The Alphas prize

As morning approached, the sun began to engulf my room, causing me to let out a frustrated groan. Closing my eyes tightly, I pulled my blanket up and over my head in an attempt to shield myself from the blinding light.

I barely slept; my mind raced all night from everything that had happened the previous day. Thoughts of the battle surged through my brain, Mikael’s death, the Dead pack retreating, but mostly I thought about Alpha Cain and our encounter. I thought about how attractive he was, how his closeness made me wet and caused tingles to shoot through my whole body. I thought about his words, his threats and especially how he had let me go, but not before telling me that we would meet again; what did he mean by that? Also, why did he want to propose a treaty? That was the biggest unanswered question.

Pushing aside my endless thoughts, I got up from the bed and headed for the bathroom. First, I took a nice long shower, washing everything away. I then got out, brushed my teeth and hair, then proceeded upstairs to join everyone for breakfast.

I entered the kitchen to find mom and Adela cooking breakfast; they noticed my presence and looked at me. “Good morning, sweetheart.” Mom said with a smile.

“Morning, mom,” I replied.

Adela just looked at me and gave me a half-smile. I could tell she was still feeling very emotional regarding yesterday’s news; she has always been such a passionate person at times. I am the opposite. I nodded at her, then went into the dining room to join dad and Gunnar.

They were sitting at the table talking, but they ceased their conversation as soon as I entered and looked at me.

“Morning, dad, Gunnar,” I said in a grumbly tone. Gunnar, just looked at me and grunted; he is not a morning person, something we had in common.

“Good morning Freja, how did you sleep?” Dad questioned.

I rubbed my face and inhaled a deep breath. “Ok, I guess.” That’s an understatement, I thought to myself.

Dad didn’t reply, just gave me a curt nod. Then, after a few moments of silence, dad broke the tension in the air and raised the subject that we all dreaded.

“Later today, we will hold Mikael’s cremation; the sooner we can send him off, the better. I have spoken to a few warriors, and they are working on assembling his pyre; once it is finished, we will gather everyone at the river for the ceremony.”

The look on my father’s face as he spoke was heartbreaking, I knew this was very hard for him, and it was taking everything in him to keep his composure.

Gunnar remained still, staring down at the table, unmoving and silent.

I looked at dad. “Is there anything that you need me to do?” I felt as though it was my obligation to help.

He cleared his throat. “Yes, could you help your mother and sister with preparing the food for after the ceremony, please? The whole pack will be there, so there are many mouths to feed.”

“Yes, of course, I can. Anything else?”

He sat there silent for a moment and then shook his head. Mom and Adela walked in with breakfast just then, which was perfect because I was starving.

We sat there enjoying our food; very few words were spoken between us, but it was still nice to just be with them. Except for Gunnar, he kept stealing my food, and I swear, I was two seconds away from biting his damn hand off and then smacking that grin off of his face with it. I love him but also hate that big buffoon.

After finishing breakfast, Gunnar and dad left to go to the main hall to prepare for Mikael’s cremation. I helped mom and Adela clean everything up from breakfast and prepare the food for the after ceremony gathering. Dad had a few other pack members come to help with the food, which we were thankful for as we had so much to do and very little time left.

We worked together in the kitchen almost in complete silence; it was uncomfortable and made me want to run. It was lunchtime now, and we were close to being done, thank fuck! I needed out of this kitchen. As we continued to work away, we heard the front door open and close. We all whipped our heads towards the door only to see that dad and Gunnar were back.

I turned around, and dad came into the kitchen. “The funeral will begin at 3:00. Is everything ready?” He asked us.

more things to finish up, but we will be done by 3:00.” Mom informed him with a

placed a kiss on her forehead and left the kitchen. Gunnar remained in the room, standing there watching us, with a devious look on his face. He constantly snuck into the kitchen and stole food whenever mom was cooking.

brow raised. “Is there something you want, Gunnar?” I

like he was so innocent. “Nope, just.....observing, yup,

stalked over to mom, lightly nodding his head, humming along, with his lips pursed out, acting as if he was just looking. Then, when mom turned to grab something, he snatched some of the cookies on the counter

my finger at him. “Aha, I knew it! Thief! Get back

kitchen and out the back door, laughing like a maniac. But I was close on

you were going to do that, just observing my ass! Now give the cookies back.” I demanded and attempted to reach around him and snatch them

I got down from his back, and he turned to face me with

are such a pig!” I said, groaning

grin of his “Yea, maybe so, but it was worth it.” He

him. “That’s it!

me Freja, you’re

this to yourself!” I huffed and crossed my

up in surprise. “Oh really, we will

to walk towards the house, no doubt to the kitchen. I started following him, trying to cut him off. “Oh, no,

picked up his pace, laughing like the maniac that he is. Gunnar looked over his shoulder and stuck his tongue out at me. “Catch me if you can, loser.”

his back again, covering his eyes with my hands,

and his shoulders slumped. “Really? Have you forgotten that we are wolves, right? We have a superior

but it distracted you.”

up, gripped both of my hands together and held them together tightly before

from the depths of my belly. “No…...Gunnar……stop it……no more.” After a

you for that, kind

with the horseplay, the both of

towards dad.

went back inside, Gunnar turned to me and extended a hand to help me up, giving me a comforting

is he doing?” I

his friend, Freja. He won’t admit it, but he is struggling to deal with it.” His face

and that I had asked a stupid question. I

was in mourning and crying; the atmosphere was beyond depressing. I noticed Erik standing in the crowd, speaking with his parents; he glanced in my direction and smiled. I smiled back at him and

funeral. On the edge of the river stood the pyre; it was breathtaking. The structure was built from oak wood logs, adorned with Gracie oak flowers and personal items were

stood beside Mikael and glanced at him quickly before looking away; his features looked

fought with the strength and determination of a hundred warriors.

Mikael’s mate, Sarah, approached the pyre, tears streaming down her face. She looked to my dad with a half-smile; he kissed her on the cheek and then handed her the torch. Pack tradition was that the deceased’s mate light the pyre and send them off to the next life. As she approached the pyre, more tears flowed down her face; it was clear that she was hesitant to continue because she knew this was goodbye and who could blame her? No one wanted to do this; no one wanted to

to her mouth; dad came to her side, placing a hand on her shoulder and took the torch. Dad and Gunnar then pushed the pyre into the river sending Mikael off

flames consumed Mikael’s body as he drifted down the river. Finally, after a few moments of silence, dad came forward, getting everyone’s attention once again.

side and gripped my hand as I started walking. He smiled at me, and I gave him a half-smile; I just