Filed to story: Wolf Crying Mate of the Alpha by Jazz Ford
I don’t believe you, I say, looking away again.
He laughs, drags an old rickety chair in front of my cell door, and sits
‘Well, aren’t you in for a big surprise?’ He says with a smirk and crosses his arms.
Alpha Zenith
I’m going to tell you a story, Astrid. And you’re going to listen to every word, he says. I glare at him but give him my full attention because I know he can make me listen if he has to, and I’ve been through enough.
‘Twenty-two years ago, Moonstone Crest was the strongest pack around. They hosted an annual mating ceremony, where packs would be invited from all around the world to potentially find their mates.’
‘Unexpectedly, my pack, Shady Crest, had been invited. Unfortunately, my father was the Alpha and did not get along with the Alpha of Moonstone Crest. My father was willing to put his hatred for Alpha Bane aside, though, as he hoped I’d find my mate there. I could finally take over as Alpha if I did.
‘We attended the mating ceremony, and it was a spectacular event. However, not long after arriving, I smelled the most alluring scent I had ever smelled before – vanilla and honey. I followed the scent to no avail. I didn’t understand why my mate’s scent kept disappearing. Surely, she could smell my scent too, which would make her follow me.’
‘Confused, I told my father I could smell my mate but couldn’t find her. We spent most of the night searching for her. The scent finally led me to the front of the Moonstone Crest packhouse. I looked up to see the most beautiful girl I have ever seen looking out the window. She is frightened when she sees me. ‘Please! Wait!’ I yell as she backs away from the window. She slowly re-approaches the windowsill, and we stare into each other’s eyes.
The world vanishes. It’s as though only she and I exist. Nothing else matters. ‘Mate’, we both say. Our eyes turn black, then silver for a moment, and go back to our standard colours. ‘Please come down, so we can meet properly,’ I say, smiling. She shakes her head no. ‘I’m sorry, I can’t, she says in her sweet voice. I give her a confused look. ‘But we’re mates! Surely you can come down so we can talk? And maybe have a dance?’
‘Her beautiful green eyes were like emeralds and her long brown hair blows in the wind. ‘You don’t understand. Mate bond or not, my father would never let me be with the future Alpha of Shady Crest.’ She cries.
‘Confused with her words, I ask her, what’s wrong with being the future Luna of Shady Crest? She tells me: ‘your father has tarnished the pack’s name with his wicked ways and his treatment of his pack. He kidnaps and hunts humans for sport, she says.”
‘Why should my father’s ways affect us?’ I ask, becoming angry. ‘My father will make me reject you regardless of how good or bad your heart is. I’m sorry, she explains, tearfully.”
‘We can figure this out, my love! But, please, just come down. I will speak to your father and tell him and show him I will treat you like a Queen, I beg her. She continues to wipe tears from her face and shake her head.
‘If you won’t come down here, I will come up there! I tell her, breaking the front door down. I run upstairs and push her bedroom door open. I march over to her, but she has so much sadness in her eyes.
‘Leaning over her, I hold her chin in my hand. The chemistry between us is magical. I lean my head down to brush my lips against hers. I cup her face in my hands, and she places her hands on my chest.’
‘Our lips meld together with intense passion. It feels so right and so good. Our lips finally part, and she bursts into tears. ‘My sweet love, who is your father?’ I ask. She looks away. ‘Alpha Bane of Moonstone Crest, she whispers.
‘In shock, I take a step back. “You’re Alyssa, the daughter of Alpha Bane?’ I say. She looks up into my eyes and nods. I pull her into my chest, letting her cry. I stroke her hair to comfort her.
‘Our fathers are the greatest of enemies. There has to be a way for us to be together, I say. ‘Come, Alyssa, take my hand. Let us go to the dance. If everyone sees us happy together, maybe our fathers will approve of us. We need to try at least, my love, I say Alyssa nods.
We smile at each other and walk hand in hand to the dance. All eyes are on us, in shock, as we walk in. Everyone stares, not expecting us to be matched by the Moon Goddess. We dance among the others as sparks fly between us. Alyssa’s smile brightens the room. We stare lovingly into each other’s eyes.
‘What is the meaning of this? Get away from my daughter now! Alpha Bane yells across the room. Everyone gasps and stands aside to let Alpha Bane through. Alyssa clings to my coat and looks up at me. Her beautiful green eyes well with tears.
‘Alpha Bane, it’s a pleasure to meet you, I say, most respectfully, bowing my head. ‘Alyssa, come here now! He snaps. ‘Dad, it’s okay. Zenith is my mate,’ she says with a nervous smile for her dad!
‘Alpha Bane’s face pales instantly. ‘No. The Moon Goddess would not be so cruel to mate my precious daughter with the lowest pack. You’re the most hated pack in the world,’ he yells.’
I stiffen at his words. Alpha Bane, please. I can assure you Alyssa is my mate, and I’m so honoured to accept her as my mate. I know you and my father don’t see eye to eye, but-I’m interrupted
“See eye to eye? Your father murders humans for fun! The man beats his pack members. He is the only Alpha known to keep pack members as slaves. He is sick and twisted, Alpha Bane yells.’
‘Enough!’ My Dad yells and steps forward, out of the crowd. He looks at Alyssa, clinging to me with tears in her eyes, with my arm around her waist, clasping her tight. My Dad chuckles at the situation.’
‘Who would have thought? My son, blessed with your daughter,’ he chuckles. ‘The Moon Goddess must surely hate you, Alpha Bane, to make you share grand-pups with me!’ Dad chuckles.
‘Dad. This mateship is a blessing for Alyssa and me. You need to keep your taunts to yourself!’ I yell at him. My Dad growls at me for disrespecting him in front of all the packs.’
