Chapter 3

Ching Ching Ching

“Ali. Could you please stop that?” Samuel says with a sigh. 

“I am listening,” I mumble, annoyed, setting my whetstone and daggers down.

Samuel, of course, heard about Alpha Wade’s rejection last night and called first thing this morning to remind me I can’t kill the alpha. It’s not that I was actually going to. Obviously, I would fail my mission if I did this, though a swift punch to the face in the past has proven worthwhile, though Samuel doesn’t like that route.

“He is important and must be protected.” he reminds me

“I know Samuel. I will get him to consent eventually, they always do.”

“Please, no force this time.”

“What!” I say, offended. “When have I ever injured who I am protecting?”

There’s silence on the other end of the line. We both know the last mission had been a committee member, and we were not the greatest of friends. 

“OK, fine! I’ll try the gentle approach,” I say.

“Hah! I’m surprised you understand what the word means.” Samuel laughs through the phone. 

“Ha! Ha! Samuel. So funny.” 

“Aliauna. Truly, he is the most important mission of the century. You must be sure he accepts the Guardianship. If he doesn’t…”’

“I know, I know. We won’t be in tune and it will make my job harder and more dangerous. I promise to make him see the light.”

“Very well, Be safe.”

“Always am”

I turn my phone off, tossing it down to my bed, annoyed. The little shit called my superiors. I’m even more annoyed with Alpha Wade now. If he thinks he can get rid of me that easily, he is sorely mistaken. I have half a mind to give him a piece of my mind, but since he is still in recovery and working from the healers, I should just let him be. Instead, I am making it my mission to learn the lay of the land. First up is a walk around the border, then a visit through the town and a meeting with his Beta. Though I am doubtful, his beta will be of any use to me, it’s worth a shot.

It’s a decent size pack surrounded mostly by wooded areas or farmland. The areas with farmland seem to be the most secure, it’s easier to see, hear and scent a rogue from across the field. The wind carries better than the woods and the openness affords them no hiding places from our adept eyes. It’s beautiful here, easily one of the prettier packs I have been to. I’ve only seen two patrol groups, which is a worrisome sign. Both patrol groups steer clear of me.

I’m certain they have been instructed to avoid me at all costs, it’s understandable. Their alpha hates me and they all seem strangely in love with him. It’s almost annoying how loyal they are. The pack is far too large for every wolf here to actually know him personally and, in my experience, everyone has at least 1 person who secretly hates them. Maybe Alpha Wade bakes cookies and passes them out, it’s the only thing in my mind worth being loyal over. 

My stomach growls at the thought of cookies, and I rub my tummy, looking around for the opening. Nothing but trees out here. A small breeze carries with it the smell of coffee and bacon. Opting to follow my nose, I walk through the woods until I come upon a tiny shack on the border. I have never been a shy person, so walking up I reach out and knock. The lopsided door creaks open as a girl sticks her head out from within. Her eyes widen in shock as she slams it shut, yelling to someone to go out the back.

At a leisurely speed, I walk around the back door, listening to the clattering inside and the hiss of the fire being put out. The back door splinters open as two lanky teenagers fall at my feet holding bread and a small paper plate stacked with bacon. I raise a brow at them as they look up at me with worried smiles.

“What might you two be running from?” I crouch down and grab a piece of bacon off the top, taking a bite.

“We... are sorry. We know we aren’t supposed to be here. Please don’t tell anyone you saw us here.” the young boy says, his voice cracking. 

“Well, stand up,” I say, reaching down and helping the girl off of the boy she had used as a landing pad.

The boy stands up and they look at each other, worried. They bear a very striking resemblance to the other, both with large doe eyes that are a pretty, light brown. High cheekbones and little button noses. These kids are going to be beautiful in their own right when they grow into their lanky arms and legs.

“Twins I assume?” I am trying to make conversation.

“Yes.” the boy says, puffing his chest up. “I am Mason and this is my baby sister Robin”

“I’m only 8 seconds younger,” Robin mutters, hugging the loaf of bread closer to her.

“And I assume you guys aren’t allowed out here because of the rogue attacks?”

Both of them nod, looking down at their feet, and I watch them. They look shifty, but they also seem sincere. 

“Fine. Give me another piece of bacon and you guys can go.” I sigh.

Mason hurriedly shoves a piece of bacon in my hands. A large growling sound comes from behind us and I freeze. A thrill shutters through me as I get excited about the possibility of fighting someone after my rough day yesterday. 

