Alpha Aria

Chapter 5 The Reveal

ARIA

"We have nine packs scheduled to be here for the Alpha Summit this weekend." Uncle Bill told me at dinner. He helped himself to another scoop of mashed potatoes. "Even Swift Claw will be there. First time in 25 years."

Raising my eyebrows in surprise, I signed to him. "Wow! Why so long?"

He chuckled. "They weren't too happy when your mom became Alpha and so they refused to come while she was in charge. After Alpha Brian took over we've only hosted once before, when you were 9."

I nodded, remembering how exciting it was. He continued. "They had planned to come then but had to back out at the last minute, I think their Luna was pregnant and too close to her due date to risk the trip."

"So why didn't they like mom as Alpha? I thought everyone loved her." I asked after shoveling a bite of steak in my mouth.

Uncle Bill looked thoughtful before answering as tactfully as possible. "Swift Claw has a rather... unconventional... view of werewolf society. They prefer men to be in charge, let's just put it that way."

Curling my lip in disgust, I swallowed my bite and took a drink of water. "Yikes, I feel bad for the women in their pack."

"Me too. Oh! Their Shaman apprentice in training is coming to help kick off the opening ceremony. She's your age, I believe."

"She? I'm surprised they allow a woman to have that position."

Uncle Bill smiled. "It's traditionally a female held position, as it's believed women are better able to link with the moon goddess Selene."

"I bet that chaps their sexist hides." I laughed.

Uncle Bill chuckled. "Probably!"

After the amusement died down, I sighed, my thoughts turning serious. The last time we hosted the Alpha Summit it was exciting and I had a great time. However, after nearly two years of being without a wolf, the whole prospect seemed depressing to me.

The official reason for the annual event was to strengthen the alliances that King Maximilian of the Pacific Northwest had forged over a decade ago. However, the weekend-long event held during the full moon was really just an elaborate opportunity for the unmated to find their fated mates.

"They really ought to call it the Matchmaker Mixer." I signed to uncle Bill. He chuckled, nodding. Then he glanced to the wall where a picture of my Aunt Elise was hanging. She had died in childbirth when I was two years old and I didn't remember her at all. Sadly, their pup didn't survive, either. It devastated uncle Bill and it wasn't until he took me in that he started to climb out of his depression.

It was obvious that he still missed her terribly. His eyes misted over as his mind drifted to a far away place, full of memories. "I know you still miss her, Uncle. But don't you think she would want you to be happy? Maybe you should try to find a second chance mate."

My uncle watched as I signed the words to him and he was already shaking his head before I was done.

"Elise was my whole heart. I have no more to give." He said, shrugging his shoulders. When I started to protest he held up his hand. "No, Aria. I am content. I do not need anyone else. End of discussion."

I sighed in defeat but nodded. Then he asked me, "Are you going?" The question surprised me. Why would I go when I hadn't even shifted yet? His eyes twinkled at me. "You may not have a wolf but you do have a heart to share, unlike your old uncle here."

The thought of me finding romance was so bizarre, so incongruent with my life so far that I either had to laugh or cry. I wasn't sure which. After all, who would want me? I was just a broken she-wolf without a wolf, a witch with no magic, a girl full of opinions, dreams and ideas, but no voice.