Under the Alpha

The game begins

“What is the meaning of this!,,  The scarlet-haired woman hollered as she slammed open the door, the door banged into the wall. Solance lazily lifted her eyes from her book of home economics, only to estimate if the wall had been damaged. Finding she couldn’t estimate the damage without a closer look, she turned back to her book. “Whatever do you mean Margaret?,, Solance asked innocently while she scribbled down some notes. “You know exactly what I mean young lady!,, the woman’s voice sounded strained. Solance glanced up at the woman, she did well in hiding her amusement. She knew taking the mansion off the market would enrage Margaret, but to think the woman would come running just a few hours after, that did surprise her. Margaret was red in the face, her high designer dress was a screw. Her hair was unkempt and tousled, in short terms, the woman was a mess to the eye. Solance learned back in the comfy office chair of her late grandfathers and looked innocently at the ragged woman. “I really don’t understand what could have coursed you, to come here like the devil is at your tail. All unkempt and unprofessional,, Solance said making a point in letting her eyes travel over the woman’s frame. Margret bit her lip in a mixture between anger and embarrassment at being called out so.

“But it must be really important, if you come here in the middle of my studying, interrupting me,, Solance reasoned with a smile. “But I really don’t know what the course could possibly be,,

Margaret shook in sheer anger, how dare that chit act all innocent! She wanted to snap the girl’s neck, as the girl sat there all laid back and innocent. But she wouldn’t be fooled, the girl knew exactly what she did! “You took the mansion off the market!,, She finally said, her eyes steeled on the chit. the girl barely raised an eyebrow at her words “Oh,, the chit said. “So that is what this unprofessional visit is for,, she said nonchalantly. “What made you think you could do that missy?!,, Margaret didn’t like the girl’s attitude one bit.

“What made me think I could take my mansion off the market?,,  Solance asked innocently but emphasized the words my mansion, slightly warning the woman to trade wisely. Though angry people are seldom wise, Margaret Josef falls into that category. “Your mansion!,, the woman laughed at the girl. “Girl, I’m your guardian, in till you come of age it’s my mansion,, Margaret smiled wickedly. Solance tsked and shook her head, “Margaret, Margaret, Margaret,, the girl said, using a tone one would use for a child. “Seems like you didn’t read my grandfather's will, at least not thoroughly,, the girl smiled deviously. Margret felt a shiver run down her back at the cold promise in those blue eyes.

Solance stood up from her chair, whipped her hair from her shoulder and walked around the large mahogany table, and learned on it facing the woman head-on. “You see,, she started taking a piece of paper from the pile on the desk, applauding herself for not having put her grandfather's Will away. “According to my grandfather's Will,, Solance began “You cannot sell my mansion,, Solance smiled wickedly. “Impossible!,, Margret said through her teeth. “You are making things up!,, The woman added as the girl remained untouched. “Oh, my it does say that. Just hear this,, Solance said holding up her pointy finger “In case of my death before, my granddaughter, Solance Hopkins, comes of legal age. The estate, her childhood home as well as her trust fund, shall be untouched. The estate cannot be sold without my granddaughter's signature, even if the guardian wishes to,, Solance stopped reading and looked up at the woman who shook, her face an unattractive red color. “Has you heard, I had every right to take my mansion off the market, after all, I never signed for it to be sold,, Solance explained tilting her head innocently. “It can’t be,, Margaret Josef whispered anger coating her words. “You’re lying!,,

Solance sighed and held out the will towards the shaking woman, “Would you like to read it yourself?,, Solance asked her face sat in an innocent mask, doing her best to hide the pleasure the woman’s anger gave her. The woman stomped forward, snatching the paper from Solance hand. The woman’s eyes ran over the paper hurriedly, not once but twice, the woman couldn’t believe her eyes. The woman ground her teeth, crumpled the paper, and threw it to the floor where she then stomped on it. “DAMN IT!,, she yelled.

