C3 3

Alpha Zachary

We had just reached our calm lake house when I noticed something unusual in the quiet night. I saw a shadow moving near our large estate out of the corner of my eye. As it felt out of place, I quickly got out of the car and mentioned to my trusted second-in-command, "There's some weird movement over there. Be on guard".

My second-in-command immediately responded by stepping forward to check out what was happening. Soon, he called out, "Don't worry! It seems like it's a small creature..." But he stopped talking, making me wonder what was happening.

"What is it?" I asked him.

Quietly, he motioned me to come and see for myself. I arrived to see what looked like a small werewolf going through the plants. She was dressed in dirty, worn-out clothes, and her struggle to survive was painfully obvious.

As a leader, it was my main job to take care of my pack members. But here was one of our own, left to survive in such terrible conditions. It was clear that I had not been doing my job well enough.

Feeling guilty, I reached out to her. She quickly pulled back with a small gasp, which made me do the same as our eyes met. "Who are you?" I couldn't hide my surprise and confusion as I looked at her clear female features. I blurted out, "Wait, you're a female werewolf? Are you part of my pack? Who are you exactly?" I only felt regret for my harsh words when I saw tears filling her eyes.

Feeling guilty, I apologized, "I'm sorry," I murmured, "I didn't mean to upset you." In my confusion, I found myself scratching my chin and gently helping her to stand. Her silence was heartbreaking, with the steady tear drops on her tired face emphasizing this. I asked her, "Stop crying, please. Are you hungry?"

In response, she nodded shyly, avoiding my gaze. I assumed her hesitation was due to fear, especially given the unique color of her eyes. They were unusual, but not frightening.

To make her feel more comfortable, I asked again, in a calm tone, "Can you tell me, are you hungry?"

She finally whispered back, revealing her desperate situation, "Yes, I'm starving."

Despite her admitting this, her poor state had already suggested her lack of food. Filled with guilt for her situation, I quickly invited her to eat at my house.

Her reaction was slow and wary as she looked at me suspiciously before looking away. Trying to lighten the situation, I assured her, "Don't worry, I won't bite. You can leave whenever you want."

The thought of someone living without a safe place was disturbing to me, especially since she was one of us. I decided to offer her the safety she clearly lacked.

"Alright, come with us then," I said.

She tensed up at my suggestion, looking nervously between me and my Beta. That’s when it hit me; she had been abused, which was evident from her initial rigidity.

I asked my Beta to explain to her who we were.

He replied respectfully, "He is our Alpha Zachary - the leader of our Pack. I am his Beta. Our job is to protect and care for our members."

She fell on her knees and choked through her plea, "Alpha, please save me. They mistreated me. They treated me like a slave and tried to hurt me. My mother hates me because my father is a different kind. I have nowhere to go. Please help me."

Her desperate cries shook me deeply and stirred an instinct within me. I reached out to her, helped her stand and locked eyes, trying to assure her, "You're under my protection from now on. You’re safe."

When we arrived at the house, it was eerily quiet apart from her heavy breathing and the distant hooting of owls. I guided her into a cozy living room kept warm by the fireplace.

I gently pushed her forward with reassurance, "Please come in, make yourself at home."

She whispered back almost inaudibly, "I don't have a home."

Seeing her broken inside and out, I found myself saying, "This is your home now."

I brought her into the kitchen and indicated she should sit. She remained silent and obedient. She was looking intently at the wooden floor as if afraid to look up.

I quickly made a big portion of tender meat, just the way we liked it. Seeing her weak, I encouraged her to eat, "Please, eat it all. If you want more, just let me know or help yourself to anything in our kitchen."

She consumed the food quickly, confirming my suspicion of her lack of food.

After giving her some private time to enjoy her meal, I went back to the living area. She was washing the dishes, being rather small, she could barely reach over the counter. I told her, my voice firm but considerate, "Stop. Don't do anything. You're a guest."

She shook her head without looking at me and whispered, "But you've been so kind. Please let me help with the chores."

I insisted, "Just leave the dishes."

Amid the noise of broken dishes, I led her to the bathroom and suggested she shower.

When she eventually reappeared, I was speechless. The woman who emerged was unlike the scared, wary one that went into the bathroom. She appeared stronger and more stunning, which somehow made her even more beautiful. She was amazing, almost unreal in her beauty. My heart skipped a beat as I admired her. Who is this strong woman standing before me now? Her transformation was incredible - she was the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.