Full Moon Pack - Alpha Female

Joana

12 years ago

Jo’s small feet pattered quickly across the wooden floor of the Pack House, her heart racing as much from the booming thunder outside as from the need to find sanctuary in her parents’ arms. The storm had swept in with a ferocity that made the ancient logs creak and groan, as if they too felt the tempest’s wrath.

“Momma! Daddy!” she called out, her voice almost lost amidst the cacophony of rain hammering against the roof.

She reached their door, the imposing wood carved with the moon’s phases, hesitating just for a moment as her tiny hand lifted to knock. But then, through the timber barrier, came the sound of stifled sobs, and Jo froze, her knuckles hovering an inch from the wood.

“Shh... It’s alright, Mary,” her father’s deep voice soothed, layered with a tenderness that belied his usual authority. “The Moon Goddess has her ways. Our boy had a purpose, a mission greater than we could comprehend without even coming into this world.”

A pang of confusion struck Jo, her mind grappling with the idea that her little brother, whom she had been eagerly awaiting, wouldn’t be joining them after all. She backed away slowly, the words ‘mission’ and ‘purpose’ swirling in her young mind.

Retreating to her own room, Jo curled up on her bed, the soft quilt barely muffling the sound of her sniffles. Her thoughts were a tangle of sadness for the sibling she would never meet, sympathy for the pain etched in her mother’s cries, and a faint thread of worry for her father, Alpha Derek, whose throne relied on bloodline succession. Even at seven, she understood enough about pack laws to sense the weight of what was lost.

As tears soaked into her pillow, a newfound resolve began to take shape in her chest, its edges sharp with determination. She would be strong for them all—for her mom’s tender heart, for her dad’s heavy crown, and in memory of the brother whose spirit would now dance among the stars.

“I’ll be the strongest alpha ever,” she whispered to the shadows, her voice quivering but fierce. “For Mommy, for Daddy, for my baby brother.”

And though the storm outside still raged, within the little girl’s soul, a quiet strength had begun to stir—an ember of power that one day would ignite into a blaze worthy of her lineage.

7 years ago

Jo shifted impatiently on the hard plastic chair in the principal’s office waiting area, her foot tapping out a restless rhythm on the linoleum floor. The memory of her fist colliding with Vanessa’s smug face was still fresh, as was the fire that had ignited in her belly when she heard the venomous words about her late brother. She glanced at the clock, her stomach tying itself into knots. Being grounded from running wild with Chris and Eric would be like caging a wolf. Unthinkable.

The door swung open, and in walked her parents—Alpha Derek Crawford, tall and commanding even in his concern, and Luna Mary, whose soothing presence seemed to fill the room. Jo caught the slight lift of her dad’s eyebrow, a sure sign he was both amused and exasperated by her latest escapade.

“Joana Mary Crawford,” Alpha Derek began, the use of her full name setting off alarms in Jo’s head. Trouble with a capital T.

“Vanessa was being a royal pain,” Jo blurted out, her amber eyes flashing defiantly. “Saying stuff about... about him.” She couldn’t bring herself to say her brother’s name, not here, not with the wound still so raw.

“Is that any reason to resort to violence?” Alpha Derek’s voice was stern, but it didn’t reach his eyes, which held a spark of laughter.

“Chris and Eric taught me how to throw a punch—not that I meant to use it on Vanessa. But she crossed a line today.” Jo frowned, her voice quieter now. “She said I’d never be alpha because I’m weak, that it’s too bad my brother died because at least he would’ve been strong enough.”

Luna Mary’s hand found Jo’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “Your strength is your own, sweet girl,” she murmured. “It’s not defined by anyone else’s words.”

“Something weird happened, though,” Jo continued, her gaze locking with her father’s. “When Vanessa said those things, this... this growl bubbled up inside me. Like, really deep down. And then I heard this voice, like it was coming from inside me, telling me to teach her respect.”

Alpha Derek’s amusement faded, replaced by a sharp intensity. “You heard a voice?”

“Yeah, and it felt powerful, protective. It was like...” Jo hesitated, searching for the right words. “Like the wolf inside me woke up.”

Her parents exchanged a look that mingled shock with something akin to wonder. Alpha Derek leaned forward, his blue eyes piercing. “That’s unheard of at your age.”

“Maybe,” Jo ventured, feeling bolder, “it means I’m going to be stronger than anyone thought. For Mom, for you, for the pack—and for him.”

Alpha Derek nodded slowly, pride radiating off him like heat from a flame. “We have much to discuss, but for now, know this: You are your own person, Jo. Your path may be unconventional, but it’s clear you’ve got the heart of an alpha—and a fierce one at that.”

