His Hiding Place
Alpha Alexander Cromwell
It was freshmen's week, and for those like me who were not freshmen, the word of the week was party.
I glanced at Ashley Jones, sprawled on the right side of her bed, her breathing steady as she slept. Zeus and I had taken turns with her. I had let my wolf have his share of fun before I stepped in.
Zeus, ever the impatient spirit, grumbled in my mind. "Zeus, you're all over the place today. What is it? Did she not satisfy you?"
He rolled his eyes. "Those light skirts are only a distraction to get our needs under control. We'll only be satisfied once we find our Luna." His voice softened, and he added excitedly, "I hope she's a small little thing for us to protect. Not that I wouldn't be happy with a spirituous Luna, either. I will welcome anything the Moon Goddess grants us with open arms."
Putting on my trousers, I chuckled at Zeus' nostalgic tone, and he asked, "What?"
"You're like a loving, sick pup pining for a mate we haven't met. Come on, let's get back to our bed. As you said, our needs are under control now. We wouldn't want our future Luna to find out we gave affection to another woman. Even if they are only human and meant nothing to us."
Zeus' eyes drifted back to Ashley, who lay still and peaceful. "Are we heading out without leaving a note this time?"
I turned the door handle, eager to rid myself of her lingering scent. "What for? Ash knows what she signed up for. Everybody in school is aware I don't do romance. She wanted a quick fuck, and we gave her more than that. Our job here is done, buddy."
"You are right! Let's get out of here. I need my beauty sleep." Zeus said, his mood shifting.
I chuckled before answering. "Yes, Sir."
I smiled as I headed for the shower, welcoming the cold water. I looked down the drain and saw the lather of the scentless shower gel dragging Ash's scent off my skin. Nothing was better than collapsing onto a soft pillow with no other scent but my own. Well, except for the smell of our fated mate, of course.
"I can't be in America any longer. I want to head home!" Zeus' complaint echoed in my mind, his frustration palpable.
I sighed, shaking my head as I turned off the shower. The school year has not even started, and this fluffy wolf must bring up his complaints. I cannot deal with this right now. "I thought you wanted to sleep, Zeus. Why bring this up now? I am tired!"
"Because I miss our land, we must look for our Luna. We won't find her if we stay hidden in the land of humans. Our chances of finding her here are slim to none, and I don't need to tell you that, my friend."
"And once again, I don't need to explain why we're here, Zeus. You agreed with me when we left the Red Moon pack. We can't return yet. It's safer to stay in America until I turn 21 and challenge my father."
"We don't need to wait until you're 21 to challenge your father. I say we fly home tomorrow and take what's rightfully ours."
I growled in frustration. "Enough Zeus!"
"Don't you dare growl at me, Alex!!!!!! Alphas don't hide. If word gets out, we are finished. I have high standards. I'm not born to be around stupid humans who don't understand our ways. I need a pack to lead, and so do you."
"Didn't the Moon Goddess teach you to be patient? It isn't safe for us to be in our pack, at least not now, while my father has everybody under his thumb. He calls all the shots, and we must prepare for our return."
"And he will keep calling the shots until we kick his ass off our Alpha chair."
"I hear you, buddy, but we aren't strong enough, Zeus. Please, drop it!" This stupid wolf needs to understand that now is not the time to pick a fight—not really—when we are not sure we can win.
"I'll let this go, Alex, only because I am tired." His voice was anything but happy.
"Great! Thank you. Now quiet down, and maybe you will dream about your mate," I said, hoping to calm him down.
He smiled at the mention of our non-existent Luna. But even though Zeus was silent in my mind, I could not have a peaceful sleep. All this talking about my father put my brain to work and remember why we fled like thieves in the night from a pack that was rightfully ours.
It all felt like a terrifying nightmare, and I was transported back to the Red Moon pack house.
I marched to my father's office in the west wing, my mind set on reclaiming what was mine. Alpha George Cromwell, the man who sat in the chair that should have been mine, would probably dismiss me without a glance. Nonetheless, I gripped the edge of his dark mahogany desk before demanding my place.
That chair, that office, and everything in it were rightfully mine. My father was a mere scout before mating my mother. Everything my grandfather built should be mine by now. He only held an Alpha position because my grandpa died when I was a toddler, and the council did not let my mother, my grandpa's only daughter, lead the pack. Instead, they granted my father the Alpha position, but he seemed to like it too much for my taste.
"It's time for you to move on, Father. Maybe get a hobby or spend more time travelling with my mum. I'm sure she could use more of your company."
"I've told you, Alexander. When you turn 21, I will hand over control of the Red Moon." He stopped, staring at the computer screen, and looked at me. "Just like all the other Alphas do to their sons. It's the law."
