The Shadow Alpha

"Wake up, it's time to go.” Ronaldo's stern voice called out as he unlocked the cell gates and pushed it open.

Yasmin's eyes fluttered open; she stretched her stiff body as she tried to figure out what was going on, when her eyes landed on me it all seemed to click and she narrowed her eyes at me.

So much for being good friends. I thought unhappily.

Oliver was standing a few feet away, I had asked him to leave us, but as I expected he wanted to keep an eye on her until 1 glared at him to leave.

“Alpha Allison.” Yasmin regarded me emotionlessly and I nodded a greeting.

“Take a walk with me Miss Hamoudi.” She looked on suspiciously and flinched when she caught Oliver's bulky frame over my shoulder. Her eyes were guarded as she looked between us.

“Is my punishment over already? I thought for sure you would want to teach me a proper lesson.” Gone was her hesitance, in its place was a mocking smirk. I couldn't do anything but roll my eyes at her attempt to annoy me again; I turned to Oliver and glared at him till his shoulders sagged.

“Will you be okay, Yasmin?” he asked Yasmin and surprisingly enough she looked to have been taken aback for a split second before she masked it with a cold expression

Since meeting her she has only displayed three emotions; anger, indifference and arrogance. It honestly wasn't healthy.

“Fine. Not that it's any of your concern.” He flinched at her accusatory tone, but didn't respond; instead he nodded curtly and walked up the stairs and out of the prison.

“Now, how about that walk?” I clapped cheerfully and she looked slightly horrified for a second, but soon reverted back to her blank look.

“I don't actually have a choice, do I?” she deadpanned and I smiled sweetly, already leading her out of the building.

"Of course not! I wasn't asking.” She sneered at the obvious tone that I used and I snickered, leading her away from the pack house where many pack members were already going about their daily duties.

We walked for a few minutes before she grumbled something about me being strange under her breath; I ignored the jab and spoke.

“So Yasmin, how do you find the pack?” without having to look I knew she was about to give me a sarcastic answer.

"Very hospitable. The floors are super soft here.” I shrugged and a noncommittal sound erupted from my throat.

“Not my fault you didnt sleep on the bed that was obviously provided for your comfort.” She stopped short and her face twisted in disgust.

“What the hell! I don’t even know what could be breeding in that thing!” I chuckled at her girly response.

“Should have thought about that before you opened your big mouth and challenged the Alpha.” I shrugged and she glared at me once again, but said nothing.

"What do you want from me?” she sighed after a few moments of silence apart from the scuffling of our feet on the dry leaves. I shook my head and turned to face her, she stumbled not expecting the sudden halt and narrowed her eyes at me for what felt like the millionth time.

“I don't want anything from you Yasmin. Never have. I do however want something for you.” for the first time since I met her, she let her face morph into one of confusion and curiosity.

I turned to walk again and began speaking.

"When I was eight years old, my parents were kidnapped by rogues and I was blamed for their supposed death, my pack and family hated me and abused me for the next eight years. When I found my mate at sixteen he immediately rejected me, so I ran away. I wandered the forest for weeks till one night I shifted into my wolf for the first time.” Her confusion was evident so answered her silent question,

“Yeah, I shifted on the first blue moon after my sixteenth birthday, see I was a special wolf; I never asked to be, but Mother Selene felt that I was the right person to lead the werewolf race and I could not deny that right and privilege. Alpha Jamie found me in his territory and took me in, he adopted me as his own daughter and trained me from scratch with the help of Jacob and Dristan, my Beta and Theta.

“This pack became my family and after I travelled the world, to train the packs that asked for my assistance, I became Alpha of the Blue Moon Pack. When I look back at the person that I was before they put their faith in me, I realise that it's all any of us need.” She listened attentively; our pace had slowed to a stroll as I recounted the story of my life.

