Alpha Landon
Author
Midika Crane
Reads
1,2M
Chapters
30
Althea and Landon have been best friends since they were children. Now that theyâve grown up, Althea is developing feelings for Landon, but heâs about to become the alpha of the Power Pack. And neither of their families wants them to be together. Will Althea be able to express how she feels before her family has mated her off to someone else? And when Landon becomes the alpha, will he return Altheaâs feelings or will he have changed too much?
Age Rating: 18+
Disclaimer: Please note that this story is not directly connected to Stolen by the Alpha, which is an immersive and reimagined adaptation of Alpha Kaden. This story is part of the authorâs original version of the Alpha Series, and you can enjoy it as a standalone story!
Chapter One
Althea
Iâm making my way through the tall grass, ignoring the sting and itch on my legs. My thighs are burning from the effort.
Landonâs figure is getting closer, but he stumbles, his ankle caught in a long piece of grass. He trips and falls face first into the field.
Every time I see him, I canât help but smile. Itâs not just our friendship that makes me happy, but the deeper feeling thatâs been growing for five years now.
As far as I can tell, he only sees me as a friend. Iâm pretty sure he always will. But I still cherish every moment we have together, while weâre both still unmated.
I canât help but laugh as I flop down next to him. He sits up, rubbing his forehead. He looks at me through his thick-rimmed glasses, giving me a lopsided smile.
His smile seems to light up the world more than the massive globe slowly lighting up the sky. The grass sways around us in the slight breeze, brushing against my covered arms.
âYouâre so graceful,â I tease, letting my laughter fade. He straightens his thin, lanky legs in front of him. Heâs wearing shorts, which is unusual for this time of the morning.
His fashion sense has always been a bit off, but the quality is always top-notch.
Landon often complains about not being as strong or attractive as the other guys he went to school with.
Heâs a bit too skinny, his eyes can sometimes seem too lifeless, and his hair never stays in one place for very long.
But popular or not, I see Landon as an incredibly generous, sweet guy whose ego isnât tied to the size of his biceps.
This is where my best friend Landon and I always meet upâin the grass paddock at the edge of pack territory.
Today, though, he doesnât seem as excited about whatever happened in the palace he lives in. Usually, the news is thrilling and gives us a good laugh.
The idea of living in a palace, surrounded by opportunities like Landon has, seems like a dream.
But itâs his reality, and sometimes I wish I could experience his stories firsthand. Too bad I wasnât born into an Alpha family like he was.
âSo, are you excited for tonight?â I ask curiously. Tonight is his nineteenth birthday party, and the day he will become my new Alpha. He sighs and looks off across the paddock.
I know him well enough to know heâs distracted. And Landon being distracted is never a good sign.
For years, heâs been looking forward to this day. I donât blame him... Imagine being able to do what you want, rule a pack, and become stronger.
I know this will change our friendship, especially since his need to find a mate to help him rule the pack will become more urgent.
âNot really,â he mutters, running a hand through his soft brown hair so it flops over his forehead. Iâve always loved his hair, especially the way it shines under the warm sun.
Iâm the only one who notices the way those few strands of golden hair intertwine with the rest. I wouldnât say Iâm obsessed, just observant.
âWhy not? This is what youâve been dreaming about since you started school,â I say honestly. Heâs always told me he was bullied at school for being skinny and weak.
Everyone told him he would never become Alpha because heâs too weak.
That kind of talk hits him hard, and now I can tell heâs getting more anxious and overthinking things. He doesnât need to, though.
âIâm not Alpha material,â he sighs, picking at the grass by his side. I tilt my head, then shake it. He canât be serious. I watch him form a pile in front of him.
He knows his way around the pack and has been capable of ruling one since he turned 13. Even his father believes in him, and his father scares everyone in this pack.
âYou know you will phase, right? Think of everyone who wonât,â I say. Iâm stuck in my awkward body forever. And I know that once he shifts, Iâll be just a sad memory of his childhood.
I can see the girls flocking to him, wanting a piece of their Alpha, while I sit on the sidelines, unnoticed.
âYeah...â he drawls.
âAnd when you become Alpha, I can see you more, right?â I ask, punching his shoulder. Landonâs father is strict and doesnât like that he has a girl for a friend.
