Chapter 1: The Fight

**ELAINA**

So the plan to just draw out this Alpha is now in full effect. I told the guards to stay where we brought them to speak. We don't want them getting caught in any crossfires. 

I have walked in front of the pack house in leggings, my tennis shoes, a sports bra and a ripped down the sides muscle shirt. I look like I am going for the day to the gym. Dane has already made a quick look around the packhouse to ensure no guards are around. 

I walked right up to the front door and knocked. I hear a growl on the other side of the door but I'm not scared nor intimidated by anyone. Literally. I have fought a damn Lycan before, this Alpha will not scare me.

"What do you want, you stray little whore? Come to be my bed pet? Where did you come from?" He said through the door. He can only see me on his cameras, he can't see Dane from where he is standing, especially since Dane knocked all of the cameras out. This is like a mob visit.

"You wish you could handle me. Besides, I don't like weak, frail, and disgusting old men. They don't have enough backbone for a ROGUE like me! " I growl, my grey blue eyes glowing with purple flakes. I yelled through the door.

I knew challenging his manhood and telling him I was a rogue knocking on his packhouse door would draw him out.

Stupid Alpha.

He slung the door open and I am met with a 6'1" man. He was burly but not muscular. He had an overgrown beard, he reeked of alcohol and forced sex... Which enraged the fire in my soul. I hate rapists and child molesters more than anything. He thought the deranged look in his eye and him blasting his Alpha aura could scare me. The darkness of his aura was present, looming around me, covering my body in a cold fog...

I blasted my aura and ignited the flame within me til I felt my skin burn. But not in discomfort in pure pleasure and rage coursing through my veins. I knew dealing with this so called man would fuel this fire in me. I just didn't realize how much.

He looked completely and utterly shocked like a deer in the headlights. He wasn't expecting a young, petite, female rogue to have an aura at all. Especially not one of my magnitude.

"So what? The little whore has Alpha blood but was cast out for being too incompetent? Or sleeping with the wrong man? Just not good enough to stay in your pack, huh?"

"Damn, frail, old, weak and stupid! Quadruple whammy! But unfortunately, you are asking all the wrong questions and wasting a lot of my time. William."

He looked at me up and down and I can tell his wolf was surfacing by the way his eyes started to smokily pool with obsidian black. My grey blue eyes didn't do that. Their color just intensified. They never went black. Even in Elaina's form they stayed that perfect grey blue color with shining purple flakes. All of the colors glowed and deepened.

"What the f*ck do you want you little bi*ch? Why are you on my land?" He asked through snarls. Kinda spitting as he did. Gross.

"I am here because you are a pathetic excuse of an Alpha. The wolves you swore to protect are dying, you haven't been helping them eat, you haven't been leading them to prosperity. Your land is dead and you seem to not care. You are locked in your packhouse doing goddess only knows what.  Your people who need you are suffering and it's not because of Rogues, but because of their Pathetic, WORTHLESS Alpha. How many pack members do you have locked inside your packhouse against their will right now?" I bellowed. I am seething and Athena is just as pissed as me. She hates anyone being abused or taken advantage of and it's in both of our natures to help and protect.

"What I do with my pack is none if your business cu.nt!! I take care of all my pack members' needs. Especially the ones that live in my packhouse." He said as he licked his lips and I almost threw up. "And if you don't leave now I will rip you to shreds!!" He growled.

I laughed a little maniacally. Dane backed up just a hair because they knew what this meant. When I get so pissed off I laugh, it's not good for the person causing the laughter.

"Ahhh William. You're very funny. But I came here with only two options for you. You either hand over your pack and your title to me now and leave here. NEVER TO RETURN." He growled. I knew that wasn't going to happen. He wanted to try his luck.

"OR, I will challenge you for your Alpha title and take it from you. So in the end these people will get what they deserve. And that is someone far better than you to take care of them. Choice is yours."

"I didn't become Alpha by giving things away you sniveling little bitch and I sure as fuck ain't gonna start now. Plus I can snap your neck in two places before the Alpha challenge even begins. So yeah, there's my choice." He said so full of himself, arms crossed on his chest.

