Game on Alpha

Prelude I

In a world of the supernatural, there lived many species who once existed together in harmony. As time progressed, so did the tension between the species. The greed for power to become the most dominant species consumed them all. Peace and harmony slowly but surely crumbled over time, transforming into bitterness and animosity, driving the supernatural species apart.

The Moon Goddess, mother of all supernatural beings, watched from above as her children destroyed everything that she had brought to life. In her rage-induced state, she decided she was going to punish her children by creating vile, loathsome creatures that dared not follow any rules or commands, that followed their lust for power in a way more destructive than her own kin, as their means to survive. She called them Vipers.

The only way to restore order to the supernatural world was to find the two soulmates of good and pure heart, who were blessed by the Moon Goddess with gifts that made them unlike any other. Their fate was sealed and aligned to bring together the community and to guide them into prosperity once more. And so, the prophecy was foretold, but centuries passed and they were never found...

Prelude II

"A soul mate's purpose is to shake you up, tear apart your ego a little bit, show you your obstacles and addictions, break your heart open so new light can get in, make you so desperate and out of control that you have to transform your life, then introduce you to your spiritual master."

Elizabeth Gilbert, Eat Pray Love Werewolves were the first creatures created by the Moon Goddess, and they hold a very special place in the Goddess' heart. The wolf symbolizes guardianship, loyalty, and spirit, which is why she gifted man with the power to transform into large wolves as well the heightened abilities and senses that come with it.

Werewolves are not meant to travel alone. They thrive in unity, which is why packs exist. The establishment of packs was a rough, unruly process, which is why she assigned ranks to wolves, to bring order to packs. Alphas are the head of their packs. Born with natural leadership skills, they are assertive and dominant in nature but also inspire and motivate others. Betas are second in command. There to support the alphas, they are level-headed, enforcers by nature. Gammas rank third in the pack. They are seen as mediators and caretakers and play an important role of support to the alphas, betas, and the pack as a whole.

When young wolves reach the mature age of eighteen, they meet their soulmate, the one who completes them, the other half of their soul, the love of their life, the person who they are fated to spend the rest of their life with. Soulmates are a gift from the Moon Goddess herself, given to her beloved creations so that those who deserve it can live out their lives in happiness. In the wolf community, meeting that person is cause for a grand celebration, especially if you're a respectable figure or of high rank. For balance and natural order, soulmates of the same rank are very rare, due to the challenges and difficulties that brings.

The mating process is a natural order, in which mates mark each other, their animalistic side staking claim to their partner to express and solidify their bond. It is then that the female werewolf experiences heat, a fertility period after the marking, which creates an inferno-like desire and need for intimacy. It's the Goddess' way of ensuring the bloodline of the wolf.

Soulmates aren't easy to find; this search can take days or years. That is why many don't follow the rule of fate, setting a course for a mate of their choosing.

So begins the journey of a pair of two seemingly normal werewolves: Alina Richards and Xavier Collins.

Alina's POV

As dawn appeared, so did the shrill screech of my alarm. Reaching to shut off the noise, I felt myself tumbling out of my bed and landing gracefully, face-first onto the floor. Ouch. Hopefully that didn't leave a mark.

What a great way to start off a Monday morning! Also, happy twenty-first birthday to me. If this is foreshadowing of how today is going to proceed, then I'd rather curl myself back under the blankets and pretend I don't exist. But alas, that's not how the world works, I have to get my ass into gear and get ready for college.

Don't get me wrong, I don't particularly hate college. Quite the opposite actually, considering it gives me a rather big population to work with—and by that, I mean pulling pranks, my favorite pastime in the world. The icing on the cake is that I have the best prank squad on my side, my best friends and partners in crime since diaper days: Riley, Thea, and Jason. We are known as "The A Team," the #1 prank squad of Ashtington College. We may look innocent at first, but deep down, we're all just itching to pull pranks on some poor, unsuspecting soul. Of course, none of the pranks are cruel, just a source of entertainment, and the "victims" always take them with humor.

Today is turning out to be just one of those days: Nothing particularly wrong with it, but you're just not feeling it.