“Guess I’m more than just a rascal after all,” Jo quipped, a grin breaking through her anxiety. Her parents’ laughter filled the space, their love and belief in her a tangible force that wrapped around her like a warm embrace.

“Indeed,” Luna Mary said, her eyes sparkling with mirth. “But let’s try to keep the punches to a minimum, shall we?”

“Deal,” Jo agreed, her heart lighter despite the lingering nerves about what lay ahead. Whatever challenges awaited, she knew she wouldn’t face them alone. With her wolf stirring within and her family by her side, Jo was ready to embrace her destiny, however unconventional it might be.

Joana’s heart pounded like a drum in her chest, the reverberation echoing through the silent space of the principal’s office waiting area. Alpha Derek, her father, stood tall and stiff as stone, his face a mask of shock that didn’t quite reach his eyes, which danced with something else—awe, perhaps, or pride. Luna Mary, her mother, reached out with a hand so steady and warm it could calm even the fiercest of storms.

“Joana,” she began, her voice a lilting melody that seemed to weave the very air into a blanket of comfort, “that voice you heard, my dear, it’s your wolf.”

“My wolf?” Jo repeated, her voice cracking with a mix of fear and excitement. “But I’m only twelve. That’s... that can’t be right.”

“Indeed, it is unusual,” her father chimed in, his tone grave yet tinged with fascination. “It’s unheard of for one so young. But the Moon Goddess doesn’t make mistakes. She has bestowed upon you an extraordinary gift.”

“Great,” Jo muttered, scuffing her shoe against the floor, her gaze dropping. “So now not only am I going to be the pack’s first female alpha, but I’m also the resident freak.”

“Never that,” her mother said firmly, cupping Jo’s chin and lifting her eyes to meet hers. “You are blessed, Joana. The Moon Goddess has given you this power for a reason.”

Before Jo could reply, the sound of hurried footsteps thundered down the corridor, snapping their attention toward the door just as Chris and Eric burst into the room. They skidded to a halt, panting, offering their necks in submission to Alpha Derek.

“Alpha, Jo didn’t do anything—it was me!” Chris blurted out, his chest heaving, the usual twinkle in his eye replaced by earnest concern.

“Is this true?” Alpha Derek asked, the corners of his mouth twitching despite the sternness in his voice.

“Absolutely, I saw the whole thing,” Eric added quickly, although his voice wobbled with uncertainty.

“Would you lie to your Alpha?” Derek pressed, though the mischievous glint in his eyes betrayed his enjoyment of their antics.

“Never,” Eric replied, sheepish.

“Boys,” Jo sighed, rolling her eyes affectionately at their charade. “I already confessed.” But she couldn’t resist leaping forward and wrapping them both in a hug. They were her rascals, her loyal friends through thick and thin.

As they embraced, Jo felt a stirring deep within her—a gentle nudge, a whisper coaxing her to let go. She closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel the connection, the communion between her soul and the nascent spirit of her wolf. Suddenly, her senses sharpened; the musty scent of old books and polished wood filled her nostrils, the colors around her grew more vivid, and the sounds of the school beyond the walls heightened.

“Stand tall, Joana,” the voice inside her commanded, resonant and strong. Obeying, she felt her spine straighten, her shoulders square, and when she spoke again, the voice that emerged was laced with a new authority—one that was unmistakably not her own.

“Chris, Eric,” she said, and even to her ears, her voice sounded different, richer, full of untapped power. “We need to start training.”

Her father gasped, a sound of pure astonishment, and Jo’s amber eyes met his blue ones with newfound determination.

“Warrior,” she whispered internally, asking for the name of the presence that had begun to alter her world. The word echoed back, resounding through her being.

“Warrior,” she repeated aloud, and it felt like a vow, a promise.

“Warrior,” her wolf agreed, a bond forming that Jo knew would last a lifetime.

The moment was electric, the air charged with potential. In the quiet of the waiting area, a new chapter was beginning, woven with threads of mystery, strength, and unbreakable bonds of love and friendship.

Warrior stood before Alpha Derek. Jo could feel the strength coursing through her veins as Warrior gazed upon her father with a poised dignity that befit an Alpha-to-be.

“Alpha Derek,” Warrior’s voice emerged from Jo’s throat, both commanding and respectful. “It is time to harness our potential. We—the three little rascals—require training befitting our destiny.”

Alpha Derek, normally the epitome of composure, was visibly taken aback. He studied his daughter—or rather, the wolf that now shared her being—with a mix of wonder and pride. His piercing blue eyes softened slightly, acknowledging the gravity of what stood before him.

