The Shadow Alpha
CHAPTER SEVEN

Two Years Later

In the weeks that followed my adoption, Papa Jamie received information from around the worldabout increased rogue attacks on smaller packs and devised a plan to have me travel to these packsto train their members and improve security around the pack lands.

My team consisted of Jacob and Dristan, with their fathers taking over their duties for the time thatwe would be gone. I refused to be known as the Shadow wolf, I worried that if word of the legendgot out, it would put the pack in danger so instead Papa Jamie appointed me as head pack trainerto avoid questions by other Alphas.

Our success spread quickly amongst packs and before we knew it, two years had passed with usmoving from pack to pack, sharing strategies and assisting in strengthening their defences. Forty-five packs later, we were finally on our way home.

Those two years were taxing on the three of us, though we grew closer than ever. We missed ourfriends and family dearly, despite speaking often over the phone and making Skype calls regularly, itwasn't quite the same. I was grateful that they decided to go with me, I'm not sure anyone elsewould have been able to make the experience as great as they did.

Our return was celebrated in a grand fashion with Papa Jamie surprising me when he announced meas the new Alpha of the Blue Moon pack. The news came as a shock, but the happiness I feltoutweighed any doubts, I was up for the challenge.

Never in my life would I have guessed that I would become the Alpha of such a big pack, let alonean Alpha at all, but as I stood at my Coronation ceremony two weeks post arrival, I knew that I wasliving my destiny and the only way from there was up.

One afternoon, three months into being Alpha I was sitting in what used to be Papa Jamie's office,but became mine when I became Alpha, when a strange smell wafted through the open window.Jake, Dris! I'm picking up the scent of rogues near the east border." I rushed out the pack house,meeting them already in wolf form headed in the direction of the east border.

I held up my hand for them to slow down as we neared them, slowly we crept through the trees toget a closer look at what we were up against.

My eyebrows furrowed as my eyes landed on the trio. It was a man and a woman with a child; afamily of rogues was a very strange sight in the werewolf world, which piqued my curiosity. Theirbacks faced us as they sat on a fallen log, sipping on some water.

They didn't seem to have noticed us as yet since we were still a fair distance away from them.Deciding to announce our presence without startling them, I stepped on a fallen leave, hearing itcrumble under my weight. Jake and Dris's heads both turned towards me in shock.

The man and woman both tensed and pushed the child behind them before shifting into theirwolves. The male was dark grey in colour while the female was a beautiful chestnut brown.

“What are you doing? They don't look like trouble.” He wondered through the mind link.

There was something familiar about these wolves which I couldn't quite place. They growleddefensively, pushing the little girl between them.

My heart broke seeing the terror on her face, without realising it, I stood before them. The little girlstared at me with icy blue eyes that held my gaze captive.

"Don't be scared, I won't hurt you.” I sent her a small smile and felt my heart bubble when her tearsstopped, I wanted to gather her up and ease away her fear.

I took a step closer, only to be blocked by her parents, I'd even forgotten about them.

Jake and Dristan stood a few paces behind me, growled when the pair bared their teeth at me, but Iheld up a hand to tell them it was okay.

“Shadow, can we sense their Aura?’ she complied because immediately their fur began to shine abright blue; I relaxed considerably at this sight.

“It's okay guys they are only trying to protect their pup, they mean no harm." I said to the guys,which earned me a nod.

"Welcome to the Blue Moon pack, I'm Alpha Allison and this is my land you're trespassing on.” Iraised an eyebrow at them and nodded towards the nearest tree for them to shift.

The family emerged from behind the trees and my body froze. My breathing stopped and startedup again as I watched them walk closer to us.

I was startled from my reverie by Jake's stern voice, “State your names, and what you are doing onour Territory.” I didn't even realise that he'd shifted till he was standing beside me.

“My name is Asher, this is my wife Hannah and our daughter.” he gestured to the two womenbeside him.

Another wave of shivers ran through my body, I could feel Jake tense at my side.

My eyes landed on the little girl once again, who was watching me with interest. I walked up tothem and kneeled before the little girl.

"Hello Princess, what's your name?” I smiled when she blushed and hid a little behind her mother'sleg.

“I'm Ana.” My eyes grew wide in wonder.

"Wow, you really are a princess.” She blushed and giggled at my amazement which made my smilewiden. I sent her a wink before standing up once again to face her parents.

"Where are you coming from?” Asher and Hannah shared a look before Asher spoke once again.“We escaped a rogue prison a few weeks ago, we have been on the run ever since. We are sorry fortrespassing on your land Alpha; we didn’t think we'd be spotted so close to the border.” A slightblush rose on his cheeks which made me want to smile.

"A rogue prison you say? You know that it's not safe to be on the run, especially with a child.” Iglanced down at the little girl who had her eyes fixed on me.

"With all due respect, Alpha. Being on the run is a far better life than being in prison.” Asher saidbitterly, I couldn't help but agree with him.

“I agree. I'm sure you all could use a warm meal and a place to stay for the night, why don't thethree of you come with us to the pack house?” they shared a sceptical look. “This is my Beta andThetha, Jake and Dristan.”

“I don't think that's a very good idea, we will be on our way, we do not mean any harm.” Hannahspoke for the very first time and my stomach lurched at her soft voice.

“I understand that you are sceptical, but at least you can appreciate that I am offering you myhospitality instead of dragging you to the cells like any other Alpha would.” I raised an eyebrow ather and immediately felt bad when her gaze fell to the ground.

“We will come with you.” Asher decided to step forward with his arm around his family.