My Own Alpha

All my life, I've felt like an outcast of sorts.

I don't 'play' like other children, nor did I ' learn' like other children.

Constantly corrected, Isabella do this, Isabella do that, I feel stifled, maybe I'm not your standard definition of normal.

I mean for starters I'm a werewolf Princess of the North American kingdom.

My father Alpha William Voce of the Silverblood Pack and his Luna, my mother, Penelope govern the 9 major packs of North America, and all the smaller packs in between.

I am their only child, and they are the definition of over protective.

I want to train with the warriors! I want to talk battle strategies and plans to take down rouges that are invading the territory.

I'm not a normal fifteen year old girl.

I don't want to be a dainty wall flower.

Don't get me wrong, I can cook, clean, sew! Fix a hole or tear in anything, including skin!

I'm in every Freshman Honors class available, I've got the brains.

It's just the mediocrity of it all, ugh it would make anyone restless for something more.

Besides, I'm not a normal werewolf either.

Usually, typically, you get your first shift and get to meet your wolf when you turn 11 or 12, I've always had my wolf.

I shifted the first time at 6 days old, So Selene and I are like one. I can't remember a time when Selene was not with me.

My family has gone to great lengths to hide my wolf from everyone, explaining since I can remember that I was special.

Our line is blessed by the moon Goddess herself.

Every so often, a child is born with exceptional abilities.

My Grandmother Caroline, being the last before myself. Her gifts were minor compared to past ancestors born with The Gift, she can make anything that comes from the Earth grow plentiful, with a look and a wave of her hand.

Some of our ancestors could control the weather, or cause the earth to shake so violently it would crack.

I haven't found my ability yet, grandmother says it will take time, and can come any day now.

I love my grandma, she gets me.

Shes taught me so much throughout the years and has always been there for me.

Her wolf is just as glorious as she is, the beauty of her coat, a shimmering silver, her huge stature that could easily be compared to a large horse, and her Golden eyes with just a hint of white silver flecks, even in her human form she was breath taking.

For a woman of 75 she could put even the pups to shame.

I haven't been allowed to train with anyone except my grandmother and my father , we must keep my wolf hidden, and I am bored with their lessons.

Defend, run away... what about offense? Grandmother and Father both said I must wait until I discover my power, and until then we learn to defend ourselves. I mean I could at least learn how to knife fight , or learn how to shoot a handgun or something!

We feel like our gifts are being squandered here, Selene and I both wish to push the limit of our abilities.

We're strong. We can do it.

****

Today's the day! I'm gonna ask my father if I can train with the warriors!

I could feel the sweat collecting in my palms, as I walked down the long corridor to my father's study.

The suns rays shining through the beautiful stained glass windows, with a glorious Silver Dire wolf being the main focus of this colorful mosaic.

Its always been my favorite part of this entire mansion that served as our home and pack house.

The scent of sandalwood and rain hit my nostrils, 'Daddy' I thought to myself.

Then the scent of wet grass, Jonathon, I thought, my father's beta, they must be having a meeting.

Then a rancid unfamiliar scent wafted towards me, fucking gross, I thought.

I could hear raised tones as I approached the door, but it stopped abruptly as the door swung open unexpectedly.

Catching me off guard, was the creep on the other side.

Selene surfaced just enough to size him up, then subsided.

'What is it Selene?' I asked her through our link, ' Something about this man ... I dunno Ella, keep your distance..' Selene whispered back.

As if this creep could hear us speaking to each other, the man steps aside.

I immediately went on guard, stepping a few steps back.

" Now, now my sweet, do not be afraid." he said in a European accent I couldn't quite place, "It's good you are here, this meeting does involve you, after all, do come in." This creepy man says, as he gestures for me to enter.

He was well dressed, I'll give him that but his breath.... gross.

Even in an expensive suit, it's Hard to get past what could only be described as rotten meat, cigars, and tuna wafting from his mouth with every word he spoke.

'Please, come in Isabella.' said Jonathon, I looked to him gesturing for me to sit in one of the chairs next to my father's desk.

I walked in slowly, making sure to stay aware of this creepy man's every move.

'Something about him seems off, like his aura is tainted' Selene whispered to me, the mans head snapped to attention and he met my eyes.

I quickly look away, at my father, "What is going on father? Is Everything alright?" I asked uneasily.

Finally getting him to meet my gaze, he looked at me with sort of a painful sadness, that quickly turned to fury.

"This gentleman is Horatio, he is a representative of the European packs.."

*Horatio clears his throat*

"Specifically" my father continued in annoyance," the Royal Moon Pack.The King Alphas house."

He paused giving a stern look to this creep Horatio, clears HIS throat and continues." As you know we are the Royal cousins to this pack."

My Father looked at Horatio with disgust, then turns to me and says, " Your Cousin His Royal Heir Prince Xavier has recently come into the throne, and is looking for his future Luna."

"Your presence has been requested for judgment over the suitability of your match." Horatio said with a evil sneer. " As well as all of the princess' from every major pack around the world my dear."

My mouth dropped.

Wait, what?

I was stunned, what is this? It's the 21st century!

"What do you mean judgment over suitability? I am Xavier's second cousin, would it not be more suitable for him to find his Luna from a pack that is not so closely related? " I asked, as I stood next to the chair Jonathon had been gesturing to.

It was so strange,I've been in this room so many times before.

Sat right there in front of the huge fireplace, reading books from the many bookshelves that made up the walls of this room since I was able, while my father handled pack matters.

That feeling of familiarity was lost however with the presence of this Horatio.

