Finding the Alpha Queen

Yvonne “Go with the nanny, Arianna,” my mother tells me with tears in her eyes. “I want to stay with you, Mommy,” I cry. “I know, sweetheart. I will always be with you,” she kisses my forehead. Your father and I both love you.” “Mommy,” I say again as the old nanny I call Evie takes my hand. “Take care of my baby, Evie,” Mother says. “I will ensure her safety, your Majesty,” Evie responds in her crackly old voice. Reluctantly, I let the old woman take me away from my mommy. All around us, the palace is filled with smoke and dying screams. Evie takes me through the secret tunnels and passages. “Where are we going?” I cry. “Away,” Evie replies. Far, far, away,” she cackles as we step outside into a raging storm. A white van sits in front of us, and she stuffs me inside. “Do as Earl says,” she grunts. I will see you soon,” she slams the door. “Yvonne,” my mother knocks on the door. “Yvonne, sweetie.” She pokes her head into my room. I open my eyes and smile at her, “Shoot,” I curse and look at my digital clock. “I missed my alarm again.” “It’s okay, you still have time,” she steps into the room. “No, I’m going to be late,” I yell, throw my covers off, and roll out of bed. I stumble around, grabbing my clothes. I must be at the bakery in five minutes. We have a big order to fill today. The pack is celebrating the new alpha today. Alpha Thomas Marsh will be stepping down, and his son Cameron will take his place. My wolf, Elpis, whines hearing that name. Cameron. Cameron has been nothing but a jerk to me my whole life. My parents adopted me at the age of six. They have always treated me like I was their flesh and blood, no matter what. But the rest of the Morning Star Pack see me as an outsider, and I have been treated as such. I have very few friends because of Cameron and his sister Heidi. Still, here I am, nearly two years after high school, working at the pack bakery, where I enjoy making cakes for all their occasions and celebrations. “Yvonne,” Mom calls again. “I’m coming,” I say as I pull on my work pants, which are still dirty from yesterday, and my bakery shirt. I try to comb my wild, curly red hair, but it proves hard, so I just put it in a messy bun. “Good morning, sweetheart,” my father greets me. He is the Beta of the Morning Star Pack, though today he is stepping down, and my older brother Aidan is taking his place. I am proud of my brother, even if he picks on me sometimes. “Hi, Dad,” I respond and grab the mug of coffee she offers me. “Don’t be late,” He grins. I kiss his cheek and take a few sips of my coffee. “Bye,” I say, setting the mug down and running out the door. My car is parked on the street in front of our house. I hop in and start it. It sputters to life, and I put it in drive. It’s just a grey Toyota that is older than me. It takes me five minutes to get to the bakery, and my boss, Emmilou, is out front as I pull up. “You are late, Von,” she states as I run up to the door. “My alarm didn’t go off,” I complain. “Go on in,” she points. “Darla and Paula are waiting for you.” I nod and run past her. “Von,” Darla yells at me. She is a mirror image of her mother, Emmilou, with blonde hair and brown eyes. They are both thin with freckles on their faces. “You said you would be here,” she says. “I still have a minute,” I point to the clock. I find an apron and tie it on before getting to work. It will be a long day of making desserts for the alpha ceremony. I want to finish so I can watch my brother become Beta. I couldn't care less about Cameron. Elpis whimpers in my head. ‘What?’ I huff as she has been acting strange the last few days. ‘Cameron,’ she says dreamily. I suspect Cameron may be my mate, but I know he will reject me. Ever since I was unable to shift on my sixteenth birthday, he has been nothing but awful towards me. I’m okay with it. He has Destiny Samuelson. She will be Luna. Destiny isn’t a bully toward me. She is usually nice to me. I ignore my wolf and focus on decorating the numerous cupcakes. “Those are beautiful, Von,” Emmilou points. “I knew hiring you was a good move.” “Thank you, Emmilou,” I nod. “I could never decorate like that,” Darla huffs. “And my mother is the baker.” I just smile and finish the cupcakes. I move on to the cookies before we pack everything up and put it in the van. Emmilou and Darla will set everything up while I go home to prepare for the ceremony. My nephew is outside playing while Aidan’s mate, Callie, watches. She smiles as I walk up to her with a cupcake for Rylan. “You look like a mess,” Callie laughs. “I am,” I sigh and look down at myself. I am covered in frosting and food paint. “But we got hundreds of cupcakes done for the ceremony.” “Aunt