The Shadow Alpha

“Alpha Allison, speaking.” I panted, feeling heavily out of breath. “Uh, are you okay, Ma'am?" The voice on the other end of the line queried with uncertainty. “Yes, I'm fine. Just out of breath, I ran to the phone you see.” I laughed, “Who am I speaking to?” I asked politely, feeling my breathing returning to normal. “You're speaking to Benjamin from the Cresent Moon pack.” he trailed off nervously and I frowned. “I'm looking for Alpha Summers.” He continued. “You're speaking to her, how can I help you Benjamin?” I wondered where Oliver and Yasmin were and worry bubbled up inside me. The young man was quiet for a while before he spoke again, “I- Uh...” His confusion made me giggle. “Benjamin, calm down and tell me what's going on? Where are Oliver and Yasmin?” I soothed. “They're fine. They don’t know that I've called you.” My face once again pulled into a frown. Taking a seat on Devin's chair, I spoke again, “Why have you called me, Benjamin?” “I am sorry Alpha, I assumed you were a male.” He started regretfully and I burst out laughing. “I apologise, Benjamin that was my mistake. I assume you were looking for my husband, Devin?” “I'm not sure.” Something about him seemed younger than I'd first perceived. “You see he isn't in at the moment, but if you don’t mind, perhaps I can help you.” I listened hard to sense changes in his breathing pattern. As the pregnancy progressed I found my strength decreasing and my senses diminishing, it was a great worry for both Devin and I which is why I spent most of my time at our home or in one of the pack houses. Devin preferred it if I were around people, but since he was only going for a border patrol before doing pack work, I convinced him to let me stay home. After all, walking had become a challenge as well. “I'm sorry for troubling you Ma'am, but I think this was a mistake. Please don't tell Alpha Oliver that I called you. I beg of you.” He rushed out sounding scared and my blood heated. “I can only promise you that on one condition, Benjamin.” He didn't answer, so I took it as my cue to continue, “I can only promise that I will not tell them if you tell me what you're so scared of.” His breathing hitched. “I'm not scared.” He insisted, but I could hear the fear as he said the words. “Don't lie to me, young man.” I said sternly. “It's just... My mother died last year and a few months ago, my father died too.” My heart clenched. “How old are you, Benjamin?” “I'm ten.” He was far younger than I had expected. “I see. I'm sorry to hear about your parents. If you don't mind me asking, who are you living with now?” “I live in the pack house with my big sister.” I hummed. “How old is your sister?” I rubbed my belly in soothing circles. “She's sixteen.” So his sister was older. “Is she okay?” he sighed. Bingo. “No, she isn't. I told Alpha Oliver that she hasn't been eating, Luna Yasmin has tried talking to her, but she won't listen to anyone.” He sounded panicked and worried about his sister's well-being. “When my mum passed away Alpha Oliver told me about the legend of Alpha Summers.” He revealed a little hesitantly. “Did he give you this number?” He stopped again for a moment. “I took it from his office.” “Without his permission right?” He agreed softly, “you know that it's wrong, right? You should have asked him, he would have given my number to you.” “I know.” He agreed ashamedly. “Okay, now tell me about your sister.” I sat forward, feeling the baby moving around in my tummy. “She's not herself anymore, it happened after my mum died. She stopped smiling and having friends. After my father passed away she stopped eating and talking to people, all she does is sit in her room all day. I don’t know what to do, I promised my mum that I would take care of her and I don’t know how to.” He sobbed which drew tears to my eyes. “Shhh, Benjamin, just breathe. We will help your sister, but first I need you to understand something. You are a wonderful brother for trying to help and take care of your sister, but you cannot do it all and now I want you to relax and leave it to me to handle. Can you do that?” I asked, the wheels already turning in my head. “Yes, Ma'am.” He sniffed. “Whose phone are you calling from?” “My sister's.” “Can you take the phone to Alpha Oliver, I promise you won't get in trouble.” “Okay.” He conceded and I heard a door opening. I sensed Devin nearing the house just as Oliver and Yasmin's voice sounded on the other side. “Alpha Oliver?” He called timidly. “Yes, Benjamin? What are you doing with your sister's phone?” I could hear the frown in his voice, but the boy never answered him. “Hello?” He answered curiously. “Hi Oliver.” I smiled. “Allison?” He