The Alpha's Runt

In the realm of werewolves, everyone is born with a strength that’s off the charts. They’re built to fight, to construct, to cultivate. They’re gifted with a high intellect that helps them solve problems, assist those in need, and strategize wars.

The typical male werewolf stands no shorter than seven feet, and the average female is at least six feet five.

The children of an Alpha are the strongest, but every now and then, a runt is born into the family. They aren’t shamed, killed, or hidden away.

They’re still cherished by their families, but they’re never allowed to mate for fear of producing more runts—which, in a werewolf’s perspective, could weaken the pack.

Because they aren’t allowed to mate, the runts usually die young. The oldest runt to ever live was twenty-two years old. The youngest to die was thirteen.

Alpha James and Luna Jenna have a runt among their triplets. Their daughters are named Aqua, Misty, and the runt, Mira.

When the girls turn five, a son, Destan, is born.

As the girls grow, they become inseparable and do everything together. By the time Aqua and Misty turn fourteen, they’re an impressive five feet ten while Mira is only five feet two.

By the age of nineteen, both Aqua and Misty stop growing at six feet five, while Mira stops growing at five feet six. Destan, at the age of thirteen, is an impressive six feet and built like a warrior.

One day, the Alpha and Luna receive a letter informing them that Alpha Phoenix Black—an impressive seven feet with anger issues—from the Crystal Moon Pack will be visiting to look for his Luna.

His sights are set on Alpha James and Luna Jenna’s daughters.

Once he picks his Luna, she will be marked in front of the entire pack and taken away.

What will happen when his eyes fall on the beautiful Mira, the runt, the forbidden she-wolf . . . the object of his desires?

***

THE LETTER

19 Years Ago . . .

“Push, baby, push.” Alpha James holds his wife Luna Jenna’s hand as she leans over to push one of their babies out. “You’re doing great, baby,” he encourages her.

Luna Jenna sits back to catch her breath. The pack doctor and three midwives speak words of encouragement. One of the midwives wipes the sweat off Luna Jenna’s forehead.

Her hair is up in a messy, sweaty bun. She leans forward again when the labor pains hit her hard. She squeezes Alpha James’s hand as she pushes.

“I see the head, Luna. You’re doing amazing,” the doctor informs her.

She pushes again and out comes the first baby. The doctor quickly cuts the umbilical cord.

“It’s a girl.” He hands the newborn to Midwife Jackie, who takes the baby girl to clean up.

“Okay, baby, that’s the first one. One more to go.” Alpha James kisses Luna Jenna’s forehead. She only nods as she prepares herself to push again.

Jenna leans forward once more and begins to push.

“I see a head, Luna. Keep pushing!” the pack doctor urges her on.

Luna Jenna screams as she pushes with all she has, and out comes her second baby.

“It’s another girl.” The pack doctor cuts the umbilical cord and hands the baby over to the second midwife, Susan.

“Congratulations, Alpha and Luna, on your twin dau—” He stops talking when Luna Jenna starts to breathe heavily again.

“What is it, Doctor!” Alpha James holds his wife’s hand as she leans forward again and begins to push.

“I believe she’s pushing a third child.”

Alpha James’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise. During all the sonogram visits, they’d only seen two girls. Not a third.

“I see a head.” The pack doctor calls for the third midwife, Carrie, to stay by his side.

Luna Jenna gives one final push and out comes another girl.

Both the pack doctor and Midwife Carrie exchange a look after he cuts the umbilical cord. She quickly wraps up the baby and takes her to clean her up.

Luna Jenna finally falls back against her bed, relieved of giving birth.

“My babies . . .” she whispers with exhaustion.

Midwives Jackie and Susan come back with the first two girls all cleaned up and wrapped in pink striped blankets and a white hat decorated with pink owls.

Alpha James holds both his daughters as tears flow down his cheeks. He’s overjoyed to be a father.

“Where’s my third daughter, Doctor Pryce?” Alpha James looks at the doctor.

“Alpha, Luna . . . Your third daughter . . . she’s a runt.”

James and Jenna look at each other then back at the doctor.

Luna Jenna speaks. “Bring me my baby. I want to hold her.”

Doctor Pryce nods. “I’ll have Midwife Carrie bring her to you, but only for a short while. She needs to be in an incubator for at least a month.”

Jenna’s tears run down her face at the thought of not having her baby with her for an entire month.

“I’ll be back, okay?” Doctor Pryce turns to the new parents. “Congratulations on your new family.” He smiles and walks out.

“James,” Jenna whispers.

“Everything is going to be all right, my love.” He smiles at his wife. “We still need to name these two right here.”

Jenna smiles and points to her baby nestled in James’s right arm. “Aqua.”

