SHE IS THE ALPHA

CHAPTER TWO

Picking a dress was hard, considering my mum had the best taste. I had a soft knock on my door. I was still in one of the dresses she gave me. A silver sequin dress with a plunging neckline.

"Are you decent?" Hyde asked, poking his head in.

"You're already in."

"You're looking nice, what's the occasion?"

"The mating ceremony," I said, putting air quotes, "Mum got me these dresses so I'm trying to pick one."

"Hm... Hm... That's great, anyway, about what you did earlier. I think we need to hone that skill."

I looked at him quizzically. "Why are you so fixated on that? I'm not a fighter."

" It's in your genes, Sie, you can't run away from it."

"But I can. I'm very fast." I said, trying for humor.

"Sierra!" he shouted, then sighed, pressing his hand to his temple, "look, it is best for you to be prepared. Okay? My mate might end up being from another pack, and I may or may not have to leave. Worst case scenario. I leave. Who will protect you? You need to learn at-"

"Okay!! Fine, you won, geez." I said, relenting as I rolled my eyes, "I'll start training with you."

"Good girl," he stood up to leave. "Enjoy your dress-up game."

"I will. Thanks." I said with a fake smile, ignoring his sarcasm.

I looked at myself in the mirror one more time. Naah, I didn't want something people had already seen.

"Sierra, dinner is ready. Seth and his family will be joining us. Come." My mum asked me through the link

"Do I have to?" I whined, mortified at the thought of meeting Seth again so soon. After ignoring his attempts at talking to me through the link

"Goes without saying." She said and closed off the link. Maybe I should wear this dress to dinner? Was it too much? Yes a bit. My heart skipped a beat. I removed the dress and grabbed a simple royal blue dress that stopped right above my knees. I held up my hair in a ponytail, leaving a few strands loose, doned my earrings and headed downstairs. No one was on the table yet, but it was already set. I took my designated seat hoping Seth wouldn't arrive before anyone else.

"You look good. We should host dinners more often around here." My mum said, joining me and taking her seat beside me.

"You don't look so bad yourself." I told her, nudging her playfully. She'd worn a beautiful dinner dress that hugged her body and showed off her figure beautifully, then had a layered necklace, her hair held up in a loose bun and a pair of pearl earrings.

"Thanks honey."

My dad followed her not much later and we both stood waiting for him to take a seat. He went directly to my mum, gave her a kiss, ruffled my hair amidst my protests and took his seat. He signaled for us to sit and we did. Soon after, everybody started trickling in, my brother and Seth and his family, accompanied by a foreign girl whose scent was not in that pack. No, was the first thing I thought of. dismayed, Oh Moon Goddess, please not. Suddenly, I wished the ground would open up and swallow me. They all bowed to the alpha and took their seats, everyone but Seth and the girl. I could hear her heart pounding nervously. Mine was pounding too, but for different reasons. How was this possible? I thought you could only have a crush on your mate. I was so sure Seth was my mate.

"Alpha Hamil, this is Keyra, my mate. I hope it's okay that I brought her with me." He announced, formally waiting for the alpha's approval. My ears were ringing. I tried to keep calm. I pasted a smile on my face that I could only wish looked genuine.

"Sierra, look at me," Seth's voice came to me through the mind link. I wanted more than anything to just storm out of this dinner, but it was against the law. I could only wish that time would fly and I could get this over with.

I slowly lifted my eyes to meet his but glanced away almost immediately. My dad's loud boisterous laughter pierced the silence that had fallen as he gestured for them to sit.

"Good for you, getting your mate, just days before the ceremony, which pack-" he suddenly stopped talking as his eyes glazed over and he was immediately on his feet. We all followed suit suddenly, very alert.

"Intruders, he announced brusquely, dropping his alpha robe and heading for the door, Seth's dad following him without a word. "Hyde and Seth, you stay here and protect the women," he declared, before they both left.

Intruders?? Our pack never got any intruders, our guards were very well trained. Impossible. My brother and Seth had already taken their protective stances, ready to transform at any time.

"Sierra, at my signal, I want you to run, go and call for backup from the RedMoon pack, I think this is a trap." my mum told me in a clear voice through the link.

"I can't leave you here like this, mum!" I tried catching her eye to plead with her but she was as alert as the rest.

"Hyde!" I looked over at Hyde hoping he'd come to my defense.

"Mum is right, you're more of a handicap to us. Do as she says, use your speed."

It hurt hearing him put it so bluntly like that, but I guess he was right. I had to make my peace with it. Suddenly there was a thud against the door. We all got into our attack positions. Low growls could be heard all round. My mum suddenly started whimpering. Dad! Something must have happened. My heart was racing. She looked at me. Her eyes glazed over. "Now!" she shouted in pain.

Almost simultaneously, the door swung open. I didn't wait to see who it was. I don't think I could handle it. I ran as fast as my human form could take me and went out through the back exit. I sped into the forest and paused when I was sure I was deep enough and transformed. Blood was pumping in my veins. I wanted to mind link someone to make sure they were okay but I knew my interruption would not be appreciated. My paws hit the ground softly as trees flew past me. I was pushing myself so hard. I was surprised I hadn't collapsed yet. I couldn't. I wouldn't even allow myself to.

Suddenly, howls pierced the air, coming from the direction I was going in. I faltered. What was going on? Before I knew it, a gray wolf sped past me running in the opposite direction. I came to a complete halt, looking around confused. Suddenly a dark aura overcame me, the stench of bloodthirst filling my nostrils. On instinct, I turned around and ran even faster. The RedMoon Pack was not an option. Sierra, think! What do I do?! The next pack we had an alliance with was too far. It would take me at least two days to get them here. I have to go help. An arrow zoomed past me, startling me. I immediately changed my direction. Was that arrow aimed at me? Was it a stray arrow? Someone please wake me up. This couldn't happen to me. At this point, I was running further and further away from my pack. Had I ever really come this far? My heart broke as realization dawned on me. I'd have to wait for things to calm down. At that rate, I couldn't go near the pack. I had to wait for dawn to break. I slowed down to a walk. I needed to find somewhere to hide meanwhile.

Should I try and contact them? Maybe they were waiting for back up? And I was choosing to protect myself, how selfish could I be. I turned back, if it's dying let's all die together.

"Sierra!" Hyde's voice rung in my head so clearly it was like he was right next to me.

"Hyde? Hyde?!" I was so relieved. He must be telling me it's all clear to come back. "Are you guys okay? The red moon pack is also being attacked, enemies are surrounding everywhere, I'm trying to find an entrance. It's impossible-"

"Sierra! Listen...." he sounded like he was straining. "Things didn't go so well on this side..... Protect yourself, don't come back. We've been defeated, mom and dad are dead, Seth's and his family are dead too..... It's a bloodbath too. I'm also not.... I'm not going to make it. I love you." the last part came out so silently I barely caught it, then the link was broken. My head hurt, my heart hurt, at some point I collapsed, not before hearing Seth's voice in the distance, "Avenge us."