Alpha Convict - Burgov Series I

2. Sasha

The weekend started as per usual. Morning walk with my boys followed by breakfast with my family. Saturday is just as much of a working day for Vanya as any other, so before he left to serve the Pack we went through all the things that needed to be done at home. Among them shopping list, and when it comes to buying groceries, the subject of money often comes up.

"We might be late with bills this month." - I told my brothers scribing down in the notebook that serves as our budget.

"Why won't we sell something? We have all those things, we have no use for, so it's only…" - Ilia started, but Vanya's face hardened, like always when he brings this up.

"Absolutely not. Those are the last things we have left after Mom. Besides, most of it is Sasha's and she'll get to decide what to do with it." - my eldest brother said with finality in his tone.

"So we should get rid of one of the parasites." - Ilia glanced at the floor around my feet where I could feel Jinx and Bummer sleeping soundly and then his eyes moved down the hall where Father's room was.

"Ilia, we are family, we don't throw out one of our own." - I said calmly, trying to reason with him.

"The three of us are family. The damn mutts and that drunk over there, are not. Let's choose the most useless one and just set it free. However between two cowardly dogs and one deadbeat parent this may be a bit of a challenge to decide." - he shrugged as if suggesting it was no big deal.

"That's enough." - Vanya said. - "There will be no throwing out anyone. I'll try to pick up some extra shifts and in the meanwhile, Sasha try to buy cheaper products."

I nodded feeling once again guilty. - "Maybe I should pick up a job this way…"

"You have to finish school first." - Vanya said, putting his large hand on top of mine and smiling. - "Besides, the old Gamma is retiring and I plan to apply for the job. So it's just a momentary stasis."

"Gamma?! You want to become a Gamma? And you're fine with that?" - Ilia frowned. - "You could take them all…"

"Stop. Let's not dwell on shoulds and coulds. Things are the way they are for a reason, but it will change soon." - Vanya said with a tired sigh, we had this conversation before and difficulties we met when we were looking for a place to stay made it clear that it's either what we have now, or being completely on our own. And let's face it, the four of us are too weak to live without a Pack.

"Maybe even sooner than you think." - I smiled at my older brother. - "Claudia found her Mate last night. It's our Alpha."

Both of their faces morphed into shock, but it was Ilia who shook out of it first.

"I thought VanWoert had a Mate, that's why he's so… charming."

I shrugged while taking another sip of my tea. - "So she's his second chance."

"Second chance…" - Ilia snorted. - "Such a waste on a scum like him."

None of us disagreed, the way Midnight Bane's Alpha was acting should have brought the attention of authorities by now. But since his sister and Beta take most of the responsibilities on their shoulders and Pack is still thriving, no one will do anything.

But who am I to judge? After all, this was the only place willing to take us in.

"Ilia…" - Vanya sighed. - "Just drop it, and be glad for Claudia." - he glanced at his phone and quickly finished off his coffee and stood up. - "I'll have to go. Try to stay out of trouble." - he said to our brother and then he turned to me. - "And you young lady, better start thinking about what you want for your birthday. Just two weeks left." - he said with a lopsided smile that resembled a proud father's one, rather than older brother's.

"One of you making dinner is my dream come true." - I grinned in return and Vanya chuckled.

"So birthday poisoning it is, then." - he joked and went for the door leaving me and Ilia still by the table.

Things with my baby brother aren't awkward per se, but he has the tendency to surprise both me and Vanya, not always in the best way. It seems like I never can guess correctly what he's thinking about, and while it's not exactly a bad thing, it's hard to know what he may surprise you with, and if you know Ilia, you know you wouldn't like his surprises. I do know, however, that Ilia is extremely irked that all the decisions after what happened with our Mother had been made behind his back, but in our defense he was just a thirteen-year-old boy devastated after losing his beloved Mama, so Vanya and I did what we thought was best for remnants of our family.

Ilia cleared his throat focusing my attention back on him.

"So Montgomery is going to be a new Luna, huh? Are you planning on pulling some strings to make our lives bearable?" - he asked with a curious stare.

"I wouldn't call it pulling strings, but maybe she'll need a part time cook or maid, so Vanya wouldn't blow up the gasket about me dropping out off school. But most of all I'm happy for her. She can do a lot of good to this place, Midnight Banes might finally start matter in the region."

