The Alpha

Chapter 1

I glanced down at the small piece of parchment in my hand, re-reading the small calligraphy letters over again in my head.

"Always do what's right."

I crumbled the paper and closed my eyes, allowing my tears to freely run down my face. Finding out that this was the only thing my parents had left for me was frustrating. But saddened me at the same time. It made me realize that they were actually, really gone. Now was the time when I needed to hear my moms words of condolence. And what I wouldn't give to be able to laugh at my dad's corny jokes one last time. I was left to run a pack all on my own, and I didn't know how to do it.

"Alpha."

I wiped my tears quickly, and turned around. Jackson, my Beta, was standing behind me, a concern look on his face.

"What is it Jackson."

"Everyone's here. We're just waiting on you but... Can you.....," he trailed off, worry slowly creeping unto his face.

"I'm fine."

He looked at me for a few more seconds before finally nodding his head and walking away. I glanced back down at the piece of paper in my hand, then shoved it in my purse. I stood up straight, taking deep breaths, wiping my tears, then made my way back downstairs. I could hear the low murmur of voices slowly stop when they saw me descending the stairs. A chorus of "alpha" rang in my ears and I almost laughed. Being called Alpha seemed so surreal, like a nightmare come true.

"What's the plan?" I asked my third-in- command, Eric.

"We take different routes. Different turns. Doug, Matt, and Mason are patrolling the areas outside our territory and me, Jackson, and Scott are trying to stay inside," he replied.

I sighed. I had a pretty good pack. We consisted of 413 members, the biggest pack in the US. We had a treaty with 7 out of the 10 packs and it relaxed me knowing that we didn't have many enemies. Except for one: vampires. For centuries, my pack and the neighboring vampire nation were feuding for land, for conquests, for power. I didn't like involving my pack in this but when 9 of our wolves appeared dead a week ago, with vampire stench all over them, the peace we had died, and we declared war on the filthy bloodsuckers. We were on high alert since then.

"Make sure to take more then 20 men. We don't need any mistakes," I said sternly. Eric nodded.

"Alpha," I heard someone else say. I turned around, recognizing the annoying voice and immediately smiled, my tears beginning to fall. I was aware that my pack was still watching my every move but I didn't care. At that point, nothing mattered. I ran up to give my brother a hug. He hugged me back, nuzzling my neck. I leaned back and I saw the tears running down his face. I grabbed him by the hand and dragged him to my dad's office, which apparently was now my office. I stared at my younger brother Micah, and a deep pang of sadness overtook me completely. He was only 15, and it pained me to see him like this. Growing up, he always wanted to make himself look strong, powerful. No doubt he would've made an amazing alpha. And it killed me to see him so weak and helpless.

"I missed you Lily," he said. He was the only one who called me Lily. My parents always referred to me as Cecilia, or Cece. Unlike me, my brother decided that living with the pack was too much for him. So he ended up going up North, to live with our aunt Rhea.

"I missed you too Mick," I said smiling, knowing he hated the nickname.

"I just... I can't believe mom and dad are... Gone.." He said, looking down.

"You need to stay strong baby, please."

"Me? What about you? The all mighty She-Wolf Alpha," he said smirking. I laughed. I really needed this, a relaxing atmosphere with my little brother.

"Lily, you don't look like your happy with your position," he said softly. I sighed.

"I'm not Mick. I feel like I don't have the strength to lead this pack," I replied.

"Bullshit."

"What. I don't."

"Lily, your the strongest She-Wolf I have ever met. And I don't just mean physically. You've overcome so much..." he trailed off, not wanting to talk about the past.

I sighed. "Sometimes I feel weak. How am I gonna lead 413 wolves against the strongest army? Derek is no doubt training his best men right now to fight against us. What if I lead us to failure? What if because of me, my pack fails?"

"Have you forgotten that you have treaties with the strongest packs in the US?"

"I'm not going to lead them all to their deaths Mick," I muttered.

"Your not Lily. You were born to be Alpha. You were born to lead. Honestly, your lack of self-esteem is really painful," he replied snickering. I gave his shoulder a slight punch and laughed.

"Well, take into consideration that you do have other options. I'm sure Alpha Quinn from Lakewood pack will help. As will Alpha Richard and Alpha Lucas."

"Like I said, I'm not willing to sacrifice any other pack. Derek declared war on MY pack. Not anyone else. And I WILL defend my pack," I snapped.

Out of all the packs in the US, Alpha Quinn had the second biggest pack, with 342 members. I knew he would help, we were good friends but I wasn't willing to send him straight into the lions den. I knew this was a war I myself had to fight. And I would train my men to defeat once and for all those filthy bloodsuckers.