Sitting in my office I was quite humbled and amused by the picture in front me. The little warrior named 'Peggy' was seated across from me and drawing quietly with crayons and paper a few of the pack's females had happily provided for her. I was in awe of how she seemed to be coping despite the abuse she suffered at the hands of someone she trusted. Her nights were plagued with nightmares and her days were filled with terror. I could tell that her sister Miriam was quite nervous to leave her alone with me but something about this little girl set off the protective side to my wolf. She was adorable to say the least and despite losing her ability for speech I could tell she was quite the madam even without her tongue. If she was not happy with something that I or another pack member did, then she made her feelings known straight away.

She did however have the tendency to be quite timid around anyone who wasn't me. She clung to me like a second skin from the moment I met her. She was terrified of anyone who was not me and that included her own family. I thought I would find her clingynes annoying but I actually rather enjoyed her company.

I queried this at first with the pack doctor but he said it was only natural for her to distrust everyone after her experience. And as a part of her recovery process we shouldn't push her. Rather allow her to open up in her own time in order for her heal. So putting my questions aside I decided to have her keep me company as I worked. This seemed to please her greatly and she never strayed too far away from me even when I was not working. There was a knock on the door to my office and I blew out a raspberry in response.

Peggy looked up from her paper and gave me a hesitant smile before returning to her drawing.

"Come in"

I sent an exasperated look to the shewolf who entered the room. Milly had given birth two days ago to a little boy. She had yet to name him but it didn't go unnoticed that James was no where to be seen since she went into labour. I had allowed him to stay here to witness the child's birth but then left explicit instructions for them both to leave straight afterwards. Which is why I was left flabbergasted to find her still here. She was encroaching on my charity it would seem and I was fast losing patience. Glancing towards the shaking child in front of me I halted Milly's approach with a raised hand.

"No need to come any closer. The child is frightened enough as it is".

She glanced to Peggy and gave her a small and reassuring smile which Peggy ignored to resume her colouring in.

"I wanted to ask for your permission to remain in the pack Demitri. My son and I have no where else to go".

"And you expect me to accept this after yourself and your mate colluded to deceive your Alpha and this pack?" I challenged.

She started to ring her hands together nervously and I was drawn to her figure and how much weight she appeared to have lost. I felt my resolve weign.

"I will offer you and the pup a place in this pack, but the offer will not be extended to your mate". I offered.

This was the best I could do. She lied to her Alpha and attempted to convince me and everyone else of being the child's father. I thought I was being rather lenient considering the circumstances.

"James has already left the pack. He rejected me". Her face was sullen and I finally noticed the red rings around her eyes. She had recently been crying. Taking pity on her I nodded my consent.

"I know that you have since mated to Violet and I wanted to tell you how happy I am for you. What I did to Violet was wrong and I'll never forgive myself for how I had behaved. You could have been happy together if I had not made the choices that I did. I just wanted to say that if you need me...

She paused and glanced to Peggy..

"To help out with anything, then I am willing".

"Thank you, but I think I have everything in hand here".

Her smile dropped slightly along with my rejection at her proposal to take care of Peggy and she quickly scurried out of the room. The pack knew of her and James' betrayal but I had yet to inform the council or anyone outside of this pack for that matter, that Milly would no longer be classed as RedFang's Luna. Returning my gaze to Peggy I leant over the desk to get a better look at her drawing with was upside down. She quickly spread her hands out over her masterpiece and sent a pout of her disapproval of me trying to catch a 'glimpse'.

I held my hands up in mock surrender.

"Alright.. alright. I won't peak anymore. Not until your finished".

She went back to her drawing, occasionally glancing in my direction to see if I was still keeping my promise. I found her a complete mystery. I was the largest Male in this pack and quite scary for most young pups in my human form so why did this little madam find my company less scary than the others did?

I was used to them running off and whispering whenever their Alpha would walk by, but this little girl would actively reach out to hold my hand or stand behind my leg. She saw me as her protector and I'll be damned, but I had a soft spot for her. It made me think about the type of father I would like to be.

Could I be a father? Was that even possible? And who would be their mother anyway? I'm pretty sure Violet hated my guts and I resolved myself with the idea that I would probably have to live my life without her. It would be a lonely existence without my mate but I knew that she was protected as long as she stayed away from this pack and the council.

I thought back to our time in the cave and how she felt in my arms. The smell of her hair as it spread out untamed across my bare chest. The way her eyes glowed Violet when she was contented. When she felt loved. My rueful smile dropped when I remembered my taking of her. How I had stupidly believed that she was still a virgin. The reality that my poor mate had indeed had her innocence stripped from her made my fist clench in anger. When I noticed that Peggy's eyes were trained upon that fist I released the tension and she visibly relaxed.

