My priority is the safety of this pack and its members. This is not a consultation; I'm informing you of my decision and any further questions you can address to Nazih. We leave tomorrow at dawn, so unless you want to stay here, you'd better start packing. Bring what you can carry, and each family is allowed one hand drawn cart. Elders and children from families with no supporting adults talk to Hani for a place in the larger horse-drawn carriages belonging to the pack."
And with that, Jena steps down and heads towards the Alpha's office. The Diplomat courses about self-control are in full use, as Jena postpones the rage threatening to burst from every pore.
That idiot forced me to look like a tyrant, not caring about what others think. Damn him!
***
"How are we looking?"
"A perimeter has been established, with the younger cat warriors acting as orbiting scouts around the caravan and the wolves and the most experienced cats close to the carriages to act as a response force in case of trouble. Nothing special to report so far," Alastair says proudly.
"Good."
"May I suggest having a rotation for the scouts, so they don't tire themselves out into uselessness?" Lands adds.
"Work it out with Alastair."
"Logistics-wise, some people tried to carry their entire house with them, and we had to remind them of and enforce the rule of one hand-drawn cart per household. Apparently, they thought the horse-drawn carriages could carry their other things as well," Nazih says in turn.
"That was meant for the elders, children and their things. You can't expect either of them to be able to pull a handcart."
"Exactly what we explained. Not to mention we had to add pregnant women to that group as well. There are a few. Another issue is the children. They won't be staying put the entire way."
"Damn, I completely forgot about that. Lands!"
"My Lady?"
"Jena will do fine. Even Alpha is OK. So any ideas?"
"Yes, my Lady! Hmm, we could let the children run along the caravan, as long as they always stay under 30 feet from the nearest carriage," Lands says.
"And I'll task the warriors in the response force to form on the 30 feet marker, and make sure the kids stay inside."
"Good thinking both of you! If that's all, we can..."
"One more thing, actually."
"What is it?"
"Someone demanded to know why the Alpha is allowed and entire horse-drawn carriage by herself, and twice as many horses for it," Nazih says.
"Let me guess, Jacan?"
"No. One of his cronies."
"What did you do?"
"Told him to take it up to Alastair whom just happened to pass by."
"And?" Jena says and turns to her other Beta.
"He snarled in the cronie's face, who turned tail and raised dust behind him."
"Alastair?"
"What? Some of these cats need some discipline drilled into their heads," Alastair says shrugging his shoulders.
"Truth be told Jena, Mahli was a tyrant with a bad temper. Under him, nobody would have dared to question anything the Alpha said."
"Thank you for the clarification, Nazih. I'd like you to keep an eye on all the discontent cats. Or get another one of your men to do it. I think a wolf on this assignment would only raise more hostility."
"Agreed! Let's just get to our destination in one piece first; then we can worry about people' feelings more."
Jena nods and gives the signal for the caravan to start moving.
Lands drops in step by Jena's side and walks in silence for a while.
"Ask your question already, my friend, and speak freely!"
"Thank you, my Lady! I was wondering what it is you are actually carrying in the large wagon that got people arguing over it, since it uses twice as many horses and you only had one trunk when we first came here."
"Well I asked Gudrun to handle it, but it mainly contains the former pride's records and history, their entire library plus the books in the Alpha's office, since it wasn't much of it anyway, and the pieces of art that Gudrun deemed valuable enough to keep. Can you believe the Alpha had more books in his house than were available in the pride library for everyone else? What a douche!"
"So basically you've ensured the survival of the entire cultural heritage of the pride. It warms my heart to see your respect for those that came before you!"
"Thank you. Though I have to admit it was mostly Gudrun's idea. I punished her for it!" Jena says with a grin, making Lands turn his head to look at her, one eyebrow raised.
"She is now the pack's Archiver and Librarian."
"Ha, ha! You had me worried for a second there."
"Oh, I'm sure she is going to curse me for it in the future," she says smiling even more.
***
Meanwhile, back at the Oasis Pack, the man in charge receives a visit from his second in command.
"Alpha Magnus!"
"What is it Lindator?"
"I was doing a surprise inspection on one of the patrols earlier when we found a wounded werecat. He was barely walking, heading directly towards our compound."
"What did he say? Bring him in!"
"He is with the healer now, unconscious."
"Well did he say anything?"
"Bad news I'm afraid. Apparently, he is from Jena's pack. They've been attacked!"
The Alpha starts running immediately.
"How is he?" Magnus asks the healer as he barges in.
"I can't really say, Alpha; he should be awake and able to talk. He's been injured, but he is healing at a normal rate, and nothing as severe of what he is going through. This fever has no explanation I can find and because of it I suspect he is coming in and out of consciousness."
"Arghhh... I'm burning, I'm burning! Help meee," the cat yowls.
"Calm down warrior, breath and open your eyes," the healer orders the human form of the werecat before them.
"Wh... what? Where am I?"
"You are in the Oasis Pack settlement. You are safe. Can you tell me what happened?"
"An attack, they used poison, I was hit, paralyzed, nothing I could do and..."
"Slow down and here, drink some water."
