Christopher
Alec, is it still okay for me to talk with you? â Yesterday 8:43 PM
How are you doing? â Today 7:46 AM
Do you just need some time? â 7:52 AM
Did you stop and eat? Please make sure to eat something. â 12:24 PM
I miss you. âªï¸âªï¸âªï¸
Hesitating over the words I want to say most, my thumb pauses over send. I haven't gotten a response from Alec since he kicked me out of his office. Of course his answer had been a big, fat "Get out!"
Expected but nonetheless painful. I should have kept my mouth shut.
I didn't even get a chance to tell him that I was going to be traveling out of town for the next couple of weeks. It's rather moot now; he isn't responding and I'm already traveling with part of the pack into the mountains.
Soon, our caravan will reach the Dark Rains pack borders. As we get closer and closer to the pack's village, surrounded by some of the densest forests in the region, I'll lose my phone signal anyway. Maybe it will be best, I obviously don't have the willpower to give Alec some time. I can hope some of his temper has cooled by the time I get back to him.
Going to the district summit is an absolute in my life. Everyone is welcome but an Alpha is only excused if there was a threat to the pack that kept us from visiting or for instances that they have to care for their mate or child.
Technically, I could not go this time. I was tempted to stay back and resolve things with Alec. Especially, since my parents are going and my dad is still considered Alpha by many. However, since I haven't told the other packs in our district that I met my mate, it seemed best I didn't use that reason. Plus, when my mom found out that I had messed up again, she told me that I needed to step back until I quit putting my foot in it.
Glancing up from my phone, I easily spot my parents sitting near the front of the van. I chose to sit several rows back to avoid getting into any more talks about how I am handling my mate. I appreciate their concern, but they're both werewolves. They smelled each other once and have been together as mates ever since. They have the same problems any couple would have, but I'm just not sure they can understand what it feels like to have your mate outright hate you.
My parents found each other when they were still teenagers. My mother, a warrior in her pack, and still holding a high rank among our warriors. Tall, strong and wicked smart, she became a fierce mate to an Alpha, becoming the Luna of Shady Woods. My father has always seemed larger than life to me, both as my dad and my Alpha all my life. I've always wanted to be brave, candid and intensely loyal like him.
My parents' relationship, and those of many other mates, are like ultimate goals for any werewolf. It isn't just young that are unmated. Even Mason, one of the warriors of our pack is almost my father's age and still hasn't found his soulmate. The appreciation of finding Alec already in this life is almost as strong as the guilt and regret I have for constantly messing things up with him.
Closing my phone, I force my attention out the window and the scenery rushing past. Despite the unsettled feelings within me, I need to focus on the upcoming district summit. Our district has five packs and these semi-occasional summits are when we all meet up. These festive gatherings serve many purposes. The packs can discuss issues that affect one and all. The unmated wolves seek out their mates and our mated members that came from other packs can visit family and friends.
The host pack changes each summit but going to the Dark Rains is my favorite. They live almost in seclusion from humans and have opted out of many modern day technologies. They live a little wilder, too. A little more free. A little furrier.
They spend as much of their time in wolf form as possible. It won't be uncommon to see their wolf forms at meals, sitting at the pack meetings and spending their leisure time using their wolf instincts instead of modern recreation. The pack is deeply rooted in their traditions and have thrived for generations as hunters and craftspeople. They are skilled hunters beyond our werewolf natural instincts, using snares, traps, bow and arrows and even axes. Their stills and knowledge are as much a part of their pack's revenue as their acclaimed handcrafted items.
Shady woods and the other packs at the summit will all gladly set aside our smart devices, and oftentimes our human forms, to share the lifestyle of our sister pack. Each pack has its own traditions and welcomes guests with recreation that shows off their unique interests and skills. Dark Rains is known for hosting mock dominance competitions, hunting demonstrations and craft making. There's always a lot of cooking, eating, chatting and entertainment, as well as the actual pack meetings held during these summits.
The paved road winds through the trees, each tree bigger and older than the one before it. As we near the pack village pavement turns to dirt road, then two ruts through the wild, grass path. The sound of leaves and low branches brushing past the windows as the path narrows. A shiver of anticipation runs down my spine as nature presses ever closer. A sensation that seems to echo through the van as we all look forward to shifting and having a run through the new terrain.
Just as the road seems to be getting too narrow, it bursts open into a clearing. The buildings of the village appear suddenly, as if they are growing straight from the trees. Another pack has already arrived, their vans parked and being unloaded. People and wolves seem to be busy all around.
Everyone, I focus my thoughts on my pack members to get a message across, let's clear the vans first. It's fine to mingle around but check in with me before going on any runs. Never forget to stay within mind-range and remember that you represent Shady Woods.
The vans all park and we start emptying them out. Climbing out, it feels good to stretch. The familiar and tangy mountain air fills my lungs. I head to the rear of my van and start handing out bags. Words, spoken or thought, are unnecessary, as our pack works in practiced ease.
