Alphas Choice

O N E

The moon shone so brightly in the clearing it was almost as if it was daytime, but I could see every star in the sky. I was surrounded by animals of the forest, they sought me out in the night when they needed help. I tended to any of their wounds or give them comfort, many of them sleeping peacefully around me. Since I was young, I've been able to communicate with animals. I can understand their wants and needs, there's a level of trust that they have with me and they can understand when I speak with them. I've been told it's my lineage that gives me this ability as most wolves unfortunately do not possess powers, I just feel blessed to have it.

I finished bandaging up a raccoons leg that I found caught in a trap and I wiped my hands on the hem of my dress. I moved to sit against a tree and watch the wind make ripples in the pond while the raccoon I just helped curls against my side.

Just as I got comfortable, my loud sister's voice comes in through our mind link.

Grace, mum and dad are waiting for you, you need to get back to the castle we are all in dad's office, hurry.

Yes Camila, I'll be there as quick as I can. I linked back to her.

I shut my sister out of the mind-link as I took one last glance around the clearing and sighed to myself. It is such a beautiful night I wish I could stay out longer. I stand and stretch out my limbs and say a quick farewell to the animals, promising that I will be back when I can. I turned towards the castle grounds and headed off at a run, my short legs moving fast through the brush it doesn't take long to reach the edge of the manicured lawns of the castle.

I slowed myself to a walk and politely greeted the guards I saw in passing, they bow to me as a sign of respect. Once inside, I rush up to my room on the fifth floor so I can change out of my dress, which is now dirty. My father doesn't approve of me "playing in the dirt with the animals" as he puts it. He says it is no way for a Princess or respectable wolf to act. I groan to myself. He never does something unless it benefits himself, he's always been strict with my sister and I.

I quickly change into a simple gown and run a brush through my hair, smoothing out the fly away pieces. My blonde hair has grown past my waist now, and my bangs are getting in my eyes. I should probably get it cut soon... It would make detangling so much faster.

With a quick glance in the mirror, I put on my shoes and head downstairs towards my father's office, which is on the main floor in the center of the castle. As I wander down the stairs and through the halls, I wonder what it is he needs to see me about. I had lunch this afternoon with him and mum, and nothing was brought up then.

I finally make it to his office door and give a quick knock before walking in.

I first see my father sitting behind his desk, head down, looking at some papers. He looks more lost in thought than usual, rubbing his graying black hair. He looks up as I close the door, his blue eyes darkening slightly as if he's thinking something over. Before anything is said, I quickly glanced around the room. My mother and sister sit on the long couch along the back window.

I noticed my mother first. She looks upset with small creases showing on her forehead from frowning. Her indigo coloured eyes are troubled as she looks at me. Then I glanced at my sister. She looked infuriated, her blue eyes flashing emerald green as her wolf kept coming to the surface. Her fiery red hair seems as if it is a live flame dancing around her face, her curls bouncing as she twitches in her seat. She's always had a hot temper, but something seems off she looks ready to fight. I look back towards my father, who is as stoic as ever. Nobody says a word.

I walk across his office and sit next to Camilla. I reach out to my sister through the mind-link.

Cam, what's going on, are you okay?