Gerald woke up five hours after the fight. All the pain in his body has already disappeared, all thanks to his alpha genes which makes his physique better than most. His consciousness slowly returned and, as soon as it came back to him entirely, the man shot up from his bed.
“Where is she!” The man demanded, referring to nobody else but Christina.
He didn’t remember what happened. How could he when the fight ended in a single second. He has no recollection of the instant defeat that he suffered and, that current moment is just as questionable for him. But before he could cause a scene, his wife entered the room.
“Dear, you need to calm down first.” Maria said.
“What happened to the fight? Why am I here?”
The answer is obvious. With him being in his home and resting, Gerald should know that he has been defeated. In fact, deep down he knows that this is true. Yet he does not want to acknowledge it. Not without him even having any memory of what happened.
“You…” The look on Maria’s face at that moment is enough for Gerald to know what happened.
“I lost?” He said as if the concept is foreign to him.
Maria nodded his head and this confirmed the biggest fear of the man. All of a sudden, his legs didn’t seem like they had enough strength to pull him back up anymore. The man remained sitting on his bed. Still registering the concept of losing.
It hurt his pride so much. But there is also a feeling that mixed with this as well. He doesn’t know how to describe it. An emotion that tampers the rage that would come from his wounded pride.
“How did it happen? How did I lose?” He asked in a calm tone. Surprising his wife who thought that Gerald would storm out of the house.
“Everyone is just as clueless as you are. Nobody saw what happened. All that’s clear to us is that you charged up your strongest move then disappeared from our line of sight.” Maria said. “The next thing we know, you are already on the ground and…she is sitting on top of your wolf form.”
“So she didn’t even transform?”
Maria shook her head. “She remained at her base form. At least, that’s as far as our eyes could confirm.”
“I see.” The man still has no idea how he’d take it. “Can you leave me alone for a moment? I need to think about this.”
“Okay honey.” Maria went out of the room.
…
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…
The day has finally ended for Christina Wolff. With the meeting done, she went back to the home that has been prepared for her. She told the people that she doesn’t want to take the house of the former Alpha, saying that she doesn’t want to leave this person homeless. Thankfully, there is a single home available where an old lady and her grandchild lives.
“Welcome home master!” A black haired girl approached Christina as soon as she went inside. This child bowed down to her, making Christina grin a bit.
“Master?” She repeated in an amused tone.
“Yes master.” The child raised her head. Showing eyes full of resolve and determination. “I want to be your disciple so please teach me your ways.”
Christina didn’t know how to respond. She has come across a lot of formidable opponents but, this is the first time that she is at a loss on what to do. Thankfully, the grandmother of the child came at that moment.
“Oh dear, please forgive the rudeness of this child, alpha.” She picked the child up from the floor. “She doesn’t know what she’s saying.”
“No it’s fine.” Christina said. “I like how she’s already filled with such resolve and determination at such a young age. I can see that she’ll have a promising future.”
The child’s eyes gleamed. “Really master? So you will teach me?”
“Ahhh enough of that Catrina, go and prepare the table for supper.” The grandmother pinched the cheek of the child. Making Catrina pout as she followed the orders given to her.
“She’s…how do I say it…lively?”
“Catrina has never been one who fit with the crowd. She always insists that she will be the next alpha and would always fight with children her age and even those older than her.” The grandmother said.
“It’s good that she’s like that.” Christina said in a warm tone. “What is your name ma’am?”
“Me? I am Gresinda Levine, alpha. My husband has long died and, the parents of Catrina were also taken from this world when she was just an infant.”
“I’m sorry to hear that ma’am.”
“Don’t be. Catrina helps me in the chores and, I’m still living a happy life Alpha.”
“Please don’t refer to me like that when we’re in the house. You can just call me Tin instead.” The alpha replied.
“But wouldn’t that be rude?” The old lady asked in a worried tone.
“It’s my personal decision ma’am, you don’t have to worry about it.” Christina smiled at the old lady.
“Very well. Shall we head for dinner then?”
As soon as Gresinda asked this, a knock came at their door. The old lady came to get it right away and, appearing on the other side is none other than Gerald. This surprised Gresinda. But as for Christina, there is a look on her face that seemed to say that she expected it.
