Rise of an Alpha Female (Two Moons Book 1)

by A. C. Gruptay

"I really hope it's enough," Nazih says, sighing in turn.

  "It's the best we've got. Assuming everything goes perfectly, we have a 50% chance of victory."

  ***

  Meanwhile, back at the pride's settlement:

  "You two don't always have to follow me around, you know. There is no danger inside the settlement. Even if they were enemies, they would still respect a Diplomat," Jena says to the two wolves shadowing her.

  Lands and Sima, though not Protectors either of them, have both graduated as Home Guards. They are older than the rest of the wolves assigned to Jena on her diplomatic mission, with plenty of experience under their belts. While Sima has seen his fair share of border skirmishes, rogue encounters and has participated in chasing and fighting off desert raiders more often than not, Lands was probably Conall's senior when the Weapon Master was but a pup.

  He could have gone into soft retirement, teaching the younglings about the warrior ways and history, with epic stories about a long time ago, when the packs were at war, each trying to secure their own source of fresh water.

  But as long as he is up to par with the youngest of the graduates in physical prowess, while still winning every spar or duel with sheer experience, nobody can deny him the Home Guard position.

  "Not so, missy," Lands answers. "Two guards with you at all time is the minimum that should be maintained. It is as much about protection, as it is about prestige for the Diplomat's pack. Did you think your father only wants to cuddle you? That he is overprotective? It is a statement of power. Sending almost half a war-party as mere escorts projects power. It says 'We can easily remove this many warriors from our homes, and we won't even notice they are gone.'; so you see, there is no way me and Sima here won't follow you around."

  Jena smiles and turns to the younger wolf:

  "And do you agree with him?"

  "Well, Miss Jena, I would listen to the old guy if I were you," Sima says, and Lands snorts at the old part.

  "You're no lad yourself, my friend," Lands replies.

  "Come now, even the Master at Arms bows slightly when he sees you. Don't think I haven't noticed. And I bet if we went into a full room and asked people to give a seat to my grandfather, you wouldn't have any problem getting a chair."

  "Grown men used to be more respectful when I was your age," Lands says.

  "Which was when? 150 years ago?" Sima asks with a grin.

  "More or less," Lands answers and grins back, displaying a perfect set of white, immaculate teeth.

  "Oh goodie, we reached the reservoirs again. It's only the fourth time today."

  "There is not much to do besides training, Sima. And I refuse to stay inside all day if there isn't a good book to keep me company. I was hoping I'd get access to the pride's library, but it's like they're afraid I'm going to steal their books or something," Jena says.

  "Hush now! Can you hear that?" Lands asks.

  "What? I can't hear a thing," Sima says.

  "Exactly, suddenly it's too quiet. It's like everyone has disappeared."

  "I don't like this," Sima says, and immediately changes to wolf form placing his body in front of Jena. His wolf is brown, muscular and large, larger than most in their pack, almost on par with Alastair and the other Protector Guards.

  "Damn it! Stay with us at all times, missy!" Lands orders and changes to wolf form as well. The change is fast and fluid, typical of a body accustomed to the transformation after countless years of doing it. His wolf is leaner than Sima's, with a grizzled pelt that was probably grey at some point, yet he looks just as deadly as his partner.

  "Ah, Diplomat Jena, there you are. I've been looking for you."

  "Alpha Mahli, to what do I owe the pleasure of you visiting me on my walk?"

  "You remember how we sent the hunting party looking for those raiders, right? Well, one of my cats has returned, barely escaping with his life," he says pointing to a cat behind him, which has remained in its swift form.

  "Yes, and? What happened to the rest of the party?" For a brief moment, panic threatens to grasp at Jena's heart, but she quickly regains her composure.

  It does not escape the Alpha cat though, who has been watching her intently.

  "This brave soul has told me how your wolves, working with a large number of warhogs, plotted and ambushed the entire cat party, killing them all. Only due to his speed and because he was further away on patrol duty, did my warrior escape to warn us of your treachery," the Alpha almost beams triumphantly.

