The Alpha Shifter

Chapter 16 - Leo

"It's been really nice speaking with you and all, but I really have to go." She looked at me apologetically, but I couldn't hide the disappointment that washed over me from hearing those few simple words. Following her gaze I looked towards the sky, only to see that it was beginning to get lighter, meaning the sun was coming up. We had managed to stay awake all night just talking about whatever came to mind, with no awkward stops at all.

Shit. Staying out here all night with her had left my pack unprotected. Finally realising that, I became restless wondering if any harm had come to my pack over night because I had let down my guard and spent a night out in the forest with a girl. "Of course, I should be going too." I replied to her statement from before and lifted myself off the rock, only now feeling how tender my body was from staying in the same position for such a long amount of time.

With one last smile from her, she turned and ran off into the forest behind her. As I watched her body disappear behind the thick and dense trees I grew restless. My wolf was feeling the distance come between us, wanting to run after her and never leave her side again. Just as I was about to go in the other direction and run home, I stopped dead in my tracks. "Hey wait—" I quickly yelled and turned around, only to hear and see nothing but forest and bushes in return. "I never got your name..." I breathed into the chilled morning air.

Deflated and annoyed with myself I started to walk back to the pack house, each step bringing agony to my wolf who just wanted to be in close proximity to our mate to make sure no harm came her way. With each step, I could also feel the exhaustion take over my body. Each night I had come to the clearing in the forest and had been loosing sleep over it, but I knew I would do it all over again just to see her, and listen to her talk. I loved the way she could ramble about the smallest of things, and the wild hand gesturers she would make, all with a shining grin stretched across her beautiful face. With memories of the night playing over and over in my head to ensure that I remembered it, and also to ease my wolf I made the short trek back to the pack house, only to be brought out of my thoughts when I heard a low voice.

"What time will you be here?" Stopping in my tracks, I identified the voice to be that of Grants. Not in the mood to be dealing with him so early in the morning, and without any sleep, I attempted to make it into the house without being noticed. Of course, with my luck, the pups had left their toys laying out in the back garden and I tripped over a mini fire truck and slammed into the ground. Not only causing a loud thump, but the toy truck alarms went off, as I probably hit a small button in it. Groaning I rolled over onto my stomach and pushed myself up into a standing position, coming face to face with the one I was trying to avoid. Great. "Alpha have you been gone all night?" Grant questioned me whilst pocketing a phone. Ignoring his question, because I knew he would try and question my position as Alpha, I asked him why he was up so early. It would have to be close to 6 in the morning, judging by the gradual brightness of the sky. "My son's coming home today, I was arranging transport for him." He told me, and surprisingly a smile almost crossed his face.

"I suppose you were going to inform me of this some time today?" I questioned with a raised brow. He knew pack protocol was to inform myself, or my Beta's about any new comers to the pack, even if they had lived here before. It just made things so much more easier when I knew who was here and who wasn't. "I didn't think it was necessary." Grant replied with a slight challenge to his voice. Trying to calm myself down before a heated argument, I thought of the beautiful girl I just spent my night talking to. Surprisingly it worked. I no longer wanted to rip Grants throat out. "You know pack protocol, and next time, please let me know. I hope you are happy to see your son after such a long time." I replied, earning a slight nod from Grant. "I am, Alpha."

Running a hand down my face, I stepped onto the back decking and made my way inside, which lead me to the kitchen. Noticing my mistake too late, I found myself in the kitchen with a few of the cooks all staring at me like I had grown a third eye. "Good morning everyone." I tried to say cheerfully as I made my way across the kitchen, hoping to get to the the stair case, only to be stopped by Peggy. I could see she was still hurt from the loss of her sons, but she was a fighter and I knew she could get through this. "Have you gotten any sleep Alpha?" Peggy questioned me and she swiped her thumb under my eye, noting the deep purple circles that rested there. Grabbing hold over her hand, I gave it a soft squeeze and shook my head. "I'm fine though. How are you Peggy?" I questioned softly, I could see her recoil at my question, knowing that she still hated me for the decisions I made in regards to the shifters that killed her sons. "It's hard, I lost all my boys in the one day, but Steve has been an amazing mate. He's helped me through it, even though I know he is going through all the hardship twice as hard as me." She spoke softly, while still rubbing the dark circles under my eyes. She cut me off before I could reply. "Breakfast isn't until 7:30. You should head upstairs and catch a few Z's." She smiled softly at me whilst giving my cheek a loving pat and headed back over to the kitchen to help with the food preparations.

Getting multiple waves, I walked out of the kitchen and up the stairs. I headed straight for my room, ready to jump on my bed and have a well needed nap. Opening the door to my room I quickly shut it and began to take off my pants, deciding to just sleep in my boxers and the shirt I had on.

"I know I'm gay and all... But you're not really my type."

Startled I looked towards my bed and saw Alexander perched on it, looking smug. Ignoring him I continued to kick off my pants and walked over to the bed lifting the blankets, whilst giving Alexander a little push hoping to knock him over. "If I had a dollar for every time you made that joke, I would be rich." I mumbled this as I made my way into my warm bed that was screaming my name. Once under the covers I turned on my side to look at Alexander, who was still sitting cross-legged on top of my bed. Even though I knew I wasn't actually going to get any sleep, that didn't mean I wasn't going to lay down in a nice, warm cozy bed.

"So what's up bud?" I questioned Alexander. I cut in before he could feed me any lies. "You use to do this to me all the time as a kid, I know when somethings wrong. I'be known you for about twenty years, remember?" I added raising a brow, waiting for him to tell me I was wrong.

"Before we talk about me, how are you? You were gone all night."

Almost without my control my face stretched into a wide grin, remembering every little detail of last night and this morning. Noting my change of expression, Alexander jumped up a little and turned his body to face me. "I was with my mate, but before I give you any details... You have to tell me whats wrong first." Almost like he was a balloon getting deflated, he sunk back down onto the covers next to me. We lay in silence for a few minutes. I knew he was trying to arrange his thoughts, I however was trying really hard not to fall asleep. "Do you ever think, that because I'm different... I won't get a mate?" Alexander suddenly broke the silence. Shocked I sat up a little to look down at him, his eyes were closed and he had a pained expression on his face. Upon feeling my gaze on his face he opened one eye to look up at me. "Alexander. You're not some alien. You're still human— well part human anyway— but the matter of fact is that you will find a mate one day. They may not be the typical definition of a mate, but if it's someone you love then it doesn't matter. You will find someone, buddy. I know it." This wasn't the first time Alexander had worried about his future with a mate, I knew it was hard for him because there weren't many openly gay werewolves out there. He nodded slowly trying to smile but it came out a little shaky. "Thanks Leo, you should try and get some sleep, breakfast is in half an hour. But i'm sure you can come down a little later. I'll make sure nothing happens." He quickly got off the bed and walked towards the door. I hated how he would shut off his emotions like this, but I knew there was nothing else I could do for him, and just hope that one day someone could make him extremely happy because if anyone deserved it, it was Alexander.

Setting an alarm to go off in forty five minutes I closed my eyes and pulled the covers up higher, hopping to get some sleep to help me get through the day.