Fated to Two Alphas

Kaelani POV

I wake up in the woods and I know that I fell asleep in my bed last night.

The air is cold against my skin. Damp. Real. Not dreamlike at all.

I look around and it looks like I’m in the woods on packlands. My heart starts pounding as I slowly stand, brushing dirt off my palms. I’m standing in front of the largest white oak tree I have ever seen. It towers over me, ancient and silent, its branches stretching high into the sky like it’s guarding something.

I walk closer to it and put my hand against it and it begins to glow and I jump back.

The bark warms beneath my palm before I can pull away.

A door appears in the tree and I step inside.

My pulse spikes, but something inside me tells me not to run.

“Wow, what is this place” I think out loud.

“Hello my granddaughter” I hear my grandmother’s voice say.

My stomach drops.

I turn and there she is my grandmother.

“How?” I ask.

“It is time for you to awaken child” she says.

“awaken, what does that mean?, how are you here?” I ask panic instantly flooding me. My voice cracks slightly and I hate that it does.

“calm yourself Lani, you are almost 18 and you must awaken your magic so you can take your place as high priestess” she says.

“magic?. High priestess ? I’m not a witch” I say, shaking my head automatically.

“Yes my child you are, and so much more” she says.

“You come from a long line of witches and our family has held the seat of high priestess of our coven for generations and now it is time for you to take your place” she says.

“mom is a witch?” I ask, my chest tightening.

“Yes, but she turned her back on the coven a long time ago, long before I died” she says.

“But I have a wolf” I say.

“I know you are a hybrid Kaelani and your powers are calling you, step into the circle” she says gesturing towards the circle I didn’t notice in the middle of the floor.

I swallow hard.

I step into the circle and the moment I do it feels like my body is burning from the inside out and I scream out in pain. My knees buckle but something invisible holds me upright.

“don’t fight the magic child it is who you are, embrace what is yours” I hear my grandmother say.

My fingers dig into my palms. My vision blurs. I force myself to breathe.

I relax and accept what she said to me and soon the pain stops and my hands begin to glow and my body lifts off the ground, when I come back down I feel stronger more powerful.

“You have awoken my child, this is our family altar. Find the tree before your magic gets out of control, this circle will stable your magic. Find the tree.” She says before she disappears.

“find the tree where” I say.

Silence answers me.

I jump up in a cold sweat, my chest heaving.

“Nyra was that real” I say to my wolf.

There’s a quiet pause in my head before she answers.

“we feel different” she says softly.

A chill runs down my spine.

“no time to dwell, I’m late for training, dad is going to kill me” I say jumping out of bed.

“I hope you are at least getting ready, because your dad is looking for you” Kaia links me.

“getting dressed now” I link back.

I throw on my leggings, yank my hair into a ponytail, and rush out of my room, nearly slipping on the polished floor.

“Lani, training starts at 5 as the Alpha’s daughter you shouldn’t be late” dad links me.

“I’m sorry daddy, I’m running there now” I link back.

“run a lap” he links before closing it.

Of course he would make me run a lap.

By the time I reach the training grounds, my lungs are already burning. Warriors glance at me as I pass, and I can feel Ezra’s amused stare from across the field.

I run my lap and take my place next to Kaia.

“you’re never late, what happened?” Kaia asks, studying my face.

“had the weirdest dream, I’ll tell you about it later” I say, still trying to catch my breath.

Training runs longer than usual because dad and Ezra made everyone run the small obstacle course full through. No mercy. No shortcuts. Dad’s in that mood.

After training Kaia and I walk back towards the pack house, sweat cooling on our skin.

“Lani a word” my father says.

“I’ll see you at breakfast” I say to Kaia.

“yes daddy” I say slowing down.

He watches me closely.

“you okay?” he asks.

“I had a dream about grandma and I missed my alarm” I say.

He pauses for a second. His jaw tightens slightly.

“you had the dream?” he asks.

