Chosen Alpha

by Rae Hendricks

  Instead of making them come to her and allowing werewolves to confront her in that tiny space, Annalise went out of the room and walked right into what looked like a pretty tense moment between three damn hot werewolves. The alpha had just been the tip of the iceberg. He had two ripped, dark-haired brothers to compete with him in the looks department. Was it a werewolf thing, or did these three in particular win the gene lottery?

  The three men turned to look at her as she twisted her black curls around her finger nervously. The interrogation was going to be brutal, and she would have few of the answers they wanted. It would have been insane of her not to be worried, even if they were all pretty to look at.

  She plopped herself down onto the couch and made herself comfortable, or as comfortable as she could get in the ancient furniture that adorned the gaudy cabin. It was like a cheesy obsession with Native American artifacts, but the cheap, fake versions. Who had decorated this disaster?

  “Alright, boys,” she said with a sigh, pulling them out of their angry glares at each other. “My name is Annalise, and I am a witch. Now that that is out of the way, let’s get going with this inquisition,” she announced, trying to mask her anxiety with dry humor.

  “Yes, we know that you’re a witch, and that is why I have tried to impress upon my older brother, Isaiah, that he must not be so lenient with you. This could all be a trick,” the tall dark one with the cigarettes in his pocket told her with a growl.

  “Enough, Orson!” the alpha growled back even louder, and Annalise noted that his name was Isaiah. Now, the only one she did not have a name for was the tall one with the long hair and the tribal tattoo on his shoulder. He looked between his two brothers as if he was contemplating knocking them out by slamming their heads into each other. It would have been comical had Annalise’s life not been on the line. “I will be leading this investigation as your alpha.”

  “For someone who didn't want the job, you sure have lorded it over us an awful lot in the past 24 hours,” Orson grumbled before backing off, nodding towards Isaiah. “Go ahead, ask away. I already have my opinion.”

  “Of course, you do,” Isaiah told him pointedly. “She doesn't present any advantages to you, so you automatically think she is not worth saving. We have to go about this very carefully, Orson. We do not have a good relationship with the coven as it is. We have to make the right decision here. Besides, do you see her trying to kill any of us right now? We have very little protection and no idea how powerful she is, and yet, she is just sitting on the couch and watching us fight.”

  “Don't mind me,” she commented, actually feeling entertained by the show. If she was going to die, then maybe watching three hot brothers go at it beforehand would make it a little more worth it.

  Orson looked to his brother Roman for help as if he might agree with him and overrule his brother. That was a joke, and Isaiah knew it. Even if Roman was ever insane enough to agree with Orson, he would never go against the alpha like that. He was the good son.

  “He kind of has a point with that one, Orson,” Roman told him, shrugging his shoulders. “She hasn’t even tried to run. Why don't we hear from her, and then go from there?” Roman was trying to play peacemaker, even though he hated it. On the inside, he was just as angry as his younger brother, though his reasoning was a little different. There was a reason his father had not liked the witches, and it had only gotten worse with them later in his father's life. They were always threatening and reminding them of their shaky agreement.

  Roman would have been happy to break the thing if he had a guarantee that they wouldn’t be obliterated. It was just a burden the wolves did not need to bare. And yet it seemed that Isaiah had entirely forgotten that there was any animosity between the coven and the pack. He was protecting one lone witch that he didn't even know the name of until just now. It didn't speak well for the rest of his reign.

  Orson looked like he was ready for a fight, and Roman readied his body to take him out if necessary. How many times had their father had to take him out because he couldn't handle his temper or control the wolf inside of him? His adolescence was full of cover ups of bloody situations and brutal beatings to the point of near death by their father. It was harsh and had truly messed the man up, and Orson had done things to warrant those beatings, but that didn't mean Orson had not hated his father for being so harsh on him.

  Luckily, though, all three brothers were able to calm down and sit in the living room that belonged to their father just days before, and Isaiah began to lead the questioning. Annalise became quickly intimidated as all three brothers stared her down, ready to interrogate her about something that was quite sensitive on both sides of the issue.

  “My name is Isaiah, and these are my brothers, Roman and Orson.” He pointed to the two of them as he leaned into her, trying to be calm. Annalise suspected it was more for the sake of his brothers than for her. “As you can tell, we are pretty tense about this because we are worried what the witches are going to think when they find out one of their own was bitten by one of us. I have no idea who bit you or why, other than that you were bitten by a werewolf and left conspicuously close to this cabin. That is, unless you crawled here and passed out. So, let’s start with this. What were you doing before you were attacked?”

  That should have been the easiest question he could ask her at the moment, but her brain was still fuzzy. She got the sneaking feeling that the memory loss was purposeful. What if a witch had gone rogue and taken part in this? Of course, it could also just be that her injuries were that severe.

  “The last thing I remember doing was taking a walk in the woods. I do that a lot, in fact most of us do. It is a good way for us to connect with nature and recharge. I was getting some leaves to brew tea as well. I think that was when I was attacked, while I was picking the leaves.” Annalise nodded, trying to convince herself she was right and get better contact with her memory. It was so strange not to be able to remember something that had happened to her. It was all fuzzy around the edges even when she pictured it like a movie.

