Pulling into the pack lands, I felt the wave of energy emitting from the members; anguish was the overall feeling. My eyes more alert I study the trees blurring past us until they start to thin out being replaced by houses, until neighborhoods form. Those slowly shift into shops, a small community hidden within their pack lands away from prying human eyes. We slow down once entering the paved road amongst the shops careful of darting children and following mothers, all their curious eyes watching the truck until the shops faded away and the paved road went back to dirt. A few more minutes passed until finally the pack house comes into sight.
A small group stood on the large porch, all seemingly waiting for myself and Gabe. Their pack must've alerted them of our arrival, as the late Luna stood next to the Beta Mark and the third Beck. A fourth man stood there, his gaze concentrated on the truck as Gabe slowed to a stop in the driveway before putting the truck into park. The engine stops as he removed the keys, looking over to me for instructions.
"Alright. While I meet with Leah and the new alpha have Mark or Beck take you to check the perimeter. See if you can pick up any rogue scents." My words were soft so that even in the truck only Gabe could hear me.
"Yes ma'am." With a nod my way he opens up his door and hops out. I follow his lead and slide out of the truck, my heeled feet landing on the solid ground. My eyes flicker over my shoulder before turning to face the group, my gaze landing first on Leah her strawberry blonde hair pulled up into a messy bun with a few pieces falling. Her usual kind brown eyes were dull, with bags framing said eyes. The way she stood, shoulders slumped, arms wrapped around her middle in a stance of vulnerability, trying to defend herself even when seemingly in no danger. However, losing a mate you'd feel like having to defend yourself from the world and your own mind to keep from self destructing.
"Diana?" Her words were soft, delicate eyes scanning over my frame almost seeming afraid of taking a chance in seeking comfort from an old friend. Leah used to be in the pack but after meeting Rick she moved to be his Luna; their relationship was so new they hadn't even conceived an heir to the pack.
"Leah." I reply softly taking a single step in her direction. That step seemed to be all it took as she was running in my direction, the slippers she wore falling off her feet in her hurry to reach me. I open my arms and meet her embrace, cradling the woman who looked so lost. Her sobs filled my ears and tore at my heart as I held the woman tightly. "I am so sorry Leah." My whispered words were meant for both the lost of her mate but also for my lack of attendance at his funeral. "We had Hunters show up in Arizona, and I had no one to go for me." I explain, fighting back my own tears for my friend who deserved so much more.
"It's okay. I know you would've come if you could." Her voice was soft, a little raspy from her tears but still we pull away, she wiping her tears and me looking at the tear stain on my shirt. Sending her a wryly smile which she sheepishly returns, I straighten up and scan her up and down. "You need to sleep Leah. And looks like eat." I say seriously, I knew she was hurting but she needed to take care of herself. "Rick wouldn't want you to wither away so young. You know that." My words seem to strike a chord in her as her lip and chin begin to quiver once more.
"I know." She breathes out, before straightening her own back before motioning for me to follow. I watch a she grabs her slippers slipping them back in her feet before continuing the walk to where the three men had stood patiently waiting for ya to say out hellos. I heard footsteps behind me and I knew Gabe was right in me heels, his large frame casting an intimidating shadow over my own as he silently took his position at my side once reaching the group of men.
"Beta Mark, Delta Beck," I acknowledge with a small tilt of my head. Studying their gazes I could see the grief and stress this situation has caused them. "I'm sorry for all of your losses. This pack didn't deserve this kind of evil." It was my way of apologizing for not being able to predict and stop this mess, but without the Oracle it's been harder to track our enemies down and stop them appropriately.
"Alpha Reinhardt, this is Alpha Sandalio." Leah's words catch my attention, breaking my gaze away from the two familiar wolves it lands on the male just as tall as Gabriel, if not more so, with a startling amount of muscles coiling underneath his light gray suit. The jacket was nowhere to be seen but the top three buttons of the white undershirt were undone exposing a peak of a tattooed chest, the sleeves cuffed and rolled up to above the elbow leaving his veined muscles forearms on show. The gray slacks he wore was a stark contrast from the shiny black dress shoes he wore comfortably on his feet.