He snorted and got up from his seat. -" Yeah, with deadbeat Alpha and self-centered Luna, we'll be… what's the word… splendid." - he said in a mocking tone before he put his mug in the sink and strolled towards his room.

I sighed and got up as well going for my usual Saturday chores. First I did the dishes, then set three loads of loundy, vacumed the whole cottage and by the time I entered Father's room I was already sweaty and tired. But as a part of my so needed break I took my phone to call Claudia, curious how last night went. I needed to use good old technology since she was still blocking her mindlink and I had no other way to reach her. But when my call went straight to the voicemail I had my answer, that her celebrations were probably still lasting. So I had no other excuse preventing me from going back to work.

Father slipped out of the house, as usually without telling anyone what he was up to. I can't wrap my head around how the person who can most of the time barely stand on his own feet, manages to sneak out from under our noses on daily basis, not even alarming my boys.

I glanced to the side at two sets of wagging tales of my little happy helpers who were watching me with excitement, like always. Their never evaporating joy was contagious, and to be honest the most important reason why I wasn't dwelling too much on a hardships of our current situation. You just simply can't stay grumpy with those two by your side.

I smiled down at them and pat each on their massive heads.

"Just a second, guys. Let me at least get rid of the smell coming out of Father's room and then we'll go for the run. Would you like that?" - I asked in excited voice and they started jumping and barking happily.

After I stopped laughing at them I got to work. I changed Father's sheets, dusted all the surfaces and opened his window wide to let some of the clean air in. In the middle of the winter I couldn't leave it like that for too long, but while the clear, crisp air was filling the room I busied myself with folding Father's scattered around clothes and putting them in his closet.

When I opened it, I didn't notice it at first, but when my eyes landed on the paper bag at the very bottom I frowned. The bag was filled with a basic groceries like fluor, nudle, sugar and some spices. What's more interesting, those were the exact same brands I was using in my kitchen and to be completely honest, I don't remember the last time I bought those, because now that I think about it, they were always fully stocked. I thought Vanya bought them occasionally, but could it be…

I smiled to myself and put the bag back where I found it, then closed the window and left Father's room finding my boys exactly where I saw them last - in the corridor, blocking my way.

They were both laying with their heads on their paws, but their hopeful eyes were watching my every move.

"Alright, alright, I'm done, now we can have some fun!" - as soon as the words left my mouth they got on their feet and started jumping and spinning around making mess around them like a giant puppies they are.

I gathered their leashes and strapped them before throwing on my jacket and exiting our home. I tried once again reaching for Claudia, since she sometimes joined me on our runs, but this was not the day, since once again her voicemail beeped immediately her her mind stayed unreachable. So it was just me and my boys, I guess.

Back in the days Irish Wolfhounds were used to hunt wolves that were threatening humans and their flock, more concealed sources even stated that this particular breed was brought up for chasing werewolves. But somehow growing up in a werewolf Pack, my boys didn't get the memo, and they thought about themselves as one of us. They didn't even find it strange that their masters occasionally changed into big canid, probably still waiting for the day when they will be able to turn into humans. Needless to say Jinx and Bummer haven't found it strange or threatening when we pass anyone in their wolf's forms, but even if they did, they would most likely hide behind my back.

We crossed the short path leading to the treeline behind my house and when we were deep enough to avoid any prying eyes, I quickly undressed and shifted into my dirty-blonde wolf that stood tall a little above Jinx and Bummer. My boys greeted me with rubbing their snouts on my coat as of they met a long lost friend. I love their genuine affection and how comfortable they were around me, because at first I was afraid it might become a problem, since dogs aren't usual residents of any Pack and my heart was all theirs from the moment I laid eyes on them.

After the greeting was over I started my run and my boys followed me suit. I have no idea where their energy came from, but they could run all day, not once stopping to catch their breth. And even though Vanya and I made sure to give them at least one long run every day, it never seems to be enough for them.

We ran for about an hour before we were so deep in the woods that we reached a clearing on no-man's land, with a small stream surrounded by stoney shore. It was my absolute favorite place here, since it reminds me of the one we had back in Europe, where everything was simpler.

I layed on the snow and watched how Jinx and Bummer were dancing with each other, nibbling one another and growling playfully. Serenity. That's what this moment was like. With everything that's going on, this short while every now and then reminds me that life can still be beautiful.

After about an hour we started going back, but with much lesser enthusiasm from my furry friends. By the time we reached the place where I left my backpack with all my clothes it was already getting dark, because of how short days were at this time of the year.