James nods then looks at the baby he lovingly holds in his left arm. “And your name will be Misty.” His eyes are full of love and admiration as he stares at his wife. “I’m so proud of you, babe.”

She smiles tiredly at him.

The door opens and Nurse Carrie walks in with their youngest daughter. Jenna holds out her arms, and Nurse Carrie carefully places the tiny girl in her mother’s arms.

Jenna smiles at the black hair on top of her baby’s head. She holds her close to her heart, inhaling her new baby scent that’s now engraved in her heart forever.

She bends her head down slightly to kiss her forehead. As she does, the baby opens her eyes, making Jenna gasp.

“What is it? Is she okay?” James quickly voices his concern.

Jenna only smiles, shaking her head. “Her eyes are the color of lavender.”

James’s eyebrows shoot up in surprise.

“My beautiful baby girl.” Jenna’s voice is soft as she kisses her baby’s forehead. “My beautiful Mira.”

***

Present Day

Alpha James is sitting in his office, holding a letter from Alpha Phoenix Black. The letter says that Phoenix is looking for a mate to become his Luna and start a family with.

One of James’s daughters.

He lays the letter open on the desk, rubbing his temples.

Luna Jenna walks in, sensing her mate’s distress. She comes up behind him and starts rubbing his shoulders. James leans his head back against her chest.

“What’s bothering you, my love?”

He sighs and hands her the letter to read. Jenna takes it and sits down to read it.

Her light green eyes meet his, clearly unhappy with what she’s just read. “Shit!” Jenna walks over to a sofa and sits down, shaking her head.

“We can’t let that giant brute marry Aqua or Misty.” She shakes her head again. “The man is . . . huge . . . scary . . . huge.”

James chuckles. “You said ‘huge’ twice.”

“I did, didn’t I?” Jenna laughs with him. “I have to contact the Council to officiate once he makes his choice . . . if he makes a choice.”

James runs his fingers through his thick black hair.

Jenna gets up and sits on James’s lap. His arms wrap around her waist. He can feel her sudden sadness.

“What’s wrong, honey?”

Jenna slowly shakes her head, taking a deep breath. “It’s Mira . . . She’s been weak for the past two weeks.”

“I have noticed.” James’s eyebrows furrow. “Just this morning I caught her because she lost her balance going down the stairs.”

Jenna turns in his arms to look at him. “Why didn’t you tell me, James?” she scolds.

“I didn’t want to worry you, honey.” He sighs, knowing it was a bad decision from the glare in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” he quickly apologizes. “Where is Mira now?”

“With Destan.” Jenna smiles. “He loves Mira so much. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his sister.”

“Well, he can keep Mira company while Alpha Black is here looking for a Luna,” James states.

“Please. Destan won’t allow anyone within a foot near Mira, and Alpha Black is no different.” She stands up as she flips her light honey-colored hair.

“Well, I’ve got some preparations to do, and you have a call to make.” Jenna walks out of his office to have a chat with her girls.

James reaches for his cell phone in his pocket and dials the number of the wolf council. On the fourth ring, someone finally picks up.

“Hello? This is Alpha James.” He pinches the bridge of his nose.

“Hello, Alpha James. How can I help you?” the soft female voice on the other line asks.

“Uh, yeah, I need to speak to one of the councilmen.”

“And what is the reason for your call?”

James rubs his forehead, frustration starting to surface. “To officiate a possible mating.”

The lady clears her throat. “One moment, please.”

Alpha James sits back as he waits for one of the councilmen to speak to him. After a couple of minutes, he hears someone greet him.

“Hello, Alpha James, this is Councilman Gregory. I understand one of your daughters may be picked for a mate.” He sounds so cheery. “Who is the lucky Alpha?”

Alpha James takes a deep breath. “Alpha Phoenix Black.”

The other line goes silent.

***

Mira is in the garden picking fresh flowers for her room. She picks violets, holding them up to her nose to smell them.

“Hey, what are you doing?”

Mira doesn’t need to turn to know it’s her little brother, Destan. He sits next to her, leaning against his palms with his long legs stretched out.

“I’m picking new flowers for my room.” She smiles up at him.

“Would you like some help?”

Mira looks at her loving brother. His green eyes are always warm and loving when he looks at her.

He has messy dark brown hair like his sisters—except Mira, who has dark black hair. He is the exact image of their father while the girls look like their mother.

Aqua and Misty have gray eyes like their father while Mira has lavender eyes. How that color is even possible is beyond her comprehension.

Mira doesn’t mind though. Her big lavender eyes make her stand out, especially with her dark black hair.

She remembers when Destan was born and how she’d helped their mother to care for him. By the time he was seven years old, he’d already passed her, but she still treated him like her baby.

They are very attached, even now.

It breaks her heart how much he will suffer when she passes away. Which will be very soon. Mira knows what happens to runts like her.

