Alpha's Power Bottom

I'll never get used to moving. It's frustrating and feels like I'm erasing myself and redrawing the same lines over and over again.

This time, we moved to Silverwood, Oregon. It's a town that, so far, looks friendly and welcoming. It has tree-lined streets and coffee shops with locals who smile a lot.

We don't live anywhere near them, though.

My family and the entire pack settled deep past the outskirts, tucked behind iron gates and surrounded by endless woods. We stayed close enough to pretend like we were normal as everyone else, and far enough to remain hidden.

Even though it's a new environment, the pack is obliged to abide by the same rules. Blend in. Don't draw attention. Don't mess up.

And now, here I am, the first son of the majestic Alpha of The Midnight Sun Pack, standing in the hallway of yet another high school, already exhausted by the thought of learning new faces, new routines, and new ways to live among humans.

I'm too busy staring at my locker combination to notice where I'm going until I slam straight into someone strong. Pain instantly shot through my shoulder because I let my guard down. Books hit the floor, and everywhere snapped quickly into silence.

When I looked up, I was staring into sharp blue eyes that were filled with pure disgust. Sadly, that was my first impression in this new school. A clumsy idiot.

"Hey!" he snapped as he shoved me hard, and I tripped and fell. "Watch where you're going fool."

I hid my face for a moment, gathering the books that fell. He kept yelling and pouring insults at me, but I ignored him and separated my book from his. After doing so, I raised my head slowly and reached out to him with his books in my palm.

"What is this?" he asked loudly, looking at the guys around him... people I'll say are his friends. "Can someone please explain what this is?"

They all started chuckling, but it didn't get to me. I obviously pissed him off by bumping into him, so I wasn't going to be defensive. I wouldn't want to cause so much chaos on my first day in school. So, I remained calm with this stranger's books in my palm, as I waited for him to take them.

He turned to me, scoffed, and smacked the books from my grasp. "Are you new here?" he asked. "I don't think I've seen your face around here before. I guess that's why you don't know the consequences of your dumb action."

"Yeah," one of his friends snorted. "He doesn't get what's going on. He doesn't know how things get done around here."

Still, I remained quiet. I clenched my jaw and began counting up to a hundred in my head as a method to control my anger.

The pissed boy slid his hands into his pockets and walked slowly towards me until we were barely inches apart. That's when I got to look at him properly, as there was nowhere else my eyes could escape to, and that's when it hit me.

He was devastating. Standing in front of me was the most beautiful person I had ever seen. Even with a disgusted expression plastered all over his face, his eyes were the most perfect thing I've ever seen. The wolf inside me stirred uneasily, restless beneath my skin.

At that moment, I couldn't hear what he or anyone else was saying. I was lost in his eyes.

I closed my eyes for a brief moment to get his scent, but all I could get was the strong scent of his perfume. It overpowered and masked his natural scent. That, was disappointing. But I shrugged it off.

Slowly, I opened my eyes with a soft smirk tugging at my lips, and that must've pissed him off because what he did snapped me from my trance and back to reality.

He pushed me so hard that I slammed hard into the locker behind me.

"What's funny?" he demanded. His fist folded and pressed to my jaw. "What's funny, huh?"

My wolf surged, claws scraping at the inside of my ribs. I swallowed a growl and forced myself to stay calm. Before I could speak, a voice cut through amongst the crowd that had somehow managed to fill the hallway while I was in my trance.

"Hey, hey, hey."

A girl walked forward, picked up the books on the floor, and gave some to the other boys who stood close to the person pissed at me.

"Here," she said. "Take it and leave. Stop bullying the new guy."

Then she walked over to me and placed her hand gently on the guy in front of me.

"Please, Derek," she pleaded quietly. "Please, let him go. He's had enough."

Derek, I repeated in my head. A strong name befitting him.

Derek sighed and released me. Then he smoothed my jacket and ran his fingers through my hair, almost intimate.

"Thank your stars," he murmured.

Then he turned away, motioning to his friends. "Come on, let's get out of here."

The girl turned to me, handing my books to me. "I believe these are yours," she said.

I took them from her and put them inside my backpack. "Thank you," I said softly.

"Just be careful," she smiled. "Derek isn't one to play around. He's very strong-headed and strong-willed."

"I see," I exhaled. "I guess I have no other choice then but to watch out for him."

"Yeah." She paused for a while. "I know you're new. But what grade?"

I slung my backpack over my shoulders. "I'm in 11th grade. I'm a junior."

Her eyes widened. "Really?"

"Yeah," I answered. "Is there anything wrong?"

"No, not really," she smiled. "It's just that Derek is a junior as well."

That did come as a shock to me, but I wasn't going to let this girl in front of me know.