Solance looked at the woman in a worried manner, she had not anticipated the woman being so unstable. The harsh reaction did give Solance some concerns, but knowing this, she now knew to be even more vigilant so Margaret wouldn’t catch her off guard.

Margaret glared down at the crumpled paper, that cunning old man! She had not foreseen him taking such precautions, but then again all he ever cared about was that damn girl. She had spent so much time hearing the old fool praise the child, each and every single day! For years! Margaret couldn’t see what was so great about that child, but the fool had not been wrong to praise the child’s intelligence it would seem. Her plan had been perfect if only Mr. Jameson had done his job right instead of getting someone else to do his dirty work. Had everything gone the way she had planned, it wouldn’t only be the old man who was dead. No, that chit would be six feet under too, Margaret glared at the girl from the corner of her eye. She wouldn’t let the girl worm free, she would see the girl dead soon enough. And then she would live a life in luxury, she wouldn’t have to work a day more in her life!

Solance meets the woman’s glare, the promise of death clear in the woman’s eyes, but for some reason, Solance wasn’t affected. Maybe a part of me can’t see this woman as a threat? Solance wondered to herself, as she held the woman’s gaze. Margaret broke the stare-off, she turned on her heels and stormed out of the mansion. Solance remained leaning against the table and listened. She heard the heavy front door slam shut, then followed by the sound of a car speeding off. Solance turned her head, so she could see the car speed off the driveway towards the main road. “Let the game begin,, she said pulling out her phone, her secret phone. She caressed the wolf, that dangled. She sends Lavenda a quick text before she hid her phone away again, she then went back to her book, determined to finish her work for the day.

Dimitry was in a sour mood, his night had been long and fit full. He missed Solance so dearly, waking up alone, he hated it. His room felt empty, through the night he had gotten up and taken anything with Solance scent on it and brought it to the bed. It was the only way for him to find enough peace to fall asleep. But he knew it wouldn’t work for long, the scent would fade, and his wolf would rage out from missing its mate. But there was nothing he could do, it was out of his hands. “It has only been a day,, But that didn’t change the pain he was in, it felt like his chest was being crushed. In defeat he put down his book on advanced math, he couldn’t focus. Though he knew he had to, he needed to study for his coming finals. Then he would be done with high school, he couldn’t wait to be done with it. It was not that he didn’t like learning, it was the people, all the unruly and immature kids. They just weren’t like him, not just in the werewolf manner, but they liked to party, drink, smoke, and sleep around. He wasn’t interested in such things, he never had been. He found it meaningless, a waste of his precious time. He stood up from his chair with a loud sigh, he walked over to the large window that overlooked the backyard. He saw Adele, Cole, Aywa, Zetrich, and Alex play around in the snow. They were laughing but he could feel the tint of longing and worry in them, the same tint he had. But he admired them, they made the best of it, they wanted to have positive stories to tell his mate later, so she wouldn’t feel guilty.

He turned his eyes back to his book, that was also one of the reasons he was focusing on his books. He wanted to tell her of his future, he wanted to hear her future plans. He wanted to go to college, though him being alpha may get in the way of that. But maybe he could find an alternative, there was a community college in the city. He could apply there and still run the pack.  He wasn’t done learning, he wanted an education that could help him lead his pack, to make it stronger, richer. He also wanted to encourage his friends to do the same, he wanted them to have more than just the role in the pack. They were not just warriors, healers, and homemakers. They could have more, heck his mother didn’t have any education, his father had been in the military shortly but that was it, he came back and fought for the alpha position and then spend all his time here. The pack's finances came from the underlings, the weakest wolves in the pack, who would work in human establishments, for low-educated people. He wanted to rise from that, to encourage his pack to seek higher education, to get better jobs and more freedom. He wanted a strong pack, his father had raised it much from what it once was, but he wanted more. The change would also weaken the elder’s control, that way they wouldn’t be able to speak against him or his mate.

