Chapter 1. Alpha

POV: Shea Vestine

“That witch! She never changed! I really hate her to the core!” Her best friend, Carrie, angrily cursed Lexi after telling her what happened yesterday.

She let out a deep sigh as she threw the stone into the river. Her long dark chocolate hair was dancing in the cold wind. She gathered it on one side of her shoulder and tied it using her stretchable bracelet. Her fair white skin was glistening in the sun.

They were in their usual spot on the riverbank. She was sitting on the huge rock while Carrie was eating the rice cakes that her mother had told her to bring. She was hoping to catch some fish in the river when Carrie appeared in front of her, asking her about what happened to her yesterday. She might be worried because she didn’t see her around.

Carrie was her only best friend.

Well, honestly, she was the only person who befriended her.

She met her because their families were both servant omegas – the lowest rank in the pack. Working together as servant omegas made them closer. And another thing might be that Carrie had a giddy and funny personality. She always made her laugh, and she was very reliable.

Furthermore, she was tougher than her and she could also do the shifting better than her, but it never got into her head. She was humble and she treated everyone with goodness. Well, at times. But she could be a b*tch if she wanted too. Especially if she was being bullied, she fought.

She was always there for her, no matter what. Which was her blessing and one thing that was worrying her, to be.

One time, she tried to avoid her because she didn’t want to drag her down. Her bullies were trying to target her, too, and she didn’t want that. But instead of avoiding her, too, she was so pissed at her. She even told her how disappointed she was for doing such a thing. She was so thankful to her. She couldn’t believe that there was someone she could lean on – aside from her parents.

They got along so well. And she was more of a sister than Lexi.

It must be true that being a sister is measured not only by blood but also by the connection and relationship that you both build together.

“Let her be. You know how rude she is, right? Don’t let her get into your system, Carrie.” She softly stated, as her foxy dark brown eyes moved towards her best friend.

Carrie let out a deep sigh.

“Until now, I really can’t figure out whether you are just really that gentle and kind or you are already a saint, Shea.” She amusedly commented.

Shea just gave her a soft smile.

“Nah! I will just light you a candle and pray in front of you. Don’t you think?” She sarcastically teased her.

“Carrie!” She pouted like a kid to stop her playful mockeries.

Carrie just giggled at her reaction.

“You think you are being cute at that?” Her left brow shot upwards, and Shea playfully nodded her head.

“Then, think again, my friend.” She bouncily joked around.

“You are so bad!” Shea replied before they burst into laughter.

“Anyway, your sister should look at her back and stop seeing Connor.” Carrie suddenly told her after a short moment.

Her forehead instantly creased.

“What do you mean?” She curiously inquired.

Carrie heaved a deep sigh – like she was disappointed in herself or something – before she shook her head.

She moved slightly closer towards her – as if she wanted their words to be discreet. “Haven’t you heard about the latest news?” Carrie suddenly turned serious as her light green almond-shaped eyes squinted as she turned towards her.

“W-What about it?” She felt anxious all of a sudden. Her best friend’s tone of voice was just so scary, and it gave her shivers down her spine. She swallowed hard and bit her lower lip to prevent the fear that was slowly creeping into her system.

“You’re hopeless, Shea.” Carrie disappointedly stated before shaking her head and moving away from her.

“W-What?” She nervously asked her before holding her arm.

“Come on, just t-tell me.” She bravely told her and shook her best friend’s arm.

Carrie rolled her eyes and snorted at her.

“Fine, fine, stop shaking me.” She annoyingly said before pulling her arm at her.

Shea just pouted at her.

“But it won’t be my fault if you’re gonna freak out about it, okay?” Carrie unhesitatingly replied.

Shea nodded her head.

“Well, it isn’t a secret that our Alpha is doing illegal things that shouldn’t be done because of the organization that we belong to, right?” Carrie told her and moved closer to her once again.

Shea nodded her head once again. Their Alpha was the worst Alpha that led their pack, and it was Connor’s father, Conrad Hill. He was asking the hunters, including his son, to go to the other pack’s territory to hunt – which was a great defiance to the rules of peace and agreement with the other packs. The Alpha was also collecting a large tax from his pack members – the very reason why her mother married her stepfather now.

“Well, according to what I heard, the Alpha King heard all about it.” Carrie’s eyes widened – as if she was daunting her.

Her eyes widened at what she said. She unconsciously felt like her breathing had just stopped.

“T-The Alpha K-King knew?” She nervously repeated.

Carrie nodded her head.

“And I heard that he would be here tomorrow.” Carrie anxiously said.

Her heart thumped fast and hard inside her ribs. She hadn’t met the King nor seen him personally, but everyone knew who the Alpha King was. He was cruel, ruthless, and merciless. And that was enough for everyone to feel scared of him – especially her, who was a weak person.

“W-What will happen to our pack now?” Shea fearfully whispered.

Carrie shook her head.

“I don’t know. But I heard the elders talking. They said that they would beg the King for mercy. Because he might be eradiating the entire pack.” Carrie dreadfully replied.

Shea felt the fear slowly creeping inside her heart. She was also hoping for the best now.

***

POV: Denvereaux Thorne

“I am not qualified for the position.” He seriously told his cousin – who was the Alpha King.

“But I am the King, and I am ordering you to take the position, Denver.” His cold but calm voice resonated throughout the entire room.

Denver let out a deep sigh before he placed his arms on the table and intertwined his hands together.

The Alpha King Levi Storm – the leader of all the packs as well as his cousin – called him to inform him about this.

He shook his head.

“I am not taking it and you know the reason why.” He equaled the same coldness and seriousness in his words.

He knew that he just couldn’t do it.

“You might find the one for you there.” He playfully stated that Denver had just shot him a death glare.

King Levi just let out a loud laugh.

“You are so short-tempered, really.” He mockingly added.

“All of us are.” Denver icily replied before leaning against his seat and drinking his wine.

King Levi chuckled – as if he was amused or something.

“But you can’t say ‘no’ to me, Denver. You gave this position, and I took it. Now, follow me and calm the beast within you.” He suddenly turned ruthless this time.

Denver smirked at his cousin.

“It isn’t as if it is only applicable to me, my dear cousin.” He told him.

Now, it was his time to give back his playful remarks. But King Levi just smirked at him – as if he didn’t really care about his mocking words.

“You still need to go.” King Levi said with finality in his tone.

Denver groaned in frustration.

“Besides, it hasn’t even resurfaced for a long time.” The King pointed out – making his brows furrowed.

“But it doesn’t mean that it won’t resurface. If it was triggered…” He let out a deep breath as his gray eyes slightly turned into a darker shade.

“Then, you can just go back here.” King Levi told him before he got his own wine and drank it straight.

“Is there any way for me not to follow you?” Denver expressed with dissatisfaction.

King Levi burst into laughter before shaking his head.

“Unfortunately, you don’t have any other choice but to follow, Denver. Besides, I also need to do something with that insolent.” King Levi suddenly turned livid.

Right there and then, he knew that he had no more things to say or do. His cousin’s decision was final, and he couldn’t do anything about it.

“Fine, but if nothing interests me there, I will drop that position.” He finally agreed – making King Levi smiled victoriously.

“And I will be needing Tristan’s help during my stay. If not, I won’t agree with this.” He seriously replied before standing up and bidding his goodbye.

He didn’t even take a glance at the King, who was already cursing his back. He smirked at his naughtiness. Well, it wasn’t as if he would let him win – just like that.