Surprised by the Alpha

“Take Cecily shopping, she needs a new gown for the Mountain Ridge mate ball,” Anna’s mother, Luna of the Silver Shores pack, ordered. Outwardly, Anna showed no reaction, but inwardly she flinched. As the firstborn, Anna should be the focus of the upcoming mate ball. But she was only a warrior with plain looks, so Anna’s parents had never bothered finding her a mate. She wasn’t “Luna material,” they’d told her. Instead, they put all their effort into helping Anna’s beautiful younger sister secure the future Alpha of their pack.

“Yes, Luna,” Anna responded, her voice devoid of emotion. Years of abuse and neglect had stripped away the familial bond between them, and Anna now only addressed her parents by their title. Anna’s parents held nothing but disdain for their eldest daughter, if they thought about her at all. And her younger sister, once Anna’s shadow, now held an unreasonable hatred towards Anna that had manifested into cold cruelty.

Once Cecily was born, she became the center of their parents’ world. Their attention hadn’t bothered Anna at first because she’d adored her baby sister. But when Cecily was barely more than a toddler, her sweet innocence slowly transformed into selfish manipulation, and it wasn’t long before Anna became an outsider in her own family.

In a moment of weakness, after being punished for Cecily’s latest machination, Anna had asked her parents why they loved her sister more than her. They’d sidestepped the question and claimed that Anna was imagining things, but she had seen the flicker of truth in both her parents’ eyes when she’d asked the question. Cecily was the perfect daughter, a born princess. Anna was…average. Not worthy of being a daughter of the Silver Shores Alpha.

“Mom, can’t you take me? I don’t want to be seen with her. I have an image to uphold as the future Luna,” Cecily whined, smirking at Anna as she spoke. Anna didn’t rise to the bait. She’d learned long ago that engaging with Cecily was futile. Their parents believed Cecily could do no wrong, and any confrontation would end with Anna paying a price.

“No, I have a pack meeting that I must attend with your father. Anna will walk behind you as you shop,” Anna’s mother said. Anna scoffed in her mind. As if Anna wanted to be associated with Cecily and her insipid friends. If they weren’t wasting their time gossiping about useless nonsense, they were bullying any wolf they considered beneath them, which was all of them.

“I’ll wait in the car since I have work that needs to be done,” Anna told them flatly. Her mother narrowed her eyes, recognizing the dig at Cecily, but it was subtle enough she couldn’t retaliate. Cecily, unaware of the insult, was irritated that Anna had agreed without fuss. Anna didn’t understand why Cecily bothered attempting to rile Anna’s temper, since the only time Anna engaged with Cecily’s antics was when Anna caught her bullying the pack’s Omegas.

Although each intervention resulted in punishment, Anna didn’t hesitate whenever she witnessed Cecily’s gang of thugs abusing their pack members. In fact, Anna’s protection was the only thing keeping the Omegas from transferring out of the pack en masse. A pack couldn’t survive without its workforce, something Cecily couldn’t comprehend since she’d never worked a day in her life. She only cared about status and ruthlessly exploited her position as the Alpha’s favored daughter to humiliate and degrade those she considered unworthy.

“Fine by me,” Cecily huffed when she was unable to provoke Anna. Anna allowed herself a small smirk when Cecily turned back to their mother. The shallow pair went back to fussing about dress styles and what males would be in attendance. Since the conversation was neither interesting nor relevant to her, Anna tuned out their chatter.

Anna remembered the first time she’d discovered her sister’s hobby of torturing the Omegas. Anna, who believed that all members deserved to be treated with respect, had immediately confronted Cecily. After the third time, Anna had taken the matter to their father. Their father, not believing Anna’s accusations, had punished Anna for slandering her sister. That was when Cecily had realized the full extent of her control over their father and Alpha. From that moment forward, Cecily had not only increased her attacks on the Omegas, she’d also caused countless other problems that she blamed on Anna.

After a year of serving as her sister’s personal scapegoat, where their father refused to even listen to Anna’s side of the story, Anna withdrew from her family completely. They went from being her mother and father to being Alpha and Luna. Anna’s only interactions with them were to follow orders or receive punishments. But while submitting to their mistreatment allowed her human half to survive, it took a toll on Anna’s wolf.

As an Alpha female, Anna’s wolf was strong and dominant. Having to endure constant submission had caused Anna’s wolf to withdraw from Anna the way Anna had withdrawn from her family. Her wolf hated their mistreatment and wanted to stand up for themselves. Anna had tried at first, but she’d underestimated the level of denial her parents had regarding Cecily. Trying to get them to see reason was like trying to turn the tide. Eventually, for her own sanity, Anna had accepted her place. Now, her wolf rarely spoke to her.

Anna was terrified that she would lose her wolf completely if she didn’t find a way to escape her family. But she had no idea where she would go. She had a fated mate out there, but her parents refused to allow her to participate in mating events. And with her plain looks and absent wolf, there was no guarantee he would accept her if she found him. The thought of her mate rejecting her took her breath away.

“What are my girls up to?” Alpha James, Anna’s father, asked as he entered the room. Of course, he was only referring to her mother and sister. He never spoke to Anna directly unless it was necessary. Her father had never been warm towards her, but he’d turned ice cold after Anna told him about Cecily’s favorite pastime. Anna suspected that her father knew the truth but had chosen to ignore it, and he would never forgive Anna for dragging it into the open.