  “You think?” Roman asked a little harshly, warranting a look from Isaiah.

  “I have expressed a few times to Isaiah here that my memory from the attack is a little lacking. I don't have an explanation for it. Maybe I hit my head. As I said, I will do my best to answer your questions.” Annalise looked straight at Roman with pursed lips. Isaiah scoffed. This witch was a spitfire.

  It was hard not to like her, but he needed to stay on track. “I think I unfortunately already know the answer to this, but do you know who your attacker was, or did you see him or her at all?” Isaiah ran his hands through his light auburn hair like he did when he was nervous, waiting for her answer. He knew that if she didn't give enough that more than just the pack would be calling for blood. Even his brother, Roman, would have to consider it. Apparently, Isaiah was the only illogical one of the bunch.

  “I remember hearing the growl, but that was it. Whoever it was, was already in wolf form when they approached me. I never saw them as a human. I remember brown eyes, but I don’t think that narrows it down much.” Annalise shrugged, not knowing what else she could give. She was sure about that one; that they were careful not to show their human form to her. “Do you think that means they meant me to live; the fact that they wouldn’t let me see them.”

  “I think I was already pretty positive about that. As I said, you were left so close to us, so easy to find. I doubt you had been there more than a couple of hours when you were found,” Isaiah explained, feeling even more stressed than before. They hadn't run into any warring packs in several years. Their pack was too big for anyone to dare cross, but if any other pack was going to cross them, it was a perfect and subtle way to do so. But then where was that pack hiding? Were they just running the woods back and forth over the border of Oregon, or were they coming down from the north? It was going to be a hard sell to the witches to if they tried to tell them that someone in another pack that they had no information on ha
d turned Annalise to make it look like the Olympia pack did it. That just sounded like the worst cover up ever.

  “Do you think it could be someone in the pack?” Roman whispered as if he was afraid to mention it out loud.

  Isaiah shook his head. “I can't rule it out completely, but I don't see what they would have to gain by provoking the witches. They would go down with us unless they escaped and left the pack, and there are no rules against leaving. So, I just don't see much of a motive.”

  “I do,” Orson piped up. “How many in our pack wanted you to be alpha? Let’s be honest here.” He threw his hand out to the sides, almost hitting Roman in the head. “How bad would you look if a witch got bitten by one of the pack on your watch?” he chuckled sarcastically, and Annalise noted that Orson was becoming less attractive every time he opened his mouth.

  Isaiah did not want to think about that possibility. He had barely been alpha for a day. It would be appalling and ridiculous for someone to already be plotting against him. It still seemed more likely that another pack wanted the secluded territory and thought they would be vulnerable after the loss of an alpha. “I think it’s probably another pack, but we’ll get back to that later. Annalise,” he said turning back to her. She could see the worry lines forming above his brow, though he was much too young for that. Being alpha probably aged you pretty quickly. “Do you remember anything else about the attack or how you ended up so close to us when you were attacked all the way in your territory?”

  Annalise tried to think hard and remember anything that was helpful, but she really couldn’t. “I just remember the pain and the fear. I don't think I brought myself over here. My guess is that I was knocked out and carried. It isn’t like your kind isn't pretty strong.” Isaiah looked at her and thought to himself that it wouldn't have mattered much, even a human could pick her small frame up without much of an issue. “I also know it happened too fast for me to be able to defend myself and that it was a strong werewolf. I should have been able to overpower with him with magic, but it didn't happen. And I suppose, with the risk of you using it against me, I should let you know that this whole thing has messed up my magic. I have to make contact with something natural to have any power at all, and even then, it is pretty weak. I have no idea what it means for me being a hybrid.”

  Annalise had not let any of her fear show before then, but it was getting harder. She was in a strange place with no contact to her family and friends and no one to help her go through this transition that she had never even heard of. All she had were three indecisive brothers who thought she might have done this to herself.

  “I honestly haven’t either. I don't even know much about witches, I’m embarrassed to say. I guess I have a lot of learning to do as alpha,” Isaiah admitted. “As far as the change into a wolf, that’s something any one of us could help you with. Now, my brothers and I are going to go talk about this and let you know. Can we trust you stay here?”

  Annalise nodded. “Where else would I go? If I step out there with the rest of the pack, they will rip me to shreds and pay the price later.” Isaiah was shocked at the probable truth in what she said. He was going to have to step it up or the pack would overrun him.

  He wondered for a split second whether his father was right now and if he could see what was happening to his precious pack. If he could, he was probably regretting his choice in alpha right about now, and Isaiah wouldn't blame him. He had not expected the lack of respect, even after his father’s decision on the matter. Did it really take being so brutal that they feared you to get them to follow?

