Chapter Five

Myla's POV

 “Unknown Wolf Approaching! Warriors to the tree line! Protect the Alpha!” Wade’s voice echoed through the pack link. Wade is the captain of my warriors. He is one of the best fighters I have ever seen.

I cringed as his words rang through my mind. “Protect the Alpha,” I didn’t need protecting, I could protect myself. Without another thought, I ran toward the tree line, shifting as I ran. My clothes tore as my huge wolf took control. I ran through the trees twisting and turning easily around trees and leaping the underbrush as I ran. I reached the circle of warriors who had surrounded the wolf responsible for all the commotion. I entered the circle and shifted, “shift and identify yourself,” I commanded using my Alpha tone. No wolf except another Alpha could resist the Alpha tone. The wolf did as I said. I took a deep breath as the small wolf shifted into a small girl. She couldn’t be much older than 15. “Identify yourself,” I commanded regaining my composure.

“Please, please help me, my name is Layla. Please they are trying to kill me!” Her eyes welled up with tears as she flung herself at my feet. “Please, Alpha, please protect me.” With those words, she passed out.

“Wade! Take her to the pack hospital, tell the doc to notify me immediately when she wakes up.” As Wade picked her up, I noticed a burn on her leg just below her knee. I had seen that mark before but, didn’t know where.

Wade scooped up her tiny body and took off towards the pack hospital. I watched him disappear through the trees as I sent a message through the pack link. “The danger has passed. We will be holding a pack meeting today at 3 o’clock in the dining hall. This meeting is mandatory.”

            Almost in unison, the pack members responded, “Yes Alpha.”

            I shifted back to my wolf and took off toward the packhouse. That mark on that girl meant something, something bad. I knew we had to prepare; something was coming.

            At three o’clock, my entire pack was seated in the dining hall. I had the kitchen staff set out food and drinks but no alcohol for the pack. I didn’t want people drinking and forgetting to pay attention. As I entered the huge room, the wolves all stood silently as I passed. Some of them had plates of food, others smiled as though nothing was wrong while others looked nervous. I didn’t call pack meetings without warning unless I had good reason. The podium had been set up on the stage which usually was reserved for scheduled meetings, concerts, and of course wedding ceremonies. As I reached the stage, Barrett and Jade stood on either side. Barrett as my Beta and Jade as my friend. 

            “Please, be seated,” I started, all eyes were on me. “As you know, today a wolf entered our territory without the proper permissions. This wolf is a small female who has a brand on her leg just below her knee on the back of her calf. This wolf begged for my protection and informed me someone was after her because they were trying to kill her. She did not smell like a pack wolf which leads me to believe she may be a rogue.”

            Whispers spread throughout the room. Rogues were not any different from pack wolves but there hadn’t been many rogues since the packs had relaxed their laws allowing rogues to join packs or stay rogues. The stigma of being a rogue had all but disappeared as they were given the same rights and privileges as any pack wolf.  To have a rogue turn up on my pack lands unannounced, was something that hadn’t happened in a long time.

            “Silence, listen to your Alpha,” Barrett’s voice boomed throughout the room. He smiled before stepping back to his place beside me.

            “I understand how surprised some of you are. At this point, she is in the pack hospital being looked after by Doctor Russel. When she comes to, I will personally interview her. We will then allow her to join our pack or allow her to be on her way with a warning. We will leave the choice to her. Is there any objection to this plan?” as the pack law dictates, I had to allow wolves to object if they felt it necessary. As their Alpha, the decision was ultimately mine but, I felt it was important to allow the pack members to be heard. After a few minutes, no one objected.

            “Due to this recent event, I am ordering all runs in the forest to be limited to daytime hours. Also, all wolves need to be vigilant and aware of their surroundings. Please check on each other. Also, I am increasing mandatory training from two hours a day to four hours a day for everyone, not just the warriors.” Loud groans spread throughout the room. As I looked around the room, I could tell some were displeased by the increase in training. “As your Alpha, it is my duty to protect this pack. Please, if you see something strange, report it. Keep each other safe, and please, do not go into the forest at night.” After dismissing the pack, I headed back to my office. I had a few calls I needed to make.

Three Days Later...

I waited patiently for the girl to open her eyes. Doc had called letting me know she was awake. The poor thing had been out of it for 3 full days. Whatever had happened to her must have been horrid. I shuddered at the thought of someone hurting innocent young wolves.

“She is awake Alpha, you may go in,” Abby one of the nurses informed me.

“Thank you,” I said standing and grabbing my bag off the back of the chair. My back tensed at the sudden movement; I need to get better chairs for this hospital I thought to myself. As I entered the room, I could see Layla in the bed. Her small frame looked smaller in the big bed. She had tubes coming out of both arms and a monitor beeped letting everyone know her heart is beating. “Layla?” I asked gently. She turned at the sound of my voice. Her eyes got big, and she looked as though she was afraid, I would kill her. “No no, I am not going to hurt you.” I hoped I sounded soothing instead of intimidating. “My name is Myla. We found you on our lands, do you know how you got here?” I watched her expression turn to one of confusion.

“I, I have no idea.” She sounded as though she was genuinely confused. “The last thing I remember was walking home from my job. I have to support myself; I don’t have anyone to take care of me. My parents died in a fire and the orphanages didn’t care what happened to me.” She looked sad.

“You must be very strong to do so much at such a young age. Do you know where you live?” I asked hoping it may provide some clues.

“I stayed in the basement of an abandoned factory on the outskirts of Shadow pack lands.”

Shadow pack was our neighbor to the south. Alpha Gill is one of my alliances. I made a mental note to contact him to find out if he knew anything about Layla. “As alpha of the Red Moon Pack, I would like to offer you an invitation to join if you wish. If not, we will look after you until you are strong enough to return to your home.

“You are the Alpha of Red Moon Pack?” she gasped. “I have always admired you. You are known to be tough but fair, lots of us girls look up to you. You are an idol to us.” She looked as though she had won some sort of lottery. “I would be honored to join your pack. It has been a dream of mine to meet you.”

I was speechless. I had no idea so many younger girls idolized me. “Thank you, Layla. We will initiate you into the pack when you are strong enough. Until then, rest. I will have a room in the packhouse prepared for you so you will have a safe place to be as you continue to recover.” I smiled trying to hide the shock I was still feeling.

“Thank you, Alpha. I will do my best to make you proud.” She yawned.

“Rest now. I will see you again soon.” I stood up walking towards the door. “Oh, Layla, do you know what the symbol on your leg means?” I tried to be nonchalant so I would not alarm her.

“No Alpha, I woke up with it one day. I thought I had bumped into something. Two days later, I was chased down by something. That’s all I remember until I woke up here.” A look of confusion washed over her face.

“Thank you, Layla. Get some rest.” I waved as I turned and left. As I walked down the corridor to the exit, I tried to recall the memories of that symbol. I had been trying for days but nothing. It was like I remembered the picture but no details about it. It was aggravating, to say the least.

I opened the door to my pickup and hopped into the driver’s seat. It was a sleek black truck with dark-tinted windows. I turned the key and listened to the rumble of the V8. It was one of my soothing sounds. I put it in drive and pulled out of the parking spot. As I drove to the packhouse, I tried to force my mind to remember anything about the symbol. I parked my truck in my usual spot. Chirping the alarm, I heard it. A low growl.

I froze trying to pinpoint the source of the sound. Sniffing the air, I could smell the faint scent of an intruding wolf. I turned and began walking towards the path leading to the packhouse. I could tell it was watching me. I wanted to draw it out, I knew I could defend myself but, I wanted to see who dared try and attack an Alpha.