Alpha's Shadow

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My parents were murdered when I was a baby. During my teenage years, there were always wolves came to attack me. My tongue was ripped out by one of them, and one of ear was broken. I speak through mind linking. Now, under the threat of a potential war, our pack will have to form an alliance with a powerful legend, the Blood Alpha. When he arrived at our conference room, his eyes settled on mine. A jolt of electricity went through me as he growled: "Mate." --- My parents were murdered when I was a baby by rogues. Luckily, since my dad was the Gamma, Alpha Wilson took pity on me and let me live in the Pack House, and he took me under his wing. He had a son only a few months younger than me named Sebastian, who would be taking over his father's role as Alpha when he turned 21. It was customary as per pack tradition for him to step up and be the Alpha once he turned 21, unless he challenged his father for the title early. Obviously that wouldn't happen, but it's worth mentioning. I only became the Gamma after killing the former Gamma when I was 13 years old. Everyone was surprised when a 13 year old girl beat a 30-something-year-old Gamma, and it was the first time a girl had been inducted as the Gamma. Naturally, news of my victory spread around not only our pack but other packs, and some wolves came to challenge me for my position. I killed all of them, and no one has challenged me since I was 16. Being immune from the effects of wolfsbane was my little secret. My tongue was ripped out by the rogue, and one of ear was broken. I had a feeling the current Delta of our pack, John was plotting to challenge me for my position. He was one of the few that had a problem with me being a Gamma. I'm assuming that he thought someone else would have been able to kill me for the position, but 5 years later, I still hadn't lost a challenge. I was called in my pack and by others as "The Grim Reaper" due to my black cloaked attire and the way I had no issues slaying anybody. This reputation left me lonely, which was honestly how I preferred it. I reached the Pack House just in time for the meeting. All of the other leaders were already waiting for me at the round table in the conference room where we discussed pack meetings. Alpha Wilson began, "As you all know, we have been having many of territory issues with the Blue Moon pack. It likely will end up resulting in a war within the next few months, unless they agree to a treaty. In preparation for a war, I have decided to ask the Blood Lake pack for help." Beta Samuel cleared his throat. "With all due respect Alpha, the Blood Lake pack are barbarians. They live extremely old—fashioned and out—dated. They have no organization in their pack life or in their armies. Why would we form an alliance with them?" "They are the second largest pack in the continental United States. Despite how feral they may appear, their armies are extremely effective because of their savage ways of battling. Any pack on their bad side is sure to face mass amounts of destruction. Hopefully, by merely making an alliance with them, the Blue Moon pack will be too scared to go to war in fear of facing Blood Lake." Alpha Wilson continued, "Surely you all of heard rumors of how violently and savagely they live. If we have heard those rumors, so has Blue Moon. Ares, what is your input?" I paused, thinking before I mind linked them: It is quite risky involving the Blood Alpha in any conflict. He makes any situation a thousand times more violent. However, I agree that an alliance with him would likely stop a war from happening to begin with. Historically speaking, the Blood Lake pack has never lost a war, which would deter other packs from joining an alliance with Blue Moon. However, why would he agree to an alliance to begin with? He won't give his aid for nothing in return. The leaders listened thoughtfully to what I had to say. Alpha Wilson answered my question with, "I am prepared to offer him 10 warriors in return." Everyone audibly gasped. That was 1/5 of our warriors. Our warriors were arguably the most well—trained warriors out of all of the packs, mostly due to the extensive training I conducted. "I know it is not ideal," Alpha Wilson explained, "However, that amount pales in comparison to the amount we would lose if we went to war. At least this way, even if the warriors have to relocate to Blood Moon, they will be able to stay alive with their mates, and won't be slaughtered in the battlefield." I was the first to speak. I agree. We would lose many more warriors in a war. Alpha Wilson smiled. "Then it's settled. Alpha Cain of Blood Lake will arrive next week." I had a bad feeling about doing business with the Blood Alpha, but I didn't see a