The Mark of an Alpha
Extra Chapter

This chapter happens right after Melany leaves the infirmary.

~Derek Storm~

The leather attaches itself to my forearm as I stare at my door, waiting. Waiting for some kind of news, anything that will allow me to gain something over her. I am not good at this game but there is nothing else I can do at the moment.

My seat seems to resist conforming to my body. The alpha's chair is made to curve to the reigning alpha but my chair seems to be unused for too long that it is not curved properly to my body.

"Master," his presence is easily ignored but I am waiting on some news. Samuel, the butler, stands by the door. "The doctor has released Alpha Blake from the infirmary." I nod as my foot taps against my desk.

"Send the doctor my way," I snap. I know that he was not with Melany that long I am not sure if that is a good thing or not.

Why in the world would she mark him? Mark Hunter?

She has so many options, many more options better than him.

There has to be something in it for her.

Do you think she is going after another alpha to grow her pack?

It seems logical. Why else would she want to mark him?

You seem to have forgotten that she gained a small pack of rogues all on her own. She doesn't need a man to grew her pack.

I know that!

There is a soft knock at my door and the doctor makes his way into my office. There is an uncomfortable aura about him. He does not want to be here. He decides that he does not want to sit so he stands before me.

"So?" I try my best to hide my urgency out of my voice.

"Alpha Blake is a phenomenal specimen," he starts. It does not take a rocket scientist to figure that one out.

She even has my doctor marveling after her as if she was the moon goddess in the flesh.

"Her wolf is on a different level than her. It seems as if they feed off of each other's strengths and help each other through their weaknesses. They have this connection that I can't even begin to comprehend. Her wolf had the chance to destroy her human's presence, her very existence, but she chose to stay by her side and help Melany surface."

Silver could have been the sole presence in Melany's body.

"What are you saying," I nearly growl, "I know that Silver would not do that to her." Well, that is what she made it seem like when I talked to her.

"Silver? That's her wolf's name?" The doctor arched an eyebrow at me and I shrug.

"That's what she told me anyway. Silver holds Melany in a high pedestal and I doubt that she would destroy her human's presence." I sigh.

"Well, Alpha Storm," he gulps, "You wanted to know if there is anything wrong with the alpha. Her blood work came out normal. There is nothing in her body that she is hiding that would give her an advantage over you or any other alpha here. I am here to say that Alpha Blake is a strong alpha. This girl," he clears his throat, "woman is not to be taken lightly. Especially with her wolf by her side. She will be a force to be reckoned with."

To his relief, I dismiss the doctor.

Zeke!

Yes, Master.

I need you here now.

Zeke drops his conversation with someone and makes his way to my office.

"You called Master," Zeke makes his way to my desk as I grind my teeth. I gesture for him to sit and he takes a seat in his beta chair.

How can she be this strong? Melany has to be hiding something.

"How are you and your brother doing?" I ask as Zeke takes in a sharp intake of breath. I lean back in my chair and open my mind. Calvin is out of the castle. He is running the perimeter of the castle with two others.

"We're doing great," I can see that he is lying.

"You would lie to your alpha," I sneer.

"We're not talking at the moment," he sighs, "If it does not have to do with our duties we are staying away from each other. He seems to be busy at the moment anyway."

Zeke is miserable. He hates being apart from his brother. These two have been attached to each other's hip since they were born.

To be honest Zeke was the only one that I wanted by my side. He is the aggressive one from the two. If there is any danger I knew that Zeke would be there to my back. Calvin is my omega because Zeke requested it and used it as my ultimatum.

Calvin seems to connect with the people around him. He is great to have around when I am trying to make a treaty but as a fighter, Calvin does not meet my standards.

"Or are you avoiding him because he is making friends with the people here and you're keeping your distance." Zeke fights the urge to roll his eyes by just closing them.

"You know me better than most people. I like to keep to myself. If I am not needed I will stay away."

"How do you feel about Melany and Calvin's friendship," I examine his facial expression. His upper lip twitches and he swallows down.

"That is not of my concern."

"You do know that they are becoming close." He stays quiet. "I have a hunch."

