The Alphas advice

Saras POV

The following days pass without much excitement if I am not spending my time with Katie, I find somewhere to sit and read the book I picked up from the library. Unable to read on an evening as it gets too dark in my bedroom, I wake early to sit at the outdoor breakfast table to read before the family joins me. I have learned so much and barely scratched the surface of the book. I recently discovered there is a hierarchy in a wolf pack - there is usually a pair of Alpha wolves - Edward is the alpha of this pack alone. Katie and Drew have never spoken much about their mother but, from what I have heard, she passed away when they were very young. Next in the chain of command would be the Beta wolves, usually man and wife once more. It is said, should the Alpha bare no heirs, the pack would then be passed to the Betas and their bloodlines. Next up, there is usually a gamma who would be 3rd in command, however I can't help but notice nobody in the pack seems to go by this title. The ranking carries on all down until they reach the omega. This tends to be the smallest wolf of the pack and the least capable in such tasks as fighting and hunting.

First down to join me this morning was the alpha himself. He greeted me pleasantly "Good morning Sara. " This was becoming more and more frequent. The first time was 3 days prior, he smiled kindly, but we sat in awkward silence until the family joined us. Yesterday was slightly better, he acknowledged my presence and asked how I was enjoying my time here and today it simply felt comfortable to sit with him, silence or not. I decided it was going to be not. "Good morning... Edward?" He turned his attention to me, I could tell he was listening but he did not speak so I continued "I have been reading, wolves:through the ages and it states there is but one wolf that is the omega in the pack but you have all insinuated multiple people are the omega - I don't quite understand."

He puts down his glass of water on the table and looks at me with his big brown eyes. "When the wolves were first created, they were a small pack of around forty..." He took a pause as if carefully considering his next words. "... as a boy my father told explained to me, once they were changed, a few of them discovered their mates within each other pairing off. They could not agree on who would run the packs and for a time it caused restlessness and unease. That's when the challenges began, wolves wanting more power would challenge one another to determine their rank." He was retelling the story as if he had heard it one thousand times, occasionally breaking to thank an omega for bringing more food or drinks to the breakfast table. "Wolves that found their rank and accepted this settled into the life and lived peacefully in harmony with the rest of the pack."

"And the ones that didn't?" I dug for more information.

His hand was brought up to his face, stroking his salt and pepper facial hair while thinking. "The ones that could not accept their place in the pack simply left ."

"A lone wolf," I all but whispered.

He looked at me nodding and repeating my words "A lone wolf... So returning to your question, there were originally only 24 positions. Which, as you can see, is substantially smaller than our pack now - so long ago it was decided that once the top 23 ranks had been filled, any wolf not in these would be seen as an omega. Do not be mistaken, Sara, it is true these wolves may not be the strongest amongst us - many are excellent fighters. But they are vital in the running of the pack, it's a great honour to be their alpha." He sounded authentically proud. I thanked him for sharing his knowledge with me, and explained I was going to return the book to my room as it was almost time for the rest of the family to join us - Edward excused me without issue.

I take my time strolling through the house - I call it a house but it feels like much more than that - it is large and has many rooms - though not as big as the manor back home in Settersfield. The whole house seems to be painted in neutral tones, creams, like gray or soft taupe - of course, I have not been in all of the rooms though. As I enter the hallway in which my room is located, I have just passed his door when I spot Drew come out of the bathroom which is adjacent to my room. He was dripping wet wearing only a clean white towel barely holding itself around his waist. He took a short breath, promptly turning - pinning me in place with his eyes. His hungry gaze takes me in completely, leaving tingles on my body as his eyes scan me. We have not been alone since the night we kissed almost a week ago. He walks over with one hand on his towel ensuring it does not fall, though seeing him like this right now I wish it would. The water slides of his gently tanned skin roll down his magnificent, muscular torso - right now I wish I had an empty glass, I would catch every drip. He closes in on me, my back pressed firmly against the wall. My head is pointed to the floor to avoid eye contact with this man, every fibre of my being wants him to be mine, but I know the truth. I have read it myself, a wolf can only have one soulmate and his bride has already been found - I am not the type of person to get in the way of that. He gently tilts my chin to look at him. The moment our eyes connect, I feel as though the earth has gone from under my feet, leaving me feeling unsteady. Dark blue rings circle his pupils, invading his usual hazel amber eyes. "Where have you been?" He asks.