Now, over the years I have seen many people, many many people, yet none have caught me so off guard as this man has before me. He was older than me, crows feet on the edge of his eyes showing he wasn't a stranger to laughter but the slight indentation of wrinkles between his furrowed brows show that stress is no stranger either. His green eyes held hidden secrets, with lips that had the power to spill said secrets but it seemed he had no intention of doing so.
Realizing I was staring I blink and look away from the raven haired man, clearing my throat before holding out my hand in greeting. "It's a pleasure to meet you Alpha Reinhardt." His gaze narrowed and nostrils flare as he takes a deep breath, did I say something? I ignore my thoughts and refocus on the man before me as he reaches out and takes my hand in his, returning the greeting with a firm handshake.
"And I you, Alpha Sandalio." His voice was accented slightly, it mirrored Mark's Scottish way of speaking. Mark mentioned a little while ago that he originally was from Scotland but a large chunk of family moved to the states when we was a "wee lad" as he stated in an over dramatic accent thicker than his usual one. "Shall we take this inside?"
With my agreeing nod, I follow his back with Gabe beside me with the rest following him. Inside the pack house I immediately smell something along the lines of pumpkin; be it a pie or bread it made my mouth water. However my distraction was short lived when I heard a familiar voice paired with ushering feet. Looking around I finally spot Sophie barreling into the room, past two younger males in bean bags plaguing video games. They curse at her as she momentarily blocks the tv in her effort to reach us in the entrance way. She simply flips them off paying no real mind to their annoyances.
"Alpha Sandalio! You're back!" Her words were filled with a grateful tone before her arms wrap around me eagerly. She'd been planning on coming to train and try to join our pack since the day her parents were killed; they stumbled upon a skirmish of Hunters and Rogues fighting and unfortunately fell in an effort to escape. She was ten when they died, now five years later she's been training hard here so that when she turns eighteen she could come and join the pack if proved strong enough.
"I am, I have some business with your new Alpha. We can talk when I've finished with him." My words were reasonable yet she huffed and sent me a mock pout, eyes lowering but she nodded and went in her way back to whatever she was doing before hand. Feeling eyes on me I look up to see Alpha Reinhardt staring me down, studying my every move. I almost felt a blush tinge my cheeks but I quickly shift my own gaze to Gabriel who stood next to Mark and Beck. "Will one or both of you take Gabe around the parameter?" The two bristled probably offended I didn't trust their patrols. Narrowing my gaze I spoke releasing a small wave of my alpha presence. "Not that I have to explain myself, but Gabriel here has a better sense of smell than all of us here. If there is a trail to pick up he will find it. Now take him."
The two duck their heads in embarrassment for being caught questioning my request even if it was silently. However a clearing of a throat catches my attention and I easily look away from the two as they start the walk outback with Gabe on their tails. The throat clearing came from Leah as she comfortably placed her hand on my shoulder giving it a light squeeze.
"I'll be going to rest for a small bit. Come get me when you two are done discussing." Her words were interrupted briefly by a yawn but she smiled politely to hide her sadness before going down a hall to the left to where I assumed she moved to after Rick's passing.
"Shall we?" The deep Scottish accent catches my attention away from Leah's retreating form. I nod once and follow him as he starts towards the stairs. Two flights later we reach the Alpha's hall, there he guides me to the office Rick had used not too long ago. Opening the door he waved me in, following behind me. Once inside I hear the door shut but I keep my gaze on the office trying to see any subtle changes. For the most part it seemed to look just as Rick had left it, the only difference being this man's desk looked much like my own back home; cluttered with information.
"May I ask you a question?" I speak turning towards him as he was at the alcohol cart, pouring two glasses of whiskey. He said nothing as he walked over, handing myself one while he took a sip of his own, green eyes not betraying anything yet they still seemed to pull me in ever deeper.
