The Lost Wolf

Phoenix:

"Alpha, I’m asking you with everything in me, please find my daughter.” I gazed into the pleading eyes of Peter Hawthorne, one of my families’ oldest friends.

“Mr. Hawthorne, you know you’ve been like a father to me ever since mine passed, you have no reason to address me as Alpha.” I did my best to give a reassuring smile to help calm Peter’s anxiety.

At the age of 3, our pack was brutally attacked by the Red Dawn pack. We lost many warriors, men, women, and children. My father, the Alpha of the Silver Springs Pack, lost his life protecting my mother, my brother and I. My mother was able to run and hide with my brother and I in her arms until we were found by Peter, my father’s Beta. Peter had also lost his mate in the battle, and we were never able to find his one-year-old daughter, Sienna.

Since my father had passed, Peter became like a father to me and spent as much time as he could taking care of my mother as well. Once you lose your mate, you often become a shell of yourself, and somehow Peter pulled himself through the pain he felt, while making sure my mother didn’t lose herself as well. Peter spent years searching for Sienna, and since her body was never found, he continued to have hope that she was alive.

After the war with Red Dawn, Peter had taken over as Alpha until I had become of age, and I was ready to take on the title and responsibilities of the role. Now, 18 years later, Peter had stepped down, and I stepped up into the role of Alpha. Before I took on the role, Peter had pleaded with me that I would continue the search for Sienna. I owed everything to this man, so there was no way I could possibly say no to him.

“And you’ve been like a son to me long enough now that you don’t have to call me Mr. Hawthorne,” Peter chucked, but he couldn’t manage to mask the pain his deep brown eyes held.

I ran my hand through my sandy blonde hair and sighed, “Peter, I promise that no matter what, I will never stop searching for Sienna,” I wanted to give Peter as much as he had given me, but I worried I wouldn’t have better luck. We have been searching for Sienna for 18 years, making sure to leave no stone unturned, and I wasn’t sure what more I could do.

I rested my head in my hands on my desk and did my best to calm my body and my restless wolf. I had only been Alpha for 2 weeks, and yet it felt as though the weight of the world was on my shoulders. I wanted to live up to my father’s name, as well as give Peter peace and rest. I felt a strong grip on my shoulder and lifted my head to Peter giving me a warm genuine smile.

“Nix, you’re doing great, and you’re going to continue to do great,” Peter let go of my shoulder and sat back down in his chair across from me, while I leaned back in mine, “I know I’m asking a lot son, I just can’t help but think that she’s out there, and I’ve missed so much time with her, I just want her back.”

“I know, and I want nothing more than to make that happen for you. I just don’t want you to lose hope in me. I don’t want to let you down.”

“Nothing you do could make me love you any less. I am beyond proud of you, and I know it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.”

Before I could respond, a knock on my office door interrupted our conversation. I shot Peter a warm smile and stood from the desk and straightened my jacket.

” Come in!” I called. The door creaked open and my younger brother, who was also my Beta, strolled in with his usual goofy grin on his face. I walked around my desk and pulled him into a hug and ruffled his blonde curls.

“Griffin, I’m so glad you’re back, how was your mission? I can only hope it went well.” I had sent Griffin out to surrounding packs and explain the news of my leadership and create alliances. I had to settle into my new role, which is why Griffin was set out instead of myself.

“Everything was great,” Griffin reached over to my side table and began pouring himself a glass of scotch, “I was able to speak with 5 Alphas about Silver Springs new leadership, Finch and Wren were able to create alliances, and there was a couple She-wolves we all were able to speak too as well,” He winked at me as he brought his glass to his lips.

I shot a look at Peter who chuckled and rolled his eyes.

“Griffin, once all you boys find your mates, you’ll wish you never even looked at any other She-wolves.” Peter leaned against my desk and shook his head.

Griffin handed me a glass and I took a seat in my chair, “I’m surprised a goofy goober like yourself was even able to spark interest from the ladies,” I smirked.

“Who could resist this charm?” Griffin puffed out his chest and grinned.

