Chapter 9: Not Just an Alpha

Draven

We were both safely in the car, driving towards my building. We sat beside each other, looking out through the window, quiet, not knowing what the future held.

Rejecting my true nature, my true self had grave consequences. I endangered those around me, especially the people I loved, cherished and respected.

While Evie was packing her things, I stood in the middle of her modern living room, anxious of my daunting task of telling her who I truly was. I always thought I was brave, but even with all the courage in the world, I was scared I might lose her when she heard the absolute truth.

Mama Agnes was right. I should have told Evie the truth a long time ago.

"When are you going to tell her, Draven?" Mama Agnes asked me. It was about two weeks before our freshman year in college started. "The longer you wait, the harder it will be for her to accept who you are."

"She has already seen my wolf, Mama Agnes," I admitted. "Remember Evie and I went to visit my parents' graves? There was an Omega waiting for us."

"I should scold you for not telling me this!" Mama Agnes exclaimed angrily. "Tell me what happened!"

"He pounced at us... No, I'm sorry... He pounced at her. He went directly for her," I said, puzzled.

"Wipe that stupid expression off your face," Mama Agnes said. "You're the only one who won't accept what is right in front of you." She shook her head and sighed. "You must be more careful in situations just like that one. It's painful to lose your mate. Others die soon after while others become insane. If I were you, ask another wolf to accompany you if you are going to expose Evie in high risk situations."

"Mama Agnes, first of all, Evie is not my mate and second of all, without the protection of the Scarred Beasts, every place we go is high risk," I argued.

"I'm working on securing protection from the Redwood Wolf Pack, but you're absolutely right. Every place is high risk," Mama Agnes mumbled, walking back and forth, thinking. "I need someone to guard Evie when she isn't with the both of us."

"Fine, I'll talk to the Alpha of Redwood Wolf Pack and ask if any of his pack members there would like to enroll in college," I told her.

"Good idea, Draven," Mama Agnes said. "Ask for a she-wolf and I'll pull some strings to get her and Evie in the same dorm. Now that has been settled, I think you should tell Evie everything about yourself."

"No, Mama Agnes. She knows more than she needs to know," I replied. "If I tell her there is more to this, she'll scream and run out the door like every other human."

"That's the problem with you! You don't give Evie any credit. She's much stronger than you think, even stronger than you," Mama Agnes said matter-of-factly. "Evie will understand and accept you for who you are. You just have to tell her, coward."

"I'm not a coward. I just think you give Evie too much credit. That I believe," I said. Mama Agnes laughed. She always saw right through me.

"Face it, Draven. You, my Alpha, are the biggest coward in the world," she smirked. "Until you confess to Evie, my assumption of you will not change. Wolf up. Tell her... or I will." Great!

"I'll tell, Evie. I promise. Happy?"

And here I was, after so many years, still a coward. I looked up at the moon and scowled. Thanks a lot, Mama Agnes.

"Luke, anyone following us?" I asked through mindlink. Just like Luke, most of the staff at Blake Towers were wolves. Some from the Scarred Beasts Wolf Pack, others from wolf packs around the country who pledged their allegiance to me while a number came from the Blood Moon Wolf Pack, my former pack.

"None, Alpha," Luke answered. "I have already alerted the wolves at Blake Towers. They are not allowing anyone into the building unless they have ID."

I had left a letter at the grave of my parents, knowing someone would come looking for Tommy. In that letter, I rejected my position as Alpha Lord and invited those who wanted a job to come looking for me in California. Yet, my uncle still wanted me dead. It was no longer a question of rank or position, but the desire to take my Alpha power.

After my car went through the entrance of Blake Towers' parking garage, silver gates automatically came down from the ceiling, locking the parking area from the public for the night.

"Am I missing something?" Evie asked. "Are we going on lockdown?"

"Yes, just for the night, until I get word from our Gammas," I answered as Luke parked the car at my parking spot. "Luke, make sure the former members of Blood Moon are sequestered for questioning and get in contact with Sapphire Moon and Scarred Beasts and tell them what happened. Tonight, we mourn."

"Yes, Alpha," Luke answered, bowing.

"You talk," Evie pointed out, surprised. "All these years and not once have I ever heard you speak."

Luke raised his head to look at her and she gasped. Luke's eyes were glowing blue. His wolf was at the surface providing him his necessary strengths to keep guard. "I must apologize for that. I only talk to wolves and those trusted by wolves, Miss Evie." He took her bag and walked to the elevator whose doors opened automatically. Luke bowed, gesturing for us to walk in, before following us inside.

"So, Luke, uhm, what's a Gamma?" Evie asked as we rode the elevator. I glanced at her. She was bypassing me for information.