'You are intelligent, my dear, but your knowledge of ceremony, tsk tsk. " Horatio practically whispered in my ear, but how, hes standing 3 feet away, at least.

Selene almost surfaced in my eyes, causing one of my emerald green eyes to flash gold for a split second, he was giving us both the creeps.

I looked to my father,asking, "What is he talking about?"

"This ceremony is both barbaric and ancient! No one has practiced this pointlessly brutal 'Trials' in 400 years Horatio!!' Jonathon spoke up.

"Why would Xavier , or Adaleena wish to put their future Luna through such torture? Only one will survive, we all have heard the history.", he finished with genuine concern in his voice.

"Xavier wishes to have the most powerful shewolf to bear his pups, to strengthen the Royal bloodline, his destined mate was killed... in an unfortunate accident... tragedy, truly, she was a magnificent creature." Horatio said, there was a hint of sarcasm behind his words.

"The Trials ensure the victor to be.. worthy of his highness. He cannot truly take the thrown until he marries, so the suggestion was made to hold the ceremony, due to it's swift nature."He continued after a brief pause to sniff the air.

My temper getting the better of me and against Selene's bodily warnings to be careful, I snapped at this creep with all the sass I could muster, " Listen creep, I'm not some bauble on a shelf to be gawked at and compared, nor am I a cow for breeding!!!"

Any normal girl would be excited to be considered by the prince to be the future Queen of all werewolves, but this?

Hearing about The Trials made my stomach churn, and this disgusting man wasn't helping.

" How dare y..." I tried to continue, but was cut short by a sudden blow to the side of my head.

I was suddenly flying across the room and over the desk towards the bookshelves, before I hit, I could feel my father catch me mid-air, landing with me standing upright.

Before I could catch my bearings, I felt a bony hand grasp my shoulder and yank me from my father's arms, pinning me against the wall by my neck and into something sharp.

I tried to free myself, but this man had me a foot off the floor.

I could feel the blood leaking down my neck from whatever Horatio had thrown me into, and was pushing me harder into still.

" YOU. WILL. DO. AS. YOU'RE. TOLD." he said in a deadly tone, as he gave me one final push, then let me fall hard to the floor, concussed.

The escalation of the situation was extreme, even for a werewolf.

"She will come!" my father said in a cautious voice, placing himself between me and that creep.

The door swung open suddenly, and in walked my Grandmother, my mother following right behind her.

"What is the meaning of this!" screamed my mother, as she saw me lying bloody and bruised on the floor.

She tried to cross the room to me but was stopped by Horatio, grabbing her by the neck he picks her up, examining her with great interest." You have Fae blood running through your veins." he said excitedly, as he inhaled deeply into my mothers neck.

My mother whimpers, trying to breath, she reaches for me, are those sparks coming out of her fingertips... but I was to disoriented by the sudden change in events.

Did he say Fae?

"Horatio, mind your manners in my house, lest you offend beyond repair, even for you." My grandmother practically gritted out through her teeth.

Taking one last deep sniff of my mother, he tosses her aside like a rag doll.

"Caroline, how is it you've never mentioned a half Fae daughter-in-law, tsk tsk, Adaleena will be surprised to learn this!" Horatio sneered with genuine excitement.

What are they talking about? My mothers not Fae, she's wolf!

My mother frantically makes her way over to me, not giving Horatio a second thought.

"Ella, your head sweetheart, what's going on?"she asks, I felt a sting as her hand started applying pressure to the gash on my scalp.

In the blink of an eye, Horatio appeared right in front of my grandmother, her wolf out of instinct took over.

Her casual sweater and slacks tearing to shreds as she shifted into her regal wolf, my grandmother stood tall and proud.

Ready to defend her family. She snarled in response to Horatio's sudden approach.

Horatio snickers, " You are a sight to behold madam.Why don't we save the fighting for another time? I come to deliver his highness' decree, Prince Xavier has called for the Trials of the Three Goddess' to acquire his Luna, your granddaughters presence has been requested."

In hearing this, my grandmother stops snarling.

She looks to one of the maids and shifts back into her human form, just as quickly as she had turned into her wolf.

The maid came hastily with a robe from the closet in the hall just outside and hands it to my grandmother.

Shes definitely not shy, but modest as she covers herself and turns to face Horatio."She will leave for the Royal Moon Pack first thing tomorrow morning."

I looked to my Grandmother, what is she thinking?

"I am to assume that I may accompany her on her journey?" Caroline asked Horatio with a stiff calmness.

" Queen Regent Adaleena has extended an invitation for Isabella Genevieve Voce, and Isabella alone."

"I see that there can be no protest, very well. Can Isabella have the courtesy of packing her things and saying her goodbyes. We must make arrangements for her absence, surely Prince Xavier can grant her this?" My father now spoke firmly.

"Make your arrangements, I will send a car for her first thing tomorrow morning." Horatio stated as he turned to leave, stopping at the door he turned and looked at me,"I can assure you the penalty for being late will be much more severe than today's little lesson in respect."

He gave my mother one final curious glance, turned on his heel and promptly left.

As soon as we were all sure he had left the mansion, and was far enough away, my grandmother turns to us and sighs.

It was like everyone in the room had stopped breathing, just waiting for it all to end

"Silvia, get me a drink please sweetheart. William, come here son. We need to talk, Ella you too." she says as she takes a seat on the sofa in my father's study.

Sylvia, my grandmother's personal assistant, brings the drink requested and politely stands aside.

After taking a long drink, Caroline said with worry in her voice,"This is not good William."