"Ok, listen up!" I shout over the chatter echoing. Clapping my hands to get everyone's attention on me."Eighteen to twenty one, on this side!" I order, pointing to the far left, to Jackson and Triss."Anyone seventeen or below, over there!" I point towards the edge of the tree line where Beck waits."All those above will be with Zed, all pups aged three and below must stay over there!" I state firmly, gesturing to the large area we've sealed off.It has a paddling pool, a ball pit, a small slide, beanbags, and a ton of toys for all ages. We managed to get five of the pups fathers to watch the area, instead of the mothers because let's face it, the mommas can use a break."Have fun!" I beam, jumping off the chair and joining Beck with the younger teens.Zed, Jackson, Beck, Phoebe, Triss and myself will be watching over everyone, taking turns on different sections so we get around to everyone."What are those?" One of the wolves wearily eye the tub of needles that Beck carries.Picking
"You asked me here to talk business, and yet all you have offered so far is nonsense about some rogue." The Alpha is far from pleased, rather overstepping his own authority towards me.If I was a male, he wouldn't be speaking to me with such disrespect."Winter was born a rogue, yes, but she's never hurt anyone. I refused to believe it myself, so I understand your reaction but I learnt the hard way that not all rogues want to cause trouble for us-""Just last week I lost three men, three good, loyal wolves. You ask me to extend my land for the things that kill my men? Where is the justice in that?" He glares with fire in his cold brown eyes."This is not about Justice, Markus. With rogues in alliance with packs, it will deter attacks from the ones that do wish to cause harm-""Alliances only work if both sides have a leader willing to take the consequences of their people's actions." Markus snaps at me, completely undermining me in front of not only his men, but two other Alphas.I fe
"How many have signed?" He questions. "Eleven." I admit dejectedly. "But that doesn't mean anything, I know we can get the signatures-""This is a death sentence for us all, do you realise that?" Maddox snaps, not the least bit happy with this alliance."Some of them are-""Don't!" Maddox snarls, rising to his feet with crimson eyes. I'll admit, his sudden rage makes me flinch back, a flicker of sheer numb fright filling me briefly."Do not make me lose any respect I have for you." He grits out, eyes burning blood red."If you don't sign this alliance, I won't have any other choice but to challenge you." I glare, slapping it to him hard without care."It's not wise to threaten me, Kali." Maddox says, malevolently.Unblinking, I stand my ground. "Sign this alliance and you won't have to worry about any threats."Maddox simply scoffs, turning away in sheer temper. While the man isn't arrogant, he is hardheaded and foul tempered when angered, I suppose like all Alphas."There is a girl
The second I open my eyes, I see nothing but red. The flashes of memory are vague, but the terror I felt before the shift is what makes me feel so shook. Seeing so much blood on my hands, covering me from head to toe, I felt my eyes well up with tears. I'd put so much effort into changing, and look at me. Sitting in a puddle of mangled body parts drenched in the remains of five Alphas."Kali?.."I scramble away from the whisper, fear hitting me as I tremble."Don't come near me!" I breathe, half terrified as I slip in the huge mass of blood, not wanting to hurt her."It's ok-""GET AWAY!" A snarl rips through me, the fear so loud that I felt my blood rushing again, and I could fell it happening again.No, no, Kali, you need to control it! I tell myself, but it's not use. The fear is feeding it, and I can't stop the fear.Arms wrap around me, pinning my arms to my chest and cradling me from behind. I instantly fight against the grip, panicked and terrified."Get off!" I rage like a bu
I wake to the sound of the shower running. Yawning tiredly, I rub my eyes to clear any sleep out as I sit up in the bed. Naturally the first thing I do is check the time.10:38 AM.It's almost eleven!? With wide eyes I rush from the bed, jumping in the shower with Hardin so fast that he jumps in surprise."What's wrong?" He frowns at me as I grab the soap and start lathering up, so fast I almost drop it."I have so much to do today, and I'm so late!" I complain, scrubbing myself with the sponge quickly before rinsing and jumping out.As I stand in my towel drying off, I brush my teeth, bouncing slightly on my toes in some attempt to speed it all up."Relax, no one has arrived yet." Hardin murmurs, grabbing my hairbrush and gently brushing my hair for me."There's two Alphas coming, and Winter and Jackson need training, and I also promised to watch a couple of the pups. Oh, and I need to speak with Maeve, I totally forgot to do it yesterday." I list off, the weight on my shoulders sudd
Sasha gets back almost two hours later, and once the pups are with their mother I head off to find Maeve. Considering I have no idea what she does during the day or even where she stays, I spend over an hour searching the land for her. Finally I find her out in the woods by the stream up north. She sits alone at the edge of the water, staring at the gentle motion of the stream. She's sad. I realise, the scent faint but it doesn't lie.As quietly as I can, I walk over to her and join Maeve by the stream, sitting on the slightly damp grass. Despite not looking at her, Maeve rushes to wipe away her tears."Alpha." She greets quietly with surprise."For an omega you're not easy to find." I say with a small smile, shaking my head as I glance at her. Puffy eyes and blotchy cheeks, and still she offers me a slight smile."I didn't know you were looking for me." She whispers, resting her chin on her arms that she keeps wrapped over her knees."I have an idea to run by you, and if you say no
I rush to my next location without a second to wipe away the sweat covering me, which I suppose doesn't matter considering it's just another training class."Has everyone done the warm ups I taught you?" I ask the large group of wolves my age and a little older."Yes, Alpha Kali!" Voices echo, and they form lines within seconds of me arriving."Good. We'll be continuing with Tai Chi today, because I think we could all use a little more practice." I instruct, facing my "students" and getting into position.Dizziness washes over me, almost making me sway a little. Closing my eyes, I gently rub my temples and inhale a deep slow breath, knowing it's just all the rushing around and heat that's causing it."You alright?" One of them ask.Nodding slightly, I make sure the dizziness is gone completely before opening my eyes."Let's begin!" I order, lowering into a half squatting position and I bring my arms up slowly.Unlike Jackson and Winter, this class is more advanced with Tai Chi. Meanin
"Can't we just stay here? I'm sick of looking at their stupid ugly mugs!" I growl into the pillow, kicking Hardin's hand off of my foot. "We have too much to do today, or I'd love nothing more than to stay up here with you." Hardin murmurs in my ear, kissing my neck softly."I'm not dealing with the rapists." I scowl, ignoring his touch before we do end up being late for everything we have scheduled."Zed and Beck are taking them off your hands for the day, Winter is getting a list of names from the she-wolves to make sure we get rid of the worst." Hardin says, and I'll admit, the news is refreshing.But we still have to deal with the alliance which has been on pause for the past week whilst we've been dealing with the new-comers."What's wrong with you, hmm?" Hardin lays beside me, rubbing gently circles on my back.Exhaling heavily, I lay still for a few moments."I'm just stressed." I mumble, pushing myself up and sliding off the bed.The second my feet touch the carpet and I stan