"Ask away." He replies finally, eyes leaving my fave for once to watch my hand swirling the whiskey idly before bringing the crystal glass up to my lips where I sipped the whiskey. Feeling the burn until it reaches my belly I shift my weight pulling the glass away from my lips before asking the question I'd been wondering since I realized Mark hadn't taken the title of Alpha.
"How did you require the Alpha title here in this pack?" I walk to the desk, eyeing the matching suit jacket tossed over the back of the large leather seat behind the desk. Looking back to the desk I trace over the wooden embellishments taking another sip of the whiskey before placing the glass down and turning to look at the male, leaning my weight on the desk. "Mark was next in line since no heir was conceived." I comment, watching as he tosses the rest of his whiskey back, turning on his heel to place the now empty glass back onto the cart. There he gripped the edges drumming his fingers along silently before turning and folding his arms across his chest, muscles bulging further.
"Mark is my cousin, he didn't want the position, too much too fast." He explained darkly, I could tell while his words held little to no emotion, he felt for his cousin, the entire pack to be completely honest. "I have alpha blood, as my older brother took over the pack back in Scotland for my father." The tall male shrugged, eyes scanning my form up and down almost analyzing me. "So, he nominated me to take over. Beck challenged me, and as you can see," his arms unfolded in a motion as if to say 'look around' and 'I won'. I hummed in response reaching down for my whiskey took take another sip.
"And what if Mark wants his title back?" I question, eyes narrowing on the man while he walked towards the velvet red upholstered chair, the good embroidery along the arms of the chair shining in the light of the office and sunlight shining through the window.
"I already told Mark should he ever want the title back all he'd have to do is ask." He spoke as he sat, lifting his left ankle up to rest atop his right knee while he declined back in the chair, his gaze not leaving my own.
"Alright. Thank you." I quickly toss back the rest of the whiskey before shoving myself off of the desk and back towards the cart. There I pour his glass again and one for myself before taking them back to where he sat. I held his drink out for him, which he took making sure that are fingers brushed, causing me to inhale sharply from the electric current that seemed to spike up my arm. I blink once before seating myself in the identical chair to his across from him sipping on my whiskey before finally clearing my throat to get into business. "Alright. Tell me what you know." I didn't have to explain what I was asking about as he stood and easily walked to the desk where he grabbed a folder bring it back with him. He sat after I took the folder from his outstretched hand. I sat my glass down on the end table between the two chairs and began to open the folder reading it's contents.
"They're hiding in the nearby human community. I've narrowed it down to two positions." As he spoke I looked at the map of the city and saw two pinpoints circles in red pen. Next I saw pictures, to any normal creature it looked like a homeless human just walking down the downtown streets. But to any wolf the red glint in the eyes reflection to the camera was a dead give away of it being a lycanthrope. There were a few more pictures showing groups huddled in alleys of the city or on the edge of the pack territory. They were scoping it out. "We believe they are planning another attack." Reinhardt explains knocking back the rest of his whiskey a grimace on his face a mix from the burn and a distaste for these rogues plaguing the pack.
"How many are there?" I question looking away from the folder locking eyes with him. He had a grim look on his face before answering.
"My scouts have estimated roughly two hundred give or take a few." His words make me clench my jaw and furrow my brows in confusion.
"All this without actually seeing their base?" I question it snapping the folder closed.
"Again. It's an estimate from what rogues have traveled near pack territory, their scents remaining along the boarder. Our tracker's determined there was at least one hundred and seventy rogues, and at most two hundred."
"Okay. How far along are the rogues?" I question handing the folder back over. As mentioned before once a Lone Wolf is kept from a pack long enough slowly they become poisoned, becoming a rogue. Too much saliva within a normal wolf will begin to poison that wolf causing an infection to set in. If the wolf survives they have two possibilities; return to normal or they've gone rogue. Except unlike a rogue who leaves the pack on their own as a Lone Wolf and have a few years before they're corrupted, infected wolves are automatically corrupted, their mind unable to fight off the instability of a rogue wolf's cravings for blood and destruction.
"Well from the damage of the first attack, all if not most, have gone rogue." That bit of information made things a lot worse.