  "I assure you, there must be a misunderstanding. I know Alastair, and he would never do something like that!"

  "Your assurances mean nothing to me. I choose to believe one of my own over a lying wolf bitch."

  "I'd like to hear what happened from the cat himself!"

  "Who cares what you'd like? He already told me so through our pride link, and he is obviously too injured to change to human form. Endangering his life just so you can hear him repeat the same things is pointless. You are on my territory, in my settlement and I am the Alpha. My word is law! Now stop stalling and come with me. I'm detaining you and your bodyguards for further questioning and trial and your new home will be the underground cave we use as a prison."

  The four cats that have accompanied Mahli switch to their swift-forms and close in along with the injured one, only to be stopped by the two growling wolves around Jena.

  "This is not something you can fight. So come along peacefully and save yourself the humiliation and pain of not obeying me!"

  "And if I refuse?"

  "Then we will drag all of you there kicking and screaming, you insolent bitch!"

  The cats again push in but are swiftly made to step back by the snapping teeth of Jena's bodyguards.

  "May I remind you and your cats that Diplomats and their party run under a flag of immunity, and you would be committing a serious offense by laying your hands on us? An offense often punishable by death and a pack/pride disband in some cases."

  "Unless provoked by an act of aggression, like your Protector and his wolves have already done! I know the law, Miss I Think I Know It All But I Really Should Have Never Left Home."

  "That is only hearsay, from a single individual who can't even repeat the accusations in front of me. There is no proof to sustain your claims."

  Frustration is becoming apparent on Mahli's face, as his own cats seem to have backed down at her words.

  "How about your wolves snapping at us? Clearly aggressive!"

  "Well, my wolves informed me through our pack link they were only saying hi to their encroaching colleagues. And since you obviously can't hear or know what they've said, I would venture you simply misunderstood the peaceful meaning of their gestures."

  "I'm personally taking you to the holding area so you can answer my questions! Should your wolves interfere, it will be the aggressive sign we need to take you all into custody, and we will not be graceful about it!"

  Chapter 8 - Miscalculations

  "Like hell he is! I'll kill him before he touches our Diplomat!" Sima howls through the pack bonds.

  "You will not, Sima. I'll handle this," Jena answers him.

  "It is our duty to protect you, missy! Please do not deny us our duty! We would be honorless to let him drag you away," Lands says back in turn.

  "What would your experience suggest, old one?" She asks him.

  "I say Sima tackles three or four of the cats; I'll take the Alpha. You will either be left alone at first, in which case you run, or one of the cats will come after you. By the way Conall spoke of you, miss Jena, you are quite capable of incapacitating said cat. And then you run. And never stop running till you reach your father. He will know what to do next. I only hope he will forgive me for sending you back alone."

  "And what do you suppose are the chances of me reaching my father?"

  "About half or 50% if you want to put it that way."

  "And let's just say for a moment I will do that, will you and Sima be alive when my father sends his warriors ba
ck this way?"

  "..."

  "That's what I thought. What about if I'm captured before I escape? Would you be able to keep fighting if I'm caught, and they threaten you with my life?"

  "..."

  "Exactly. So we will do this my way."

  "We can take them! If she stays and fights with us we can win this; then we can all get away!" Sima replies, happy to have come up with the option.

  "What about the rest of the warriors in the settlement? Think we can fight them as well? All of them?"

  "Umm... Y-yeah?"

  "Aham. I will not have the blemish of coming under the banner of diplomacy and attacking the Alpha of another pack or pride cast upon the Oasis Pack's name."

  "But..."

  "No buts, Sima!"

  "I can't allow you to endanger yourself, missy."

  "It's a good thing you don't have a choice then. I command you both to stand back. You two will not move against the Pride's Alpha at all, and will only block and disable with minimal harm the warrior cats. And even then, only if they attack us first. Is that clear?"

