Alpha's Secret

Imagination or not?

"Did you call for me?" Tania asks as she enters the room.

The wedding was last week and since then I've been avoiding her, using the excuse that now, with the two packs united I have double the work. Which is not entirely a lie, but it doesn't require me to sleep in my office either. The reason for that is that on the next evening after the wedding she got out of the bathroom wearing only a towel around her body and I happened to pass by. I almost had a heart attack.

She is dressed lightly, in a simple summer dress, with her long hair tied in a messy bun. She is carrying a present box.

"Where you going somewhere?" I ask. I know she made a few friends around here. She has a cheerful personality and everyone just gathers at the pack house to drink tea with her every day. I miss the peace, but it's nice to have the pack house so full of life.

"Laura just gave birth this morning. I am going to congratulate and give her a gift from her Alpha and Luna."

"Oh, go then. Send my best wishes to Laura and his husband. We can talk later." I wave my hand, returning my attention to the papers in front of me. Tania didn't lie at the wedding, her pack is filthy rich. We live in the forest, but we still need human money and provision from the city. All packs have businesses in the city around the territories. Last year my pack's business suffered a great loss after someone stole most of the money from the accounts. Beta still investigates that, but the money is gone and no matter how hard I've tried, things couldn't get back to normal miraculously. Until now.

She stand in front of my desk looking at me like she wants to say something, but she isn't sure. She is like a child that wants to ask for candy before dinner.

"Yes?" I say with a smile so she'll be more comfortable.

Her face lights up.

"Why don't you come with me?" She asks excited.

"I still have things to do. Math is not my strongest point, as you can see." I say pointing at the mess on my desk.

"If you come with me, I can help you with that." She says.

"Do you think you can help me?" I ask laughing.

"Why do you think that's funny?" She asks, looking a little offended.

"Because you have no idea how helpless I am at this. Even my Beta gave up trying to explain it to me." I say, realizing it sounded like I didn't trust her abilities, when in fact, I simply know mines too well. Not even the Moon Goddess can help me with math.

"Then who does them?" She asks.

"I try my best, but then Beta takes care of this." I answer sincerely.

"From tomorrow, let's do them together." She says and grabs my hand. "But for now, let's go and see how's Laura."

I want to protest, but the warmth of her hand in mine mess me up so much, that all I can do is slowly walk after her. 

What's wrong with me?! This never happened to me before!

At Laura's house, it seems like the whole pack has gathered here. And it seems like everyone is shocked to see me here. They look like they've seen a ghost. Everyone says hello to Tania with a smile and then looks at me surprised and nods respectfully. I've been their Alpha for years!

"Why do they look so surprised?" Tania finally asks.

"I have no idea..." I answer because I am just as surprised by their reactions.

"Don't you usually come to this type of event?"

"I have... work...."

She gives me a disappointed look and I frown.

"They are my pack. I don't need to be here every time. They respect me anyway." I say, defensive.

"No one said anything about respect. Of course, they respect you, you are their Alpha. But packs are like families. The bound is stronger with love, not with respect and admiration." She says.

"They know I care for them!"

"Even the ones that you love the most can have doubts if you never show it." She answers and I am pissed that I have nothing to replay.

We enter Laura's bedroom. When my father finally allowed me to play with other children when I was old enough to hide the secret on my own, Laura was the first who invited me to play with her. We became friends and we would play together daily.

"Alpha..." She says surprised as she sees me and tries to get up.

I stop her. "You should rest."

She leans back, looking exhausted as she hugs the little baby next to her.

"Alpha. You made me such a pleasure. I haven't seen you in years."

I am a little taken back. Years? That is an exaggeration. I count in my mind, but I am terrified to realize she is right. I usually talk with my warriors and when I have orders for the rest of the pack. I let Beta pass them.

"Later is better than never." I say feeling guilty.

Laura looks at Tania, who is now holding the little baby making faces at him.

"You are so good with children, Luna. May the Moon Goddess bless you and Alpha with many."

I almost choke. That, my dear Laura, is not biologically possible. But I just smile.

"Thank you!" Answer Tania simple and then goes back to playing with the baby unbothered.

"Darling, the Beta is here." Laura's husband enters the room excited, but then he sees me, and his face drops. "Alpha... We didn't expect..."

"Am I bothering?" I ask a little hurt by his obvious disappointment.

"Not at all." Laura laughs. "We didn't agree on the name and as you know, the tradition says that in those cases the Alpha chooses which one. Since you usually don't come, the Beta is the one to chose usually. With him and my husband being friends, he was sure he will win, but with you here..." She giggles.

"Alpha, what a surprise!" My Beta says as he enters the room, smiling.

"Alpha, will you do us the honor of picking the name?" Laura's husband asks. "I like the name Thomas, but my wife thinks it sounds... old, she likes Eric."

"What nonsense. Thomas is a great name. I am sure Alpha can agree." Answers my Beta before I can say anything.

"I am sure you think that, Tom." I answer.

"I like Eric." Says Tania as she looks at the baby. "I think it fits."

"I like it too. Eric shall be it." I say smiling and kissing the little guy on the forehead. Babys do smell adorable.

I turn to show the newly named member of the pack to the rest of the people gathered around, but then I notice the Beta's face. He is looking at Tania with such a burning hate that surprises me. When he sees me nothing he rebecomes himself and smiles like nothing just happened.

Did I just imagine it?

After a while, we let the happy couple spend some time in peace and quiet with their new baby. As we leave, Tania starts talking about a program to work together.

"I was thinking we can pay a visit to your pack this week. There are some things we can't take care of from here." I say. That was the reason I called her in my office this morning.

She says nothing, just looking at me and then, she suddenly jumps in my arms. I wrap my arms around her waist to catch her. She presses her small body against mine and my mind gets drunk from her sweet smell.

"You really are such a nice person. I wish everyone would see that too."

I am about to ask her what she means when Beta catches up with us.

"Alpha. Can I come with you to take the financial papers? I want to take a look over them tonight." He asks and I am about to say yes when I remember Tania offered to help tomorrow.

"No need to hurry, Tom. I will give them to you in a few days."

He seems surprised.

"But Alpha... Tomorrow you said you will visit the borders."

"You can go in my place. Luna offered to help me with the finances and I want to give it a shot." I answer and wave my hand towards Tania.

"Luna...will help you... with finances?" Asks Beta and then he starts laughing.

"You got me there for a second. A woman, doing this kind of work. Ha!"

Tania looks at him like he's stupid and I am more than pissed.

"It wasn't a joke, Tom. It was an order. Tomorrow you will go to the border to check the situation there and report back to me. And Tania will help me with the finances. If I'll need your help, I will ask." I say and I am not sure I ever used that tone with him, but it's the first time too when he laughs at something I say.

He seems confused and then looks at Tania. This time I'm sure. It's hate. 

What on earth happened?

"As you say, Alpha." Beta says and then turns his back away without a bow.