As I get the last bag out, my dad joins me. "There's Alpha Owen, let's go say hello." Before he gets the words out, the Dark Rains Alpha notices us and he heads our way.
"Alphas. It's good to see you both." Alpha Owen gives us both a hearty handshake.
"Just Marlon is fine," my dad says, "Christopher here has basically taken over."
"Well, when you call him Alpha, too, then I'll stop calling you Alpha."
"That's fair enough," I laugh to Alpha Owen. "Where's Evan, is he nearby?"
"I sent him to get the Foggy Greens pack settled. Come on, I'll show you where your pack is staying."
It's a hectic time, getting everyone settled in. Then, dinner is a large affair, with too many people to greet everyone tonight. Night has fallen and the packs are still celebrating being together again. A large amount of furry bodies are filling the training yards, prancing and playing without care.
For now, I watch from the sidelines, leaning against the railing of the surrounding footpath. A part of me wants to join and another part of me wants to just bask in the feeling of joy and excitement that I can feel radiating from my pack. Dad says that's a true Alpha feeling, when he can be filled with their health, safety and happiness.
Moon walking? A familiar voice enters my head.
"Evan!" Turning, I greet my childhood best friend with a hug. He smelled like the woods that surround me and wore just shorts. "How have you been?" Evan returns my hug before stepping back just enough to put his forehead against mine.
"Why are you always taller than me!? How much more have you grown?"
"None," I feign confusion, "did you shrink?"
Laughing, he pushes me away. "Shitty. You can be the tall one. I'll be the smart, handsome one."
"Oh, okay." I chuckle.
Evan and I are about the same age and have been friends since we were pups. As both sons of Alphas, we bonded fast and have built a strong connection over the years.
"I've missed you, Christopher," Evan leans on the railing beside me. "It feels like it's been a long time. I can't even get you on the phone lately. Is it that tiring being Alpha?"
The guilt hits my chest at his questions. I have been busy lately but not for the reasons he suspects. I've given a lot of thought about telling Evan about Alec. It feels wrong not to have told him before now. Also, the summit would be the appropriate time to announce the news of finding my mate. Ultimately though, until Alec accepts me and knows the whole truth, it's strictly Shady Woods pack business. One day, I hope to bring Alec here as my Luna.
"It has been a lot, and I still have Dad handling some of the pack business. He'll make sure nothing slips through the cracks until I graduate. I spoke with your Alpha earlier, when does he plan on handing the reins down?"
Evan keeps his eyes on the packs cavorting in front of us, the darkness not diminishing our sight even in these forms. Therefore, it's too easy to see that the question hits a sore spot. Tensing up, Evan doesn't respond right away.
"No plans, as of yet. The Alpha is still in charge. He says isn't my time yet."
"I'm sure that's hard, but your Alpha just wants to make sure you're ready. I spoke with your sister at dinner and she doesn't think she'll be Beta for a few more years yet either."
"Well, she's five years younger, that's normal. I don't think it's just my age. If it were you, my dad would be fine stepping down."
Placing my arm over Evan's shoulders, I'm at a loss of how to comfort him. "That's not true. Your dad is an Alpha. He only wants what's best for the pack. Alpha's are human, too; he's not all seeing. He's unsure and can make mistakes. I know you're doing your best. Just take care of your pack and don't worry about the title."
Evan nods slightly as a response. There isn't much I can do to help, this is an issue between him and his Alpha.
As we stand together for a while, I notice that more of us have shifted. There are only a few human forms and clearly they're actually humans.
"Hey Evan, how many human mates does Dark Rains have?"
A slight tensing of Evan's shoulders as he turns a little to face me, not sure how the conversation changed so suddenly. "Humans? Only two."
"Just two?"
"Don't be so surprised. My pack has mostly werewolf-werewolf mate bonds and always have. It's probably more normal for your pack because Shady Woods is part of the town, but that's obviously not the case here. We stay clear of humans. Why?"
I shrug, I'd just been curious. I never questioned the humans' place in our pack but Alec would be exposed to more than just our pack.
"Do you think you'll have a human mate?" Evan asks outright, letting my arm drop away as he faces me full on. I can't quite place the look he has but it's making me a little nervous.
"I think that having a human mate, takes fate and makes it have a lot of twists and turns. There's a greater chance that they wouldn't accept a werewolf."
"I think," Even clasps both my shoulders in his hands, "that if you had a human mate, it would be great." His wide smile reassures me. "Also, if you want to have a person at your side, fate doesn't stand a chance."
A/N: If there are any Idol for the Omega readers, please know that your comments about how reckless Alec is trying to save a horse are noted ð. Please keep in mind, the only real risk is Alec (human, weak) and Braden (omega,not a warrior). Otherwise, these werewolves would run towards a threat like my dog runs towards a kernel of popcorn I dropped.
I love reading all the comments and I appreciate anyone that takes the time to let me know their thoughts and feelings on all my stories, I don't think I can convey how much it makes my day to read them. Thanks for sticking with this story.