"Derek is somewhat new here as well," she added. "His family moved here last year, so I guess it affected his studies, and he had to start from a lower grade."

"That's pretty much my story as well," I chuckled under my breath. "That's why I'm starting off in the 11th grade."

"Oh, I see," she nodded. "So what's your schedule like? Are you in the AP track or are you just standard?"

"Standard," I answered.

"That's us three then," she said.

"Three?" I asked, confused.

"Yes," she smiled. "You, Derek, and I. Oh, I totally forgot. I'm Bri, Bri Holmes. The guy you pissed off earlier is Derek Jack. And you are?

"Ethan Hale."

She stretched her arm out to me, and I took it. We shook hands for a few seconds before she continued.

"So you see... we're all on the same track. Derek and I have just normal core classes. I supposed your the same."

I turned my head slightly. "Yeah. Yeah, I am."

She burst into laughter.

"Just as you've planned to stay away from Derek, you end up in the same class with me," she chuckled. "How ironic."

I adjusted my backpack and glanced down the hallway Derek had disappeared into. My jaw still ached. My wolf paced restlessly inside me. Despite everything, anticipation curled low in my stomach.

I didn't know why Derek hid his scent. I didn't know why my instincts reacted so strongly to him. But one thing was certain. I was going to see him again.

And some reckless, dangerous part of me was already looking forward to it.

Back in class, Derek sat far to the left, sprawled like he owned the room, his presence was a constant pressure, and I felt it even when I refused to look his way. Bri, on the other hand, stayed in the front row, turning around often enough to check on me, her concern was persistent. By the time the final bell rang, my shoulders ached from holding myself so tightly in place, as I played the role of a good human kid.

Bri didn't give me a chance to walk off alone. She fell into step beside me the moment we were released from class, talking freely as she guided me through the crowded halls and toward the lunchroom.

The moment we stepped in, the loud noise hit us. Laughter, clattering trays, the sharp smell of food, and bodies packed way too close together. My wolf bristled at the chaos, senses stretching too wide, but Bri didn't seem to notice as she grabbed a tray and nudged one into my hands.

We moved down the line together. I picked at the options without giving them much thought, while letting her chatter fill the space as I focused on staying calm. When we finally sat, she chose a table near the edge of the room. She wanted to be close enough to watch everything but still far enough to avoid the center of attention. She smiled at me as she unwrapped her food.

"So," she said, tilting her head. "What do you think of Silverwood High so far?"

I exhaled slowly, glancing around the room. "It's... loud," I said honestly. "But I've been to worse, so I won't say anything further."

She laughed softly. "Yeah. Just give it time. You'll find your rhythm. There's a place for everyone in this school. You won't believe the type of crazies that are around us everyday but because they play along as one of us, you'd never know."

"What are you talking about?" I asked.

"What?" she asked like she had just forgotten what she just said a few seconds ago. "Did I say something?"

"Yeah... you did," I muttered. "But I guess you don't remember."

"Oh," she sighed. "I'm sorry."

That was when the air shifted. The sound of the lunchroom dulled, like someone had turned the volume down just enough for instinct to take over. I didn't have to look up to know he was there. My spine tightened, every nerve lighting up in warning.

A shadow fell across the table, and cold splashed over my chest.

The shock of it drew a sharp breath from my lungs as liquid soaked into my shirt and slid down my skin. Gasps rippled nearby. I looked up slowly, meeting sharp blue eyes already fixed on me.

Derek stood there, his empty cup tilted in his hand.

"Oh," he said flatly. "My bad."

His lips twitched just enough to tell me it wasn't.

"Derek!" Bri rose from her seat. "What is this, Derek?"

"I said it was a mistake, didn't I make that clear?" Derek chuckled. "Or do you want me to get on my knees and blow your new boyfriend's shirt dry?"

That caught my attention as my breath caught.

I rose slowly, taking off my jacket. Then I turned to Derek, our eyes instantly locking with each other. I pressed my drenched jacket against his chest.

"Go ahead," I said in a low but rough voice. "If it was a mistake... then go ahead and blow it dry."

This caused him to freeze. He was clearly in disbelief. He turned to his friends around, making sure they were all witnessing the same thing. Then he turned back to me with a dead smile.

"And what if it wasn't a mistake?" he asked. "What are you going to do about it?"

Bri reached out to me. "It's okay, Ethan," she said. "We don't want to make this bigger than it already is. Please."

I turned my head slightly towards her, then I exhaled. "Fine."

I let it go. Not because Derek deserved mercy, but because I didn't want to give him the satisfaction of seeing me react the way he expected.

Bri let out a breath she'd been holding and gently tugged at my sleeve. "Come on," she said quietly. "I've got something you can change into, and don't you worry. It's gender neutral."