Griffin and I were both gifted with good looks. We were both tall, he was 6'4, where I was 6'5. We both had the same sandy blonde hair, but where his was longer with some curl, mine was shaven on the sides, with some length on top. Griffin liked to keep his face clean shaven, while I had some stubble. We both had strong builds due to running the pack and training endlessly.

Thinking of a mate made my head hurt. I had gained my wolf, Aden, when I turned 18, and now I was 21 still in search of my mate. Most Alphas are able to find their mate as soon as they receive their wolf because of their strong bloodline, but here I was still on the search. I guess Sienna wasn’t the only one I needed to look for. My brother, as well as Finch and Wren, my Gamma and Delta, hadn’t found their mates either, which was extremely unusual- unheard of even. My wolf hated the thought of having anyone other than our mate, but I guess I couldn’t say the same for the other goons I have to deal with.

“Our mate deserves to feel special. Nothing is going to compare to her.” Aden growled.

“I know, and maybe that’s why the Moon Goddess made me Alpha because someone needs to keep these dumbos in line.” I scoffed.

“No, the Moon Goddess made ME Alpha, you’re just the human who is also a dumbo.” Aden teased.

“Haha, very funny doggy. Then why am I in control?” I mentally rolled my eyes at my wolf. I truly thought we worked well together, but his ego was too large for his own good.

“Don’t set a challenge that you won’t win Nix. Watch me take control really quick. I just let you have freedom to make you think you have control.” My wolf snapped. I chucked at his childish ego.

Griffin’s cough brought me back to the conversation, “There is one thing that I still need to mention.” I raised my eyebrow at my brother’s uneasy stare. “Red Dawn wants a meeting with you.”

I instantly became angry, why would our enemies want to meet with me? What were they up to, they’ve already caused enough damage. I had to think about this wisely though. If I said no, their Alpha could be upset I refused, and lash out, but if I said yes, I could still be walking into a trap. I didn't like the possibility of the unknown. I needed a plan; I needed all the information. I needed control, and everything about this situation screamed anything but.

“What do you mean Red Dawn wants a meeting with Phoenix?” Peter stood ridged as if he had seen a ghost. His expression was unreadable, but I knew deep down Griffin’s statement had struck a nerve. I raised my hand in an attempt to calm him. Griffin placed down his glass and stood taller, clearly not wanting to have the conversation just as much as Peter and myself.

“We got stopped on our travels,” Griffin glanced between the two of us, “Their beta recognized us almost immediately, he's still the same one from years ago, but a new Alpha leads Red Dawn now. We were fully prepared to fight them off-"

“And why didn’t you contact me?” I started to raise my voice, as I cut him off midsentence. I didn’t want to be upset at him, but I couldn't stomach the thought if anything had happened to my brother or my closest friends under my authority. The thought twisted my insides, and I started to see red.

“If the situation was to get out of hand, we would have,” Griffin sighed, “Listen, Nix, I didn’t want to let you down.” He looked startled, as if I should be okay with his decision. He leaned back on the table behind him- almost too casually, which honestly pissed me off more. He refused to meet my gaze.

“Let me down? You could have gotten killed! And not to mention I’m not only your older brother, but your Alpha! You report everything to me!” I roared as I stood from my chair and slammed my hand on my desk. I could feel Aden starting to surface as the anger and worry rippled through me. A hand on my shoulder snapped my attention away from my brother.

I turned to stare into the sad eyes of Peter. He wore a sympathetic smile and squeezed my shoulder.

“I think your brother has heard enough. This is obviously new for everyone, and I understand your worry and concern for your pack, but you also let Griffin in charge of the mission, and he made the decision he felt was best.” I turned back to my brother whose face showed remorse. I sighed, letting the anger melt off of me slowly, but not completely.

“Griffin, I apologize. I can’t imagine losing you, not after everything,” I shook my head, “What’s done is done. Tell me what Red Dawn wants.”

My brother began to poor us another glass of scotch, “They request a meeting because they want your pack.”