The Alpha's Lifeline

** All flashbacks are in italics **

Two beloved parents stood in front of a collapsing building, wooden beams rotting throughout the roof, looking like they could fall with one gush of wind. The cobblestone floor was uneven on their feet as they scrambled through the ruins with their dearest pack members.

“Be careful everyone, Eyes up” Shouted the Alpha’s beta, “Let’s get in here”

A mother’s senses kicked in.

“He’s here." Rylan’s mother sobbed. His father pulled her into his arms, letting the pack members clear the way for them. They were loyal to their alpha.

"Calm yourself dear, he might not be here, we need to search ... Come on, we'll help them." He took her hand and led her tentatively to the entrance, where their pack warriors were crowded and helped them to open the door. The complex was searched carefully, many close friends were here with them.

They had searched hundreds of buildings like these, and been told hundreds of times that Rylan was nowhere to be found... Until today.

The warriors searched slowly alongside their Alpha and Luna, the deceased were respectfully taken from the building, and prisoners taken to be interrogated. The walls were crumbling and cold, moss growing in every damp corner and rats running from the warriors storming in.

Rubbish on the ground, and the smell of rotting flesh... Not a place for anyone to be living. And yet, the warriors led them on, through the rubble and into another large room, other people were being treated and escorted from the building. Their skin looked white as snow; had they any sunlight in years? Hundreds of scars and wounds flooded their bodies, all weak, scrawny and grasping onto life. They reached another door, and the beta turned around.

"Is he in here?" His mother desperately asked. It had been 16 years.

"This isn't a pretty sight, he's not the same, maybe you should wait to see him-" He suggested but Rylan’s mother shook her head.

The door had been broken into by the warrior at the front, six locks on the inside that looked like they had seen better days, all broken and rusting. From the ceiling, one small light bulb swung, dimly lighting the room, to show their son facing the wall, silently.

The gasp from his mother was deathly as she looked at her son's state, two warriors kneeling comfortingly behind him, trying to calm them all down. His back was littered with scars and wounds; Burns, knife cuttings, and patches of broken and damaged skin, everyone noticing the small self-inflicted cuts on the wrist that lay limply on the floor beside him.

He was naked and hung his head low, his hair patchy and shaven.

"Rylan." His mother whispered, his father having no words. "Rylan, is that you?" She asked, sensing that it was, but she wanted that confirmation from him. He was so grown up... But yet so innocent.

He was shaking, unable to move or create sentences, he had not eaten in months, began to cry, unashamed. Everything had happened to him over the last decade of his life had taken a toll on his life, which he had tried many times to end.

He began shouting to himself and thrashing around, using every last ounce of willpower he had in him, as he screamed and pounded on the walls, drawing blood from his weak fists as he punched the wall. He turned to the nearest warrior and began biting at his neck, drawing blood. He was quickly restrained and showed little strength in resisting them. Everyone stared in shock, was he...?

“Is that what I thought it was?” His mother whispered… clasping at her husbands’ arm.

“He’s not just a werewolf.” His father replied in shock.

Vampire.

"RYLAN."

He bolts up from his bed, panting and catching his breath quietly, steadying his hands in his sweaty sheets. Still shaken from his nightmare, he looks around to find his closest friend beside him, he will be the new beta soon.

"Fuck off" Rylan mumbles, slumping back into bed.

"You know I'm just here to keep you safe." Brody mumbles, pacing the room.

"I don't need you here, I want to be left alone..." He turns over in his sheets, still tired.

"You have a meeting with your father; I was going to walk you over."

"I really don’t see why I need to go" He talks.

"Come on, Rylan. This is the first meeting that your father has asked you to go to... A proper meeting. You will soon be alpha, this is really important to him."

"I don't care. He doesn’t care. He only wants what’s best for the pack not me"

"This is for your pack."

"Father doesn't want me to take over, he's made that clear, he just doesn’t have a choice" Rylan replied. "He won't even let me move out, let alone run his beloved pack." There were a few minutes of silence.

"Everyone is confused, they want to know who's going to be ruling them properly, you need to take charge," Brody argues with him and Rylan swings his legs out of bed.

Rylan’s body is nothing near perfect, but he is a beautiful man. He has broad shoulders and a defined jaw, with ruffled hair and faint stubble which needs a shave. He looks like a man but his experiences in life would suggest otherwise, his recovery is far from over. Years of neglect and torture are scattered on his back, his wrists with faint self-harm lines and untoned muscles on his arms and legs.

Him and Brody have been close the last few years, Brody will be his beta, there is no other person Rylan would trust with the job. He is the only person Rylan is comfortable with, enough to show his flaws and not cover up.

“I will meet you downstairs…” Brody says, leaving Rylan to his privacy.

Downstairs, his mother, Susan, and father, William, wait patiently for their son. How much he has changed since they rescued him. They are the current Alpha and Luna and Ryewood, and although the task now falls onto their son, they know how difficult this will be for him.