I was never one to dwell on the fact that I haven't yet found my mate. Some find theirs within hours of coming of age; others take days, months, or even years. I was patient, and it never really bothered me; my time would come when the Goddess wished it. I'm independent in nature but never uncertain of myself—always have been that way—but lately, I've had a nagging feeling at the back of my mind, and my wolf, Rhia, has been pacing restlessly for the past few days, which isn't usually like her. I guess that's what has me on edge.

I push myself off the floor. I am Alina freaking Richards, future Alpha of Red Dawn, if life throws a curveball at me, then so be it. I'm going to hit a damn home run.

I go to my bathroom and take my time in the shower, letting the warm water wash away my thoughts, and hop out to find something to wear. I throw on a pair of black ripped jean-shorts and a soft light-blue t-shirt (it has seen better days, but I can't seem to part with it) and match it with my favorite pair of battered Converse and a leather biker jacket. I run a hand through my fairly wavy, strikingly black hair on my way out the door, not even bothering with makeup today.

The smell of crispy bacon leads me down the stairs and straight into the kitchen to find my mum at the stove handling the precious cargo.

"Glorious food, wonderful food!" I imitate the vultures from Ice Age, albeit horribly, finding it fitting.

My mum sighs, looks up, and laughs at me, used to my antics and devotion to food.

"Morning, mum," I give her a kiss on the cheek, swiping a piece of delicious maple-glazed bacon and popping it into my mouth while avoiding the swat of her spatula.

"Good morning, darling. Happy birthday!" she says, and she hugs me so tight I can hardly breathe. She forgets about her werewolf strength and the damage her hugs can do. Deadly.

"Put her down, Cally, you're squeezing the life out of my princess," Dad says. Ah, my hero, coming to save me, I think to myself, but instead, he grabs me from her side and tackles me into his own bone-crushing hug.

"Dad! You're supposed to be helping me, not doing the same!" I laugh as he eventually sets me down and goes to sit at the kitchen island, allowing me to breathe again. "Well, it's not every day you turn the ripe old age of twenty-one now is it? Look at you, all grown up." He smiles humorously.

"Sit down and have some breakfast, Ali." Mum sets the bacon on the table, and dad kisses her cheek, giving her a wink.

"Nope. Sorry, I've got to pick Riley up, I don't want to be late!" I say while grabbing a second piece of bacon from the plate and starting to walk towards the front door.

"Princess, she's just next door at the pack house, not halfway across the country," my dad chuckles and looks at me with amusement.

"Oh, and don't forget, the Alpha of The Blood Moon pack is coming back from his trip. He hasn't had any luck finding his mate. I expect you to be on your best behavior when you cross paths, Ali, no pulling pranks on the poor guy," my dad says sternly but slyly gives me a wink. No doubt my mum asked him to give me a talk. The guy loves my pranks; I practically learned everything I know from him. "Sure, Dad. The poor guy. Well, see you guys later," I say mostly for my Mum's peace of mind, having no intention to follow through.

Walking outside towards my baby, I open the door and get in. The engine comes to life with a soft purr, and I slowly back out the driveway. I make my way down to the pack house, where Riley lives with her parents. Her dad's the Beta, and he's one of my dad's best friends, the other one being the Gamma, Jack, who is Thea and Jason's dad. We all grew up together as a result and carried on the legacy of our dads' friendship.

Riley hopped in as soon as I pulled up to the house, and we sped off towards school. "Happy Birthday, Ali!" she squealed. It kind of hurt my ears because of our heightened senses. She hugged me across the seat.

"Jason and Thea will meet us at school. Thea just woke up, and Jason's trying to get rid of his one-night stand," she explains. I chuckle, "Typical Jason, ever the charmer." She just shook her head and laughed.

"So... I heard from Dad that the Blood Moon wolves are back from their trip. It's been years since we last saw them. I wonder how they turned out. I still remember the pranks we pulled on them, fun times," she reminisces in bliss, and I shake my head in amusement, "Of course you'd wonder, you've always had a thing for one of them."

"I did not have a thing for Alex." Her blissful look falls off her face as she deadpans. "Who said anything about Alex?" I look over at her innocently. Her cheeks flush as she mutters curses under her breath and shoots me looks that tells me just how she feels while I look out the windshield in silence for the rest of the drive, proud of myself.

I think back to the last time I saw any of them. We've been pulling pranks on those guys since we were in kindergarten, and dammit, all the trouble we got into was worth it. I wonder how they turned out too, but I don't dare voice my thoughts.