  Both warriors and their inner wolves acknowledge and submit to the command given because of her Diplomat rank, which is further empowered by the Alpha blood running through Jena's veins. If not for the imminent danger, they would probably go belly up as well.

  "My wolves will not interfere in anything you do as you are the Alpha here. They will, however, defend themselves from your cats should they be attacked. As for me, I refuse to submit to your request of interrogating me, nor will I go anywhere with you."

  "Your lying, treacherous words have no value here, pup! Get her!" Mahli commands his warriors, and one of them makes to move forward but a growl escapes Sima's wolf, and the next step is taken in the opposite direction."

  One of the older cats switches back to human form, and addresses his Alpha:

  "The Diplomat said her wolves wouldn't react to you at all Alpha," he says, emphasizing Jena's title as if to remind the Alpha of her status.

  "Noted, coward!" Mahli says and punches the cat away, the force behind the punch sending the warrior reeling back a few steps.

  "Common pup, it's time I teach you some respect!" The Alpha says grabbing Jena's left upper arm.

  She knocks his hand away, and shoves at his chest, this time his turn to be sent reeling backward.

  "I believe you have no idea of proper etiquette when dealing with a Diplomatic party. You are in more need of a lesson in respect then I will ever be," Jena says, mocking him openly so all can hear for the first time since her arrival at the pride's settlement.

  "You dare touch me in my own home? You will pay!" He screams, starting to change to his swift form, with no regards for his clothing which gets shred as he shifts. He lunges at her with a running jump.

  For Jena, this is actually the first time she gets to fight without wearing her rock and sand filled training suit. She feels strangely naked without it, which is odd since it wasn't meant for protection, but as a speed training utensil.

  So she sidesteps out of the way of the attack, with an ease that surprises her almost as much as it does everyone watching.

  Wow, so that's what it feels like without the damn suit. I can definitely work with this!

  "What was that Alpha? Are you trying to breeze me into submission? And oh my goodness, what's that smell? I thought cats were supposed to be extra clean from all that self-grooming they do. You must be the stinking exception to the rule!"

  Already furious with the previous words exchange, this new remark only adds insult to the last injury inflicted on his ego.

  Enraged beyond measure, he growls loudly and attacks once more. Jena sidesteps again, but she is apparently slower than before.

  Huh! I knew she was just lucky last time. Dodge this, bitch!

  As he is about to pass her again because of her dodge, he swipes his paw at her, claws extended, leaving four deep gashes on her arm.

  "Blood has been spilled by the Alpha of this pride against a Diplomat, under the Immunity granted by the Council to all those running under the Diplomatic flag."

  Who cares what a dead Diplomat says? Let's see if you can bleed some more!

  He lounges again, aiming to bite off an important part of his enemy. Preferably her throat.

  The sidestep Jena takes this time is well calculated, and she responds with a punch to the ribs coming from the side. The Alpha's momentum, along with the side impact, sends him twirling through the air and he lands with a crunch, heaving for breath.

  "I think you should have that rib checked. It's probably broken by the sound of it," she taunts yet again.

  Die bitch, die!

  Surprised when she doesn't avoid his last attack but steps forward instead, Mahli crashes into Jena, and they both tumble away, her legs securely wrapped around his lower mid-side.

  He goes to bite at her throat, but Jena squirms while holding him at bay, moving to the side. She is now holding his cat head in place, fingers actually in his mouth and keeping it open, with one hand holding his lower jaw and the other his upper one.

  "Checkmate, kitty-cat!"

  She heaves with all her strength against the dangerously sharp teeth trying to bite her fingers off, ignoring the pain from the obviously punctured skin.

  CRACK!!!

  The Alpha yelps from the sudden excruciating pain, no longer able to maintain his swift form. As the change starts, she shoves him away and gets to her feet.

  The broken humanoid form of the Alpha lies in a heap on the ground, his ribs sporting a huge red swell and his lower jaw hanging awkwardly from his face, skin, and remnants of muscle the only things still holding it attached.

