Alpha Ren

Brielle

"I tried."

I swallow, eyeing the tips of her fingers that plaster the response letter of my last employment attempt to the surface of the oak table. Her eyes - silver as mercury - glare at me, piercing straight through my calm facade. She's clearly not happy. Her blonde hair was clipped back from her face, allowing for her high cheekbones and sharp jawline to appear more prominent. She's poised and sophisticated; more prepared for a life as a socialite than a maternal figure.

She's never been too kind, always strict and exacting, wanting the best and nothing but. I made a decision this year not to go off to university to study a course mother would be proud of. It didn't make sense to me. But now I've stepped across a line I was avoiding.

"Trying, isn't enough in this family," she says pointedly, "no one is going to hire a useless girl with no higher education to her name."

Her words hit me straight where it hurts. She's right, though. This Pack offers free education past high school, and I failed to take it. Many have snubbed their noses at me, refusing to accept my work. I'm to the point of giving up, all my friends having left for school, and my mother ready to push me away because I'm a failure.

"I think you should leave," mother says, smoothly standing from the table. She makes a scene of scrunching the paper up into a ball, tossing into the bin beside her.

"When you're employed, and have something to your name, you can come back to this family. Right now, associating with you is not in your father and I's best interest. Pack your things and leave by dawn." I watch her leave.

No remorse, no regret. She watched my older brother go to university and become a successful surgeon. A daughter who's only skill is pulling a paintbrush too across a canvas is easy to disregard. I don't stick around. I shove as much as I can into one duffle bag, and slink out without having to see my mother again. Giving her anymore satisfaction is not on my agenda.

The Loyalty Pack is a safe Pack, kept in good condition. It's built around a beautiful lake, and right in the centre of that lake, is our Alpha's estate. People gossip that he can see all from there, and watches over everyone's mistakes. Despite the advertisement that everyone in this Pack is loyal to each other, it's all a lie. In evidence of this. My father built this home upon a hill, among with other estates to look over the view. As I emerge outside, I see the moonlight upon the glassy surface of it. I would marvel in its beauty were I not suddenly homeless. My plan is to get out of this Pack.

Soon. I've been conspiring to do so for awhile, but with no money and way out of here, it's hopeless. I need a job. But who will hire me, without any further schooling? Trotting down the cobblestone path toward the village at the foot of the hill, I curse my parents. If my mother thinks I'm coming back, she's crazy. And I know my father will never ask about me. Where I'm going to get my money from, I'm unsure. The lakeside village my parents became so wealthy in is so popular, as it seems to be the only place Ren is ever seen to visit. The docks his marvellous ships glide into every now-and-again are huge, a hub for wealth and prosperity. It's where everyone aspires to visit, to catch a glimpse of those who step off that elusive island in the middle of the lake.

I avoid it. It reminds me of those years father would take myself and my brother down to the docks to watch Ren arrive for a visit to the mainland. It was always a big spectacle I would often look forward to. Instead of walking by the lakefront, avoiding gushing couples and giggling friend groups, I wander down the streets at the foot of the hill. No where to stay. No friends. My bag is as heavy on my arm, as the gazes of passers by is heavy on my shoulders. On my dignity.

Many know me, and many will be questioning my parents about it in these next weeks. Many will wonder what I'm doing out so late, straying from my home. No one will expect that I've been cast out from shame. Mother never allowed the public to get a single glimpse of what actually went on within our home. Behind closed doors. I find an alleyway, sheltered against the wind, and also hopefully, the rain. If it were to come to that. Pushing my bag against the wall, I sit on it. Luckily, city cleaners keep these alleyways immaculate.

I'll move on tomorrow though, try find a job and hopefully from there, a place to stay. Then I'll leave this Pack, forget my parents. I'm not one for revenge, so hoping tonight was the last time I'll see their faces is good enough for me. My head leans against the concrete.