Just thinking of the elders made his blood boil, since this morning he had heard the whispers in every corner. The elders were forcing the neutral parts of the pack to chose a side, their side. He knew it wouldn’t be long before they acted, all because they wanted a pure bloodline. A low growl left him, the door to the study opened, he turned to see who had disrupted him. Only to be met with short beach blond hair, as the female hugged herself to his chest clingingly. His annoyance grew “Angie let go,, he ordered. But she didn’t listen, instead, she looked up at him from his chest, fluttering her long lashes and pouted. “I’m just worried about you Dimmy,, she said sweetly. Dimitry felt his left eye twitches, he then removed the female from his person. She huffed at being manhandled, but she was asking for it according to Dimitry.

“Why are you so prissy,, Angie asked following him around the study as he tried to put some distance between them. He turned to her, raised an eyebrow, wondering if she was dumb or just incapable of understanding that Solance was his mate and that he was suffering from the separation. “I miss my mate,, he stressed the words, trying to make it clear that her advances were unwanted. His efforts were for nothing, as the female once more tried to hug herself to him. He managed to evade her advances. “But Dimmy, she is unsuited for you,, she said sweetly. “I am a much better option,, she pushed her chest forward and smiled coyly. “Don’t flatter yourself,, Dimitry said not batting an eye, and walked out of the room to find a sparring partner, hopefully, he wouldn’t see more to that female.

It didn’t take him long to locate Matthew, the dark-haired male who had his nose buried in a law book. As Dimitry approached, Matthews's eyes left the book. Matthew took one look at the blond male and knew exactly what the male needed, Matthew put down his book. “Had enough studying?,, he asked casually as they headed for the yard. “No,, Dimitry answered and ground his teeth in annoyance. Matthew rose an eyebrow at his friend, “Then what have you all riled up?,, the dark-haired youth was baffled, Dimitry was not one to sway from his decisions or goals. “Angie,, Dimitry simply said as they entered the yard. They could hear the others still playing, “Angie,, Matthew murmured. A part of him wasn’t surprised that the female would come at his friend again now that Solance was gone. But he knew it would end badly, should Dimitry cut her. It could result in a civil war within the pack, Angie came from a long pure bloodline, her grandfather being one of the elders only gave her more support than any other female in the pack.

“Yeah she keeps clinging to me all the while undermining Solance right to my face,, Dimitry sneered as he pulled off his t-shirt and got into a fighting stance. Matthew followed his friend's lead “I applause you, your self-control my friend, had she assaulted Aywa to my face, she would find herself missing her own face,, Matthew showed a grim smirk, an expression that backed up his statement. Dimitry chuckled “Having a mate has changed you,, he commented as they started to exchange hits.

“I could say the same to you,, Matthew said smugly and landed a roundhouse kick to the blond, who blocked the attack with his forearms. “For the better, I hope,,  Dimitry kicked at the other’s feet, resulting in said male losing his footing and falling on his bump in the snow. Matthew chuckled “Of course, very much so,, he laughed.

“HEY,, Zetrich came running “No fair, training without me!,, he whined loudly, much to the others amusement. Dimitry felt blessed, his closest friends always made him feel better. “Well, you were busy playing,, Matthew teased Zetrich. “So! You could have invited me,, he pouted. Dimitry laughed loudly at Zetrichs expense, “We will keep that in mind, now do you want to join us?,, Matthew asked. Zetrich paused but then ripped off his hoddie and then his wife-beater “I’m game,, He laughed and lunged at the still laughing blond.

