Chapter 88: Chapter 26

HALEY

“All right, Haley. You got us all here, what’s going on?” Uncle Ryan asks, even though I filled him in this morning. I didn’t like the idea of bulldozing him; after all, it’s his pack, not mine.

Alphas Redd, Ramirez, and Blackburn are all piled into the office at my request. “Well, I’ll show you,” I say. I share my vision with each of them since it’s easier than explaining.

When everything goes white, I let the vision fade.

Uncle Ryan gets to his feet and begins to pace back and forth. Seeing everything play out is much different than just being told. My eyes follow him as I continue.

“As you all saw, our pack is now in danger. We’re going to be invaded. I’ve attempted to see various endings, but they all end in so much death and bloodshed, except one.

“We need warriors from each of you. A handful of your best should work, but they need to be inducted into our pack for the time being.”

I clear my throat, “But some of them might not return to your packs.” The alphas aren’t completely comfortable with the idea of losing members of their pack, which is understandable. No one would be.

“Do you already know who you want?” Alpha Ramirez asks. I already know who they’re going to send, so I leave it up to them.

“That’s up for you to decide. As long as they’re adults and agree to come, I welcome them.”

Uncle Ryan answers the question. “We have an alliance for this very reason. If it were one of your packs, I would do what I can for you.”

“And you have. You gave me warriors when I needed guards. We weren’t in as much risk, but you still came through,” Alpha Redd replies. Goddess, he’s such a good guy.

If he were not already an alpha, he could be the Alpha King. Not that I want to mate him or anything, but he’d definitely be worthy.

“I’ll ask for volunteers and send them,” he says. Alphas Ramirez and Blackburn also agree.

“Haley says they’ll be attacking in the beginning of summer. I would request everyone here by the end of April so we can get used to each other and have time to learn strengths and weaknesses. I thank you, my brothers.”

“Since our pack neighbors yours, we’ll have a group at the ready, in case you need it. It would be foolish to underestimate Grey. Just have Haley contact me and they’ll be sent within a moment,” Alpha Ramirez suggests.

“Same here in the east. We’ll be picking off any stragglers that might wander into my territory,” Alpha Blackburn agrees. I smile to myself, liking these guys more and more.

It’s too bad not all alphas are as awesome as these four. I will say one thing; if the alpha heir isn’t up to their standards, I’ll reject him too. The king of the alphas better be worthy of the title.

“Alpha Ramirez, one more thing. The woods surrounding your territory are going to be busy the next few months. They’ll be looking for the dungeon. I know Realta already torched it, but they don’t know that,” I warn so he’s more cautious about who he sends to us.

He gives me a nod and a soft smile. Damn, Natalie is one lucky bitch, he’s hot!

What is wrong with me? I’m like a boy-crazed pup. Granted I’m still a pup, but I’ll be eighteen in just three short weeks. I shouldn’t be crushing on mated alphas.

I should be ignoring any guy that comes my way. I leave the alphas with a chance to chat and head up to my room.

I hear Glory in the bathroom so I peek inside. She’s curling her hair so I sit on my side of the counter to watch her.

“Are you going somewhere?”

“No. I just saw a new style online so I thought I’d try it out. Maybe wear it to the mates ball if it looks all right.”

I knit my brows. “The ball isn’t until March.” And you’ll already have your mate by then. Not that she knows that, though.

“I know, but that gives me time to try different ideas. Ouch!” She hisses with a small burn to her neck.

“Am I distracting you?”

“No, of course not. Haley, will we end up in different packs? I’ve been wondering about that.”

I shake my head. “No. You can always come to my pack once I find the heir. Holy shit! I’m going to have a pack.” Yes, it just dawned on me.

I mean I knew I’m destined to mate the alpha heir and that he’s the king and everything, but that’s a lot to really grasp.

Glory just snorts a laugh. “Glad you figured that one out.” We both just laugh and she finishes her hair. It looks stunning.

“Hmm. I like it, but it frames my face weird.” She pulls a few strands loose then gives them a soft curl. “What do you think?”

“You always look pretty to me.” She just rolls her eyes. “It’s really pretty, but I think something else for the ball.” Not that you’ll be going.

“You’re going too, you know.”

“Like hell I am.”

Glory sets her tools down and turns to glare at me with her hand on her hip. She’s been hanging around Realta too much, that’s her move.

“You’re going. I don’t care if I have to drag you by the hair. How else are you going to find the poor sucker whose heart you have to rip out?”