"And we are sure it's the same group that attacked before?" I reached out to grab my whiskey and downed the last of it, embracing the burn while I awaited his response.
"Yes. They are the same ones that took out the late Alpha." This only made this that much more important to solve. "You seem confused."
"I am." I reply placing my elbows on top of my knees, lacing my fingers together deep in thought. "Rogues are not known to gather in groups. And even if they do, they almost never last due to their power hungry urges. They don't respond to authority, nor do they respect it." I spoke my thoughts out loud hoping he'd catch on to my confusion.
"You're wondering who's been powerful enough to keep the rogue's in line for so long." He finally said softly, causing me to nod. I look up from my hands and meet his emerald green gaze.
"Had it been another group of rogues, while the high number of rogues would still be odd, at least we would know that the rogues from before did as they always do in group settings." I pause thinking of the right words to explain my thoughts. "Self destruct." I say finally before continuing. "However, with what you're saying them being the same group that means we have someone able to essentially control an army of rabid wolves." My mind drifts to the late Luna. "Is Leah aware that it is the same group of rogues?"
Raising a brow, the male rubs his jaw, the stubble along his structured face making the angles dramatic, and stark. "I haven't specifically expressed it was the same group, but I do believe she has suspicions it is."
"If it's alright with you, I'd like to be the one to explain to her that they are in fact the same group." While I was asking permission out of respect, I believe he knew even if he said no I would still do as I pleased.
"That won't be a problem. However, may we discuss the plan?" He questions, shifting in his seat, legs spread wide in that stereotypical 'man spread' pose.
"If my assumption is correct and it's not just some plain old rogue in charge, then we need to approach with caution." The alpha nods in agreement as I continue. "I'll send for a small team and tomorrow we will go check out the two locations you've narrowed it down to. Once we know the location and can appropriately plan an accurate plan of attack, then we will discuss the next step." Silence floats between us before he finally breaks it.
"Thank you, Alpha Sandalio. This pack has been through many losses these last few months and needed the hope you brought them." His words were slightly shocking as for only being the alpha for a short period anyone could tell this man cares for these wolves; he was a true alpha. In response I simply smile while I stand, shaking my head to deny his thanks.
"No thanks is needed nor required. I am proud to help protect my brothers and sisters." Shortly thereafter I excuse myself and leave the man in the office. Once I was away from his burning gaze I felt my shoulders relax significantly. He was an intense man, a handsome one, but still something about him was just different.
Heading down the stairs I link with Gabe for an update. As I wait I wander down the hall where Leah disappeared to. Following her trail I eventually reach her door where I knock with a deft hand. As I waited for her to open the door Gabriel replied.
"There are a lot of rogues here but I getting some underlying human scents too. And as far as I'm concerned there are no hiking trails here."
His words cause my brows to furrow just as Leah opened the door. Seeing my face she returns my concerned look and waves me in. I shake my head and motion her to follow me. "Walk with me?" While it was a question she knew not to refuse and instead slipped on her slippers and followed me down the hall and back out front. While we walked I instructed Gabe that once he was done scoping the perimeter to head back to the pack house. I also took the time to link Jace and have him send a small team my way with a bag of clothes for both Gabe and I.
"What's wrong?" Leah questions as we near the forest line. I shift in my heels, eyes leaving the grassy ground to meet her eyes sadly. "Di?" Her brows furrow together once more. I watch the sadness in her eyes, the pain those rogues have forever made her suffer. I rub my shoulder to massage the muscles before speaking softly careful to keep my voice gentle to not set her off.
"Leah. Alpha Reinhardt has confirmed the rogues that have been seen are in fact the same group as before." I wait watching her reaction carefully, my heart going out to her.
Her kind brown eyes morph from sadness to rage in a matter of seconds. Her fists clenched as a slew of curse leave her mouth. "I knew it." She hisses, jaw clenching and unclenching as her eyes turn red from holding back tears. "I want to kill them." She whispers, eyes looking to meet my own.