“What do you mean THE dream?” I ask.

“You need to talk to your mom about that, but don’t forget our training session tonight” he says.

“I won’t, I will be there” I say running into the pack house before he can elaborate.

I run up to my room and jump in the shower, letting the water beat down on my skin, trying to wash away the lingering feeling of magic still buzzing under it.

I get out and put my hair in two braids and I throw on a pink t-shirt dress with some pink new balance and a blue jean jacket, I grab my bag and head out my room.

I see my little sister Aliza coming out of her room.

“morning lizzy” I say.

“Morning Lani, ready for your senior year?” she asks.

“as ready as I will be” I say as we head down stairs together.

I find Kaia at a table with Ezra and Brandon.

“morning fat heads” I say stealing a piece of bacon from Ezra’s plate.

“hey, get your own” he says.

“more fun when it’s yours” I say picking up his coffee cup.

“seriously Lani” he says.

“what I have to leave for school in like 5 minutes and you don’t” I say. “be a good big brother and let me have it” I say.

He exhales dramatically.

“fine.”

“Lani, Kaia, Aliza if you guys don’t get going you will be late” Auntie Rhea says.

I chug the last of Ezra’s coffee and grab my bag. I kiss my dad and my mom.

“have a great first day back, remember there are new packs joining the school this year so let’s be on our best behavior” my dad says.

“yes daddy” Aliza and I say.

“yes alpha” Kaia says.

“Lizzie are you riding with us?” I ask Aliza.

“no, catching a ride with Kira and Serena” she says walking out.

Kaia and I walk to my car and I hop in the driver’s side of my canary yellow Porsche.

“so let’s talk about this outfit, tomboy days are over?” Kaia asks as she turns on the radio.

“just decided to come out of my shell and stop hiding behind baggy clothes for senior year” I say.

She looks me up and down.

“good, I’m happy about that, because you look good, every male in school will be staring.”

“So I hears from Jessica from Harvest Moon pack that Kieran and Aliza are dating” she says.

“and why do I care about that?” I ask.

“well he is the alpha heir to Blue Moon Pack, and well Aliza is your little sister” she says.

“weren’t they already sleeping together all last year” I say.

“not sure but his birthday is in a few weeks and he will be able to find his mate” she says.

“good for him” I say as I pull into the parking lot of the school.

When I step out of the car it’s like all eyes are on me.

The air shifts.

“someone is watching us” Nyra says.

I turn and spot Kieran Vale across the lot staring as if he is just seeing me.

His gaze doesn’t move.

“don’t look now but Kieran is staring at you” Kaia says.

I raise my brow at him and turn to head for the school.

“good let him stare” I say as we walk into the building.

“good morning students please report to the auditorium for announcements” Principal Rivers says over the megaphone.

Kaia and I grab a seat in the back row for easy exits.

“Good morning Crescent Moon students, welcome to a new year. As you all know and can see the school was expanded over summer break to make room for all the new students. We have 3 new packs attending, Crescent Ridge Pack, Blue Mountain Pack and Storm Ridge Pack welcome. I don’t care what rank you are or pack you are from in this building you are students. There will be zero tolerance for fighting outside of combat. Seniors and Juniors the sparring tournaments will begin in 2 weeks starting with rank placements. Let’s see if any of you can beat Ezra Quinns undefeated record from last year.”

Kaia leans over. “leave it to your brother to be the over achiever.”

I roll my eyes but can’t stop the small smile pulling at my mouth.

“There are teachers at tables outside the auditorium with all of your schedules. Find the first letter of your last name and head to that table, let’s have a good year, you are all dismissed.”

Kaia and I split up to get our schedules.

I get to my table.

“Name” Mr. Greene says without looking up.

“Kaelani Quinn” I say.

He pauses and finally lifts his head.

“Alpha Quinn’s daughter?”

“Yes sir.”

He studies me for a second longer than necessary.