“Warrior,” he said, his voice deep and resonant within the silent room. “I see the promise of greatness within you. Training will commence. You have my word.”

Jo felt a surge of pride, not just for herself but for Chris and Eric too. The bond between them, already strong, was about to be forged into something unbreakable.

3 years ago

Three years had passed since that day, and now on the eve of her sixteenth birthday, Jo found herself preparing for the Full Moon Festival—a night that would mark her official emergence as the future Alpha of the Full Moon Pack. Standing in her room, she could feel the anticipation humming through her veins like electricity.

In accordance with tradition, tonight she would lead the shift for the first time among her peers who were also coming of age. But unlike them, this wasn’t her first dance with the moon’s call; it was merely a formality, an announcement to the world of what she, Chris, Eric, and everyone close to her already knew.

Joana stood before the mirror, her eyes tracing the reflection that stared back at her. She had always found a sense of comfort in the juxtaposition of her identity—a girly tomboy, as she often labeled herself. She was raised to lead in a world dominated by men, yet she never abandoned the feminine allure that was inherently hers. Her long dark hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders, styled to perfection, with just a hint of natural makeup to accentuate her amber eyes—eyes that seemed to hold a fiery spirit within them. The glitter along her eyelids caught the light, giving her an otherworldly sparkle.

She was acutely aware of her effect on the opposite sex. Boys gawked and stumbled over their words in her presence, their desire palpable. But Joana harbored no interest in fleeting romances; she was waiting for the one—the mate destined for her by the Moon Goddess. To them, she might have been the embodiment of teenage fantasy, but to herself, she was a virgin warrior, untamed and unclaimed.

Her physique was a testament to her disciplined life: athletic yet curvaceous, power and grace etched into every line of her body. And tonight, swathed in her favorite silk robe that draped over her form like a second skin, the color pink reflecting her softer side, she felt like a blend of all the elements that made her who she was—the future Alpha, a beacon of strength and femininity.

“Joana,” Luna Mary’s voice carried through the room as the door opened gently. “All the guests have arrived. They’re waiting for you.”

Mary paused, taking in the sight of her daughter. There was a brief moment where the pride in her chest blossomed like a flower in the spring sun. Her daughter was beautiful, not just in appearance but in the raw potential she held within. It was days like these when Mary could see the young woman Joana was becoming, standing on the cusp of her destiny.

“Mom,” Jo said, turning to face her, the silky fabric shifting around her. “Do I look okay?”

“More than okay, my dear. You are the moon’s envy tonight,” Mary replied, her eyes softening at the corners. Joana smiled, reassured by her mother’s words. The bond between them ran deep, forged in love and mutual respect.

“Let’s not keep them waiting then,” Joana said, her voice steady with the confidence of someone who knows the path ahead. She took a deep breath, gathering the courage that lived in her heart, the same courage that had pushed her forward time and again.

Together, they walked towards the gathering, the anticipation building with each step. Joana felt Warrior stir within, sharing in the excitement of what was about to transpire. This night would mark a pivotal chapter in her life, the night she would stand before her pack not just as Joana but as the Alpha she was born to be. And as she moved gracefully, her mother at her side, she knew she was ready for whatever lay ahead.

Jo’s eyes twinkled with delight as she stepped into the magical transformation of the Pack House backyard. It was as if they had been plucked from reality and placed within a starlit glen, twinkling orbs of light suspended in the air like a constellation of fireflies. Her mother had outdone herself—or had enlisted some mystical assistance—either way, the Full Moon Festival was a sight to behold.

“Wow, mom really pulled out all the stops,” Jo exclaimed, her voice brimming with wonder. She couldn’t help but think that maybe a witch’s touch had sparked this enchantment.

“Only the best for our Alpha-to-be,” Chris quipped, his black robe mirroring hers, a gift from Jo herself. His blue eyes gleamed with mischief under the ethereal glow.

“Are you planning on charming one of the girls into your robe tonight, Chris?” Jo teased, knowing full well his reputation as the pack’s resident Casanova.

“Only if she’s as captivating as the moon,” he replied with a wink. But before Jo could roll her eyes at his predictability, he added, “But honestly, I’m just here to show my wolf, Jo.”

“Sure you are,” she laughed, nudging him playfully. Eric, standing on her other side, made a face of mock disgust.

“Vanessa’s here too, right? Don’t even think about it, Chris,” Eric groaned, shaking his head. “We’re still not over that disaster.”

“Relax, I’ve learned my lesson,” Chris assured them, though his tone suggested he found the whole debacle amusing.

