All for You Ch. 01

After many hours of digging through dirk I stood up and smiled over my garden. Everything was right and in its place. My tomatoes, carrots and even my lettuce were perfectly situated and will be ready for picking in about a week or two.

Even though my garden was small I loved it because I worked on it myself. As the Alpha's daughter and only child, there were certain privileges that were granted to me. I was highly admired among our wolf pack not only for my status but I've also received compliments on my beauty as well. I had dark green eyes and blonde hair that reached the tip of my butt when it was down, like it is now. But I don't care about looks like other women my age. I prefer getting dirty and being outside.

I had just turned eighteen a few months ago and when my father asked what I wanted for a gift I told him without hesitation. "I want to turn our back yard into a garden."

He had paused. I think he thought I was going to ask to be properly introduced to eligible men in our pack so I could start dating. You know, like any normal pack members who've come of age. But I was anything but normal.

Dad had of course agreed and had arrangements to be made right away. I was excited and humbled.

I crossed my arms and gave off the cheesiest smile. "This is perfect," I said admiring the 6x12 frame my garden was in that was against the fence. It was small but it worked. I felt like a proud mom.

There is one thing to know about the Lakewood Wolf Pack; we are not big at all, only a hundred members, but what we lack in pack members we made up for in heart and spirit.

"Kendra!" a voice called from the back door. It was my friend Mindy, she was short only 5'0 but really adorable with her long black hair, her wolf color is a beautiful black tint.

I turned my smile to her and ran to give her a hug. "Hey, Mins!"

She hugged me back but then quickly pulled away. "Your father wants you...upstairs."

My smile finally faded. By the look in Mindy's eyes I could tell something was up. "Is everything okay?"

"I don't know, girl. He looked freakin' serious when he waved for me to fetch you. You better see what he wants."

I nodded then walked into our house slowly. We didn't own a mansion like other wolf packs. We lived as a small community in the woods with cabins surrounding us that the other pack members stayed in to avoid other humans. When I reached my father's office on the second floor I saw him with his head in his hands leaning over his desks with paper scattered around him. "Daddy?"

"Take a seat."

I sat down in one of the nice chairs and folded my hands in my lap. I didn't move for all the time he took to look up even though I wanted to pull back some of the blonde hair that had fallen in my eye. I didn't move an inch. I have never seen my father so solemn before. I knew whatever that was going on it was not good.

Finally he leaned back and looked up at me. His dark eyes were tired and he looked all of his 45 years of age if not more. "We have problem."

"Yes, father."

He looked in search for words, then said, " there's no way I can put this. There's no other way to say it but as the Alpha's daughter you are one of the first to know. We are close to bankruptcy. We are low on money and we are running out fast."

I sucked in a breath and held it there. My teeth pinched my bottom lip. Broke...but how? We've always lived so modestly. "What do we do?" I asked softly, looking at his desk instead of his face.

I know how hard it must be for my father to be in charge of a pack and have us go through financial hardship. I bet he's putting all the blame on himself. But it's not his fault. Right?

"I've been in talk with our closest neighboring wolf pack, the Altos, to get a loan. I plan on using the loan to pay off debt and investments to make sure we don't have this problem again. But I don't know what they'll ask for in return. It really puts us in a bind, baby girl."

I nod once. "I understand. Is there anything I can do?"

"No, not right now. Maybe later down the road but it all depends on how the meeting tonight goes."

"Meeting?"

Father nods. "Yes, I've invited the two Alpha's from the Alto pack here tonight to discuss a loan but first we need to have an all pack meeting to inform everyone of what's going on. The Alphas will be there at that meeting as well."

I blinked. I got the whole meeting with everyone part but.." two alpha's?"

He chuckled half heartedly. "oh, well, you see his son is preparing to take over for him as Alpha soon so both the father and son are coming. I think his son's name is...," he shuffled through his papers until he found a note, "Ryker."

"Ryker," I whispered.

"Yes, he is coming with his father tonight and we will have to figure something out. I won't ask you to do anything but I'd love your moral support," he said. I nodded right away. Ever since my mother died I had stepped in to be by my Father's side during ceremonies and important events to support him. He was crushed after her death but luckily she wasn't his true mate so he didn't die too of heartbreak. I wouldn't know what to do if I lost my Daddy too.

