Page 5 of Alpha's Choice
“I suppose it’s possible they could be in hiding amongst the human population just like we are, but I do believe those are mythical beings. The Werewolf Council stays on top of any strange happenings in the world.”
“So it’s just werewolves? Nothing else supernatural?” Relief washed over me that there wasn’t more unknown out there.
“Witches exist, of course.”
Of course. And there went my relief.
“According to our origin myths, witches created werewolves,” Lora said. “Witches were being hunted, and they pled for the Moon Goddess to grant them protectors. She gave them the magic to merge men with wolves. As a reward for their sacrifice, the Goddess herself granted the werewolves mates.”
The time rushed by and soon other students trickled into the classroom. They all stared as they walked by, whispering amongst themselves as they took their seats. A few of the boys gave not-so-discrete sniffs as they walked past me.
There were some obvious couples, with the female of the pair shooting me a warning glare. Luckily, Lora had given me the heads up that newly mated pairs were possessive, so it didn’t bother me.
A girl sat next to me and shot me a big smile that hinted at barely contained excitement. “You must be Emma. I’m Kylie Winters. My brother Roger told me you’d be joining us this summer. We never get anyone new.”
I remembered the guard at the gate and saw the family resemblance. Kylie and he had the same bright blue eyes and strawberry blonde hair, but where he was tall with bulky muscles, she was tall with lean muscles.
Before I could say anything, Kylie continued. “I’ve never met a human teenager who knows about werewolves. The only humans here are adult mates of wolves, and there are only a few of those. Most human mates don’t get found until later.”
Lora called the class to order and Kylie mouthed the words, “We’ll talk after.”
“Today we will do an overview of pack functions and the various jobs that keep the place running. I know many of you already know what you’d like to do after this summer, but I ask you to keep your minds open to the possibilities. Physical training will be in the afternoons. Beta Matthews is the instructor for that today, so be on your best behavior.”
CHAPTER3
Emma
Kylie showed me the cafeteria, where we each got a tray of food. It looked great for school food. She led me to a table in the middle with five other students, three guys, and two girls. “Everyone, meet Emma. Obviously, she’s new and human, so make her feel welcome.”
I blushed as everyone looked my way. They said a chorus of hellos, and then names flew at me. Peter had sniffed me that morning in class, while Mike had his arm around Tracy, so I assumed they were mates. Kelly was a small blonde with a shy smile, and Elliot was the final guy who shot me a quick smile before focusing on his food again.
“So, can someone explain why people keep smelling me?”
Kylie opened her bottle of juice. “You’re new, and not pack. But the unmated males are checking to see if you’re their mate.”
“Oh. But I’m human, so isn’t that unlikely?”
Peter grinned at me. “Odds go up since your mom is mates with a wolf. Plus, you’re cute, so it’s worth a shot.”
Tracy rolled her eyes as Peter wagged his eyebrows at me. “Have you told her who’s who yet?”
“Not yet,” Kylie said, popping a fry in her mouth. “Lunch is the best time to see the divisions.”
“I take it a wolf pack has cliques, just like in a human high school?” I removed the onions from my burger before taking a bite.
“Absolutely.” Kylie gestured around our table. “We’re the normal ones, of course. We get along with almost everyone but have no need or desire to be on top of the cool pyramid.”
“Sounds perfect to me.”
“We think so. The self-proclaimed cool kids are by the back wall. Their families are higher-ups in the pack. Some are younger siblings of the Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta group.”
“But Lisa thinks she’ll be the Luna when Alpha Tobias gets back. She just turned eighteen and is sure they’re mates.” Tracy leaned back against Mike.
“Goddess, I hope not.” Kylie shuddered. “She’d make a horrible Luna. She thinks she’s better than everyone.”
“How mad will she be when it’s you?” Tracy winked at Kylie, whose face was now red as she shushed Tracy.
“What’s a Luna?”
