The doctor turned to face me, “I’m sorry Alpha Sophia, but he’s gone.” Sadie whispered, “He showed us his supporting the title change.” He did. Our pack doctor was a good man. Wallace’s arms tightened around me and I went to my knees crying quietly.
Wallace consoled me, “Sophia, it’s alright. Everything is going to be alright.” Alfred Sr. said, “We will have your Alpha ceremony tomorrow, Sophia.” I looked up startled. Alfred Sr. rubbed my cheek, “I know you’re his successor, and so do you. We will make you the Alpha tomorrow night. We will mourn our loss and celebrate our new Alpha.”
I scoffed, “They won’t all celebrate.” Alfred Jr. shrugged, “Those who matter will celebrate. You were born for this.” I smiled at them. People talked all around me. The doctor moved my father’s body. I went to my room in a daze.
I felt Wallace behind me. He asked, “Are you ok?” I turned whispering, “No.” He went into my bathroom and grabbed a wash rag. He wiped the dried blood from under my nose. He asked through clenched teeth, “He hit you, didn’t he?” I wiped my tears, “He didn’t mean it.”
Wallace growled then looked into my eyes. He leaned his lips down to mine. I was surprised and confused, but I desperately needed to feel something. Wallace’s kiss felt nice. So, I kissed him back. He started to remove my shirt.
Were we really going to do this? I linked, “Sadie?” She didn’t answer. Wallace took off his own shirt. I admitted, “I’ve never…” Wallace assured me, “I’ll be gentle, Soph.” I nodded. Sadie had always liked Wallace’s wolf. We thought we were mates, but when I turned eighteen last week we found out we weren’t.
I closed my eyes so Wallace wouldn’t see my tears. My dad was dead, and I had no mate. My dad had hit me tonight and ended his own life. He told me to marry Chase to keep my title. To turn into a shell of myself. I felt like a shell as I kissed Wallace back. I did love Wallace, just not romantically. Should I do this? Would he know what this meant?
The questions swirled in my mind, but I couldn’t find the words to stop him. He made me come with his fingers and his mouth. He slowly slid into me breaking my hymen. It didn’t bother me. I was numb to everything. He growled something that sounded a lot like mine. I didn’t reply because I didn’t need to. I wasn’t his. Maybe I wasn’t anyone’s. Did the Moon Goddess even love me?
He made me come again before he quickly groaned and came himself. He fell off me to the side, then quickly fell asleep. I got up and went into the bathroom. I looked down at the dried blood on my legs. I looked up at the girl in the mirror staring back at me. She was certainly a shell now.
Tears fell down my face as I stepped into the shower. I wasn’t a virgin anymore. I was an orphan who was going to be an Alpha tomorrow night. I sat down and let the water hit me. I stayed there as my skin turned bright red from the heat. I curled into a ball and sobbed. Was my life even mine anymore?
When I had no tears left, I turned off the shower. I wrapped a towel around myself. I looked in the mirror. I shook myself and said, “No more tears. Be strong.” I nodded at myself. Sadie said, “We will honor and avenge dad, Sophia.” I agreed, “Yes, we will.”
I slipped out of the pack lands and went to my father’s office and looked around. He had files upon files of suspects. He had a picture of him and mom on the desk. I stared at it determinedly. “I will avenge you guys, and I will do whatever I have to. I’ll make it happen. I’ll close our pack off and do the bare minimum to keep allies. I’ll use my status to my advantage, and my friendships. I’ll do this for you both.” I promised them.
***End of Flashback***
The memory of that night faded, and I couldn’t help but think I’d made so many mistakes. I knew that my Dad wasn’t right in the end. I shouldn’t have listened to his orders of closing off our pack and avenging their deaths without trusting anyone to assist and support me. Alpha Eric would’ve helped me. Hell, Frank would’ve helped me. He was one of my dad’s best friends. It’s why I was always with Chase and Cameron. I’d messed up so badly, and I didn’t know if I’d get to fix it.
Alfred and I drove back to our territory in silence. Alfred Sr. was waiting when we got back. He said, “Alfred, your stepmom is waiting for you in the house.” Alfred Jr. looked at me. I nodded, “Go ahead.” I smiled weakly at him.
