I nodded, not wanting to waste time. “We spotted wendigos a few days ago. They were tracked and traced until we couldn’t find them. The surrounding alphas have all been notified except you.”
Drake barked out a laugh. “A wendigo? They’re extinct! No one has seen a wendigo since the Tyrant Lord wiped them out 70 years ago.” Drake said with a sneer. “Do you really expect me to believe you, a female alpha playing pretend with a fake pack? You’re a child. Go back home to Daddy.”
I stared at him for a minute, unsure why I expected anything less from the arrogant alpha. I sighed as I realized he really wasn’t my problem. If he didn’t want to believe me, that was his pack he was putting at risk, not mine. He wouldn’t be able to help me, either way. I was just being a courteous person. If the roles were reversed, I would want to know about the threat. Who cares what he thought?
Apparently, Clyde had a different opinion, as a growl came from his mouth. “How dare you speak to her that way on her land?”
Oh, goodness. I shook my head as the two men stared at each other, a silent challenge that would end with Clyde’s death, I was sure. The only challenge I needed today was the one between me and Leith. “Clyde, he’s right.” Both pairs of eyes stared at me. Clyde’s filled with disbelief and anger as he yelled at me furiously through our mind link. He thought I should teach Drake a lesson for disrespecting me. Drake’s eyes were filled with amusement, a smirk on his face. He thought he’d won. “I am just a female alpha with a small pack. I know I need help, so I’ll find someone who will give me the support necessary. My pack will survive. Good luck to yours. I’m sure you don’t need Clyde to show you out of the house.” I got up and exited my office, knowing I’d pissed him off and not caring. That was the shortest meeting of my life.
I should’ve known it wouldn’t end like that. I heard a snarl and then someone barreled out of my office and toward me. We went rolling down the stairs before I got up and bolted out of the house. He could have a fight, but I wouldn’t be breaking items in my house over it. Drake followed me out of the house and attempted to jump on me again. I was expecting it this time and rolled away before he had the chance to hurt me. My feet met his body, and I kicked hard, barely getting a growl out of him. He was a regular-sized wolf, stronger than an ordinary wolf, but not strong enough to take on a lycan. I rolled my eyes, unhappy that I had to waste my time.
He jumped at me again and I grabbed his arm, swinging him around and onto the ground. Idiot didn’t realize how strong I was. With his arm still in my grip, I snapped it, then released him. He howled in pain, and stood back up, one arm raised. “Shift back and you can leave peacefully.” I announced. This really was wasting my time. With wendigos coming back, we should focus on that issue. Drake growled, his pride not allowing him to submit to me. I couldn’t help but feel bad for his mate; she would have so much to deal with. He jumped toward me again, and my arm shot out, punching him right in the jaw. His head snapped to the side, and I used that opportunity to pounce on him, my claws coming out to sink into his neck. He had no choice but to admit defeat, an angry whine accompanying his act of exposing his neck to me. I growled once, ensuring that he remembered his defeat, and got off him.
The fight with Leith would, unfortunately, have to wait. One fight was enough of a waste of time for me. I couldn’t waste my time with two fights, knowing the wendigos were a growing problem I had no solution to.
Once I got to my room, I picked up the stack of envelopes from Old Moon and closed my eyes. Time to bury the past, I guess. I opened the most recent envelope and read, knowing that by the end, I would be doing just what Drake said: going home.
CHAPTER 7
“There was another sighting, sometime in January 2013; a pair of them, actually. They were hunted into another territory, and then they lost sight of them. The other pack never found the wendigos.” Maverick set his envelope and papers down, writing into the notebook on the table between everyone. We’d been in my office for a few hours going through all the letters from Old Moon. There was 6 years’ worth of information, and I had quickly learned I couldn’t go through it by myself, so everyone was helping.