I saw this coming. Ren's 'perfect society' is a lie. He covers most people's first expenses, however, since I come from a wealthy family, I'm not entitled to want of it. Little does he know, my family never wanted me anyway. Not when they got their perfect child. He knows nothing of a perfect society. Not when he keeps himself hidden away on that stupid island of his. God I hate him. So much. Tears sting in my eyes. Is this really my fate? I never planned for any of this...Tomorrow I'll call Ethan, my brother. Maybe he will find space for me. If he loves me.

"This doesn't look like a place for a girl like you," someone whispers. I startle, so involved in my own thoughts I hadn't even seen someone approach. A man, in a decaying suit jackets and loose trousers stares down at me. He has a shock of untrimmed black hair. I bring my knees up to my chest defensively.

"Go away. You don't know anything about me." "I'm not going anywhere." I eye him suspiciously. He's clearly homeless, or every eccentric. Either way, when someone approaches you in the street with unknown intentions, it's always safe to be cautious.

And I would be, were I not so close to giving up. I have nothing left for me, not here. "If you want to take my stuff, go ahead," I say, motioning to the duffle bag under my backside. The man narrows a dark pair of eyes at me.

"A bit hard on your luck are you?" Sighing through my nose, I push my head back against the wall again. Hard on my luck? I wouldn't say it was much of my fault. However, there is no use wallowing in my sorrows to this uninterested man.

"You could say that much," I say, hoping he wouldn't take any further interest in my sob story. It's no ones business but my own. He shoves his hands in his pockets.

"If you're looking for a job, the docks are always open for a lady. Might just be cleaning up, but they will surely offer you a place to stay if you desperately need it." We stare at each other. Assuming I wasn't about to say much more, he continued walking back down the alleyway, his gait casual.

"Wait," I say quickly, before he disappeared around the corner. He turns to look at me again.

"What was that?" I unfurl my legs from my sitting position. "Thank you."

~Brielle

The sun rose behind the dock as I approached it.

Sleeping hadn't been too easy pressed against the concrete alleyway wall. I decided the moment I could approach the docks, I would. Even when they are just getting ready for the first boat to cruise in from Ren's island. It will be a supply ship, first thing. To get whatever Ren decides he needs for the day. This place is considered a public attraction here. There's an entire restaurant on the other side, where only the richest go.

There is a private area for when Ren arrives via ship, and is ushered out to a car in a secluded area. I only know this because of my father's prior fascination. He would whisper all these facts in my ear when we would visit. Back then, I had no idea I would be begging for work here. The lake looks beautiful this morning. From this angle, I can't see Ren's estate, as it's hidden by a sharp cliff and a multitude of evergreen pine.

Buttery yellow and coral pink bleed together over the surface of the water. Nothing but a soft breeze ripples along the calm lake, brushing at the strands of hair I haven't had a chance to pull back. Trotting up onto the deck, I look around for a sign of life. No one seems to be about, as I cup my hands and peer into the window. It's the restaurant portion, chairs still stacked upon the table. I catch someone sweeping the floor on the far end of the room. It's a girl, long black hair pulled into a messy ponytail.

She doesn't seem to notice me at first, earphones propped in her ears, concentrating on whatever last nights diners left on the floor. I knock on the glass, watching her startle. Pulling her earphone out, she looks at me, frowning for a short moment. She's foreign. No Loyalty Pack member had such sleek hair like that, and stunning dark eyes. I wonder if she is from the Vengeance Pack.

That would be my first guess. She unlocks the door for me, but doesn't let me in. Leaning against the doorframe, she casts a glance at me up and down.

"Sorry, we're closed," she proceeds, transferring the gum she was chewing from one side of her mouth to the other. Vengeance Pack, definitely. It only intimidates me a little. That's what I tell myself, at least.

"I'm not here for your services," I tell her. "I'm here for a job."

She narrows her eyes slightly. Her lashes are thick, doused with some form of makeup. Mother obsessed about me wearing blush on my cheeks, or a touch of gloss on my lips, however, I was always quick to wash it off. I'm wondering if she is considering sending me off.