I looked down at my soaked shirt and nodded. "Yeah. That'd be good."

She smiled in relief and gathered her things, already turning away from the table. I followed her without looking back because I didn't need to. Still, I could feel Derek's stare burning into my spine.

We had barely taken three steps when I felt the air around us charged and filled with anger. Footsteps closed the distance fast.

"Hey."

We stopped.

I turned slowly, already bracing with anticipation. Derek stood there with his jaw tight and his hands clenched at his sides. His friends hovered behind him. They were all silent now and uncertain of his next move.

Something ugly twisted in his expression. I could tell being ignored didn't suit him.

"You think you can just walk away from me?" he asked.

Bri shifted closer to my side. "Derek, please. We're done here. We're leaving."

He didn't even look at her as his eyes stayed locked on mine. And spirits help me... I liked it.

"There's a bathroom near the gym," Bri murmured to me. "I have a spare shirt in my locker. It's a bit oversized, but I believe it will suit you perfectly."

"That's convenient," Derek sneered. "Letting him play dress-up now?"

I smiled before I could stop myself. That did it.

He stepped forward and shoved me hard in the chest, only this time, I didn't move. I planted my feet and lifted my chin. His palm struck me again, harder this time.

Pain flared, but so did something else. It caused Derek to hiss, yanking his hand back like he'd touched fire. His fingers curled inward, his face flashing with shock.

I felt it then. The solid resistance of my body. The way his strike had done more damage to him than to me.

My wolf purred.

"You should be careful," I said quietly. "You might hurt yourself."

His breath came fast. His eyes flicked down to his hand, then back to my chest, as if trying to understand how that had just happened. Before he could react again, a sharp voice cut through the tension.

"What is going on here?"

A teacher approached quickly, eyes scanning the scene. The spilled drink, my damp clothes, Derek's clenched fist.

Bri straightened immediately. "Sir, we were just leaving."

The teacher nodded, gaze lingering on Derek for a second too long. "You two. Go. Now."

Bri didn't hesitate. She grabbed my wrist and pulled me forward. As we passed Derek, I leaned in just enough for him to hear me.

"That really was a mistake," I murmured.

His breath hitched. I didn't look back, but I felt his stare follow me all the way out of the lunchroom. My chest still tingled where he'd hit me.

And I couldn't wait for the next time he tried again.

The final bell rang, and just instantly, the hallway exploded with kids moving around. Lockers getting slammed, voices overlapping, and footsteps rushing past like everyone's afraid of being left behind.

I remained where I was, as I had managed to convince myself that I was waiting for Bri. That I didn't know my way around the school well enough to leave.

But that was a lie. A lie I didn't bother correcting.

Bit by bit, the noise reduced in the hallway, stretched tight with the faint smell of cleaner and body sweat. But I focused on my locker, twisting the dial way too slowly as I pretended to be memorizing the combination.

My shoulders itch like I am being watched, and the feeling crawls under my skin no matter how many times I shift the weight. I should leave. I knew that. The sooner I returned home, the sooner I relaxed.

Still, I lingered, listening to the last few students laugh as they disappeared around the corner. My heart was beating too fast for a moment that should have been ordinary. My chest tightened as the hallway emptied.

I'm halfway through pretending I don't feel anything when Bri's voice came through.

"Hey," she said in a soft voice.

I look up to see her standing a few lockers down, her backpack slung over her shoulder, and her red hair catching the light. She smiled when our eyes met.

"You disappeared pretty fast after the final bell," she said, walking closer.

I shrugged, because I didn't know what else to say. I couldn't be honest with her. And Bri didn't push it. Instead, she leaned against the locker beside mine, close enough that I could catch the scent of her shampoo.

Her gaze flicked over me in a quick but subtle pass.

"Are you okay?" she asked in a low tone.

I nodded automatically, even though my chest still felt tight and my pulse didn't slow down. Bri hummed like she didn't believe me, but having no other choice, she accepted it. Or at least, pretended to. She straightened, then used her fingers to brush my sleeves.

"Okay then, we should head out," she said lightly.

I opened my mouth to speak and just then, everything changed.

Derek stepped into the hallway, alone, without his friends behind him. The air tightened around my ribs, and I forgot to move for a few moments. Bri noticed it too. Her hand dropped from my sleeve, but she didn't move away.

When I finally turned, Derek was there. He leaned back against the row of lockers across from us. His hoodie was pulled up. He just stayed there, watching me without making any sound or making any weird facial expressions. His bright blue eyes stayed on me.

This, was what I stalled for. Another interaction with him.

Derek's gaze dragged over me slowly. The corner of his lip twitched, making my stomach twist. Was this what people meant when they said they felt butterflies in their tummy?

