Alpha Jake
When I woke up, my head felt like it had been put in a blender. My body was heavy, and the world around me seemed to spin with every blink. I groaned and tried to sit up, but the wave of dizziness made me fall back down.
“Take it easy, Alpha,” Lucas’s voice reached me from nearby. He was sitting next to the bed, his face filled with concern. “You’ve been through a lot.”
I rubbed my temples, forcing my brain to stop swimming in circles. “I’m fine,” I muttered, though the weakness in my voice betrayed me. I glanced around, my vision still a bit blurry, trying to take in my surroundings.
It was clear I wasn’t at the pack mansion anymore. The room was small and simple, made of bamboo and thatch, with a scent of herbs hanging heavily in the air.
“Where are we?” I asked, my throat dry as I forced myself to sit up more slowly this time.
Lucas leaned forward, his voice low and careful. “We’re in one of the witch tribe’s huts. They found you after you fell off the cliff.”
I closed my eyes, the memory of that attack flashing in my mind. The rogues, the ambush… They pushed me, and I thought that was it. But here I was, still breathing. “How long have I been out?”
“A day,” Lucas said quietly. “You’ve been in and out of it. They’ve been taking care of you.”
Before I could ask more, an elderly woman entered the room. She had a calm air about her, like she’d seen everything and was no longer rattled by life’s chaos. Her grey hair was tied back, and she carried a staff adorned with feathers. She smiled kindly when she saw me awake.
“You’re looking better,” she said in a gentle, soothing voice. “I’m Amelia. My tribe found you after the fall.”
I forced a small smile. “I owe you my life. Thank you.”
Amelia waved a hand, dismissing the gratitude. “We help those who need it. Your parents, Alpha George and Luna Helena, were good friends to us. They helped our tribe many years ago, so we are simply returning the favor.”
Hearing my parents’ names stung. Memories of them filled my head—their strength, their wisdom. They were taken by the rogues too. I clenched my jaw, feeling that familiar fire rise in my chest. “The rogues killed them. And now, they are trying to kill me.”
Amelia’s expression softened. “I am deeply sorry for your loss. We didn’t know of their disappearance.”
I let out a long breath, trying to push the pain aside. “The rogues are not acting on their own. Someone is controlling them. I need to find out who, but for now, I need everyone to believe I’m dead.”
Lucas shot me a look of surprise. “Why keep it a secret?”
I met his gaze firmly. “If they think I’m dead, they’ll let their guard down. It’ll give me the chance to move freely, figure out who’s behind this, and stop them before they strike again.”
Lucas seemed to consider this, his brow furrowed. After a long moment, he nodded. “Alright. I’ll go back and inform the pack. I’ll tell them the rogues ambushed us, that your body was lost in the river when they pushed you.”
I nodded, appreciating his understanding. “Good. We need to act fast.”
Amelia stepped closer, her wise eyes locking onto mine. “We can help you more than you know, Alpha Jake. Our tribe has gifts beyond healing. We work with nature, with spells. If you need to move undetected, we can help you.”
Her offer caught my attention. “What do you mean?”
She gestured to a small table in the corner of the room, covered with herbs, vials, and scrolls. “I can create a potion that will make you invisible, not just to the eye but also to the senses. No wolf will be able to pick up your scent or hear your movements.”
That piqued my interest. Werewolves rely on their senses—sight, smell, hearing. If she could block all of that, it would give me a massive advantage. “That would be useful.”
Amelia gave a small nod. “It’s not permanent. The potion will work for short periods, but it could give you the time you need to escape or gather information.”
I glanced at Lucas, who was listening intently. He nodded slightly, as if telling me to go for it.
“And the mask,” Amelia continued, picking up a small box from the table. She opened it, revealing a thin, smooth mask inside. “This will cover not only your face but your scent as well. You’ll be able to move around your pack without anyone knowing it’s you.”
I carefully took the mask from her hands. It was lightweight, almost like fabric, but much more flexible. “No one will recognize me?”
She smiled. “Not even the closest member of your pack. It shifts your appearance entirely.”
I held the mask in my hands, realizing the possibilities it presented. If I could walk among my pack, observe without being seen, I could learn so much. “This is perfect. I didn’t expect this level of help.”
Amelia gave a slight bow. “We have our way. We owe you and your family this much.”
Lucas stood up from his chair, a determined look on his face. “I’ll return to the pack and spread the news of your ‘death.’ You stay here, rest, and plan your next move.”
I nodded, grateful for his loyalty. “Be careful, Lucas. The rogues will be watching.”
“I know,” he replied with a grim smile. “But they’ll never see me coming.”
After he left, I turned back to Amelia. “How long will it take to prepare the potion?”
“Just a few hours,” she said, already moving to her table and starting to mix herbs and liquids. “In the meantime, you should rest. You’ve been through a lot, and your body needs time to recover.”
As much as I wanted to argue, I knew she was right. My limbs still felt like lead, and my head wasn’t fully clear yet. “Thank you, Amelia. I’ll rest, but I’ll need to leave as soon as possible.”
She nodded without looking up, focused on her work. “Of course. By morning, everything will be ready.”
I lay back down, trying to quiet my mind. The past few days had been chaotic, and now I had to lie low, let the world believe I was gone while I worked in the shadows.
It wasn’t the way I imagined leading my pack, but if it meant keeping them safe and finding out who was behind the attacks, I would do whatever it took.
As I drifted off to sleep, I felt a renewed sense of purpose. With Amelia’s help and Lucas covering my tracks, I had a fighting chance. And I wasn’t going to waste it.
By the time morning arrived, Amelia approached me with the potion and the mask. “It’s ready, Alpha Jake,” she said with a warm smile.
Amelia handed me the pouch containing the potion, and I could feel the power in the tiny blue orbs inside. “Remember, it will only last a few minutes at a time. Use it wisely.”
I nodded, taking the pouch and the mask. “Thank you. I won’t forget this.”
She bowed slightly. “May the spirits guide you. Stay safe, Alpha.”
With that, I slipped on the mask, feeling it mold perfectly to my face, erasing my identity. I took one last look at Amelia, then headed out of the hut, ready to take on the unseen enemy threatening my pack.
The hunt was on.