CHAPTER FOUR

ALESSANDRO POV

"No no please don't her take me I'm the one you want, let her go she's just a kid" i tried to plead but my words fell on deaf ears

"Look at you, aren't you suppose to be some type of killing machine yet here you are on your knees begging. Pathetic" the figure says

"I think we left you too long you've gotten soft, how about i help you with that?"

"No I'll do what you ask I'll go with you I'll be the killing machine you want just please don't kill her"

"There it is again! That word. Please this please that killers don't say please they take what they want and damn the consequences" the figure yells

"I'm gonna fix this right now" he sneers before grabbing the little girl by the throat extending his claws and ripping her throat out

"Nooo!" I scream breaking off my restraints, running over to her body

"Please wake up don't die" i beg but its useless as she lays lifeless in a pool of her own blood. I'm left on my knees tears tracing down my face, gasping for air that wont cooperate and go to my lungs.

"Throw him in the well maybe a few weeks in there will turn him into a man again" the figure says to whom i have no idea since i wasn't looking at him.

I feel strong arms pull me away from the young childs body as i fight to release my self from the person's grasp but my efforts are futile as my body is extremely weak. I feel myself being thrown and i start falling as painful howls echo in my ears and black dots cloud my vision.

I wake with a scream bolting into a sitting position as sweat pours down my forehead. I've been having the same dream every night for the past week since I've been back home and i don't know why. Every night its the same, the same empty warehouse building, the same figure the same two people who throws me in the well, and sadly the same ending. I never see the men who throw me in the well or the figure that gave the order all i know is they want me to be the ruthless killer i was while i was with the council.

I know i won't get any more sleep after that dream as usual so with a sigh i pull the covers off my body and head to the bathroom to empty my bladder, afterwards i strip and hop into the shower. After my bath i wrap a towel around my waist and leave the bathroom. Looking at the clock i see its five in the morning. I have a training session 6:30 this morning with all pack members from age 4 to 12. 

I'm the head warrior of the blood moon pack so my job is to train the pack members, all of them males and females alike. When it comes to training everyone has to do it, males females even the elderly unless they are sick and unable to move. 

Alpha Zander unlike most Alpha's don't believe in just allowing the males to train. Our pack is one of the strongest in the world because everyone here knows how to defend themselves even the kids. In case of an attack we have our secured safe houses but what if the enemy gets past our front line defense and some how manages to find the safe houses the pack members would be able to kill the intruder(s) or at least fend them off until help arrives instead of being sitting ducks. My job is to make sure everyone knows how to fight whether they've shifted or not.

I pull on my training clothes and head downstairs for some breakfast before i leave. The house is quiet except for the running of water in mom's bathroom signalling jermaine is up. I know for a fact its not mom because her pregnancy hasn't been easy so she's no longer an early riser. Going to the kitchen i open the cupboards thinking on what i should make for breakfast, eventually i decided to go for bacon and eggs with toast. I grab the bread from the cupboard and the egg and bacons from the fridge before gathering my utensils and started on my dish. 

I crack the eggs in a bowl added salt and pepper before whipping it then, when the oil in the frying pan is heated i poured the egg inside and scrambled it. When I'm done with my eggs i moved on to frying up the bacon strips then lightly buttered some of the bread and put it in the toaster while the coffeemaker took care of the coffee. When I'm finished i grab two plates and share the food placing jermaine's in the microwave. 

Pouring myself a cup of coffee i grab my plate and head over to the island and sat on one of the stools to have my breakfast. A few minutes later jermaine walks into the kitchen in a crisp black suite.

