The Alpha's Promise

by Raven Darkwing

  Grant jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder. “You don’t have to do this alone, brother. You have me and Jason as well as a number of friends who could handle things. You just need to learn to let go a little. I mean, how can you find your mate if you don’t even look for him or her?”

  “Father didn’t have to search for Mother did he?” Grant answered as he thought about his parents.

  His mother had come to one of the pack runs after her family had relocated to the area. His father told him that it had been love at first sight that night. Fate had brought his mother to his father and he always figured the same would happen for him. If he was lucky, it would be his Semme’, his other half and the one that would complete him in ways that not many had the privilege of being. While his parents were deeply in love, neither of them had ever found their Semme’.

  In fact, Grant couldn’t remember meeting many wolves who had been lucky enough to find the mate that completed them. Of course, as his parent proved, a regular mating could be just as strong. Very few would argue that once his father met his mother that he became a stronger Alpha because of their mating.

  “Oh come on, Grant!” David groused. “You honestly think your mate is going to just show up on your doorstep some day? What happens if your Semme’ meets someone else in the meantime? You know Semme’ mates don’t always end up together. You need to start looking for someone who will help you like mother did father.”

  Grant took a deep breath and faced his brother. He gazed into the brown eyes so much like his own and yet different. His sibling had not only inherited his mother’s looks but also her temperament. In fact, he could remember the last conversation he had with his mother being on similar lines. He was glad his father had decided to retire in Arizona rather than stay here after he stepped down five years ago. Dealing with his nosey brother was enough of a challenge. Deciding a change of subject was in order he walked back towards his desk.

  “Did you know that Charlie left the pack?” Grant asked, as he settled back in his chair.

  “No, when?” David asked, as he sat down.

  “According to Mr. Sanders, he left a few weeks before the fall harvest. Charlie didn’t even pack his bags. At first they thought he’d just gone for a long run, but now they assume he just moved on.” The Alpha looked at the file on his desk. “Do you have any idea where he might have gone?”

  “I can have Jason start a computer search to see if we can locate his family. However, it’s not likely we’ll find anyone. As I recall, he was kicked out of his pack when he refused to marry the Alpha’s sister right?” David pulled the file towards him and began to read through it.

  Grant was always amazed at the details his brother was able to remember. It was one of the many reasons he felt lucky to have David at his side.

  “He never did tell us the whole story, but then many that seek sanctuary with us don’t.” Grant sighed. Hundreds of years ago, his father had started the tradition of helping those who needed a safe place to live, regardless of the situation. In fact, a grateful Shoshone Indian Tribe, who his father had saved from attack, gave them the very land they owned. The tribe had eventually moved on, but the Windy River Pack had remained behind on the land and continued to take in those who needed their help. It was a proud tradition and one that Grant hoped would never end.

  “True, but Jason did do a background check and found nothing criminal. It says here that the Alpha didn’t even acknowledge that Charlie was part of his pack.” David tossed the file on the desk and ran a hand through his close-cropped light brown hair. He still wore it in the military style he’d grown accustomed to during his stint as a Navy Seal. In fact, it was the reason he was so good at what he did.

  David ran his own security firm with the help of their younger brother Jason. Between Jason’s computer talents and David’s knowledge of security and attention to detail, firms all over the world sought after them. Grant respected his brothers’ skill and was glad they had agreed to remain with the pack as his Beta’s. With their expertise, the security of the pack was strengthened.

  “See if Jason can find anything out. I’ve sent some of our Sentries out to see if they can pick up his trail just in case something happened.” Grant glanced once again at the mountains that surrounded the valley they lived in.

  Shifters could live for over a thousand years and were difficult to kill. However, even wolf shifters could die at the hands of Mother Nature or by a silver bullet to the heart from a hunter. Even though hunting was not allowed, there were still some humans who defied the law. Usually, they were more interested in the herds of elk and deer. But there were still some humans who thought shifters were unnatural beings. Luckily their numbers were few, but still the shifter community was always on alert.

  “You know it would have been easier if Mr. Sanders had told us sooner. Did he say why he waited so long before telling us there was a problem?” David looked up and wrinkled his brow. Grant could tell he was already running various scenarios through his head.

  “He honestly thought Charlie just wanted some time off. Since the wolf stayed mostly to himself, it didn’t cross his mind that something may have happened,” Grant replied gruffly. He was still upset with the fact that neither wolf had asked for his help. What was an Alpha if not to provide what his pack needed? Hopefully the prideful wolf would remember to come to him next time rather than let his son sacrifice his future.

  David sighed, his eyes filled with understanding. “And Mr. Sanders didn’t think he should bother you with this information. So how did you find out what was going on?”

  The Alpha grinned. “A little bird told me…”

  “Ah, so you squeezed the information out of young Roger. Honestly, big brother, don’t you think your days of playing the big bad wolf are behind you? I bet that poor kid was ready to piss in his pants when you called him in to talk to him.” David grinned as he glanced up at Grant.

