The King's Alpha novel Chapter 1

I grabbed my duffel bag out of the upper compartment of the plane. I also pulled the suitcase for the woman who was sitting next to me. She was in her fifties and we had chatted most of the flight.

“Thank you, dear. I never did catch your name.”

I smiled at her, setting the bag down on the floor. “Vale, Vale Everfell.”

“A beautiful name for a beautiful man.” She winked and I laughed. “Thank you for talking to an old woman like me. I know most people in first class take it because they don’t want to be bothered. I only do it for the leg room.”

Shaking my head, I moved into the aisle and let her take up the spot in front of me. “Honestly, I think my mom books first class for me because she knows I talk too much and would annoy everyone around me. I can’t really sleep on planes. So I should be thanking you for dealing with a whippersnapper like me.”

Her laugh filled the cabin. “Whippersnapper? Sometimes, you don’t seem your age.”

“My Grandpa was a big part of my life growning up. There are some things I picked up from him too.” I blushed slightly.

“My dear Vale, you have a wonderful trip. Make sure you tell that mom of yours that I said she did a damn good job raising you.”

I smiled and nodded. “I will.”

The line of people in front of us started to move and disembark the plane. She thanked me one more time before disappearing into the sea of humans that filled the airport terminal. I followed the flow of people to the exit.

I hadn’t brought any other luggage that my bag and so I was glad I didn’t have to wait for another bag. It was crowded enough. It smelled of humans and it had been years since I had been in such a crowded place. Not only did I tower over most of them, they all stared at me. My hair was currently pulled up into a man bun but I knew the platinum white color was also a beacon for people to stare. It didn’t help that I took after my mom so much.

Taking a deep breath, I was glad I didn’t inherit her height. I don’t know what I would have done being an under 6’ werewolf. Let alone an Alpha. Dad and my brother Týr still were taller than I was but I was happy with my current height. I knew I was more built than them, so I had that going for me.

'Vale!'

My head perked up and I looked around. My face lit up when I saw my mom, standing out even with her 5’6” frame. Her grey eyes somehow had locked with mine but I knew she didn’t see me. I strode over to her and wrapped my arms around her shoulders. Her platinum white hair braided down her back. I inhaled her earthy scent. She smelled like home.

“Mom. I missed you.”

'I missed you, my dear. I’m glad you finally decided to leave that stupid library of yours.' Her mind link came through loud and clear.

I laughed, kissing her forehead. “Please. You saw me two months ago. Or do you want me to tell Dad?”

Her eyes widened and then narrowed. 'Don’t threaten me, son. We know how well that goes.'

I chuckled. “I do. I’m sorry. Who came with you?”

Her smile widened and she took my hand, pulling me outside the airport. My eyes glanced over the line of cars when I saw a man, leaning against the car. He looked immaculately dressed in a suit minus a tie but he smiled at me.

“Grandpa!” I threw my arms around him and I’m sure our little family turned some heads.

He laughed and pulled me into a hug, slapped my back. “Good to see you, Vale. It’s nice not having to brave the High Council castle to see you.”

My mom smiled and brought her hands up. Her sign language was so fast that it took a minute for me track her movements. Morgan, my grandpa, had no issues and laughed.

“Everyone knows I would need dragon fire to melt the stones. No one has that shit laying around and if they did, that castle would have been burned to the ground twenty years ago.”

I coughed out a laugh. “Please don’t. That is still my home.”

Both of them turned up their noses at me. I chuckled and shook my head.

My mom signed at Morgan, still too fast for me. He nodded.

“We should head out. Your bother allowed the borders to be opened for us but only for a few hours.”

I looked at my mom whose face was solemn. She opened the back seat and slid in. I slid in after her.

My Grandpa scoffed. “Fine. I’ll be chauffeur. It’s fine. I’m dressed for it.”

My mom smiled brightly. Her hand came up and touched my face. She brushed her fingers over face and up into my hair, squishing my bun a couple times.

'You’re so grown up.'

“What’s it like feeling the male version of yourself, Auri? Cause frankly, it’s shocking to me how much you took after your mom.” Morgan pulled out of the airport lot.

“I mean, Týr, Freya and Syf all took after Dad. Týr is literally the carbon copy of Dad. I don’t think it’s all that odd that someone had to take after her.”

I felt the shift when I mentioned my brother. My eyes narrowed. “Guys, what is going with the pack?”

Morgan cleared his throat and looked into rear view mirror at my mom. “Auri?”