"Morning Al" he greets me with a smile

"Morning pops" i reply

"There's breakfast in the microwave for you and coffee is ready too" i tell him

"Thanks" he says going over to the microwave

After grabbing his food and coffee he comes over to the island and sits beside me

"So why are you up so early, i know you have a training session at 6:30 but its after five"

"Couldn't sleep, what about you, you don't usually get up this early either"

"I have an early meeting at the office this morning plus i wanted to get some work done before that" he says, i just gave him a nod

"Was it because of that dream again why you couldn't sleep?" He asks after sometime already knowing the answer

"Yeah and it began and ended the same way like always, i have no idea who that child is I've never seen her in my life which makes this all the more confusing" i complain

"I think maybe you're dream is a warning that she's in danger and that you need to find her and be prepared to protect her"

"You think so" i ask as he walks over to the sink to put his plate down

"Yeah i do, and who knows maybe this child will lead you to your mate" he tells me

"Thanks pops" 

"Anytime kiddo. Now i gotta get going but I'll see you later" 

"Bye" i wave

After Jer left i finished up my breakfast and decided to go for a short run before its time to wake up the runts. I take my clothes off not wanting to destroy them and placed them in the chair on the porch then shifted into my black and white wolf and begin my run. I head towards the woods in our territory, its been quite a while since i had a run like this. I've been so busy the past week catching up on everything that's been going on while i was gone i hadn't gotten any time for myself plus i had to reassume my role as pack trainer. The wind blows through my fur and the trees blur past me as i run, I'm going so fast it felt like my feet aren't touching the ground, like I'm flying.

I run a few laps around the pack borders checking in on the night patrol wolves whom were waiting to be relieved, before i decide to go visit the sunflower field. I walk up to the tree and take a seat watching the rising sun come up over the hills. It was such a beautiful sight so mesmerizing, but i couldn't help the pain that tugged at my heart when i think about seeing this view with my mate. Not wanting to go into the endless cycle that thoughts like this brings i decided to head over to the training grounds since everyone should be up by now and ready to train in five to ten minutes time.

"Al were ready and waiting for you" Brandon mind links a few minutes later

"Cool I'll be there in five" I respond

Shifting and pulling on my clothes i head towards the pack house. I walk to the area where we train to find brandon has everyone already there lined up according to their age groups.

"Hey, i thought you couldn't join me today because you had patrol this morning"

"I did but Aj will be filling in for me"

"Aj, as in the Aj that hates to leave his bed before midday?"

"Yup that's the one" he chuckles

"The wonders never cease" i say shaking my head

"Al!" cameron and caleb runs up to me

"Hey boys, y'all ready for some training"

"We were born ready" they say puffing their chests out, Brandon and i chuckle 

"Ok get back in line boys and lets start"

"Morning guys, i trust that everyone is here so I'll go right a head and start" i say to the large group

"Ok so first things first, all the newly shifted wolves i need you all to go over by that log there, your training will be different" i instruct

"Everyone who hasn't shift will be learning basic combat and then we'll gradually move up to more advanced stuff. Since today is the first time training for some of you we're gonna start from the beginning."

"Ah man, but we know those already" The two little rug rats whined

"Boys" 

"Sorry"

"Brandon will be in charge of this group and I'll be over there with the new wolves. Pay close attention to everything he says because i will be back at the end to assess you"

"Brandon they're all yours"

I walk over to the group i sent over by the log.

"Ok guys so i know most of you here already started your training but there are a few here who just shifted between the past couple weeks and few days ago, so just like the first group were starting with basics so i can see how much you all know, understood"

They all nodded yes

"I would like to make a few things clear before we begin. I know you are newly shifted but i strongly advice you to keep a vice grip on your wolves. Wolves are primal creatures who act on instincts so it is our job as the human to keep them in check. I will not tolerate any fighting. Anyone who starts or is involved in any fights will be placed on night patrols for a month"

"Secondly, this training is not about just teaching you guys how to fight I'm teaching you how to survive. Survival is not always about fighting or winning its about protecting yourself and pack mates in dangerous situations and coming out alive. That's the whole point of the surviving part"

"Now the first thing you must learn to do is to always be aware of your surroundings. As wolves our senses are heightened and the most prominent one is sense of smell. Wolves can identify a lot of things by scent whether its a human, other wolves or an anything else. When we shift we learn the scent of our parents and pack members to avoid confusion and so your wolves can know they are not the enemy. However, scent isn't the only way to identify a person"

"Then how else do you identify a rogue" a young girl asks

"Good question but don't be fooled rogues aren't the only enemies we have. Enemies come from rival packs allied packs and even your own pack.