"I'm not the manager. I just work here," the girl tells me. My eyes wander to her name tag. Raven. So typically Vengeance.

"If you want to talk to Linda, she's out back." I smile slightly. "That would be great."

Raven leads me inside, polished wood creaking under our feet. She keeps a few strides ahead of me, beckoning me to stop when come to the other side of the room. Knocking with three taps on a side door, Raven pushes open and leans inside.

"Some kid is out here wanting a job," I hear her say. "Look homeless." I scowl. Do I really look that bad. Glancing down at myself, I'm wrapped in a thick jacket with dark leggings. I could be cleaner, but I only spent one night on the streets.

It only makes me feel much worse about myself. How am I meant to get a job here now? Not long after Raven's announcement, a woman walks out of the office. She's spider thin, with greying hair and narrowed eyes.

"I'm Brielle," I tell her quickly, thrusting my hand out. "I would like to apply for a job here. I don't have much experience, but I can...clean, or something."

The silence that follows is deafening. I can't tell if Linda wants me gone right this instant, or if staring me down is part of the employment criteria. Either way, I want to sink to my knees in front of her, and beg for the forgiveness for something I didn't do. It's not that she seems angry. In fact, she simply looks impassive, or maybe even a little tired.

"Where you come from, Brielle?" she questions, folding her arms over her chest. There's not much to her, arms sickly thin, the fabric of her short sleeve sagging off her.

"I was just kicked out of home," I explain. No point lying. Linda and Raven exchange glances. Let me guess, I've said something wrong. It's Raven who speaks next.

"We have a lot of girls who come here thinking they will meet Ren. How can we trust that that isn't your motive. Unless it is, of course."

"No," I say quickly.

"I need a job. Raven was right, I am homeless. I need money to get on my feet. And this place was my favourite as a kid, before Alpha Ren even reigned. You have to believe me."

More silence.

Linda sighs deeply. "It's early, and I lost a girl a week back to another job. I'll take you on. As long as you behave, and are never late to work. And you start today. I'll be paying you weekly. No negotiation."

I blanch, and Raven seems to also. Was that seriously that easy? I have a job, which means I can start saving up to escape this place. I doubt the money will be much, but it's a place to start. At least until I figure something else out. Raven might seems to be giving me suspicious side eye, but she will get used to me. I hope. "Thank you Linda, you won't regret this," I say warmly. Clapping my hands seems inappropriate right now, despite my desperate want to.

"Mmm," she replies, turning back to her office.

"Raven gives you instructions."

***

Raven turned out to have a wealth of knowledge of this place, that utterly stomps upon my own. Turns out, plenty more workers arrived, however, none we assigned as boring jobs as myself. I wasn't complaining though. I wiped tables, swept floors and polished silverware at every request.

Even when my feet ached, and I couldn't stop casting my eyes out to Ren's estate upon the hill, shielded from my gaze. Boats came in and out, but few and far between. And I never caught sight of anyone who stepped off. Raven whispered in my ear when she caught me staring, that everyone off Ren's island keeps privacy close.

Not making my curiosity any less prevalent. Raven also informed me of other important things. We will never see Ren. Ever Linda will never give a raise. Ever Our work and others will never change She's been working here for a year and a half, but is planning to get onto one of Ren's supply boats, to make it onto his island.

She just hasn't figured out how yet. And now, I'm just as interested in that idea Raven wasn't too open about her plan. She had whispered it in my ear in passing, and scolded me when I tried to ask her any more. And escape sounds enticing. Rousing. Nothing on Ren's isle appeals to me, aside for the money, which Raven conspires is a lot. If we figured out a way, I could be out in a year's time, finding sanctuary in another Pack. Maybe the Love Pack.

I've never seen snow in real life. We simply get bathed in ice every once and awhile. My plan was molding within my mind, as I was stacking up the chairs for the night, praying the pain in the heels of my feet would let up soon, when Linda popped out of her office, bag and keys in hand.

