The Shadow Alpha

“Is everything set?” I asked looking Dristan directly in the eye, to which he replied with a curt nod. Satisfied with his answer I turned to the rest of the packs that were littered across the backyard in groups, my fists clenched up involuntarily and I dragged in a deep calming breath.

“Today marks the day that the werewolves of the world come together to defeat the traitors of our race and reclaim our freedom. Many of you have travelled across the seas to be here and have a hand in a battle that will go down in history, so let us make it a great victory!” I finished strong earning a loud cheer from the crowd. I searched the eyes of each and every person that stood before me and found nothing, but bravery and determination.

“We have just received confirmation that all packs are ready and awaiting our order. You are all well aware of your duties, please stick with your team and follow the plan as far as possible. Nothing reckless!” my Alpha tone did not waver as I continued to relate the plan once more.

After the meeting everyone was given time to themselves, time to spend with their loved ones and mentally prepare themselves for the battle. As much as we hated to admit it, everyone going out there ran the risk of not coming back alive and it took real guts to say goodbye, knowing the possibility.

You never know where your luck lies.

“Regardless of what I've done, in my eyes he is still my son, I have raised him as my own and I will always love him.” April's voice held conviction, which I both admired and detested. How could she call him her son and betray him the way she did?

"We all have our own reasons for doing the things we did. Everyone!” her last word hung in the air, thick with double meaning.

"So what you're saying is that your actions are justified? That lying about who you are, is justified? Calling yourself someone's mother when you're nothing but an imposter, is justified? Being a part of a revolution that could destroy everything we have worked so hard to build, is justified?” I fired question after question and watched as her confidence dwindled. She was quiet for a good few moments; her head bent down in shame.

"You'd do anything for Devin, wouldn't you?” she asked in a timid voice, still staring at the table below.

“Anything within reason, yes.” I articulated and a soft laugh erupted from her.

“Then you're a stronger woman than I am..." she finally looked up and stared into space, her eyes held pain and slight anger.

For the first time since they were captured, I was making progress. I had sat countless hours in this very interrogation room across from April, waiting for her to crack and tell me why she did what she did.

"Why now April? Why today?” she knew exactly what I was asking by the knowing look in her eyes. "Because after today it won't matter. In fact, it doesn’t even matter now.” She revealed matter-of- factly. I neglected to comment and opted for an accepting nod, which was also an indication for her to continue.

“I was born into an “anti-pack’ family, I grew up learning the ways of the revolution; it may seem far fetched, but the revolution runs deeper than two generations. My father was the leader of one of the “anti-packs’. When I turned eighteen, he had already promised me to be married to an alpha. At the time it didn’t faze me since I knew of my fate long before, but that very year I met my mate, who happened to be the Beta of a very strong pack. I had always been indifferent to the ways of my people, so when I met my mate it was love at first sight.

"All I wanted was to be with him and I was willing to run away and be with him. The day I left the pack we were both caught, that's when I met Austin. He was the Alpha that I was supposed to marry and my running away angered him so in exchange for my mate's life I agreed to marry Austin and pretend to be the mother of his child. I resisted at first, but I could not see my mate suffer for my mistakes. I made Austin and my father promise not to hurt him and in exchange I wouldn't breathe a word to another soul.” Suddenly it made perfect sense.

“They killed him. That's why you no longer hold your promise, because they broke theirs.” I guessed and by the pained look in her eyes, the conversation I overheard came to life.

"Why keep quiet for so long afterwards?” I inquired, not quite getting that bit of the picture.

“Devin didn’t deserve that kind of betrayal, after everything I did. He didn't deserve to know that the woman who lied to him did it all for her own selfish motives.” I scoffed at her words.

“Regardless, April, whether he knows or not, does not change the reality. You could have come clean earlier and who knows, he might even have forgiven you.” I suggested, not ready to believe her reasoning.