I busied myself with dressing up while my dogs wandered a bit further away from me and started barking at something. Probably annoying squirrel, they couldn't reach.

"Bummer! Jinx! Stop barking!" - I shouted at them coming from behind the tree and adjusting my jacket when my eyes landed on the reason for my dogs agitation.

It wasn't a squirrel, ha, I wish. Because the man standing in front of my boys was always making me uncomfortable, even though aside from knowing who he is, I had barely any encounters with him.

"A-Alpha. I'm sorry if they startled you, but they don't bite, I can assure you…" - I said a bit taken aback, reaching for each of my dogs collars and dragging them a few steps back before the drunken werewolf in front of me loses his patience.

"Jinx and Bummer?" - he asked cutting me off in a bit slurring voice. - "Those are some interesting names." - he said focusing his dark eyes on my babies, while all I wanted was to shield them with my body. For some reason, he made me very uneasy, even though he's my best friend's Mate now, I still couldn't find myself to relax in his presence.

"Am, yes. I come up with them to commemorate their unfortunate beginning." - I said awkwardly, thinking about polite ways to get the hell away from him.

"Oh really, and what was so unfortunate about it?" - he asked turning his gaze to me, what made me even more uncomfortable, because under his dark like abyss eyes I felt ti exposed, as if he could look into my mind and soul. Really creepy feeling.

"I found them in the woods. Their mother was tied to the tree and I think she died not long after giving birth to them. I wanted them to know that no matter how much bad luck they had in their first days, they still can be happy in their life, so the names are to… mock the fate… That's stupid… I'm sorry, Alpha… I'm blabbering now… We should go." - I said turning around hoping for a safe escape.

"Mock the fate. I like that." - he said stopping me in my tracks, because I didn't want to disrespect him, buy running away when he was still talking, who knows how he could react. - "You're that warrior's sister, aren't you?"

I turned once again to face him and nodded. - "Yes, Alpha. I'm Sasha and my brother Vanya is indeed your warrior."

He nodded watching me closely with his scrutinizing eyes and a cold shiver run down my spine. - "I heard he is quite good."

I wanted to burst out laughing, because good wouldn't even be close to describe Vanya, who would probably be able to take the man in front of me down. But I wasn't that strong, so I nodded again.

"Yes, Alpha, he is." - I said looking down on my feet.

We stayed in perfect silence for a moment, where seconds dragged as hours and all I could think of was how misfortune one must be to ran into the last person in the world they want to talk with.

"You don't have to be this tense, I don't bite." - he finally spoke.

"I'm sorry, old habits." - I said awkwardly cringing internally from that small lie. - "But, if you don't mind me asking, where is Claudia? I couldn't reach her all day." - I asked shifting to more safe topic.

He watched me for a moment with creased forehead as if he was trying to remember something really hard, but come out empty-handed.

"How should I know." - he told me finally and this time it was my turn to look baffled.

"I thought you two spent the last night together…" - I muttered in absolute confusion, but before I could finish my sentence his cold, hard stare made me choke on my own words.

"And why would I do that?" - he asked in most threatening tone and I knew no matter what I say next I would end up in big trouble, so it's best to get my facts straight.

"B-because she's your Mate."

He got to me so fast, that I didn't even blink before he was pinning me by the throat to one of the trees. Jinx and Bummer started barking viciously, but they did dare to approach or even attack the bigger predator.

"Let me get this absolutely clear, I have no Mate, and I don't ever want one. And if I hear you say that again, we'll have another problem. Understood?" - he asked in a low voice and I was absolutely terrified what he might do next, especially here, where no one aside from my boys would witness it.

I nodded frantically, because I wouldn't be able to get my voice out since he was still holding my throat.

With one last vicious glare he released me, making me slump on the snow-covered ground, where I was immediately engulfed in a furry hug from my boys. I wrapped my arms around them in utter terror, while I listened to footsteps disappearing in the distance.

When I was sure he was far away a choking sob escaped my lips while I snuggled even harder in my dogs warm bodies.

What a horrible man. I know there's a lof of bad seeds like him, but his unpredictability makes him that much more dangerous. A man like him shouldn't be an Alpha, at least not when he was constantly intoxicated. But it's not like I can do anything about it.

However, what was worrying me more, were his words. If Claudia wasn't with him, why hasn't she answered my call? I need to make sure, my best friend is alright, because with a man like Benson VanWoert you can never be sure.