For the first hour, I worked with Jake and Kira on properly handling their M-4s, while Gunny kept an eye on the others. Jake was surprisingly adept for a beginner, picking up the basics with ease. Kira, however, struggled, her hands trembling as she fumbled with the rifle. The scent of fear radiated off her, sharp and pungent, making my wolf stir uneasily within me.

Leaving Jake to continue practicing, I gently pulled Kira aside. We both laid on our stomachs, her rifle aimed safely downrange. I adjusted her position until she seemed more comfortable, ensuring the rifle was secure. Then, I turned my head to face her, softening my tone to avoid intimidating her further.

“Kira, what’s got you so shaken up?” I asked, keeping my voice low and soothing.

“Alpha, it’s…” she started, her voice faltering. I held up my hand, cutting her off gently.

“Right now, I’m just Lyra. Not Alpha Acosta,” I said calmly. “Just the skyboarding werewolf who drives a truck.”

She blinked, her expression softening with confusion. Slowly, the tension in her body began to ease, a small victory that made my chest lighten.

“Lyra… I’m terrible with firearms. My old pack… they used to yell at me all the time. No matter how hard I tried, it was never good enough. My alpha… he would punish me when I failed,” she confessed, her voice barely a whisper.

My heart clenched at her words. Punished for failing? Kira was a submissive wolf, someone who needed encouragement, not abuse. I struggled to contain the anger that simmered beneath my skin, keeping my voice calm as I asked, “What do you mean by ‘punished,’ Kira?”

She turned her gaze away, staring at the ground as her body began to shake. That was all the confirmation I needed—she had been physically abused. The spike of anger in my chest was sharp, nearly overwhelming, but I forced it down, knowing she didn’t need to see that right now.

“Are you still tied to your pack?” I asked gently.

“Yes,” she whispered, her voice breaking with the weight of her pain.

I did something I had never done before for any wolf. I let my alpha power slip from my control, allowing it to gently envelop Kira and me. I wove the sensations of protection, safety, and security into the magic, and reached out to her again, this time turning her face to meet mine. Tears streaked her cheeks, her fear palpable in the air between us. I could now feel the frayed, dark bond that tied her to her old pack, pulsing with hatred and malice.

A deep, malevolent voice echoed through the link, demanding to know who dared to intrude on his claim. I ignored him, instead flooding Kira with love and kindness, my will overpowering his pathetic attempts to dominate me. He wanted to claim me too, to pull me under his control, but he had no idea who he was dealing with. I had faced far stronger alphas in my time, and this twisted bastard didn’t even come close.

“I, Alpha Lyra Acosta, heiress of the Acosta Council Pack, beta of the Zaraki Pack, friend and loyal companion of Lord and Lady Lycotonu, claim Kira Cross of the Cross Pack as mine!” I roared through the bond, severing it with a forceful snap.

The bond shattered with a loud pop in my head, and Kira gasped, her breath hitching as the connection was broken. I cupped her tear-streaked face in my hands, looking deep into her now glowing blue eyes, and spoke the words that would forever bind her to me.

“Kira Cross of the Lost and Destroyed, I claim you as my wolf. I vow on this day before Mother Luna to protect, care for, guide, and watch over you as one of my own. I vow to never lead you astray or abandon you. You will find sanctuary and peace under me as your Alpha and will always have a home to come back to. Do you accept my claim, Kira Cross of the Lost and Destroyed?” My voice was deep, ominous, and filled with the weight of the vow I was making.

“Yes… Yes, Alpha, I accept,” Kira squeaked out, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and relief.

I slowly pulled my hands away from her cheeks, my heart heavy with the weight of what had just happened. It was done. I was officially an alpha with a wolf under my care. The bond between us began to form, a warm, pulsing connection that tied her to me. There was no going back now—Kira was mine, and I would protect her with everything I had.

Before I could fully process the enormity of what I’d done, Kira threw her arms around me, hugging me tightly. I let out a surprised squeak, not expecting the sudden embrace.

