slight worry. Even though I felt beyond terrified especially, now I was stood in the Alpha’s home which most pack members are prohibited from doing so, my wolf on the other hand began to jump around in my head, as though seeing them act like this, led the way into something else involving us to happen.

“I better go and speak with the Alpha, thank you again Adeline and I’ll be sure to send a message over to you to discus the arrangements of Heather’s party.” The Luna, who also seemed so confused as she watched her mate bound through the house and out of sight smiled, something unexpected must have happened.

Bowing my head one final time to show my respect, I turn on my heels and walk towards the wide-open door which seemed to almost hang off its hinges due to how hard the Alpha had thrown it open, the fact that something awful was about to happen crept into my deepest fears but for my wolf, she seemed to only get more giddy when I left the house and headed into the beautiful summer air again.

“The moment I’ve waited for since we shifted is about to happen!” She jumped around in my head as though she was some small child who had been given a large amount of sugar, the way the soft breeze floated through the land and into my nose, I also couldn’t help but sense something was about to happen too… but I just didn’t know what

“What are you talking about?” I asked confused making my way back down the Alpha and Luna’s driveway and the many guards stationed outside, my list of daily tasks I needed to get done now in my hand, I had four other large orders to take care of before the sun went down.

“You’ll see.” Was all my wolf sniggered in my head deciding to keep whatever she knew away from me, of course I wanted to pull her up on it but with the many things I needed to get done today, I brush what she said off and started my duties.

The hours seemed to tick by beyond quickly after my meeting with the Luna, my wolf’s continuous bursts of adrenaline confusing me as I worked away in the fields collecting what I needed. I had never seen her act in this way since our first shift at eighteen and with each passing minute, she seemed to grow even more giddy as though whatever was making her act in that way, was looming closer to us.

Finishing my work earlier than expected, I begin my journey back to my parent's house with my mother's bouquet in my hands, she was still weakened due to her illness but always said my beautiful flowers made her feel better so each day, as like with the Luna, I collect her the most beautiful flowers I could find and display them in her bedroom.

My uncertainties surrounding the day and whatever was happening only worsened when I stepped out into the main section of the pack, everyone seemed to run around in a crazed dash with panic-stricken expressions on their faces, all of them rounding up their loved ones and pulling them away, some were even crying hysterically as they went.

“What’s happening?” I whispered looking around the area as though I would soon see what was causing each person to panic but the more I searched, I was met with the same conclusion, everything seemed normal.

“He’s on the way!” My wolf exclaimed excitedly joining the hectic pace in front of me but on the completely different end of the spectrum as the rest, she was overly happy and excited while everyone seemed panic.

Before I had the chance to walk over to someone and ask for an explanation, my older brother Jeremy comes bounding through the maze of people and headed straight for me.

“We’ve got to go.” Was all he said with his own look of uncertainty and without any more explanation, he takes my hand and begins to drag me away.

With how sudden and unexpected it was, the beautiful flowers I’d arranged for my mother went crashing to the ground at my feet and soon, were trampled on by the still panicked crowd running around like headless chickens!

“Jeremy, mum’s flowers.” I said looking back at the destroyed bouquet, but Jeremy didn’t care at all and continued to drag me away from the mass of people and back towards our parent’s house.

“Forget the flowers Adeline, we’ve got more important things to think about.” He replied harshly in my direction opening up the front door and pushing me inside, as like with the crowd I walked into, my father seemed to run around in a panic.

“What are you talking about?” Was all I could ask as Jeremy joined my father and seemed to run through the house rounding up different items and throwing them down on the table, while my little sister Isla sat on the floor in tears.

“He’s going to take one of us away.” She wept holding tightly onto one of her oldest and most worn-out brown teddy bears, the tears which rolled down her eyes soaking the top of his frayed head.

“Who?” I asked deciding to turn my attention to her as everyone else seemed to be in too much of a crazed headspace to answer me.

The moment I picked her little body up into my arms, my shoulder became soaked as like her bear, but the words to leave her lips next made my heart sink but my wolf to jump around even more.

“Alpha Lucian Hawthorne.” She revealed with even more terror in her eyes.

I now understood why everyone outside, and my own family seemed so scared, but what I didn’t understand in this moment… this notoriously evil Alpha, was set to change my entire life forever.