Bri shifted beside me, and that's when Derek finally spoke.

"You like trouble, don't you? New guy," he said in a low and even voice. "Or am I just lucky today?"

I swallowed. I met his stare, my heart pounding so loud I feared he might hear it. Then he pushed himself off the locker and took one step closer, then another, till he was short of space. He stood close enough to me that I could feel the heat of him.

"You're blocking the hallway," I said. My voice didn't shake, and for that, I was surprised.

Derek's brow lifted. His eyes narrowed, and for a second there, I thought he was going to laugh. Instead, he leaned closer until my back brushed the cold metal of the lockers behind me.

"Did you just tell me what to do?" he asked quietly.

"I said you're in the way," I repeated.

His hand came up fast, grabbing a fistful of my shirt and pulling me forward. I sucked in a breath. Every nerve ending was lighting up at once. My wolf surged, and it took everything in me not to respond or shove him back. I couldn't let the beast inside me answer to his mere challenge.

Derek froze. His grip tightened for a split second, then it loosened. His eyes searched my face as if he sensed something. Then a hand pressed flat against his chest.

"Alright," Bri said. "That's enough."

She stepped between us without any hesitation. Derek's hand dropped from my shirt. His jaw tightened as he took a step back.

"Is Little Red Riding Hood always going to save your sorry little ass whenever I want to have my fill?" he smirked.

"I don't need anybody to save me from you," I replied almost instantly. "In fact, I believe it is you she's saving."

Derek chuckled once at first. Then he chuckled again, and it grew into a loud burst of laughter. Then he started clapping his hands as he sighed.

"You're funny, new guy," he began. "What's your name?"

"Ethan," I answered. "Ethan Hale."

Derek's hands dropped onto his waist. "Okay, Ethan," he said as his lips curved into a wide grin. "I'm going to make you eat those words. And nobody, not even little redheaded Bri, would save either you nor I. You got that?"

I scoffed. "I understand perfectly clear. I assure you that I'll never need anyone to save me from you."

He laughed under his breath. "Good," he muttered with his eyes flicking to me one last time. "This isn't over yet, you hear? We're not done."

I watched him walk away. My shirt wrinkled from his grip. My body was buzzing with feelings I didn't quite understand.

Bri turned to me, her fingers brushing my arm. "Wow, that was something," she exhaled. "Imagine making an enemy just on the first day of school. I feel bad for you."

"Don't be."

"Huh?" she turned to me. "You must be kidding, right? You just got here, and you've gotten a target on your back. You have Derek Jack onto you... If that's not worrying enough, I don't know what is. Derek is a strong guy, and he's not always this much of a bully to anyone. I'm surprised at how he has it out for you... and over a silly bump."

Bri's hand stayed on mine. "We're leaving," she said.

"Yes, alright," I nodded and followed as we got outside.

I took one step forward and stopped. From the corner of my eye, I could see someone from the pack standing beside a jeep. He was standing beside a dark-colored car near the far edge of the lot, with his arms folded across his chest. He didn't lean against the car. He didn't pace. He simply waited.

My chest tightened.

Bri noticed the shift in me instantly. "Ethan?" she asked softly.

"That's... someone I know," I said, already moving. "I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"

She hesitated, clearly wanting to say something more, but I didn't give her the chance. I lifted a hand in a brief goodbye and crossed the distance before she could argue.

He straightened when I approached, his dark eyes scanning me from head to toe.

"You're late," he said.

His name is Lucas. I have long considered him as my big brother. He was always protective of me since I was little, and has taught me so much, even my father couldn't.

"I stayed after," I replied. "What's wrong?"

That was when his jaw tightened. He unfolded his arms and leaned closer, lowering his voice.

"We have a problem."

"And what kind of problem?" I asked, already knowing the answer wouldn't be easy to take in.

"One of the elders," he said. "From the old territory."

My breath caught. "What about them?"

"They were attacked."

My breath caught.

"By who?" I asked, though my pulse had already begun to race.

His eyes darkened. "The Ashbound."

The name sent a cold ripple through me.

The Ashbound were hunters. Not ordinary ones. They are the kind that burned symbols into their weapons and believed wiping out supernatural bloodlines was a holy duty. The kind our pack had avoided for decades.

"Is he alive?" I asked.

He didn't answer right away, and that was answer enough.

"We're heading back as soon as you get in the car," he said quietly. "Your father wants you home. Now."

I glanced back once.

"Ethan," my brother said sharply. "This isn't a game. We have to move now."

I turned back to him, my chest tight, my wolf restless beneath my skin.

"I know," I said. "If the Ashbounds are here, I don't think we might have the time to settle in this new place."