Chosen Alpha Read online

  Isaiah came into the room, looking stressed. He had stayed in that mood for a few days now, with the pressure from the pack weighing heavily on him. Annalise had tried to cheer him up with jokes, great conversation, and when all else failed, some rom coms on Netflix. However, she didn't have the exact prescription for the woes of a new alpha.

  “There you are, brother. I’ve been meaning to come by and encourage you a bit. I heard that you’re going to choose a mate.” The smile on Orson’s face was sickening, as if he actually thought it was an honor to be forced to practically be in a marriage with someone you weren’t in love with.

  “I thought you didn’t agree with the thought of settling down with anyone,” Isaiah commented, with no power behind his voice. Isaiah just felt drained, and it was made even harder having to go through this in front of everyone. How weak must he look to Hector or to Annalise? He didn’t even know where to begin with Roman. At least he had been kept relatively busy with the investigation, which was still coming up cold. It didn’t help that they could not get close enough to the coven to see if anything else was happening. The fear was it might automatically indicate the coven was involved in the disappearance of one of their own.

  “Hey, I told you that I thought it was okay to do things like Dad did, switching from woman to woman every few years. But for you, I think this is really great. You could use a woman in your bed. You have been sulky for way too long.” Orson slapped his brother on the back with a chuckle. It was reminiscent of a football locker room exchange, and Annalise did not even try to hide her disgust.

  “I am going to find Hector and go on a walk,” she announced, leaving the room. She just was not in the mood to listen any longer to such a conversation.

  Isaiah watched her leave, knowing that she had a problem with his little brother. The two of them had been at odds since she arrived. Perhaps she could sense Orson’s attitude about her, but then again, his personality just was too much for some people. It was even too much for Isaiah sometimes.

  “What’s up hers?” Orson asked, nodding in the direction Annalise went. Isaiah shook his head hoping to direct the conversation elsewhere.

  “It doesn’t matter. Did you really come here to congratulate me on my need to choose a mate? I don’t even know who it should be yet,” Isaiah admitted. He truly didn’t. There was a shortage of women in the pack that were within the right age range, and even less that did not already have a mate. It was not that he didn’t have a right as alpha to take somebody else’s mate, but that just didn’t seem right to him.

  “Oh, c’mon, Isaiah! There must be someone you fancy. I know there aren’t a lot of women, but the ones we have are smokin’ hot.” Orson was having a blast at Isaiah’s expense, but Isaiah was not about to correct him. It was nice to see the fun Orson coming back instead of the dark, resentful one he had seen since Isaiah became alpha. Maybe Orson had finally gotten over the deep issues he held within about their father.

  “I am not saying they aren’t beautiful, but I’m not like you. I would like to be in love if I can. I guess there's just not enough time for that,” Isaiah admitted, with a shrug of his shoulders. “Do you have any helpful ideas, Orson?” he asked, honestly, wondering why he was asking Orson of all people for help. He must really be desperate. There was a slim chance he might have a good answer. If Orson was an expert on anything, it was women.

  “How about this; I’ll come up with a list of all of the beautiful, eligible women and get it to you later tonight. This is one thing I think I would love to help you out with.” Isaiah scoffed at him, but he was grateful. It was depressing that he would have to choose someone to spend his life with off a piece of paper, but that was where he was in life at this moment. It was one duty he knew he was not going to be able to escape; producing heirs for the pack.

  “That would be helpful. Thank you, Orson.” Before Orson could turn around and leave or make another jab at Isaiah, Tamara walked into the house. Isaiah thought idly that he seriously needed to begin locking the door. His father never had, but no one had just walked in there uninvited either. He appreciated everyone’s help, but it was strange to have everyone waltzing in and out as they pleased.

  Tamara looked as if she was on a mission, but then she paused awkwardly, as if a wall had stopped her in her tracks. She saw Orson and instantly looked to the floor. Isaiah remembered their relationship went awry when they were all younger. He had never known exactly what happened between the two of them, but he knew everything changed in how they saw each other after that.

  “What an interesting person to walk into this house during the conversation we were having,” Orson tried to tease, but it just came out flat.

  “Did I miss anything important?” Tamara asked quietly.

  “Just a kind gesture I offered to my big brother,” Orson said before walking backwards towards the door. “I’ll see you later.” Then, he left, and it was as if Tamara could breathe once again.

  “What kind gesture could he have for you?” Tamara asked, knowing she sounded a little sour. She had never told him what had happened for a reason. She did not want the brothers to split up because of her. “Never mind,” she said when Isaiah did not answer. “I am just a little sour this morning for some reason. So, I hear you’re going to be choosing a mate. Is that right?”

  Isaiah nodded, unsure of what Tamara would think about that. She was a bit of a wildcard when it came to the ways of the pack. She was her own person. It was something Isaiah had always envied in her. “Yes. I expected to have to do this at some point. No matter how much I want to be my own person, it is my job to bring some heirs into this equation. With all the pressure on me, it looks like I’ll be doing that sooner than expected.”