"I'll lock up if you like," I say absentmindedly, balancing a chair on my shoulder as I look back at her. Linda handed me the keys.

"Where's home tonight?"

"I hadn't thought about that," I muse truthfully. Another cold night with an early start. "Probably same as last night. Found a relatively safe alleyway. I should be alright."

Linda leans her hip against a table, watching me, deep in thought.

"I have a cot out the back. My last worker was down on her luck like yourself. I docked her pay a little, but it's much cheaper than any other accommodation around here."

I nearly drop the chair that I was stacking. Wait...Seriously?"

"Customers were complaining about your smell," Linda says with a shrug, looking out the window where dusk had settled in a mix of violet and ebony colour.

"There's a shower out there too. I'll say it's compulsory to use it."

"Thank you, Linda," I gush, hardly unable to believe my luck. A bed to sleep in, and a shower? I should have spotted her generosity today when she offered me three full means. We say our goodbyes, and I lock up after her. The entire time, I can't help but thank whoever might be looking down on me. A guardian angel, perhaps.

"Thank you," I whisper, as I pull the last window shut.

"All I ask, is this works out. That I can find a way out of this Pack, find a better fate. And maybe, if you can, get me a spot on a supply boat onto Ren's island."

There's no answer of course, but I smile regardless. "I would love that."

~Brielle

This isn't going to be easy. Boat's come in from Ren's island four times a day, I've come to notice in these past few weeks. One glides in early in the morning as I wake, another just before lunchtime breaks. Late afternoon, as patrons sip their tea and enjoy the sight of the lake, another boat finds itself in the dock.

The last one often arrives just as we are closing up for the day, once the sun has fallen and night has consumed the lake. That's the time I plan to smuggle onto the boat. When Linda has left, and I'm expected to lock up for the night. My desperation to get onto the boat has lead to an obsession.

The curiosity of what Ren's island might involve mixed with the poor amount of pay I receive, which barely has covered the cost of new shoes recently. Raven is no longer interested. I first pitched the idea to her two weeks ago. She has shook her head and told me to be quiet. I was, for a day and a half. Then I approached her again.

She quickly informed me her mother was sick, and she had no other choice but to stay here and look after her. I promised I would be back to help her. Today is the day I escape. I wrote out a note for Linda this morning. I had to apologise for leaving her like this, but I have no other choice. Not when life may be better on Ren's island. Of course, I don't know these things, but I have no other idea how to make things better. I've immaculately created my plan for tonight. Linda will leave me with the key and wish me goodnight, just after the boat arrives. Instead of locking the heavy double doors the close the main section of the docks outside from the inside, I'll peer out the small window near the ceiling to make sure the captain and his crew have removed themselves before I sneak out.

Once I'm on the ship, I'll hide until they depart an hour later, and reach the island. From there, I haven't got a plan. Within my mind, Ren's island is a mystery surrounded in fog, an unknown yet to be explored. But regardless, I'm excited.

"Someone's happy," Linda notices while I was wiping the last table for the night. For a moment, my heart skips, wondering if she figured it out, that I'm escaping tonight.

"Have you met someone?" I startle.

"Oh...No, I'm only really ever at work." Linda has that suspicious smile on her face, as if she's watching me lie right in front of her. I know she believes I go out at nights and drink like Raven does. That couldn't be further from the truth. I'm either too exhausted, planning out my escape to Ren's island, or the idea seems repulsive. Especially when Raven comes to work in the morning complaining about a headache and spending too long in the bathroom.

"You know, I have had a few customers compliment you on your kindness, on your appearance," Linda tells me, walking over to help me stack the chairs on the table.

"I think you're one of the favourites." I shake my head at her, as if to hide my blush.

"Hardly."

"Well it's true," Linda says, taking a chair off me to prop it on top of another. "Most Loyalty Pack members eyes always turn out hazel at birth. The fact that you got green was pretty lucky."

I wouldn't say luck had anything to do with it, but I don't say anything. Mother always told me my eyes were my selling point. For that, I almost resent them. Anything involving her I'm spiteful about. I can't help it.