Just like my father doesnât like Landonâs company for me. Some days I wish people would be less negative toward us.
Itâs not socially acceptable for boys and girls to be friends. Especially at our age, where finding a mate should be our main focus.
âOf course, itâs just... well, my father said Iâll be super busy. And as soon as I phase, Iâm supposed to find a mate,â he mutters, sighing deeply. I feel a pang in my heart.
It still hurts to hear him talk about mates. I know he doesnât mean to hurt me, heâs just clueless.
The thought of him with a mate makes my heart sink.
âWell, then youâre just going to have to find a mate who doesnât mind us being friends,â I say, giving him a smile. He nods. We both know how unlikely that is, even if we donât say it out loud.
âYouâre going to forget about me... when you find your mate,â Landon says gently, taking off his glasses. I canât imagine a life without my little Landon.
I watch him clean the lens with his shirt. I canât believe he would think for a second that I would ever leave him. Heâs more likely to leave me for some beautiful girl.
âI never will, youâre my best friend,â I insist. He smiles and ruffles my hair. I love it when he does that... I silently savor the moment.
âGood. And youâre mine,â he says. I let out a deep breath. Youâre mine.
âSo, youâre going to be my Alpha,â I say, giggling. His deep brown eyes light up at my words. Thatâs it, I know heâs excited about becoming Alpha, and he canât hide it.
He puts his glasses back on. Itâs a big deal, considering the Power pack is sometimes considered the leading pack. Weâve stopped wars, or weâve won them.
âNow youâll have to obey me,â he teases. I pretend to groan in disappointment. That doesnât sound too bad, actually.
Weâre sitting in silence, watching the sun rise.
This is my favorite time of day. Not just because I get to be with Landon, but because everything feels so open, so free. No oneâs around to judge us.
Further into the pack, things arenât as bright and colorful. Army camps are a regular sight within the Power pack.
âHas your dad picked out a mate for you yet?â Landon asks out of the blue. I lay back, covering my face with my hands. Of course he has. Thatâs all he seems to care about these days.
A nice, proper mate whoâs simple, normal.
âHis nameâs Jake. Heâs a total jerk, goes through girls like theyâre disposable,â I mumble. Heâs the son of my dadâs friend. My dad trusts him, so I guess that means I donât get a say.
âWell, I guess I should go get ready for tonight,â Landon says, standing up quickly and brushing himself off. I donât want him to leave.
I know he needs to get ready, but I cherish every moment with him. A few more wouldnât hurt.
Iâm not sure if heâs upset by what I said, but he usually doesnât leave so suddenly.
I watch him go, picking his way through the tall grass.
I sigh, running a hand through my thick hair, wishing time would stop. Wishing Landon wouldnât change. Wishing we didnât have to find mates.
I walk slowly back to my house. Street fights are common around hereâsome people just canât keep their fists to themselves. So when I donât see any, Iâm surprised.
âWhyâs it so quiet?â I ask, tossing my coat onto a chair. My dadâs at the dining table, wolfing down the breakfast my mom made for him.
Theyâre both in fluffy robes, their feet in slippers. Breakfast is a family affair, and itâs a chore. Their mundane conversations get old fast.
âEveryoneâs getting ready for the Alphaâs sonâs birthday,â my dad says, picking up a newspaper. I push my hair out of my face and sit down.
My dad knows exactly whoâs taking over as Alpha. His dislike for Landon is something I canât understand.
âHeâs not just the Alphaâs son, heâs Landon. And heâs my best friend,â I snap. My dad rolls his eyes and takes a sip of his extra-strong coffee. Itâs early, but he has the day off work.
Apparently, Landonâs birthday is a public holiday.
I still remember how we met.
My dad was curious about why the palace was throwing such a big party. Landon was turning seven, and the festival was open to the public. My dad dragged me along, and thatâs when I met Landon.
Weâve been best friends ever since he stole my ham sandwich.
âIâm sure he wonât mind you meeting your new mate at his party,â my dad says, watching as I take a piece of toast from my mom.
I only eat toast for breakfast, especially when itâs slathered in butter.