"Of course. All pack meeting tonight, I'll be there," I said putting on my best smile again to cheer him up. He smiled back sadly and I felt my heart breaking. I went over and gave him a hug. "It'll be alright, father. The pack will understand."

"I just wish my Beta would have done his job and watched the treasure a lot better. I know he couldn't help bad investments but he kept most of the bad parts from me too long and now it's too late."

I pulled away from him after a moment and nodded. There wasn't much I could say then so I left quietly.

Mindy was waiting for me the second I got downstairs. "What happened? What did he say?" she asked, her black eyes large and curious. I pressed my lips into a thin line and hugged her close, patting her back all the while. "Okay, you're freaking me out? What'd he say?"

"There's an all pack meeting tonight...he'll explain everything there."

She narrowed her eyes then she pulled me by the hand until we were once again outside by my garden. "You can tell me now. I'm your best friend. I won't tell anyone."

"You are my best friend and I love you. But this is important pack information and this information needs to come from the Alpha himself," I said firmly. She looked hurt that I wouldn't tell my secret so I added with a smile, "Hey, if it was about anything less important I would tell you. Besides you'll know soon enough; everyone will know."

#

The Lakewood Pack meetinghouse took place in our biggest cabin, which closely resembled a long hall. The place was made entirely out of wood; which included the wall, ceiling and dirt as the floor. There were rows of logs for everyone to sit on that stretched the majority of the hall. It was like a college lecture hall but with logs instead of chairs. No one hardly ever wore shoes when we'd meet here except for my dad because he was the Alpha and he tried to look professional even though know one really cared. All the pack members that were coming in were bare foot and shirtless expect the women who wore a top and shorts. Our lack of clothes weren't considered skimpy because everyone is comfortable with nudity here. Hell, I think all packs in all the world is comfortable with nudity since we have to be naked to transform into our wolf form.

Mindy and I were the last few to enter through the doors but the second I did something powerful hit me. It smelt of masculinity and power yet sweet at the same time; it was the most delicious mouthwatering thing I've ever smelt. I've never known something like that could exist. I felt my eyes glaze over and a smile spread across my face as I masked in the aroma.

Then I froze. That scent; it could only mean one thing. Oh, no. Oh, no. Oh, no. I can't go in. I have to get out of here. But before I could even turn Mindy grabbed my hand and ushered me to the closest seat in the back. She hasn't even noticed my distress.

Other pack members rushed in behind us trying not to be late, and before I could protest I was already seated and the doors to the cabin was closed shut.

Oh, my god. What the hell is about to happen?

"Are you okay?" Mindy finally asked looking at me while trying to pay attention to the front. It was considered highly disrespectful for anyone to speak while being addressed by the Alpha but my dad hasn't stood up yet. He was still sitting down at the table placed at the front of the hall.

"No, I don't think I am," I whispered back. She didn't say anything more because my dad had just stood up and cleared his throat. He was about to speak and any small conversation that members may had tried to sneak in was now absolutely forbidden.

However, I did see her face pinched up in concern from the corner of my eye.

I focused on breathing. I had to think. Okay, okay. I've never ever smelt this scent before. Neither have I've felt my heart beat so fast. All my scenes are on fire and I can feel my wolf's excitement. It was scarey, peaceful, and exciting at the same time. But mostly scarey.

I groaned. This can't be happening to me. This can't be. Not me. Not now.

My father had already begun addressing everyone in the room and began his spill on why we were here. His voice was very serious and solemn and I could tell he didn't want to do this but he had to.

I, in the mean time, knew what he was about to say so I tuned him out for a moment so I can concentrate on my heart attack in peace. I wanted to cry. I needed to get out of here but I couldn't. I knew I couldn't.

But how? How the hell could my mate be here when I'm surrounded by all my pack members. PACK members for goodness's sake! I've been around everyone since I was born.

Franklin over the on the corner with the red hair, I've known him since I was five and never had this reaction so I know it's not him. Tony over there in that weird blue shirt near the front I've known too and we are friends so I know it's not him. No, it's not him. It's not any of my pack members.

