Redfang Pack - 1 week later.....

Demitri

"AGAIN!" I shouted.

Looking around the gymnasium at this pathetic, lousy bunch of mongrel's. I was becoming frustrated with their lack of progress.

I had my warriors training from 6am daily now with only a 30 minute lunch break. It was pushing 4:30 in the afternoon and I could tell that they were getting burnt out and frustrated, some were really pisssed off too at this stage but I didn't care. After the council announced that all four of the northern werewolf packs had crumbled in a matter of weeks I wasn't taking any chances. Redfang warriors were known for strength and having an appetite for war. Even though this generation of wolves had not encountered one in years. We were still the largest pack on the eastern front and the entire werewolf community depended on us and I intended to keep it that way.

I stood on the sidelines of our training matt overseeing every single part of the training process for my wolves. I had recruited boys as young as 15 to start their training on the weekends, and their interfering mothers were a nightmare to contend with. The constant barrage of questioning with regards to war. "Will you send out our boys to fight Alpha"? I couldn't afford for us to appear weak or to loose our edge so I nodded in answer every time. Truth was, I had no idea if I would, but I knew it would be a last resort. Every werewolf needed to do his part and most, if not all of the werewolves present had their mates to go home too, to give them strength. I on the other hand avoided my 'chosen mate' like the plague. The pack had clocked on to our farce of a pairing a few months back, but most who had brains didn't say anything. One or two had asked early on why I chose not to wait, but after I made them submit to me they soon apologised and scurried off back to their holes. One thing I hated more than anything is gossipers or having my decisions questioned. Something this pack was famous for. A pack full of wolves who were on some power trip, taking all of their roles in our society a little too seriously. Something I planned on stamping out.

Regardless, the rumours were becoming suffocating until Milly had not so "subtley" announced her pregnancy did the questions cease. Instead, I faced a daily barrage of stern glances from the older females and I was now referred to by other Alpha's as a rake. An Alpha who took any she wolf he wanted and ruined her chances of finding her real mate. Little did they know that my 'chosen' mate had trapped me all by herself with no intentions of ever finding her own mate.

A couple of months after the council meeting where my father had died, I received a letter from Alpha Liam from the Bloodstone pack asking for confirmation as to whether Violet, a new member of his pack could potentially be my mate. I had admitted that she was. I was hoping that by doing so he would treat her well in the full knowledge that I would bring down a hurricane upon his head if anything happened to her. It seemed my outward confession reached the ears of every other Alpha also. Note to self that Alpha Liam cannot keep a secret to save his life. An oversite on my part that I will not be making again. From that moment onwards I have been treated as almost a second rate Alpha by the council despite my rank and reputation which infuriated the hell out of me. I was being judged solely on a decision that was out of my hands. They seemed me too young for my position. A werewolf driving by his need to mate as opposed to the welfare and safety of our kind.

The council, even though they do not respect the women of our kind, have no issues reminding me of the order of things and how a 'chosen' mate is not the same as a the 'real' one and how my actions could weaken my line forever with the bastard child of an Omega. A lecture I would not be likely to forget. The hipocracy of it all was laughable. The council's interest in Violet seemed to double by tenthfold as soon as the rumours surfaced of a new shewolf asking for sanctuary in our neighbouring pack, having been 'rejected' from my own. Letting her go seemed to be worse than keeping her by my side. Their interest was peaked at the prospect of seeing the woman I had rejected even though Alpha Liam did not reveal her name it would not take much digging to find out which wolf was missing from my pack and which new one turned up in Liam's. I was grateful for them being currently preoccupied with the Rogue King's mass wolf genocide enough for them not to dig too deeply into my private affairs. But it was only a matter of time. My fathers words before he passed rang in my ears about protecting her. I had failed and this training I took part in every day turned into my coping mechanism. If I was distant, cold and aggressive then maybe I could convince myself even more that I had made the right decision by freeing her of her obligation to me as my mate. Not a day goes by where I do not crave her or wish her by my side...

I was lost in thought for a moment, thinking of Violet before I noticed the disappearance of someone who should be here overseeing the training of our pack.

Where is my beta?

I searched the gym for him but to my 'non' surprise it was to no avail, I couldn't seem to "find" him anywhere.

Interesting.. but I now had the confirmation of something I had suspected this past month. I grinned and noticed a few of my men step away from me in fear. I guess my inner thoughts were now not so 'inner' or I rather projected my inner sadist. I chuckled as I made my way back to the main house. Or should I say "casually strolled". I had a no fucks given vibe as I strutted like a cat who was about to get some much needed cream. Elated at the prospect of what I might find and the joy of the actions I would have to take because of it. Along the way, I allowed my thoughts to drift.

It turned out that Beta Richard had been right all along. My chosen Beta was not up to the task and it was time I rectified the situation and replaced him accordingly. For the last two months he had slacked on the job and it was time for a change in management. Walking to the pack house I thought about Beta Richard in earnest. I reflected on my behaviour to him and finally came to the conclusion that I had been too harsh on him the last time we spoke, and he ultimately seemed to receed in on himself since my suggested early retirement for him. He isolated himself to the cottage that both he and Violet used to share and became somewhat of a recluse as of late. He was still respected by the pack members but they mostly stayed clear of him now.