I smiled inwardly but only smirked a tad and shrugged. I brought Athena forward to share the front line with me without shifting so we were both present in this challenge.

"Very well William, it is your funeral. I, Elaina Roseland, challenge the Alpha William for his pack and title." I felt the wave of energy pass through me as I initiated the challenge. By werewolf law, he either accepts it now, or he goes ahead and forfeits his position.

He flinched a tad at the aura that was now radiating from me. But he recovered quickly not wanting to cower to a rogue young woman.

He hesitated before he replied, " I, Alpha William Buchanan of the Red Night Pack, accept the challenge for my Alpha title and my pack, from Elaina Roseland, the rogue." He said with a snarl.

He hated that he had to fight me. If he didn't accept my challenge, he would by law forfeit his pack to me. And I have never seen an Alpha not accept a challenge.

Especially not one as disgusting as this one. Actually, I don't think I've ever seen an Alpha as repulsive as this one is. I wouldn't even call him a man. He was a rabid monster and the fact that his wolf allowed these monstrosities to happen instead of fighting to take control and putting an end to this suffering, just shows that they are both unworthy to lead. They are both just as disgusting as the other.

"Since I initiated the challenge, I'd like to go ahead and begin. Any objections, Alpha?" I said the word Alpha with venom. So he knew I meant disrespect.

"Very well whore. We can go to the field behind the packhouse." He said while growling.

'Dane, you ready? I want everyone out of this house and returned to their families.'  I mindlinked them.

'Yes, just give the signal.' Dane said. 

I cut the link so Athena can focus on getting ready to fight. He might be a disgusting piece of sh*t but I've never seen him fight so I will have to use all of my skills to handle this.

We get to the field at the back of the packhouse and I thought the area we came in was bad and dry. But this is just ridiculous. Everywhere you step there is a crunch of dead grass and leaves like no water has touched this pack in a long time. How long has this been going on?

We get into our fighting stance. I bellow the rules for the gathering of people that are coming. "It is a fight to the death. Winner takes the pack and the Alpha title, the loser gets death. No cheating. We may shift into our wolf forms at any time." I say with authority ringing in my voice. 

"Say when." I growled loud enough to where the scared pack members came out of their run down shacks to see what was happening. When they saw we were in a challenge they came to watch but kept their distance. Obviously terrified for their own safety and whatever loved one that William had locked away.

We walked around in a circle, I didn't get into a fighting stance because I like to tease my opponents. Make them think I am either bored or don't know what I'm doing. It's really emasculating. And enjoyable for my wolf and myself.

He is snarling, growling, and chomping at me trying to scare me. But Athena and I are unfazed. As suspected though he makes the first move and lunges his human form towards me. I quickly dodge and sucker punch him dead in the mouth. Knocking a tooth out and busting both lips.

He's even more pissed and almost ready to shift. I'm going to toy with him a little longer and then let Athena loose to have fun and finish this.

He shifts into a sh*t brown wolf who has a crazed look in his eye and almost looks malnourished. The Alpha may have been fat but he didn't take care of his wolf and that is quite evident here. And probably the reason the wolf is insane as well. Darkness being let into your heart and your mind is a dangerous and rotting thing.

He tries to lunge at me again snapping his teeth and when I dodge it he swipes his paw at my side, clipping my hip. Not bad for survival instincts but that will be healed shortly. It stings but no one will see that pain.

He thinks I'm shocked and not paying attention and before he can lunge again, I shift. And it startles him. Athena's size and dominance is nothing to joke about.

She's a dark matte grey wolf, with a black patch over her eye with bright white paws. Her grey blue eyes shining from her face, purple swirls dancing in her eyes. Her snout has a black crescent moon that goes from one side to the other. She's magnificent and I'm extremely proud of her.

William jumps back away from me. And his wolf is tucking his tail slightly. Athena is twice the size of him. She lowers her head and starts stalking him like he is her next dinner. He recovers from being scared, and starts rounding in a circle.

As soon as she sees him motion forward on his left paw, she knows his weakness will be his right shoulder. She changes direction of her stalk, and is following him again.

He crouches slightly and before he can use any force or momentum to launch himself at her she catches him by surprise by clawing his right shoulder, latching onto his neck and quickly snapping it.

