The Fake Alpha

BRAYDEN

"Come on, son. It is time." My father barges into my room with his head held high. However, my stomach sinks at his words while dread washes over me.

I can't do this.

I look up from my phone and shake my head. "I don't want to."

His calm expression instantly disappears as he grinds his teeth and glares at me. "Son, we have talked about this. You are going to sign the alliance agreement today and the three of you have all agreed to the terms of it."

I shake my head and tuck my phone back into my pocket. "No, dad. You didn't even ask me. You went ahead and decided for me. I have never agreed to anything."

When I was younger, I always did what my father wanted. However, now that I'm about to turn 18, I know better. I've seen what he really wants.

A low growl fills my room as he marches towards me. His feet pounds against the floor and echo against the walls, almost as loud as my pounding heart.

I'm not afraid anymore. However, I still find myself sliding backwards on my bed against the headboard while my heart races.

Through gritted teeth, he growls, "You WILL COME to the meeting, and you WILL AGREE to the terms of the alliance contract. I will not have you disobey me. Not now. Not ever."

Disobey. This isn't disobeying. This is sticking up for what's best for me, which is something he isn't doing as my father and the alpha of the Moon Earth pack.

Before I can throw back a rebuttal, he lunges at me and grabs my arm. Pain shoots through me as his jagged fingernails dig into my soft skin, but I don't say a word as he yanks me off the bed and out of my room.

My eyes sting as I fight back the tears. I'm not going to let him see me as someone weak. I must always look and appear like an alpha, and alphas don't cry.

I repeatedly try to rip my arm from his grasp, but he only clamps his hand tighter around me as additional waves of pain shoot through me.

He finally loosens his grasp a little around my arm when his office comes into view. Unfortunately, it is already too late. I've lost.

My heart twists as the alliance agreement swirls around in my mind. Did the other two really agree to these crazy terms? Granted, we have been friends since we were young, but this goes so far beyond our friendship. If they go through with this, we will cross a line which we can never come back from. Do they really want that?

As we get closer to his office and the meeting room, right next door, my father hisses, "You WILL go through with this agreement. There is NO choice. This will not only secure your safety, but it will allow the pack to grow and prosper."

His two favorite words. Grow and prosper.

When I don't respond, he tightens his grasp around my arm again and growls, "You WILL do this. There is NO other way to keep your secret."

I instantly tense.

I can't have anyone finding out my secret. It will put not only myself at risk, but the pack too.

Reluctantly, I stop fighting and let him guide me to the meeting room. He pauses briefly outside the room and quickly runs his hand through his short black hair with specks of gray, trying to comb his hair back into place.

I, on the other hand, stand there and stare at the door.

Everything will change after the document is signed. My life will never be able to go back to what it was, nor will my friendship with my two friends.

My heart aches while my stomach sinks like a lead balloon. A cold sweat breaks out across my back, as I wish there is another way.

My father plasters on a smile and opens the door. As he pulls me inside, the others turn towards me while my father chimes, "Welcome, everyone. I hope everyone has read the contract."

I try to hold my head high and proudly walk beside him. However, pride isn't what I'm feeling right now.

I glance at my friends, almost begging them to refuse to go along with this. But they don't pay attention to me or my pleas. Unfortunately, I'm not able to tell whether it is because they want this agreement or their fathers won't let them refuse, just like mine.

I politely nod to the two older men as I'm pulled down to the chair beside my father. The conversation turns into incoherent mumbles as I sink deeper within myself. However, after some time, my mind finally clicks and starts working again when my father asks, "Does anyone have additional clauses they would like to be added to the document? We can handwrite them at the bottom."

Heck, yes I do.

I bolt up out of my chair and look at my friends. With a conviction I didn't have earlier, I confidently reply, "We can't mark each other until we are 30 and haven't found our true mates. If we find out mates, this contract relationship is void and ends immediately."

A wave of heat flows off my father as his fingers tighten around his pen.

I quickly look at my friends and, with my eyes, beg them to agree.