I was filled with dread and guilt at what we were finding so far. The earlier letters from before my pack was created were written as a plea to come home. Then, they turned bitter as news of my pack reached their ears. It became a desperate attempt to convince me that my home was with them and not a group of rogues no other pack wanted. My wolf and I had been pissed to hear how my father had spoken about my pack, but there was nothing I could do about it right now. I was aware my pack wasn't traditional, built on love and family, but that didn't mean they could be disrespected. About 4 years ago, my dad stopped writing. My brother had taken over the pack at 21.
I cried reading his first few letters. He sounded so grown up, having a life of his own that I wasn’t a part of. I hardly even recognized his tone. He was a 15-year-old kid the last time I saw him, throwing mud at his buddies when he got bored. The little rat used to follow me and Gabby around whenever he could, desperate to be a part of our duo. Now, he was a man. He’d taken over the pack and was leading it the best he could. He didn’t write why he took the pack, but I was curious.
When I had left the pack 9 years ago, I had offered him to go with me. He didn’t deserve the father he had, or the way the pack treated him. He’d been 7 years younger than Gabby and me, so he obviously wasn’t my mother’s son, as she died before I had the chance to know her. Many thought he was worthless, not coming from a mated pair of wolves. I didn’t think he’d want to stay around that, and after all that my father had done, I wanted to offer him the freedom and escape I was granting myself. He didn’t want to go with me. I remember him telling me that Old Moon was home, no matter what happened there. He had begged me to stay, saying it’s what Gabby would’ve wanted. But Gabby was gone, so it didn’t matter what she wanted anymore. She’d probably wanted to live and grow old and have a family with Eli, but that would not happen. I figured she’d forgive me for leaving.
His letters held no animosity. He didn’t seem angry or betrayed that I had left him. He didn’t beg me to come home, and he didn’t hate that I had created a new pack. He was writing to give me the opportunity to know him, should I want to, and it broke my heart. I had done that; made him think I didn’t want to know him. I had refused to read these letters and poor Jackson believed I wanted nothing to do with him. His letters never hinted at any ill feelings from him. In each one, he confirmed that I would always have an ally with Old Moon and said I’d always be welcomed back home if I ever changed my mind. Then they started getting serious.
Wendigo sightings had been getting more common around their area. Neighboring packs had been contacting him to confirm the issue. They had killed some of them, but most weren’t trained to handle them. New wendigos could only die by fire, starvation, or a silver bullet through the heart. Wolves weren’t trained with guns often, as bullets could kill them, and no alpha was about to start setting fires in their woods. There were so many sightings that we were keeping a record of all the ones Jackson had sent. It shocked me to hear how many there were. This was a serious problem. Wendigos had an appetite for people, and they were impossible to control. If a wolf was only bitten, they would become a wendigo. For some reason, they were creating more instead of feeding. Could someone be making sure that wendigos were being made?
“Uh, boss?” Brett said looking up from the paper in his hands, “I don’t think we need to worry about documenting the sightings.”
I frowned, “Why?”
“Your brother did. They’ve documented all of them from every pack. Apparently, they’ve been planning some meeting with any alpha who believes them. He didn’t say much, just that they’re planning to meet up and figure stuff out. This letter was sent a few weeks ago, and he didn’t leave a date for the meeting, just a number for you to call if you’re interested.” He left his number. I was being forced to talk to him even if I didn’t
plan to go to the stupid meeting.
“I’m sorry I wasted your guys’ time, then.” I sighed, feeling guilty. If I had been a good alpha, I would’ve read my mail and figured this out. We’d already be a part of the plans to stop this threat. I couldn’t help but feel like I failed them.
“None of us had anything better to do!” Diana said smiling at me. She was leaning against Maverick on the ground and totally misinterpreted my apology. She thought I was apologizing for making them read through the mail.
This didn’t happen because you didn’t read the mail, Selene. Mav’s voice came into my mind through our mind-link. I closed my eyes and sighed. He had to take my side; he was my beta.
“I wasted my time!” Brett said. “I could’ve been swimming with dolphins or wrestling sharks or anything exciting right at this very minute. Instead, I have to witness Mr. and Mrs. Disgusting,” he waved dramatically toward Mav and Diana, pretending to throw up at the sight of them. He threw me a wink, trying to cheer me up. I chuckled, my heart filling with love for my reaper. He wasn’t anything like I had expected when I went to get him, and I couldn’t be happier with my luck.