I've been here, you see me every day." I replied so gently that even if this corridor was filled with people, only he would hear me.

"No. Where have you been?" My heart thuds hard in my chest, it's hard to concentrate with him so close to me, especially hard as he is in nothing but a towel.

"I don't understand..." His thumb trails my bottom lip as he simultaneously bites his own, sending heat into my core.

"What happened? What changed?" His eyes seared into mine, pleading for some answer from me.

"I don't want to ruin your life, Drew." His face burrows in confusion. "I know you are set to marry Addison in a few months. Ezra mentioned it to me at the bonfire - I don't want to get in the way of that." I offered up my explanation sincerely. An unamused hmmm leaves him as he steps closer to me, the book against my chest the only thing keeping my distance, leaving me able to feel his huge member against my lower abdomen. Our chests both rising and falling in sync, his scent of freshly cut grass and bergamot was drawing me in. He was making this - keeping my distance thing incredibly difficult for me. He leaned in to say just one word, making me weak in the knees, "Oh." Our lips centimetres apart, my core throbbing in anticipation. "Drew!" He pulls back just enough to turn his head towards the end of the hallway but not moving his position over me. "Isabella, how are you this fine morning?" He asks as though she hadn't caught us in this position. Glaring at us, she spoke slowly and clearly "We have rules for a reason, Drew - I thought better of our next alpha." She spat the word alpha as if it were a dirty word, chucking out a "no offense Sara." which felt more of a nicety than the truth. He closed his eyes, and inhaled me deeply. Afterwards, he gave me a small pained smile before sarcastically saying "Thanks for stopping by Bella!" She looked furious, glaring at us but eventually walked past, most likely heading down to breakfast. I took this chance to slip out from under Drew. I knew it was wrong, though all I wanted was to stay right there. I continued to my door, willing myself not to look back - he did not follow me. Instead, I heard the towel drop to the floor sending heat flooding through me at the image that entered my mind as I closed the door behind me.

I leaned my back against the door, I hugged the book tight against my chest as if it would somehow calm the storm in my heart. Placing the book atop the dressing table, I turned to leave once more, pausing to see if I could hear Drew in the hall - nothing but silence could be heard, so I slowly crept out as if playing a game of cat and mouse, waiting for him to pounce and catch his prey at any moment.

Chatting between Isabella, Katie and Edward told me they had arrived for breakfast. Part of me wants to run in the opposite direction given the show Isabella just saw. On the other hand, I felt I had no reason to be ashamed of my feelings. Unconvinced, I swallowed back a lump in my throat, walking out with my head held high. I immediately go to sit in my new regular seat only to find Katie in it, a mischievous look plastered on her face. I spare a glance and Isabella, who still seemed disgusted by my actions. I cannot help but wonder if she had told the rest of the family yet - nobody mentions it but Edwards gives me a look of concern mixed with pity. Blood raised in my cheeks as I am almost certain they know.

"Sara..." Oh here we go, I have to mentally brace myself as Edward addresses me. "...we have a pack gathering tonight. There will be many wolves here but not all are able to make it today - it is a pre-gathering for the full moon in 3 days' time. You are, of course, welcome to join us. I am sorry to say that the invitation will not be extended to the full moon gathering." Oh that makes me disappointed- was this because of what happened between me and Drew? "There will be too many wolves transformed. It will not be safe for you and, as you would be unable to communicate with us, I am certain you would also find no pleasure in it." His explanation makes me happier, he is worried about my welfare. "Thank you for the invite Edward, I would be happy to attend tonight's gathering and will ensure I keep myself scarce on the full moon." My answer pleases the alpha as he shows me a big smile.

Finally, Drew is coming to breakfast; I feel him before I see him. Goosebumps are crawling up my arms and tingles shooting up my spine. He takes his usual spot at the table, and all eyes but my own fall on him - each with a different expression. Edward is the last to look away. I feel his feet prop up on the arm of my chair, clearly a deliberate attempt to get my attention and to my shame, it is all it took - my willpower was wearing thin in my attempt not to pay him any attention. Glancing up, he grins at me as he bites into a segment of tangelo, my favourite fruit. The juices trickle down his chin - it takes everything I have got inside me not to lick them off and the smug look on his face tells me he knows it.