Mating the Female Alpha
Chapter 13 Fight As a Alpha

Bernice POV

I suppose I should have expected this question.

I have changed to and from my forms enough times in front of Landry that it's only natural he is curious, and he truly has helped me. He could have cast me out, he could have handed me over to rogue wolves to be raped and killed, but he has helped me and cared for me.

He deserves to know.

"I was born out of wedlock."

Landry blinks but nods, indicating I should continue. I take a deep breath to steady myself. This story is difficult, and it's one I have told absolutely no one before in my whole life.

"My father had me with my mother, an unbonded Omega. Although I have the royal white fur, I am an Omega, and therefore useless to my father. He had other children, Alpha children, but most died in battle. The only survivor is too young to be Alpha of the pack, and my father is too old.

"So, he and my stepmother told me that for the good of the pack, I should take this special medication. It would allow me to present as an Alpha, it would suppress all my Omega traits. I would not go into heat, I would be able to live as an Alpha and protect the family."

Landry looks sad. I look away, not wanting to see his pity, but I feel his touch and look back to see him lifting my shirt to survey my never-healing wounds.

I can see him making connections in his mind, and it doesn't surprise me when he speaks.

"That must be incredibly difficult, living as an Alpha when you aren't one," he says. "Physically and mentally. How do you fight?"

I cover his hands and lower my shirt.

"Carefully," I say wryly. He clucks his tongue.

"Is there anything else you are hiding from me?"

I look at him carefully. Do I want to tell him this part? I have shared the important parts - he can't do anything for this, and it's just depressing.

But one look at his earnest eyes makes me cave.

"I'm going to die."

At this, Landry gasps, jerking back as if I had struck him. His wide eyes radiate hurt and pain and I grimace, looking away. He reaches out to take my chin gently, guiding my face back to face me. "Don't joke," he begs. "That's an awful joke. Please."

I think he knows I'm not joking. But he doesn't want to believe it.

"It is the medication. The trade off from fighting for the wolves and living as an Alpha is that I will die at 25."

"No..." Landry whispers. I duck my head.

"No one can live forever, anyway. I have spent my life fighting for peace, and the memories of fighting with my warriors and with you are the most glorious I have. You are my comrade in arms, my Alpha King, and I thank you for giving me these memories."

Landry clearly doesn't know what to say. He stares at me. I see wetness in his eyes and reach up one shaky hand to cradle his cheek.

I feel the fever coming back on and know my time is short.

"If I could, I would like to die on the battlefield," I say, smiling sincerely. "I would like to give my last drop of blood to the cause."

Landry POV

Landry cannot accept that. No, Bernice cannot die, not now and not on the battlefield, not now that he just got her!

"Please," he begs. "Please tell me what I can do. What medicine do you need? I can get you anything you need, anything you desire, even if I have to go to the Vampire King himself!"

Bernice laughs weakly, eyes fluttering. It makes something leap in Landry's chest and his wolf howls mournfully. No, this gorgeous she-wolf cannot die, he won't let her!

Landry knows he loves her, even if Bernice doesn't know she loves him. Because she does, of course she does. No Omega would respond the way she does if they felt nothing for the Alpha with them in their heat.

Bernice tosses her long blonde hair. There's pain on her face, like speaking of this is her worst nightmare, and Landry aches to hold her. He reaches out but stops himself at the last moment.

Bernice likely won't appreciate that. He swallows harshly and holds back the tears that have wanted to fall since she began this horrid story.

"It's useless,” she whispers, and Landry is reminded of that moment when he found the injury in the conference room, when she begged him not to fetch a doctor. "No medicines work for me. My body is over taxed, the medicine I took to be an Alpha has ruined me. My immunity will continue to decline and as it does, my body will go into more frequent heat until it gives up and I die."

"Bernice..."

"Please, Landry.” Her voice is surprisingly strong. Her eyes flutter open to meet his. "Please tell no one. Let me spend my last days...in dignity."

Landry's eyes fill with hot tears. He bows his head and takes a deep breath.

"Yes, Bernice...I will do that for you."

Bernice smiles faintly, and moments later, the fever takes over, sending her deep into a coma. She slumps over in Landry's arms, the only sound the echoing of Landry's shout. "Bernice!"