"You're kind, Linda," is all I reply. She grabs both my shoulders in her hands, forcing me to look at her. "Maybe if you find someone, it might help you get out of this impossible situation you're in. It would be good for you. You deserve someone as sweet as you, my girl."

There's no chance of that; not with my current plans. I wouldn't tell her that. Not after all she has done for me. When I come back from the island, I'm going to bring her back something. Whether it be money, or something else. I won't forget about how she brought me in without any need to.

"If I were looking for someone, maybe," I say simply, holding my palm out for the keys to lock up.

"Have a good night then," she says, placing them in my hand. I watch her go, before going about my usual routine. Lock the front and back doors, all the windows, and make sure the lights are shut off. Then, with quiet footsteps, I drag a step ladder to the window, clambering on top of it to gaze out.

The boat I'll be smuggling onto is tied to the dock outside, swaying back and forth on the gentle waves. It's not as impressive as the mid day boat, which is always the public's biggest spectacle. It's rather small, although I'm guessing there will be enough room at the back for me. The boat brings staff back to the main island for the night, so as it heads back, it will be emptier than before. The dock seems empty, moonlight peeking out from behind the clouds streaming over the water lapped boards. The waves aren't too high tonight, which is a relief. I'm not sure how adept my sea legs would prove to be. I've decided not to bring luggage. It will only accelerate my chances of being seen. Who knows what will be on the island for me, but I need to get their first.

And right now, I might have my chance. Slowly pushing the wide double doors open that separate the restaurant from the docks, I peek my head out first. Checking both ways, the dock is abandoned, the captain clearly taking a break in their separate quarters. I was never allowed in their; it was always Raven sent to give them refreshments. The air that greets me is balmy, the overcast weather above me trapping today's heat in. I made sure, regardless, to pile on as many clothes as I could. That way, maybe I would have a few spare when we get to the island. I look out into the harbour.

No other boats are out at this time. Ren has always kept the lake clear at night by law. The ship, or rather, the boat, has a small cabin at the front, which I make a note to avoid. The back is exposed to the night, however, as I get closer, I catch sight of a small covered area underneath the raised cabin that I might have luck hiding under. My luck suddenly changed at the sound of voices. Whirling around, I catch sight of two figures approaching from the other end of the dock, masked by the night. The only people prohibited out here are the captain and his crew, or any others who assist in ship maintenance and so forth.

Which means if I don't get on the boat soon, I'm doomed. Crouching down, I reach over a short body of water to the edge of the boat, staring down at it worriedly. I imagine it being shallow, but at this time of night, I don't know how I feel about taking a dip. As silent as I can manage, I sneak on the boat, one leg at a time, pushing my body onto the rocky boat. Seats line the edge of the boat, for whoever is prohibited to be sent back from the island. I ignore those, trotting quickly to the area of the boat concealed by night, and the cabin above me. With the two figures approaching, I find myself stepping over the chest which I assume houses boat paraphernalia.

I just sunk uncomfortably behind it, when I could clearly hear the voices.

"Better get back," one of them says, voice gruff and tired.

"Ren will be closing off his dock soon. There's talk he's going to start doing it earlier." Another replies.

"Another way to isolate himself further from his Pack, huh." My interest peaks at their conversation. Any chance to learn something new about Ren intrigues me. When I'm on the island, I plan to avoid him at all costs. I'm sure he is aware of his staff, and I don't want him sending me back here. Either that, or he might arrest me. Then I'll never escape this Pack.

"You know what he's like," the gruff voice mutters dismissively. I can feel their weight as they begin removing the binds keeping the boat to the dock. There's an irritated sigh from the other.

"That's the point. We don't know him at all." I frown.

"Look, it's not up to us what happens. Like I said, I best get going. I can't be late, if I want to get this ship into the docks. I got a mate waiting for me at home," gruff voice says, and with that, their conversation end. It's a relief. We're leaving, which means Ren's island is about to finally become my own.