I scoffed. "The law only applies to a true Alpha handing control to their rightful heirs. You should've given me control the minute I got Zeus. It has been two years, and there is no mention of you leaving my chair. Quite the opposite, actually. Tell me the truth, Father. Are you really going to give me control of my pack when I turn 21? I don't think you will. You're too comfortable on my chair for my liking."
He rose from his chair and staggered in my direction like a predator. His eyes flashed red, announcing that Kronos was in control. I took a deep breath not to show him I was scared of what he could do to me. I was only 16, and while I had Zeus for two years, somehow, I was still far from fully developed.
Kronos lifted me by the neck, my feet dangling above the floor. I struggled to free myself, but my efforts were futile against his strength. He smirked at my struggle. My vision blurred, and the air was squeezed from my lungs. Zeus took over, but as much as he tried to sum up all his strength, it was not a match for Kronos.
I felt the air leaving my lungs, and my head became lighter. I could feel my heart, which seconds ago was beating so fast that I could hear it slowing down as if it could stop at any minute.
The fear of dying at the hands of my own father was overwhelming.
Would that be it? Will I be killed by the very hands that gave me life? Die before I even tasted what it was like leading my pack?
I woke up, drenched in sweat, with Zeus already awake. "Dreaming about your father again?"
"Yeah! And it was all your fault. Why did you have to bring up your complaints before bed?"
"Because…" Zeus' voice softened.
"Not now, Zeus. We've got practice." I cut him off before he could repeat the same thing.
He growled, "You and your stupid human friends. Our Beta and Gamma must be missing us. They're our real friends, not these people we have to lie about who we are."
Ignoring his complaints, I packed my football gear. We were in America, after all, and American football was their pastime. If I had to attend a school for humans in England, I would prefer to play rugby, but I needed to play along for now.
********
"Sneaking out of my bed during the night? Really, Alex?" Her annoyed voice got to my ears before her scent penetrated my nose.
"If you're lost. I must tell you, this is the boys' locker room, and girls aren't allowed in here, Jones." I said, turning away from her as I searched for my new gloves.
She grabbed my hand, stopping me. "It wasn't cool this time, Bae."
My eyes flashed amber with annoyance, and I looked away before Ash could see it. That small word, "Bae," annoys Zeus to his core.
I shrugged my hand off hers and kept searching inside my bag. "Not now, Ash."
"This fucking, girl!" Zeus fumed in my mind. "Didn't her daddy teach her limits and the word 'NO'? Any day, I'll bite her head off for calling you this stupid word. All the money her parents spent on education for nothing. She can't even conjure a proper endearment."
I could not help but chuckle at Zeus' irritation. His dislike for those pet names was always entertaining.
"Why are you laughing?" Ash's voice trembled slightly, a mix of uncertainty and vulnerability.
I frowned, staring at her face, unsure why she was still there after I dismissed her. I stood tall, forgetting all about my gloves. I was done with her shit.
"Laughing at your desperation, Jones," I said with a smirk and leaned my face closer to hers. "Were you expecting cuddling?" Her face turned red, as expected. "Oh! You were, weren't you, silly girl."
If she were not leaving, I would. Her new perfume annoyed me today as much as her voice. I grabbed my bag and walked towards the door. "Next time, sweetheart, don't let your expectations fly too high."
Outside in the field, Zeus took a whiff of fresh air. "Thank God, I can breathe," Zeus said with a sigh of relief. "I held my senses for too long, or I might have lost it on her." He clicked his paw a few times in my mind, and as if I were a witch seeing the future, I knew what Zeus was about to say.
"That's why we need to leave America. I had enough of this place and those stupid girls—those stupid humans." And right on the schedule, he did not disappoint my premonition.
I rolled my eyes. "I'm not even going to comment on that."
Catching Jordan's scent, I smirked. "Smile, Zeus. Here comes your favourite man."
Zeus groaned as he retreated into my mind. If there is one thing Zeus hates more than clingy girls, it is Jordan.
Jordan held me in a bear hug and tried to lift me. Keyword: tried. He was the strongest in our defensive tackle position, but I was not human like him. "Man, have you got stronger during the summer break? I can't even lift you from the ground for 2 seconds anymore."
I patted his back. "Or maybe you didn't train as hard as you should have, Jordan."
I wondered if Zeus was right about needing to leave. Is my strength increasing? Should we leave now and take the Red Moon from my father's grip?
I shook my head. No, I did not feel stronger than before. As much as we dream of, nothing has changed. The big question is whether it will change when I turn 21.
That is something only time will tell.
How did you enjoy the first chapter? What do you think of Zeus so far? I love how he doesn't put up with any nonsense from anyone. Share your thoughts below!
