The Hidden Alpha (Stryders #4) - HOLD

Chapter 26: The Rain

Callum was an Alpha.

Unraveling new things about Callum had been one twist and turn after another. An Alpha. Callum. I couldn't wrap my head around it. Thankfully, I have always been surrounded by the best kind of an example for an Alpha with Uncle Lance, but I knew the werewolf world.

Alphas were usually the worst. Possessive. Abusive. Controlling. One would think in modern times that the circumstances would be better, but not in the werewolf community. Alphas passed down their narrow mindedness to their children, thinking it was the only way. 

Vampires were different, but not by much. Werewolves were more emotional and Alphas were, well Alphas. They led the pack and had to command respect. Leaders by birth, but not always by nature.

To think Callum was an Alpha.

Mind blowing for me. 

Julian exhaled slowly, "He doesn't think he's deserving of that title despite what all he is doing to protect the pack. I tell him all the time he's worthy- I'm the fraud in this situation."

"You're not," I said, "you have Alpha in you too."

Julian laughed, stretching as he got up. Helping me get on my feet too. Whatever he was wondering about here was gone, his mood lifted up. "You know, the first time your parents came here, it was one of my first jobs as being in the stand in. At that point, I ha to show everyone what I was made of. Trying hard to impress them all."

"Did you?"

"Not at all," Julian replied sadly. "Elliot was the one who was the most angry with me for letting your parents live."

My eyes widened, "You were thinking about killing them?"

"The majority of the pack did in case they told anyone about us. If word got out that we exist, then our livelihoods were at stake. My first decision of letting your parents live made a lot of people mad at me. Still mad at me to this day, but it is what it takes to be the leader."

"Like Callum," I commented. Everyone always thought Callum did nothing all day. Meanwhile, he was dying to keep the Barrier alive.

"Like Callum," Julian agreed softly, sadness in his voice. "Your parents are two people I think about often, like a fever dream. I've been stuck inside this pack for so long I wonder if I just imagined them. I dream about what they were doing in the outside world, something that I never got or even cared for. All I wish is for Callum to experience it like I never had, but for him it's almost impossible."

I was heartbroken for both Julian and Callum. "I wish too..." I trailed off, "if you could come with me." Julian's sad smile- regret and despair made me ache worse than anything before. "You never left this pack?"

"Nah," Julian shrugged. "Let's get going, I can sense Callum's unease from across the lake." I tried to peer over the lake to see if I can see a tiny dot, but nothing. Thinking about Callum waiting for me put me in that bubbly feeling again. Julian started walking towards the main camp, and I followed him. "That covers about everything Callum related. I'm glad you've made him get out of his shell. Never had I seen him act like this. Sure, many female wolves here have tried to pursue him, but he had not once gave them even a glance. Then you came, Freya Stryder, and his world as he knows it will change."

I knew I was blushing, so I turned my head to the side, trying to clear my throat. "By the way, I just wanted to let you know we were going to the Fighter Pack again."

"Now that you know that Callum is the Alpha, you know why I asked you to take Callum with you." Julian shrugged. "Callum does listen to me even if he's my Alpha. Ironic, isn't it?"