The True Alpha

Chapter 3

Kari left the pack house and walked across the road to the training fields. The area included a track and several sparring rings. Beyond that, near the edge of the woods, stood the training hall, a squat, two-story building that housed indoor sparring rings, a full gym, and warrior meeting rooms.

She spotted Dustin and Joe sparring in a ring near the training hall. Both were decent fighters, but Kari could take either of them down. She had trained at the werewolf academy, a prestigious place for elite warriors. While most alphas, betas, and gammas were expected to attend, any talented warrior could apply. Not many from Green River had gone, but she had. She had only returned to the pack about a year ago. Dustin had never applied, but Joe had, and Kari knew he’d been upset when he wasn’t accepted while she was.

Joe knocked Dustin to the ground. Dustin raised his hands in surrender before Joe could pin him.

“Done,” Dustin gasped, clearly out of breath.

Joe offered a hand and pulled him up. Both men were tall, over six feet. Joe had shaggy black hair that nearly fell into his gray eyes, while Dustin’s short blond hair framed his blue ones. Joe was leaner, but both were strong.

Joe was Beta Mark’s son, and Dustin was Gamma George’s.

“Hey, Kari,” Joe called, wiping sweat from his brow. He wore only a pair of black athletic shorts. His bare chest caught her attention, and she couldn’t help admiring the view.

“You just missed the fun,” Dustin said with a grin, his face red and slick with sweat.

“I’m sure I can find some of my own,” she murmured, eyes flicking to Joe, who smirked at her.

“Oh, I’m sure you will,” Dustin said, rolling his eyes. He grabbed his shirt and water bottle. “I’m going to shower. You two stay out of trouble.”

Kari watched him go, then turned back to Joe. He gave her a wolfish grin.

“What’s your plan?” he asked, bending to pick up his shirt.

“I’m open to ideas.”

“I heard Evan’s arriving today.”

She narrowed her eyes. “Way to kill the mood.”

He laughed. “Sorry. Just curious. Have you seen him yet?”

“No,” she replied. “And I’m not sure I want to.”

Joe motioned for her to follow, and they walked side by side toward the training hall. He was tall, but so was she. Kari had inherited her father’s height and stood just under six feet. They walked around the building to the far side, near the woods. Not many people came this way, making it the perfect place for private conversations… or things you didn’t want others to catch you doing.

Kari leaned against the wall, facing the forest. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, inhaling the pine scent drifting in on the wind. When she opened her eyes, Joe was in front of her. He placed one hand on the wall beside her head and the other around the back of her neck, tilting her head to kiss her softly. She ran her hands up his chest and looped her arms around his neck.

His tongue slipped into her mouth, tangling with hers. She threaded her fingers through his thick, shaggy hair and tugged gently. He made a low sound in his throat and pressed his hips against her.

Stop! Nova, her wolf, yelled in her head.

Kari pulled back, and Joe raised a brow.

“Alright?”

“Umm…” She gently pushed him away, and he stepped back. “My wolf’s being weird.”

He placed his hands on either side of her head and leaned in, kissing down her neck.

“How so?” he murmured between kisses.

Tell him to stop! Nova insisted.

Why? Kari asked, confused.

She had been hooking up with Joe regularly since returning from the academy. Nova had never objected before.

I just don’t like it, Nova replied, pacing restlessly in her head.

Joe dragged his teeth along her jawline and nipped her earlobe. She ran her hands down his side as he kissed her neck, lifting her shirt.

Nova howled louder, and Kari let out a frustrated sigh. She couldn’t even enjoy it.

Joe finally pulled back, watching her.

“I take it Nova’s not calming down.”

“I don’t know what her deal is, but she’s really ruining this for me.” Kari rubbed her eyes, trying to tune her wolf out.

Joe leaned in for another kiss, pressing his tongue into her mouth. He slid a hand under her shirt, cupping her breast over her bra, pressing his hips against hers so she could feel how hard he was.

Nova howled again.

Kari stiffened.

“This isn’t happening, is it?” Joe whispered against her lips.

She sighed and he stepped back, offering a pained smile.

“I’m sorry,” she said, noting the discomfort in his posture as he turned away.

“Don’t apologize.” He looked over his shoulder with a real smile. “We can always find time later.”

“I think Evan showing up has me on edge. Nova’s probably picking up on it.”

“That makes sense. You should be alpha.” Joe faced her fully, having regained his composure. “I don’t understand why your father insists on Evan. You grew up here. You know what this pack needs.”

Kari sighed, leaning back against the wall. “He says it’s Evan’s birthright. That Evan’s a True Alpha because of his bloodline.”

“So what if you’re not from an alpha line?” Joe said with a frown. “Not all packs follow bloodlines. Some choose their alphas differently.”

“I know. But Dad won’t hear it. He believes Evan will make a good leader.” She shrugged. “Maybe he will.”

“Maybe. But that doesn’t mean you couldn’t be better. You and I grew up here. We know what our pack needs.” He looked away, shaking his head. “What happens to us if Evan becomes alpha? Who will be beta and gamma?”

“Dad said Evan can choose from any of the children of ranked members.”

Joe scowled. “He’ll never pick me. My aunt killed his mom and kidnapped him. He’ll never want me around. He’ll probably banish me just for being related to her.”

“He’s not an asshole,” Kari said quietly.

“How do you know?” Joe challenged. “When was the last time you even saw him? It was before you left for the academy. You weren’t even here on his last visit.”

“I think I was sixteen.”

“And now you’re twenty-one. That’s five years. People change a lot in five years. Besides, it’s not like he stayed long when he visited. Three weeks, tops. He’s had plenty of time to decide how much he hates my family.”

“I think you’re being unfair.” She stepped closer to him. “You never even knew your aunt, and your dad has been loyal to mine for years. Evan has to see that.”

Joe turned away, staring into the trees. His shoulders were tense. Kari didn’t know why she felt the need to defend Evan. She didn’t even know him that well. On his visits, he’d always been quiet and distant.

“Let’s head back,” Joe said finally. “I need a shower.”

She fell into step beside him.

“Things will be fine,” he said as they neared the pack house. “You’ll see. Everything will work out the way it’s supposed to. I feel it in my gut.”

She smiled at him. “I hope your gut is right.” She started to head toward the side of the pack house.

“Where are you going?”

“For a run,” Kari told him. “Maybe if I let Nova out, she’ll chill.”

“Good idea. She was a total c**k block.”

Kari laughed. Joe followed her toward the woods behind the house. At the tree line, he caught her hand and pulled her close.

“I’m going to shower,” he murmured, arms around her waist, eyes flicking to her lips. “Be safe. Save some energy for later.”

She smiled. “Sounds good.”

He kissed her, long and slow, leaving her slightly breathless when he pulled away.

Grinning, he stepped back. “See you later.”