The Alpha Shifter

Chapter 18 - Leo

After tossing and turning in bed for twenty minutes I decided that I might as well get out of bed and try to survive the day with no sleep, seeing as it wasn't going to come any time soon. Emerging from my room I silently made my way down the hall careful not to bring any attention to myself, an emotional Alpha like myself with no sleep at all was not one many people would want to be around.

Jogging down the stairs and rounding the corner into the kitchen I noted that the table was yet to be set, so I took it upon myself to gather all the plates and utensils so the pack could all sit down and eat. Trying to keep my head low I started to set the table for the adults, as well as the smaller table for the pups, however that didn't last long as I was spotted almost straight away. "Alpha, I thought we told you to get some sleep." Amanda turned to address me. Nodding my head I continued to set the table adding cups next to the plates. "I couldn't sleep." I replied back, hoping to put an end to the conversation. "Is the entire pack joining us this morning?" I questioned when I finished setting the tables, wondering if I needed to set the tables in the backyard as well so that everyone could eat together. "Not today, Alpha." Amanda replied placing a plate stacked with pancakes in the middle of the table.

"Thalia dear, can you link everyone to inform them breakfast is ready?"

I turned around to look at the girl Amanda was addressing to see a timid, pale blonde haired girl with light grey eyes staring back at me, almost as if she was terrified. I tried to give her what I thought was a reassuring smile, however I think I frightened her more, as she quickly scurried off into the next room over so I could no longer see her.

I never wanted to be the feared Alpha. I thought of us as one large, sometimes dysfunctional family. I never wanted to be respected because I scared people into submission. Making a mental note of her name and what she looked like I decided to get some answers as to why she seemed to be scared of me, and introduce myself so she doesn't continue to fear me.

Shortly after she disappeared from my sight, many of the pack members slowly made their way into the kitchen and dinning room to take their seats around the table to enjoy breakfast. Taking my seat at the head of the table I waited for Alexander and Tessa to join me on either side before I started to fill my own plate with the various foods the pack chefs had made.

Once everyone was seated, a nice chatter fell around the table. Everyone was full of smiles and excitement of the day ahead. A loud crash pulled everyone away from the chatter around the room with all eyes zoning in on Grants. Before I could allow myself to grow angry at him I took in his facial expressions. Something was wrong. "My son..." He whispered. Standing up I went around to his side of the table. "He's been attacked. Main Road." He whispered, sitting like a deer in headlights. Acting quicker than Grant, I ran out the back door, a sense of worry settling into my bones.

Shifting mid air I allowed all my clothing to rip off as I ran towards the main road that lead into pack territory. I couldn't shake the feeling that something terrible was about to happen and my chest swelled with anxiety with what I was about to witness. Not waiting for Grant and the others to catch up, I raced ahead pushing myself to the limits knowing that for some reason I had to be the first one to the scene. Something was waiting for me. Rather something was drawing my wolf in.

Breaking free of the thick bushes I leaped onto the road only to find a car flipped over and Grants son, Kyle, in human form slumped onto the ground next to a tall tree. Once I allowed myself to take in the surroundings and analyse the situation, my sense of smell was overpowered by an intoxicating smell. A smell I had the pleasure of being in close proximity with only hours ago. It was Her.

Franticly looking around I tried to spot her. When my wolf eyes couldn't find the light blonde hair and bright blue eyes I was looking for, I zoned in on Kyle. Without thinking I shifted into human form, my muscles rippling as I raced over to him, and lifted him by his throat to be eye level with me. "What happened?" I growled, some spit spattering on his face.

"I was attacked." He croaked out, lifting his head as blood poured from his nose. "By Who?" I growled, tightening my hands around his throat, threatening to crush his windpipe. My judgement clouded by the intoxicating scent. His panic stricken eyes stared back into mine. But I wouldn't back down. She was my first priority, I couldn't care less about this asshole I was holding.

"Shifters. A Jaguar." He rasped out, clawing at my hands as they grew tighter around his neck.

"I need more details." I yelled, becoming irritated with his lack of details. "She changed into a human to carry a young boy. She was on the short side, with long blonde hair and blue eyes" He quickly spit out becoming panicked, and his words rushed. With a deep growl I threw him back down into the dirt, rage filling my body. He had described my mate. My mate who he had hurt. If she had been injured I was going to kill this guy myself, having no shame in ripping him limb for limb, uncaring how the pack would react. Moving myself away from Kyle I sent a quick mind link to Alexander and Grant telling them that Kyle was alive... Unfortunately.

Circling around the small area I let my wolf take over in searching for her. He had the better sense of smell between us. Clearing my mind and allowing him to take full control over my human body was a risk. Even when in wolf form, I had full control over him, he had never once been allowed to gain full control over my mind and body. It was too risky. Since a young age I was unable to control the pure anger my wolf seemed to live with. But I knew I could trust him. I needed to trust him to allow myself some peace of mind in knowing that she was still alive, and hopefully unhurt.

After scouting the area a few times, he was unable to find any blood that directly linked to her smell. He grew a little agitated when he smelt another scent closely interlinked with her own, but I reminded him that Kyle had mentioned a small child and he seemed to relax. Gently my wolf passed control back over to me, with a sense of pride. Our mate had done some serious damage to Kyle, and was able to remain unhurt, from what we could tell. It was after searching the area that it finally hit me.

A shifter.

My mate was a shifter. Yet, I didn't care one bit. Nor did it come as a shock. It explained why when he met in the clearing she was butt naked. She must have been out for a run and forgotten that her clothing shreds with her when she shifts. That brought a smile to my face, because I often forgot the same thing... Hence why I was currently standing naked in an open clearing for anyone to see.

A rustling was coming from near Kyle so I quickly made my way back over, seeing Alexander's wolf emerge, followed by Grants and a few pack doctors. Alexander's big wolf head lifted to meet my eyes and tossed a pair of pants from his mouth. Catching them, I quickly stepped into them, and stepped into Alpha mode to try and deal with this situation.

"This is your fault! You didn't care about the threat the shifters posed onto us and now they have attacked my son!" Grant yelled, stepping up to challenge me. With no sleep, and the scent of my possibly injured mate nearby I had no patience to deal with Grant and his ways.

With lightning quick reflexes I had him by the neck and pressed up against a tree, the same position I had his son in moments ago. "Remember who you're talking to pup." I growled into his face, squeezing his neck tighter and tighter until he finally dropped his eyes and submitted to me.

"Sorry Alpha." He muttered, bearing his neck to me.

Oh how I wished I could just rip his windpipe out now...

It was so very tempting.