❝Woke up sweating from a dream, with a different kind of feeling.
All day long my heart was beating, searching for the meaning.❞

─Maroon 5

https://youtu.be/oAxadaePKlc

Adrian Hunter POV

A deer bolts to the nearest trees at the sound of my paws hitting the ground. Any other day my wolf would consider running after the deer for some action but he knows we are here strictly on business.

The mountain air is fresh and the smell of pine in the air makes my wolf feel free. The sun is setting over the mountains giving the sky a beautiful purple hue. My wolf pushes himself to run faster, he is happy that I decided to run to the nearest pack's territory instead of driving. He has been itching for a good run.

This trip is just me, all alone, my beta wanted to join me but I need someone to stay behind to keep order within the pack. I am the Alpha of the Crimson Moon Pack.

My paws hit the wet grass as it releases all the stress that I have been feeling for the last couple of weeks. There has been a pack of rogues roaming around my territory and they have killed two of my pack members. They manage to evade us by maneuvering between territories, those sneaky mutts.

They know that we are not allowed to kill on someone else's land unless we want war. They killed my wolves so that is exactly what they are going to get. That is why meeting this alpha is so important to me usually I do not bother with other packs but this time it is personal.

Trying to meet the new alpha of the Moonless Pack has become like a cat and mouse chase. The alpha seems to want to meet me when something comes up and he delays our meeting. Time is something that is not on my side. After a couple weeks of this I decide that I am not taking no for an answer. I want to make a treaty with the closest pack which turns out to be the Moonless Pack. I want to be allowed to explore their land and go after those disgusting rogues.

Once I arrive on Moonless Pack territory my wolf senses heighten as they listen for the alpha to make his presences known. Slowing coming to a stroll I decide to shift back into my human form not wanting to come off as an enemy. If I encounter him in my wolf form is going to assume that I want to fight him changing into the sweatpants, which have been in my mouth the entire time, I am ready to meet the alpha.

Walking towards the outskirts of the forest I can sense a person nearby. The soft thump of my bare feet on the ground and rustling of the grass lets the wolves around know that I want to be heard and not planning a sneak attack. Once I am out of the forest I am greeted by the beta. He stands there looking at me as I take him in as well. We both size each other up. He looks like your average beta not as aggressive or dominant as an alpha, yet takes pride in his ranking and is respectful towards others.

"Where's your alpha?" Not bothering with pleasantries and not hiding my annoyance. Breathing in from my nose I try to calm myself. Maybe he is on his way?

He must be young and stupid to stand someone up such as a fellow alpha. This Moonless Pack's alpha is really starting to push my buttons since I came all this way to meet with him.

"Hello, my name is Andrew, the beta of the Moonless Pack," he stretches out his hand and waits for me to do the same. I sigh and lower my shoulders completely ignoring him. My index and forefinger press tightly on the bridge of my nose.

You're coming off as an asshole.

I came to meet the alpha not his second in command. You know that!

If he were the alpha I would not just leave his hand there but since he is not I could care less if he found it rude.

"What's the excuse this time?" Rubbing my temples as I feel a headache coming on, my voice is strain with annoyance, my anger lashes through me but I clench my jaw holding back my anger it is not for the beta.

"I'm sorry Alpha Hunter but that is between you and Alpha Blake." My eyebrow arches as I look at this boy full on. He is not even a man he is still a teenager. "Would you like to come back to the pack house and talk about why you came and I can pass along the message to my alpha."

What else can I do since he does not want to see me? I give him a nod and follow his lead in an uncomfortable silence.

We walk through the trees a short distance towards a lavishing two story house. It is big enough to hold everyone that is important in the pack and some guest. The house has a huge garage capable of holding at least four cars, and the windows are tinted so nothing can be seen from the outside. This alpha likes his privacy.

As we walk towards the house there is a scent in the air that makes my inner wolf stir.

As we make our way up the path the scent gets stronger. My wolf wearily acknowledges this now as he falls into the darkest corner of my mind and returns to its slumber.

The Beta opens up the door and allows me to enter first showing me the respect an Alpha deserves. "I'm so sorry Alpha Blake couldn't meet with you today. You know the Alpha is always busy." He walks in behind me closing the door behind him. The house is unusually quiet for a pack house.

"Is there any way I could be squeezed in tomorrow? I want to meet your new Alpha." More like I need to meet with your Alpha, but I do not want to show my desperation.

Oh brother! You reek of desperation. If the rogues sink their teeth to yet another one of your pack member people are going to start raising questions. Just stay until he shows up which has to be sometime soon.

Andrew clears his throat, "I can't say."

The scent has an aura of power about it there is no mistaking it, the Alpha is home. My eyes dart to the stairs.

"Your Alpha is upstairs!" The words blurt out from my wolf's realization, is he avoiding me?

"I can assure you that that is not true." Andrew mumbles his eyes moving around as if trying to find something to change the subject to, he is in on this. The Alpha and Beta do not want to meet with me.