“Wow! Blunt much. That works, I guess. I’m dreading finding the guy.” Glory cocks her brow, hand still on her hip. Ugh, I concede.

“I guess I have to go, don’t I?”

She gives me a face that clearly says ‘obviously,’ but it’s not that simple. “Yes, you have to go. But it’s fine, I’ll be with you the whole time.” She promises, but she doesn’t know what I know.

Glory and I get to the bottom of the stairs when the office door opens. “I’ll start sending my guys over. The earlier the better, right?” Alpha Ramirez says and the alphas all walk out.

“Yeah, thanks Damon. But don’t forget Haley’s warning. You still need to watch out.”

“Got it.” The alphas do their arm grip thing then start heading out.

Alpha Redd is deep in thought then he looks at me. I’m not a mind reader, but I can guess what’s on his mind. His countenance changes and a teasing smile crosses his lips.

“Care for a match?”

“Oh yeah! Let’s go.” Talk about a distraction. It’s just what I need. I practically bounce in excitement.

Alpha Redd has changed out of his shirt and jeans, and he’s now wearing shorts. Similarly, I’m in a sports bra and shorts. We’re both barefoot and step onto the mat.

Alpha Redd cracks his neck and loosens up his shoulders. He towers over me by at least a foot, but I’m only a little nervous. At least I know he can’t use his alpha power on me.

The crowd gathers around the mat to watch Alpha Redd in action, including Realta, Glory, and Blaine.

I let out a breath then take a stance. Alpha Redd is so fast I’m nearly pinned in two seconds when he gets me into a guillotine and pulls me to the floor by my head. I catch on just in time to grip his leg with mine, pulling him off balance and we’re both on the ground.

I adjust my body so my knee is in his groin and his hold slackens, allowing me to pull my head free.

“Nice,” he compliments, but reaches out to get a lock on my neck and arm, turning us so I’m on the bottom now. I toss my free elbow to his face which he quickly blocks, but now I’m out from under him.

We continue to go back and forth like this; he gets me in a submission hold, I escape and get him into a hold that he muscles out of. I land a few knees and elbows, but he never swings on me. The gathered crowd cheers and boos for both of us.

No one’s winning, but I’m definitely learning a lot.

A few times he has me in a hold that takes me a minute to figure out, but I manage, with him giving me the chance to do so. Finally, after an hour and a half, he doesn’t give me time to figure it out and makes me tap. He’s clearly the winner many times over, but I think I did pretty well.

Alpha Redd gets a drink then comes back to chat with me. “How are you against wolves?”

“About the same.” I’m sweating like crazy so I grab a drink and a towel.

“You’re not bad. You need to throw more blows. A real enemy isn’t just going to pin you,” he counsels and I know he’s right.

“How are you in your wolf?”

“Um… I don’t know.”

His lips press in disapproval. “Train your wolf and we’ll go again. This was fun, you gave me some challenge.” He gives me a side hug then grabs his stuff and heads to the shower.

It was fun, but it was also humbling. I’m reminded that although I’m pretty good, I still have a lot to learn. I really need to start training my wolf.

I do know I’m fast and slippery.

Uncle Ryan gives me a hug. “You did very well.”

“Thanks. Alpha Redd said I gave him some challenge. I don’t believe it though.”

“Alpha Redd isn’t a liar. I saw a few times where he had to think things through. Don’t doubt yourself. Alpha Redd is known across the country for his skill. Don’t tell him I said so, but I’m sure he could take me. Just don’t go against his wolf. He can shift so fast even you wouldn’t see it coming. He learned that trick from his beta. I still can’t shift as fast as they can.”

I try to picture what Uncle Ryan is referencing. I see Beta Chase shift and a young Damon freak out. “Whoa.” I watch as Alpha Redd and Damon both practice shifting.

Pretty soon both alphas have it mastered, but Beta Chase is still faster. “Alpha Ramirez does it too.”

Uncle Ryan shakes his head. “I feel like I would be cheating if we worked on it without their knowledge.”

“Alpha Redd is still here. Tell him you plan on learning it. I’m sure he’ll be fine with it. He seems like a great Alpha.”

Uncle Ryan looks toward the locker room. “He’s a great guy. I have a lot of respect for him, especially after he reunited us. He didn’t have to do that. Other alphas certainly wouldn’t have.”

Alpha Redd comes out of the locker room and Uncle Ryan walks him to his truck. They do the alpha arm thing and Alpha Redd drives off.

Uncle Ryan turns to look at me. ~He wishes us luck, he says it’s a lot harder than it looks.~

~I’ll bet it is.~