Bad Boy Alpha's Daughter

Eucalyptus

Caspar

Nova

I am in the woods searching for Nova. I don’t know who or what Nova is. I know I must find it.

Nova

“Who are you?” I shout in frustration to the darkness looming above me.

“Cas, wake up,” Courtney shakes me, and I open my eyes.

I am lying on my back, looking into her brown eyes, “What?” I mumble as the name Nova echoes in my head. Kael won’t tell me what it means and remains silent in his little corner of my mind.

“You were yelling,” she says.

I sigh, “Was I?”

“Who is Nova?” She frowns. “You say that name a lot.”

“I don’t know,” I mutter and roll over to face away from her. I look at the clock and groan. It’s five minutes until it’s time for me to get up and start my day. With a frustrated growl, I throw the covers off and get out of bed. Courtney sits up. She is still naked from last night. She is beautiful but no longer arouses me like she used to. “Go back to sleep,” I say to her and enter the bathroom. I splash cold water on my face and stare at myself in the mirror.

I have been Alpha for two weeks, but it already feels like it’s been years. My parents took Ava and went to Europe. They will be there for several months, leaving me to figure out how to lead this pack. Sure, I was trained for years at my father’s side. But now that it’s mine, I feel overwhelmed. It doesn’t help that my wolf is focused on finding our fated mate. He refuses to acknowledge Courtney’s wolf.

‘She is not our mate,’ He growls. ‘She will never be our mate.’

I wish he would get over the notion of finding our fated mate. I don’t even want her and plan on rejecting her. ‘Why can’t I have a choice?’

“Cas?” Courtney calls to me and steps into the bathroom. She is still naked, and I want to be aroused by it, but my d**k barely twitches. “Has something been bothering you?”

“No,” I respond and shrug.

“You seem distant lately. Have I done something wrong?” She steps towards me, and I admire the way her body moves.

I wrap an arm around her and lean down to kiss her. It’s like kissing my mother or sister on the lips. No spark. Nothing. “I’m fine, baby,” I say to her. “It’s just the pressure of being alpha,” I chuckle dryly. “I knew it would be hard, but not this hard.”

“Oh,” Courtney sighs and looks at the ground. “You just don’t seem as passionate lately.”

“My wolf is having a hard time accepting you,” I confess.

She wrinkles her nose, “Poppy says he refuses to talk to her.”

“I’m sorry,” I say as tears well up in her eyes.

“I love you, Cas. But lately- “She trails off and licks her lips. “Lately, though, it's like what I feel for you is how I feel about Devin or my dad,” She explains.

I lean against the counter and sigh. “I wish I knew how to fix this.”

“You know what will fix it,” She touches my shoulder. “And it’s not me. We both know that it’s not going to work.”

“Courtney- “

She shakes her head, “No, Cas. I am going to visit my grandparents and cousins for a while. I need to get away and think.”

I take another deep breath and turn to her. I touch her cheek, “I wish it hadn’t come to this. I believe you would be an excellent Luna.”

“I will always be your Luna,” She winks as tears fall down her cheeks.

I wipe away the tears and kiss her forehead. “You can go back to bed or do whatever. I must get ready for work.”

Courtney sniffles and plods out of the bathroom. I take a long hot shower. Images of a woman being whipped flash through my mind. Her screams break my heart. She turns, and I see the most beautiful pair of green eyes staring at me. I blink and shake my head to return to reality. “s**t,” I mutter and walk out of the shower. Quickly drying off, I rush out of the bathroom. I frown when I realize that Courtney isn’t in the room. It feels so empty without her. I go into the large closet, throw on a pair of dark jeans and a blue polo shirt, then comb my hair.

I leave the closet and survey my room. It’s barely decorated as I just moved in after my ceremony and haven’t had time to do anything to it. Courtney put a few things up, like my pictures and awards, but it still looked barren. Shaking my head, I leave the room and plod down the dark, quiet hallway. I stop at the elevator to push the button and then take the stairs. “Got to get my steps in,” I say as I run down.

“Good morning, Alpha,” Brighton Stone greets me. He is dressed in his usual attire of camouflage pants and a black shirt. “Are you coming to training today?”

I wonder if he knows that Courtney and I broke up yet. “Not today, sir,” I reply.

Brighton chuckles, “Caspar- “He pauses. “You were almost going to be my son-in-law, and you still call me sir.”

“So, you know?” I mutter.