  Isaiah just nodded at Annalise and left the house, walking outside into the crisp air with his two brothers in tow. He hoped that Orson kept his opinions to himself this time because he just didn't want to hear it. “What do you think?” he asked Roman, bracing himself for an answer he might not like. Technically, it was all up to him regardless of what anyone else said, but he was still second guessing himself as alpha.

  “I can tell that Orson thinks she’s lying, and I think there might be more to her story than she is saying. It is hard to believe that she remembers nothing and that she lost her power so easily. But she is just one witch by herself. No matter how powerful she is it would be in her best interest to cooperate. I don't think she means us any harm right now, anyway. But I do think that this could get away from us. I trust your judgment.” Roman added the last part for his brother’s benefit. He could tell that Isaiah was feeling down and out. He had been hit with something huge his first day as alpha, which was not typical, and Roman knew how his brother did not think he deserved the position. He needed all the support he could get, and he wasn't getting it from Orson with his rude comments.

  “I don't think it matters if she's lying or not,” Orson said. “But I know you aren't going to take anything I say into account.”

  “Orson, if you are going to continue to be so bitter about everything, then I can't have you around me right now. I have some hard decisions to make and a pack that I need to convince to get behind me. So, you are either here to give helpful input, or you can go sleep off the hangover I know you have.” Orson saluted and walked off, probably going to do just what Isaiah had told him to do. “I hate having to be hard on him, after everything he went through with Dad.”

  “You can’t blame Dad for everything,” Roman told him squinting away from the sun that was creeping up above the cabin and shining in their faces, even though it remained chilly and windy. “He isn't around anymore to affect anything Orson does. He is going to have to be responsible for his own actions and words now, and so are you.” Isaiah nodded at his brother’s wisdom. “You’re going to keep her here and help her change, aren’t you?” he asked, already seeming to know the answer.

  “She was attacked by one of our kind. How am I not supposed to feel a responsibility? We would do it for a human,” Isaiah argued quietly, hoping no one was listening on their conversation. The pack would be furious.

  “But she’s not human, Isaiah,” Roman said matter-of-factly.”

  “Neither are we,” Isaiah shot back.

  “I just hope you know what you’re doing,” Roman told him before walking away. “Don’t wait too long to tell everyone. They’ll find out eventually,” Roman called on his way to who knows where, leaving Isaiah standing alone in front of his cabin. Not knowing what else to do he went back inside to find that Annalise had not even moved from the couch. No matter what anyone else thought, he couldn't see this woman attempting to hurt them or getting herself hurt on purpose. If that made him soft, then whatever.

  “So, what's the verdict, alpha?” she asked, looking at him as soon as he came back inside alone. Isaiah didn't immediately say anything, but she noticed the stress on his face. “I can just leave. I know what kind of problems I must be causing for you since you’re new.” She gulped, not knowing if she could actually be that brave, which was exactly why she had needed a walk in the woods before she got attacked. Ironically, her lack of bravery was the exact topic of conversation with the coven leader, Hyacinthe, that sent her into the mood for solitary time.

  “If you stayed, you would wreak havoc in the pack. They already don't trust me and think I am soft,” he growled, but Annalise could see the war within himself. He was not angry with her but with himself. “But I cannot let you go through your first turn on your own. It’s my responsibility to make sure that anyone who is turned in our territory is given the help they need if they want it, even if it’s a witch.” He looked to her searching for the answer if she wanted his help. She couldn't be happy about being trapped there with a bunch of werewolves or that she was now filled with blood that belonged to a werewolf when witches did not like them in the first place. They weren't mortal enemies, but they had never been friends. The treaty had been a lucky thing to be passed down generations through the pack.

  “I am not going to say no to that offer. I am honestly scared to death,” she told him, though she didn't know why she was being so open to th
is stranger, no matter how striking his deep blue eyes were.

  “Most are,” he admitted. “You know you’ll have to stay hidden here most of the time, right? Until we figure out what to do about the coven, we can’t let you be seen.”

  Annalise nodded with a relief he wouldn't understand. She had needed a break, and as frightening as this was, maybe it had happened for a reason. “I understand.” Isaiah tossed her the remote to the television, and she watched him walk away, his broad muscles rippling through the back of his shirt.

  Annalise woke up feeling so sore she had to try and hold back tears in case the werewolf alpha came into her room at that moment and began questioning her. Her body was wrecked, and her magic was faint, though she had been afraid to express that the night before, and she feared she would not be healing anytime soon. She had grand doubts that the pack was going to just let her go home. If they didn't kill her, they would send her off in the opposite direction with a threat to never come back. She was smart enough to know just how this attack would be viewed by her coven, and she was sure that the new alpha would know that too.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Roman found himself sitting on a large rock, swinging his legs over it and into the rushing stream below. It had been a favorite spot of his as a child. In fact, all of the brothers and their friends used to come here. It was like a secret spot where they could talk about anything. Orson used to have to go there after there was a fight with their father, and they would console him the best they could, knowing that he was partially at fault. A temperamental father with a temperamental son was not a good match, but you had to live with the cards you were dealt. Make lemonade and all those other clichés humans came up with.