"Peggy, you know you are safe here with me. An Alpha is the strongest wolf and no one will dare to defy me on my packs grounds. that means that if you want to play with the other children they will gladly welcome you. Do you want me to introduce you to some friends"?

Her face teared up and I cursed myself. Maybe I pushed her too soon.

When the door to my office burst open she jumped in freight from her stool and ran into the safety of my lap. She snuggled her head into my shoulder and I wrapped my arms around her. Enveloping her in their safety. Awknowledging my extremely 'rude' intruder as I reprimanded their blatant disregard for the child's fragile emotions.

"Did I not give instructions for wolves to knock before entering my office"?

Beta Richard was out of breath which first gave me pause for alarm.

"Forgive me Alpha.. the traitor, Beta Alec of Bloodstone is on our borders. He has asked to speak to you directly".

I sent him a death glare. Not understanding why he would not just mind link that information to me considering the Beta's 'victim' was currently huddled into my lap. She removed her face from my neck and wiped away her tears as she looked to Beta Richard. I prepared for her mental breakdown after hearing 'his' name but she surprised me when she smiled and I frowned. What an odd child she is.

I concluded that it must be Stockholm syndrome. I helped to wipe away the last of Peggy's tears as her sister entered behind Beta Richard. The Beta gave her scathing look which baffled me.

As she approached the desk, Peggy's back sank further into my chest. Her knuckles turned white as she dug her hands deeper into my arm. She was clinging on for dear life. Another emotion the doctor said she would feel is unexpected anxiety.

"Thank you taking such good care of her Alpha. Its given my brothers and I some time to grieve".

I nodded. It's not like I had a choice regardless. This little girl would not take no for an answer anyway. As Miriam bent down towards Peggy to remove her from my arms she kicked out unexpectedly towards Miriam's mid section. She had developed a little fight in her knowing that her 'giant' Alpha was her protector and seated so close to her. Miriam's eyes turned to one of hurt at Peggy's strong reaction towards her. She turned her back to us both and started to cry. During the entire episode I watched as Beta Richard moved towards my desk and pocketed something into his Jeans. I barely had time to catch what it was when Peggy turned to face me and wrapped her arms around my neck. It seems that my little 'madam' was turning into a koala. I smoothed down her hair to soothe her and cooed words of comfort into her ear as her breathing settled to a normal pace again.

Miriam recovered from her moment and turned around to face us both again.

"She seems to be getting worse. I'm sure she blames me for our mothers death". She hiccups between quiet sobs.

"Don't blame yourself, no one could predict what happened. But now I really must attend to business".

She nodded in understanding and wrapped her arms around Peggy from behind. Dragging her from me with a force far rougher than I would have expected considering the childs state. Peggy stilled in Miriam's arms and her eyes pleaded with me. I gave her a smile as Miriam left with her. I rounded on my Beta.

"Where is he"?! I demanded. All characteristics of Peggy's giant teddy bear had long since gone. Leaving only an Alpha remaining.

"By the creek". He confirmed.

"Alpha I think ..."

I ignored him as I left the room and stormed my way out of the pack house towards the woods. When I reached the first tree I shifted and made my way towards where my warriors were currently holding a very unwanted visitor from entering onto our lands. How dare he try to enter my lands after committing the atrocities that he did. I opened my mind link and a rush of comments flooded my mind.

"Alpha, would you like for us to turn him away"? Said Gareth.

"No, this is one wolf I would like to deal with personally". I said.

**********

Reaching the creek I spotted that my warriors were circling the male in question. All of them growling in wolf form. The Beta had the common sense not to shift. Any appearance of a challenge and my wolves would take him down. Remaining in his human form I observed him. He was tanned and tall. Looked like every other Beta. The only thing 'special' about him was his preference for sadism. One I would gladly join him in. He thinks he's known pain? He thinks he's known suffering? Not until he entered my territory. I shifted and reached my full height. A warrior to my right threw some clothes towards me and I threw the shirt and shorts on carelessly.

Approaching the circle my wolves parted for my arrival and the Beta turned towards me awaiting an introduction. He didn't nod which failed to surprise me. I'f he had no respect for his own alpha why would he for anyone else's?

We stood there, staring one another off. He made no attempt to speak and neither did I. Both of us assessing the other. Sizing them up. So this was the wolf keeping my mate company this last year? Pathetic! This is what she thought would be a good idea to settle down with?

I raised an eyebrow.

"So you're bench boy"! I stated.

Pause.

"Excuse me"? He said.

I smirked.

"Been used to playing second string have you? Being second in command, being second in someone's affections. Always....second best....

Is that why you turned on your Alpha?

Were you jealous of his position?

By coming here do you think I would be foolish enough to make the same mistake by placing my trust in you"?

My wolves growled.

I watched his jaw clench at my insults but it only goaded me on even further..

