The Long Lost Alpha

Chapter 1: Crimson Snow

Theo’s P.O.V

The forest grew denser as Kai, my wolf, galloped through the trees. We were both exhausted but the growls behind us kept getting louder. There was no escape.

“I don’t know how long I can keep going like this, Theo!” Kai mind-linked me, his voice weak.

Despite the situation we were in, all I could offer were my words of encouragement. I hoped it would suffice, “I know, Kai. You’re doing great. We only have to lose these feral rogues and hide our scent.”

My brave wolf only replied with a whimper as he continued to run deeper into the dark forest. Lucky for us, Kai was a great runner and we were always miles ahead from getting ripped apart. But, the sound of paws pounding against the ground wrecked us with terror.

Fear. A feeling I wasn’t familiar with for a long time. At least that was the case until cruel rogues terrorized our homes. The Willow Den was a peaceful village of innocent banished wolves, especially Omegas. We were rogues but we had our own community, unlike the feral rogues that ran free.

We were happy, we were free. But, that too didn’t last for long. The feral wolves teamed up with an evil witch and cast a poisonous spell on the village. Everyone started falling to their death like flies, including my own mother.

Much to my surprise, the spell had no effect on me but the feral rogues didn’t want to leave a single witness behind. That was why Kai was bolting through the trees, hopping over fallen logs from time to time.

“What is this, a hurdle course? Doesn’t anyone clear this place up?” Kai complained as he jumped over a fallen Oak trunk.

To be honest, it was the first time we were in such a situation. Like my villagers, I was a peaceful person until there was a threat against my loved ones. The injustice before my eyes stirred up something in me and my wolf—a sense of purpose.

We were miles away from the ashes of The Willow Den. Yet, the screams of my village people still echoed in my ears. Even though all I wanted was to run towards them and cradle their lifeless bodies in my arms, I couldn’t.

“We are rogues now. Packless, villageless wolves,” I mind-linked Kai, who whimpered in response.

With nothing left and no place to go, my mind shifted back to the situation at hand. I was certain that there was a safe way out of it. Unfortunately, it was not my day.

Without notice, when I least expected it, a big black wolf appeared from out of nowhere. The vicious wolf plunged at Kai, hurling him towards the trees with a thud. Kai whined in pain but not for long.

“Kai, get up buddy! Look, he's coming for us!” I alerted him.

With difficulty, Kai got back up and stood in front of the black wolf. But, as soon as we recognized the wolf as the one who tore through our house and set it on fire, wrath bubbled in my veins.

“It’s him! That scoundrel!” Kai growled with an unexpected surge of strength.

Launching himself on the rogue, Kai latched on to his neck, pulling him down to the ground. But, the sneaky rogue slashed Kai’s belly with his sharp nails, weakening us.

“Ugh! How did I not see that coming?” Kai barked in agony, drops of blood seeping through his white fur.

“I am so sorry, Kai. Let’s finish this rascal!” I said, pumping Kai up with adrenaline.

Much to our alarm, by the time Kai got back up, three more wolves were surrounding us. Outnumbered and inexperienced, they had us cornered. Despite all efforts, Kai’s defense deteriorated by the second with his deep wounds.

We were certain that we were about to die, but a howl from the distance attracted their attention. Adhering to the howl, they left Kai battered and almost not breathing. The rogues thought they were leaving behind a dead wolf.

“Play dead, Kai!” I mind-linked my wolf and he obeyed.

But, being the sarcastic wolf he was, he couldn’t let it go without an evil joke. Kai mind-linked me, “A little while longer and I wouldn’t have to pretend anymore. I will be dead for sure.”

“Kai!” I retorted and he scoffed in response.

As soon as they left, Kai mustered the remnants of his energy and crossed into what looked like a pack’s borders. Completely defeated, my once strong and silly wolf crashed down near a tree, unable to move on.

“You did good, buddy. Close your eyes and sleep now. I love you, Kai,” I whispered, sobs choking me.

Kai let out a loud exhale, a small smirk on his face and his puppy dog eyes filling my mind. The last thing I remembered was crimson patches of blood scattered over Kai’s white fur. With the forest as a witness, we prepared to breathe for the last time.

Cold and alone.

~.~

Unknown P.O.V

Leo ran as free as a bird through the field without a care in the world, exactly what a seven-year-old did. He turned around to locate me from time to time and I never failed to assure him with a small smile.

“Nana! Come on! We’re wasting time!” he shouted out, folding his tiny arms in front of his chest.

A short chuckle escaped my lips, “I’m coming, Leo.”

With a small wooden basket in hand, I followed my little grandson through the forest. Like every evening, we were there to pick some mushrooms and berries for dinner. Lucky for us, the forest was right behind our little hut and no one else walked through it. At least, that was until that fateful day.

“Nana! Help! Come quick!” Leo screamed in a panic.

My heart almost leaped out of my mouth in horror at the sound of his shriek. Dropping my basket, I pulled up the hem of my dress and began running towards him as fast as I could.

“Leo! Where are you? Nana’s coming, baby!” I yelled back, jumping over the tree roots with caution.

When I heard back no reply, I started looking out for this blue shirt between the brown trees. Finally, I spotted him in the distance, standing as still as a statue. Concerned, I ran towards him only to halt immediately when I saw the horrid sight.

“Nana, look.” Leo pointed down towards a huge white wolf lying on the ground. His otherwise clean fur had stains of blood but he was still breathing.

My grandson tugged at my dress, “Nana, is he dead? Can’t we help him?”

His innocence and his request tugged at my heart’s strings but it wasn’t that simple. We were members of a pack led by a strict, cold-blooded Alpha. On top of that, I knew very well that our pack did not have a white wolf, at least ever since the late Alpha. That meant the injured wolf in front of us was a rogue, a stranger.

But, there had been enough cruelty in our pack and our lives. It was high time for some kindness and compassion.

“Leo, run back to the house and fetch a pair of shorts from the storeroom cupboard. Oh, and the first aid kit too! But, be careful!” I instructed the energetic boy.

My grandson headed back to the house while I shifted my attention back towards the injured wolf. Crouching by his head, my shaky hands ran across his neck. Underneath my palm, I could feel him breathing with difficulty.

“You poor thing. What happened to you?” I said and the wolf rumbled.

His eyes fluttered open to reveal green irises that stared into my soul. After catching sight of me, the wolf shifted into a young man. Nasty cuts and scratches were all over his body, made by unkind wolves.

“Ouch,” Leo said and I realized that he was standing beside me.

After dashing to help the stranger into the pair of shorts with Leo’s help, I took my place beside the young man. Turning his face towards me, a vague feeling of familiarity bubbled within me. But, the sound of voices in the distance snapped me out of my thoughts.

“Leo! Come, help me carry him back to the house.” My obedient grandson followed, mustering all his strength.

After what felt like forever, I laid the unconscious stranger down on a cot in the corner of our humble abode. The water boiled on the coal stove while I wiped the blood off his face. Using my previous experience as a nurse in the packhouse, I collected herbs to make into medicine.

Despite the harsh and cruel leadership that we were under, I never left his bedside. The Goddess listened to my prayers and my efforts weren’t in vain. After days of care, the mysterious stranger opened his green eyes with a single doubt in his mind.

“Where am I?” he asked, his voice weak and husky.

Breathing a sigh of relief, I flashed him a small smile. Dabbing his forehead with a warm towel, I finally revealed our location.

“You’re in the Crimson Crest Pack.”