The Rogue Alpha

I awoke when the stabbing pain invaded my sides, letting me know we were back at the cabin.

As soon as I could think about anything else: I realized that my head was resting on Alpha Nolan's lap. I smiled. I didn't want to leave the comfort of his embrace, but I knew that he would be leaving now that I'm safe. "Stay?" I whispered.

"I won't be far away." He replied.

I let him help me to my temporary room. He laid me on the bed, and said goodbye to my bro. Then he kissed my hand. I heard my bro groan, but I couldn't tell what he said next. Alpha Nolan sighed and went out my window.

Part of me wanted to get up, but most of me wanted to sleep; and the majority won that argument.

I woke again to being in my day clothes, half on and half off the bed. The sun coming through the open window was blinding without a sleep mask.

I went to use the bathroom and empty my nearly bursting bladder. When I came back out I could hear my bro in the kitchen making breakfast, so I headed in there.

There's two boxes sitting on the counter, no wrapping or anything, so I looked inside. The bigger box held a new pair of pajamas, and the smaller had a pair of fingerless gloves. "What are these for?"

My bro pointed to my right hand. The palm was fine, but when I looked at the back I discovered a black kiss mark.

"If you two would quit marking each other: our whole plan would go a lot more smoothly." He declared.

"Half assed as it is." I replied as I put them on.

The door opened and we both turned our attention to the intruder. In walked a strong stalky man.

"Cousin Richard!" I cried out, "You finally got here."

I rushed over and gave him a hug.

"There's my favorite junior cousin." He said with a smile.

I laughed. "You know I'm old enough to understand the whole first cousin once removed thing, right?"

"Yeah." He answered, "But junior cousin sounds better and is a lot quicker to say."

"Want some breakfast?" I asked as I headed back to the kitchen.

"That sounds good." Cousin Richard stated, "But what sounds better is you introducing me to your friend."

I put my hand firmly on my bro's shoulder. "This is Mitchell, he's been like a big brother to me for years, so I usually just call him bro."

Richard smiled and said, "I guess that makes you an honorary cousin."

The guys shook hands.

Richard turned to me as he grabbed a piece of bacon. "So, tell me, what have you noticed about Wolfville?"

I shrugged my shoulders. I didn't want to say too much, fearing how he might react, but he was obviously looking for something. So, I told him about when we first arrived, and how everyone treated me weird as soon as they found out where I was staying.

"And how have the people of Hunt City treated you?" He inquired.

I paused, unsure of how to handle it. Then I admitted, "I haven't been there yet."

"Most of the family avoids Wolfville, and makes the longer drive to Hunt City." Richard informed me.

I shrugged my shoulders. "Hadn't thought of doing that."

"Maybe I can take you both into town later, show you around a bit." Richard offered.

"As much as I would love to." My bro stated, "I have previous obligations."

"He found himself a woman, the kind you keep." I volunteered.

Cousin Richard raised an eyebrow. "You have to watch out for the Wolfville women; they're often more than you can handle." He teased.

My bro smiled. "Sammy Sam is perfect for me."

Richard's eyes narrowed. "If that's short for Samantha Samuelson, we need to talk right away."

"About what?" I asked, trying to use my innocent voice.

Richard explained, "The first time I met you, you were about a year old, and already strong, tough and brave. When I got a chance I drew a little blood and performed a test on it."

I was shocked. I asked, "What did you test me for?"

"The Hunter's gene. It runs in our family." Richard answered, "And you have it."

I exclaimed, "And what am I supposed to Hunt?"

"Werewolves, and other creatures of the dark." He replied.

I laughed nervously. My bro and I glanced around the cabin. We are both making a mental check list of what werewolf stuff we might have lying around. We'd gotten used to it just being us at the cabin.

I inquired, "If that's true: why would you allow me to bring a friend with, and possibly endanger him?"

Richard smiled. "Usually if the inductee brings someone with: they are either a potential spouse, or another Hunter; it's like it's instinctual or something."

There's a knock at the door. I know who it is and I rush to open it. I instantly wrap Alpha Nolan into a hug, and kiss him on the lips. "Come in." I said as I stepped back, "I'd like you to meet my cousin, Richard Shade."

I turned around. "Cousin Richard, meet Nolan, my potential spouse, as you put it."

Richard approached and shook hands with Nolan. "You should probably join our conversation then."

We all ate as cousin Richard explained how the Hunter gene can skip a generation, like it skipped my mom, and how even with the gene it was my choice if I wanted to be a Hunter. Oma had decided not to, because she'd already met grandpa.

He explained that family members with the gene are tested, and pushed to be their best, until they are old enough to be informed and put to the final test. If they pass they begin their official training.

I tried to think of questions I would have asked a few days ago, before my life flipped sideways, but mostly he just went down a checklist of things he thought I should know.

After breakfast we went to the basement, which has a secret entrance, and is sound proof. There he showed us a wide array of adapted weapons. Richard explained which ones are for werewolves, and which ones were for other creatures I might encounter.

The rest of our morning was spent on the gym like area, dodging attacks from automated versions of various creatures, and trying to get the right weapon to dispose of them. It was fun but also exhausting, and trying to do it without revealing our wolves made it so much harder. Plus the guys had to avoid touching anything silver.

Richard tossed a weight ball at me. "You're holding back!" He yelled.

"I'm trying as hard as I can!" I screamed back.

My bro suggested, "Maybe we should take a break."

Alpha Nolan agreed.

Cousin Richard nodded his head.