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Raff

I was sitting in the Ceremony hall listening to my father drone on about how much of an insult it was to have a female take the title of alpha when a scent caught my attention. As soon as I smelt it I felt myself start to shift as my wolf Neil yelled “MATE!!!” he screamed so loud I almost jumped out of my seat. Before anyone can realize I am out of my seat, and at the exit. My dad looked over just in time to see my back disappear through the door. When I pushed the door open the setting sun shined right in my eyes blinding me for a second as I tried to block it out. My eyes adjust quickly, and I bring my arm down as I make my way towards the treeline that is just a few feet in front of me. I glance around the parking lot to see if anybody is out there only to realize that was the very wrong move. What I see stops me dead in my tracks. I looked over just in time to see the backdoor to a sleek black Infiniti q50 2018 opens, and when it did, time froze. Her scent hit me like a ton of bricks, and Suddenly Neil was calm. Almost purring at the black gown that fell out.

For a moment I forgot why I even went out the door, because the woman wearing that dress was so beautiful I felt as if I couldn’t even breathe. Without wanting to, I watched as a tall brown haired wolf took her hand to help her out. I instantly want to rip out his throat for touching her. I felt Neil growl, and scratch to get to the surface, but as I moved forward to get to them she stood up, and the orange rays from the sun hit her beautiful face. Once again I am frozen when she stands, and looking up her green eyes meet mine, and I am mesmerized. A flicker of a smile passes her pink lips before it is gone again, and we stare at each other for a moment taking in each other's features. Her long golden brown hair shows a hint of red in the lighting, and I can see her high cheekbones through the makeup. Her deep set green eyes show mystery, power, and control. While her slender frame is draped in an exquisite black gown that does little to hide her curves and muscle underneath. Out of the corner of my eye I see a black haired wolf come out of the driver side of the car, and walk around the car to take her arm. As soon as he touches her I instantly get furious all over again, and begin to shift.

Realizing this I break eye contact and run into the forest just in time for Neil to take over. He is so angry about not only one, but two males putting their hands on my mate. When we caught the scent of a rabbit we instantly went after it. It didn’t take long to catch it but when we did he let out all of his anger on the rabbit. “How dare they touch our mate! She is mine! MINE!” As he says this I remember her angelic face, and how the light shone in her eyes, and that flicker of a smile on her soft pink lips,and once again a calm settles over Neal once more. I felt my jaw open and the rabbit slid out lifeless as Neil purrs at the image of our mate. I knew I wouldn’t be able to run forever, or stay in my wolf form through the whole ceremony. Even though I have never been able to control my wolf well I would have to today. I couldn’t let anybody find out she is my mate, or what my wolf looks like. If they did we would both be in danger, so I decided to run back to the ceremony hall letting off a little bit more steam as I do. As I run I try to mentally prepare myself for what is to come. At the edge of the forest I shift back into my human form not wanting anybody to see. I quickly put on a spare change of clothes I always keep with me just in case. As I walk up I see a few people standing around outside. Looks like we missed the speech I think to myself as I walk in through the door. It is loud at this point, and many wolves are talking and laughing amongst themselves. I hear a few mentions of the new alpha, but before I can get too far a female wolf comes up to me and places her hand on her shoulder. I shudder at the touch of another female who isn't my mate. I look down and see she is wearing a very low cut red dress that is skin tight, and barely covers her thighs in length. I internally roll my eyes wondering why this always happens to me.

“Hey handsome,” she says, moving her arm on my shoulder down to my chest, and slowly drawing on my chest. Just her touch is making me feel disgusted, and is upsetting Neil who is already growling. I sigh as I resist the urge to throw her across the room.

“I’m not interested” is all I say as I shrug her hand off me leaving her pouting before she wanders off to find her next prey. I make my way through the crowd to find my father, and curse him when I find him on the other side of the room standing close to the stage he is speaking with the now former alpha Lowell along with his wife Alice, and daughter whom I didn’t even know the name of.When I look at the daughter I freeze not ready to speak with her, instantly Neil starts purring, and my heart starts beating wildly in my chest. She looks over just in time to make eye contact with me. Her smile never falters as she looks back at my father to answer a question. I turn around ready to leave when I hear my father call my name.

“Raff get over here, and say hello to the new ‘alpha,” he chuckles at the last part making air quotes with his fingers. I roll my eyes, and curse my father under my breath already knowing where this is headed before I turn back around, and head over to say hello.

“Hello, my name is Raff it is a pleasure to meet all of you.” I say respectfully looking at each of them. Not wanting to make things worse than I already know my father will, and trying not to give anything away. As Neal goes crazy with us being so close to our mate I try to keep a fake smile up, but I'm finding it hard to take my eyes off of the goddess in front of me. Being even this close to her is both the worst torture ever as Neil is scratching and clawing to the surface for us to be closer, and the best blessing I have ever recieved as i can see her features more clearly. In this lighting her hair looks golden brown, and is curled, and clipped in an elegant manner looking almost like a glowing crown. While her face is angelic her deep set green eyes look almost glowing with power, and her high cheekbones highlight her soft face, and her button nose accents her full pink lips that are upturned in a polite smile.