Luckily, the other alphas nod and in unison say, "I agree."

I rejoice is my only victory for today. By the low growl rolling out of my father says he isn't happy, but I have a feeling everyone will thank me for this later.

Even though there is no chance for me to ever find my mate, I can't live with myself if I know I've blocked my friends from finding and claiming their mates.

Reluctantly, my father adds that clause to the multiple identical contracts and grunts, "Is there anything else we need to add?"

The corners of my mouth curl slightly upwards, but I quickly stop myself from actually smiling. It will only enrage my father more if he sees me smile.

I slowly sit back down in my chair. Within minutes, I'm signing my life away. My heart aches, but if this is the only way to keep my secret and to protect my pack, I will learn to live with it.

I breathe a sigh of relief when my father puts his pen down on the table and announces, "The alliance agreement is finalized." He looks at the other two alphas and adds, "Why don't we leave our kids to talk out some of the finer details while we go discuss some pack business?"

The three older men get up and leave the room. As soon as the door shuts behind them, I push myself away from the table and stand up. I have nothing to say to them right now. I still can't believe they didn't try to stop this.

As I turn to march out of the room, my feet stop and my breath hitches.

"Bryanna. Why..."

I whip back around and glare at them. "You aren't to use that name in public. Only when we are in private and alone."

Jacob flashes me a crooked smile. His eyes sparkle as he waves his finger around in the air. "We are alone. It is only us three in here."

He rests his arm on the table and gives me a cheesy grin, almost daring me to slap it off him. His t-shirt stretches tight against his muscular chest and accents his well-defined muscles. He has a true alpha body.

The sparkle in his light brown eyes shimmers as he leans forward. In a deep, husky voice, he adds, "We know all your secrets. Plus, we can see your true self. The one nobody else can see because of the magic spell. Should I go on?"

My heartbeat echoes in my ears as I stumble forward. How could he act like this?

Hunter slides next to Jacob and rests his arm on Jacob's shoulder. His t-shirt also stretches tight and clings to every muscle. Just like Jacob, he gives me a cheesy grin while something mischievous swirls in his dark brown eyes.

He points to a copy of the alliance agreement on the table and, in an almost seductive voice, he adds, "We were the ones who suggested to add the contract relationship to the alliance agreement. It wasn't our fathers."

I stumble forward again and fall back in my chair.

What? How could they do this without asking me first?

Brayden

** Seven years later **

"Bry, baby, we have a situation to attend to."

I look up from the computer monitor as Jacob struts into my office with a folder in his hand. His devilish grin is the first thing to greet me, but the sparkle in his light brown eyes warns me it isn't all business that he is after.

I raise an eyebrow. "Why do you always start a sentence with Bry, baby, when you want me to do something for you?" I motion my hand for him to continue. "Tell me what you want me to do."

My eyebrow raises even higher at the mischievous look in his eyes as he sits down in front of my desk. "I got a phone call from a pack way out along the edge of the werewolf territories. They need our help."

Ah. There it is.

I sigh. "So, you want me to go out to the territory for you, since you can't go. Why can't you go?"

He slides to the edge of his chair. His eyes shimmer even brighter as he replies in a deep and sexy voice. "Baby, you know I have the outing with my father. You and Hunter agreed to pick up my load while I was off with the family. Are you backing out on me now?"

I shake my head. "No. I'm not backing out. However, I have a feeling there is something a little more to this trip than just a family outing and you refuse to tell me. We have been in a relationship for over 7 years now and friends since we were old enough to talk. I know you better than you know yourself. You are up to something."

He shrugs his shoulder as if he doesn't know what I'm talking about. However, I can't miss his slight gulp, which proves he is up to something. I just need to figure out what.

"Bry, baby, I'm not up to anything. You can ask Hunter."

A snort escapes from me as I stare at him. Is he serious? Hunter will cover for him, no matter what. I would have better luck asking some random person in the pack than Hunter.