"I know. We will and I'll be right by your side as we do." I promise glad to see my words had caused some of her anger to dissipate. She nodded once before looking up into the sky, it was dusk, and the warmth of the sun was leaving quickly as it would soon be replaced by the beauty of the moon.
"Iâ," Leah takes a deep breath before shaking out her muscles and continuing. "I am gonna go for a run. Thank you, Diana." I have hardly nodded my head when she turns on her heel and is off into the woods where I know she shifts into her blonde wolf; flashes of her fur is through the trunks of the trees before she bounds off.
Minutes later I hear a sorrowful howl promising vengeance. Hearing the sound I let my head fall back watching the darkening sky as soon the air is filled with hundreds of howls mourning their late Alpha and sending their empathy to their late Luna's suffering. Listening my eyes close as the wind blows, listening to the beautiful melancholy of the pack's song.
"I always find this type of howl the most beautiful." His voice while was unexpected, was a welcome distraction from my self loathing thoughts.
"Does it ever break your heart?" My words were soft, even to my own ears I sounded frail, fragile as if I could tumble with a simple gust of wind. It was a large contrast from how I usually held myself, and he noticed it too as his bright eyes widened just slightly.
"Many would say I have no heart to break." Was his way of avoiding the answer to my actual question. Still I pretend to ignore his avoidance of the question following his gaze as he now looks to the woods where Leah had disappeared moments before. He looked almost lost, standing at his six foot two inches, he was someone you wouldn't expect to look so lost in thought.
"Why's that?" I finally ask looking away from him once again and back out to the quickly darkening woods.
"I changed." Was all he responded with, keeping his past vague. I could respect as I myself wasn't one to spill my personal secrets to anyone I met.
"Vague." I comment, noticing his sidelong glance, lips barely twitching into a small smirk to which I return easily. I fold my arms underneath my chest, shifting my weight into my hip, closing my eyes and listening to the sounds of the nature surrounding this pack.
"Well what of you? No one really knows anything about you. Only that you are supposedly an ancient warrior assassin the Moon Goddess sent." His semi skeptical and almost teasing words interrupting my semi meditative state had me peeking one eye open and giving him a long hard look to which he simply raised a perfectly shaped brow in response.
"Well nothing. There is nothing to know about me." I reply finally, closing my eye again. I take a deep breath in, held it for a few seconds before releasing it. I felt his gaze on me so I finally reopen both eyes and turn to face him as he seemed to have shifted to face me moments before.
"I'll have to disagree with that. You are something else." He pauses, eyes trailing over every part of me, landing on my lips causing me to self consciously wet them with my tongue as they suddenly felt chapped. His lips quirk up into a smirk and in response I frown slightly, looking up to meet his gaze as he finally looked away from my lips. "I don't know what it is but my wolf seems to like it." His words has me inhaling sharply, nostrils flaring as my arms drop from my chest to fall limply at my sides. I was not expecting that.
In an attempt to save face and come off unfazed by his flirtatious words, I clear my throat before replying. "What exactly are you trying to get at, Alpha Reinhardt?" My brain demands for me to pull away to stop him from stepping closer to me, close enough that I felt his hot breath fan over my cheeks; my heart surprisingly seems to beat slightly faster, almost cautiously rebelling against the logic of my brain.
"I'm not quite sure yet, Alpha Sandalio. But I plan on finding out." His deep voice seemingly deeper, almost purring as my name left his mouth. His smirk never left his face, as if he knew how oddly this was affecting me. "Do you plan on helping me find out?"
His question had me reeling; help him find out what? Me. I shift tilt my head slightly up to really look at him as he stood at least a foot taller than me. "Call me Diana." Is all I give him; permission to call me by my first name, something only close friends are given the privilege to do. Instead of waiting for his reply I walk past him, unknowingly swinging my hips ever so slightly feeling his gaze on me. Reaching the porch, I stop and look over my shoulder to see his fiery gaze locked on me. The promises he seemed to hold had me inhaling a shaky breath before opening the door and walking inside.
//\\//\\//\\
A/N: alrighty this bad boy has been edited, onto the next chapter!
Leah