Leaving the deranged William and his wolf on the ground in a pool of blood coming from her claw mark, bite and his mouth. He slowly starts to shift back into the man who confronted me, in his naked form.

Dane claps for Athena and she is a gloating wolf so she bows and trots in a circle showing off.

'Okay Princess,  shift back.' I say as I roll my eyes internally.

I grab some clothes out of a bag I brought and stored.

We can feel us turning into the Alpha wolf of the pack, but it doesn't feel much different than before. It might take some time to come into full effect. An Alpha can only be as strong as their pack and this one was weak and scared. Once I'm dressed, I mindlink Calli.

'Hey Dane. Everyone okay?' I ask him, hoping everyone was freed.

'Yep, all handled here. This is probably the worst thing I've ever seen though, Elaina. This is horrifying. And I have seen some fucked up shit.'

I see the pack members circling, trying to get confirmation that their old cruel Alpha is dead. But then they look at me and they are relieved but somewhat scared of their fate.

"Please everyone do not be scared. Me and my friend I came with are not here to hurt you and we do not wish to bring you any more pain. Yesterday my friend and I were running in the woods. This is the furthest we have run in a long time. When we came up on your pack we saw how awful the land was. We heard guards talking about your food restrictions and your loved ones being taken and locked into the packhouse. This mistreatment of wolves, or any supernatural beings, is something we 5 cannot let go unnoticed or unhandled. So I came here today to rid you of your Alpha and restore your pack and your lives to the glory it should've been all along. Before anyone pledges to me, I will open this time for anyone to challenge me for the title of Alpha and leader of the pack."

I waited a few minutes, there were quiet whispers. No one spoke up to challenge me after 5 minutes so I continued.

"If you wish to leave this pack and go to another then you may do so. I can call a few Alpha's I know and arrange it. If you wish to stay and follow me it won't be in vain. You have no reason to trust me, and I don't blame you if you don't. But if you follow my lead as your Alpha, any promise I make I deliver on. As my first act as being the Alpha of this pack, I release to you the loved ones that were locked away and used as leverage."

And everyone came pouring out of the packhouse and what I saw dropped my heart to the pit of my stomach... It wasn't just grown women the Alpha had. There were small children locked away too. Covered in bruises, bites marks, burn marks. It was the most horrifying scene I've ever witnessed and I hadn't even been inside yet. He was raping and abusing the pack members mates, daughters AND sons, and even the smallest three year old children. I began to cry. I couldn't hold it in. Dane came over and placed a hand on my shoulder.

A woman saw me, she walked towards me and she asked, "Why are you crying Alpha?" No one has addressed me that way yet.

"I have never seen anything so horrifying. I am usually there in time to stop things like this from happening. And I am so sorry for what you all have been through at that monster's hands. It's heartbreaking." She was also crying holding a six year old little girl that came from the house.

"Please don't cry, Alpha. This is my daughter Maggie. My name is Anna. We are forever grateful for you and your friend coming to free our family members and reuniting us all. Thank you all for helping get rid of that thing. But please don't cry. Because of you and your friends we are free from the torture and agony. And I swear mine and my daughters allegiance to you. We will be your pack members and follow you."

My heart stammered in my chest and I wiped my tears. These people have been through so much and instead of leaving they'd like to stay in this pack.

"There is another thing."

I looked at everyone holding their loved ones crying for their return.

"My friend is a werebear. We were rogues this morning before we came to aid in your pack. I am rogue born. Dane, being a werebear, chose solitude on his own. We know the werewolf laws and the rankings and how things are supposed to go. But the way we do things is different." Everyone looked at me puzzled.

"You will not be judged by the rank you were born as. May it be Omega blood or Beta blood running through your veins you will be judged solely by your heart and character from me and Dane.

If you wish to be a guard you can. If you wish to have a job in the pack you can. If you wish to work outside of the pack you can. We will be tearing this packhouse down because of the torture and terrifying things that occurred here. We will get you all the medical help and psychiatric help you need. We will help rebuild your home and restore this pack to it's lush green beginnings. We will strengthen your bond with your wolves, and your wolves will strengthen their bond with us. Tonight we will have food brought in and tomorrow we will begin the work. I also will have special guests coming to aid us in the restoration of the pack while your ranked members and I establish income to take care of you all."

