Unusually Unnatural Love

Daughter of the Alpha

The lonesome twigs in the dark forest cracked under the weight of two enormous wolves. My father and I were training since sunrise.

"Come on, Audrey! Where is your enthusiasm today?" My father asked, his voice swimming with impatience and irritation.

I morphed into my human form. My tall figure threw a shadow over the plane of grass. The wind tangled my hair into a brown bird's nest.

"Father, we've been training for three hours, non-stop! Drey can't take much more and neither can I. She is still injured after last night's training session. Cut us some slack, please." I pleaded hopelessly.

"Audrey, listen to yourself! You are the strongest wolf here and yet you act so weak and pathetic." He scolded harshly.

"I will never be who you want me to be, father. I am not you! I can't train day-in and day-out like you did at my age." Stray tears stung my eyes.

"You are next-in-line to become alpha. Can't you see the effort I am going through to help you get ready for the battles that lay ahead of you?" He softened up, seeing his hurtful words have cut deep.

"I can see it, father." I said sadly.

My father stepped forward and caressed my shoulders, staring lovingly into my eyes. His hardness had dissolved and his face reflected all the kindness within.

"Go rest. Give Drey time to regain her strength and you get something to eat. You look ravenous." He said in a comforting tone which made me move my gaze to his eyes

I thanked him and shifted, running back to the mansion. When I arrived, I could smell the pack was back from their morning patrol. I went straight up to my room and fell onto my bed, yelling into the covers out of frustration.

"Audrey, are you alright?" My best friend, Kaila, asked as she stepped into the room.

I sat up straight, my feet dangling off the edge of the bed. My face explained everything. Kaila smiled sympathetically and walked over to me, crouching down in front of me.

"Ila wants to go for a run. I think Drey might like to set free." She suggested and eyed me playfully.

**********

"Are you going to tell me why you were so sad earlier this morning?" Ila mind-linked me.

"It is just all this Alpha business. My father is tiring out both me and Audrey. I can take more, but Audrey is hurt and tired. He doesn't allow us to regain our strength. He is trying to turn us into him and Rik." I explained over a mind-link.

Ila morphed and sat cross-legged on the ground, stopping me in my tracks. I morphed and sat down next to her. We had the view of the magical dark forest in front of us.

"Have you talked to Eros since- Well, you know?" Kaila asked hesitantly when I shot her a fiery look.

Eros Steel was my ex-boyfriend. We never mated nor imprinted on each other, but we loved each other until I caught him with my only enemy, Rachel Murray. I could have killed him that day, had my father not stopped me. His betrayal had hurt me in every way possible. His name was like venom to me ever since.

"What is there to talk about? I have nothing to say to him." I replied coldly, but humorously.

Kaila smiled weakly and knew the coldness was not directed towards her, but rather towards Eros.

"You know, he is apparently coming back during the summer holiday." Kaila chuckled before she moved her gaze away from me.

"How could you possibly know this?" I asked with mild interest.

"The pack discussed it this morning over breakfast, which you skipped. Alpha Tyrik is worried the reason that drew him back was to challenge you for the throne." Kaila stated, staring into the distance.

'That's all he worries about. Not about the fact that this man had hurt you in every way possible. Only the throne, only alpha.' Drey said to me.

My lips curled into smile at Drey's remark, knowing she didn't mean what she said. She was always very fond of speaking her mind.

"What are you smiling at?" Kaila's eyes rested on me.

"Just something Drey said, besides, he can't challenge me for the throne. I am royalty by blood and by law next-in-line to the throne." I answered plainly.

"You know Eros better than I do and you know to what lengths he will go to get what he wants. Rumor has it that he joined the Howlers pack. You know the reputation that pack has in the north." Kaila said concerned.

For a moment, there was a time-consuming silence. Neither of us spoke and neither moved a muscle until I scraped together the courage to part my lips and utter a reply.

"We are stronger when we are united, and we are united. He can bring his whole pack if he wishes, but we are stronger than they are." I said reassuringly and shot Kaila a smile.

"I hope you're right, Audrey. The last thing we need is another war." Kaila said and redirected her gaze back to the distance.

"Don't be so negative. I thought we came here to clear our minds, not clog them with worries and myths." I sighed wearily.

"Sorry, I am only making things worse, aren't I?" Kaila smiled faintly.

"I know you are worried about me. Everyone is, but I can take care of myself. I am not a young, dumb and innocent kid anymore. I know what's out there and how to handle difficult situations. Believe me, I've been through more than enough to teach me all the life lessons I need to know." I chuckled nervously as my mind darted back to painful memories of a year ago.

"You know Caliban?" Kaila asked, desperately trying to change the subject.

"Mr Oberon's son? The newest member of the pack?" I asked and my eyes roamed across my friend's face.

"Yes, he told me that Falco is coming back from Alborg. Hopefully for one reason and one reason only, to see you." Kaila gave a sly grin.

"How does Caliban even know about my history with Falco?" I let out a dry laugh.

"Being next-in-line is a big deal. Everyone knows your whole biography by now." Kaila laughed knowingly.

"Great." I rolled my eyes playfully.

Kaila laughed, but my attention was fixed on the trees in front of us, my eyes narrowing in suspense. The leaves rattled at a sudden movement in the trees and I could smell danger.

"What's wrong?" Kaila asked after realizing my silence.

"I smell danger." I growled and morphed.