Chapter 3: 3 Meeting the Alpha

“Why is he coming?” I look around the table, and they all stare at me.

“Violet, do you remember what I told you when we were talking about wolves?” Joe tries to calm down, but I know he is worried about the Alpha.

“That I shouldn’t talk about it to anyone. That it was dangerous for me to know the secret, but also dangerous if I didn’t.” I recall.

“And…” Joe wants me to go on.

“That you only knew the secret because your grandpa almost shot a werewolf a long time ago?”

“Exactly, that’s why the Red Wood Forest Pack decided to tell the people who live close by the pack and suggested we own a gun.” Joe tells me again.

Oliver is sitting straight in the chair Joe crafted himself. “By telling you, the Alpha thinks Joe broke a promise his family swore to keep.”

Joe is getting angry again, “But you live here. So I didn’t break any promise!” He is yelling again.

Oliver puts his hands in the air, “You don’t have to convince me. I will be here when he comes and I can tell the complete story if you want.”

“But I am not going to tell anyone. And if I tried to tell anyone, nobody would believe me.” Oliver is just raising his shoulders.

I am about to ask Oliver when the Alpha will be arriving, then there’s a knock on the door.[1] We all freeze.

Rose stands up and goes to open the door. A big man is bending to fit through the doorframe. He looks like Oliver. Dark hair, tanned skin, but he is much bigger and has power radiating off him. His clothes are not formal, just jeans and a t-shirt.

“Welcome, Alpha,” Rose says with a bow. Should I bow too? Joe and Oliver stand up and bow their heads. I just sit and observe everyone’s behavior. The Alpha looks at me, and I give him a small smile. That’s all I can manage. He is looking earnest, and his eyes hold power. He doesn’t return my kindness.

“Let’s all sit down and discuss the punishment,” he growls low.

Joe is about to speak, but Oliver grabs his hand to stop him.

“Alpha, Joe and Rose did what they thought was best for Violet. Also, Joe is convinced he didn’t break his promise,” Oliver states with respect.

Alpha, who probably has a name, I don’t know, doesn’t look at Oliver as he speaks.

“Is he?” he asks, “and why is that?”

Joe is looking at the table and doesn’t make eye contact. “Sir, I believe that the rule isn’t broken. Violet was in more danger if she didn’t know. She lives here with us. So I told her to keep her safe.” Joe’s voice sounds small but is steady.

“Violet isn’t a part of your family. She is a guest, a guest who shouldn’t know a secret that can bring war down on us.” The Alpha growls again.

Rose’s voice saves Joe from a comeback. “She is like a daughter to me.”

“That doesn’t matter,” he cuts her off.

“This is my home.” I say, and meet Oliver’s eyes. He nods for me to continue.

“I’ve lived here for a month and will stay here for a couple more. This is my home.”

The Alpha has a smirk on his face. “You said it yourself, “’staying’’ not living.”

Dammit, stupid language.

I am getting irritated. “English isn’t my first nor my second language. I live here; this is my home.”

“Prove it.” He says that as if I can’t, but I am not a stupid little girl who will cower away. I stand up to go upstairs to get my proof.

“Where do you think you’re going?” Oliver asks before the Alpha could.

I look at them and raise an eyebrow. “I am going to get proof.” I communicate slowly.

“Don’t give me an attitude, human,” the Alpha says with a low voice, and I feel his power hitting me in the face. I just nod and curse myself mentally. It’s not the time to be my sassy little self.

Coming back into the kitchen, I lay the proof on the table. “Here you go.” I say, looking proudly at the loophole.

“What is this?” He asks, touching the letters I received while living with Joe and Rose.

“This is the mail I received during my time here. Look,” I point at the address, “My name and this address together.”

“A guest who’s here for a couple of weeks wouldn’t change their address, right?” Oliver has a little smile on his face, and Joe looks more relaxed.

Alpha lays down the letters, it’s not like he could read them, it is all written in Dutch. My mom likes to send me some drawings from my old neighborhood’s kids. Also, she would pack little envelopes with aromas, like her perfume and my dad’s cologne or flower from the garden. Just last week, she sent me a package with my old stuffed Teddy bear and pictures because I said in a text I was homesick. My mom is amazing.

“This doesn’t prove anything,” he says and looks at Joe.

“Yes it does, I live here. If you want, I can call my… What is the word? “My… municipality? I had myself deregistered.”

Everyone is silent and looking at the Alpha.

“Okay,” he grumbled, “but how can I trust you not to tell anyone?”

I sat down and tried to look very innocent. “I don’t have a lot of friends in USA. I keep mostly to myself except for a couple of close friends from school. I will not tell anyone, I promise.”

“Your promise means nothing to me.”

Oliver is trying to come up with a smart answer but comes short.

“Your pack saved me,” I say, trying for another approach, “I am very thankful for what Oliver and everyone did. Do you really think I would betray the people who saved me from rape and an ugly death?”

I see Joe’s consternation and Rose is covering her face. I bet they didn’t hear the details from Oliver.

“Humans are not to be trusted.” He says, with no expression on his face.

“You’re not giving me a chance.” I answer with a little bit of attitude.

Before the Alpha can react, Oliver steps in. “Let’s give her the benefit of the doubt. She is taking the news very well.”

I haven’t thought about that. Did I take it very well? I feel like I am living in a dream. It’s probably better that way. No one was chasing me; no one wanted to rape me; no one was going to kill me.

Everyone is silent, and Oliver continues: “We need to hear more details about earlier today. Are you up for that, Violet?”

I want to get it over with. “I think I am.”

Rose stands up and passes me a cup of tea.