Becoming the Alpha (Amethyst Pack BK2)

It was quiet when I began to wake up, my hands felt around as my eyelids fluttered open, I was no longer in the crowded medical bay, I was in a gorgeous bedroom, I was on a double four-poster bed as I looked on the bedside table, there beside me was a photo, a photo of my parents and me as a young child.

Picking up the photo my finger gliding across it, eyes clouding up with tears as I look at my dad.

“Serena…”

“I can’t believe he’s gone mum,” I cry.

“I know baby, I know,” She says sitting beside me, taking me in her arms.

“Mum?” Brianna walks through the door.

“Come give your sister a hug buttercup,” Mum says as she leaps onto the bed and into my arms.

“Dad says he’s going home soon,” Brianna sighs.

“He’s got a pack to take care of Brianna,” I sigh kissing her head.

“I’m going to miss him,” She pouts.

“You can go with him if you like,” Mum says.

“But then I won’t be with you mummy!” She cries.

“Brianna, we’re family, always will be and I’m sure we can sort something out with your Dad so you can go between here and there,” I smile.

“I was thinking something else…” Mum says.

“What?” I ask.

“I was thinking of going with Quinn…” She says.

“What…” I murmur.

“This is your place, your turn to thrive as an Alpha, the packs will help you rebuild, Calvin is close by, we will only be a few hours away, I need to make things right, be with Brianna, be the mother I couldn’t be for you. You don’t need me, you have a family here, I will visit, and you can come to us and we’ll sort something between the packs. I love you Serena, but I need a fresh start, I can’t be here,” She cries.

“I hate it, but I understand, I think we should do something every year, something to commemorate the lives we’ve lost, the battle we all fought together,” I sigh leaning my head back.

“Like a party!” Brianna exclaims happily.

“Yeah, like a big party,” I smile.

“You know that sounds like a great idea Serena, I told you that you’ve got this,” Mum smiles.

“Serena? You awake?” Lucien calls through our bond.

“I am,” I answer as he walks into the room.

“Good evening cupcake get washed and dressed, time to say goodbye to those we’ve lost,” He sighs as I nod.

“I will get you some new clothes out, bathroom is in there, we’ll wait until you’re ready,” Mum says.

“Thank you,” I say as I go into the bathroom and look at my face, as I thought I had a scar on my cheek, not huge, but a noticeable visible line.

“Remember what Dad said once Serena, scars tell a story, they don’t make you weak, they don’t make you any less of a person,” I sigh to myself before I get under the soothing warmth of the shower, washing the grime and dried blood from my body.

Once I was out I found a gorgeous black dress sitting on the bed as I got changed, drying my hair, and tying it into a ponytail so people could see the locket around my neck clearly, remembering when my Dad had given it to me.

I walk out of the room and down the corridor, no one was around, it was so quiet.

“Where are you guys?” I ask Mum.

“Here baby girl,” Mum peeks around the corner as I walk around to see everyone was outside, torches were it and pyres were made, each brandishing one of the dead on top of them.

I let out a shaky breath as we walk closer.

“It’s custom for leaders of the pack to light the pyres, Serena,” Lucien says as we get to the door.

“Gre…great…” I stammer.

“We’re right beside you,” He says as everyone begins to notice my arrival.

“Alpha Serena,” Quinn nods as he hands me a lit torch.

“Today we remember those who have lost their lives, today we say goodbye to loved ones, today we pay our respects and celebrate their lives. Alpha’s Serena and Quinn will light the pyres, releasing the souls of our lost to the goddess, wolves would you shift while it begins!”

There were two rows of pyres as Quinn and I took opposite sides.

“Touch the fire to the base of the pyres, they are coated in a flammable liquid,” Lucien says to me as I nod, touching the fire to the first pyre, Talia…

Talia’s pack members were next, the only ones left were the healers that had stayed behind.

Next were two of Quinn’s pack as he looked at me as we set their pyres alight.

Thirdly, hunters that had died in battle, fifteen of them to which Calvin joined us to help with his own as I took a step back for him, these were his people.

“Thank you, Serena,” He sighs.

“They belong with our own, they will be remembered as one of the packs,” I say as I hug him quickly and have to carry on, to my own pack.

There was an empty pyre with the café’s door sign as I looked towards Tony and Pauline. His body already gone in a fire.

“Sleep well Vance, you’re with your mate now,” I sigh lighting it.

Quinn had taken a step back, letting me do this for my pack myself.

“Silas…Thank you for your help, may you be remembered as a brave magic wielder, you saved Lucien, rest in peace”

“Oliver, you were one of the first to join me in my pack of rogues, my beta and a friend, even if you were a pain in my ass sometimes…” I hear people chuckle at my words as I blush.

“May you find the goddess Oliver,” I light his pyre.

“Yasmin and Eric, I wish you peace, I thank you for everything, sleep well,” I say before I notice there’s only one more pyre left.