I narrow my eyes and point my finger at him. "I don't believe you. However, a pack is in need. I'll go help them, but do you have any information on them and what exactly do they need help with?"

He leans forward and sets a folder on my desk. As he points to it, he chimes, "Everything should be in there. If not, you can let me know, and I'll get whatever else you need."

I glance down at the manilla folder and take a deep breath. How do I let him talk me into these things? Oh, yeah. Because I love the big goof.

I pull the folder towards me and open it up as he replies, "The first thing is, they need a good security check. They are having problems with rogues. However, once the securities are enhanced, I'm sure they will need some better training. Whatever they are doing right now doesn't seem to work if the rogues are attacking all the time."

I nod as I scan through the information, and he adds, "The pack isn't too big, but it is big enough that they shouldn't be having these problems. I'm sure you will whip them into shape in no time."

Ah, there it is again. Me doing all the work. I really need to change how our relationship works. The same goes for Hunter. Between the two of them, I always end up doing all the work.

I take a deep breath and look up from the folder. "You owe me. I'll need to add it to the growing list of things you owe me for."

He flashes me his famous puppy dog eyes and pouts, "Oh, com on, baby. I'm not that bad. Maybe you are thinking of Hunter instead."

I raise an eyebrow and snort. "I know exactly who I'm talking to, and your cute puppy dog eyes won't work on me anymore."

He leans forward and rests his arms on the edge of my desk as the sparkle in his eyes grows brighter. In a deep, husky voice, the same one he knows drives me crazy, he teases, "Are you sure? I think I'm winning already."

Dang it. I hate it when he knows he is right. However, I'm not giving in so easy this time.

I sit up straight in my chair and grunt, "Yeah, I'm sure."

My stomach flutters as his pout disappears and his devilish grin reappears. He slowly stands up and as he walks around the edge of my desk, I can't stop my betraying eyes as they roam his muscular body and stop at his chest. His black shirt stretches tight against his muscles, outlining each one to perfection.

Gulp.

He stops beside my chair with our eyes still locked with each other, and in a soft and sexy voice, he has me dripping wet and soaking panties as he purrs, "Are you still sure?"

He leans forward as I slowly nod. However, my confidence is now gone.

As he slowly turns my chair towards him, he shakes his head. "I don't think so."

My core throbs while he slowly scans my body. I can almost feel his eyes looking right through my clothes at my naked body.

His eyes stop on my chest and darken. "I'm so glad that Hunter and I are the only ones who can see your true form. I can't imagine letting anyone else devour you. You are only for me and Hunter to ravage."

Almost as if Hunter has heard his name being called, he dashes into my office. However, I don't take my eyes off the god-like body in front of me.

Click.

My heart hammers against my chest as Hunter whines, "Jacob, you know you aren't to start without me. Plus, this is going to be our last night together before everyone leaves. We are going to make it special."

A shiver runs through my body as his voice drops to that sexy tone I love with his last few words.

I'm going to make sure to make my trip fast. I don't want to be away from these two for too long.

As Hunter rounds the corner of my desk, he pulls off his shirt and tosses it to the side. At the same time, Jacob gives me his all-knowing grin and stands upright while he takes his shirt off too.

Lord have mercy. How am I supposed to deny these two works of art?

I muster up what little courage I have left and softly whine, "Not in my office." However, it doesn't come out as a demand, instead it sounds more like a question.

Hunter flashes me a brilliant smile as he stands next to Jacob. "We want tonight to be special. So, we are starting in your office. Then, at some point, we will make it home to continue in our bedroom."

Jacob licks his lips as he scans my body again. "We also have a gorgeous little black lacy nightie we want to see you in. I want to know if my imagination is true about how amazing and sexy you will look in it. I bet you will look better than other woman."

I ignore the slight pain in my heart as my chest heaves and my heart races.

Hunter steps forward and, as he leans in towards me, he adds, "We are the luckiest alphas to have such a gorgeous and amazing omega."

