The Alpha & I

Sirena stared up at the strange man with unbelieving eyes. He can’t be dying, they had only just found each other as mates.

Zero quickly introduced himself and the white-haired, red-eyed woman as Asha. Zero was a well-built stern muscled man with short spiky brown hair that had streaks of blonde and red through it. They did not look like regular humans, their scents only confirmed that to her. Sirena would ask about it later but right now, as she leaned over a barely breathing Alpha, she was only concerned for his well-being.

“We tried our best, but we could not purge the corruption on our own,” Asha explained in more detail. “He is infected with a deadly toxin that is used to control others. He had taken in even part that had infected the leopards, from the entire pack.”

Sirena’s heart clenched, they were our enemy and yet, even in their darkest moment, he would offer his aid and help.

“I’d told him we would find another way, but he refused to wait, all the leopards would have died if he hadn't.” Zero glanced behind him as the tree line rustled. "It's bad enough that they fell prey to the demon's words, their numbers couldn't take a hit like that."

Several glowing eyes peered through the trees, as a dozen leopards came into view, they all sat behind the group staring up at Sirena. She watched as one shifted to human and knelt before her.

“Please, please save him. He should not have sacrificed himself for us, we have done terrible things over the years and still...” The leopard trailed off a pained look on his face.

“What can I do?” Sirena looked to Asha, the woman held a power about her, she knew what she was doing, and for some reason, she felt she could trust her.

“I don’t know if it will actually work, but similar to how a bond with an Alarian can break the curse, perhaps a mate can fight off the corruption.” She explained. “But you will need to enter physically his mind to be able to do so.”

Sirena blinked at her. “How?”

“I can get you in, and your wolf hybrid can keep your body alive while you’re gone.” Asha patted the ground as she sat down next to where Zero had placed the Alpha. “We haven’t much time.”

Mia, are you okay with this? I will have to leave you here for a short while. Sirena questioned.

Don’t worry about me, save Tristan and Tai and bring them back to us. Mia was playing it tough; Sirena could hear the small tremble in her voice, the same fear she had of being separated from each other.

Asha held out her hand and Sirena took it with no hesitation. The moment their hands touched her mouth gaped open as she was ripped out of her body and plunged into a cloud of darkness.

She struggled to keep her footing as she came to a sudden stop. Looking down she could see herself, but her surroundings were encased in darkness. She shivered as the cold surrounded her, and the eerie silence deafened her.

“Hello!?” She called; her voice echoed back at her in response.

Was this Tristan’s mind right now? It was so dark, how was she ever to find him in this?

“Tristan!” She called; she’d never used his name out loud before. It felt odd rolling off her tongue, but it seemed to stir up something in the dark oasis.

Off in the distance, the thick black fog seemed to thin slightly, and a few dull rays of light could be seen. She took off sprinting in that direction.

Busting through the edge of the smog she emerged into a room surrounded by concrete, was this a memory?

She heard a light sobbing and searched the dull light room until she found a small boy, hiding under a table. He was battered, bruised, and frightened.

“Hi there,” Sirena spoke in a soothing voice.

Is this what the corruption had done to him? Turned him into the most insecure memory of himself?

The boy clamped his hands over his ears. “It’s not real, no one is there.” He started rocking on the spot as he continued to mutter to himself that she wasn’t real.

Her heart broke for him, she hated seeing him like this.

“Tristan...” She began, when she saw his eyes glance over at her she sat down on the floor, smiling kindly at him. “Why would it be so bad for someone to be here, even if I’m not real?”

He turned his head to look at her with wide eyes. It couldn't argue with that it seemed.

“I’m not here to hurt you, just to keep you company. Maybe even help you if you want.” She continued.

“I’m not worth it...” He muttered lowering his hands to clasp his knees to his chest.

“Why would you think that? After all, I’m not here because you want me to be. I’m here because I want to be. None of this thinking you're worthless, okay.” She told him. “I won’t have that.”

“Papa always says I’m worthless, everything is always my fault. He’s so angry...” The little boy’s bottom lip quivered.

“Why would he say such a thing? A good little boy like you, oh I don’t think so. Maybe he can’t see what I do.” She reassured him.

“He’s right though...” He mumbled, looking like he was choking back tears. “I killed my ma, I’m a bad boy.”

This shocked Sirena, she didn’t know a lot about his past, but she remained calm, surely there was more to this story. “How did you do that?” She asked.

His bottom lip trembled as he hugged his knees closer. “I was in my wolf form when I was born and it tore mum apart. Even he hates me! He never talks to me!”

Sirena’s eyes widened as realization hit her, he had said that he had experienced something similar to her condition and now she understood entirely.

This means that if Tristan was stuck like this, it was possible Tai may be locked away somewhere too. She needed to get through to him, somehow, and find Tai. Then they could flush out the corruption in his mind, she was sure of it.

“Well if you think about it like that, I also killed my mother. If you blame yourself for that, so should I.” She spoke lightly waiting for his reply.

“She died because you were born?” The boy turned to look over at her from under the table.

She nodded with a sad smile. “My mother died shortly after, as she couldn’t heal, I got to spend a small amount of time with her, but I don’t remember it. I only remember her scent.” She blinked back tears. “Our mothers, they would never want us to blame ourselves, don’t you think?”

He slowly nodded his head, it seemed she was slowly getting through. “But Papa, he... I must do as he says, I am what he says.”

“And my real father is now trying to tear down everything I care about. I made a choice to fight back, to not listen to his lies, I determine my own worth. Fathers are not always what we want them to be, but it’s okay since we have a pack behind us to help.”

“We?” His head left his knees as he questioned her.

“Tristan my dear, you are an Alpha. No one can hold you down, your pack is here to lift you up. And, I-I’ll be your Luna, as you asked, but you’ll have to come back with me to make that happen.” She reached out her hand to him.

He stared at it for the longest time, she could see his mind ticking. “I have a pack?” He asked in a daze.

“You do, and they are all waiting for you. They need you, you’re not worthless, you are loved.”

“You promise?” His pleading eyes stared up at her with sorrow.

“With all my heart.” With her words he took her hand, his little fingers latching onto hers. She lightly pulled him from under the table, so he was kneeling beside her sitting form. His other hand lifted to cup the side of her face and she tilted her head, curious.

“You are very, very pretty.” He said as he seemed less scared like a veil had lifted from his thoughts as they had touched.

She laughed softly. “Ever the smooth talker, even as a young boy.” She commented.

“You're to be my Luna. So, it makes sense... even if I am dreaming right now.” He added softly with a cute giggle.

Shaking her head, she sighed. “We need to find Tai, your wolf. Then we can leave this darkness, do you know where he might be?”

The boy nodded. “My Papa has him chained up. Locked away so he can’t hurt anyone ever again.” He paused. “Do we have to get him?” He seemed scared and worried.

Sirena flinched, the thought making her feel uncomfortable. This was Tristan’s mind they were exploring and judging by what the boy was saying, he had created a version of his father in there to keep the boy and the wolf separated. This was going to be one hell of a battle before they were getting out of here.

“He may be scary, but he is there to protect you, he is a part of you. I bet he misses you dearly.” She stood, gently pulling Tristan’s childlike form with her.

He remained silent, clearly not convinced of her words, but he did a least follow along with her. He stayed close as she began the attempt to leave the room.

They were still very much trapped in darkness, a passive of doors emerging as she shut the door behind her. They walked the hall, and she wasn’t sure which door to take until they reached one caked in black ooze... this can’t be good, she thought looking at the ominous door.