  “For your information, he volunteered the information when I called him here to find out why he was skipping so many of his classes at the high school. The principal called me with his concern over Roger’s grades. The boy is at the top of his class and it would be a shame to let him throw it away,” Grant replied dryly. One of the many accomplishments he was proud of was that their school system was one of the best in the country. He, like his father was a firm believer that the best way to ensure the future of the pack was to educate its members so they could fit in with society.

  David scowled. “I remember you tattling to Dad when Jason and I skipped training one day to go running in the forest. You know ditching school is almost a requirement right?”

  “Oh, come on. You know the reason you got in trouble was because you were in the woods alone without any Sentries to watch over you. If you hadn’t snuck away from your security detail, Dad wouldn’t have been so angry. Like it or not being the son of the Alpha has its risks.”

  “Gee, thanks, Dad. But I had it under control. You know maybe if you had slipped out once or twice, you wouldn’t have that giant stick up your ass now.” David smirked as he crossed his legs and sat back in the chair. Grant knew that pose and he didn’t feel like spending more time discussing his personal life, or lack of one, with his brother.

  Grant pointed toward the door. “Just see what you can find out about Charlie. It may be nothing, but if he is in trouble we need to help him if we can. I won’t have a member of my pack hurt or worse if I can help it.” He watched as his brother shook his head and sighed.

  “Okay, I’ll get Jason on it.” David stood and bowed at the waist. “Anything else I can do for you, your Royal Ass-ness, or will you be returning to the solitude of your ivory tower?”

  A soft growl hid the chuckle that was threatening to escape. Grant sometimes wondered why he put up with his brother’s antics, but then he wouldn’t want anyone else beside him in a battle. David might be irritating but when it came to protecting the pack or him, he was a fearless warrior. Still, some days.
/>   “There is one more thing, actually. I received a call from Clifton Steward of the Willow Creek Pack.”

  His brother straightened up quickly and frowned. “I haven’t heard about him for a long time.”

  Grant nodded. “The Alpha didn’t even know Dad had retired.”

  “I bet that was a shock to the old fool. I do remember that Dad didn’t like him very much. He thought he was too old school and for Dad that really means something,” David added.

  Grant’s lip twitched, but he refused to let his brother know he was getting to him.

  “He’s still an Alpha and as such deserves our respect,” Grant chastised his brother, but softened it slightly by muttering, “At least until he does something that proves he’s a complete asshole.” He smiled slightly at his brother’s bark of laughter. He might believe in some of the old ways, but he wasn’t blind to the shortfalls.

  “So what did Alpha asshat want?” David asked as he sat forward.

  “It seems he has a pack member who has gone rogue.” Grant watched as his brother’s expression changed to be more serious.

  A rogue was not something any shifter took lightly. It was rogues who had almost caused their entire race to be wiped out when they started the Great War between the humans and shifters over a hundred years ago. Grant had still been young at the time, but he remembered how close they had come to extinction. It was only through cooler heads, and an agreement that the shifters would put down any future rogues, that peace was eventually obtained. For the past fifty years, all beings had lived in relative peace.

  “What did the shifter do?” David asked all business now.

  Grant sighed. “Apparently he set fire to a barn, and while the pack was busy fighting the fire, he stole a truck and kidnapped the Alpha’s six year old son.”

  His brother’s shoulders tensed. “Do you believe him?”

  “I have no reason not to believe him. However, I want you and Jason to begin to do some research on the rogue. His name is…” Grant searched for the paper he’d written on during the disturbing phone conversation. He found it and read the name. “Richard Landon. If he is truly a rogue, then the Alpha’s son will be in danger.”

  “Why would he take the pup?” David asked the same question Grant had asked the Alpha of Willow Creek.

  “For his own protection apparently; he knew he would be killed and figured the only way to evade his punishment was to take the Alpha’s son,” Grant said gravely as he looked out the window. “If they come this way, we are to detain and return them both to Willow Creek.”

  His Beta shook his head slowly. “It doesn’t make sense. Rogues normally are beyond thinking rationally. They are more animal than human. Besides, taking a child, not to mention the child of an Alpha? That would only spur the pack on to find him. Even a rogue wouldn’t be that stupid.”

  Grant nodded in agreement. “And that is why I want you and Jason to check the story out. If he comes here, we will get to the truth of it.”

  Grant growled. He hated rogues for what they had done to their race and he hated that this one had put a young innocent pup at risk.

  David took the paper with the name on it and put it in his pocket. “If we find out what Clifton says is true, do we return the rogue to Willow Creek?”

  The Alpha stood and growled as he felt his teeth start to lengthen. His claws also began to push through as he fought the change. “If Richard is truly a rogue and guilty of these atrocities, then he will be killed.” Grant took a deep breath as he watched his brother tip his head to the side. The Alpha Wolf in him wanted to hunt and kill the threat but the human part knew there could be more to the story. He fought his nature and after a few minutes managed to calm enough that he could speak again. “See what you can find out and report back to me, David.”

