Bad Boy Alpha's Daughter

Silverstar Springs

Caspar

“Today is the day,” My father, Avery Silverstar, walks into my room with my brother Isaak trailing behind. “My eldest boy, my heir, will become the alpha of this pack.”

I smile as I stand in front of a mirror, putting on my suit. My father is stepping down as alpha tonight, and I am taking over. I have spent my whole life training for this day. Dad walks over and helps me adjust my tie.

“I can teach you to alpha, but apparently, I haven’t taught you to tie your tie properly,” He chuckles.

I glance over at Isaak, who rolls his eyes. My younger brother believes he should be alpha because he already has his fated mate and a son. I am twenty-five and still have not found my fated mate, my Luna. I haven’t really had time between training and schooling. I had to attend business school to learn how to run the various businesses that keep this pack afloat. I would rather choose a mate, but my wolf Kael is adamant that only our fated mate will do.

“I can tie my tie,” Isaak chimes in.

“That’s great, Isaak,” Dad responds in a patronizing tone that even annoys me.

Isaak frowns and glares at him.

Dad turns to me, “I wish you had your mate, but that can wait.”

“I have waited for seven years, Dad,” I sigh. “I would like to choose Courtney Stone, but Kael won’t budge.”

“I know, Caspar,” Dad pats my shoulder. “Our wolves are hard-wired to yearn for our goddess-chosen mates. I waited for your mother,” He states.

“You were only twenty when you met,” I argue.

Dad grins, “There she was at the king’s ball. She wore a silver gown, and I almost fainted because she was so beautiful.”

I sigh as Dad talks about meeting my mother. Kael lets out a whimper. He gets sad seeing others with their mates, and ours still eludes us. “We have heard the story, Dad. Mom was talking to Queen Moira, and even King Kerry seemed jealous,” I laugh.

“I have my mate, Dad,” Isaak refers to Fiona. “And we have an heir,” He gives me a smug look.

“You know the rules, Isaak,” Dad looks at my brother. “The title passes to the eldest son, not the second one.”

Isaak makes another face and walks out of my room.

I look at myself in the mirror and run my hand through my light blonde hair. My grey eyes seem to sparkle. All of the eldest sons in my family have grey eyes. “I think I am ready,” I take a deep breath.

Dad pats my shoulder, “I’ll be downstairs then.”

I linger for a moment after he walks out of my room. I pick up my phone and check my messages. I smile at a few texts from Courtney. She and I have been an off and on item since middle school. She would make a good Luna as she is brilliant and a strong warrior. I also think her beauty is without comparison.

‘She is not your mate,’ Kael snarls.

I ignore him and wander out of my room. I live on the top floor of a large mansion we use as the pack house. My parents are moving out of the big room into a house on the other side of the territory. My sister will also move with them since she is still in high school. My brother Isaak lives in a house with his mate and their son.

“I should be the next alpha,” Isaak hisses.

I stop and glare at him. He is leaning against the wall, trying to look sinister. “You know that’s not how it works, Isaak,” I say casually. “Why are you lurking in the hall? Are you plotting something?” I laugh and slap his chest.

Isaak’s expression darkens. “It’s my house too, Caspar,” He hisses.

“Well, after tonight, it will be my house, and this will be my floor, so-“ I trail off as his mate approaches us with their son on her hip. I smile at Fiona. She looks lovely in her red dress with her blonde hair braided. “You look lovely tonight, Fiona,” I greet her and smile at my nephew Noah.

“Thank you, Caspar,” Fiona smiles at me as Noah becomes fussy. “Settle down, Noah,” she huffs. “He was quiet a second ago.”

My nephew squeals and struggles to get out of his mother’s hold. I reach for him, “Let me hold him,” I say.

“But you don’t want your suit to get dirty,” Fiona states.

“It’s alright,” I grin, taking the two-year-old into my arms. He settles and looks at me, “Hey, Noah. Are you giving your Mama a hard time?”

“Just have an omega take him to pup care,” Isaak says dismissively. I rarely ever see my brother interact with his son.

Noah babbles and plays with his fingers, “You are a good boy, aren’t you?”

Noah nods, “Uncle Caspar,” He points at me.

I ruffle his hair and set him down. My nephew immediately takes off. Fiona sighs and trots after him, “Noah,” She shouts.

“What are you guys doing?” Our sister Ava comes toward us, “Mom is having a fit downstairs.”

I smile at my sister. She got the grey eyes our family is known for and blonde hair like me. Isaak looks more like our mother with brown hair and brown eyes. “Tell Mom and Dad that I am on my way.”

