Trials of An Alpha

Chapter 25

My conversation with Bryan yesterday was still at the forefront of my mind the next day. He had promised me not to say anything to the others, he didn't want to rain on their happy parade. He said he would tell them soon but right now whilst everything seemed to be going well for us all he wanted us to have this opportunity.

The group were still teasing me over the 'special' treatment I was receiving from Mr. Jones now. They didn't get much chance to yesterday with my quick departure from dinner but were clearly taking every opportunity to ream me now. My wolf wasn't even bothered at it because she knew they were joking and it was a high respect to her to get that opportunity. Especially given what he had said about our training with our group from the other day. It made sense as to why he was watching us for so long now.

Zach had joined us again this morning, he had quickly moved over to our table for all meals which we loved. Hannah was much happier knowing that we all liked Zach a lot, I think it gave her that final push she needed to really start to move into a relationship with Zach. I know she was hesitant before. She hadn't filled Zach in yet, but I think she planned to today because she had asked us all to meet at the clearing with the wildflowers. Given how cold it was outside now it couldn't have been for fun.

Classes were optional today, allowing us time to revise for the upcoming qualifiers at the end of the semesters. The qualifiers were a set of physical and mental tests that monitored our progress into our training for the positions we would hold in our packs. It made sure that we were strong enough and ready for that sort of responsibility. We never really had exams about the class content because that wasn't the point of the academy.

Somehow we managed to convince Vince to skip the day with us, and to also leave the research for the day. He needed a break. He was either here with us or at the library dragging poor Darla with him. I think even her patience was wearing thing about it now because it looked like there was nothing else to find. Vince would just have to wait and see what would happen now.

The clearing was just as beautiful as ever. The breeze was relatively warm today for winter which was a small relief. We had all walked over together chatting about Zach's pack, not many of us had been to the south of the country so wanted to know what it was like. The packs down there were run so differently to the northern ones. I would love to go travel round and learn about them. Packs usually have something they are known for, their strength, healing ability, peace etc and to learn this from them directly would be interesting. Not many wolves received that sort of opportunity anymore.

Hannah didn't speak much on the way over I think she was nervous because this could make or break their relationship. I tried to reassure her with small smiles the whole walk there but even as we sat down on the picnic blanket her brow was still furrowed in concentration. I think she was trying to figure out the best way to do it.

Hannah cleared her throat drawing our attention to her, "So the reason I asked you all here today is because I wanted to speak to you Zach, or should I say we wanted to" Zach looked at her in confusion as she glanced at me. I just nodded at her in encouragement, so she carried on, turning to look at Zach directly as she did "There's been some things going on with us that you need to know about. You've probably not heard of it before but there's this thing called the change, and it's been happening to us, we're not sure in order for what but yeah. We wanted to let you know because it started to happen to Aiden when he joined the group and we think it could happen to you too because of our relationship."

Zach didn't say anything, he just sat in silence. Abruptly he stood up and walked a distance from the group before he stopped. He just stood there as Hannah looked at us in confusion, upset over his reaction. Just as Hannah was about to join him he turned around and walked back to us siting down again "Sorry I just needed a minute to digest that. I think I know what your talking about, there's an old legend in my pack about the change, it was passed down our families. If you remember my pack is one of the descending packs from a true alpha so we have stories about it." He paused seeing our interest at what he had to say. None of us had really ever considered the possibility of this, that descendant packs would have their own stories about the true alphas but it makes sense. Like I said every pack is known for something, this was Zach's.

He carried on "One of the stories like I said mentions the change, it's a process that all the wolves go through as they change to meet the needs of a true alpha, they aren't aware of it until the changes become more obvious, growing strength, dominance stuff like that" he listed off things we had all been going through "It's essentially the transition of the wolves into a new pack because positions change, loyalties change and so do their understanding of themselves. It's a rather complicated process but it's only ever something that happens when a true alpha is involved." He paused then his face changing to understanding as he finally realised what that meant for us.

His head shot up to look at me, startling me slightly "It's you isn't it" he didn't ask it as a question it was more of a statement like he already knew. Our silence only confirmed his suspicions and he smiled at me "Everyone in the school knew there was something special about your group, it's why everyone is so interested in you guys. But I wouldn't have expected this!" He exclaimed. I hadn't really involved myself in the rumour milll so I wasn't sure what was being said but it was comforting to know that we were yet again the centre of it.

Hannah finally found her voice, the rest of us not willing to speak up yet, this was their conversation still after all "So you're ok with this then? With everything?" She asked.

Zach just grinned at her pulling her towards him and tucking her into his chest. She gratefully accepted the affection as it soothed her worry "Of course I am. It didn't make sense to me until now but I think I have been experiencing some of this change business with you guys."

I could see Hannah stiffen as she pulled back quickly shouting at him "You what!? Why did you never tell me" she yelled again slapping his arm lightly.

Zach rubbed the spot on his arm pulling her back towards him, she reluctantly went with him "Well I wasn't sure it was until just now, but knowing Cerise could be a true alpha it makes sense now that with our relationship I would be experiencing some effects of it. We are mates Hannah for good sakes!" He revealed.

Hannah froze again her face turning red as he said that. We didn't know that little fact. As if realising what he had done Zach froze to mutter under his breath about how she would kill him for that. The group suddenly burst out with questions and demands for an explanation on why she hadn't told us until now. Even I was a part of that, wanting answers.

Hannah yelled out above our voices silencing as she explained "The bond only clicked into place last night OK, I was going to tell you properly after we had finished the conversation about the change, but then this idiot had to let the cat out of the bag didn't he." She sighed at the end, I think she was annoyed that she wasn't the one to tell us. That was enough of an explanation for me.

"I get it Hannah, if I found my mate I would want to keep it as just us for a little while too, but I'm so happy for you congratulations both of you. I wish you a lifetime of happiness" I told them, genuinely happy for them. They were glowing with the newly formed bond. Now that I knew I could see the change in them, they mirrored each other perfectly, knowing what the other needed before they even showed the emotions. To be honest I'm more annoyed at myself for not figuring it out earlier. 

It made me wonder more about mine and Aiden's relationship and whether we would develop the bond soon. If we didn't I wasn't sure how much longer my wolf and I could go on without falling too far down the rabbit hole with how we felt about them both. But the thought of loosing Aiden and his wolf caused a sharp pang to emanate from my chest across my body, I guess both my wold and I were in agreement over not wanting to loose Aiden. Im sure the group would be sad to loose him too, the boys had grown a great friendship between themselves and the group would feel different without Aiden's presence.