Something in the back of my mind knew the answer. Something I didn't want to bring up. But I knew it was the truth. I kept my eyes fixed on my dad but I knew there were two other men sitting at the table beside him. Two outsiders I've never seen or been around before. One of them was my mate.

Just like a magnet, a pull I couldn't control no matter how hard I fought or wanted to pulled my eyes towards the two men. One was very old, clearly in his 80 or higher. He must be the Alpha that's retiring. I grit my teeth. Unless my mate was an old man and Lunar was playing the world's biggest prank on me, he wasn't my mate. No not him.

I let out a breath and just as easy as breathing said, "Ryker."

My eyes went to him and a knot started in the pit of my stomach. He was the most handsome man I've ever seen. He looked tall, even while sitting down and his arms appeared so manly and muscular that thoughts of me being inside them as he held me came to mine without my permission.

His hair was jet black and came to his shoulders. He was wearing a black leather jacket and had every bit of a biker image. He was leaning back in his chair with his arms crossed. He looked agitated now that I've looked closely. His eyes were searching the crowd and his leg was fidgeting restlessly.

Maybe he's nervous?

No. I've realized that if I've smelt him and he must have smelt me too...he just doesn't know it's me he's smelling. I watched him closely. I couldn't take my eyes off him. I wanted him, I wanted him in a way I've never wanted another person in my life. Sure I've grown up with my fair share of childhood crushes when I was a girl but this was different. This just wasn't puppy love. This was something that my wolf, hell, my very soul was reacting to.

And it was just the thing I needed to avoid.

"And that is why I've invited our guess here tonight. They've come on such short notice and we appreciate anything we can work out with them during our time of need. Please welcome Alpha Ryker and senior Alpha Warren of the Alto wolf pack," my dad said waving a hand towards our two guest.

I watched as Ryker stood up and said, "we look forward to helping you. I'm sure we can work something out."

Warren waved his hand in agreement but it was followed by a few hard coughs. I watched the concern on Ryker's face as he looked at his father. He put a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him before sitting down again.

I swallowed. Oh, great. He had to be nice too.

The second the meeting ending I jolted out of my seat and literally ran out the door. I didn't look to see if people saw me or thought I was weird but dammit I needed to escape that scent. I needed to get out of there and away from him.

I striped as I ran tossing my tank top over my head and discarding it on the ground. I was already without shoes but when I reached the edge of the woods I had to stop to take off my shorts and underwear.

"Kendra!" Dammit it was Mindy calling my name. She knew there was something wrong with me but I didn't want to talk about it right now. I didn't want to talk about it at all to be honest and hopefully by the time I get back from my run, Ryker and his dad will both be gone.

But even the thought of it made my inner wolf sad. To never see Ryker again, to never get to know him...hurts. I can't let myself get any deeper.

"Kendra!" she was closer now. I stripped and transformed into my beautiful golden wolf. I felt free immediately but my wolf's pain and despair of possibly being forever separated from our mate was almost unbearable.

I shock my fur out and clawed the ground a bit. Then I hunched back before taking off in a full run. Letting the wind wipe my nose with such speed I almost felt dizzy. Part of me, my human side of course, never wanted to go back there until I knew for sure that...

"Kendra!" her voice was in my head now so I knew she had transformed to a wolf too. "I know you can hear me. Where are you going? What's wrong with you? It' s not really your dad's fault about going broke. If you'd just talk to me it'll be okay."

"It's not that!" I almost cried. I didn't want to talk about him. But part of me was screaming to. This was without a doubt the biggest secret I've ever kept from her and she'd never forgive me if I didn't tell her. But I didn't want to tell her while he was still on the property.

"What is it then?" I don't know if it was Mindy who ran fast to catch up with me or if I had unconsciously slowed down so that she could, but now she was in plain sight and as her gorgeous black wolf. "You can tell me anything."

"Want to just run with me till daybreak?"

"Huh?" she asked as we ran. "Why do you want to run all night? Where are you going?"

"It's not where I'm going to it's where I'm running from," I said.

"You're not making sense. You can't run from your pack? Is that what you think will solve the money problem because it won't!"