Jacob nods and also leans down towards me. "Yes, we are the luckiest alphas alive to have Bryanna as ours."

Brayden

I sigh and grumble under my breath as I fight to keep my eyes open. How could those two idiots not let me sleep? Well, we got a few hours this morning, but clearly it wasn't enough. I can't argue too much though. I was screaming for more last night, which they did as I requested.

However, the next time I talk to them, I'm going to give them an earful.

Unfortunately, I didn't have enough time this morning. But when I finally corner them, they will wish they didn't pull a stunt like that.

I ease up to the front of Yellow Moon's pack house, which is about average for its size. However, the white paint is chipping, and the flower beds need to be weeded. I can't tell what flowers are even in there with all the weeds hiding them. If this is any sign of how they run everything else, I've got my hands full.

As I step out of the vehicle, a tall, dark-haired man walks out of the building and calls out, "Alpha Brayden. I'm so glad you could come on such short notice. I didn't know if my request would be looked at since we are such a small pack."

I give him my professional smile and shake my head. "Alpha Blake. All packs are important. You shouldn't have worried."

As I walk around the front of the vehicle, he meets me and greets me with a handshake.

He adds, "My father had told me that our pack is too small for packs like yours to worry about, unless we have something important that you want. Sorry, I should have believed in our alliance agreement more than in my angry father."

My eyebrow raises up as his words swirl around in my head. I'm going to have to make sure that other packs aren't thinking the same thing.

The quickest way to break up an alliance is to plant a seed of doubt within it. I don't have a seed right now. I think I might have an entire forest.

I'll add that to the already growing list of things to address with him and the pack elders.

A slight frown appears on my face as I ignore his comment. "So, I've read your email with your initial request. Is there anything else that you would like for me to look at while I'm here, or do you want me to do a full review of everything? To be honest, I'll probably catch more with a full review. I have a feeling there are plenty of things you don't even know you need to change or improve on."

I glance back over at the pack house. This is only the first thing of many that needs to be fixed.

He flashes me a bright smile. "Really? You would do a full review of everything?"

I turn my attention back to him. With a smile and a nod, I answer, "Yes. I honestly think that would probably be the best approach. It will take me longer to do, but I think it is the only way for me to identify everything that needs to be done. Will you be able to devote enough time to sit with me, so I can go to that depth?"

His smile doesn't falter as he shakes his head. "I've asked my younger brother, Zack, to be your point person for me while you are here. Someday, he will make an amazing Alpha to some pack. Honesty, he is better at it than me. However, he still hasn't met his omega mate."

I stare at him for a moment before I ask, "Why do you think he will be an alpha of a pack and that his mate will be an omega? It is rather common to have a beta mate. Plus, there aren't too many packs with omega heirs who are looking for their alpha mates. You know it is very rare."

He nods his head. "I know, but you will understand when you meet him. He is clearly fated to be an alpha of a pack, even the elders say so. He just needs to find his omega mate."

My stomach twists, but I ignore it and mentally shake my head. It is just a coincidence.

I walk past him to the other side of the car. "I'll get my things and then you can show me where I'll be staying and where I'll be working. Once I put my suitcase in my room, I'll come back down, and we can get started right away. I would like an overview of the pack and the current lines of defense. Then I also want a to do a walkthrough of the area. In addition, I want to watch your training sessions."

As I open the passenger's door, Blake follows right behind me. "Wow. You aren't kidding when you say you are going to look through everything. Okay. I'll start with you, but when I need to leave for a meeting, I'll have Zack take over and finish everything. Then you can proceed tomorrow directly with him."

I toss the strap of one bag over my shoulder and reach in for another bag. "I would like to have daily updates with you, so you know every day the things which I have immediate concerns about. There is no use waiting until I'm done with my entire investigation to take action."

I glance over my shoulder at him as he nods and replies, "Sure. That is understandable. I will make sure we talk at the end of every day."

The hesitation in his voice also sends up another red flag.

I'm not here even ten minutes, and I can see where the issues begin. I also have an idea about how it has gotten to this point.