"The story around town, is that you killed your mate. Tell me Beta Alec... did you kill her or did she kill herself when she realised that the Goddess had blessed her with you".

I flashed my teeth and sneered.

I watched him clench his fists. He was trying hard not to shift and this only boosted my ego even more before I heard him say..

"I was looking forward to meeting the infamous Alpha Demitri. Violet said you were a dick but I decided to give you the benefit of the doubt. I guess she was right. Tell me ..ALPHA... how does it feel knowing your destined mate found comfort in a lowly Beta"? His eyes challenged my own.

I bit the inside of my cheek in response. This little shit was getting under my skin but and an idea came to me..

"Have you seen her neck recently Beta?... I'd say she found the 'comfort' she was missing whilst being in your pack".

I watched his chest rise and fall as he was trying desperately to reign in his wolf.

"I came here not to fight or threaten your pack. I came here for another reason, to set matters straight...."

I cut in..

"So I've heard. The traitorous mutt finally rears his head. I have no idea how you have the gaul to show yourself after the acts of treason you committed against your Alpha and pack". I spat.

He took a deep breath

"I came here to tell you that I had never turned Rogue. I was loyal to my Alpha and Luna right to the end. There is no evidence to support my having turned, nor sidded with the "Rogue King" himself".

"The child currently residing in my house with her tongue cut out would beg to differ". I felt my hackles rise and I was close to turning.

"What is her name"?

"Excuse me"? My eyes went wild.

"Her name! Her name is Peggy and If you bring her here to me now she will show you that I never harmed her...."

"ENOUGH! You're lucky I haven't ripped out your throat and fed it to my dogs. How dare you come to my lands and think to order me. I am the Alpha here and you are under arrest for high treason. You will brought before the council and dealt with according to the decision made by the remaining Alpha's".

He snorted and clapped slowly.

"Do you find this funny"? I asked as my wolves started to get nervous.

I was close.... so close.....

"Yes I do! Your ego astounds me and so does your prejudice towards me having relations with your mate. You have a personal vendetta against someone you have no knowledge of. I find it amusing watching you get riled when your quite obviously allowing yourself to be led astray by others because you are choosing to remain blind to all those who move around you. Your arrogance is what blinds you. What will be the reason for the destruction of your pack AND.... the reason why Violet is better off without you"!

He continued..

"After all, it's not like she's here with you right now is it? The "Comfort" must not have been as good you thought it was. Second string always has a lot to prove Alpha. A woman always wants what she's never had". He grinned.

My wolves moved back a couple of paces just as I shifted...

He transformed into his wolf a split second before my jaws made contact with the neck of his wolf. He whimpered but made a counter attack with a swipe of his paw to my face. I unlocked my jaws and moved away from him as we both started to circle one another. Waiting for an opening. Whilst he was a strong Beta he appeared to be weak in this moment. His wolf not quite ready for the fight with the strongest Alpha on this continent. I wanted to feed his worthless body to the vultures.

How dare he harm a child nor try to covet my own mate from me!

He attacked on my left and I side stepped his advance to swing a scathing paw of my own in response. My claws hit home and I smiled inward as I saw I had cut the beta and deeply. The wound was inflicted on his right shoulder but he tried hard to ignore it.

This fight was boring to say the least. He was not my equal and I found myself taking pity on him. As my wolf sat down to mock him and to observe our prey, the Beta tried to bite my hind leg and my wolf pushed him to the floor. I then placed my paw over his throat. Preventing any further attack. Within moments we both shifted.

"You're weak Beta Alec, weak and pathetic". I said.

He closed his eyes in pain as the blood from his wound seeped.

Turning to my third in command Gareth I said..

"See to it that his wound is treated. I want him healthy for his trial and when I hear his neck snap at the gallows I want a well functioning body to go along with it. When the doctor is done with him throw him in the dungeons".

He bowed his head and I left the creek with the Beta still laying on the floor. I got no joy from it though, not as much as I thought I would. The Beta did not appear to be at full strength and I was pissed that I couldn't have an all out fight with him to release some of my built up hatred towards him! On my journey back to the pack house Beta Richard blocked my path unexpectedly.

"WHAT NOW"! I shouted.

He took out a piece of parchment from his jean pocket and handed it to me in silence. I snatched it out of his hand and opened it to find it was Peggy's drawing from earlier.

My heart stopped dead.

Standing over a small child was a Tinkerbell demon version of Miriam with a knife In her hand. Blood was covering the small child laying helplessly on the floor beneath her and the word..

"ME"

Was written directly beside the child.

On the other side was a small twig like boy who's body parts were strung all over the page and the image of a severed head to go along with it.

This was the most unnerving and sinister thing I have ever seen and to think a 6 year old drew this?

My eyes lifted slowly towards Beta Richard.

"WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON"?

***********