“You can do this Serena, breathe,” Lucien says.

“Help me,” I link to him as he nods and walks up with me, taking the torch from Quinn.

“I never thought I would see this day, the day your father died, I had hoped he would be invincible, you were my best friend Grayson, my alpha and my family. I swear to take care of Serena, I will never lose her again, I will stick by her side through everything, I will teach her everything you taught me. Goodbye brother,” Lucien says as a tear falls from his eye as I take his free hand in mine.

“I love you, daddy, I promise to be brave, I promise to do my best for the pack, I’ll miss you. One day we will meet again. Love you, daddy, rest in peace,” I cry as we tilt our torches and the pyre lights as we step back.

The packs begin to shift as I join them joining Quinn in a pack howl as even the hunters joined in howling with us.

Pauline and Poppy lift into the sky as they use their magic, fireworks bursting in fantastic colours in the sky as we look up in awe, standing in the moonlight.

People begin to go back inside as the cafeteria is full of food as everyone socialises. Next thing I know is I am being nuzzled into as I look to my side as Zane’s large grey wolf nuzzles me.

“Please don’t kill me or my sister for making you sleep and then putting you in another bed,” He rubs his head against mine as I try not to laugh.

“I’ll think about it,” I shift back to my human form, crossing my arms, pretending to be cross as he shifts and stands in front of me.

“I’ll make it up to you,” He smiles, holding my chin in his fingers softly, his thumb running across my cheek where my scar is.

“How will you do that?” I ask.

“Well…I will wine and dine you, like you wanted, I will help you rebuild, I will show you how you deserve to be treated, I will do anything for you” He says as I uncross my arms, smiling.

“Anything?” I smirk.

“Oh no, why do I feel like I shouldn’t have said anything, those cheeky, beautiful eyes of yours are going to get me into trouble aren’t they?” He smirks, his arms snaking around my waist.

“They might…So…Climb onto the roof with me…” I smirk as he looks at me in shock.

“Climb onto the roof…Are you crazy?” He laughs.

“My Dad and I used to do it…” I shrug with a smile.

“I don’t like heights,” He grumbles under his breath.

“You’re joking…Big bad wolf is scared of heights!” I laugh as he frowns and then flings me over his shoulder spinning me around as I squeal with laughter.

“It’s not funny Serena!” He tickles me before putting me down in front of him with a huge grin on his face.

“It’s unbelievably funny,” I smile.

“You’re more likely to have Wren climb than me, Serena, I really don’t like heights,” He sighs.

“It’s ok Zane, I’m not actually going to force you on the roof. I am however going up there myself,” I grin as I peck his cheek and find the best place to climb up.

“Please don’t fall!” He calls up.

“Fall…Who…Oh for god sake Serena!” Mum says looking up at me, I can see she’s trying not to grin as she remembers how much trouble I would get into when I would climb everything with Dad.

“I feel sick just watching you,” Zane says through our bond.

“It’s a shame you don’t like heights Zane,” I say as I pull myself up onto the roof looking out across the trees. It was a gorgeous sight to see under the moonlight.

“Look,” I say as I push my mind to his and let him see through my eyes.

“It’s amazing…” he gasps.

Clouds begin to drift in the sky as it begins to rain as I tilt my head up to the sky, closing my eyes as I let the rain wash over me.

“Come down now Serena, the last thing I need is you falling off the roof…Again…” Mum shouts.

“Again!” Zane growls as I laugh heading back to the edge, but as my luck has it, I slip, falling over the edge as I grab the guttering, hanging over the edge.

“Serena!” They both gasp.

“Shit!” I groan as I look down.

“Don’t even think about it, young lady! That is too high of a drop!” Mum scolds.

“What else should I do? Hang around all night?!” I growl.

“Please tell me she won’t just jump…” Zane grumbles.

“What’s going on…OH MY GOD!” Carla screams as she sees me.

“Hey…” I say sheepishly to her as I try to keep my grip on the guttering.

I look around as I notice a ledge beneath me, just enough to stand on to help me get down, but first I had to get to it, it was a little left of me. I shuffle around the guttering as it creaks against my weight.

“Shit…” I say as I move quickly.

“Apparently being alpha means you can still be as dumb as a post!” My Mum exclaims.

“Serena…Need a hand?” A window opens nearby as Calvin’s head pops out with a shake of his head as he sees my predicament.

“Oh no, I just love hanging around guttering that might just break any second,” I laugh as I lower myself, swinging a little to help me jump into the window, but the guttering snaps and my hands fall.

Carla and my Mum scream as I fall but Calvin manages to grab my ankle on the way down as I feel it pop.

“FUCK!” I cry out.

“Excuse me, Calvin, let me help,” Lucien joins in as he helps pull me up and into the room.

“Well…that was eventful,” I laugh as my eyes widen, realising this whole time I was still in a dress as I blush, straightening it up.