Everyone looked at Dane and I and smiled. Tears were pouring, so many people you could feel the gratefulness as a whole.They were praising us, thanking us. And soon, they all started to ask how to pledge themselves to me.

'They must repeat a cree you create, slice their palm with silver and your palm with silver into a cup to complete it.' Athena linked me.

"Does someone have a cup we can use for our decree and acceptance of the pack." A little boy, maybe 5 years old, he was the cutest little chubby pup I've ever seen, handed me an iron beer mug. And I smiled big and ruffled his hair as he ran back to his mother and father. His father was one of the guards we captured to begin with. His mother was the one the guard hasn't let go of. She must've been locked away in the packhouse. My heart aches..

"Please repeat after me, 'I pledge my allegiance to Alpha Elaina Roseland of the Moon Forest Pack, to uphold the werewolf laws, and laws that the ranked members set forward. I pledge to be loyal and trustworthy as I would want my Alpha to be. I pledge to come to my Alpha, Beta, and Gammas if ever needed and to voice my opinions when the need arises.'" I said and everyone was following me repeating after me, looking astounded. That's not the usual werewolf cree but it's the one I made.

It's what my heart was telling me to say. They haven't had a voice in Goddess only knows how long I wanted to give them one.

I slit my hand into the beer mug, and one by one they all came up and did the same. The pups I didn't allow them to slit their palms, only to prick their fingers.

Once the last one was done with their pledge they bowed. And cheered. And we could all feel the connection to each other, I heard so many thank you's and praises in my head I started to be slightly overwhelmed.

I had Dane call in pizza and a delivery truck of supplies from our compound come through. 

A guard showed us how big the perimeter of the pack was. When they felt the border weakening, he decided to mark it. I plan on calling all the Alpha's to keep the forest safe for tomorrow and explaining to them that not only that I am an Alpha now but we will also be expanding our territory into the forest.

Everything we ran before we will continue to run now we will do it with better numbers.

But that was a conversation for the morning time. I had about 6 million in a savings account in town. 

I plan to open a security company with my 3 million, I know a lot about security, the systems but also bodyguards as well. Dane is a walking talking body guard, with years of being a brute.. We really have had this idea, and over the years just built our little compound and lived how we wanted to. But now we have something to invest in. Something greater than us.

We aren't far from the human town still so everything we need we can get there to start building. And I could possibly even enlist help from other packs to help us.

It's not going to happen overnight. It's going to take a lot of work but I have faith in us. We can make this happen together.

"How are you feeling Dane? With this big change?" I asked, as we walked to the side while everyone was rejoicing and just holding onto their loved ones. 

Dane didn't look at me. All he could do was look at the crowd before us.

"It's always just been us. We have just always done whatever. And as much as I love ya, it was boring. This will be fun. And rewarding. And who knows, maybe one day I'll meet my mate because of this." I looked at him shocked. He just chuckled.

"Wow, what are you going to do with two women in your life bossing you around?" I laighed at him as he threw his arms up in a shrug of I don't know and he smiled.

While waiting for the food, I'll go ahead and call Alpha Morris.

*ring ring ring*

"Hello Elaina, are you all alright?"

"Morris, c'mon now I'm not a pup. Give me a little more credit than that. " I said giggling. He breathed a sigh of relief.

"Well you and dane are both still a pup and cub to me. "

"Always the father figure. How is Erica? " I said belly laughing this time. Erica is his wife and Luna. His mate and she has always been a mother figure to us after my granny died.

"Hey, I'm only 45, okay. Calm down. I'm still in my prime. " He said, chuckling hisself. " She's good, you know I'll have to bring her in before we hang up. She was upset that she didn't get to talk to you yesterday."

"That's fine. I've missed her." I paused for a second.

"So I called you yesterday asking you about the sh*tty Alpha William with his barren pack." He's silent, listening intently.

"Well I challenged him to an Alpha challenge. "

"And because you are talking to me, I take it you won and are the new Alpha of the Rednight pack?"