“Nothing, Daddy, just talking about the mate ball,” Cecily told him, flouncing over and kissing his cheek.

“I haven’t decided if we’re attending the ball,” their father said, and Cecily and their mother gasped. Since no one was paying attention, Anna felt safe rolling her eyes.

“But, Daddy, I have to go! What if my mate is there?” Cecily cried, distraught.

“Sweetie, there have been rogue attacks reported within the region. I won’t risk your safety,” James told her, cuddling Cecily close and wiping her tears.

“But we are the Silver Shores pack. Everyone will be expecting us. Surely our warriors can handle a few rogues. It’s what they’re paid for, after all. Perhaps you should dock their pay if they aren’t up to the task,” Luna Helen said, frowning at her mate.

Despite her mother’s antagonistic words, Anna’s heart skipped a beat as an idea occurred to her. She just needed to be careful in how she made her suggestion. If her father guessed her true motive, he would deny her outright. Anna was banking on his fear for Cecily’s safety to override his inclination to indulge Cecily’s whims.

“Alpha, I offer my services as Cecily’s personal protector. You and Luna Helen can focus on presenting Cecily to unmated males while I provide an extra layer of security,” Anna told them, careful to keep her voice flat. Her father turned to look at Anna, as if just realizing she was there. He studied Anna carefully, trying to determine Anna’s true motivation.

“Where does this sudden concern for Cecily come from? You’ve done nothing but try to tarnish her reputation for years. Tell me your true goal,” Alpha James demanded, his voice laced with his Alpha aura. Anna barely resisted smirking. Her wolf might ignore Anna, but she would never allow their father to control them with his weak aura. Coming forth in their mind, her wolf exerted her own power and easily resisted their father’s command. Not enough for him to take notice, but enough to circumvent his order so Anna could lie about her intentions.

“I’m not concerned about Cecily. I’m concerned about myself. Cecily will be a nightmare to deal with if she misses that ball,” Anna said, shrugging nonchalantly. Her father frowned at the insult, but said nothing. Instead, he stared at Anna, attempting to use his gaze to intimidate Anna into revealing more. Anna was tempted to hold his gaze to taunt him, but that would raise his suspicions. Swallowing her pride, Anna lowered her head in submission.

“Daddy, no, I don’t want her there! She’ll embarrass me!” Cecily cried, crossing her arms over her chest and glaring at Anna. Anna didn’t so much as glance at her, keeping her gaze directed toward their father. He was silent as he considered Anna’s words. Anna was his best warrior and would be his Beta if Cecily hadn’t protested. Cecily claimed Anna would use her rank to pick on her, and their father had agreed. So, despite being the pack’s strongest fighter and the Alpha’s eldest daughter, Anna remained a low-ranking warrior.

“Very well. Cecily, you may attend the ball but only if Anna goes as your protector,” James decided.

“But Daddy-” Cecily screeched.

“Enough. Anna goes or you don’t,” he ordered, allowing his aura to seep through. Cecily might have their father wrapped around her finger, but even she knew not to argue with the Alpha when he used that tone. Cecily pouted her concession.

“Fine. But she’s going as a warrior, not my sister. She can wear her uniform since she isn’t looking for a mate,” Cecily said, as if she were the Luna instead of their mother. Since their mother remained silent, as per usual, Cecily might as well be.

Anna again ignored Cecily’s attempt to provoke her. If Anna were to be Cecily’s protector, Anna would be by Cecily’s side throughout the ball, offering Anna as many opportunities to find a mate as Cecily. And what Anna was wearing wouldn’t matter if she found her fated mate. His wolf would want her regardless of her attire. Anna just hoped her mate would be a low-ranked wolf to lessen the possibility of rejection. No high-ranked wolf would want a plain female with a temperamental wolf. Especially not with Anna’s beautiful sister by her side.

“Would you like a new dress, Anna?” the Alpha asked, and his unexpected question nearly made her lose her detached expression. Why would he suddenly care about anything she wanted? Anna sensed a trap, so she just shrugged her shoulders.

“A dress is unnecessary as I will be working, not seeking a mate,” Anna said. The Alpha continued to look at her for another moment, again trying to draw out the truth. Keeping her gaze focused on his forehead, Anna said nothing. Suddenly, her father nodded and turned back to his favored daughter.

“Then it’s settled. Come along, Helen,” Alpha James said, kissing Cecily on the head and walking out, their mother dutifully following. Cecily whirled and faced Anna, her face contorted in rage. Anna just looked at her, saying nothing.

“You will never go to that ball,” Cecily hissed. Anna smiled smugly, not worried. Cecily didn’t seem to realize it, but Anna held all the cards until after the mate ball. By then, Anna hoped to be mated and safely away from this pack and her so-called family.

“You should just focus on your outfit for the ball. Alpha James will never compromise about your safety. You’re stuck with me,” Anna told her. Then stepped close and whispered in Cecily’s ear. “And stay away from the Omegas before the ball. You try your usual bullshit with them, and I will refuse to go. You’ll be hearing about the ball from your happily mated friends,” Anna taunted her. Cecily screamed and stormed out.

While Anna enjoyed her momentary victory, she knew that if she didn’t find her mate at the ball, she would be screwed. Please, Goddess, let her find him.