better option. ###Chapter 2 After the meeting, I went back to my house to put on my training gear. I ran to the training field, By 10am, all 25 of the wolves arrived. Despite having over 100 pack members eligible for training, I preferred to keep training classes small, so I could really correct each individual. Technique was the most important part of combat training, and it required my attention to detail. Then, they practiced hand to hand combat in human form. Each individual chose a partner, and they would fight each other until one submitted. Occasionally, the wolves would get too wound up and would have to be separated before they seriously could get hurt. After the fighting in human forms, they would each fight in their wolf forms. This tended to be way bloodier, and way more entertaining for me. When their wolves took control, there was almost certainly blood to be shed. It was harder to make their opponent submit, since it is not in a wolf's nature to submit to someone who isn't above them. I preferred fighting in human form, partially due to my Gift, but also partially because fighting in wolf form was not always an option. Sometimes, wolves will get poisoned with wolfsbane, prohibiting them from shifting, and they need to know how to fight as a human in case if that were to ever happen to them. After they fought in wolf—form, the ones that weren't too injured would be able to practice their weapon—wielding skills. Typically, only 10—15 wolves made it to this portion of the training day. However, this was many of the wolves favorite part of training lessons with me. I am the master of wielding weapons due to my gift. I have been summoning knives, bows and arrows, swords, and many other weapons since I could walk. This has made me incredibly familiar and incredibly accurate with them. Many of the wolves also enjoyed using weapons, and have gotten really good at using them due to my training. Typically, packs don't stress the importance of using weapons, as it is hard for them to obtain large quantities of them, and there is no guarantee that pack members would be good at using them. This gave us an edge. Contrary to my reputation as being cruel and heartless, I had a soft spot for the little pups. They were so full of energy, innocence, and haven't yet been destroyed by the harsh truths of being a werewolf. I may have had my childhood ripped away from me, but I was glad that most of them haven't. I also knew that self defense was incredibly important in case of a war, and that's why pups and women alike trained. In other packs, women are not typically trained. As I ate my lunch prepared by the Pack House chefs, Alpha Wilson walked up to me, closely followed by John. I narrowed my eyes at John, already knowing he wasn't up to anything good. Alpha Wilson cleared his throat, and looked at me with sympathy. "Delta John is invoking his right to challenge you to the death for the Gamma position. The duel will take place tonight at midnight on the training grounds." I enthusiastically accept the challenge, I mindlinked to both Alpha Wilson and John. "John has also requested that the duel is in wolf form, rather than human form, as human form would give you an unfair advantage." Alpha Wilson stated, probably expecting me to argue. I could beat John with one paw tied behind my back, like I cared which form it was in. I knew he thought him being in wolf form would give him the advantage, since his wolf was huge, and people from the pack rarely see me fight in wolf form. Little do they know, I stay in human form because my wolf has violent tendencies that completely surpass me in human form. The wolf part of me is much more violent, cruel, and uncontrollable; and I valued being in control above all else. This fight was sure to end gruesomely, when my wolf wants blood, she gets it. John also likely requested to fight in wolf form because they we wouldn't be able to use our Gifts. If I was able to summon weapons, he knows I would bludgeon him to death. His Gift was only the ability to glow in the dark. Alpha Wilson smirked, probably proud because he knows I'm going to whoop John's behind, he's been asking for it for years. "Very well then. See you both at midnight." "He does know you'll kill him, right?" Sebastian, Alpha Wilson's son asked as he walked into my house without knocking. Has anyone ever told you it's impolite to barge into houses without knocking? "Cool it, Reaper. You may scare the others but not me. I'm the future Alpha, remember?" He teased me. You know I could still defeat you. I said, smirking at him. I'm fighting him in wolf form, as per his duel request. Sebastian choked while drinking his water. "Wolf form? You haven't dueled in your wolf form since you were 16. Aren't you a little rusty?" I used the knife