“Better hurry or Mom will send the hounds after you,” Ava giggles.

Fiona finally catches Noah, and my nephew begins screaming.

“Can’t you get him to shut up, Fiona?” Isaak hisses.

My sister-in-law says nothing as she carries the struggling toddler toward the elevator.

“I’ll go help Fiona,” Ava says and trots after them. “Noah,” She calls out to our nephew.

I look at the various portraits hanging in the hall of the pack's past alphas. I feel my ancestors all looking down upon me and hoping I keep their legacy alive. “I can do this,” I take a deep breath and decide to go down the stairs instead of waiting for the elevator. My mother is pacing and looking around as I approach her and my father. She sees me and puts her hands on her hips.

“Caspar Nathaniel Silverstar,” She yells, “You may be becoming alpha tonight, but that doesn’t mean-“

“I’m sorry, Mom,” I interrupt her as I approach her.

“I made a schedule for a reason. Do you know how much work went into planning this ceremony and everything that goes with it?” she lectures me.

I look at my father, and he shrugs, “Dad?”

“Listen to your mother, son,” He responds.

“I’m ready now, Mom,” I say to her.

She huffs and reaches up to adjust my tie, “Still can’t get the tie, right,” She mutters and taps my cheek.

“I love you too,” I grin at her.

Mom rolls her eyes, “You are lucky that I love you.”

An older man walks toward us with a woman on his arm. I recognize him as Elder Thomas Frost. He will be conducting the ceremony tonight. I bow to him.

“Oh, I am not the King,” Elder Frost chuckles. He was once the alpha of the Lake Opal Pack. He and my grandfather were good friends. “You look just like your grandfather the day he became alpha of this pack.”

I frown as I miss my grandfather. He died just last year in a car crash.

“Thank you for coming tonight, Tom,” Dad holds his hand out to the elder. He smiles at the woman with Elder Frost. “And you look beautiful tonight, Grace.”

“Oh, you old flatterer, Avery,” Grace laughs.

“What, that was no flattery, Grace,” Dad grins.

Grace is Elder Thomas’s mate. She nods at my mother and me. “I am just glad to be out of the house for a bit.”

“Okay, we have to get going,” Mom claps her hands.

“I will be at the altar then,” Elder Thomas laughs.

“The rest of you take your seats,” Mom orders my siblings.

Once my siblings and everyone else is gone, I linger at the door. Behind the packhouse is a large field we use for pack meetings and various ceremonies. I wish I had a mate to serve at my side. I will convince Kael that Courtney will be a good choice.

The doors open, and I walk out with my parents flanking me. I look at the gathered pack. We are a modest pack that is well respected. We run several lucrative businesses, so we are quite wealthy. Silverstar Springs helps smaller packs and others in need with money and food donations.

“I just wish King Emery was able to accept our invitation,” Mom mutters.

“Queen Ivy is due to give birth any day, Kristina,” Dad argues.

“Well, she hasn’t yet,” Mom snorts.

King Emery was just crowned a few years ago. He seemed quite cordial when I met him along with his Royal Beta, Axel Bowie. I learned Axel has a twin sister that hasn’t been seen in years. I don’t know the exact story, but I believe she was kidnapped. Axel Bowie’s parents seemed to have a sadness about them. His mother rarely spoke to anyone. I found that quite sad.

‘Nova,’ A voice whispers in my head, and I know it isn’t Kael. I had heard the name before and didn’t know why it made my wolf whine.

“Ready?” Dad asks, and I nod.

My parents flank me as we walk down the middle aisle. Pack members bow to us as we pass. I smile as I spy my two best friends, Abel and Karl, waiting on stage. Abel is about to become beta, while Karl will be gamma. Their fathers are standing with them. Both of my best friends have found their mates. Abel found his mate the day he turned eighteen. He already has two pups, while Karl has one on the way. I am slightly jealous of them, but I believe I will have a Luna at my side soon.

Courtney is standing with her parents, and I wink at her as I pass. She blushes and looks at the ground.

“She would be a good, Luna,” Mom whispers.

“Kris,” Dad drawls at her.

“What, Avery?” Mom shrugs. “Courtney would be perfect.”

My parents have different opinions about me choosing my mate. My mother is all for it, while my father thinks I should wait for my fated mate. We reach the stage and step up. Dad approaches the podium.

“Good evening Silverstar Springs. Such a lovely night for an exchange of power, wouldn’t you say?” Dad says to the pack. “I stand before about to step down as alpha so that my eldest son, Caspar, can take over. I have to say that these last twenty years have been the best of my life. Together we have built this pack into what it is now. I couldn’t have done it without you all,” He says as people clap. “But tonight, a new era will begin, and I have faith that Caspar will take this pack even further in the future.” He turns to me with a proud smile before nodding at Elder Thomas.