“Please don’t climb my building again Serena,” Calvin shakes his head at me, but he smirks as he leaves the room.

“Her father, through and through,” He mutters as he leaves.

I go to walk but hiss as my ankle gives out from under me.

“Stupid ankle,” I say sitting down as I close my eyes and yank it, popping it into place with a yelp.

“I thought you were out the climbing phase…” Lucien smirks.

“I was doing it for old times sake, for Dad, it wasn’t raining when I started,” I roll my eyes.

“Are you always this clumsy?!” Zane rushes into the room, kneeling beside me.

“Yes,” Lucien and I say at the same time with a chuckle.

“I’ll leave you two to it. No more climbing Serena,” Lucien says as I nod as he leaves us alone.

“I’m going to have to keep an eye on you aren’t?” Zane smirks.

“Two eyes, although you probably just got an eyeful with me upside down,” I blush.

“If I wasn’t so worried about you falling to your death, I would have appreciated the view more. You’re beautiful,” He says as I smile.

He moves forward, kissing my lips softly.

“Wow,” I whisper as the mate bond tingles through our skin.

“How lucky am I?” He mutters quietly, his eyes gazing at me with a smile.

“We’ll see how long you think that for,” I giggle.

“You’re stuck with me now my little fire wolf,” He smiles.

“You bloody idiot!” Carla bursts in as we were about to kiss again as she smacks my arm several times.

“Woah! OK! Calm down!” I laugh as she huffs.

“You are going to give me a bloody heart attack one of these days!” She exclaims.

“You and me both,” Zane chuckles.

“You know NOTHING!” She points at him.

“Ok, I’m sorry Carla, best behaviour from now on,” I smile.

“Good, now hurry up or the food will all be gone, and Alpha Quinn needs to talk to you about plans or whatever,” Carla rolls her eyes and walks out the room.

“I don’t like pregnant Carla…” I groan to Daniel through the link.

“She’s…a powerful lady…” He answers as I laugh.

“Powerful…Yeah, that’s what you meant,” I say sarcastically.

Twirling my ankle around I feel it’s healing, but Zane lifts me into his arms and takes me downstairs as I giggle.

“Ah, Serena just the person. I wanted to let you know that tomorrow I need to return to my territory, your mother has informed me that she and Brianna will follow a few days later with the rest of my pack who are staying behind to help with the rebuild. I look forward to us keeping in touch and hope you visit us often as you are always welcome in my lands. If you should ever need me, you know how to reach me. I am sorry for your loss, but we’ve done a historical thing, it will be mentioned in our history for the rest of time.” Quinn catches us as we enter the cafeteria.

“Thank you for everything Quinn, please take care of them, you are welcome any time in my lands too. To an alliance between packs,” I toast with a drink that Zane passes to me.

“To an alliance between packs,” He toasts with a smile before wishing us well and wandering off to his pack.

We began to wander around the room talking to people as we went before I suddenly had a small pair of arms wrap around my leg as I jumped in surprise.

“Alpha!” Little William giggled as I smiled at him and picked him up in my arms.

“Well hi there, little man, where’s your mummy?” I smile.

“Making kissy-face with Lucy,” He says pointing to Lucien and Robin kissing in the corner.

“Did you just call him Lucy?” Zane bursts out laughing as I chuckle.

“That not his name?” William frowns.

“Yes, yes that is his name, never stop calling him Lucy,” I laugh as we walk over.

“William! What are you doing?!” Robin looks up in shock as I tap her on the shoulder.

“It would seem that he came to see me while you were…how did he phrase it…” I tap my chin playfully as Zane smirks.

“Making kissy-face with Lucy,” Zane laughs.

“It’s Lucien little man!” Lucien groans as Robin tries to take him from my arms but he just clings harder.

“Lucy!” He giggles as his head rests into my neck.

“You did that didn’t you…” Lucien scowls at me.

“I didn’t do anything. He called you Lucy, not me,” I smirk.

“Lucy, Lucy, Lucy!” William continues.

“Come on William, it’s time for bed,” Robin holds out her hands.

“NO! I want to stay with Alpha Serena for longer!” He shouts, holding me tightly.

“I don’t mind having him for a while if you like Robin, give you two time to get to know each other a little better.” I link to her as she bites her lip.

“Thank you, come get me if he becomes a pain, I appreciate this alpha,” She smiles.

“Come on then buddy, let’s go have some fun,” I bounce him on my hip as he giggles.

An hour later and William was asleep after running around like a loon, his head was tucked into my neck as I rocked him in my arms.

“That’s a good look on you,” Carla sits beside me and Zane as the others join us.

“What is?” I ask.

“Kid in your arms,” She smiles as she cuddles into Daniel.

“I have to agree,” Zane smiles at me.

“One day,” I smile at him as he nods, pecking my lips and leaving a hand on my thigh as we all talked in hushed tones as more and more people headed off to bed before the next challenge, clean up.