I was chopping celery with to throw at him, just barely skimming his ear. The knife lodged into the wall behind him. "Hey! That hurt!" Sebastian grumbled, touching his bleeding ear. It already had healed, as I barely clipped him. "Just because your ear is messed up doesn't mean mine has to be!" It's true, my ear was hurt from that little incident 4 years ago. In the last 4 years, I had accumulated many battle scars, but the most obvious was still the scar that went from a little above my left eyebrow to a little below my eyeball. When my wolf tried healing my bloody eye, it just ended up turning the whole eyeball white, rendering me only able to see out of one eye. The whole chunk of my ear missing thing wasn't too bad. I flipped Sebastian off, and raised another knife at him as if to threaten him. "I submit! I submit!" he joked. I rolled my eyes and continued making dinner for us. "I also heard that the Blood Alpha is coming by next week," Sebastian said with disgust. "You know why he has the nickname Blood Alpha?" I'm assuming because he makes people bleed? Seb rolled his eyes. "Well yeah, loser. But it's because he's known for beheading people in battle. How barbaric, right?" I shrugged. I don't know. I've beheaded people who deserve it. It's a pretty gruesome way to die, so I can see why he would. "You both need therapy," Seb laughed. ###Chapter 3 I woke up an hour before the fight. Upon waking up, I went to the bathroom to get ready. I grabbed a water bottle from the fridge (killing people makes you thirsty) and began walking to the training grounds were I would at last, have the pleasure of killing John. Once I reached the training grounds, I was shocked to see that the arena was already filling up. I looked at the clock on the wall to see if I was late, but no, there was still 30 more minutes until the fight. I wondered through the crowd towards the fighting area, somewhat listening to pieces of different conversations, most of them placing bets on who would win. "Will Ares behead him? I've heard she does that in her wolf form." "John has been Delta as long as she's been alive, she doesn't stand a chance." "Why would she agree to a fight in wolf form? She could easily summon a sword and kill him." "Her wolf is a monster. I've never seen anything like it." And my personal favorite, "John is a coward." When I reached the section of the arena where I would be fighting John, I knew something was wrong. He wasn't there, only Alpha Wilson. The Alpha, upon seeing me, walked up to me and said, "John has decided to withdrawal his request to challenge you for the Gamma position. He no longer wants it." I wanted to laugh. John IS a coward. What he wants is to live. Unfortunately, Pack Law says that once a challenge request is accepted, it cannot be undeclared unless I accept him rescinding his request. Alpha Wilson cleared his throat. " I will go inform him that the challenge will go on as planned." Did John really think I would accept him rescinding his challenge? Need I remind him that HE was the one who challenged ME. Not even 12 hours later, he chickens out? I will give him the death he deserves, the death all cowards deserve. "Good night, or I suppose I should say, good morning, all members of the Red Crescent pack." Alpha Wilson loudly spoke to all of the pack members in the arena. They dared not make a sound. "As you all know, Delta John has challenged current Gamma Ares for the Gamma position, as is within his right. When he challenged her, it was on the condition that it will be in wolf form. When he tried to rescind his challenge, Gamma Ares declined, as is within her right. However, since he tried to back out of the challenge that he initiated, Pack Law states that Gamma Ares now chooses the condition in which they battle. She has chosen that they fight in human form, and being allowed to use their Gifts." "Gamma Ares has generously offered Delta John a weapon of his choosing"Delta John has chosen his weapon to be a sword. Gamma Ares has chosen the same. Gamma Ares, if you could now please summon the weapons and give John his." I flicked both of my wrists and out came two long, black iron swords. I threw one up in the air towards John, which he caught by the handle. "At the count of 3, you will begin dueling. I will remind you both that it is a duel to the death. Submitting will not stop the duel, no matter what. With that said, let's begin. 3... 2... 