She's the Alpha (Book 2 of Alpha Female Series)

Chapter 6

They arrived at the pack house to see Aldrich loading a SUV with his, Nicole, and Drew's things. Brooklynn parked behind them, stopping the car and climbing out. Drew followed, going to stand beside Nicole and Everleigh, smiling lovingly at his niece. Brooklynn made her way to them, standing next to Drew, who placed a protective arm around her waist. Nicole handed Everleigh, who was whining and reaching her arms out, to Drew. Brooklynn smiled as she saw how easily he held the baby, and the loving and nurturing tone he used with her. She couldn't stop herself from imagining him holding one of theirs, cooing at and coddling a child of their own.

Nicole noticed the looks and smiled, stepping away to help the younger sister with her bags. Andy had changed into a pair shorts and a band tee, smiling kindly at Nicole as she handed her the bags. "Thank you, Alpha. For everything."

Nicole pulled her into a side hug, the large suitcase at her side. "You're welcome."

Andy watched as she walked away, starting to understand why Brooklynn was so fond of the woman. She was nice, caring, but also had this dominance that seemed to flow from her. Andy glanced at Aldrich, seeing how in love he looked as he took the bag from her hands, loading it up into the SUV. She wanted that, someday.

Nicole had turned to look at the group getting ready leave. "Okay, Aldrich somehow booked us a flight, so we need to get going. Do you two have everything you need for now?" she asked Brooklynn and Andy, who nodded at her. "Great. Brooklynn, you and Drew can ride together if you want. Just take your truck. We'll be having it picked up and brought to Nightshade anyways. Andy, you can ride with them, or us. Whatever you're comfortable with."

Andy nodded and glanced at Brooklynn, before turning back to Nicole. "I can ride with you guys. If that's fine with you?"

Nicole nodded. "Yeah, come on."

Andy shot Brooklynn a wink, going and climbing in the passenger seat of the SUV. Brooklynn rolled her eyes, turning to Drew. "Back in the truck?"

He chuckled, handing Everleigh back to her mothers awaiting arms, then walked back to the passenger seat and climbed in. He turned the radio back on as Brooklynn got in, cranking the truck and following the SUV's in front of her. Drew glanced at her, taking her in. She had changed before they left her house, and was now wearing a black tank top, sweats pants, and her hair in a messy bun. She had her left hand on the steering wheel, the other resting on the middle console. He reached out, lacing his fingers through hers, his wolf stirring when they touched.

Brooklynn glanced at him before looking back at the road. "What's Nightshade like?" she asked, her voice curious, but also nervous.

"It's great. The mountains are gorgeous, unless you're having to run all the miles you accumulated in training up them." he said, chuckling.

"What do you mean? How many miles would you have to run?" Brooklynn asked, quickly glancing at him before focusing back on the road.

"Ehh, it just depended. When I first started training with Aldrich, I didn't really believe in myself, ya know? So I apologized and thanked him a lot. I got one free apology and one free thanks, the rest got added up and that's how many miles I had to run before training ended."

"Okay, that sounds intense. What was the most miles you ever had to run?"

Drew smirked, looking at her. "Ten, which doesn't sound like a lot. But, I was practically a brand new wolf, so it was brutal."

Brooklynn giggled, shaking her head. "I start to break a sweat at ten miles." she mumbled, jokingly.

"Oh shut up! Like I said, I was new. Practically a baby. And I had never trained before, so I wasn't used to it. I can run ten miles now, easy." Drew replied, fake hurt in his tone.

Brooklynn shook her head, squeezing his hand softly. "You seem like you've come a long way since then. I mean, for Aldrich Branson to think you're ready after only a year of training, that's unheard of. It takes most alphas years to be ready."

Drew felt a slight blush cross his features. The only people who praised him were Nicole, his mom, and occasionally, Aldrich. It felt different coming from Brooklynn- a good kind of different. "Thanks. I'm nervous as shit, I'm not gonna lie. Like, what if the people don't want me, ya know? Yeah, I'm Andrew Danielson's only son, but how do they know?" He paused, looking out the window, squeezing her hand gently. "I'm terrified. What if I mess up?" he mumbled, almost to himself.

Brooklynn sighed and turned to him as they stopped at a red light. "Hey, look at me." He turned, their eyes meeting. "You are the son, the only son, of one of the most respected alphas of our time. Hell, your sister is an icon, I don't think she even knows how many young girls look up to her. I do, and I'm not ashamed to say that. I learned about your mom in my studies, because she was that good of a luna. And even after being kidnapped and locked in a cell, pregnant, might I add, she never gave Silent Ash away and helped her captors, or yours, to take down the pack." The light turned green, and she turned back to the road, beginning to drive again. "I know you're new to all this, and I can only imagine what you've been through. But to me, the fact that you're so worried about what the people will think and if you're the right choice, really proves that you are. Most men who had went their whole childhood experiencing the things you had, would jump at the opportunity to become alpha and gain power. You're apprehensive though- scared even, and that shows how good of an alpha you're gonna be."

Drew watched her as she spoke, taking in her words. She was right, and he knew it. But that little voice in his head wouldn't leave him alone. "It's just," He paused, the words leaving his mouth.

Brooklynn squeezed his hand, seeing the internal battle he was facing. "You are an alpha, by birthright. Yeah, you didn't get your wolf when you were suppose to, but you were being held back. Why else would your captors have done that?" She paused a moment, letting her words sink in. "Drew, they knew that without the silver, they wouldn't be able to control you. I don't know much about the Martinez family, only what was in the press. But if they wouldn't have given you and your mom silver like they did, the two of you would've been unstoppable. They were intimidated by you, because, like I said, you're the son of Andrew and Nicollet Danielson. Do you even know why your dad got the respect and influence he did?"

Drew shrugged, nodding his head a little. "Yeah. He fought in wars and never lost."

"No, it's deeper than that." she said with a laugh. "Yes, he fought in many wars, and always seemed to come out on top. But he did something many alphas don't do. He didn't rule the pack, he led it. He respected his people, his mate, his child. He was more than an alpha. Your dad could've taken over the world if he wanted. But that wasn't his ambition. He wanted a strong leader to follow after him, and that was your sister. Now, the torch falls to you. And I promise you, Nicole Branson wouldn't hand over her pack to you if she didn't believe in you." She let her words sink in, seeing the gears turning in Drew's mind. She took a small breath in, her hand tightening on the steering wheel. "I know I just found you today, and to people who don't live like us in other realms, the fact that I feel so...enamored with you after only knowing you a few hours, is insane. But I believe in you. And I'm gonna be there with you every step of the way. You're my alpha, my mate. And no one's gonna stop us from taking our rightful places in Silent Ash."

Drew squeezed her hand gently, giving her a small smile. "So you do accept me then?"

Brooklynn giggled and rolled her eyes. "That's all you got out of that whole thing?"

He shrugged, chuckling along with her. "I mean, you said I'm your alpha and mate? So does that mean you accept me?"

Brooklynn glanced at him, a teasingly smile on her face. She looked back out at the road, her wolf pushing her to say the words. "I, Brooklynn Waters of Red Moon pack, accept you as my mate."

Drew felt a feeling he'd never felt before flood his mind. It wasn't the most romantic way to do it, but he didn't care. She had said it, and that's all he cared about. "Ya know, my wolf is awfully dumb to not want to claim you the first chance he gets." he said, a smirk on his face.

Brooklynn blushed, keeping her eyes on the road as he lifted their hands, kissing her knuckles. "Well, it's a good thing your skin outweighs your wolf."

Drew chuckled, pressing another kiss to her knuckles.