“You were wrong. I am not perfect, nor do I have the perfect life. For half of my life, I thought my parents were dead and the only blood family I had, hated me. My pack, each and every person has a story of their own that tells how they ended up here, none are perfect, but together we stand and that makes us appear perfect. You may be right about my mate, he might despise me for what I did, but I'll never have it in me to regret what I've done. Austin and April Summers are together responsible for the deaths of thousands of werewolves around the word as well as lying to Devin about his own identity; so the role I played in revealing the truth will never be a mistake in my eyes.” I came to a halt at a newly fallen tree and climbed onto the trunk, leaning my back against a branch. Yasmin sat facing me, her face devoid of any emotion

“I don't speak of anything I have never myself experienced. I cannot describe to you the pain I endured both physically and emotionally over the years, but I never let the pain define me. The pain of rejection was something else entirely, but what hurt even more was getting close to him after that and having him push me away again. Knowing that everything that happened between us was my entire fault and that I couldn't do a thing to take away his pain no matter how hard I tried, kills me. The pain never ends, you just get so used to feeling it that it becomes a part of you and those are not just words, they are the honest to God, truth.” I spoke frankly knowing that the only way for us to overcome this bad blood was to be honest with each other, I needed her to understand what made me who I am.

"When I first found out who I was and what my destiny was, I was nothing but a weak Shewolf. Some changes come with no warning and I know you can relate to that. You can either fight it or you can embrace it.” she laughed breathlessly.

“So either way it's my choice.” She stated and I nodded.

"Yes, it is, but Yasmin? If not you, then who?” she considered my words for a moment and looked at me to continue, “Your pack needs you. Alpha Jeston is a smart man; he wouldn't have chosen you if he didn't think you were not capable of being the best Alpha for your pack.” She was about to argue, but I stopped her before she could speak, “There comes a time in life where you have to change your plans and alter your thinking in the best interest of everyone around you.” she blew a breath and shook her head bitterly.

“It isn't fair. Carl and Peter weren't supposed to die; my brother wasn't supposed to die. They were supposed to live and lead the pack together, I was supposed to find my mate and start a family.” in that little statement I got a glimpse of the girl that I knew she once was, one who dreamt of her mate and pups, an innocent woman who had been wronged by fate.

"You can still have that, you know?” I revealed and her eyes turned cold.

“No I can't.” she affirmed.

“Yasmin... Oliver and I were never anything more than friends, I admit that we did flirt a little, but that is where it ends. I know that what you saw hurt you, I've been there, but don't for a second think that Oliver wants anyone, but you since he found out that you are his mate. He is a genuine guy and I saw it in his eyes, he cares about you and wants nothing other than to make you happy and keep you safe.” Her stubbornness never eased though, she wasn't ready to hear me out. “Whatever.” She brushed me off and glared into space.

“I am telling you this, because you need to realise that you're not the only person in this world who has been through difficult times, you're not the only one who's been thrust into unfamiliar grounds with the expectation to succeed. It's time you stopped feeling sorry for yourself and give yourself a chance to make something of your situation.” I revealed and if anything it angered her more.

“Just stop Allison! I don't need your pity and I don't need your advice, I can handle myself.” She burst angrily, standing off the log defensively.

“Can you, Yasmin? If you could handle yourself, you wouldn't have blown up at me in front of everyone. If you could handle yourself, you wouldn't have judged me without knowing the full story about my life. If you could handle yourself, you would have given Oliver a chance to explain himself. You are here on the request of Alpha Jeston, to learn how to run a pack and to become the best of the best in order to lead your pack and thus far all you have done is gotten angry at your pack mates and I, not to mention the fact that you wasted so much time with this petty vendetta against me.” she turned redder with every word I spoke. If she wanted to be stubborn, then I too could be stubborn, I tried being patient, but she blew me off.

“I get that you don't like me and personally I don't really care whether you do or not. You are here for a reason, so stop being childish and control yourself. You will never be a good Alpha if you allow your anger to dictate your actions. I'll give it to you straight; you need Oliver to help heal your wolf and the longer you deny the bond, the weaker she becomes. You are a werewolf, half of your strength is your wolf, you will never be an Alpha without it and then the only person that will be to blame for your pack’s downfall. Is you.” she was shocked and fuming at my declaration, but I wasn't done yet.

“It's your choice which side you're on. Self-pity or your pack’s survival.” I hopped off the log to walk away, but stopped short, “Oh and Yasmin? That isn't a threat, it's the truth.” without waiting for her response I walked away.