"I already told you it wasn't that."

"Then what is it?"

I slowed down to a complete stop. Should I tell her? Would she know eventually if I don't?

"Well?" Mindy asked looking at me with her worried wolf eyes.

I sat down then let out a loud howl in distress. It was a howl so sad that Mindy howled too. When we finished I laid on all four on the ground looking up at Mindy.

"Please tell me."

"You know Ryker?" I started slowly. I felt so defeated and part of me wanted someone to know.

Her eyes looked confused for a second. "Oh, you mean Alpha Ryker? The Alpha from the Alto's pack? Yeah, what about him."

"He's my mate." There I said it. I felt relief over my whole body and my wolf couldn't help but feel excited at the vocalized confirmation I gave. Yes, he was my mate but it's not what I wanted.

Mindy was so in shock and happy for me that she stood up on all four with her tails swinging fast. She started panting and I thought for a second she was going to lick my face for joy. "Wow! Really! Oh, my gosh! I'm so happy for you! Oh, I'm going to through a going away party for you and invite all the pack well except for maybe the pups that way we don't have to watch them but still..."

"No! There's not going to be a going away party or any celebration for that matter. I'm not going anywhere! Nothing has changed!"

She paused just to look at me. "But things have changed. He's your mate and you want to be with him. Don't you want to be with him? Get to know him? Live happily ever after?"

I, of course, couldn't say no to any of those things. I wouldn't let myself even consider them. "I don't want to leave here. I can't leave my dad."

She blinked then smiled a wolfy grin. "I think your dad will understand. He knows you'll probably find someone to be with at some time."

"Yeah, but not to take me away so far from him. And what about my pack? What about my garden? What about YOU!"

She paused for a while and I could see her smile waver a bit but it quickly went bright again. "Don't worry about me or any of us. I'll come visit you and we can have sleepovers and everything! It'll be so much fun! You'll show me around and I'll catch you up on anything you might miss!"

I took off running again but she was right behind me.

"What other options do you have, Kendra? You avoid him or your fears forever?"

"I know. It's just...why did this have to happen now?"

#

It was close to midnight by the time I made it back outside my house from my run. Mindy eventually left me alone after I convinced her that I just needed to think and was coming back tonight. I had hoped by the time I came back home Ryker would be gone. Or, if he weren't gone completely, he would be out mingling with the other wolves in our pack in search of his mate; in search of me. Then by morning he'll be gone for good.

I walked into the house planning to go straight to bed but the second I got to the upper floor where my bedroom, my dad's room, and his office wore, I was stopped by Maria, my dad's secretary.

"Your Father wants you in his office," she said holding a clipboard to her flat chest.

I felt my own chest tighten but I blew out a breath. I guess it's about me running off into the woods right after the huge pack meeting. He was probably really worried about me, especially since I promised to give him moral support. "Yes, of course, Maria."

I turned in the opposite direction of my room and headed to his office at the end of the hallway. I was about to enter with an apology on my tongue when I heard voices. Male voices. I knew instantly that Ryker was in his office and the second I walked in he was going to know I was the mate he smelled at the meeting.

I thought about running again. I really considered it, but I couldn't disobey my father.

I took a deep breath and opened the door. My father was behind his desk with his hands folded carefully. Across from him was senior Alpha Warren who looked had turned his head to me when I walked in; he smiled.

And I couldn't help but look over at who was sitting next to him. I had hoped that I'd be able to avoid eye contact with him but I should have known it would be impossible; my eyes landed on Ryker and stayed. His eyes had widen when he saw me and I can tell for sure that up close he was even more breathtaking than what I saw earlier. His eyes were black but his face was soft and his full lips were parted slightly, almost in shock at seeing me. And God did he smell good.

"Alpha Warren. Alpha Kyker," my father said standing up. "I would like you to meet my daughter Kendra."

"Kendra," Ryker breathed. My eyes were still glued to him and I nodded. He jolted from his seat and the next second he was right in front of me, less than 12 inches. "I am very pleased to meet you."

I swallowed. My eyes swam in his and my heart started beating out of my chest so fast I thought I would either pass out or smoother him in kisses. "Like wise I'm sure," I mumble.