Vonny,” Rylan runs over to me. “Rylan,” I kneel to hug him. “Cupcake?” He grins at the box in my hands. I look at Callie, who nods, “Yes, all for you.” I hand him the box, and he runs off. “Callie,” Aidan steps onto the porch. “Yes, dear?” Callie turns to him. “Where is my tie?” He asks. Callie sighs, “I brought it with me.” “I can’t find it,” Aidan argues and looks at me, “You are a mess, Yvonne.” “I love you too, Aidan,” I roll my eyes. He looks at his mate, “Find my tie.” “Can you watch Rylan for a second?” Callie asks. I nod and look at my nephew, who is sitting on the grass, eating the cupcake. “Yes.” “Thanks,” Callie says as she touches my shoulder before running into the house. She and Aidan have their own home, but Aidan wanted to come here to get ready for the ceremony. Not that I mind. It means I get to spend time with Rylan and Callie. “Vonny,” My younger sister Angela wanders up with her two friends, Tiffany and Ginger. “Angie,” I respond as I watch Rylan licking the frosting off his fingers. “So, I hear that Cameron is going to make Destiny Samuelson his Luna,” Tiffany starts. Elpis whines in my head, and I must ignore her. “Who is surprised by that,” I say. “I mean, there is a rumor that he has a fated mate, and Destiny isn’t it,” Ginger joins in. “What do I care?” I shrug. “Cameron hates me.” “He just thinks you are weird,” Tiffany points out. I roll my eyes, and Callie runs out of the house. “Did you find the tie?” “It was right next to his damn suit,” She huffs and looks at Rylan. “Rylan Matthew Blackburn,” She huffs. “Sorry,” I mutter. “No, it’s fine,” she shakes her head and picks up her son, who wails. “You need another bath.” “No bath!” Rylan protests. “I have to go take a bath myself,” I laugh. I run into the house and up to my room. Grabbing my stuff, I run into the bathroom I share with my sister. During the shower, my mind wanders. I think about the vague memories of my past. I know the people I see are my birth parents, but no one knows who they are. My mom is a witch or was. She gave up her powers when she met Dad. She tells me that her mother dropped me off one day and that she and Dad fell in love with me, so I was kept. I am their daughter, and they are my parents. But there is a part of me that yearns to know who I really am. “Yvonne,” Angela pounds on the door. “Hurry up!” “Sorry,” I shout as I finish my shower. I throw on my robe and hurry out of the bathroom. Angela gives me a sour look as I move past her. “Sorry,” I repeat as I scamper into my room. Elpis becomes a little restless in my mind. “Aidan,” I hear my father shout. “Cameron just got home.” Cameron Marsh has been away at Alpha school, which is held in the royal territory. Every future alpha is required to attend. My brother also went for six months to learn at Cameron’s side. “I know, Dad,” Aidan shouts. I shake my head as Elpis begins muttering. “Shut up,” I tell her and get dressed. My ceremony dress is a lovely light blue with a shimmer to it. It has a little dip in the cleavage and a slit to my upper thigh. “Damn,” I say as I check myself out in the mirror. I get my hair into a neat ponytail and put on some makeup. “Yvonne,” Mom pokes her head into my room. “Are you ready?” She asks. “Your Dad and brother already left.” “I’m ready, Mom,” I say, looking at her. She looks lovely in a mauve dress with her brown hair in a bun. I am the only one with red hair and green eyes. My parents and siblings have brown hair and brown eyes, except for Angela, who has hazel eyes. “You look great,” Mom smiles. I follow her out of my room and downstairs, where Angela and Callie are waiting. Callie bounces Rylan on her knee while Angela is fixing her hair. We all leave the house and climb into Mom’s new Cadillac SUV. Elpis is a nervous mess as we drive to the packhouse. I try not to let her get to me, as I am prepared for the inevitable. I wring my hands as we pull up to the front of the house. As I get out of the SUV, I am immediately hit with the scent of lemon bars. My heart beats fast, and Elpis cries. “Are you okay, Vonny?” Angela asks. I shake my head as we walk into the packhouse. Elpis becomes insistent that we find the source of the scent. “Yvonne,” Mom calls as I turn down a different corridor. The scent grows stronger until I find myself in front of the Alpha’s office. I sigh as the door opens, and I am face to face with Cameron Marsh. He looms over me wearing an expensive suit. His dark brown eyes are narrowed as I look at him. ‘Mate!’ Elpis howls. Cameron sneers, “Mate,” He mutters. “Yeah,” I sigh. He takes a deep breath, “I, Cameron Laurence Marsh, future Alph of Morning Star Pack, reject you, Yvonne Blackburn, as my mate and Luna.”