“Thank you, Alpha!” she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy. I felt waves of happiness and relief flowing through our newly formed bond, washing over me in a gentle tide.

Sighing, I patted her back gently. “You can just call me Lyra, okay?” I said softly, trying to ease the intensity of the moment.

“Okay,” she replied, finally releasing me from her grip. She repositioned herself on the ground, adopting the stance I had shown her earlier. I could feel her drawing strength from our bond, the determination on her face replacing the fear that had once consumed her. It was then that I realized what had been holding her back—her father, her former alpha, had crushed her spirit and controlled her through their pack bond. Unlike my father, who despised having an alpha daughter, Kira’s father had wanted a son. And because Kira was submissive, he saw her as weak, something to be controlled and punished.

“Are you okay, Kira?” I asked softly, still watching her closely.

“Yes!” she replied, her voice now filled with determination and resolve.

“Alright, let’s go over everything again,” I instructed, feeling a surge of pride at her newfound confidence.

Within twenty minutes, Kira was moving through the steps I taught her with newfound ease. The nerves and fear were gone, replaced by a sense of purpose. She was finally enjoying herself, a smile stretching across her face as she mastered each task. I waved Jake over, and he joined us, laying on my opposite side. Together, I taught them the fundamentals of shooting from the prone position.

As they grew more comfortable with the prone position, I could see the excitement and eagerness in their eyes. They were learning quickly, feeding off each other’s energy. Halfway through teaching them how to shoot from the kneeling position, Jake turned to me, his voice soft as he spoke.

“I saw you bind Kira to you,” he said, his words catching me off guard.

“Yes,” I replied simply, unsure of where he was going with this.

“Thank you,” he said, his gratitude so sincere that I nearly missed my shot. I lowered my rifle, turning to face him fully.

“What? Why?” I asked, genuinely surprised.

“I couldn’t break her bond with her father. I’m an omega, not an alpha,” he explained, his voice tinged with regret.

“How long have you and Kira…” I waved my hand between the two of them, searching for the right words.

“We grew up together,” he replied, his eyes soft as he looked at Kira.

“So, you two are bonding mates?” I asked, curious about the nature of their relationship.

“What? No… um… well, maybe now. But not while she was still bonded to her father,” he explained, stumbling over his words.

I raised an eyebrow at him. “How did you break your bond with him?” I asked.

“An omega has some of the power of an alpha, but it’s limited. I can break my own bonds if I deem an alpha unworthy, but I can’t break others’ bonds—only suppress them,” he explained, his tone serious.

“Ah, that makes sense. How did Kira manage to escape her father?” I asked, looking over at her.

“Jake suppressed my bond with the pack long enough for us to escape. He’s the reason I got into truck driving. My father couldn’t track us fast enough to find us,” Kira chimed in, her voice stronger now that she felt safe.

“Smart idea,” I replied, impressed by their ingenuity.

“If you two are so close, why haven’t you bonded yet?” I asked, genuinely curious.

“Because that’s what my father wants. He wanted to control Jake, and he would’ve used me to do it,” Kira answered, her voice laced with bitterness.

“Alpha Cross wanted to use me to control his pack. The pack has become increasingly unstable over the years, and he’s scared he’ll be challenged soon. If he could control me, he would use my omega abilities to subdue any challengers,” Jake explained, his voice filled with frustration.

“Hmm… I could get that problem solved for the two of you,” I offered, a plan already forming in my mind.

The looks on their faces made me smile. “Alpha, that won’t be necessary. Lord Lycotonu has enough on his plate. He doesn’t need to worry about dealing with a failing old wolf like my father,” Kira said quickly, clearly worried about involving someone so powerful.

“Who said I’d tell Lord Lycotonu?” I asked, my grin turning devious.

“If not him, then who?” Jake asked cautiously.

“My best friend, Star Zaraki…” I said, giving them a toothy grin.