"Wolves have ranks, Miss Evie. "There is the Alpha, our leader. Then there are Betas, the second in command, that's where I fall under, then there's the Gammas, who are the supreme protectors of our pack, the general of our warriors. They are the best in combat."

"Have I ever met a Gamma?" Evie asked, wondering who among the people in this building belonged to which rank.

"Yes, you have," Luke answered honestly. I coughed, instantly silencing Luke, who stood straight at attention. I didn't want him to tell Evie she had a Gamma with her since college.

"I have one last question, Draven."

"What is it, Evie?"

"Why does your second in command work as a driver? Shouldn't he be a VP like me?" She asked. Luke chuckled, amused. I wasn't.

"Luke, answer."

"I'm much more than just a driver, Miss Evie," Luke answered mischievously. Evie was about to open her mouth again, but the elevator doors opened to my suite.

Before Evie could stop Luke from entering the elevator after he handed me her luggage, I opened the door and gestured for her to enter. She stared at the entrance, unsure if she should walk inside. She sighed, watching the elevator doors closed, and finally walked through the door.

"Uhm, I thought I'd be sleeping in the suite below yours," she said shyly, standing in the middle of my living room.

"And I thought you and I would be having a serious conversation," I replied. She nodded her head, but she still looked uncomfortable. "Evie, you and I have been bestfriends for fifteen years. Remember when we would have sleepovers at my house when we were teenagers? Nothing has changed," I said, hoping to put her mind at ease. I sniffed, grimacing at the scent of charred flesh and smoke. "How about we take a shower and change into our pajamas and I'll whip up a pitcher of frozen margarita for the both of us to share?"

"And some salsa and mozzarella sticks?" Her face brightened instantly at the sound of having a margarita. It has been a long and tragic day.

"Sure, my sweet," I agreed and pointed her to my guest room. "I'll meet you out in the kitchen in twenty minutes." I've noticed adding an endearment to my instructions made her do what I asked without question.

"Alright," Evie quickly agreed, grabbing the handle of her luggage and turning to the guest room. She paused and put a hand on my arm. "By the way, Draven, I'm truly sorry for your loss. Mama Agnes was someone very special."

"Thank you, Evie," I said, appreciating the gesture. "I'll see you in twenty minutes." I winked at her.

The hot shower felt good and washed away the hopelessness I felt now that Mama Agnes was no longer here to guide me. Of course, I knew Mama Agnes wouldn't be with me forever, but I had hoped when I took back what was mine, she would be there beside me, cheering me on.

As I wiped the mist off my mirror, I scowled at me reflection. I have been complacent, thinking my uncle would stop. Now, he has taken another from me.

But unlike my parents, this time, I would exact my revenge.

When I came out of my bedroom, wearing a white T-shirt and blue pajama bottoms, I caught the strong scent of blossoming flowers mixed with the scent of mozarella sticks frying in oil. Evie was already in the kitchen cooking the food.

I grabbed tequila, lime juice and triple sec from my bar and headed to the kitchen.

Evie was singing along to 'I'm Coming Out' by Diana Ross playing on her phone while putting some salsa in a small white ceramic bowl. Just like me, she was wearing a white T- shirt as well, but with light yellow pajama bottoms.

"I have the tequila," I announced as I walked through the door. She smiled at me, her wet hair swept back in a pony tail.

"I already salted the glasses. Just waiting for you to blend so I can have a glass," she said. "Where should I set up?"

"Balcony."

"Gotcha." She gave me a thumbs up sign as she waited for the timer to ring signaling the mozarella sticks could be taken out from the deep fryer. I don't know why Evie had qualms staying over. She knew my kitchen better than I did.

After we finished setting up the balcony, we laid back in our lounge chairs, looking up in the stars. I placed a blanket over her, knowing she'd eventually feel cold. We were high up and there was a chill in the wind.

"Evie, remember the first time I shifted into my wolf in front of you?" I asked.

"How could I forget? When you reverted back, you were naked. A piece of advice, never ever wear expensive clothing if there's a chance you are going to turn into a wolf," she said, giggling.

"Aside from turning up naked, did you notice anything about my wolf?"

"Compared to the other wolf who was about to bite me? Yeah, uhm... You had red eyes, while his was gold. You were so much bigger than the brown wolf and your fur was colored gray. And you were much scary looking... like something straight up from a horror movie," she answered. "Actually, I was about to run and hide when you reverted back to uhm, regular Draven."

"The reason why there are stark differences between me and the other wolf is because I'm-"

"Yeah, yeah, I know. You're an Alpha. Luke told me, remember?"

"I'm not just an Alpha, Evie. I'm the Alpha of the Alphas. I'm what the wolves call the Alpha Lord."