“We should let you make that call,” Leith said standing up.
“She doesn’t have to make the call if she doesn’t want to.” Clyde rolled his eyes at Leith. The two of them never got along, both thinking they deserved to be the lead warrior. Leith had never cared that he wasn’t a part of my pack; he only cared that he could fight better. Clyde also didn’t like that he came from a lycan pack; a pack that had people who attacked me.
Leith didn’t even bother looking at Clyde. “Call him, Princess.”
I had learned to ignore the nickname a long time ago. He had refused to stop calling me princess. “I will, eventually.”
Leith shook his head, “I don’t think you want to wait on this. Look how well waiting has worked out. You missed out on valuable information that could keep your pack safe.”
Clyde and Mav both growled at Leith. “Enough!” I snapped at them. “He’s right, and as much as I appreciate you guys, I make mistakes. It doesn’t do anyone any good to deny it. I’ve let my past stop me from being a good alpha.”
“I’m gonna have to agree. You definitely should’ve talked to your brother years ago. Y’know, when the thought of your old pack brought out your wolf and made you want to cry.” Brett said sarcastically.
I shook my head; Brett certainly had a way with words. “Thank you for that, but I could’ve at least read some of his mail.”
Brett shrugged, “Sure, but you don’t deserve to be attacked for it.” He shot a pointed look at Leith.
“I wouldn’t have had to attack her if she would’ve just decided to call on her own.”
I got up and grabbed the paper from the table, “I’m calling.”
I didn’t wait for them to leave as I dialed the number on the paper, but none of them wanted to be around when I called, so they left quickly. I sat back down in my office chair, staring at the number and unable to hit call. I knew I had to do it; I was just so damn afraid. I closed my eyes and hit call. It was time to be the alpha I’d been pretending to be this whole time.
CHAPTER 8
I went to voicemail twice before giving up and sitting back in my chair. I stared at the phone, unsure about whether I wanted Jackson to call me back. Part of me wanted to talk to him, but I had a feeling it would end in me going home. I wasn’t sure I’d be able to be around my father or Bishop Tate without starting a fight. I had always been a powerful rival for my father, but after training with Leith for 6 years, I knew I stood a chance against the reaper, too.
My screen lit up and vibrated around the table for a few seconds as I felt my heart speed up. I felt nervous and sick, debating letting it go to voicemail. Grow up, Selene. I picked it up and answered before I could change my mind. There was silence on his end for a second, as I also couldn’t bring myself to speak.
“Hello?” I smiled, noticing that his voice was deeper than before. I couldn’t bring my lips to move, so he continued. “Is this about the meeting? I hate to tell ya, but you missed it. I’d be glad to send you any information you’re calling for. Or I suppose we could arrange a meeting, too. It’s totally up to you. Just let me know when and where and I’ll talk to my guys and then you can talk to yours and-” He chuckled. “I’m sorry, I’m rambling. I guess I’m just nervous.” There was a pause, and I heard him take a deep breath. “This is Selene, right?”
My eyes widened, surprised that he knew who I was. “What- How?” I asked. Real clever comeback, I rolled my eyes at myself.
I heard him inhale sharply and then a door slammed shut. “This is Selene?”
“Hi, Jax.”
“Goddess.” He sighed in relief. “I was so scared you’d never respond. To my mail and to my rambling, I guess. Knowing you, you just now read my letters. Am I right?”
A smile settled on my face as I nodded, forgetting he couldn’t see me. “Spot on. I thought they were all from Dad. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be sorry, I understand. How’ve you been? Your pack is pretty famous.” He teased, as if I had only been gone for a few months, as opposed to the decade it’s actually been.
“I’ve been okay. I like them more than I thought I would.”
He laughed, “Yeah, I almost didn’t believe it when I heard it. You left to get away from the unfairness of a pack. How’s your reaper? Not dead, I hope?”