1!" When Alpha Wilson said 3, John immediately leapt forward, swinging the sword at my head. I have to admit, I was shocked by how quick he was. I was certain I would have to make the first move. However, I wasn't shocked enough to not be able to avoid the blow, and I rolled underneath the sword and at his legs, knocking him to the ground. The sword tumbled out of his hands, and I easily could have decapitated him right then and there. But what fun would that be? Plus, my students were expecting a show, and I wanted them to learn what not to do during a duel. I stepped backwards and allowed him to get up and fetch his sword. He got into fighting position again, with his sword shaking slightly in his hands. He knew I was playing with him. He didn't launch himself at me again, clearly baiting me to make the first move. So be it. I faked as though I was swinging at his neck, like he did to me, and he brought his sword up to his neck to deflect mine. At the last second, I lowered my sword and slashed his thigh, deep enough to immediately soak his pants with blood. Shockingly, the coward didn't drop to his knees in pain as I anticipated. Rather, he used my blow as a distraction to swing his sword down on my hand wielding my weapon. I was a millisecond too slow, and he ended up nicking the top of my knuckles with his sword. However, I wasn't going to let him use injuring me as a distraction. I immediately brought my sword up, then down on his wrist, effectively slicing his hand clean off. Some pack members gasped, and I could vaguely hear some throwing up. This event truly is not kid—friendly. John screamed at the loss of his hand, and fell to the ground, withering in pain. Get up, coward. I snarled at him through our mindlink. At my words, he growled, and picked himself up off of the ground, and grabbed his sword with his only hand. Blood poured out of his other arm, and the ground was completely wet with his blood. Too slow, he threw the sword at me in an attempt to impale me. I easily sidestepped it, and the sword flew into the crowd. I'm assuming it didn't hit anyone since the crowd was silent, waiting for what I was going to do next. Since he lost his sword and a hand, I didn't see the point in keeping my sword either, so I threw it to the side. Quite the warrior, he sank once again into fighting position. I will say, I am mildly impressed that he's still standing after having a limb severed. Perhaps I will make his death quick. "Come and get me, you stupid, unqualified woman." He growled at me, his whole eyeballs a brilliant yellow, signaling that his wolf was fighting for control. Okay, perhaps I won't make his death quick. I backed up to the edge of the arena, and he looked at me in confusion. I needed a running start for what I was about to do. I charged at him, sprinting faster than I ever have. I pushed off the ground when I was two feet away from him, and grabbed the wrist that he had out in front of him, ready to clobber me with. As I jumped over him, his wrist still in my hands, I yanked his wrist, hard. Everyone in the arena could hear his shoulder pop out. I released his wrist, and went back to being faced in front of him. His face was contorted in pain. The arm that I severed the hand with was still gushing blood, and the arm that I just ripped out of its socket was hanging loosely by his side, unable to move. Thinking of all the times he has disrespected me, my wolf took over my mind, and it was seen by everyone, my eyes glowing a brilliant silver. My wolf was in control as I launched myself at him. I punched him in the face so hard I heard at least 20 bones break. I continued punching his face until I heard every single one break, and his face was just a bag of bones and blood. I brought my foot up, then smashed it down on his chest, breaking ever single one of his ribs, and flattening his heart. Everyone in the pack could feel John's link being severed as he died. Alpha Wilson bellowed, "The Gamma of the Red Crescent Pack is still the undefeated, Ares Alstott". ###Chapter 4 After I killed John, various pack members came up to congratulate me. The older ones simply nodded at me and barred their necks in submission, which I nodded to them one in return. My younger students swarmed me, babbling excitedly about how awesome it was. I smiled at them, ruffling some of the pups' hair and mindlinking them to go to bed so they could wake up early for school the next day. I turned away from the pups and ran directly into an older woman. I recognized her as John's wife. "You... Killed my mate..." She hissed at me, tears streaming down her face. He was the one who challenged me. If I didn't kill him, he would have killed me, and he has no more of a right to live than I. "He has children! He has faithfully served Alpha Wilson since before you were alive. Go die, you!" She screamed, swinging her fist at me. I caught her wrist easily, and twisted it so far it made her wimper in pain, but not far enough to break it. You just said yourself that he had children. I suggest you go take care of those children before I kill you and make them orphans. Her eyes widened. "Don't..." I let