“I know,” He touches my arm.

“You aren’t mad at me?” I ask him.

Brighton shakes his head, “No. Courtney said it was amicable. You didn’t cheat, did you?”

“No, sir, I didn’t cheat,” I tell him. “I just- “I stutter. “My feelings changed almost overnight. I love Courtney, but it’s like my love for my siblings and not my mate.”

“I understand, son,” Brighton nods. “Our wolves’ instinct for their mate is strong. I almost took a chosen mate before I met Natalie, and Axe was furious. He nearly attacked my poor girlfriend a few times.”

“Damn,” I huff. “I sometimes wish that we got a choice in the matter. I truly believed that Courtney would have been a good Luna.”

Brighton touches my arm, “She will be. For her rightful mate. And you will get your rightful Luna.”

“Cas,” My best friend and beta, Abel, calls down the hall.

“I better get going, Brighton says. “Hopefully, I’ll see you at training tomorrow. It motivates our warriors to see their Alpha training too.”

“I’ll be there tomorrow, sir,” I smile.

“Have a good day, Alpha,” Brighton says and walks away.

“Hey, sir,” Abel greets Brighton as he approaches me.

“What’s up, Abel?” I ask.

“Oh, not much,” He shrugs.

“You seemed eager. Is everything alright?” I ask as we start down the hall towards the office.

“Aren’t you going to breakfast?” I gesture the opposite way.

I shake my head, “I don’t feel like eating.”

“You need to eat, Cas.”

“I don’t need to be lectured, Abel,” I grumble. “I need to get started on work.”

Abel rolls his eyes, “I was just looking out for you, Caspar. You are my best friend, after all.”

“I know. I might munch on some cookie or something,” I mention the snacks I keep in the office.

“Dude,” Abel snorts. “I’m going to eat before getting to work.”

“Okay,” I shrug and start towards the office.

“Oh, wait, I almost forgot,” He grabs my shoulder. “Karl said there was some unusual activity near the border.”

“Like what?” I wonder.

“He said there were a bunch of hunters lingering around the Rusk cabin,” He explains.

“The Rusks are retired,” I scoff.

“I know, but Karl says others were milling about the cabin,” Abel explains. “I’m sure Karl will have much to say when he returns.”

“I’m sure he will,” I nod and walk away. The smell of oak hits me as I stroll into the office. A portrait of my grandfather hangs over the ancient desk. He seems to be watching my every move. “Good morning, Gramps,” I greet the picture as I sit down.

The large office has a huge, picturesque window on one side that overlooks the field where all our ceremonies are held. Beyond the field are the woods and the neatly manicured streets. One of the omega gardeners is outside weed eating along a path. He is wearing a sunhat and appears to be whistling.

“I better get back to work,” I mutter, “Right, Gramps?” I glance up at the portrait. I turn on the computer and tap my fingers on the desk, waiting for it to get ready. My stomach aches from hunger, so I open a drawer and pull out a packet of cookies. I rip open the bag and munch. It doesn’t satisfy my appetite, so I grab a bag of chips. After three more bags of chips, I am still hungry.

‘Perhaps you should eat,’ Kael speaks up.

‘It’s about time you got up,’ I snark at my wolf.

‘I was tired,’ He mumbles.

“Right,” I say out loud. “I hope you are happy. Courtney and I broke up.”

‘I’m not unhappy,’ He responds.

I roll my eyes and turn my attention to the computer. There are a ton of emails. “s**t,” I snort. There are a couple from the King which I find strange. I wait to answer those and start reading the regular ones. It’s mostly requests for help from some of our allies. I respond by sending money to a few of them. Finally, I opened an email from the King.

“Greetings, citizens. It is our pleasure to announce the birth of Princess Sienna Moira Abbott. We are ecstatic that she is finally here to join the royal family. Her big brother Prince Spencer is happy as can be with her,” the letter reads. I quickly scroll through the photos of the baby and her happy parents. Queen Ivy looks less than enthused while King Emery grins.

I sigh and click on the next letter.

“In other happy news, we are pleased to announce that Royal Beta Axel Bowie has found his fated mate,” The letter reads.

Nova

“Lara Jean Brown, daughter of Alpha Dean Brown of the Rose Crest Pack, is Beta Axel’s mate. His parents, former Royal Beta Magnus Bowie and Royal Advisor Naomi Bowie, are excited about their son’s future.”

