Alpha's Nala

Michael Angelo

On the Southern part of the Redwood Region, at the Redwood Pack Mansion.

Saturday, 

5:35 PM.

I am already aware of the loud music, many chatters, and clicking of glasses down the hall.

However, after a long day of paperwork and dealing with pack issues, my mind and body needed serenity.

And where to acquire it than your very own room.

So here I am, taking my time on doing my necktie. Making sure it looks neat and presentable for tonight's mating ball when, all of a sudden, a small voice interrupted me.

I knew who it was, the minute the little wolf entered my chamber, for her scent — composing of lemon and mint — immediately filled the room. 

Not to mention, her voice.

I recognize that voice anywhere, for there are no other seven-year-olds in the region that possesses an alpha tone, except her.

“Yes, Blessy?” I respond to my sister's little cry, eyes still focused on the nearly done knot.

There was no reply from her after that, making me assume that she already left. Though, instead of hearing a door closing, I surprisingly caught the sound of her soft footsteps walking towards me. Then, like a ray of sunshine, I felt the little she-wolf's warm presence behind me. 

Almost, immediately, a smile found its way to my face.

“Oh, busy.” She quickly muttered at my back, discovering that I was a bit occupied at the moment.

My smile widened.

Regardless of her warm existence, what really lightened up my dark mood was the aura my sister brought with her; the innocence of a child and the purity of a soul, which so happens to be the same as my late mate, Nala.

My Nalaese Marie Snow…

The reminder, rather of infuriating me like the last time, made me calm. And my once frustrated face was now beaming with pure peace.

“In a minute little one, I'm almost done,” I stated, and was about to do the last loop when I caught a glimpse of her dirty reflection on the full-length mirror I was using. 

Oh dear lord.

I quickly turned to face her, hoping my eyes were deceiving me. But once my gaze landed on the little girl, fully registering her appearance, I was utterly stunned to see how terrible-looking she really was. 

Hell no, she did not…

Her supposed to be cute little princess gown — fuchsia in color and full of diamonds — was already brownish on the bottom part, while a couple of dirty handprints at the top. Her blonde hair which was supposed to be tied in a bun we're loosened, leaving her gold tiara hanging on the back of her head.

Though, what gave me the overall impression that she sneaked out of the castle and play unto the forest floor — AGAIN — was her hands and face, all covered with mud. 

“Blessica Allison Joy Cane, what on earth got into you!” I roared, the shock was evident both in my face and voice.

Receiving no response from her, just a few blinks and fingers fidgeting, I swiftly grab her little arm and, as quick as the flash of light — werewolf speed, made her sit on a chair next to the dresser my Nala, once owned. 

Catching a glimpse of that wardrobe, my anger instantly halted. Then, as obvious as it was now, I got momentarily distracted. 

I know I should have thrown that out, or any stuff that belonged to my mate, but I can't. Not because I'm being too sentimental, but because it's one of those things that keeps me from going completely mad, or worse, seek solace again to BLOODLUST.

My ultimate cure, for three whole years...

As amazing as it would have been, to let myself be an animal — carefree and wild — for one day, though the danger that it would bring was much higher compared to the comfort that I aim to fulfill.

I don't want that to happen again… I had

still kept it — every

a softer tone now, spoke up

out of my sudden stupor, making me shift my gaze from

while opening her mud-covered

as she was, she always tries to comfort me whenever she

you get when you have a

of giving in to her hug and sweet gesture, I only

will surely be upset

and play in the mud as you wish, especially tonight. It's ball night for Goddess sake Blessica!” I finally

to note that, my voice sounded so bitter, so harsh, and dreadful that I almost forgot that I'm speaking to a kid who normally gets into trouble, not an adult who committed a crime

our sister. Mika (Blessy's

immediately mind his warning

whispered. Her gentle — sweet voice echoed delicately inside my ears, which

as sincere as her voice goes, I caught a glimpse of her face. Peculiarly, it lacks FEAR, and as much as I don't appreciate what I sound like earlier, she should be

However, she's not.

for a seven-year-old child being lectured at by

instantly, was her tiger brown eyes. They look very much dead and cold — too cold, for a child her

me — as if her eyes were staring right at the soul, rather than the eyes

there, I

that gaze of her. A longing that I seem to understand, for I have it too — not just in my

still in grief… it's her as

what I was supposed to be

attention now. ‘She should stop that, stop apologizing when she doesn't even mean it, or no one's gonna believe her in the end, Angelo.’

his point of aggression — Bear is

promptly recalled her apology, and the fact that Bear was right; that it was not as genuine as it should be, made me glance

You should stop that or no one's gonna believe you in the end, sweetie. Especially, once you get to a point where you apologize for real for your mistakes, and people already knew what you are

my short speech and then, realizing that I caught her act, she — instead of feeling ashamed —

her little smile at me —

Woah.

I have trained in the field. Others

at me. Looking like she didn't

felt my lips parted

for my liking.’

could even smile at me like that at this point. She doesn't do that unless she wanted to cheer

felt Bear rolled his eyes in the back of my mind, saying, ‘Or distract you from her troubles. She knows she's

after hearing that and internally lifted a challenging eyebrow at

whining whenever she needs someone to protect her from Mother's wrath.’ I

stilled, his ears down and

Touche'...’ Bear said, slowly

I could only smirk.

my attention went back to the little being in front of me. She's still smiling her dimpled

must be waiting for my violent reaction… too bad, I'm too

at her, in

finally declared in

just compliment her. Though, I didn't miss the fact that the

Now, that's strange.

always

really knowing what proper questions to ask or what simple words to say to a seven-year-old, especially when the subject involves serious themes, I could only let out a tired sigh.

to do something, decided to scramble towards the bathroom to get a wet towel to wipe her.

after, leaving me to wonder what

on doing it every now and then, for the majority of her life, sounds

question here is, was it really that fun?

she happened to have forgotten

like confinement Blessy, yet here you are, kept on going back to that said isolation. Do you really want that, sweetheart?” I paused and waited for an answer, or

wolf only showed that same dimpled smile