Dimitry looked after Adele and Aywa as they left, they had all just finished talking to Solance. “Weren’t they quick to excuse themselves?,, he asked out loud, but to no one in particular. “Yeah a little,, Cole agreed, looking in the same direction. “I would say they are behaving oddly,, Matthew added with a thoughtful look on his face. Dimitry leaned back on the couch and played with his earring, it helped him focus. “Really?,, Alex asked a bit oblivious to everything. “Yeah, now that we are on the subject. Many of the females are acting strange,, Zetrich said seriously while he rubbed his chin. “What do you mean many?,, Matthew asked turning to the future first beta. “Well Sarah, the Luna heck even Zoey is acting funky,, He said waving his hands around. “Oh, so we are back to Zoey are we,, Cole teased, completely abandoning the first subject. “So, she changed,, Zetrich defended, but he glanced at Dimitry. “But yes I think the females are hiding something,, He added, he saw Dimitry nod. The blonde’s eyes unfocused a clear sign the male was far away. “But what are they hiding?,, Alex asked glancing between the males around him. “See now that’s the question, but I think,, Cole started. “It has something to do with Solance,, Matthew stated. “Way to go, Matt, stealing my thunder,, Cole pouted. “But yes I think so too,, Cole nodded.

Zetrich turned to Dimitry “How do you say we proceed? Alpha?,, the other males grew silent and waited for Dimitry’s answer. Dimitry rubbed the earing, the cold metal sending sparks through his body. “ We stay vigilant, for now, they wish to keep us in the dark. Solance wishes for us to focus on school and our training,, He said, his trust in his mate is unbreakable. “So, we will do just that, but we will be ready for when they need us,, he finished. The males nodded and cleared out all but Zetrich, who remained behind. “This is what you truly want?,, he asked his friend. Dimitry sighed and raked a hand through his hair “No.. but I need to trust her, I need to trust that she would come to me, should she need it,, Dimitry said. Zetrich nodded, truly understanding the turmoil in his friend.

Adele was shocked to see the large sum of money Josef was transferring, a cold feeling growing in her gut. “This can’t be good,, she whispered. “Sis, what is it?,, Aywa asked having sensed her twins’ discomfort. “I’m not sure but,, Adele paused. It could be insignificant, that Josef woman had been using a ridiculous amount of Solance’s money. Among those many sums, this was not even the biggest but for some reason, it plagued her, this sum, she couldn’t track where it was going only that it was going offshore. And it wasn’t an odd number, like the boob job that cost a whopping 6.598 dollars, for boobs! Or the trip to the hair and nail salon that trip was 375 dollars. The woman liked to use money, but this amount scared her, it was like it held a promise. 15.000 dollars, Adele gulped before she answered her sister “I think we need to give Solance a heads up,, she finally said. “What do you mean child,, Sarah asked as she stood up and walked over to look at Adele’s screen. The woman’s eyes widen at the sum “I agree with Adele, Lavenda come look at this,,

Lavenda wondered what they were getting at, they had already established the woman was a big spender, but Solance didn’t care about that. Apparently, Solance could spare a few thousands, giving she had a fortune that would last longer than she could live. The Luna walked over and saw the money transfer, the sum did make her pause “where is that money going?,, she asked. “Off-shore, I can’t track it,, Adele answered and looked up at the woman. Lavenda nodded in understanding. “Aywa have Josef made any unusual phone calls or texts?,, Lavenda asked, Aywa shook her head “no Luna, it has only been minor things, the bank, salon, and so on. Nothing interesting,, Aywa answered. “Why? What’s going on?,, Zoey asked not linking the tree female’s reaction. “I will warn Solance, I fear Josef may try with the kidnapper again,, Lavenda said, much to Zoey’s and Aywa’s surprise. “Aywa does Josef have any appointments in the coming days?,, Aywa looked on her computer, her eyes skimming the pages “Yes on January 17th, she has a meeting with a Mr. Jameson at the Moses Lake Museum and art center, at two pm,, Lavenda nodded and turned to Zoey the newest member of their female league. “Zoey I need you to shadow Margaret Josef that day, and I mean you will listen in on their conversation and take secret pictures of this Mr. Jameson. If my hunch is correct he may very well be the kidnapper,,  Lavenda said. Zoey nodded in understanding “Don’t worry Luna, I will do well,, she promised. Eager to prove herself an ally to these females, including her mother and Solance the sister figure she never knew she wanted.