“I don't deserve his forgiveness! Don't you get that? I am the reason he grew up without his biological mother, I am the reason she suffered under the hands of my father! He would never forgive me. I will never forgive me...” she trailed off into a whisper; guilt marred her features, to the point where I almost felt sorry for her.

“Devin isn't the only person you betrayed and lied to; innocence only extends till the point that your lies begin.” I voiced and got off my seat, I didn't think I'd be able to hear any more.

“Allison, Whatever happens... Trust him, everything he is doing is for you.” she uttered before I could step out. Her words not only confused me, but alerted me.

"Something is not right.” I muttered as I walked towards the pack house. There were a few groups of teenagers littered across the lawn, laughing and teasing each other and kids playing tag as their parents sat talking quietly. Through anyone else's eyes, it may look like a normal day, but the eerie feeling in my veins wouldn't leave.

I rushed into the house in search of Jacob and Dristan, and luckily they were gathered in the kitchen along with the rest of the group. Seeing my alarmed look, they all stood up straight on guard. “Allis-" I cut Jake off before he could complete his words.

“We might need to move to Plan B.” their eyebrows furrowed confusedly. “Something is not right, I can feel it.” noticing how serious I was they all jumped into action. Before anyone could exit the kitchen I felt a wave of protectiveness wash over me, “They're here.” I stated as I felt them near the pack borders.

“Plan B, the rogues are upon us! Get to your stations immediately! I opened my mind to everyone within my borders, there was a slight uproar, but I paid no mind to it as I followed the rest out of the kitchen to do what I had to do.

My gut told me that the first place they would come to is the pack house and that needed to be protected at all cost.

When everyone that wasn't taking part in the battle was locked in the safe rooms and guards placed outside the doors I ran to my office and set the alarm system on “ambush mode’ this would ensure that if anyone managed to gain access to the office all the important information would be locked in a fire safe. The fire safe is a titanium box made to self-destruct if tampered with.

I could feel myself growing tense as the ambush grew closer. I walked out to ensure that everyone was ready for action.

Connor and Bradley were handling the distribution of the ammunition while a few of the other guys briefed everyone on fight tactics and how to safely use weapons. Dad and Papa Jamie lead a team that was securing the pack house, to minimize access to the houses, beneath which the safe houses were.

Mom and Tatiana were with the ladies in the safe houses, mom wanted to be a part of the battle, but after a huge argument with dad and Hunter she caved and opted to stay in the safe rooms.

I rushed to the infirmary to check that Doctor Winters and Doctor Lorez along with their assistants were safe and ready for action, the infirmary was also under lock down and we couldn't afford any damages to life saving equipment, so I ensured that only pack members could gain access to the infirmary.

My next stop was the prison, as I arrived I heard dad giving orders to the head guard to take the keys to the secured location in the forest in case someone was able to penetrate the lockdown. The prisoners were already given an increased dosage of wolfsbane so that they wouldn't be able to escape given anything unexpected happened.

Feeling satisfied that everything was in order I went back to the backyard of the pack house where the different groups were gathered and waiting for the attack. There was a soft murmur amongst the pack as they spoke quietly to each other, as I came into view all the attention focussed on me. “This is it... We don't have much time before they get here, but I want you all to know something.” I addressed the crowd, making eye contact with a few as they hung on to my every word

“No matter what happens today, I am proud of you. Each and every one here today has shown a spectacular amount of bravery, it takes guts! Beyond the confines of duty and destiny, I could not be more honoured to call you all my pack; I have never felt more honoured to lead a pack into battle than I do right now. So let us unite in the name of Goddess Selene and fight for peace!” my eyes landed on Devin's blazing ones as I emphasized my last words. A rambunctious cheer from the crowd broke me from his entrancing gaze.

As the loud cheers faded into a determined rumble, the hairs on my arms stood. They were here, I could feel it and by the collective growl that sounded through the backyard of the pack house, I knew they all felt it too.