I watched as both Jake and Kira paled at the mention of Star Zaraki. The story of what she did to my father had spread like wildfire through the packs, and she was feared—and rightly so. Draconian females were some of the scariest beings you'd ever encounter. Granted, I’d only ever met one, but she was terrifying enough to make me wary of crossing any of them.

“Alpha, I don’t think you’ll need to do that,” Kira said, her voice soft yet firm. “You’re my alpha now, and I feel safe with you.” She smiled, and it was the sweetest, most genuine expression I’d ever seen from her.

Those words hit me like a punch to the gut—cracking open my heart and making it swell with something I hadn’t felt in a long time: hope. I gave both of them a kind smile, trying to mask the emotion that was threatening to spill over. Grabbing my rifle, I aimed it at the target, needing a moment to collect myself. I pulled the trigger, watching as the round struck true, right in the T-box of the target. I fired a few more rounds, each one hitting its mark, before I felt a soft tap on my shoulder.

Lowering my rifle, I turned to see Jake standing beside me, Kira’s hand clasped tightly in his. His expression was serious, a hint of anxiety in his eyes.

“What’s wrong, Jake?” I asked, my tone gentle but firm.

“I’d like to petition to join you and Kira as a pack member, Alpha Acosta,” he said quietly, but there was a strength in his voice that hadn’t been there before.

“Uh… are you sure? There’s no rush, Jake,” I replied, searching his face for any hesitation.

I noticed Kira gripping his hand even tighter, her eyes filled with hope and silent pleading. He looked down at her, then back at me, his resolve solidifying.

This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

“I am sure, Alpha,” he said, his voice now steady and confident.

As we stood there, I saw Steve approaching with the three other wolves he was teaching. He opened his mouth to speak, but I held up a finger, signaling him to wait. This moment needed to be completed.

“Jake Holland of the Lost and Destroyed, are you, an omega, sure that you want to join me, Alpha Lyra Acosta, in forming a pack? To bind yourself to me as my wolf and my pack omega?” I formally asked, the weight of the ritual hanging heavily in the air.

“Yes,” he answered without hesitation.

My eyes flared silver as I placed my hand over his chest, repeating the words that I had said to Kira earlier, but this time they carried a different weight. “Jake Holland of the Lost and Destroyed, I claim you as my wolf. I vow on this day before Mother Luna to protect, care for, guide, and watch over you as one of my own. I vow to never lead you astray or abandon you. You will find sanctuary and peace under me as your Alpha and will always have a home to come back to. Do you accept my claim, Jake Holland of the Lost and Destroyed?”

“I accept your claim, Alpha,” he answered, his voice steady, but I could feel the relief and gratitude flooding through our newly formed bond. A clap of thunder echoed through my mind like a gong, sealing the bond between us. As the connection solidified, I felt the tension and worry in both Jake and Kira dissolve. They had feared I might say no or that I’d keep them apart, but that was far from the truth.

Finally, I turned to Steve, who stood there, wide-eyed and slightly bewildered.

“What?” I asked, more out of curiosity than irritation.

“I wasn’t expecting you to start the bonding rituals so soon,” he admitted, still processing what he’d witnessed.

“I wasn’t either, but it was necessary to protect these two,” I explained, my voice carrying the weight of the decision.

“Do I need to go ahead and prepare for mine?” he asked, half-joking, half-serious.

“What? No… I’m not forcing anyone to bond with me. It’s completely your choice,” I replied quickly, throwing my hands up in defense.

One of the wolves I hadn’t met yet finally spoke up. “You’re not going to force us to bond with you?” he asked, his tone laced with suspicion.

“No!” I said firmly. “I will never force any of you to bond with me if you don’t want to. I only want you to bond when you’re ready.”

“Really?” another of the three asked, his voice carrying a mix of disbelief and relief.

“Really,” I reiterated, trying to convey my sincerity.

“That’s a relief,” the third wolf muttered, more to himself than anyone else.

I let out a huff of frustration. “Why does everyone think I’d force them?” I grumbled, genuinely perplexed.