go of her wrist. Consider that your one and only warning. The only reason I don't kill you where you stand is because of your pups. She nodded, barred her neck in submission, and ran away after I nodded once at her. That scene drew the attention of a couple bystanders, who dispersed when I growled at them. I hate being stared at. —— One Week Later The week had gone by quickly and uneventfully. The pack members finally started growing bored of the duel, and the amount of stares and whispers when I walked by decreased to the normal amount. The day after the duel, there was the challenge for the Delta position. Since it was the lowest level of pack leadership, any wolf of any rank could be a challenger. They fought each other one on one until someone submitted. In the end, a wolf 21 years of age, named Omar had successfully made every wolf he challenged submit. I watched all of the rounds, and could tell from the beginning that he would win. He was smart, calculating, and most of all, had consistently shown up to almost all of my training sessions, and had done so enthusiastically. Today was the day the Blood Alpha was supposed to arrive. Of course, we were under strict instruction not to call him that. We were also ordered by Alpha Wilson not to look him directly in the eye unless he spoke directly to us. Apparently, eye contact was seen as disrespectful according to the old pack etiquette the Blood Lake pack followed. For some reason, I had been extremely on edge all day. I wasn't scared of the Blood Lake Alpha, after all, he wouldn't kill me if I just sat there and shut up, but for some reason, my heart felt extremely heavy. Maybe I felt guilty for killing John. Haha just kidding, he deserved that. Right now, the Pack Leaders, including newly appointed Delta Omar, sat in the conference room, waiting for the Blood Lake Alpha and his men to arrive. He likely brought above 10 men with him, his pack leaders and a few warriors. Not that anyone was dumb or suicidal enough to attack him. Everyone had heard enough rumors about his psychotic, violent tendencies to steer clear of him and to always submit. I had heard that when a rogue trespasses on his land, the Blood Alpha will torture them for weeks in his prison, and then nail their bodies on to a wooden post on the outside of their territory. Even I wasn't that messed up. But I will admit, it proved very effective for warding off rogues. I could hear Alpha Wilson's heart racing a little bit faster than normal. As a matter of fact, so were all of the other leaders' hearts, except mine. What a bunch of cowards. Alpha, Blood Lake has just crossed through our border. We have 10 warriors walking them to the Pack House now. They should be there soon. "Remember, please do not provoke Alpha Cain. We have to get him to agree to be an alliance for us in the case of a war with Blue Moon. Ares, he may request you to take off the hood of your cloak and pull down your face mask, as it may be seen as a threat. Please do not fight him on that if he requests it." Alpha Wilson looked pointedly at me. I rolled my eyes. I wasn't taking off the hood of my cloak no matter what. What I looked like remained a secret to most other packs, and I preferred it that way. The last thing I wanted was some rando Blood Lake dogs staring in disgust at my scars, bite marks, and missing flesh. 3 rapt knocks on the door was heard. Alpha Wilson breathed in deeply, and left the conference room to go greet Blood Lake, while the rest of us stood around the long, rectangular glass table, waiting to greet Blood Lake. I could hear Alpha Wilson open the door, and could hear him greeting Blood Lake. In response, I heard a deep voice thank him for inviting him, and request to start the meeting immediately. Upon hearing the deep voice, I got butterflies in my stomach. What the-? My wolf was going insane at the sound. I don't know what got her so riled up, but knowing her she was just being overzealous. I could hear steps walking through the house, getting closer and closer to the conference room. First, Alpha Wilson walked in. He was followed by an extremely tall figure, probably around 6'6 feet. He was extremely muscular, to the point where I could see the definition of his muscles through his dark dress shirt and black slacks. He was extremely tan, and his dark hair was tousled in a messy sort of way. His dress shirt was rolled up to his elbows, and I saw tribal tattoos swirled around his skin like another shirt. Tattoos even climbed up around his neck, poking out around his collar. The most alarming part about him? His dark eyes, which were frantically looking around the room, until they settled on mine. A jolt of electricity went through me as his eyes set on mine, and he growled out what I already suspected. "Mate."