Alpha Vs. Beta

Obligated

Graduation day comes for the 19-year-olds. Markus, Erik, and many others in their class are shifting into their full wolf-from. They're running and howling through the forest and letting out their nature-given instincts. Markus' wolf is grey with black markings and glowing white eyes. Eriks' wolf is a burnt orange with black on his tail and his paws and dead black eyes. He chases Markus and the other males around trying to intimidate them. Alpha Arron growls loudly at the clan. He announces their graduation as a successful transition to adulthood and becoming real wolves in the clan.

Arron: "You will soon find your mates, breed pups, and make strong warriors for the greatness of the pack. Make your ancestors proud and be what I expect!" He lets out a howl and the others on the grounds follow suit.

Asha and Maxine join everyone in the celebration, dancing to the music played over the loudspeaker. Markus sits on the front porch steps of the clan's medical office. His uncle is tending to other work and didn't want to join in the "Foolishness." Asha's pale skin shone in the moonlight and her long dark hair swished around her body. Markus sees so well in the dark, but everyone could see Asha glowing in delight. Erik's with his buddies by the tree line, staring down Asha as if she was his next meal. Markus decides it's time to act. He gets up from the steps and makes his way to Asha. Erik sees him go for Asha and he snarls as Markus gets to her before he can even make a move.

Markus: "Asha, I think Erik wants to hunt you down." He mimics a chomp on her arm and gives a fake snarl.

Asha: Laughing and pretending to be eaten by a monster, "Ohhh noooo..." She gives Markus the brightest smile with joy and innocence in her eyes.

Markus begins to feel his cheeks become red and his heart is in his throat. As if by divine intervention and horrible timing, Maxine comes bouncing in and grabs Markus and Asha to dance again.

Maxine: "C'mon! it's a party! let's shake it!"

Markus turns reach to out for Asha as she playfully takes his hand and Maxine's to dance around in a silly circle like children do. They all laugh and dance the night into the dawn with the rest of the pack graduates.

Arron left the party after his big speech. He has no time for celebrations. His heart was too heavy with the business of the clan.

The three friends are sitting on the rooftop of the schoolhouse watching the sun rise. Maxine finally speaks up to cut the silence.

Max: "Asha, want me to walk you back to the big house? We can make some pancakes and take a nap."

Asha: Looks at her with a small, tired smile, "No thanks, babes. I want to watch the sunrise a bit more. I'll catch up with you later."

Maxine: Looking over at Markus, "You better not mess with our Alpha's daughter. You got that buster?"

Markus: "I wouldn't dare push her off the roof if that's what you mean."

Max scoffs as the other two chuckles at the comment. She nods her head and waves goodbye as she jumps down and lands perfectly. She's already out of sight by the time Asha looks at Markus and smiles brightly. He looks over at her as she gently puts her hand on his.

Markus' face becomes hot and doesn't know if he should move an inch. Asha squeezes his hand and leans her head onto his shoulder. A gentle breeze causes her long locks to blow into her face. He quickly helps her to move it out of her way. They stare at each other as he starts to sweat and feel his heart stop. She leans in and kisses him gently and slowly. Her scent was so strong at that moment. The light she shone was so bright even with his eyes closed in the moment of the blissful kiss. He puts one hand gently on her jaw to kiss her deeper.

Markus: *She's my mate?! The alpha's daughter?!* He breaks from the kiss abruptly to look at her with concern and her face shows confusion and guilt.

Asha: "I'm... I'm sorry. That was... that was too forward." She looks down at the roof as she shifts away from him.

Markus: "No, you didn't do anything wrong. It's me. I know that sounds so cliche, but I mean it. You're... You're an alpha."

Asha: she looks at him and almost pouts in frustration, "What have I told you for the last year now? Stop it. Stop putting me on this imaginary pedestal. I can choose what's best for me."

Markus stops trying to speak as Asha gets up and jumps off the roof to go back to the big house.

As Asha walks back to her home, she chokes back tears. Feeling rejected and discouraged. She feels so safe and comfortable with Markus. She can't describe it. As she walks with her head down, she almost crashes into Albert, her father's second in command. His arms are folded, and a studious demeanor is plastered on his face.

Asha: Wiping her face to not show her feelings. "Albert. What are you doing?"

Albert: "Your father wants to see you. Now." He turns, opens the front door to the big house, and ushers her inside.

They walk to her father's study and leads her inside as he closes the door behind them. Arron is facing the window with his arms collected behind his back like a general about to give a speech.

Albert: "Your daughter is here Alpha. She's ready to receive your decision."

Asha: Bewildered and anxious, "Decision? Father, what's going on?"

Arron: Turning around to face her, " Regarding your future as Luna... You are an Alpha female. Destined for greatness. Destined to be a great mother rearing your pups someday."

Asha: looks confused and a little off put by her father's comments. "Father, what-"

Arron: "You have been chosen to join an allying sub-clan in the north. Our strongest enforcers of the northern territory have also just graduated. The Alpha's son is ready to find a suitable mate of stature and upbringing. You are being chosen to continue the bond we have between clans. You are to be mated with their son. It is a great honor, and I couldn't be more pleased with this arrangement. You will do well to be behaved and submit to him and his wishes."

Asha was too stunned to speak, all of the color in her cheeks gone. Tears of confusion sting while trailing silently down her face. She finally catches her breath and tries to speak but is too shaky to sound confident.

Asha: "Father... I... I don't... W-why? I'm not even 17 yet!"

Arron: "You will do what is expected of you." he says in a grumpy and annoyed tone.

Asha: "Father! I cannot do this! Are you sure this is what's best for me and our pack!?"

Arron: Growling and snarling at her, "YOU WILL DO AS I SAY! You serve a purpose! You WILL respect my choices! How dare you question your ALPHA!"

Asha sinks back towards the door hoping to escape the rage her father is bringing down upon her, but Albert catches her and holds her arms pinning her against him. She feels her body begin to sweat and her heart is in her stomach. Asha fights against Alberts's grip but to no avail. His 6'2" powerful frame towers over almost everyone. Even her father was around 6ft tall with his large arms and powerful features. Her father's eyes changed from blue to red during his rage. Albert escorted Asha out of the study and upstairs to her room. He pushed her inside and left her with unkind words.

Albert: "You're being allowed to make your family and clan proud, consider everyone else before yourself, for once." And with that, he walked out and slammed the door. Asha lays down in her bed and cries herself to sleep with the sun blaring through her big double balcony doors.