"Th... thank you."
"Where is Jena? Did they take her? Where?"
"I... I'm sorry, I don't know if they took her, or where. When I woke up, there was nothing and nobody around me. Only that note," he says pointing to a piece of paper on a side table.
<
Alpha Magnus,
Let me start with the fact that I hate you and everything you represent!
What gives you the right to stop anyone from drinking fresh water from the Oasis? You and your wolves are the perfect example of what is wrong with our world, and someday I will find a way to remove your head and let everyone have access to the water of the Oasis.
But for now, we need to be practical.
We have your daughter and a few survivors from her wannabe pack.
We honestly had no idea cat warriors were so weak, but your wolves were no match for our poisons anyway.
While you may not care about a bunch of cats, we know you care about your daughter.
Bring one large wagon full of water reservoirs, like the one you usually send heavily armed and defended to your allies, through the Devil's Crack tomorrow at noon.
Come alone and no funny business. If we see anyone else with you, we will kill her. If you try anything, we will kill her. If anything looks in any way suspicious, can you guess? She's DEAD! As in finished, done, terminated, released from here empty life. Should I go on?
There will be nobody waiting, and when you arrive, release the horses and send them home. After you do, you can take the hand drawn cart with your daughter in it and go back.
We will be watching you and anything not following this order of things will mean no antidote for her.
Oh yeah, I forgot to mention. She has been poisoned. You will find the antidote on your way out of the Devil's Crack o
n a nearby rock. That is assuming you followed the rules.
Sincerely hating you,
S.,
Leader of the Brotherhood for the Equal Distribution of Clean Water
>
Alpha Magnus switches to mindlinking, so he can talk privately to his Beta:
"What do you think, Lindator? Is this real?"
"The note or what he said?"
"Both."
"He sounded sincere, no elevated heart rate or strange breathing. And the note... what can I say, it does sound like something some of the envious desert riffraff would say, but they have never been so bold as to attack us before."
"They haven't actually attacked us, they attacked Jena's pack, and honestly from what I conclude so far they sound more like refugees than an actual pack. I have to wonder who provided these individuals with the poisons because I'm sure some pathetic desert scavengers can't afford any kind of poison strong enough to take down wolves. That is more than 10 wolves they disabled or killed. It's unthinkable!"
"I agree. Something is off. You shouldn't go tomorrow!"
"I know. But I must. It's my daughter we're talking about."
"They won't risk letting her die. She has no value dead. Actually, it would be worse for them with all the bad reputation they would get, not to mention the anger of the entire Oasis Pack. Plus you are the Alpha, and we need you. Don't risk your life, let me go instead."
"You are a good friend Lindator, but I can't risk it. It's my baby girl they've taken!"
"Presumably taken."
"Well, the cat warrior was telling the truth, I didn't get any dishonesty from him, and he didn't have his walls up. So I have to assume the note was real and truthful as well."
"Then I'll get the best stealth-able warriors to scout the area and dig in, hidden, in case there is trouble, and I will be a little further away with more warriors ready."
"Fine! Be sure everyone is hidden!"
"What is your name warrior?" Alpha Magnus asks the werecat, after what seems like only moments.
"Sano, sir. I guess you want to know what happened."
***
Jena's caravan has stopped for the night, and there is only one more day until they reach Oasis Pack territory.
"A wolf is coming."
"Can you tell who it is?"
"No. I can barely see him, but he definitely is a wolf."
"Hang on, I'm coming up front," Alastair mindlinks and speeds to the front of the convoy.
After a couple of minutes, the Beta asks the team to relax and changes to his human form, as does the new wolf.
"Alastair, it's good to see you," the new wolf says and comes in for a hug.
Though startled at first, the Beta is quick to respond, and as they hug in a manly kind of way, they each take a sniff of the other.
"You too, Master at Arms!"
"So you dropped your allegiance to your birth pack?"
"Well, I..."
"No need to explain, I already know everything. Your scent has changed. Stronger. So you're a Beta. Sort of."
"What do you mean sort of? But yours hasn't, Master Conall. You still smell scary."
"You are such a flatterer. And drop the Master, we are friends now, aren't we?"
"We are? Wow, I'm honored! Truth be told, I didn't think you have any friends."
"Of course I do. I just don't want my students to find out about it. Helps with their training. But enough with the pleasantries. Is Jena alright? Is she here?"
"Of course Mast... I mean Conall. Where else would she be but with her pack?"
"Magnus was right then. Take me to her, NOW!"
***
Undisclosed location, conveniently close to the Devil's Crack.
"Second, there is a wolf here to see you. The password was given, so the wolf is just outside," the Raised warhogs says and walks back out.
"Enter!"
"So good to see you! I've taken care of the cat. There will be no words coming out of him, ever."
"Good! How is everything back at the Oasis Pack settlement?"
"Chaos mostly. Some fear, as well."
"Perfect! Does anyone suspect you?"
"Nobody has a clue. Now what, my love? Should we make a run for it?"
"No! I will not live a life on the run. For now, we wait and enjoy their reactions."
"Are you sure? Well, if you think that's best."