Mason and Robin grow pale, inching back towards the door they just broke down. I spin to see an enormous wolf looking me over. There is no luster in his stark black fur but there is a sort of regalness about his movements as he stalks me, trying to circle me. He couldn’t possibly be the Rogue king. That would make my mission way too easy. I smirk at him, excited to play.

“Well, you coming for me, big boy, or what?” I bend my knees in an attack position, one hand on my thigh where my dagger lies.

“Shift! You can’t beat him in human form!” Robin squeals behind me.

“Want to bet on that?” I say, smirking as I make the first move.

I lunge to his right and, using the momentum of his massive head, I jump high and onto his back. Immediately he is up on his hindquarters, throwing his back into a tree, pinning me hard between his spine and the rough bark of the pine tree. I bury my dagger in his side as he whimpers and moves back. He lunges for me, teeth bared. I underestimate his speed as he barely misses my arm and grabs hold of my blade, knocking me to the ground. Shit. I just sharpened this set. 

I sigh as I stand up, readying myself again for another attack when an earth-shattering howl sounds from behind us. Shit. Looks like Alpha Wade is here. The black wolf growls, frustrated, and slowly backs away into the woods, little droplets of blood where he stood as he crosses the borderline watching and waiting for us to come to his territory. 

Alpha wade shifts back to his human form as his Gamma hands him a pair of shorts. I turn to face him, looking him right in the eyes. His chest still has gaping wounds, though they look better than they had yesterday. He approaches me with force, walking straight into my body, I hold my ground instead of falling back like he had expected and we stand chest to chest. Mine rising and falling in sync with his anger. 

“Why are you still here?” He booms.

“I am your Guardian,” I say simply. He laughs 

“I do not need protection from a woman!” He booms. I roll my eyes. I really am getting sick of egotistical alphas belittling me because I have boobs.

“Good! I’m not a woman. I am a guardian and the sooner you see me as such, the sooner I can leave. And trust me, I want nothing more than to be out of your presence for good Alpha.”

“Leave!” he bellows, using his alpha voice in such a manner that every person surrounding us leaves.

“You have a lot to learn about the Guardian bond. I have no Alpha ties except to that of the elder committee. I will not do as you say, not until you accept my bond officially.” he breathes heavily annoyed as he puts some space before us.

“Can I send you away with my alpha voice if I accept you?” he asks, with a mild hint of humor in his eyes. 

“Nope. There is literally no way to get rid of me unless I die or decide to leave on my own accord.”

“This is ridiculous!” He says, throwing his hands up, wincing slightly at the movement. “Why me? I’m not an important alpha, I have a mediocre size pack and average warriors.” 

I shrug. “I’m only told where to go and what to do, not why I do it.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

“I know nothing else.”

“And what of your mate? How does he feel about all of this?” I stiffen at his question.

The one thing I would trade this all in for is my mate. To finally be loved unconditionally, no matter my faults, my weaknesses. But they deny even that to me until after this assignment. At age 23, I will be lucky if my mate did not force a mate bond with someone else instead of waiting for me.

“I am not granted a mate until I fulfill my duties as a guardian,” I say, trying to hide my heartache over the topic. His eyes flash with pity and I grow annoyed. “And here you are, younger than I am and trying to force a mate bond with someone who is not even yours to claim!” It sounds jealous even to my own ears.

“Are you jealous, Guardian?” He asks, smiling, and I decide I like him much better when he is angry. When he smiles, my stomach does weird things and I like stability, familiarity. This feeling is far from either of those things. 

“Of your ability to find a mate? Yes, Alpha. I am.”

“Do you want to be my mate?” his eyes darken a shade as he takes a step closer to me.

I can see it now. His wolf is trying to find someone, anyone, to be his mate. It’s a pull much stronger for Alphas, the need to be with their mate weakens them, their resolve crumbles without a Luna and eventually, they go mad. I can see it clearly now, his wolf fighting for control and his struggle to stay true to what he wants. I tilt my head, getting lost in his eyes, watching his struggle, sympathizing with it.

“No,” I finally answer, whispering “No, alpha. I value the mate bond above all else. I find no temptation in you. Only pity.” His eyes snap out of their daze and he shakes his head. I’m not sure what to expect from him. I know the easiest way to snap an alpha back is through anger, and they hate pity more than they hate when their title is left out. He looks up at me, his green eyes meeting my hazel.

“Thank you.” So he knows I was actually helping him after all. At least he’s not dumb.