I would need to speak to him later. To apologise. After all, he was technically my father in law in the moon goddesses eyes anyway. And he did do what he thought was best for Violet and even though I did not agree with my father's and Beta Richard's methods, they did what they could to protect her at the time. And ultimately at the cost of his own father and daughter relationship with her. He was lonely, like I was and even though I had stopped drinking and had thrown myself into my work as Alpha since my father's passing, it must have been harder for him now he had no occupation within the pack to occupy himself.

I made a mental note to find him and resolve our differences after my little chat with James.

Walking through the pack house I heard faint sounds of a head board hitting a wall continuously from one of the rooms upstairs. Taking the stairs two at a time I proceeded to bound down the hall to stop at the door where the noise had come from. Accute werewolf hearing could be a bitch sometimes. Opening the door without knocking I folded my arms in front of me and watched the two werewolves who I had just caught in a most precarious position scramble to reach their clothes and part themselves from one another. In their chaos and embarrassment I finally caught the face of the she wolf and my heart soared with absolute contentment.

This was something I had not expected. It was hard not letting the surprise show on my face if I was absolutely honest with myself.

"Milly my dear, you seem to be keeping yourself quite agile during your pregnancy. That should help you during your labour no doubt". I added a nice little tint of sarcasm to my voice watching my 'chosen mates' face look everywhere but at me. She was terrified of what I might do and this excited me.

"Alpha.... we are just.. err... its not what it loo.." I held up my hand to silence James. I looked him up and down slowly assessing their body language.

"You're mates"! I said.

It came out as more of a statement than a question but it all made sense to me now.

I watched Milly nod. She looked pained to admit it. Odd. Her inner wolf was cowering before me. I nodded my head towards her stomach..

"The pup, it belongs to James too doesnt?" ... again more of a statement.

I watched her close her eyes almost as if she could block out the whole room and herself with it. Her shoulders slumped forward and her head bowed to me in acknowledgment and defeat.

"I'm sorry Alpha".. she whispered.

"Well I'm not"! I said. Triumphantly...And I meant it.

I breathed out a sigh of relief and watched James tense in front of me, he was holding the duvet to his pelvis to block my view and it was satisfying seeing how uncomfortable he was right now. I watched him shake and knew he was obviously thinking that this was the calm right before the storm. And boy, was he right!

"Its not me who you should apologise too, rather the girl who you used to call your friend". I spat. I did not make eye contact with her but her saw her shake in my periphery as I stared James down.

As I slowly turned my head towards her again I noticed her flinch at my words and the horror and realisation that followed on her face told me she knew exactly whom I was referring too. I watched her tears fall but couldn't force myself to give a fuck.

Right, now I dealt with that lying shewolf it was time to deal with James.

I turned to him casually and used my Alpha tone.

"Beta James Mathews, you are forthwith stripped of your title as Beta to the RedFang pack from this day forth and your membership as a pack member is revoked. If you wish to follow him, you may". I said directing the last sentence towards Milly.

Their shocked faces gave me the power trip I knew I had been waiting for. Walking out of that room and down the stairs I ran outside and into the forest, I only stopped running when I reached the same place I had last smelt Violets scent before she left me that night all those months ago. I couldn't contain my feelings any longer, I was so happy that the baby was not mine, I was overjoyed that I did not have to be with Milly anymore and I was beyond pleased that I had removed that lying piece of nothing Beta from my pack. It was like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders and I could finally breathe again. I would never again take another shewolf into my bed or my home. I was free! Free, to go back to Violet when the time came. Free, to tell her that I was no longer tied down.

Lost in my own inner celebration I failed to notice one of my patrol wolves, Adrian, who had been on border duty pounding down the hill towards me until his wolf was almost on top of me. Skidding to a stop he shifted out of his grey wolf and stood on his human feet panicked and out of breath. His eyes reflecting his fear and excitement.

"My... apologies Alpphhaa". He panted.

"There has been a sighting of rogues on the southern border".

My senses went into high alert. I had not realised that in my own state of happiness I had tuned out the pack and that ultimately meant my warriors could not send me a mental link to warn me of the intrusion to our packs borders and with the Rogue King and his rogue army still at large, I was not taking any chances. Shifting into my black wolf 'Midnight' I allowed him to guide me to the border, I howled loudly alerting my warriors to join me on the border urgently. I heard them galloping and shifting in the forest one by one. Racing to catch up to me. There must have been over 50 of my wolves who met me at the spot where the rogues had been spotted. All were baiting for blood like me. Each and every one of them understood the danger of this new threat and personally wanted to avenge our fallen brothers in the north. Every one of them would spill blood for me if I asked them too.

I shifted into my human form and stood on a rock beside the river where my packs border ended. The current of the river was fast moving and I alerted my wolves to stay clear of it. If anyone fell in they would probably drown and I was not going to risk losing a wolf of my own for this vermin who now stared at me from across the other side of the river.

