Page 1 of Cruel Alpha Daddy

Chapter 1 - Rider

We have been far too long without a home.

As I look out over our ragged camp, this thought consumes me. Loneliness aches in my chest like a fresh wound to the heart. I feel cold and empty, but at the same time, so full of rage and pain, it’s as if my body literally cannot stand it.

The camp is quiet, most of the pack still asleep. Smoke curls from the remains of the fires, drifting up in lazy circles towards the clear air of the peaks. The early morning light shimmers against the snow-covered slopes, creating a world of light and color.

A place that could be heaven.

But feels like hell.

I walk slowly through the camp, listening to the sleepy sounds of my pack members inside their tents. Even though some are stirring, it looks like I’m the only one awake.

Somewhere nearby, a child cries. The sound is sharp and plaintive, a wail of discomfort and fear. My entire body reacts, my chest constricting around the rapid beat of my heart.

I was supposed to do better for them—for all of them!

After we lost our fight against Bailey’s pack six months ago, I vowed to change things for all of us. Finally, with a decent man in charge, we could find comfort, purpose, and stability.

We could make a home. Arealone.

Instead, we’ve wandered through the woods, moving camp every few weeks. We leave our trucks at parking lots or abandoned scrap yards, using them to store supplies andoccasionally travel to surrounding towns. There is no safe place for us to go, nowhere to build a home.

In Sawpit, the previous leaders of this pack had semi-legitimate businesses. A bar at the rougher edge of town and some shop fronts, but all of it is barely legal and caught up in a few generations’ worth of crime. If I want to help the innocent members of the pack, I can’t let them touch that dirty money, or live amongst criminals.

The baby cries again, and I hurry towards the sound. I can hear the mother inside the tent trying to comfort the child, soothing him with her voice. Hurrying to collect some firewood, I manage to get a decent blaze going before the woman comes out of the tent.

“Oh. Good morning, Rider.”

“Good morning, Lilah. How is Todd?”

“A little fussy, as you can see. I’m sorry he woke you up.”

I shake my head, hurrying over to her. “I was already awake, Lilah. I’m not like the other alphas that ruled this pack. I won’t punish you because your child is hungry and cold.”

I see tears gathering at the edge of her eyes, and Lilah holds Todd tightly against her chest.

“Thank you, Rider.”

“Do you need anything?”

At first, she shakes her head, then I see conflict in her eyes.

“Tell me, Lilah. Don’t hold back.”

“Well… I could use some formula and diapers. We can go without if it’s too much trouble.”

“Not at all,” I reassure her gently. “I’ll do a supply run to the trucks, and if we don’t have enough, I’ll send someone to the nearest town to buy some.”

“Do we have the money?” she asks.

No.

“Don’t worry about it,” I say, smiling gently. “We can cover it. Can I help you make some tea?”

“No, thank you, Rider. My sister will be up soon.”

“Okay. Don’t hesitate to ask me if you need anything.”

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