  “Do you know who you’re going to choose yet?” she asked. It was kind of a loaded question, and Isaiah knew she must realize she was an option. It wasn’t a life he wanted to put her through, but she was one of just a few young and eligible pack members. Plus, her father had been pushing for a similar arrangement for years. He wanted her with one of the Young brothers and did not care which one. He was a man who was all about glory for his family name.

  “No, I honestly don’t. I will let you know when I do choose. So, what did you need?” Isaiah asked, getting off the subject. He didn’t want to make things strange for her.

  “I came to tell you Roman almost ran into the witches in the woods today. They are coming closer to our territory. He thinks it is to search for something, maybe even to search for Annalise,” she told him. Just another issue, as if Isaiah didn't already have enough to worry about.

  “Alright, I will be in touch with him about this first thing in the morning. Until then, make sure nobody spreads this around. The pack is in a fragile place right now.” Tamara knew that was an understatement. If Isaiah did not get control of things, they would lose some members. She was going to obey her alpha in any case because she believed in him.

  “I will do that.” She bowed her head and left. It was the first time Isaiah was beginning to notice those he was closest to looking at him as their alpha. A bow for her head should have not stirred anything within him, but it hurt his heart. Again, he felt like he was on a different plane than he was before, looking down on everyone else. It was so distant from the life he had just a couple of weeks before.

  It wasn’t too long after Tamara had left that Annalise came back in with Hector by her side. The two of them were talking and laughing, and a twinge at the back of Isaiah’s neck confused him. Why should he care if Annalise was getting along with Hector? The feeling did not die down as he watched her grab onto his bicep and double over in a fit of laughter. It was the happiest he had seen her since he had brought her into the cabin. He felt his fists clench involuntarily, and he wanted to make a comment about Hector’s age. It didn't matter how tall or muscular the boy was, he was still over a decade younger than Isaiah. He was a teenager, a child, even. And how old was Annalise? She had to be at least 21.

  Hec
tor headed for the shower, leaving Annalise and Isaiah alone in the room, Isaiah watched her as she went to the kitchen and grabbed some water before fixing food to eat. She seemed to have made herself at home easily, finding everything she needed without issue.

  “So, it looks like you had fun on your walk with Hector,” Isaiah commented, unsure why there was a harshness to his tone.

  “Well, I try my best not to make this all suck for him, having to be my babysitter when I leave the cabin. I mean, he is like almost five years younger than me. I hate that he has to do that, but all those dirty looks I get when I am out and about make it clear he’s needed.” Annalise shrugged and came over to the couch where Isaiah had since plopped down. Finally at ease, the feeling set in he might be allowed to take a break, just for a couple of hours.

  Isaiah somehow felt better about her hanging out with Hector now that she had mentioned the age difference. He doubted she was romantically interested, then again, why should that matter to him? As soon as the investigation was over, and she could turn at will, she would be packing her bags. She was not a pack member and probably never would be. She was just a temporary piece of furniture in his life. Instead of worrying about her, he needed to worry about who he was going to be building a life with; which female pack member would suit him best. He truly hoped his brother pulled through with that list.

  Annalise plopped down with the cheddar popcorn she had made for herself and rolled her eyes at the stress that was yet again plain on her current roommate’s face. She wanted to make a snide comment about how it was Orson’s fault. He brought stress with him wherever he went. She thought better of it, though, and hit him in the back of the head with a pillow instead. “C’mon, what is going on that has you so stressed this time, alpha?” she asked in a teasing tone. She was always trying to lighten the mood now that she was living with Isaiah. That was not a job she ever thought she would have. She was always the downer of sorts back home.

  “It’s just the usual pressure,” he stated, leaning back into the couch. Annalise saw that he was trying to relax, but he wasn't doing a very good job of it.

  “But you’re the alpha, so, you can tell all that pressure to go and shove it,” she told him, still trying to cheer him up. It was exactly what she was waiting for him to do. It made her angry for him that everyone was trying to push him into doing what they thought was right.

  “There are certain expectations that have been around in the pack for centuries that I do have to meet, Annalise. I cannot just let everyone down because I don't feel like doing something. I will have to take a mate. The whole fate of the pack depends on me making an heir, and they would feel much safer the sooner I could do that.”

  Annalise had been holding back her true feelings on the matter because it was none of her business. She had to admit she had begun to care for Isaiah. She felt invested in what he was going through, that he did not deserve all the trouble he was being put through. Is it worth it all just to be the leader of this pack and to receive respect? She did not think she could hold back anymore. “If you are not ready to choose a mate, then don’t,” she said, flatly. “You should be with whomever, wherever and whenever you want.”

  “It just doesn’t work that way. You would not understand,” Isaiah told her, but she wasn't buying it.

  “What I understand is that you are the alpha. Why can you not go by your will instead of the will of others? I mean, isn't that the point of being a leader?” she asked, getting worked up. She looked over at him incredulously, sitting on the edge of her seat.

  “I am a werewolf, not a witch. I don't just go around doing anything that pleases me regardless of others,” he shot back, shocking her to the core.