“Good. Because I would never forgive you,” Jo said firmly, a serious edge creeping into her voice despite the festive atmosphere. That particular memory was a sore spot for them all.

The moment of banter was interrupted by the familiar tug at Jo’s consciousness—the pack link. It was her father, Alpha Derek, calling her to join him. With a shared look between her friends, Jo strode confidently toward the gathering of Alphas, her amber eyes scanning the crowd.

As she approached, every gaze seemed to follow her, admiration and anticipation written on the faces of the young men. All except Chris and Eric, who offered her smiles of encouragement instead.

“Joana, come meet King Alexander Blackwood and his heir, Prince Roman,” her dad introduced warmly, pride evident in his voice.

“Your Highnesses,” Jo greeted, dipping her head respectfully. The Lycan King towered above her, his blonde hair and blue eyes shining with an almost celestial quality.

“Please, call me Alexander. And this is my son, Roman,” the king said kindly, gesturing to the equally handsome prince beside him. “Apologies, my second son could not attend—he’s busy with his duties as General.”

“Understandable, Your Highness,” Jo replied, maintaining eye contact, her confidence never wavering. This was her domain, after all.

Before further pleasantries could be exchanged, the call of horns filled the air, signaling the start of the shifting ceremony. With quick hugs to her father, Jo turned on her heel and sprinted toward the formation.

“Let’s get this show on the road,” she muttered to Chris and Eric as they took their places beside her, undressing themselves as preparation for their first shift. Across the way, Vanessa, wearing nothing at all, attempted to catch Chris’s attention. Jo couldn’t help but gag slightly at the sight.

“Keep your eyes on the prize, Chris. And I don’t mean Vanessa,” Jo whispered, a smirk curving her lips.

“Never gonna happen again,” Chris muttered back, clearly embarrassed.

“Focus on your wolf, you two,” Warrior interjected internally, her voice laced with authority and a hint of amusement at the absurdity of the situation.

“Always,” Jo replied to both her friends and her internal companion, feeling the power of her wolf rise to the fore. It was time to lead her pack into their most sacred ritual.

The full moon hung high, casting a silver glow over the clearing as Jo took my place between Chris and Eric. They were both trying to suppress their grins, but the excitement crackled around us like static. Jo could feel every eye on her, the weight of countless gazes, but none heavier than those of my father and the Lycan King.

“Alright, focus, Jo,” Warrior chided within Jo, her presence a comforting embrace around Jo’s consciousness. “Let’s show them what we’re made of.”

Closing her eyes, she summoned the power that thrummed in her veins, the legacy of generations coursing through her. She felt the shift ripple through her body like a wave crashing onto the shore, swift and unstoppable. Her bones reformed, muscles expanded, and fur sprouted across my skin—all in mere seconds.

A collective gasp echoed around the clearing, and she couldn’t help but wonder, *Jeez, how do we look?* The question was barely a whisper in her mind when Warrior responded with unwavering confidence, *You’re the most beautiful wolf here, Jo. Regal.*

She opened my eyes, now seeing the world through an enhanced spectrum of colors and details. Beside her, Chris and Eric had also shifted with ease, their wolves every bit as graceful as their human forms. But the others... they struggled, their bodies caught in the awkward dance of transformation.

“Come on, guys, you can do this,” She murmured, more to myself than anyone else. Then, louder and filled with Alpha authority, She called out to them, “Let your wolves forward!”

It was like a switch flipped. One by one, the new shifters’ forms settled into their rightful shapes, smooth and natural. Their wolves emerged, heads lifting proudly as they answered her call.

“Damn,” Chris murmured, his voice rumbling from his wolf form.

“Whoa,” added Eric, equally awestruck.

But it wasn’t just them; She could feel the eyes of my dad and Alexander Blackwood on me, heavy with something akin to reverence. There was a pause, a moment where time seemed to stretch, before her father cleared his throat, pride illuminating his features.

“Remarkable,” the Lycan King breathed out, his tone laced with a respect that reached deep into my chest.

“Thanks,” Jo replied, though it came out as a gentle growl. Her own pride swelled within me, but there was no time to bask in their admiration. They had a forest to run, a night to conquer.

“Alright, pack!” She announced, her voice echoing in every mind present. “Let’s embrace the moon’s blessing. To the forest!”

With that, She leapt forward, her white fur a stark contrast against the dark earth. As she ran, she could hear the thunderous paws of my pack behind her, a symphony of power and freedom. Tonight, they were untamed spirits beneath the watchful gaze of the moon, and nothing could hold them back.