Some looked shocked and confused by what i said, others even had a slight look of anger on their faces but i couldn't blame them i mean who would want to think that a pack member would betray them. But it is not impossible so they need to learn that and i did promise alpha Zander I'd train them to the best of my abilities

"I see your expressions so I'll explain. While allied packs have signed treaties to be peaceful with one another people can easily change there minds and suddenly a piece of paper doesn't matter anymore, or in times of war they may turn on each other. Also, though we rarely hear of members betraying their pack mostly because this is considered treason and they'll be cast out and considered a rogue or killed. It does happen so don't be blind to the facts"

"I'm not saying this to sow discord I'm telling you all this so you can identify the signs of an enemy no matter who they are because scent alone will get you no where"

"So today's lesson will be on using all your senses to track, locate and identify"

"But how will we locate an enemy if there are none around" one of the boys ask

"Don't worry I'll handle that part when we get there for now just focus on controlling your senses" i answer

"You'll start off in human forms then move on to wolf form so everyone take a seat on the ground and let us begin"

They all sat obediently awaiting further instructions. 

"Ok we'll be starting off with the sense of hearing. We are close to the woods so close your eyes clear your mind and focus on your hearing. Listen closely and see how many creatures you can identify within a 100 metre radius. I'm giving you guys five minutes"

While they did that i walk over to the first group to see how they were doing so far.

"One....two....three, again" brandon walks around assessing each pair as they practice the moves he showed them.

I smiled proudly as i saw Caleb and Cameron who no doubt blackmailed Brandon into pairing them with older kids. It doesn't bother me though, the challenge is good for them especially Caleb since he's the future alpha. As i continue to watch both groups while checking the time so the five minute mark doesn't pass i get a mind link from Uncle Zander.

"Al i know your busy but gabby keeps complaining that she has a bad feeling something is going to happen and i can't get in touch with patrol at the northern borders. I don't sense that anyone has crossed into our borders but could you go check it out for me please" he says

"No problem, I'll go see what's up and let you know" i reply

"Brandon I'm heading over to the northern borders to check on something I'll be back in a few" i tell him

"Sure I'll keep an eye on them until you get back"

"Thanks bro" i say before shifting and making my way towards the north borders while trying to get in touch with patrol

I soon reach my destination, i shift pulling on some clothes and began looking around and as i suspected the guards were not there, i hear sniffling in the bushes a head and slowly walked in that direction. I see a young girl around Cameron and Caleb's age sitting on the ground, her clothes torn and dirty. She looks and smells like a human but there was something about her that i just couldn't put my finger on. She turned to look at me with red puffy eyes i could tell she was scared but for some reason she didn't even flinch when she saw me. She looked so familiar but i couldn't place where i knew her from in the moment. I looked around to see all the guards unconscious behind her which shocked me, i wondered if she's responsible for this. With my guard still up at maximum i say

"Hi"

"Hi" she sniffs

"What's your name?"

"Avery"

"Why are you all alone where are your parents?" 

"I don't know, i don't think i have any"

"Well how did you get here?" I ask

"Some bad men were chasing me and i ran" she tells me

Bad men, I don't see or sense anyone around they must have lost track of her

"Do you know why they were chasing you?" I question

"Master sent them"

Master?......

Before i could ask her who master was i sensed rogues heading towards us. Immediately the girl ran to me with wide frightened eyes and says

"Please help me don't let them take me i don't want to go back there, its dark and scary"

"Go back where?" I say

"The well"

I felt my heart thump when she said that and suddenly my dream came back to mind, realization clicked and that's when it dawned on me that this child is the little girl from my dream, but i couldn't focus on that now because the rogues already made their way onto our territory

"Alpha" i say in the mind link

"I sense them, micheal and few more warriors are on their way to you as we speak" he answers

"Ok" i say cutting the mind link as the first rogue appeared in sight

I tilt my head looking at him with confusion. It's common knowledge that rogues are banished wolves who aren't apart of any pack for various reasons. Most of them go mad and become violent creatures while some are able to survive and keep their sanity, but this one before me is different. I can sense his bloodlust and i can see in his eyes there isn't a shred of humanity left yet he's doesn't give the impression of being irrational, to put it simply he's like a functioning psychopath. He smiles kindly at me but i can see the killer behind that smile

"I'm sorry to cross into your lands but i had no other choice since I'm searching for someone" he says his eyes strained on the little girl at my feet

"Who are you?"