His mother is a small woman, with kindness sewn into her heart, a housewife. Winkles have begun to scatter her face and time is bearing down on her slowly, she will soon be retired. Although she is the Luna of the pack, William has the control of the decisions. He is the opposite to her, and yet they are destined for each other, mates. He is broad shoulder and defined, strong willed and firm. They do not show much affection, as Susan potters about the kitchen, waiting on her husband whilst he eats breakfast.

"Something smells good," Rylan come down the stairs and straightens himself. He dry’s his freshly washed hair with a towel and picks up a piece of toast from his mother’s making. “Did you make pancakes?” he asks, searching the kitchen.

“No sweetie, good morning” She smiles, how she would love a kiss on the cheek or a hug.

"Rylan put on a suit." His father asked politely.

"Have you been cooking?" Rylan asked, “What is that smell?” Ignoring his father and trying to follow his scents, his other forms were not very active, he wondered whether he was still a hybrid sometimes; that was until they forced themselves out inappropriately.

"Please, go and put on a suit, you're coming with me. Today is particularly important."

"Why do I need to?" Rylan replied still searching the kitchen, peering over into the living room. He flared his nostrils and looked at his mother for answers.

"It's just a meeting, one that I would like you to come with me for... The elders are coming, and they expect you there." He explains calmly.

"Yeah... Yeah." Rylan just shrugged and walked into the living room, picking up a cushion and smelling it slightly, even more confused.

“Rylan, what is it sweetie?” His mother asked placing a hand on the small of his back. He jolted away and shook his head.

“Obviously, nothing.” He said quickly, now distracted from the scent.

He pondered slowly up the stairs while his mother and father made small talk, and returned a while later with a blue tailored suit on, His jackets swung over his shoulder,

"You look Lovely, Rylan, straighten up that shirt please.” His mother told him. Smiling and adjusting his collar for him.

He pulled away.

"Don't, don't touch me... You know I don't like it." Rylan says quickly, pulling away.

His mother sighed and shook it off, he didn’t like being touched. It had taken him years to get to this point. Rylan grabs his keys and leans to his mother, kissing her cheek. It made him shiver but he knew how much it meant to his mother. She smiled.

“Thankyou, Rylan. Let’s walk.” His father lead him out the door and Brody followed.

"He'll be fine, don't worry," William assures Susan, and kisses her cheek gently, before leaving her alone in the house. She was content on her own.

As they walk to the pack house, William tried to make small talk. Brody has learnt not to bother. The pack lands are one of the biggest in the continent. Pack members bowed their heads at the alpha. Ryewood was a loyal and proud werewolf pack, with their central hub at the pack house, which had had many extensions now. It was beautiful land, with streets and forest, a mix between urban and city.

"You haven't been out of the house in three weeks." His father says quietly.

"Hmm..."

"And you haven't been doing any of your counselling or therapy..." He adds.

"I don't feel as though I need it," Rylan exclaims.

"I have made you another appointment tonight, I think it will help you, how do expect to get better when you don’t follow Dr. Isaacs’s treatment plan.”

"I'm fine."

"Rylan. This meeting is about you." He admits. "That's why you needed to come and I have something… someone for you to meet."

"Why is this meeting about me?"

"Because we're going to discuss what is happening with you, and what is happening with you in terms of becoming alpha. It needs to be sorted, and you're not backing out this time. And I think this person will help you to… recover and connect with yoursel" He says firmly to his son. "I understand you went through a lot, and that's okay... We except that, but we either need you to start doing Alpha duties and taking over so the pack are protected and not between leaders."

"This is stupid."

"It's not stupid? It's time for you to start living again, and not spend all of your time moping around in your bedroom."

"Well...Maybe if you let me move out, I would have more independence." Rylan snaps.

"Your mother and I have decided it's time for you to move out anyway, it's for the best. And we’re going to adjust your treatment plan so that’s possible with…. Let’s talk about this more later." He says confidently.

"With what?" Rylan asks.

"You'll see."

They arrived at the meeting hall a few minutes later, it was silent outside... And all that could be heard was the crunching of stones beneath their feet. The entrance to the packhouse was fairly grand and was a bustling centre of activity. There was a sense of community.

Rylan walked behind his father with Brody close beside him. The doors were already open to the meeting hall, on the right-hand side of the hub, but the halls were empty as William led them through to the room he knew had been prepared for this meeting.

A few large security guards appeared, they were doing patrols on the ground floor and stopped the men to check their identity. They continued through the corridors.

Rylan's father opened two large doors and the room was full of people as they entered. Elders, pack warriors and leaders alike, all waiting to hear the news from their Alpha.

“Welcome.” William spoke loud with an open chest. Rylan tried to sit down and his father gestured for him to stand beside him.

“We are here today to discuss the transfer of leader. As I have already mentioned to the elders, we will be transferring the role of alpha to my son, Rylan. This has been a long-awaited day, and we are very proud of Rylan, and I’m sure he will do great in his new position. Now let’s talk logistics.”

They all took a seat. This news was no surprise to Rylan, he knew his mother and father had been pushing him the last few weeks, more than they ever had before. He was going to be Alpha, it had always been his destiny, there were just a few bumps in the road to get there.

They exchanged information and details for longer than Rylan was expecting, this really was a serious meeting, He got up to stretch, his insides feeling uncomfortable. He started to sweat, his clammy hands held onto the cabinet beside the meeting table, steadying himself.