‘Alyssa! You are to reject Zenith right now! Alpha Bane orders. Alyssa and I both flinch at his demand. We stare into each other’s eyes. I shake my head no. I plead with Alyssa not to do
‘She doesn’t want to reject me. She wants to accept me. ‘Now! Alpha Bane yells, making her jump. ‘You wouldn’t dare make her reject my son!’ My father yells at Alpha Bane, Alpha Bane grabs Alyssa by the wrist and pulls her to him, ‘Alyssa, you listen to me now. You deserve better. You deserve to be with the best Alpha out there! Do you think you will have a happy life in that packhouse?’ He yells:
‘He forcefully turns Alyssa around by her arms. ‘Do it now, or everyone will know you as a traitor to this family. Do you want your mother living with that reputation?’ Alyssa is crying. She shakes her head no.”
‘Forgive me, Zenith. Please forgive me. I, Alyssa Moonstone, reject you, future Alpha Zenith of Shady Crest as my mate.’ I’m crippled with severe pain in my chest. It feels like she has ripped my heart out. I see Alyssa in the same pain, gripping her chest.
Everyone gasps and watches on in horror. Rejecting mates is extremely rare. Most would never witness a rejection in their lifetime.’
‘The mating ceremony is over! Everyone, go home!’ Alpha Bane yells. He still has his hands around Alyssa. He is pulling her away toward the packhouse. I want to run to her, but my father grabs me and holds me back.’
‘You will pay for this, Alpha Bane! I swear to the Moon Goddess, you will pay!’ I yell.
‘Four months pass. My father and I organise our warriors to wipe out the Moonstone pack so I can free Alyssa and bring her home with me where she belongs. We have it all planned out. We would trespass onto Moonstone Crest the night of Alpha Bane’s birthday celebrations, discreetly killing guards and warriors one by one. The celebrations would be in the great hall where the mating ceremony was held. Once I found Alyssa, I would lure her away from the hall. My warriors would close all the doors to the hall, barricading them in. The warriors would pour fuel outside the hall, block the doors, and then ignite a fire.
Alpha Zenith
‘The moment I see Alyssa, my heart races. I watch her for a while and notice she doesn’t seem sad or depressed. Not the way I have been, every moment I’ve been away from her. She laughs and dances with everyone, she even clings to her Dad’s arm, kissing him on his cheek. I don’t understand. Why isn’t she upset or angry at him? Why does she look so happy? I thought there had to be a good explanation.’
‘Alyssa walks over to the food table, plucks some grapes and strawberries from a fruit bowl, and eats them. ‘Alyssa’, I whisper.
She stops herself from reaching for another strawberry and looks around. ‘Alyssa’, I whisper again.
‘She looks around to see me hiding in the garden. Her lips part as she lets out a small gasp. She is shocked to see me. She scans her surroundings to see if anyone is watching her, then looks back at me. I gesture for her to walk over to me. She is very hesitant and is debating whether or not to approach me.’
‘She bites her lip and gives me a small nod to say she will come to me. Then, she looks around again and discreetly leaves the hall. My warriors watch me from their hiding spots, waiting for the signal to shut and seal the doors to set the hall alight:
“As soon as Alyssa approaches, I pull her into my chest and hold her tight. Although I can’t feel the sparks or the bond because of the rejection, I don’t mind. The Moon Goddess gave her to me, and I knew I would always love her, no matter what.
‘Zenith, what are you doing here?’ She asks, pushing me away.
I’m here to save you. I will take you away from here to be my mate and my Luna.’ I smile. Alyssa takes a step back.
‘Zenith… I don’t know what to say. I don’t know how to tell you… she says with sadness.”
‘You don’t have to thank me, Alyssa. We can be together! Your father can never stop us this way, I say, smiling down at her. She looks at me, confused. ‘Zenith, I rejected you. We can’t be together. I need you to understand that. I’m to be mated with Alpha Axton from the Justice pack in a few days,’ she says. Angry at her words, I let out a growl. ‘No, mate of mine will be mated to another wolf.’ My wolf is angry and is trying to shift. My eyes are black from her words.’
‘Zenith, we no longer have the bond. It would be best if you moved on for your family’s sake and your sake. I like-Alpha Axton.
My father thinks they will be the next strongest pack. My family wants me to be with him. I also want to be with Alpha Axton, she says.”
‘No!’l say firmly. Alyssa flinches and stares into my wolf’s eyes. She steps backwards, and her eyes water. I can sense she is about to run. I signal the warriors to shut and seal the doors. But before she can run, I throw her over my shoulder. ‘You’re coming home with me where you belong!’ I say. Screams erupt from the hall. Pack members bang on the doors in need of escape.’
‘Alyssa screams in horror when she realises what I’m doing. She kicks and punches with all her might until I drop her to the ground. She tries to run to the hall to open the door to free everyone. Grabbing her again, I hold her tightly in my arms. I sit a distance away from the hall, but close enough to feel the heat radiating from the flames. I hold her in my lap and stroke her hair.
She cries and screams. I tell her we can be together, and I’ll make a new hall for her at Shady Crest.’
‘The screams stop, and the hall collapses-smoke billows around us. My father approaches, smiles, and looks down at Alyssa, who is distressed. ‘Welcome to the family, sweetheart, Dad says. Alyssa spits at him. He slaps her across the face. I let go of Alyssa and stand. ‘Never slap my mate!’ I yell at him. He smirks and looks past my shoulder. Alyssa stands there shaking in anger. ‘You! You killed my father!’ She screams, ‘You murdered my entire pack!
‘She punches my chest over and over in anger. ‘I hate you!! hate you! I hate you! She screams. ‘My father was only trying to protect me from men like your father! She yells. I’m not like my father, I say, in shock.’