“Because you’re an Acosta. Your bloodline is known for being ruthless alphas,” the first wolf explained, his voice steady but wary.

“I am not my worthless father!” I growled, my voice dripping with venom. “That jackass can rot in whatever pit of hell he’s in…”

“Cain, she isn’t like them. Her intentions are pure,” Kira interjected, her voice soft but firm.

“How would you know?” the third wolf, questioned, his skepticism evident.

“Because she has all of her barriers down, Abel,” Jake retorted, his voice calm but authoritative.

I blinked, taking a closer look at the two wolves and realizing they were brothers. The second wolf, who hadn’t spoken yet, looked similar—dark hair, hazel eyes, and a skin tone close to mine. They shared a resemblance that suggested a Middle Eastern heritage.

The second wolf finally spoke, catching me off guard with a voice that was almost feminine in tone.

“She has her barriers down?” he asked, his voice uncertain.

“Yes, Azura, she isn’t hiding herself like most powerful alphas do,” Kira replied, her voice steady.

Hold up—Azura? That was a female name. I tilted my head, staring at the second wolf in confusion. Something wasn’t adding up. Kira noticed my expression and quickly walked up to me, leaning in to whisper.

“Azura is a female hiding as a male,” she explained quietly.

“Oh!” The exclamation slipped out louder than I intended.

“Kira! That was my secret!” Azura snapped, her anger flaring.

“Tss, she would have figured it out soon enough,” Kira shot back. “You three have been making a point to avoid her because she’s an alpha, yet she’s shown all of us that she’s nothing like the other alphas out there.”

“But… still,” Cain began, his voice trailing off uncertainly.

“No,” Kira cut him off, her tone firm. “We all volunteered for this. We chose to join this team. She was chosen and forced to lead us. She’s the only one who wanted to walk away.”

Steve, who had been listening quietly, decided to weigh in. “How would you know?” Abel growled, his tone dripping with challenge.

Steve arched an eyebrow at him, a silent warning. “Until you’re a member of a pack, you can’t challenge me. It won’t be recognized, so don’t even try,” Steve replied, his voice calm but laced with authority. “And to answer your question, I was there when Lord Lycotonu ordered her to lead this group.”

The three wolves fell silent, their expressions shifting to surprise as they turned their attention back to me. I sighed, glancing sideways at Steve. He didn’t need to fight my battles for me, but I appreciated his support.

“I thought the company president appointed her to be the leader because she was his niece?” Azura asked, her voice laced with confusion.

“Obviously, you haven’t been paying attention,” Steve responded, his tone patient but firm. “The president of the company is Dr. Zaraki, the owner and founder of SkyTeam Aerospace Foundation. Lyra is an adopted member of the Zaraki family, who just happens to be very close to the Lycotonu family.”

The information seemed to hit them like a ton of bricks. They stared at me, their minds racing to connect the dots.

“Dr. Zaraki appointed her in charge because Lord Lycotonu asked him to,” Steve added, driving the point home.

“So, this is a case of a family member scratching the back of another family member?” Cain asked, his voice skeptical.

I shook my head and looked down at the ground, the weight of their misconceptions pressing down on me.

“No, Lord Lycotonu needed an alpha to lead this group, and I was the best option with the right qualifications. I didn’t want to be an alpha at all. That’s why I chose to be a truck driver,” I explained, my voice carrying a hint of sadness.

“Wow, that’s a hell of a hit to take,” Azura said, her voice softening with empathy.

“Yeah, but I’m trying to do my best,” I replied quietly. I could feel Jake and Kira stepping up beside me, their presence a silent show of support.

“Now it all makes sense,” Abel said, his tone thoughtful. “It explains why you’re not acting like a typical alpha. You’re not demanding or pushy. You’re helping all of us and genuinely trying to earn our trust. I’ve only heard of one other alpha who acted in a similar manner—that would be Alpha Staroko of the SkyTeam Pack.”

A grin spread across my face. They didn’t know who he really was, and the thought amused me.