“he is a good alpha and your brother will be too” he says handing me my schedule.

“thank you Mr. Greene” I say.

“your welcome and good luck on the tournament.”

“thank you.”

I turn, eyes dropping to my schedule—

And walk straight into something solid.

Strong arms grab my waist before I can stumble.

My breath catches.

I look up.

Grey eyes.

Clear. Intense. Almost silver in the fluorescent lights.

“are you okay” his deep soothing voice says.

My mouth opens.

Nothing comes out.

“um, uh” I say, heat instantly crawling up my neck.

“Yes she is” Kaia says stepping beside me.

He laughs.

It’s low and warm and unfairly attractive.

“Say something” Kaia links me.

I clear my throat. “I’m sorry, yes I am fine I'm sorry I wasn’t paying attention.”

He tilts his head slightly, studying me.

“you’re cute when you’re flustered, I’m Liam Grey” he says holding his hand out.

My heart skips.

“you’re embarrassing us” Nyra says laughing.

“He’s so cute I wasn’t expecting that” I say to her.

“Liam Grey, Crescent Ridge heir” I say.

His brow lifts slightly.

“you know who I am?”

“yeah, I’m Kaelani Quinn.”

Recognition flashes in his eyes.

“Oh Alpha’s daughter, I can see that, but seemingly much less snobby” he says smiling.

A snort escapes me before I can stop it.

“far from it, probably the only daughter of an alpha not in heels and a mini skirt today.”

He lets his gaze sweep down slowly before returning to my face.

“yeah you look much better in that dress.”

My stomach flips.

“girl he flirting so heavy with you” Kaia links.

“go away.”

“Having a private conversation about me?” he asks, amused.

My face burns.

“I’m so sorry.”

“It’s okay” he says, stepping a little closer. Not touching. Just enough to feel the heat from him.

“thank you also for the compliment by the way.”

“anytime beautiful.”

The word lands heavier than it should.

He glances behind me.

“I got to run but I definitely hope I see you around Kaelani Quinn.”

He walks backward, eyes still locked on mine.

I don’t realize I’m staring until Kaia grabs my arm.

“oh my goddess he is so into you and he is hot” she squeals.

“he is not” I say too quickly.

“Oh bitch yes he is.”

“I need to get to class.”

“oh you are popular today” she says.

“what are you talking—”

“Quinn.”

The tone is sharper. Controlled.

I turn.

Kieran Vale stands in front of me.

Closer than I expected.

“Yes?” I ask.

His eyes drag over me once before returning to my face.

“are you competing in the tournament?”

“Yes, why?”

“well I didn’t see you compete last year.”

“I did compete last year, I lost to Ezra” I say dead pan.

His eyes widen slightly.

“wait what, that wasn’t you.”

“okay.”

I step around him.

“wait.”

His hand wraps around my arm.

I look down at it.

He drops it immediately.

“I’m sorry, I just don’t remember that.”

I meet his eyes evenly.

“yeah probably because I wasn’t wearing a dress.”

Kaia giggles.

I glare at her.

“is there a point to this conversation Kieran?” I say, annoyance creeping into my tone.

He shifts slightly, jaw tightening.

“well I was just hoping to walk you to your first class, and maybe talk more.”

I stare at him.

Three years.

Three years of silence.

“look Kieran I have been in this school with you for 3 years already and this is the first time you have ever spoken to me, not even an excuse me when you pass me in the hall, so no I would rather you not talk to me at all, as you already have done.”

His expression changes — not angry. Not amused.

Something else.

But I don’t wait to figure it out.

I turn and walk away from him.

“you handled that perfectly” Nyra says laughing.

“That was legendary” Kaia says. “I have Luna Studies first.”

“he’s an ass and I have Pack Law.”

“okay see you later sugar.”

She turns down her hallway.

As I continue down mine, I can still feel it.

Eyes following me.

One curious.

One calculating.

And something in my gut tells me—

This year just shifted.