called incredulously. “Yes dear, is Yasmin there?” “Yeah, I'll put you on speaker.” There was a rustling on the other end of the line. “Benjamin, you can go play with the other kids, I will return your sister's phone and speak to you once I have spoken to Alpha Allison, okay?” I assume the boy nodded, because moments later the door closed. “Hi Allison, how are you feeling? How's the baby?" Yasmin greeted in a bubbly voice, it's amazing how much she has changed since our first meeting, giving Oliver a chance was the best decision she’s ever made. “We are both good, getting a bit tired of being cooped up in the house, but the thought of going out sounds even more tiring.” I huffed, but the smile never left my face. “Don’t worry, soon he or she will be out and you'll wish you could have all this time to relax.” she stated humorously. “I'm counting on my many babysitters to give me time to relax.” I giggled. “That's a great plan!” She cackled. “You're lucky, here I'm the only babysitter.” Oliver pouted. “That's because no one, but you can handle your daughter.” Yasmin shot back. “Whatever.” He grumbled, “So tell me Allison, why were you on the phone with Benjamin?” He asked, curiosity dripping from his tone. “He actually called me. He told me about his parents and sister.” “Really? Where did he get your number from?” He wondered. “He took it from your office, but you can handle that later, for now we need to discuss what's been going on with his sister.” I insisted and Yasmin sighed. “I'm no good at this, Allison. I've spoken to her many times, I've tried doing things with her to get her to open up, but she refuses. If anything it gets worse.” She sounded sad and lost on how to help the girl. “Sofia is just lost, she needs time to come to terms with her parent's death.” Oliver tried. “Ollie, bless your soul, but that's never going to happen. Allison, what did he tell you?" She soothed, before addressing me. “He explained how she no longer eats or speaks to anyone. He's very worried about her and is taking on a lot of stress due to it. He feels responsible for her and that's not good for a young boy like himself.” “No it isn't and if I know you, I know you have an idea.” Oliver voiced wisely. “I do indeed. I think what they need is a new environment, somewhere where everyone doesn't look at them with pity.” Oliver hummed, deep in thought. “Hey, who are you so deep in conversation with?” Devin entered the office, smelling freshly showered after his run and walked over to the chair I was on. “Hey Devin.” Oliver and Yasmin greeted. “Hey guys, how are you guys doing?” he asked as he lifted me off the chair to settle beneath me. “We are fine, cannot wait for the arrival of your pup, Nora is convinced that it's a girl.” Yasmin answered, giggling at the mention of her daughter's strong personality. “She's precious, but I assure you it's a boy.” I rolled my eyes at his words. Devin was really excited for the arrival of the baby and even had a bet going with Hunter, Conner and Bradley on the gender of the baby. “Back to business, Devin, what do you think of two new temporary pack members?” Devin frowned at me. “What do you mean? Does Oliver want you to train someone?” I shook my head and explained the situation quickly. “I don't know Allison, you're heavily pregnant and soon this little one will be here, do you think you will manage taking care of two teens?” he frowned, rubbing his large hand over my belly, which caused butterflies to erupt in my tummy. “Dev, we will have a lot of help with the baby and these kids need to get away. I really think a new environment will help them a great deal.” His lips pursed, I could tell he was still unsure. “Are you sure you will be able to handle it?" I nodded and kissed him on the cheek. “Oliver, Yasmin, what do you think of the idea?” “If you could change my headstrong mind, I have no doubt you can help these kids come to terms with the loss of their parents.” Yasmin pointed out. “Yeah, if it weren't for you, I wouldn't have a mate.” Oliver joked, which earned him a slap from his mate. “It's settled then, you'll pack them up and bring them with you when you come next week?” Oliver agreed. “Yes we will do that, thank you Allison.” Yasmin said gratefully. “Okay, I really need the bathroom right now, so tell Benjamin that I will see him soon.” I hopped off the seat and hobbled quickly to the bathroom, acting on the sudden urge, knowing that if I didn't, Devin wouldn't be very happy with me. “Baby, you've got to come out now, you're making mummy crazy.” I huffed. The baby was already a week overdue, but who was I to tell him or her when to be ready? All I wanted was to see my toes again.