  “You sound just like your subjects that are putting this so-called pressure on you,” she told him, standing up and setting down her popcorn. She was disgusted by the comment. It wasn't like he even knew what it was like to be a part of a witch coven. There were still expectations, but the leader was just that; the decision maker, the ruler. “So, I guess now that everyone thinks you’re soft, you are going to prove them wrong by not caving into their every whim?”

  She could tell by the look on his face that she hit him where it hurt. He did not appreciate the weak comments. He stood up and got in her face, anger written all over his visage. However, the heat she felt coming off of his body distracted her from any fight they were having.

  He looked down on her, his jaw hardened, until he saw how close their faces were to each other. If he had just leaned down a little further, their lips could have touched. Isaiah backed up like she had burned him and left the room fuming. He could not let himself get ensnared by the argument or by how beautiful he thought those blue eyes were.

  Isaiah was not sure how Orson had pulled it off, but in front of him was a stack of papers that read a bit like criminal files, although they were on all the young women in the pack he could choose to mate with. Most of the files even had pictures included. Orson really had come through, and Isaiah owed him for that. It also meant, though, that Isaiah had a long night ahead of him looking through all the files.

  Annalise padded into the room in a sweatshirt and a pair of shorts. They had not spoken since the blow up earlier and the almost kiss. He didn't know what had come over him, and he didn't expect things to be the same between them anymore.

  But then he felt her leaning over his shoulder, looking at the files too. “I’m sorry for what I said earlier. It’s your decision. I just don’t like that you’re going through this.” Isaiah did not look back at her as she said it, for fear of seeing those blue eyes again.

  “I am sorry too. I blew up at you and said some things I didn't mean.” It was all he could think of to say right then with those files sitting in front of him.

  “Could you use some help?” Annalise asked quietly, and a sad moment of silence passed between them before he patted the seat next to him. No matter where it came from, help was appreciated.

  CHAPTER SIX

  “So, how does this work?” Annalise asked, looking over all the pictures he had in front of him. She was trying to be objective, but it was hard after what happened earlier that day. Hell, it was hard after living in that house with him and seeing his good heart being ripped in every direction possible. She didn’t like knowing that he was being forced into a union he couldn’t get out of; one where he might never love the person involved. And she could tell, as they went from one woman to the next, that he was not going to fall in love with these women. They were subservient, young, or shallow. Some were all of the above. However, she had promised to help him along with her apology, so that was what she was going to do. She didn't see anyone else sitting by his side and pouring over these strange wifey files right now. Why was it taking a total outsider for that to happen?

  “I guess, I am just supposed to choose the lesser of evils?” he said questioningly. It made Annalise scoff. “I don't mean all these women are evil, I mean…”

  “I think I know what you mean,” Annalise reassured him before looking back down at all the photos. “Is there something specific you’re looking for?”

  Isaiah put his head in his hand and nodded into it. “It needs to be someone who can handle the title, handle the fact that there is a lot of responsibility. It also needs to be someone who understands that I am not my father and who can help me deal with all of the pressure.” Annalise nodded, knowing his suggestions were sound. That was exactly what he needed, but she didn’t understand why a wife was necessary for those things. Couldn’t his brothers and his friends help him with that?

  “Okay,” she said, despite her annoyance with the whole task. “So, let’s start with weeding out the ones you know could not handle any of it. Maybe it’s that they are too young, or they don’t like you at all. It could be anything.”

  Isaiah looked down at the pile in front of him, and he liked how Annalise was breaking it down and making it manageable. It was too bad he couldn't appoint her as an advisor or som
ething for when he just couldn’t handle his own thoughts. If he did, though, everyone would be even more angry with him than they were now. He would lose the entire pack. He was able to pull out two names immediately for the exact reasons Annalise said. Two of the women were not really women. They were far too young. Most alphas wouldn’t even worry about that in the current situation, but he was not most alphas. He wasn’t about to subject a young girl to his life like that.

  “Alright, it looks like we are getting somewhere,” Annalise commented, ready for the process to move along. Maybe if she got caught up in the process, she wouldn’t have to think about what it meant for her. Had she dared to dream that he might kiss her once? Maybe, she had. That was probably the worst thing she could have done to herself. It did not matter that she would be a hybrid now, she would never be welcome. “Now, take out the ones that you don’t like. You can’t possibly be with someone the rest of your life that you can’t stand, right?” She let out a nervous laugh at that, trying to lighten the mood as always.

  Isaiah chuckled a little at that one. She was spot on there. He looked through the stack again and was able to remove three more that he could never see himself being with and then another two who were known to be promiscuous. That was the nicest way to put it. They would never be faithful, even to an alpha, and that could put him and them in a horrible position.

  “Wow, you don’t strike me as the type to dislike so many people,” Annalise commented, nudging him playfully.

  “Well, I have my reasons beyond that for some of these,” Isaiah responded, looking back down at the dwindling pile. There were about ten left if he had to guess. “So, what’s next?” he asked, looking over at Annalise and then regretting it. He had a hard time knowing that someone he had somehow become attached to in such a short while was helping him choose a mate; a wife basically.