Nova

I close the email and move on to other work. The images of the woman being beaten continue to plague my mind. They seemed to have been triggered by reading about the royal beta. “What does that have to do with the other?” I ask out loud to no answers. Kael makes a little noise but says nothing else. I continue working despite the strange feeling in my head and the hunger in my stomach.

‘Nova,’ The voice calls. ‘Nova is near.’

“Kael, is that you?” I ask my wolf.

‘No,’ He replies.

‘Who the f**k is Nova?’ I snarl at him, but he doesn’t respond. “Do you not know, or are you just refusing to answer?” I yell out. Again, Kael is silent. “Answer me!” I roar and slam my hand on the desk. “f**k,” I scream as pain shoots up my arm.

The door to my office swings open, and Abel sticks his head in, “Is everything alright, Cas?” He steps in with a look of concern on his face.

“It’s fine, Abel,” I mutter. “Just- “I trail off.

Abel stops in front of my desk, “You know it's okay for the Alpha to take breaks, right?”

“I have only been Alpha for two weeks, Abel,” I snort. “I don’t need a break.”

“Yeah, you do, Caspar,” My best friend laughs. “I can see it. You know Karl and I can do paperwork and other things.”

“I know, Abel,” I drawl and lean back in my chair. I pinch the bridge of my nose. “There has been a lot on my mind.”

“Like breaking up with Courtney?” He asks.

“How did you hear about that?” I growl.

“Courtney told Vanessa,” He responds.

“Oh,” I sigh. “Yeah, we broke up. She is going to go see some family in another pack.”

“You are just going to let her leave,” Abel protests.

“It’s just a trip, Abel,” I snort.

“Hmm,” Abel sighs. “I’m sorry, dude. I wish you had your mate.”

“I don’t want to talk about it,” I tell him. “Don’t you have work to do?”

“Yeah,” Abel nods.

“Then go do it,” I wave him away.

“Whatever,” He rolls his eyes and walks out of my office.

I look at the computer, and Kael becomes restless in my head. He is whining and pacing. ‘What is your problem?’

‘Nova,’ He responds.

‘What about Nova? Who is Nova?’ I ask, and he keeps pacing.

‘Woods,’ He mumbles. ‘Go to the woods. She needs you.’

‘She?’ I say as my wolf grows more frantic and attempts to gain control.

‘Get up!’ He orders me. ‘She needs you. They are trying to get her.’

‘Who is trying to get who?’ I say as I feel compelled to stand up.

‘Go!’ Kael yells. ‘Go before I make you,’ He threatens when I hesitate.

I sigh and walk out of the office. I start taking off my clothes as I move down the hall.

‘Caspar,’ Karl mind links me.

‘I’m coming, Karl,’ I say as Abel joins me.

‘I didn’t even say anything,’ Karl laughs.

‘I know. I am coming,’ I say as Abel and I get outside. I let Kael take control and shift. I take off into the woods with Abel’s wolf Owen. Kael whimpers as we run. ‘What’s going on?’ I wonder. The scent of eucalyptus hits me. It’s strong, which is strange as we have no eucalyptus trees around here. I hear Karl and a couple of my warriors arguing as Abel and I arrive.

I see a woman lying unconscious with Karl and two warriors standing over her. I feel strange as the eucalyptus scent strengthens as I approach them. “What is going on?” I demand.

“This rogue trespassed,” Karl points at her.

“What did you do to her?” I ask, suddenly angry at her state. She is wearing a light dress so that I can see multiple wounds on her thin body. She is beautiful, and I feel compelled to protect her. Kael drives me to move closer to her. I kneel beside her and touch her forehead. Tingles shoot up my hand, and I pull my arm back. “s**t,” I mutter.

Her eyes flutter open, and she stares at me with the most beautiful green eyes I have ever seen.

‘Mate,’ Kael declares.

She moves her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. ‘Mate,’ She mouths.

“Shh,” I say to her. “Don’t speak,” I say gently. “You are safe now.”

“Alpha?” Karl speaks up, and I growl at him. “Do you know her? Who is she?”

“Nova?” I say to her.

Her eyes widen, and she struggles to get away from me while moaning.

I wrap my arms around her, and she stops struggling. Her eyes close, and she goes limp.

“Alpha?” Karl taps my shoulder.

I stand up with Nova in my arms.

“Cas?” Abel stares at the woman in my arms. “Who is she?”

“Nova, my mate,” I respond.