"No.." I paused for suspense.

"No?? What do you mean no??" I could tell his face was now contorted with confusion.

"I am now the Alpha of the Moon Forest Pack." I am cheesing. It's like telling your supportive dad you aced your last college exam and you're graduating with honors.

"Congrats, when is the ceremony?"

"There won't be one Morris. " I said with finality.

"What do you mean, Elaina? Yeah you became Alpha by challenge but you have to have a ceremony. " He was shocked about my decision. Anything I do shouldn't be shocking by now.

"Lewis, this pack is in shambles. The people have been raped, tortured, humiliated and starved. All the way down to the small toddler pups. We are having to rebuild everything from the inside out. And establish so much. I owe it to this pack, my pack to create the life they should've had all along. Way before more Alpha's come here with their intimidating auras and snob noses." I said with certainty that he wouldn't argue with me.

"That is very noble of you. But I'd like to help in any way I can and be a part of this big milestone for you all. Are you giving Dane a rank? "

"I am going to let him decide if that is what he wants. He has my back always and I won't be running this place alone. But I don't want to give him a rank he doesn't want."

"Good, that makes me extremely happy to hear. You're already an amazing Alpha." He paused for a moment. "And Jeremy?"

"I haven't given him a position yet. He still reminds me of a teenage boy. He's 21 and I don't want to give him any responsibility right now until I know that these pack members are in good, mature hands. They are trusting us to help them and I don't want to let them down. Or put Jeremy in a position to feel bad for not being able to help them properly. He is still like an annoying big brother but I think it's better to wait for now.. Also, he's not back from his last mission yet anyway, so he doesn't even know we now have a pack to run." I laughed slightly.

"I agree, Elaina. Maybe he just needs time."

"Possibly, alright let me talk to Erica!" I said with a smile. She reminded me a lot of my granny at times. A no nonsense woman with so much character. It rubs off on you.

"Hello?" Morris didn't tell her who it was.

"Hello my Erica!" She squealed. She's about 36. A good 9 years younger than Morris, but they are the perfect pair and the best leaders.

"Hi my little queen. How are you?" She's always so happy when I call.

"I am good. I just took over a pack today so lots of work ahead!" I said with a smile.

"Ooooo Morris, get some warriors together and some supplies and food everything a brand new pack would need. I'm going tomorrow to help."

"Already on it, but if you are going, so am I!" He said from the background. I was smiling. They always helped us if ever needed and we did the same. Always the sweetest leaders with the biggest pack in North America.

"You guys don't have to do any of that really! "

"Are you kidding? Little Morris is just barely 13. We have a while before we get to help him with his pack duties. And now our little queen has just found it in her heart to help a pack that was dying that no one knew how to help. We will be there first thing."

"She's not having a ceremony, Erica!" He thought he was tattling on me.

"Of course she isn't nitwit!! That alpha was cruel and mean and disgusting. Those people are traumatized. The last thing they need is anymore strangers roaming around their pack. They probably have to rebuild. "

I'm laughing so loud Morris can hear me and he huffs but I can tell he's smiling.

"Damn men, and they think all we care about is partying and showing off but it's really them. And I'll have Morris let Nolan from the council know what's going on. I'm so proud of you little queen!"

"Thank you, and I appreciate you guys wanting to help. Dane and I will be looking for real estate in the human city about a half hour from here where we are all close to, to open our business. We can talk about everything tomorrow, when you guys get here. Just when you guys are outside the border let me know. I'd like to introduce them to you two before bringing any warriors in. Okay?"

"That's fine dear. Tell Dane, we love him too. Alright little queen, see you tomorrow. Love you!"

"Love you guys too! Bye."

*click*

I walk back from where I was on the phone and Dane and a couple of warriors walk out with a few fold out tables stacked with pizzas and drinks for everyone.

Tomorrow until forever this will be our home. And we will make the most of it. We will rebuild this pack, and OUR pack, and our people. Nothing will stop us. Tomorrow will be the newest beginning for our people.

Tonight we will eat, drink and talk. Get to know one another and get a game plan together as a pack and tomorrow the real work begins.

All hands on deck!