“… and the paperwork for the cells needs to be transferred to the right accounts for Rylan by next week.” His father paused.

“Rylan….” He looked at his son with concern. The other members glancing over at their new alpha, struggling. Maybe not the best first impression. Brody stood up and passed him a glass of water, which slid down his throat in a few gulps.

All of sudden, Rylan’s head jerked backwards as he struggled to keep control over himself. He groaned out in pain.

He managed to gain control and quickly took a few breaths, "I need a moment." He muttered quickly turning back to the door and rushing out of the back entrance within seconds, Brody running after him.

Rylan collapsed onto the floor as soon as he got outside, breathing quickly and trying to control the beasts inside of him, the stones on the ground dug into his hands harshly. His lungs going straight into shock.

“Mate” His wolf finally spoke, and his eyes widened. “Shit” he muttered. He put his head in his hands.

Brody climbed down the fire exit stairs and stood behind him. He mind-linked someone before placing a hand on Rylan's back.

"Dude, breath," Brody said quickly, making Rylan sit back onto his heels.

“My mates here.” He said through gritted teeth. Brody nodded, did he already know?

His father ran out of the room with a few of Rylan’s team. They were used to having to help Rylan gain control and had come up with a treatment plan for him that was working most of the time. Brody took a case from one of the support team and slid out a syringe, it had a green liquid that look like it was nuclear.

Brody had called backup just in case, he knew Rylan's wolf and vampire sides were extremely strong and could easily take over and hurt his mate.

“I apologize Rylan, I knew she was here, but I didn’t know she was so close. Come and meet her, it might calm you mate. Her name is Adeline”

Adeline, his mate... He growled lowly and held onto his neck, trying to stop himself from feeding off of anyone. His vampire side still strong in his body.

She was only just indoors. He could sense it now his other forms were emerging.

"Are you going to shift?" Brody asked but Rylan couldn't talk, as his breathing increased. His whole body was shaking, he wasn't breathing...

“Do you need the serum, Rylan?” Brody held the syringe to his neck, waiting for confirmation.

The commotion had gathered quite a crowd, when a young lady walked out to see what was happening. Adeline appeared at the door with her parents a close behind her, she smiled slightly, nervously taking a few steps forward, and pinching herself to stem her excitement.

As much as this was exciting, she had been briefed on Rylan’s condition, she knew she couldn’t get too close. She was a tall young lady, with curvaceous hips and a small figure. She wore a sun dress in yellow and had her hair in loose waves over her shoulders. She was nervous.

Brody watched Rylan carefully, not blinking. As soon as he saw Rylan’s head turn and his fangs drop down, he injected the liquid into his neck. Brody wasn’t going to let this first connection turn red with blood.

He calmed down instantly, his fangs retracted and his body untensed, collapsing back onto the floor was a thud. He held himself in a ball, catching his breath.

"I need to go for a run." Rylan muttered, his muscles were tensing again as he fought to protect his mate, from himself. Her scent was overbearing, he has never felt such a euphoric feeling, blood pumping through his veins. His wolf hadn’t been this active in months.

"Rylan, don't walk away from this." His father knelt down. “Please try to introduce yourself.”

“Please, I’m sorry. He turned his head to her, avoiding eye contact, “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“I trust you.” She whispered, but he could hear her. She didn’t know him, and yet their mate bond had already formed between them, they were soul bound now.

"Please don't do this," William pleaded.

He began to strip, taking off his blazer and throwing it into the car, unbuttoning his shirt. "I need some air." He told him. “I’m sorry” Tears streamed down his face now as he became more overwhelmed.

"Why don't you just... Introduce yourself." His father suggested but Rylan shook his head quickly, making no eye contact with Adeline.

"If I don't leave now, I'm going to bite and feed off of her, and that's not how I wanted to make my first impression. I'll run home." He took off his shoes with urgency and looked up at Brody, who was talking to Adeline, feeling slightly jealous.

His father gave up and left him be, Rylan shoved off his trousers and shifted quickly into his wolf form, running straight into the forest beside.

"Was that my fault?" Adeline asked quietly.

"No, he wasn't prepared for that."

"What was... That." She asked.

"When he can't control his other sides, he goes into a type of shock where he can't breathe, it's just a side effect of all the stuff he's been through. The injection sort of paralyzes him for a few seconds and takes him out of the shock." Brody explained.

"He'll go off now and feed so that he doesn't hurt you."

Everyone went silent for a moment.

"I'll go in and talk to everyone, then we'll head back to the house." William told them, before walking back into the building. Adeline bit her lip, looking worried.

"It's not your fault, this happens all the time... His vampire side is much stronger than him now when he gets control, his wolf is pretty strong too... He has a hard time controlling them, it's nothing you've done. He’d rather not hurt you."

"Yeah but it's still my fault he ran off." She mumbled, looking down.

"It isn't. This is his way of coping with it, ever since he has been home, he vows to feed on animals or blood packs rather than us. He hates hurting people really; it is just sometimes he can't control it. He'll be fine later... Come on, you can come back with us, I'm sure you have more questions..."