“Oh come now there is no need to be so formal to these people Raff.” My dad begins snapping me out of my trance, and back into the conversation. “After all they did give the alpha title to not only a child but a female.” My dad says pointing at the new alpha. She seems to ignore his comment, purposely turning her head to face me, and smiles at me extending her hand.

“Hello Raff, the pleasure is all mine.” She smiles at me, and I can’t help but stare at her perfectly shaped lips, wondering what it would be like to kiss them. I extend my hand as well trying not to show anything. As soon as we touch I feel the sparks that travel from my hand through my arm. Neal and I immediately relax at her touch, and it instantly puts a relaxed smile on my face. She seems to not be affected by the sparks, maintaining her same smile she simply shakes my hand and releases saying, “my name is Nina.” Giving me one last glance she turns her attention back to my father. “As far as I am aware Alpha Leroy the twelve great packs all approved of this ceremony, so wouldn’t it then be the packs who gave me this title, and not my father?” She asks with a glint to her eye, and a crease in her brow in a mock question. I couldn’t help myself with the look my father got when she said those words I began to laugh, but quickly covered it with a cough. Her smile however never faltered, and my father began to stutter, as not even a part of the twelve can go against the orders. Seeing my reaction he shot me a glare, and squared his shoulders.

“I still feel you are not fit to be alpha.” He stated in a resounding tone. “As such I Alpha Leroy challenge you Alpha Nina for the position of Alpha of the Valley Pack,” He says while pushing his head up to look down on Nina, which he didn’t have to as she is a relatively short wolf. I look at my dad in shock, unable to maintain my composure anymore I become enraged, but still try to reason with my deranged father.

“Dad!” I exclaim, “I know you might not like her being alpha, but don’t you think this is taking things a bit too far?!” I plead as he levels a glare at her. When I say this he swiftly turns his anger towards me.

“Shut up boy!” he yells, turning to face me while pointing at me. “You will do as you're told! You are not alpha yet!” hearing such makes me gulp. We both know I don’t want the position of alpha. I might be born alpha, but I know if I became alpha it would put my pack in danger. While me and my father are busy having a staring match we hear Alpha Nina speak, and both our heads snap to her with what she says. My eyes holding surprise, and a hint of fear I attempt to silently plead with her to not do it.

“I, Alpha Nina, accept your challenge for the alpha title.” She stands straight, not blinking, holding a stern expression at my father. All remnants of a smile are gone from her face as she looks at him. The look in her eyes sends a cold shiver down my spine, suddenly a voice snaps me back to the situation.

“Let all who are here tonight witness this.” Lowell says his voice booming across the ceremony hall with a surprising calmness to it. All eyes turn to us. Nina’s face is blank, and it is almost impossible to read her expression except for the fury in her eyes. For a second I begin to wonder what has made her so angry when another voice speaks up.

“Let’s take this outside shall we?” Alice asks with a gentle voice. Both my father and I are surprised by how calm the three seem. I wonder if her parents realize who she is about to fight with.

My dad is known for being ruthless and strategic in battle. He has never lost a fight before. Yet they all seem unaffected by all of this. As the three walk calmly towards the exit where there is an empty parking lot, they greet people as they go acting like everything is fine. Leaving my father and I speechless as to what we just saw. At this point Neil wants to kill my father before he even has a chance to lay a hand on my mate, and I don’t blame him, because I do too. We slowly step forward to the exit coming back to our senses with people watching all around.

Once we are outside people slowly start to leave the hall to come witness what would truly be an amazing day in history. The other ten alphas and future alphas of the twelve packs begin to speak amongst themselves as they all make sure to sit front and center. Most of them have twisted grins on their faces while one of them is even laughing. I begin to panic, and I think they have all gone mad. My mate is about to get herself killed, or hurt and they are laughing like this is some kind of sick joke. All because my father is a sexist ass hole. I want to take her place and protect her, and challenge my father in her stead, but I know this will result in something much more dangerous than what is about to ensue. People are still coming to watch the show. My eyes scan the crowd looking for my mate when I look over to see the two male wolves who were with Nina earlier are talking to her. The brown haired wolf is speaking to her while the one with black hair gives her a hug, whispers something in her ear, and walks away shifting to keep the crowd back. I am already furious and anxious about the fight, but seeing another male touch her I come close to shifting. Keeping myself in check, knowing if my father finds out she is my mate he will surely kill her, and probably force me to be alpha out of spite. He wants me to marry a submissive woman of his choice. Resisting the urge to shift at any moment. I look up when I feel someone shift, and for a second I actually think it might be me, but I realize it is the black haired wolf who gave Nina a hug earlier. His wolf is black with dark brown and red spots all over. He keeps circling the area to make sure nobody gets too close. I look back over at Nina, and see the boy with brown hair is still talking to her. She has a smile on her face despite the situation, and gives him a brief hug before he steps back with her parents who are watching closely for what happens next. Though her parents are watching closely I can tell it isn’t a worry for their daughter. In fact their eyes are showing concern for my father who ignores all of the looks he is getting by removing his shirt before handing it to me stepping into the circle. To everyone’s surprise Nina simply steps forward without even bothering to remove her heels. She looks confident and powerful as she stands in front of my father. When I see the scene in front of me unfolding almost in slow motion Neil comes forward, and I don’t know if I will be able to hold him in check.

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