How to Love an Alpha

Chapter 24 (Updated Pic of Kenzie)

So yeah, there is a more recent picture of Mackenzie because it's been a few months, and because the responsibility of being alpha has kinda aged her in a way more towards an adult.

<*Unedited*>

I made sure that his patrol rounds were taken care of, and that no one found out he'd skipped out. I was still a bit worried, mainly because he'd promised to be the best alpha he could. And now he was skipping patrol. When he met back up with me, he acted as if nothing had happened. When I'd asked him where he'd gone, he shrugged it off.

That same behavior proceeded to continue for weeks. It continued well into December. It was the same everyday, only now he wasn't even asking me to take care of his patrol. It left me to take care of watching over the new pack house and doing double patrols in one time frame. It was a wonder the pack hadn't been attacked. The only bright side was Scar's return.

One morning, we drove silently in the dark to the nearly complete pack house. before Gabe got out of the car, I clicked the lock.

"Gabe, what's going on?" I asked him.

He remained as silent as a grave, and I felt just as lively.

"Nothing."

"Nothing? Gabe, I've been doing your patrols for over a month! You can't tell me that nothing is going on. And then you act as if nothing is happening. Please, I can't take the secrecy anymore." I murmured, resting my forehead on the steering wheel.

I felt his hand rest on my shoulder. "Hey, Kenzie, I promise you everything's fine. It's not something you should be concerned about, okay?"

I held my breath in for a second before exhaling. "Okay." I sat for a few seconds before he kissed my temple and got out of the car.

"Gabe--" I called before he closed the door. "--when is this going to stop?"

"Soon." he assured me before closing the door.

I sat in the car for five more minutes before I turned off the car and got out. I didn't bother to put my jacket on. Then I got out of the car. I felt something land on my nose. I looked up and watched a snowflakes gingerly land on the ground. It sent a small smile on my features. I loved snow. It was my favorite type of weather. I held out my hands and let them fall on my palms before melting away. I started walking forward towards the new pack house.

"How's it coming along?" I asked.

The builder smiled. "Coming along great. Just have to finish putting in carpets and what not. It ought to be done by Christmas."

"Really? Only one more week?" I inquired excitedly. "That's great!"

"Yes ma'am." he agreed.

After admiring the building, I inhaled. "If you'll excuse me, I have some things to do." I explained.

I walked off and shifted. I started on the East border and circled around to the West. Normally, I should turn around and go back to the East, but because of Gabe's not being there, I had to go down the South way. I started off quickly at first, but stopped nearly immediately when I smelt a familiar scent. My nose twitched with the cold, and my fur blew in the winter breeze. I looked around carefully as I scanned the area. Nothing seemed out of place until I watched a wolf emerge from behind a set of trees. I suddenly was baring my teeth. He approached mighty close to the border. I barked loudly, which was a warning. The second he stepped onto our borders, I had the right to kill him, but for now, he taunted me. He paced back and forth, nearing close to the border one second and further away the next.

I watched him snarl with amusement before he stopped. His head was raised high in pride. No, in arrogance. I bared my teeth and barked loudly again. He looked at me, as if studying, and then he darted away. I knew I had to tell Gabe about this immediately.