I step towards the elder who is smiling at me. “Hold up your left hand,” He says while my father stands beside me. “Tonight, we welcome the new Alpha of this pack.” Beta Darnell stands at the podium, holding the sacred dagger that has been used for generations. Gamma Bradley has the sacred cup in his hand. “Caspar Nathaniel Silverstar, do you swear to uphold the laws of Silverstar Springs with dignity and fairness?”

“I swear,” I respond.

Darnell hands the dagger to my father. Dad smiles as he slices his hand and gives the dagger to me. I take it and do the same.

“I, Thomas Henry Frost, Elder, declare you, Caspar Nathaniel Silverstar, Alpha of Silverstar Springs,” He says as I clasp hands with my father, and our blood drips into the cup being held by the gamma. “May your reign be long and prosperous,” the elder concludes.

I feel a breeze whip through the air as the voices of hundreds of wolves enter my mind. It’s overwhelming at first, but I do as my father taught me and quiet them, so I am left with only Kael.

Dad and I keep our hands clasped and turn to the pack, who clap and cheer. Dad releases me, “Speak to your pack, now, son,” He grins.

“Thanks, Dad, for everything,” I say as he pats my back. I step towards the podium and raise my hands to quiet the pack. “Hello, Silverstar Springs. I am beyond honored to face you as the new alpha. I have learned at my father’s side and believe that I will lead this pack as well as he. I will continue the legacy my forefathers built, and we shall grow and prosper. “ The pack cheers again. I raise my hand to quiet them and look toward Courtney. “I wish I had a Luna at my side but that will be remedied soon as tonight I will choose my mate. I have waited for my fated mate, but I can no longer wait,” I glance at my parents. My mother appears elated while my father gives me a stern look. “I declare that Courtney Allison Stone, daughter of our head warrior, Brighton Stone, shall be my chosen mate and Luna.”

I watch as Courtney smiles at me with tears in her eyes. Kael growls viciously in my head, and it takes everything I have to keep him in control. ‘It’s for the best, Kael.’

‘I will never accept her,’ He hisses.

“Now, let's watch as Abel Marcus becomes beta and Karl Jones becomes Gamma,” I state, stepping away from the podium.

Kael furiously paces in my head as I try to remain still while Elder Thomas does the ceremony for Abel and Karl. I keep breathing heavily.

“I take it your wolf is unhappy at your announcement,” Dad leans over to me.

I give him a look but say nothing.

Once the ceremony commences, I move off the stage and shake hands and smile at various pack members. I walk toward Courtney; she is standing with her parents Brighton and Natalie.

I pull her towards me and kiss her lips, “You look gorgeous tonight, babe.”

Courtney sniffles and pulls away. She has long black hair and chocolate-brown eyes. Tonight she looks exquisite in her gold-tone dress with her hair cascading down her strong shoulders.

“Thank you,” She says in response.

“I am honored that you named my daughter your chosen mate,” Brighton grins.

“The honor is mine, sir,” I say.

Brighton laughs, “You are the alpha now, Caspar. I call you sir now,” He chuckles.

“Force of habit, I suppose,” I remark.

Brighton is also the head trainer, and he spent years helping me learn to fight for my pack.

I hold my arm to Courtney, “Come, dear, let’s mingle among our pack.”

She claps and takes my arm. “I can’t wait to become Luna. There is so much I want to do. Like I have been looking at different designs I want to do to update the packhouse.”

We walk towards the large tent where the reception will be held. Kael is silent as I walk Courtney to the head table and sit her beside me. Dinner is served, and we dance together until it’s time for the midnight pack run. Kael has been mostly quiet all night, so it takes me longer than usual when it’s time to shift. He is a large silver-coated wolf with the same grey eyes as me. Kael lets out a dominant howl and runs to lead the pack. He refuses to allow Courtney’s wolf Poppy to run beside us.

‘Nova,’ The voice echoes in my head during the run.

Once the run is over, the pack disperses back to their homes. I take Courtney up to my room and begin kissing her. As much as I feel for her, the kisses feel hollow and unsatisfying. Kael becomes sullen and retreats as I make love to Courtney.

Afterward, when she had fallen asleep, I lay in bed staring into the darkness.

‘Nova,’ The voice echoes, and this time I get images of a woman being whipped while screaming in agony. I cringe as the images fade. ‘Nova,’ the voice repeats until I fall asleep.