"What about?" Zeke is getting restless.

"That Melany might ask Calvin to move to her territory. After what he has been through with us I am almost positive she wants to keep him safe."

His nose flares and his eyes darken.

"He's a big boy," Zeke snaps, "he can make his own decisions."

"But just remind him that he has a pack here. I don't want my pack to think that they can come and go as they please." Especially after what she did.

"You would go after him?"

"No one is above me. If he needs a reminder I will give it to him."

"May I be excused, Master?" I wave him off and I can tell that Zeke is not going to handle this well.

I do not want him to be surprised if I have to go after his brother because of Melany.

She embarrassed me in front of my pack and now wants to make my pack question my authority. I need to have her as my luna and not my enemy.

I peek into Zeke's mind as he leaves. He is trying so hard to hide his anger from me. He is reciting his jobs in his heads to force himself to not think about what we just spoke about.

Train Stephen in wolf form.

Make my rounds in town.

Make sure that the barrier is fully functional throughout the perimeter.

I disconnect with his mind and I try to find my omega.

He is in the dining hall with Andrew.

"She's amazing," Andrew chimes in with a silly smile on his face.

"You're lucky," Calvin sighs, "I need to get going I have something to do."

"Why? We're just barely getting to know you but it seems as if you're always running off somewhere. If you need help I can help you. I am the beta of the Moonless Pack I know that our work is never-ending."

Don't!

I can feel Calvin mentally flinch at my order.

"Sorry Dude," his shoulders sag, "I need to complete my rounds solo."

"Hmm, alright. Melany would like you to join us for dinner, can you make it?"

Master?

We have a lot of work to do.

"I doubt it, but tell her thank you for the invitation."

Calvin excuses himself and heads out of the castle.

I need to keep my pack in check, especially when it comes to Melany Blake.

Samuel, do you know where my father is?

I've been avoiding him for far too long.

He is in his studies.

The knock is deafening as I wait for his invitation. I may be the alpha of alphas but he is my father. Some respect can never be surpassed.

"Come in." The knob is cold against my palm as I push myself in.

"Hello father," I take in a sharp breath.

"There is my sorry excuse for a son." He snaps but his eyes stay on the book that lays on his desk.

His words slap me clear across the face.

"No alpha in our history has lost a fight during the Moonlight Ball." His eyes meet mine like daggers, he is pissed.

"I'm-"

"I don't want to hear your sorry excuses. Damn it, Derek," he slams the book shut forcing my eyes to close. The loud crash makes my body flinch back.

"Fa-Father," I stammer but stop as his chair screeches back. His wheezing cough makes my eyes open and his tired eyes glare at me. The white handkerchief taps over his lips.

"You are showing me that we might have made a huge mistake keeping the crown within the family. You know damn well that I stuck out my neck for this."

Your neck!

My whole life you nagged me that I needed to ready for this. To take on the role of being alpha.

Taking in a deep calming breath, "I know."

"Now you go and embarrass yourself, embarrass me! How could you be so stupid as to let her win? In front of everyone no less."

"You think I let her win?" As if Melany needs any help in that department. My neck and cheeks heat up as a headache starts forming at my temple.

"She was never meant to be an alpha." He growls as his body leans over the desk and his eyes narrow at me.

"If you think she is someone to take lightly why don't you fight her." The words come out of me before I can even stop them.

"What did you say?" He whispers as he straightens himself and slowly walks around his desk.

"Umm," I know better than to speak to him like this. I know better!

"You're an ungrateful son," I know what is coming but if I move it will go worse for me. I close my eyes not wanting to look at him.

His hand collides hard against my cheek but I force my body to not move. Breathing in through my nose as I bite my tongue. My nails dig into my palms as I fight with my wolf.

"Next time don't make me wait. When I call you, you come, understand." I nod. "You're excused."

I walk out and shove my wolf to the back of my mind. He wants to sink his teeth into him but I just want to but some space between us.

At least this time he didn't get a reaction out of you.

With that my wolf falls silent as my mind runs wild.

This is a last-minute add on that I was thinking about. Let me know if you enjoyed it.

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