Fated Alphas

1

Today is the day of my father's funeral. After losing a long fought battle against cancer, the pack alpha will be remembered and morned while a new one will be put in his place.

That new alpha is me. Park Chaeyeon. The only alpha offspring of my father. My sister, Chaewon, is a beta and cannot rule over the pack. Father has been grooming me from the day I presented to take his place one day and I knew this day would come, but I hoped it would be a day where my father would step down, not die.

Our older pack members, my dad's first brother among them, had spent the past few weeks trying to convince – more like bully – my father into picking a different hier to take over when he died. They don't want a female alpha, they think I will be weak and unable to take care of the pack, especially once I find my mate. However, father never wavered. The ancestors told him I would be pack alpha the day I was born and who was he, or any member of this pack to disobey and question our ancestors.

The pack elders relented and have been cooperating in planning the ceremony that will take place during my father's funeral, naming me as the new pack alpha. But I'm not fooled by them. I know they still don't agree, they still do not want me leading them. But it's been decided, it is done as the pack alpha did not consent to naming a different alpha. And I sat by my father's bedside every waking moment until he took his last breath to ensure none of those slimy bastards tried to trick him in his final moments.

"Chaeyeon, it is time." My mother calls from behind me.

I sigh and step away from the rail of my balcony, taking slow steps towards the door. My mother stops me, carefully cupping my cheek "He would be proud of you."

"He should be doing this himself." I respond sadly.

"I know sweetheart, but he gave you his blessing, he gave you the title that is yours. He did it because it is yours, it always has been. And he wouldn't have given it to you if he felt you could not lead this pack. You carry that with you. Carry him with you."

"They don't want me mother. I cannot lead a pack that doesn't want me as their alpha."

"They may not want you, but they need you. Do not let your uncle and some of the other elders make you believe that you are not what is right for this pack. Do not disappoint your father by letting them win." She is firm with her words, leaving no room for argument.

I nod "Yes mother."

"Good, now get out there and lead your pack, put your father to rest."

I simply nod again and my mother kisses my cheek before taking my hand and leading me down stairs and out the back yard where the rest of the pack waits, my sister included.

When my mother and I walk through the back door, the entire pack bows their heads in respect of my mother and grief. The bow is also supposed to be out of respect for the new alpha, but I suspect it is not meant that way by a lot of them. I have most of the packs support, I made sure of it before today. There was no way I was walking into this ceremony without any kind of support. If that were the case, I could be challenged by another alpha in the pack. But with majority pack support, there can be no challenges, not even if pack elders do not agree with who the new alpha will be.

I hold my free hand out for Chaewon as we step out in front of the pack and she takes it, squeezing a few times in support.

"One last run with dad." I say quietly

"One last run." Chaewon smiles sadly.

I shift first, growling lowly as I fully change over to my wolf form. Chaewon shifts next, her rusty colored wolf form appearing beside me, then mom, followed by the rest of the pack. As the new alpha, I lead the run through our lands down to the lake, the wind whipping through my marble fur, paws pounding the hard earth beneath us.