There, waiting in the shadows under the cover of the forest trees lingered six shadows. My pack started to growl fiercely at the sight of this threat to our land and I raised my hand to calm them in which they did in unison. If this escalated I wanted these bastards to cross onto my territory, at least then it would be classed as a provoked attack on my pack. Less paper with the council at least. Stepping out of my territory could cause issues with the neighbouring pack and by the smirking look on the lower half of this new comers face which was visible, he knew it too.

Before doing anything I mind linked my Gamma and third in command Matthew, he was Beta Richard's first choice for my beta and I had to say, he lived up to his reputation. He took his role seriously in the pack and he quickly proved himself to be a wolf I could depend on. His devotion to the pack was amiable and I would reward him accordingly.

Broadcasting my command to Matthew and the entire pack I said

"Mathew, you are now beta of the Redfang pack, ensure the rest of the packs borders are secure, I don't want any surprises".

I felt both his and all of my packs shock at Matthews promotion and my announcement, but he recovered quickly and sent me a mental nod to my command without question before I closed the mind link and addressed the filth in front of me.

"You are uninvited here rogues. Step one foot across that river, into my land, and I'll rip out your throats myself"! My voice was low and I ensured to throw every ounce of my Alpha voice into the command. Even to my own ears I sounded like a force to be reckoned with. My wolves started foaming at the mouth behind me at the very prospect of a fight and I had to say, I was rearing for one myself. All this training made me blood thirsty and I could feel my muscles flex. This was turning into quite a productive day and I was looking to let off a little steam. I rolled my shoulders back and clicked my neck in a Show of my power and yearn for battle.

The leader of this rabble, if that's what you could call It, laughed lowly in the shadows across the river. I squinted my eyes to try and see his face but he was conveniently covered, his face masked by the foliage of the trees he hid behind.. coward.

"Alpha Demitri, it's a pleasure to finally meet you".

My spine straightened after hearing the repulsive voice of the serpent across the river address me. He spoke slowly and quietly. each word was drawn out and calculated. It was meant that way it seemed, for some sort of dramatic effect. He was using this moment to reel me in it seemed, for me to associate him as someone I could talk to, reason with. I do not reason with rogues.

"Being cordial will get you no where with me. State your purpose"! I gritted through my teeth.

The sound of the flowing water between us and the heavy breathing of my warriors was all that could be heard for a few moments before this visitor spoke again...

"I hear your mate is pregnant, you must be........ overjoyed?".

The voice was drawn out, casual and nonchalant. It was strange and creepy. He sounded as if he thought of himself above me. Almost demeaning. An elder speaking to a child. I had to read internally with my wolf that he was not referring to Violet and it seemed to placate him a little. This wolf thought me easily riled and well, he was wrong and even though Milly and I were not on good terms at the moment, the way he said the word "mate" creeped me out and I suddenly felt very protective of the young and stupid Omega within my care. Even more so over the innocent pup she carried. Regardless of our previous history, this newcomers interest in her peaked my own and set off my protective Alpha instincts for all those within my care and until Milly formally decided to leave the pack with James, she was technically still under my protection.

"Beyond happy"... I loved with ease..."but my upcoming role as a father has little to do with you"! I used the same tone he used. Testing the water.

He clapped slowly and then chuckled to himself.

"Indeed... but often times children get in the way of things... don't you think"?

....

"Yet.. I suppose they fill a purpose in the long run, especially if you breed with a strong female"...His 'knowing tone' or inside joke was taxing and I found myself getting pissed at his every attempt to deflect my questions. Everyone within a 10 mile radius knew that Milly was an Omega and NOT a strong wolf. Was he hinting that he knew about Violet? I decided to play on...

"Do you always answer a question with another question? I'm bored of your games, and I won't repeat myself". I said.

"It can be difficult at the top Alpha, a little word of advice if I may?... Be careful of those you trust and never let your guard down". He Snickered.

My wolves growled in answer.

"Is that a threat"? I gritted between my teeth and almost had to stop midnight from forcing my shift.

"No....... a warning. I came here today so you knew that on a day not too far from now, I will come ....and when I do, everything you own will be mine. Your time as Alpha has began to tick down and this is my message to you. Your lands, ....your house,.... your pack.... and even .... your mate will all be mine".

Recognition that this was indeed the bogey man himself the "Rogue King" hit me at full force. That's it.... I lost it. I gave way to my wolf and shifted as I watched the six shadows scatter and scamper down the opposite side of the river. My wolf persued on my side of the bank and proceeded to chase them down. Running passed the trees, my pack warriors were hot on my tail as wolves began running along the whole breadth of the lake from both sides. The shadows kept close to the tree line but not one of them strayed into the light and with the water between us I had failed to pick up any scent from this distance. I scanned the lake further down and noticed there was a bridge of sorts with a few rocks in a shallow part of the bank. My wolf knew that crossing this would lead me out of my own territory but I didn't care. I gave the order for my men to stay behind with the pack to protect the women and children as I gained on the crossing of rocks in front me which led to the opposite side of the lake.