  Oddly enough, none of the cats seem to be running in to help him.

  The older warrior that had been punched earlier approaches Jena, only to be stopped by a menacing looking Sima. He raises his hands and exposes his neck as a sign of none-aggression and says:

  "The Alpha – and he almost spits as he says it – just announced over the link that we are all dead anyway because the Master is coming and he will wipe us out. What's more disturbing is that he was rather pleased with it."

  The other three cats nod in turn, confirming what he said.

  "What is your name, warrior?"

  "Hani, my lady."

  "Well Hani, I assume he said that through the pride bonds."

  "Indeed."

  "You and your three warrior companions along with my wolves bear witness, please!"

  "Of course."

  "Alpha Mahli – she says addressing the earlier arrogant cat shifter, now laying in a pool of his own blood on the ground – by your actions of assaulting a Diplomat without proper evidence of wrongdoings, and by your own admission of knowing of an incoming attack from an unknown foe yet doing nothing to stop it,

  I, Jena Abbyline Rork, Diplomat of the Oasis Pack,

  With the power vested in me by my position,

  Find you guilty of being a lawbreaker and a traitor to your own kind.

  Having said that and being both the person you assaulted and the person to force you into submission,

  I CLAIM YOUR PRIDE AS MY PACK

  and

  SENTENCE YOU TO DEATH,

  effective immediately."

  A forceful foot stomp on the Alpha's neck quickly extinguishes his light and Jena can feel all the new bonds being established with the members of the former pride with a rush of dizziness following up.

  She staggers a bit but focuses on steadying herself, the painful pulsing in her head gradually subsiding.

  "Lana, remind me not to do that again. I almost dropped to my knees."

  "Considering what kind of... I was about to say man, but Mahli was definitely not acting like one. So considering what kind of an Alpha he was, the discomfort was acceptable."

  Opening her mind to all the new members, she says to everyone at once:

  "Alpha Mahli is dead, by my hand, after two serious offenses against both myself and a
ll of you. I am Jena Abbyline Rork, and I have taken over the Alpha position of this pride. Any who wish to contest this will be able to do so in a week's time on the first day of the full moon. Right now, and by that traitor Mahli's own admission, we are about to be attacked by an unknown force. Senior warriors report to the former Alpha's office in 15 minutes."

  "Where is the injured cat that supposedly brought all the accusations?" Jena asks.

  "He must have slipped away during your fight, my lady," Hani answers.

  "Find him! Quickly! We need to interrogate him, and now that we can actually talk, I bet he has some interesting things to share."

  "Yes, Alpha. I shall hunt him down myself!"

  "You will remain by my side, but coordinate the hunt as you see fit. Lead the way to the Alph... MY office, please!"

  He throws a look at the three cat warriors that were still in swift form, and they quickly run off.

  "If you follow me, Alpha, I shall take you to your new office," Hani says and starts going.

  Having switched back to human form, Lands flanks Jena from the right, while Sima, still keeping to his massive wolf, flanks her left side.

  As they walk through the settlement, it appears everyone is out of their homes, eager to see their new Alpha and as she approaches, the crowd parts, making way for her passing, each and every one either lowering their gaze in submission or raising their head up and to the side, exposing their necks with the same meaning.

  ***

  All their planning could not prepare Alastair, Nazih, and the others for the events that followed, as nothing went according to plan.

  Their three bait groups only drew away a total of six warhogs, instead of the 12 they had initially hoped for.

  "What do we do? This isn't working. They haven't even slowed down to wait for their six companions, and 14 warhogs plus that wolf is..."

  "I know; we barely killed the others when we got them one by one. It's that damn wolf. He's smarter than the warhogs, obviously. Keeping them together and heading for the settlement; I don’t know what can we do to stop them," Alastair says, sounding tired.

  "Full on assault then? Hope for the best?"

  "That will mean heavy casualties on our side."