The fact she’s lasted this long with her family is a blessing in itself.

Mira has been feeling the symptoms of her life draining for the past two weeks. She’s been losing her appetite and has lost some weight.

She knows Destan has noticed, and he’s been hanging around her much more than usual.

“Mira? Are you okay?”

She looks into his concerned eyes and smiles. “I’m fine, Destan.” She stands up as she holds her flowers. “I’m ready to go inside now.”

Destan gets up, grabbing her hand as they walk together back home. “Mom has an announcement to make.”

“Oh, okay. Let’s not keep her waiting.”

They both walk into the family room, where Luna Jenna sits waiting for their arrival along with Aqua and Misty.

“Ah, there you both are. Have a seat.” She waves toward the two empty seats. Once she has everyone’s attention, she clears her throat.

“Your father and I have received a letter from Alpha Black of the Crystal Moon Pack informing us that he will be coming here to find a Luna among you ladies.” She points to Aqua and Misty only.

Both women give her a look that screams, “We’re not thrilled.”

Misty is the first to let her annoyance bubble over. “Mom,” she sighs, her voice heavy with frustration. “I don’t want to be his Luna. Or any Alpha’s Luna, for that matter.” Her teeth grind together.

“I do, but not with him,” Aqua chimes in, her voice equally irritated.

“Girls, listen . . .” Luna Jenna starts, but she’s cut off.

“No, Mom. That’s my final answer.” Misty stands, her anger radiating off her. She’s a stunning she-wolf, her body toned and muscular, a testament to her skills as a fighter.

Aqua, on the other hand, has curves more like Mira.

“Aqua and I should have a say in this. Just because some big bad wolf decides to drop by looking for a Luna doesn’t mean we have to roll out the welcome mat.” She’s about to storm off when Luna Jenna nods.

“You’re right, Misty. You are.”

“So call Alpha Black and tell him not to bother,” Aqua suggests.

“I wish it were that simple, but he’s already on his way. He’ll be here by tomorrow night.” Luna Jenna rises from her seat, brushing off her jeans.

“I need to talk to your father.” She walks off, leaving to find Alpha James.

“You dodged a bullet there, Mira,” Aqua says, a smile playing on her lips.

“Oh, he can’t be that bad,” Mira chuckles. “You didn’t even give him a chance.”

“He doesn’t need a chance when he’s not wanted,” Destan adds.

“I’m with Destan,” Misty says, her voice flat. “Besides, I’m training to be a warrior. Playing the dutiful Luna and raising kids isn’t exactly my dream future.”

Mira looks down at her hands, a pang of sadness hitting her. She’ll never get to experience the life she’s always wanted.

Misty, seeing Mira’s expression, instantly regrets her words. She’s casually tossing aside the very thing Mira wants most.

“I’m sorry, Mira... I wasn’t thinking...”

“It’s okay, Misty. You shouldn’t have to hide your feelings just for me.”

Destan shoots Misty a warning look, and Aqua does the same. Mira, noticing the exchange, quickly changes the subject by asking Aqua about her reasons.

“I get why Misty doesn’t want to meet him, but what about you, Aqua?”

“My heart already belongs to someone else,” she says, her voice dreamy, her face matching her tone.

“Does Dad know?” Destan asks, raising an eyebrow.

“And who is it?” Misty teases.

Aqua turns to Destan, giving him that “you’re such an annoying little brother” look. “No,” she rolls her eyes.

“And don’t you dare say anything. We want to be the ones to tell Mom and Dad about our plans to mate.”

“Eww... when you put it like that, it just sounds... gross.” Destan scrunches up his nose.

“Oh, shut up, Destan.” Aqua throws a pillow at him, laughing, but he catches it before it hits his face.

“Whaaaaat?” He laughs. “Oh shit!” He takes off running as Aqua chases him, leaving Mira and Misty shaking their heads at their siblings, laughter bubbling up from them.

***

Mira inhales the scent of the violets she’s arranged in the vase Destan filled with fresh water. It’s late when she finally crawls into bed.

She opens her nightstand drawer and pulls out five envelopes. Each one contains a letter for each member of her family. She’s determined to make sure they get her letters before she’s gone.

Mira clutches the letters to her chest, a single tear slipping down her cheek. She prays aloud to the Moon Goddess. “Hello, Moon Goddess. It’s me, Mira, the runt.

“I just want to say thank you for letting me live as long as I have. Thank you for the wonderful, loving, and caring family I was born into.

“All I ask is that my family doesn’t hurt too much when I’m gone. I want them to be happy. And please look out for my little brother, Destan. He’s still young, and... well, you know already.”

Mira turns off her lamp and slides under her covers. Her large lavender eyes watch the moon as its light spills into her dark room.

Her eyes start to flutter shut until she’s fast asleep.