"My name is Cole"

"Cole, you do know the penalty for crossing an alpha's borders without permission is death right"

"I know but it is a risk i was willing to take inorder to ensure the safety of my master's daughter"

"I see" was my only reply

I could feel the young girl shivering beside me as she looks up at me with pleading eyes.

"I don't think she wants to go with you, in fact she seems scared" i say

"Pay no mind to her theatrics she's a good performer. She's just upset because she knows she's in big trouble for running off without permission"

"Hmm, ok how about this. Why don't you go back to your master and tell him to come back and speak with my Alpha then we'll hand the girl over" 

Anger flashed through his eyes before it turned to surprised then he asks

"Your alpha? Aren't you the alpha?" He asks

"No i am not"

"But i can sense a tremendous amount of Alpha power coming from you" 

"Is that why you had your wolves surround me on all sides? I ask sweetly

"What, you thought this was a good way to kill an alpha strolling his lands alone am i right"

As i said this his anger spike and his facade dropped, he gritted his teeth as the men stepped out the bush. Now they looked like the rogues i know and love, ticking time bombs waiting to be triggered. The little girl clutched unto me and hid her face in my leg. 

"Don't worry I'll keep you safe" i tell her

"Kill him and bring me the girl" Cole instructs 

As the wolves rushed towards me around 15 wolves from the pack sprang from where they hid behind me to attack the rogues. As the fighting began i scooped the little girl up in my arms and i felt Xavier come up full force for a minute before receding which hasn't happened in quite some time. Still i couldn't focus on that because Cole was making his way towards us. I didn't want to fight him since I'd been too distracted to watch the girl so i called out to uncle Micheal. He ran over and attacked the rogue, as they fought i brought the little girl further into the woods and climb up the tallest tree i could find.

"Stay here and don't make a sound" i tell her as i placed her securely on a branch

"No please don't go" 

"I'll be back i promise just stay here and don't make any noise"

She nods reluctantly and lets go of me. I descend the tree and rushed over to where the others were. I came back to see Cole and uncle Micheal still fighting but i could tell uncle micheal was being over powered so i decided to intervene. I shifted and ran up to them pushing him off uncle Micheal. We began fighting, clawing and biting at each other. I noticed the patrol wolves had awaken and were fighting off the rogues as well which they took care of easily now it was just me and Cole. As we continued to battle from the corner of my eye i saw the little girl coming towards us i was so surprised, the distraction gave Cole the time he needed to claw me in the shoulder then slam me into the ground. He pinned me down going in for the kill when the little girl screamed and the next thing i know the earth starts shaking and some unknown force flings Cole off me sending him fifty yards away wrapped around a tree.

I used all my energy to push myself up, i must have looked ridiculous with the shocked expression on my face in wolf form but i didn't care. The little girl ran towards me and wrapped her arms around my neck sobbing. Before i could process everything one of the patrol guards ran up to us and ripped her away from me. She fell to the ground with a loud thud i could hear her bones crack from the impact. I have no idea where i got the strength or why i did what i did but when i saw how the guard handled her i shifted to my wolf man form grabbed him in his neck and threw him away from her like he was a rag doll.

"No one touches her no one" i growled threateningly 

I felt her grab my leg and i immediately calmed down which left me even more confused, the only person Xavier or I have ever reacted like this to is mom. 

I'm confused and in need of answers I picked her up in my arms and ran towards the house.

"I'm sorry about your friend i didn't mean to hurt him" she says weakly

I didn't understand what she mean, what friend was she talking about. The next thing she said confused me even more.

"You're just like me you have master's blood inside you. I think you might be the one he's been searching for"

And with that she fell asleep in my arms