âIâm not mating with Jake,â I say, biting into my buttery toast.
âNo, not Jake. Cyrus. He wants to go to the Wisdom pack, so heâs smart,â my dad announces, clearly proud of his discovery. Great, another nerd whoâs obsessed with the laws of physics.
Just great...
âNo, thanks.â
âGive him a chance, youâll like him,â my dad says, giving me a crooked smile. Maybe if I meet this guy, my dad will back off. And itâs Landonâs birthday, not mine.
My dadâs determined that I find a mate this year, and sometimes itâs easier to just let him have his way.
âFine, okay. Look, Missy wants me to come over to get ready,â I tell them, quickly excusing myself from the boring conversation. I grab my coat and head out.
Ever since I graduated, my parents have been less strict about where I go and when. Thank God...
Itâs still early, but Iâm tired of my dadâs attitude about this whole mating thing. I understand he wants me to mate with someone successful, but I should get a say.
After all, Iâm the one who has to spend the rest of my life with him.
Itâs not a long walk to Missyâs. I left my dress there earlier, so no matter what, my dad had to let me go. Missyâs a good friend.
She helped me out in high school, and even though she doesnât know me as well as Landon does, sheâs really cool and easy to talk to.
Her house is a cute little cottage with a well-kept garden. My familyâs garden is overrun with weeds and vinesâmy mom prefers cooking to gardening.
I walk up the path and knock on the door.
Missy answers, a big smile on her face that makes me a little nervous. She pulls me inside and slams the door behind us.
She drags me to her room so fast I barely have time to say âhiâ to her mom, whoâs baking in the kitchen.
Sheâs a really excitable person and hopes to one day move to the Freedom pack and find a mate. She doesnât feel like she belongs here, and I donât blame her.
âIâm so excited,â Missy squeals, closing her bedroom door behind us. Iâve always been jealous of her roomâitâs so spacious and modern.
She flops onto her bed, grabs a glossy magazine from under her pillow, and flips it open.
I sit down next to her, a little wary. Biting her lip, Missy holds the magazine up to my face, pointing at a picture of a girl.
âIâm going to do your hair like this,â she declares. I touch my thin black hair, wondering if itâll even hold that fancy updo.
âUh, I donât think thatâs going to work...â
âOh, come on, Althea, let me try,â she begs.
I groan as she yanks a comb through my hair, getting rid of every knot.
By the time sheâs done, my scalp is sore and my eyes are watering a little. I watch her try to do a few small braids before she changes her mind.
âIâm meeting my potential mate tonight,â I say casually, watching Missyâs eyes widen. Her eyes always light up with excitement whenever I mention mates.
Sheâs aware of my dadâs intentions and my long-standing crush on Landon. Sheâs convinced weâre destined to be together, but I keep telling her itâs a long shot.
âI always knew you two would end up together. Your kids will be so beautiful!â she exclaims, her fingers still playing with my hair. My eyes go wide. Sex with Landon? I havenât given that much thought.
The idea makes me squirm uncomfortably.
âHis name isnât Landon. Itâs Cyrus,â I correct her, my tone flat. Her face drops.
âOh...but you and Landon...heâs going to look even more attractive tonight,â she insists. I roll my eyes. She knows me, knows that I value personality over looks.
The party is set to kick off after midnight, so Landon can shift in the privacy of his own home, surrounded by his family.
He tried to persuade me to join, but his dad doesnât think much of me. Besides, midnight parties are pretty much the norm for us werewolves.
âThat means every single she-wolf will be all over him tonight. Heâll eventually forget I exist, and by then, Iâll need to find a mate,â I sigh, fiddling with the edge of my fingernail.
Moving on from a crush Iâve had on Landon for years wonât be easy on my heart, so Iâm trying to brace myself mentally.
âGood thing your best friend is a matchmaking whiz who wonât let you leave that party until you confess your feelings to that clueless boy,â Missy declares, jabbing a hairpin into my hair with a bit too much force.
I wince, biting back a string of curse words Iâd love to let fly.
Time will tell, fate will do its thing. Iâm not a member of the Purity pack, but Iâve convinced myself that heâll choose whoever he thinks is the best fit for him.
I just hope itâs me...