“What’s so funny?” Abel asked, confusion written all over his face.

“Alpha Staroko is Lord Lycotonu’s father, and one of my closest mentors,” I revealed, watching as disbelief washed over their faces.

For a moment, no one said a word. They just stared at me as if I had suddenly sprouted a second head.

“Who are you?” Cain finally asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Someone who just happened to be in the wrong place at the right time,” I answered, my voice carrying a note of irony.

“That’s not very helpful,” Azura replied, her tone almost teasing.

I shrugged, slinging my rifle over my shoulder. “Fine, I’m Lyra Acosta, appointed leader of this badass truck fleet. It’s my job to make sure we’re successful. Everything else is just fluff.” With that, I turned and headed toward Sasha, Charlotte, and Tyler, who were taking a break and reloading their mags with more ammo. The three of them shot me smiles as I approached.

“Hey, guys, how’s your group doing?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady despite the weight of everything happening around me.

“Really good. Gunny came over and gave us some pointers and helped out,” Sasha answered with a nod.

“Great! Are the three of you feeling comfortable with the rifles?” I continued, genuinely curious.

“Yeah, I never thought I’d enjoy using a gun,” Charlotte admitted, a bit of surprise in her voice.

“Right? This is fun,” Tyler added, his enthusiasm infectious.

Just as I was starting to feel a sense of accomplishment, Sasha’s eyes narrowed, and she asked, “Alpha, what’s with the tail?”

I followed her gaze and turned around to find the rest of the group I had just left trailing behind me. A sigh escaped me as I mentally prepared for what was to come. Cain, with Azura and Abel close behind, approached with purpose. I closed my eyes for a brief moment, bracing myself for the barrage of questions I knew were coming. I hadn’t fully addressed their concerns earlier, and now it seemed I had to.

“What now…” I grumbled, frustration seeping into my tone.

Cain stopped in front of me, his posture firm and resolute. “We’ve decided to officially join your pack after discussing it, Alpha Acosta,” he announced with a finality that left no room for argument.

I rocked back on my heels, my thoughts hitting an unexpected wall. For the second time today, I found myself completely thrown off guard. If a dragon suddenly swooped down, I don’t think I’d even blink. I sighed again, forcing myself to focus on the three of them.

“Are you absolutely sure?” I asked, my voice flat, almost resigned.

“Yes,” Azura answered, speaking for all of them with a tone of certainty that surprised me.

I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath, before turning to face the rest of the group. “Does anyone else want to officially join my pack?” I called out, my voice carrying over the yard.

“I’ll join!” I heard our mechanic shout, dragging Seth along with her as she approached.

I stared at her blankly, blinking in disbelief. “Aren’t you a phoenix?” I asked incredulously.

“Yeah, and?” she shot back in the same tone, completely unfazed.

I just stood there for a moment, processing this new twist. “Anyone else?” I asked, trying to keep my exasperation in check.

Sasha, Charlotte, and Tyler all raised their hands, signaling their intent. I ran my hand down my face in frustration and sighed deeply before turning to Steve. “Do you want to join?” I asked him, my voice weary.

He simply shrugged and took a step back, indicating he wasn’t ready. I nodded in acknowledgment, respecting his decision. For the next thirty minutes, I went through the bonding ritual with each person who wanted to join. The words became a mantra, almost automatic by the time I reached Mac. My mouth was dry, and a throbbing headache was starting to form behind my eyes. Steve handed me a bottle of water, which I gratefully accepted, draining it in a few quick gulps. The cool liquid was a brief respite, but the rituals were taking their toll on me, both physically and mentally.

“You know this probably won’t work, right?” I said, my voice edged with exhaustion.

“Just try, Lyra. Worst case, it doesn’t. But we won’t know unless we try,” Mac replied, her tone encouraging yet firm.

I shook my head, preparing myself mentally for her potential disappointment. I had only heard of one multispecies bond, and that was Star and Cayro’s—an exception, not the rule. Letting out a deep breath, I placed my hand on her chest and began the ritual.