“I’m guessing that you came for me?” Christina asked.
“I did.” Was Gerald’s short response.
“Ma’am, you can go and eat now. I’ll just have a few words with our dear visitor here.” She said, getting a nod from the old lady who did as she was told. Leaving the former Alpha and the new Alpha to themselves.
“Can we talk somewhere more private?” Gerald asked.
“Sure thing. Do you have a place in mind?” Christina got a nod in reply.
The two of them headed out of the house right away. Everyone from the pack looked at them in both curiosity and worry. They all thought that another fight might break out and, frankly speaking, nobody wants to go through the same thing that Christina has made them experience after the first fight.
At the same time however, nobody is bold enough to approach the two. There isn’t a single werewolf who would dare approach two alphas right after their fight. And so, Christina and Gerald are able to enter a part of the forest without any interruption.
“Everything has been explained to me.” Gerald immediately said.
“And what do you have to say about it?” Christina replied.
“What do I have to say about it?” Gerald chuckled. “There’s nothing to say really. You have defeated me fair and square, alpha.”
Being called alpha by the former one means that Christina’s strength has been recognized. This also confirms the things that have been told to her by her teacher. That there is something weird when it comes to the constitution of the male alphas.
“Aren’t you even angry about what happened? Don’t you want to fight me right now?”
“What good would that bring? I already know how big the gap in our strength is and, fighting you would just hurt my already wounded pride even more.”
“So why did you want us to talk in private then?”
“I already heard your plans from Alfred. How you plan to improve the quality of life of the pack.” Gerald said. “Frankly speaking, it’s just your first day and you’re already acting like a better alpha than I have been all my life.”
“I’m just doing what I think is right. There’s nothing praiseworthy about it.”
“Is that so.” Gerald stared at the eyes of Christina.
There is a look on it that told the alpha that, Gerald is thinking about a decision. It isn’t a normal one. And from what has been taught to Christina, she can already guess what this would be.
“Can I ask a favor from you then?” Gerald said.
“What is it?”
“Let me serve under you. I want to be your right-hand man alpha.”
The words finally came out. Christina isn’t shocked to hear this. In fact, the alpha had a smile form on her lips at that moment.
She has the former alpha completely submit to her will. This is the peculiarity that comes with the strongest of the werewolves. Although they are the natural born leaders of each pack, they also have one weakness. Just like the werewolves under them, they are naturally wired to submit to a stronger power.
This isn’t common knowledge. In fact, there aren’t any who knows of this since no other werewolf has ever defeated an alpha. It is only Christina who was capable of doing this. As such, the knowledge of this is limited to her and…to her master.
However, Christina isn’t fully convinced yet. She needs proof of Gerald’s conviction. Hence, she began asking him questions. Things which the old Gerald would not permit.
“Won’t your family be against this decision?”
“No. I already talked to them about it. And even though my son is against it, I’m sure that he’ll learn to appreciate this decision in time.”
“What about your loyal followers? Are you fine with being looked down upon?”
“It is of no concern to me. I have been defeated and so it’s only right that they treat me as a commoner as well.” Gerald said in reply.
This is nowhere near the werewolf which Christina faced in the battlefield. The fierceness of the former alpha is all but gone. Leaving nothing but a subservient man who seems to be more than eager to follow Christina through whatever path she will choose. And this is all because of the peculiarity of the alphas.
“Okay.” Christina said. “From now on you will be my personal bodyguard. You will be present wherever I go and you will help me to achieve my goals.”
“Yes alpha, thank you for granting me this honor.” Gerald went into a half kneel. “But what are these goals of yours?”
“Well, we’d start with the advancement of the pack and the preparations for winter of course. I’ll fill you in on the things that would come after that.” Christina tapped Gerald’s shoulder.
“As soon as we get back to the pack, you will announce your decision to everyone. I want them all to know that you are now my loyal follower. That way we can unify the members of the pack easier.”
“Yes alpha. Understood.”
“Good. Let’s head back then.” Christina began walking. “I think that’s enough bustle for me for this day.”