Cruel Alpha

Chapter 5

Robin felt anxious as she started the car’s engine. She hoped, the feeling would soon fade away, but then she noticed that she has been on the road for 2 hours and never even turned the radio on. Her thoughts were loud enough to keep her occupied. 

Anxiety wasn’t one of the feelings Robin’s been familiar with, in fact, she couldn’t remember the last time she felt this anxious. Maybe, she has never been this anxious before, never before has she struggled with each breath. Her heart felt like it will just come out of her throat in one of those breaths. Robin observed her knuckles turn white from the strength of her grip on the steering wheel, if she didn’t stop she was going to break it. 

She pulled the car away from the highway and got out, trying to concentrate on her breathing. She scolded herself, ordering her heart and brain to pull it together as she started the car’s engine again. In an hour she reached the sign:

Oak Tails

As Robin parked in front of what would have been Oak Tails pack border, she questioned all of her motives and reasons for coming here. The email from Professor Moore was sent a week ago and ever since then, Robin has felt like something was coming. As if deep in her bones, the mention of Oak Tails and the prospect of learning and uncovering more of her history, awakened some part that she has buried long ago. 

Professor Moore was interested in everything; the history, the war, culture, alphas, betas, and even Robin’s personal history. The latter scared her more than anything else. Especially because when she tried to remember Oak Tails and her childhood, she struggled to recall faces and locations; 10-year-old Robin wasn’t very attentive. She had way too many friends and playdates to care about, remembering the laws and traditions was for grown-ups. 

When Professor Moore suggested meeting up, Robin nearly declined in fear of embarrassing herself. She also didn’t want to meet the person she exchanged emails with, in a forest, near the entrance of her dead-ex-pack. But, he suggested meeting in the morning and even mentioned driving to the museum afterward so he could meet Wren and Axel for the other part of his research. So, Robin agreed and set out on her 3-hour drive to meet the crazy professor she only learned about a week ago.

Stop worrying, if anything, I can easily defend us. Her wolf spoke with confidence. Robin chuckled. If it feels wrong, just let me in, I’ll take care of it. She spoke again. Robin and her wolf have learned to take over each other in all forms. Her wolf could freely possess control over her human body, as long as Robin allowed her in. 

This wasn’t common practice among wolves. Not in this century at least. This was only possible because of Robin’s pure Beta blood, her pack traditions stated that higher-ranked wolves should keep their blood clean only mating with the same ranked wolves. She suspected that this helped them preserve their strength and even old abilities. 

Even though the wolf’s offer seemed plausible, Robin shook her head. She didn’t want to scare the Professor, if anything she’ll just punch him. The distant sound of a car’s engine filled the silence of the forest. Robin’s anxiety crept back in. She found herself imagining a short, old man stepping out of the Jeep, this was the only image she could conjure when thinking of the word ‘professor’. 

However, ‘Professor’ Moore was tall and young. From Robin’s initial observation he seemed to be around the same age as her and had good upper body muscles. “Professor Moore,” Robin said as a form of greeting as he stood in front of her. His blonde hair got ruffled with the wind. “Please, call me Declan. Professor makes me sound old.” They shook hands and Robin offered a polite smile. “Well, it must have taken a lot of time to earn that title, would be a shame if you don’t even use it.” Robin teased as they walked towards the Oak Tails area. 

Declan shrugged, “It wasn’t that hard, I have discovered that werewolves observe and learn faster than humans when it comes to higher education. So, it just took me 4 years to finish all the academic stuff they have.” Robin nodded, she was deeply unaware of how long it took a normal human to reach that title, but it definitely was longer than 4 years. 

Declan chuckled and Robin looked at him. “I am so forgetful; all these emails and I don’t think I ever properly introduced myself.” Robin smiled only because she wanted to learn more about him. It would be unfair if he got to know everything about Robin and she only knew that he was a Professor. 

“Well, as you know my name is Declan Moore. I am from a distant pack in Britain, but I have spent most of my last 2 years here. I am 23 and very very excited about the future research prospects.” Declan counted all his points on his fingers. Robin found him to be more amusing than smart. Maybe too much education f***s you up like that. She thought. 

“I am very interested in this research too. How will you proceed with it?” Robin asked as they stopped in front of what would have been the Oak Tails Pack House. Robin avoided looking at it for as long as she could. She hasn’t been here in years. 

The only time she drove here was when she turned 16 and got her car. This was the first place she drove to, it took her a while to find the right roads but when she finally parked her car and took a look around, she was transported back to the last attack night. She left and drove around the empty highways instead, never coming back there, never risking to walk further in, where the Alpha and Beta house was located. She chose the pain of not knowing over the gut reaching pain the knowing would have bought to her. 

Robin turned to the buildings and tried to act like it wasn’t a big deal. Declan was carefully observing the building to notice the shaky breath Robin let out when her eyes landed on the moss-covered ruins of one of the biggest buildings in Oak Tails. That’s what 11 years of neglect does to you. Declan and Robin looked at each other and he opened one of his brand-new notebooks. “Shall we?” He said and walked towards the ruins. 

Robin relaxed as she sat down on Iris’s couch, her friends surrounding her, waiting to hear how it went. “How was it?” Hope asked, her impatience clearly displayed on her face. Robin observed how Hope’s hand was on her stomach, covering it protectively. Only a few weeks old and Hope’s already got her maternal instincts. 

Robin shrugged. “Good, he is actually smart so it was easier to go through basics about the pack and all.” She started and eyed her friends. “He wants to conduct a field study, with an actual research team.” Iris looked at Robin with a smile, she was one of her first friends and knew how much it meant for Robin to tell her part of the story. “This is great news! We need to celebrate,” iris announced and girls cheered. 

“It’s not all,” Robin said and they all turned to her again. “He wants me to be on the field, managing the research.” This time, they all squealed and jumped to hug Robin. Robin laughed and let herself be pushed down by the love of her friends. She almost dreaded telling this to Margo, knowing that no matter how much Margo will be happy for her, they would still have an argument at the end of it.