I scoffed, “I’m not stupid enough to kill my reaper! They’d never give me a new one. Brett is nothing like any reaper I’ve ever met, though. How about you? Do you enjoy being alpha?”
“What do you think?” He asked dryly. “Listen big sis, I love you and all, and I’d love to catch up, but we gotta’ talk. You need to come home. I know you have a new one, but as you can see, we need help. Why don’t you come out to Old Moon and we’ll get you all caught up? We’re bringing in some warriors to train the pack, so why don’t you bring yours as well? I know you don’t want to, and I shouldn’t admit this because I’m supposed to be a macho alpha, but I miss you a lot. And I’m terrified and have little experience or training and I could really use some help.”
“It’s good to know you still talk a lot.” I teased. I didn’t want to go home, but I also couldn’t leave my brother alone again. He had chosen to be alone the first time, this time he wanted help.
“Shut up,” he muttered.
“I miss you, too. Of course, I’ll come help in any way that I can. It’ll take a few days to get there, but I’ll be there. You said I can bring my pack, right? There are only 6 of us, including myself.”
“Yeah! I’ll get to meet your super cool reaper, right?”
“Yes, you will. And you can tell me all about how your life has been.”
“I can’t wait. I should go, though. I’m sorry; I’m in the middle of a meeting with the warriors I brought in. I escaped for this call because I figured it was you and I didn’t wanna’ miss my window of opportunity. I can’t wait to see you. I love you, Selene. A lot.”
I wanted to ask who the warriors were, but I knew he really had to go.
“I love you, too, Jackson.”
After I heard him hang up, I sat back. I’d be dealing with my old pack soon. Lots of people I didn’t want to see. Some of them I wanted dead. But there were a few I wanted to see again, assuming they would forgive me for leaving. I shook my head before thinking about my current pack.
Clyde had grown overprotective towards me these past few years, while Leith had been a constant challenge. Clyde had issues watching the way Leith pushed me, and with this recent disrespect from Leith, I was worried. I wasn’t sure what was making him act out. The entire time I’d known him he’d treated me as nothing less than a princess but now that I was good enough to beat him in training, he suddenly has no respect for me? Clyde would get hurt with Leith acting like this. Clyde couldn’t handle anyone disrespecting me without his wolf throwing a fit. Maverick, on the other hand, had no
tolerance for people hurting me. He had no issue with taunting me during training, but outside of it, he got as angry as Clyde.
If Leith continued, I would need to take care of him. If my mate or his lycan lord had an issue with it, I’d have to deal with that later.
CHAPTER 9
“Diana, no!” Mav grunted, grabbing his mate’s arm and pulling her back to his side. “This isn’t your decision.”
Diana turned to me; her wild eyes filled with unshed tears. She was searching my face frantically, “You won’t let them take Clyde, right? You can’t let them take him! Who knows what they’ll do to him? Please!”
I felt my heart constrict. I had begged my dad the same way she was begging me now. As the alpha, I was the only one who could’ve done anything to help Clyde, just as my father should’ve been able to help Gabby. Was this what he went through? No, Gabby was his daughter. I decided it wasn’t the same thing. I wasn’t the one carrying out the sentence against Clyde, and Clyde wasn’t being executed.
We had left my pack 2 days ago and hadn’t thought about the issues crossing through their former packs. Alpha Dylan had been nothing but friendly about letting me cross his borders. He had heard of me, and neither of us had any reason to fight. He claimed to have known and respected my father when he had been alpha and liked the man my brother had become.
Unfortunately, Dylan had an issue when he noticed who had been traveling with me. I had assumed his issue would be Leith because he was a lycan, but he had been very upset to see Clyde. Dylan didn’t care that he was passing through as part of a different pack, he felt that his exile meant forever and under any circumstances.
Some pack warriors had come and collected Clyde, under orders to take him to their cells for captivity. Poor Diana had been watching and refused to stand by. She had tried to fight back, but Mav stopped her. I looked at her one more time before turning to Dylan.
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