Alfred Sr. ordered, “Get back in the car Sophia.” Sadie bristled at his tone, but I nodded. I asked, “Where are we going?” He looked at me, “Downtown.” I frowned but did as he said. I parked and turned to him.
Alfred Sr. admitted, “I followed you that night Allister died. I know what’s in that building. I have been following leads too. I picked up what breadcrumbs I could. I was waiting for you to come to me, but you never did.” I gasped, “You knew my dad was murdered?”
Alfred Sr. nodded with tears in his eyes, “I will not rest until I find who did this. I know about Alpha Chase, and what happened tonight. Alfred Jr. linked me. I know what you want to do.” I said, “I’m going to do what I have to do. He deserves to be happy. I’ve stood in his way long enough.”
Alfred Sr. shouted, “We deserve justice! My best friend and his wife were murdered. MY MATE WAS MURDERED!” I gasped, “What?” Alfred Sr. continued, “So were Wallace’s parents. I’ve been looking into it all. We need Chase as a cover.”
I argued, “Chase needs to move on with his life. He DESERVES to move on with his life. He’s found his mate. He’d have helped us all this time if I’d trusted them. ALL of our allies will help us.” If we still had them. I could probably convince them if I had Princess Luna Haley on my side. Alfred Sr. shrugged, “He’s marked her.”
I closed my eyes, “The party his pack had the other night.” Alfred Sr. nodded, “Yes, he marked her. She’s his. Eventually they can get married and have pups. We just need more time.” I pointed out, “He’s given me all his time. It’s time for me to come out of my shell.” Alfred Sr. turned to me with pleading eyes, “I’m begging you not yet.”
My new Gamma, Steve, linked me, “Sophia, we have a problem.” I answered, “When don’t we? What is it?” Steve replied, “You need to get back here now.” I told Alfred Sr., “We have to get back. Something is wrong.” I gunned it back without speaking to him. Sadie wasn’t happy with him at all, and to be honest; neither was I.
Alfred Sr. and I jumped out of the car as soon as I put it in park. I asked, “Steve, what happened?” Opal Olsen was bleeding from the back of her head. Alfred Sr. asked, “Opal? What the hell happened?!” She cried, “I don’t know Alfred Jr. is missing!” Alfred Sr. glanced at me.
I growled, “What do you mean he’s missing, Opal? I was just with him.” Steve handed me a note. He explained, “Our warriors found this.”
Sophia,
Don’t try to ruin things now because Alpha Chase is being a little crybaby bitch. Stay married or Beta Alfred Jr. dies next. I’ll put his head on a spike for you. You can’t tell your husband or allies about this either. See you soon pup. I look forward to our official introduction. I bet you fall over in shock.
I glanced up at Steve. I ordered, “Get me our best trackers. NOW!” I pulled out my phone and called the one person I knew I could trust. He answered, “Sophia?” I said, “Tyson, I need you. My Beta has been kidnapped.” Tyson yelled, “What? I’m coming. I’ll be there in a few hours.” I tried to link my Beta, but it felt like I hit a wall. Son of a bitch!
Alfred Sr. read the note and paled. He looked at Opal and asked, “Archie and Josie? Where are our other pups?” Opal answered, “With their friends. They weren’t there.” Steve said, “We have accounted for them Beta Alfred Sr. I had them checked on immediately.” I ordered, “Opal, go get checked out at the hospital. Alfred Sr. My office. Now.” I linked Steve, “Watch her.” He linked, “You suspect her?” I replied, “She knew when we were coming back, his siblings weren’t there, and Alfred went to see her. I’m suspicious of everyone.” He nodded.
The second he closed the door I rounded on Alfred Sr, “Did you do this?” Alfred Sr. looked shocked, “Hurt my mate and my son? How could you ask that?” I said, “Just minutes ago you were begging me not to give Chase the annulment, and I had every intention of doing so. Now, we both know I can’t. This is exactly what you wanted!”
Alfred Sr. put his head in his hands, “I am many things that aren’t great, but I watched you grow up. I’ve known all along you weren’t this meek little girl you’ve been pretending to be. I KNOW the promises your father made you make. I am not a good man, or I would’ve told you he wasn’t in his right mind at the end.” I knew that.