  David stood and nodded before he smirked. “Fine, but don’t think our conversation about your lack of social skills is over big brother. I’m onto your diversion tactics. If I have to get Sparky to help me, I will pull that stick from your ass.” His brother paused, a mischievous glint in his dark eyes as he finished. “And replace it with a nice vibrating dildo. At least then you’d loosen up a bit.”

  Grant stood and glared at his brother but realized as usual it didn’t faze his sibling. He could hear his brother’s laughter as he closed the door and walked down the hall. The Alpha stood and walked toward the window to stare out into the wilderness. It wasn’t that he didn’t want more, but rather he had no idea how to be both an Alpha for his people and a man who would give anything for someone to fill the hole in his heart. He longed for a lover who could fill the void or better yet be his Semme’ mate; the one person who would never leave him and yet, he knew the odds were against it ever happening.

  CHAPTER TWO

  RICKY STUMBLED FOR WHAT SEEMED THE HUNDREDTH TIME since they had entered the woods. He paused and glanced around. All he could see were trees and more trees. If it weren’t for the mountain peak he could see in the distance, he would have been totally lost.

  “Sandy!” Ricky called out, surprised by how weak his voice sounded. His body was on fire even though it shivered from the cold. He would be forced to stop soon or fall and not get up. Neither choice seemed like a good idea but his body was past listening to him.

  The sound of something running through the brush caused his head to whip around. It was times like this he wished he were a wolf shifter. Then at least he could tell by scent what was coming towards him. Of course, it didn’t really matter since he doubted he could even raise his arms to defend himself. Just as he slipped to his knees a white wolf appeared. Ricky sighed with relief as he hugged his younger brother close and petted his fur. Even though his brother was only six years old in human years, in wolf form he was already the size of a large timber wolf.

  “I told you not to get too far ahead, Sandy,” he chastised lightly as he tapped his brother on the nose.

  Sandy squirmed out of his arms and sat back on his haunches. A moment later there was a slight shimmer in the air and a naked young boy now sat where the wolf had been.

  “Ricky! I found something!”

  Ricky reached into the bag he carried and handed his brother his clothes. He waited patiently until Sandy was fully dressed before he spoke. “Did you find another arrowhead?” The young human smiled as he realized he already carried at least half a dozen in the battered duffle bag. He didn’t have the heart to tell his brother they weren’t really treasures.

  “It’s much better.” Sandy was excited. If he were still in his wolf form, Ricky could imagine his tail wagging along with his whole hind end. It was clear his brother needed to tell him about his latest discovery.

  With a groan, Ricky stood on weak legs and gazed at the slowly setting sun. They would need to stop soon and find some kind of shelter for the night.

  “It’s a little house, Ricky. I went up and knocked but no one answered, so I don’t think anyone lives there. I couldn’t smell anyone either. But I bet it would be better than the cave we used last night don’t you think?” Sandy barely took a breath as he spoke about his find.

  Ricky held up his hand. “Hold on, you went up to the house and knocked? What if there had been someone there?” He hated to make his brother afraid of strangers but with their current situation, he could get them killed if he wasn’t careful.

  Sandy rolled his eyes. “I told you. I didn’t smell no one. I just knocked, ‘cause I thought it would be polite. Come on I’ll show you!” The young pup turned and began to stalk back in the same direction he’d come from.

  For a moment Ricky almost called him back, but then he realized if what Sandy said was true it could be their salvation. He doubted he was going to survive much longer without shelter. Food and water wouldn’t hurt either and maybe some aspirin for the fever and pain. All he had left in the medical supplies he’d taken were some bandages. He stopped suddenly as he stepped into a small clearing.

  “See, I told you!” Sandy barked out as he pul
led Ricky towards the small log cabin.

  The porch sagged with age and a few boards were missing from the stairs. But the door was still solid enough and the windows still had glass. If the fireplace worked, maybe their luck had changed. However, first he had to make sure it really was safe.

  “I see it, Sandy, now stay here until I check it out okay?” Ricky watched as his brother crossed his arms and stuck out his lower lip.

  “I told you, no one has been here for a long time. My nose would know if someone had!” The young pup moved forward, but Ricky pulled on his arm and stopped him. A low growl escaped his brother’s throat as he turned to glare at his older brother.

  For a moment, Ricky was reminded once again how much stronger his younger brother was than him. It wasn’t the first time he wondered why Maria had entrusted him, a mere human, with the care of his sibling.

  Ricky took a calming breath. “I believe you, Sandy, but that doesn’t mean the building is safe. If we’re not careful we could step inside and it could collapse or the boards could be rotted in the floor. Why don’t you go and gather some wood while I check it out? That way we can start a fire and get warm as soon as I make sure it’s safe for us.”

  Ricky watched as his younger sibling thought it over for a moment, before he nodded and headed to gather some of the smaller branches and logs scattered around the clearing. He smiled at his brother’s willingness to help. For a six year old, he sometimes acted more like he was twice his age. But then their life hadn’t been easy and required them both to mature before their time.