Alpha Zander
Chapter 6

After the lunchtime drama I kept my head down and kept to myself.

I didn’t enjoy being front and center like that.

I didn’t enjoy being questioned by Zander Blackwood of all people.

I didn’t enjoy the rumours that went around the school after.

In the car ride home the boys mostly talked about the upcoming dance and football games. Every year the school holds a Valedictorian dinner dance where we can receive our diploma and also have a chance to say good bye to everyone.

Once we got out of the car I headed to my room and started on some homework and assignments. Not long after Mum came up and knocked on my door.

“Hi, sweetie, How are you doing today ?”

I looked up from the work I was completing. “Hmm I’m good, just finishing up a few things.”

“Ok, dinner’s nearly ready if you want to wash up beforehand. Are you sure you’re ok? Oliver said there was an incident at lunch time and you’ve been avoiding him since.”

I looked back in surprise and said, “Oh, no it was ok. I was able to sort it all out.”

“Ok sweetie, don’t take too long. Dinner will be about 20 minutes.”

“Sure ma, I’ll be down shortly.”

I showered quickly and was able to finish up the last of my homework before mum called me for dinner.

I walked down the stairs and headed for the dining room. Everyone had already taken their seats and started dishing out dinner. I found myself at the end next to Alex and Ollie.

“You all right?” Ollie asked.

I just nodded. I didn’t exactly want to rehash all that happened at lunch time.

Kia has been quiet and doesn’t want to talk about what happened either. I’ve never lost control over her like that and honestly it’s scary. I just hope she doesn’t make it a regular thing.

“You definitely gave Blackwood a run for his money,” Brent said as he grabbed the salad and chicken.

I glared back at him and said, “he deserved it and so did that stupid girl. Kia wanted to rip her head off,” I grumbled.

Thankfully, the parents were at the other end of the table and too engrossed in their conversation to care what we were talking about.

“What dress were you thinking for Friday?” Meghan asks as she leans over from Alex’s other side, opposite Brent.

“Hmmm, maybe something light and airy in pink! I do love pink at the moment,” I replied. “Are you going to make me wear heels?” I grumbled.

“Of course! You have to show off those sexy legs of yours.”

I shook my head and smiled. Maybe an afternoon shopping is exactly what I need after today.

“You’re going to wear something fabulous at school on Friday!” Meghan claps excitedly

“Let me guess, you want to make a huge statement, right,” I sighed.

She grinned mischievously, “you know I am. Don’t worry I will make you look hot and sexy for your mate. It won’t be as blingy as the dress I have in mind for the evening.”

I sighed. It was no use arguing with her. She always got her way when it comes to fashion. In two days she will be dragging me around the shopping mall like a mad woman.

“Oh, and don’t forget the sexy lingerie.”

Ollie and Brent started coughing and spluttering over their dinner. Brent slapped Ollie on the back trying to help. “Can we please not speak about my cousin’s underwear,” he wheezed out.

Brent made a disgusted look. “More like please don’t talk about my sister’s underwear.”

Alex just chuckled at his mate making the boys uncomfortable.

“Pfft. We always have to listen to you boys and your crap. Why can’t we talk about our stuff?” she pouted.

“You can. Just not around us,” Ollie said, folding his arms across his chest while giving us a frustrated look.

Meghan rolled her eyes and went back to eating dinner.

“What’s everyone got on tomorrow?” I asked.

“I’ve got English, history, and sport in the morning,” Ollie said.

“Ahh, damn. That means I have history second class. First class I have a study hall.” I sighed while taking mental notes about what I still had to do before Thursday and Friday.

Wednesday was an easy day so I just had to make the most of the next two days before crazy Thursday and Friday with Meghan, then I could focus again on the weekend.

Dad was going to teach me a few tracking skills which I am super keen about. Kia has always had a good sense of direction and is naturally cautious of new areas so we thought it would be a handy skill to learn.