"Alpha Blake you either come down or I will come up. You've postponed our meeting for a couple weeks now."

Andrew seems uncomfortable standing in the middle of the hallway unsure of what to do.

"I'll give you a few minutes to decide."

The scraping of metal tells me that a door handle is being turned, well he is coming now. The Beta looks at me with weary eyes and gestures with his hands to follow him into the living area. I have been rude enough to him already so I do not fight him and follow him into the living room.

"Andrew, fetch me a glass of water." My throat is starting to feel parched from the run. Andrew leaves with a glum look on his face. I stand in the middle of the living room waiting for the Alpha to make his appearance.

Alpha Blake is coming down the stairs slowly but his steps are not that of an Alpha's they are unsure when an Alpha walks he does so with confidence wherever they go.

Maybe we're wrong?

"Here you go Alpha Hunter," Andrew face is pale and his eyes seem to become exhausted in the last couple minutes. He hands me the glass of water and lets it go as if it weights a ton. The light footsteps stop right behind Andrew and my eyes automatically go towards the person behind him. My eyes widen as they take in the person behind him.

"Well hello there," my wolf's eyes open wide as he takes her in. Her big grey eyes lock on mine as her mouth is left agape as a gasp of breath escapes her.

A she wolf Alpha, well that's unexpected.

I have to agree with my wolf the whole time my mind was set on the Alpha being a man.

She's a redhead, she must be stubborn.

Stop it.

My wolf not liking that I am trying to shut him out so he goes back to sleep mumbling incoherently. We have had a hard month and he wants to rest up.

"Hello," her voice is raspy she clears her throat as her hand covers her mouth. Her pale complexion makes her hair and lips look much bolder. When my sight lands on her puffy eyes and tear strained cheeks my eyebrows shoot up. She has been crying.

An Alpha crying, what has this earth come to? A growl erupts within me. My wolf bows his head in a surrender gesture.

"I can come back some other time if you like." She visibly swallows and shakes her head.

We don't have time to waste!

Can you not?

"You came here for a reason let's quit with the waiting." Her voice sounds rough. A frown starts pulling at the corner of my lips.

"It can wait 'til morning," I take a step towards her Andrew steps away letting me pass. I have forgotten he is even here. "Here drink this," she is standing on the bottom step looking at me with curiosity. I hand her the glass of water and her hand goes up slowly unsure.

Is she even the real Alpha?

Stop it will you or else I won't shift anytime soon.

Andrew walks to her side protectively, is he her mate? It is quite possible since most Alpha's make their mates their betas─well the females would I guess. Male alpha's mates are their Lunas. Andrew whispers into her ear and her eyebrows pull together at the information he has given her. She gives him a stern nod and Andrew walks out leaving us alone.

"Are you planning on going out?" Her eyes are hard but her body does not match her eyes as she fidgets.

"No, I was not." There is a gleam of curiosity in her eyes which she quickly replaces with an impassive stare.

"Okay, there is one room empty if you don't mind sleeping in the room next to mine." I shake my head, "is your mate on her way as well?" My head stiffens and my eyes stay locked to ground.

You know that everyone brings up mates.

I growl at my wolf, "no," is all that I am willing to say.

"Then follow me," she walks up the stairs with me right behind her.

A redhead she wolf alpha. This is not what you expected.

Nothing ever is.

My wolf is searching for her human dominate aura but all we are getting is her wolf's aura.

Maybe she's just pulling our leg.

Does not seem like it. We head to the second floor and my wolf keeps talking but I ignore him as she leads the way.

Andrew is walking out of the bedroom as Alpha Blake and I get to the door. Andrew stares at his Alpha and she nods and walks into a different room.

"Come Alpha Hunter." Andrew opens up the door and leads me in, my eyes dart to the closing door next to mine. "This is going to be your room for the night. The bathroom is to your left and there is everything you will need inside already. Did you bring any clothes?"

Did he see you bring anything with you?

"No!"

"I will bring you some pajamas and a set of clothes for you to wear." Andrew walks out of the room and I walk over to the edge of the bed. After a few minutes there is a knock on my door and pushing myself off the bed I open the door for Andrew. He has clothes in one hand and a plate of food in the other.

"The cook left you a plate if you're hungry." I mutter a thank you and he takes out a water bottle from his pocket handing it to me.

I eat my food and take a quick shower. Andrew brought me pants and a shirt but I sleep in just pajama bottoms. Full and showered I jump into bed and lay there awake. Sleep usually does not come to me easy so I lay there and stare at the blank ceiling as my mind takes its usual crazy path.

After a while my eyes drift to the alarm that is next to the bed, 5:32 am blinks at me.

Shit!

Sleep has evaded you once again.

I pull the cover off of me and sit up. My scratchy throat seeks my attention so I get out of bed in search of water to cure my dry throat.

Walking out I see that Alpha Blake's door has been left ajar I walk quietly when I am directly in front of it the scream coming out of her room sends chills through my entire body.

She needs your help!