This is not going to be an easy 'get in and out' review. I have a sinking feeling I'm going to be here longer than I have expected.

***

With my tablet in one hand, I point with my other hand over to a run-down building which looks like it is going to cave in any minute. "What is that building? Why is it in such a state of disrepair?"

Blake sighs. "That building was built and used by my great grandfather. However, after his death, the building was never used again. I'm not sure what is in it. To be honest, no one has gone inside since my great grandfather passed away."

I raise an eyebrow and stare at the building. The exterior shows the many years of neglect, but there is something about it that says there is more to it than what appears.

After a few moments, I take a deep breath and turn my attention back to my tablet. I add additional notes to my already growing list. At this rate, I may be here for years.

I have never come across a pack who has let things slide to this extent. There has to be something more than what I'm seeing. There must be a cause for it.

I won't believe that it just happened.

As I type a few things into my tablet, Blake asks, "It is about supper time. I know we didn't get to eat with the pack during lunch, but I would like to introduce you to everyone, including my siblings who were busy earlier. Luckily, I could reschedule my meeting this afternoon, but I can't tomorrow. I need for you and Zack to meet each other, so you can start working together."

I look up from the tablet and nod. "That would be great. I have plenty of questions for him, too. You keep saying that he is the one looking over everything. So, I want to get an idea of what his thoughts are about how the current system is working."

A snort instantly spills from him as he shakes his head. "I already know the answer to that. He doesn't like our current systems and says they aren't good enough. He is also the main reason I emailed the request for help."

Well, that is interesting. I think I might like him already. He seems to be the only one with a level head here.

Blake nudges my arm. "Come on. Let's go eat."

I nod and quickly finish typing my notes.

When we get to the dining hall, my heart twists a bit. I don't expect shining and brand-new tables and chairs, but these are so battered, I don't know if they will even hold up.

I quickly make a mental note to ask my father to send our used table and chairs here. We have just gotten new ones in our dining hall, and we have put the old ones in the basement. However, we didn't really know what to do with them.

We have a lot more than they need and they look brand new compared to what they are using now, but if this pack needs things like this, I'm sure I can find other packs who need them too.

A pang of guilt shoots through me. We only replaced our things because they only had a few marks on them. Instead of replacing only one or two, we decided to replace all of them.

Blake smiles at me and motions towards a couple of long tables at the front of the room. "You will sit with me and my family at the head table. My parents are away visiting family, so it will only be my siblings sitting with us, along with my sister's friend. I swear those two are joined at the hip."

I return his smile and nod while we make our way towards the front.

The room buzzes with chatter as people file in and head to their tables. As I sit down next to Blake and scan the area, I ask, "What is on the menu for tonight?"

My stomach quietly grumbles, and I quickly realize I haven't eaten much all day.

He turns towards me and his eyes sparkle as his smile grows wider. "We have something special since you are here. I don't want to ruin the surprise."

Surprise. I may love food, but it ruins nothing by telling me what we are going to be eating.

My eyebrows knot together as I stare back at him. However, I remain silent. Something in his look tells me it will ruin it for him if he tells me.

A deep, husky voice in front of me grunts, "Stop it, Blake. I keep telling you, no one likes these stupid surprises of yours."

Even though the voice has a hint of irritation in it, it sounds sexy and alluring.

Wait. What the heck?

I turn my attention towards the gorgeous voice.

My heart skips a beat as my eyes land on a walking god strutting towards us. His short brown hair bounces slightly as his blue eyes lock with mine.

My breath hitches as his eyes narrow and almost drill into me. He stops right in front of the table and raises his sexy eyebrow, while his beautiful blue eyes scan me. However, I wish something else would run all over my body.

Wait. What am I thinking?

Gulp. Is it getting hot in here?

He leans down and puts his hands on the table while his gaze comes back to mine.

However, his next few words have my world almost grinding to a halt.

"Are you sure you are an alpha? I have never seen an alpha this short."

Shit.