"I do. Now come here you! You need to be rewarded," the Second smiles brightly and pulls the other closer. They hug and kiss, forgetting to stop for anything but air. The warhogs are too loyal to disturb them bar an emergency, so their privacy is assured.
It's good to be in charge! Time to thoroughly enjoy my mate! To think I almost forgot how good this feels!
The Second growls contentedly while he bites into his mate's neck, as if physically reaffirming their bond would erase their time apart.
Chapter 12 - Consequences
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN MY FATHER IS DEAD?"
Conall takes a couple of steps back. The Jena in front of him is no longer a pup, but a grieve-stricken leader. One that he has personally trained. The most dangerous kind of Alpha. One he also does not want to hurt.
"I mean Magnus is no more. He was drawn into an ambush and attacked by more than a dozen half hog half man monstrosities."
"You mean warhogs?" Jena clenches her fists, and the words seem hissed as if barely keeping herself from screaming them.
"I guess you could call them that. By the time Lindator and the others got there, Magnus had taken out seven of those warhogs. An eighth was propped on a rock nearby, half his leg missing. Magnus was still breathing at the time, but he had lost a lot of blood. He told Lindator and the others that he was presented with a choice. Die or die fighting. He said one of the warhogs actually talked to him and said that if he could kill all of them in honorable combat, he was free to go. He fought one at first, then another, then two at once, and lastly three warhogs at the same time. The eighth warhog got impatient and attacked from behind, impaling him from the kidney to the stomach area. The other two warhogs bit the eighth's leg off and let him there for us to find. Apparently, they were ashamed of him. They also bowed before Magnus, and then just left."
"I really hate these idiots and their fanaticism, be it induced or not! Tell me what happened to my father? He was strong. The strongest man I know. He would not die from a mere injury!" Jena looks at Conall accusingly, daring him to contradict her.
"He died as he was being brought back. The healer said something about his internal organs rupturing from the impaling. Though the injuries were clearly lethal, he couldn't explain the pallor in Magnus's skin except if suffocation was the actual cause of death. His lungs may have been affected.
Also, one of the warriors gave me a message from your father. It was meant for you."
By now, Jena is crying, probably without even realizing it.
"What... what was is it?"
"The warrior was very careful to repeat your father's words exactly, so I will do the same:
'You are the strongest person I know, Jena. Maybe you will be able to challenge the rules I could not. It's your time to shine, honey.'"
Right now, there is no Alpha or Master at Arms present. Only a man comforting his best friend's orphaned daughter; and she finally let's go as he takes her in his arms, crying her heart out.
***
Later, during the emergency meeting between the leadership of the two packs:
"WHAT THE FCUK happened? How could you let him go by himself like that?" Jena yells at him.
"You think I HAD a choice? I told him not to go. I begged him to let me go instead. But no, he had to do it, because it was about 'his little girl'! He was too afraid you'd be hurt if he didn't!"
"That was uncalled for, Lindator," Conall intervenes.
"Jena was never in danger, so you can't blame her for something she never did. You and the Alpha decided together what to do," Alastair says in turn.
"I
know. I'm sorry for what I said, Jena. I too am upset about your father's death. He was a strict man, but fair in his strictness. The cat was telling the truth, both your father and I agreed to that, and the healer was in the room as a witness. I'm sure he will confirm. So it was only the note left. We took a chance. He loved you, Jena. He couldn't risk not trying to save you if there was a chance he could. You know, as wolves, how much we value mates and children and you are his only one."
"I know. I'm sorry I raised my voice at you! Can someone just show me who is responsible for this so I can rip him apart?"
"That won't get your father back, though it might help you feel a bit better. I also want a go at him or her once you're done! For now, we need to focus on what to do next," Conall says.
"We have to sort out leadership," says Qubdaig, one of the Elders.
"Jena should become Alpha of the Oasis Pack," Alastair adds quickly.
"Women don't become Alphas, young Beta. You should ponder more before you open your mouth. It is unbecoming of a Beta to say such silly things," says Qubdaig.
"Jena is the Alpha of a pack. She has already proven she can do it," Alastair continues.
"That's not a pack, that's a joke of a group full of refugee cats, running away from a few pig men."
"The pig men you so derogatory mention, just killed your Alpha. You should have more respect for an enemy you know nothing about, Elder," Conall scolds him.
"What's to respect? She managed to kill one while our Alpha fought three at once and still defeated them. The only thing you need to worry about the pig men is one of them impaling you from behind."
"Maybe I should throw you in with the one-legged 'pig man' in a duel fight and see how well you fare. Should be easy for you to defeat a gimp, right?" Alastair says and panic flashes across the Elder's face.
"Hold your tongue, Alastair. Conall, I want to know exactly what happened. Go talk to the healer. I'll go see the prisoner, and see what I can find," Jena says.
"That brute can't even talk..."
"Elder Qubdaig, you really should heed your own advice, and ponder before opening your mouth. Otherwise, you run the risk of sounding as green as a freshly appointed Beta. 'Warhogs' can talk, even the brutish ones, if you know what to do."
Rise of an Alpha Female (Two Moons Book 1) Page 13