“Makinzy Athena Ignacio, daughter of the flames and wind, I claim you as a member of my pack. I vow on this day before the Mother Luna to protect, care, guide, and watch over you as one of my own. I vow to never lead you astray or abandon you. You will find sanctuary and peace under me as your Alpha and will always have a home to come back to. Do you accept my claim, Makinzy Athena Ignacio, daughter of the flames and wind?” I vowed, altering the words slightly to honor her unique heritage.

"I accept your claim, Alpha Acosta, daughter of Mother Luna, alpha of the moon-called and flaming wings," Mac responded, her voice laced with solemnity.

For a heartbeat, nothing happened. My heart sank, disappointment threatening to overwhelm me as I began to pull my hand away. "I'm sorr—" The apology died on my lips as searing pain exploded from my hand, shooting up my arm and into my chest like molten fire. I gasped, the breath ripped from my lungs as the pain tore through me, carving a fiery path directly to Mac, forging an unbreakable mental bond between us.

Doubling over, I fought to catch my breath, my vision blurred by the tears that sprang to my eyes. I glanced down at the back of my left hand, where the pain radiated fiercest. There, glowing angrily against my skin, was an intricate brand in the shape of a flaming bird, seared into my flesh as if by a red-hot iron.

For what felt like an eternity, I remained bent over, the agony ebbing slowly as I tried to regain control of my body. Jake and Steve were at my side, their hands gentle as they helped me straighten. Across from me, Mac was staring down at her chest with an expression of awe, as if she couldn't believe what she was seeing.

"Are you okay?" I asked, my voice still shaky from the pain.

"Yeah, but that fucking hurt," she replied breathlessly, her eyes wide with disbelief.

"No joke…" I muttered, holding up my hand to show her the brand. Her eyes widened further as she leaned in for a closer look. When her thumb brushed the mark, I hissed softly, a sharp sting shooting through my hand.

"Sorry," she whispered, her voice tinged with guilt.

"It's okay, it's just… sensitive," I replied, trying to manage a reassuring smile.

Mac released my hand and, with a careful motion, pulled down the neckline of her shirt just enough to reveal a silvery crescent moon with a howling wolf branded between her breasts. It shimmered with an ethereal glow, stark against her skin. My breath caught in my throat as I realized the significance of what had just occurred.

"I guess it worked," I said, awe creeping into my voice.

"Yeah, but damn… that felt like I got hit by a truck," she replied, still trying to process what had happened.

"I felt like I was burning from the inside out," I added, the pain still fresh in my mind.

"Not surprising, considering I’m a phoenix," she said, her tone laced with a strange mix of pride and bewilderment.

I turned to face the others, who were all staring at us, shock etched into their expressions. It wasn't every day that you witnessed a werewolf bonding with a phoenix, after all.

"Are you guys okay?" I asked, suddenly worried about the impact this might have had on them.

"Yes, we all felt your pain at first, but then you shut us out and took the brunt of it yourself," Jake answered, his voice filled with a mix of admiration and concern.

I blinked, processing his words, then looked over at Kira. She nodded, lifting her left hand to reveal the same intricate brand on her skin. I glanced at Jake, who also showed me his marked hand. I quickly scanned the rest of the group—every single one of them bore the brand.

"Does it hurt?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.

"No," Azura replied, speaking for the group.

"Alpha, you're absorbing the pain for everyone in the pack," Abel explained, his tone filled with an almost reverent disbelief.

"I can handle it," I said, more to convince myself than them. I had no idea how I was doing it, but now wasn't the time to unravel that mystery.

"It looks like I missed all the fun!" a new voice chimed in, light and airy, coming from just above and to my right.

I spun around, squinting up into the sunlight, and blinked several times. There, hovering in midair, was a small woman dressed in FS military fatigues, her glimmering wings flapping vigorously to keep her aloft. For a moment, I just stared, rubbing my eyes with my palms to make sure I wasn’t hallucinating. Was I really looking at a fairy?