For the last few months, I’ve been studying pack lands and their borders. So far, I’m comfortable with what I know but once we step out of our borders that’s when things get tricky so it would be handy to be able to spot when we cross a border and are in another pack’s territory.

I know most of the packs in this state. But other states and the country have hundreds of packs that are smaller than ours.We’ve been lucky over the years that everyone knows and respects Liverpool and the ways of it’s leaders. That is why we are the second largest pack in Australia and a big threat to a lot of overseas packs.

We have allies in Europe and America, too, if we ever need backup but thankfully, it has been pretty peaceful and nothing we can’t handle in the last few years. I hope Ollie and I can live up to the expectations of our parents and grandparents.

Kia has been sitting in my mind unsettled since lunchtime. I’m not sure what is going on. It’s like she’s hiding something from me and just won’t let me in. It’s strange since we share the same body and mind, but for some reason, while Kia can access my thoughts, I can’t access all of hers.

Kia says it’s because they, our wolves, can communicate with each other when one is closeby without the human connection and if they are in the same pack. For example, she can communicate to all of my family’s wolves that are currently around the table right now. Maybe she is, which is why she’s been so silent. I don’t really know, to be honest.

A part of me is worried. I just hope she’s ok and gets sorted out before Friday. I can’t have her on edge during the biggest day of our life.

After everyone had finished dinner, mum and auntie went to the kitchen to finish cleaning up. Uncle, dad, and Alex all went into uncle’s office to continue their talk about pack business. Meanwhile, Ollie and Brent said something about video games in the pool room.

This left just Meghan and me in the dining room. I’m not as close to Meghan as I am to Chloe and Skyla but I am hoping that maybe Thursday shopping will help build the friendship even further.

“I’m really excited for Thursday night,” I smiled.

It was the truth. I was excited to dress up for my mate. I’m really excited about the possibility of replaceing my other half right away. I just hope he won’t reject me. Plus, I hadn’t been shopping in ages. I would usually ask Chloe and Skyla but Chloe has cheerleading practice and Skyla is rarely allowed out these days.

“I’m really glad you asked me and I’m so excited for you to replace your mate. I know some people these days don’t like to be tied down so early but it’s just magical being with your mate from the start,” she sighed and looked off into the distance as if she was remembering a time.

I smiled and said “I can’t wait. Although I am so nervous. I’ve never even kissed or been with a guy. I just hope he won’t be disappointed. I will dread it if he has been with heaps of women. I will always be so self-conscious”

“Oh, honey, it’ll be ok. That is what the mate bond is for. It completes you, his wolf wouldn’t allow him to reject you, anyway. And even if he had been with others before, nothing will compare with the way it feels with you. The bond amplifies everything, the feeling when you are with your mate is indescribable. It’ll be a totally different feeling but for the better.”

I’m glad I was able to talk to Meghan about it. As much as I love my mum it would be hard to have this conversation. I know Ollie has been with others but with Brent, I can’t tell, if I’m honest. He’s a strange one. I know Alex waited for his mate and I wondered …

“If you don’t mind me asking.. Did you wait for Alex?” I asked curiously.

Her eyes went wide with guilt .“Umm … no, I didn’t. I actually had a boyfriend in high school. They say you can sometimes tell who your mate is when they are nearby and I guess I thought he was it at the time.” She looked a bit guilty … maybe because she knew Alex had waited for her.

“Sorry I didn’t mean anything by it,” I quickly said.

“Oh, it’s totally ok. You were curious and it’s not a secret … Alex knows anyway. I just feel a bit guilty about it sometimes,” she said.

“Thank you, though, I appreciate the advice. I hope my mate and I fall as much in love as you and Alex are.” I smile warmly at her.

She chuckled and said, “it’s not always sunshine and rainbows, especially being a ranked member. Like everything it has its good days and bad but I wouldn’t change it for the world. I wouldn’t even wish being rejected on my worst enemy. Now I know what the mate bond is like I don’t know how I ever lived without Alex.”

I smiled at the thought of me and my mate having that type of love and relationship. I hope maybe one day we will be at that point of love and happiness.