The True Alpha

Chapter 1

“I can’t believe you’re really doing this.” Kari looked at her father with clear disdain.

“We’ve discussed this,” he said, sighing as he rubbed his forehead. “We’ve gone over it so many times I’ve lost count, Kari. He’s been visiting this pack for years. You’ve always known this was the plan since he was a child. I’ve made it clear that I want him to return, to take up his father’s role.”

Kari stared at him, speechless.

Her father, Ty, was the current alpha of the Green River Pack, a small werewolf pack in the Midwest. He sat behind his desk in the alpha’s office, looking more exhausted than she’d ever seen him.

Ty was tall and thin, with piercing blue eyes. He’d been bald for as long as Kari could remember, but age had caught up to him quickly. In the past few years, especially since Kari’s mother died, he’d withered under the weight of leadership. His face had grown gaunt, his cheeks hollow, and deep purple bags had taken permanent residence under his eyes.

Kari hated seeing her father like this, but she couldn’t bring herself to support his plan.

Ty was never meant to be alpha, a fact that he was constantly reminding Kari of. She suspected that he wouldn’t have even wanted to be beta except that the previous alpha, David, had been his best friend. David had died after his mate was murdered and their only child, an infant at the time, was kidnapped. Ty hadn’t wanted to be alpha, but when there was no one there to fill it, he had stepped up.

“Dad is right, you know?” Mia piped up from the couch, where she lounged like a teenager instead of an adult. “He always said Evan would be alpha someday.”

“But he hasn’t visited in what, three years?” Kari snapped. “I haven’t seen him in five. I was at the academy when he last came. Wasn’t he supposed to return when he turned twenty? That was the plan. But he’s, what, twenty-three... twenty-four now?”

“Twenty-four,” Ty confirmed, leaning back in his chair. “He worked for the Werewolf Council for a few years. We discussed it while he was still in the academy. Evan wanted the experience. Thought it would help prepare him for being alpha. At the time, I agreed.”

“Does he even want to come back?” Kari asked, lowering herself into the cracked leather armchair and absently tracing the splits in the armrest.

Ty frowned. “He has hesitations. We’ve talked about them. I asked him to take a six-month leave from the council for a trial period here. He agreed… though I’ll admit he was reluctant.”

“So he doesn’t want to be alpha.” Kari folded her arms tightly across her chest.

“His adopted brother left the council four months ago. They were close. Evan’s unsure what he wants. We thought distance from the council might help him figure that out.”

“Well, I don’t think someone who didn’t grow up here should lead this pack,” Kari said, narrowing her eyes. “He doesn’t know us. He doesn’t know what we need.”

“It’s not his fault he didn’t grow up here,” Mia said, frowning. “He was kidnapped by a lunatic, remember?”

“I know that.” Kari’s voice rose as she glared at her sister. “That’s not the point. He could’ve visited more. He could’ve come back after the academy to learn from Dad. Instead, he’s been off playing politics.”

“This pack is his birthright,” Ty said firmly. “He’s the last living descendant of this pack’s original alpha.”

“But no one’s going to accept an alpha they don’t even know,” Kari argued.

“You’re just saying that because you want to be alpha,” Mia muttered.

“I do.” Kari didn’t flinch. “I’ve lived here my whole life. I’m one of the best warriors in this pack. I studied at the same academy Evan did but I know our people. I understand what they need. I can lead better than some stranger.”

“He’s not a stranger,” Ty said, sounding tired. “The pack loved his father.”

Mia wrinkled her nose. “I’ve heard Alpha David was considered weak.”

“You’ve been listening to Mark again.” Ty waved his hand dismissively. “There was bad blood between him and David. David was a good alpha. Better than I’ve ever been.”

“Don’t say that.” Kari frowned. “You’ve worked hard for this pack. People respect you.”

“Maybe, but we’re still losing members. If I were a great alpha, that wouldn’t be happening. We’re down to maybe sixty wolves. Something has to change, and I think Evan is that change.”

“What if he decides not to stay?” Mia asked.

“Then Kari will take over,” Ty said. “We’ll follow traditional rules of succession.”

Kari watched him rub his forehead and felt a stab of guilt. He was trying his best, and she knew her arguments only added to his stress.

“I need to finish some things before Evan arrives,” Ty said after a pause. “He’ll be here later today. I expect both of you to welcome him.”

The sisters left the office, and Kari headed to her room with Mia trailing close behind. As soon as they entered, Mia flopped onto Kari’s bed. It was a familiar routine. The two were only a year apart and had grown up side by side. They looked alike, too. Both blond but while Kari had inherited their father’s bright blue eyes, Mia had their mother’s deep brown ones.

“Maybe he won’t stay,” Mia offered, as if trying to comfort her. “Maybe he won’t even like it here. Joe says no one wants anything to do with him.”

Kari shrugged as she dropped into a chair. “Don’t put too much stock in Joe’s opinion. Dad’s right. His dad hated the old alpha. Even Joe admits that. And some people do want Evan back. They talk about him being a True Alpha because both his parents were descended from original alpha lines. Supposedly, he’s stronger than normal. A gifted warrior.”

Mia sighed. “Goddess knows we could use better warriors. Besides you, our ranks are a joke.”

She sat up, more serious now. “Dad’s not wrong about the pack shrinking. A strong alpha builds a strong pack.”

“Yes, but…” Kari chewed on her lip. “We know this pack. We know what it needs.”

“We do,” Mia agreed, her voice softening. “But you know how Dad is. He’s always talked about Evan like he’s perfect. He’s going to push for him no matter what.”

“I know.” Kari leaned back in her chair, sighing heavily. Her sister was right. Ty had always treated Evan like a golden boy. But Kari remembered his visits. He’d been angry and brooding as a teen, not some flawless prodigy. She especially remembered the mess he caused at fifteen when he hooked up with a high-ranking warrior’s daughter. Ty had to smooth that over quickly.

Of course, Ty had dismissed it later, calling it a dumb teenage mistake. When Kari brought it up recently, he’d brushed her off again.

She closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. There was no changing her father’s mind. Ty wanted Evan here. But maybe… hopefully, Evan would be smart enough to see he didn’t belong.

“I’m going to find Joe,” Kari said, standing. She needed to get out, blow off some steam. Joe was good for that.

“Have fun,” Mia muttered, rolling her eyes.