Meeting In The Middle

Resignation

"I think I've decided to retire from the Alpha position." His dark voice rang in the room. All went silent. "I don't think I suit this position anymore due to the death of my mate bringing my spirits down every morning and making be a terrible leader. I've been selfless and stressed and I think you will make a better Alpha."

Ryder was quiet as he processed this information. I toyed with a picture frame lying on the table beside us. There was a beautiful woman, her golden hair is braids and her smile glowing and brightening her face. Alpha Damian stood behind her, his face full of affection as he stared at her, because she made him happy. I look at the Damian now and realize that mates are so important to a werewolf. Damian seems so different and distant.

"Alright Damian if that's fine with you."

Ryder was thoughtful, his jaw tightening. Damian gave a defeated sigh as he stood up.

"I'll announce it official tonight." He promised as he stalked out the door. I turn to Ryder.

"Hi Alpha." I punch him lightly. "I can punch the Alpha but he can't do anything to me because I'm his mate." I grin and punch him again. He didn't even move. He messes up my hair and smirks at me mischievously.

"I can do many things to you." He beamed at me when I take that in.
"You wouldn't dare." I warn him, jumping off his lap. He pouts, jutting out his lower lip.
"Come back here." He pulls me back and I sigh.

"Don't you have some Alpha preparations to do before the announcement?" I inquire.
"And if I'm the Alpha, you're the Luna." He grins at me. I blink.
"What?"
"You're the Alpha's mate. Queen of the wolf pack." He tells me, smiling as he took in my horrified expression. I couldn't be a Luna on my first day here, I didn't even know the names of anyone. I wasn't ready to be a Luna, the role model of the wolf pups and an idol for the women. I start panicking and start biting on my bottom lip.

"It's alright, princess." He assured me, moving his hands up and down my back to soothe and calm me down. "They'll fall in love with you, just like I did." He kisses me lightly on the cheek and decides to tend to the pre-alpha duties.

"Caleb will be over later to bring me around."

Ryder stops in his tracks. "No."

"What?"
"You can't be alone with a guy. Promise me that."

I stare at him. "Why can't I have any guy friends?"
"Because you're my mate. My property. Mine."

I give up fighting and collapse on the chair. He slips on his jacket and comes over to seal a kiss on my forehead. "Good bye princess, take care of yourself." I just frown as he walked to the door. "Do you even know my name..?"

He's never said my name before, only calling me princess. I didn't like it.

"Rosella but I'm gonna call you Rose." He decided on his own, giving a content smile with the new name. "Rose." He repeated and leaves the room, closing the door. I watch him through the window as he speeds down the trail, a blurry figure. Shaking my head, I go downstairs to visit Jake. He was asleep on the far side of the cell, sprawled in a beastly position. He wakes up when I pass by. His face erupted into a grin.

"Hey, Rose." He smiles. "How's the outside world?"

I shrug. "Nothing much. Alpha Damian will be making an announcement tonight. Y'all should be there." He nods.
"Will you say hello to Fern, my mate for me? She's been worried sick for me and tell her that I miss her. I'll be out tonight." He instructs me and I nod, unsure where to find her.

"She'll most likely be in her dorm, room number 188." He answers my question.
"I'll be sure to send your greetings." I promise him and head back upstairs. I sigh as I push the front door open. The cold air hits me and I shiver. I pull my sweater tighter around me and follow the trail back to the main base camp. There were boys and girls training together, spinning swords and shooting arrows at targets. I made sure to avoid them. I approach a girl with bright red hair sitting on the grass. She looked up and beamed when she saw me.

"Hey, are you Rosella?" She asked me. I nod, wondering how she knew my name. "Jake told me."

"How? I thought he was in prison?"

She giggled. "Werewolves can communicate in their heads by sending each other thoughts."

"So why did he send me here in person?"

Her bright brown eyes shimmered as she laughed. "He wanted us to meet. I'm Fern."

Jake sure was cunning. I sit down beside her and she starts taking about how she came to become a werewolf in this pack.