C1 One

Adika Sage Elliot has assumed the role of Alpha in Gray River, succeeding her parents when she was just twenty-five years old. Inheriting some of her mother's abilities, Adika, alongside her wolf companion, has added a unique twist to these powers and even acquired new ones.

Under Adika's capable leadership, the pack thrives. However, their world is shaken when long-buried past events resurface. The tales she grew up hearing suddenly come to life, accompanied by menacing threats directed at her. As Alpha, Adika must confront these challenges head-on.

Adika finds herself in the crosshairs of her adversaries, who are determined to target both her and her pack. Balancing the needs of her pack with the looming threats proves to be a formidable task. Can she maintain her focus amidst these provocations from the enemy?

The question remains: will Adika successfully eliminate these threats, or could something unexpected transpire, causing her enemies to develop an unexpected attraction towards her?

-

"Once more!" I shout, my voice ringing across the training field.

I've spent the past few hours observing my warriors as they train. Over time, their performance has shifted from good to sloppy. Their endurance needs improvement; if a war were to break out after just a few hours, many of my warriors would falter.

Just as I've always pushed myself since my parents gave me the choice to become Alpha of our Gray River pack, I'm pushing my warriors to their limits.

"You're pushing them to their limits," Storm, my wolf, chimes in.

I roll my eyes at her. Storm has always been quite vocal, and most days, I let her talk without responding. My mom mentioned that her wolf was similar, always popping up with what it wanted to say.

"Adika!" someone calls my name.

I turn to see Abbs, running toward me. Abigail is not only my closest friend but also the pack's Beta. Our rise to the highest rank positions turned heads, but I had initially considered letting my younger twin brothers take the Beta position together. Abbs, however, possesses a keen sense of strategy and fearlessness, qualities I share. With my brothers' support, we decided that having Abbs as my Beta was the right choice.

Andrew, one of my brothers, took charge of the pack's treasury, allowing Melissa to focus on being the head cook. He was delighted with the role, being the math whiz of our family. Adam, on the other hand, helps with various tasks around the pack but has a particular fondness for cooking.

"I'll take the call. Can you ensure they complete this round and then do some core strengthening exercises?" I ask Abbs.

"You got it, Alpha," she smirks, walking to the front of the training group.

I hurry to the pack house and up to the office. I've left most of the decorations my mom put up when she and Dad presided over the pack. Now, Mom and Dad are happily traveling the world and visiting different packs.

I hope I can live up to their legacy as Alpha and Luna. I sigh as I sit down behind the desk.

I spend around an hour on the phone with my parents before they have to catch another flight. I'm genuinely happy for them to finally enjoy retirement. Being both Alpha and Luna simultaneously isn't easy. I look forward to the day I meet my mate, someone to share the responsibilities with. My dad had me travel to many packs within the country when I turned twenty, but I never found my mate. If I don't find them by the time I'm thirty, which is in five years, I may have to accept that I'm likely mateless.

Unlike me, Abbs found her mate, Zeke, who happens to be Uncle Nathan and Aunt Layla's only child. I'm happy for her, but it can be tough to see her so happy with her mate since they've been together for nearly seven years. I tease Abbs and Zeke together since we all grew up close to each other. It's all in good fun, a way to hide my jealousy from everyone else.

The annual bonfire is tomorrow night, a long-standing tradition in our pack that I've maintained since becoming Alpha. I always enjoyed it growing up, and now with my leadership, our pack has grown to an impressive number of over four hundred members.

I rush down the stairs, ignoring the elevator Mom had Dad install for the pack members to use. I prefer the stairs for the exercise and because those elevators creep me out. What if we lose power and I get stuck in one of them?

In the kitchen, I find everyone hard at work preparing dinner for the pack. We make plenty of food so that those who want to eat in the dining room can do so, or they can opt for a meal with their own families. Usually, the high-ranking wolves and warriors dine in the hall since they prefer private dinners with their families.

I try to spend as much time in the kitchen as possible so that members can find me in the evenings to talk if they wish. That's how I balance the roles of Alpha and Luna. In the mornings, I'm a hardcore Alpha, buried in training and paperwork. In the afternoons, I'm open to anyone who wants to approach me.

It's a switch I flip every day: mornings, I'm the stern Alpha, and evenings, I'm the approachable Luna. This is why I'd love to find a mate, for the extra help and support. Maybe then I could go to bed when I want to instead of passing out from sheer exhaustion.

"Hey, Adika. We're making some hamburger stroganoff for tonight," Melissa smiles at me.

"That sounds delicious," I reply, joining Adam in chopping up carrots.

"Did you get to talk to Mom and Dad?" Adam asks.

"Yup, they were boarding a plane to somewhere overseas," I laugh.

"They're really enjoying their retirement," Aunt Layla comments.

"I don't want to hear about my sister like that," Uncle Nathan laughs.

I shake my head at their playful banter. I appreciate that some things have remained the same in my life with Aunt and Uncle. Melissa and Jason feel like family too, given how long they've been around.

Andrew walks in and lets out a sigh. "Well, sis, got all the treasury work done for the day."

"Thanks," I smile at him.