Chapter Two

Meeting:

“Alpha your meeting with the Cold River Packs Alpha Aldric any minute.”  Luke said to his Alpha.

“I know. I really don't have time for this.” Rhett growled.

“I don't know what he expects me to do to help his pack, We are doing everything we can here for ours.” Rhett sighed.

‘I know Alpha. It was gracious of you allowing this meeting to hear him out.” Luke agreed.

“What are you going to tell him?” Luke asked after pausing for a moment.

“I am going to hear him out and then tell him no. I will offer them some small supplies and homage for the night or two but we can't keep them.” Rhett said, annoyed.

“Alpha. The Cold River Alpha Aldric is in the waiting room with his Beta.” Priscilla said, knocking on the door bowing her head to him as she spoke.

Rhett sighed annoyed, looking from the papers on his desk to Priscilla. He opened the top drawer of his desk and scooped all the papers into the drawer. He looked up to her, rubbing his forehead annoyed. They had been allies for years, when his pack was having trouble with rogues years ago. Aldric was there to help stop the evasion. Aldric had just become Alpha and it was a risky move on his part but he did it. Rhett had never met him in person but he always offered help. He was torn between feeling obligated to help him and worried about spreading his pack and supplies too thin.

“Show him in.” Rhett said with a nod to Priscila.

“Yes Alpha.” Priscilla nodded and ducked out of the room.

“Are you sure Alpha?” Luke asked softly.

“I have no freaking clue.” Rhett answered back annoyed.

A woman walked in. She was tall and fit, with platinum blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. She stepped aside allowing Alpha Aldric to walk into the room standing tall. He had deep dark brown almost back hair. He wore it with an undercut on the sides and slick back on the top. His warm cognac eyes held no emotion as he walked in. Rhett could tell he was gritting his teeth by the way he was holding his jaw. He could see bags under his eyes from lack of sleep. He was hiding how hurt and worn down he was. Rhett's eyes wander over his massive body. The man was huge, he had large board shoulders and arms had muscles exploding out of them. There was something about him.  His scent hit him immediately and he grabbed his desk with both hands. His wolf begins to act up inside of him. His scent was intoxicating. He smelt like earth and leather. Rhett clenched his jaw trying to get a hold of himself. He felt a warmth sweep over him.

“Alpha Rhett, thank you for meeting with me today. As you know my pack is….is …is-

“Vulnerable.” Rhett spat out, it sounded angry but it was due to fighting his wolf.

What the hell is going on with you. Rhett growled at his wolf.

Out. I want out. He smells amazing. His wolf howled inside of him.

Stop it now. Rhett growled again.

Luke glanced over at his Alpha, he was causing dents in his desk and now was randomly growling. Sweat beaded across his forehead. Was he getting sick? He wanted to help him but he wasn't sure what was going on.

“Yes, Vulnerable. The plague and famine had caused havoc on my pack. We are now being attacked relentlessly by rogues. My members are being slaughtered. I have  come here seeking refuge.” Aldric said, trying his hardest to get the words out.

It killed Aldric to admit he could no longer protect his pack, that his pack was weak and vulnerable. It made him feel worthless. He felt Waverly trying to comfort him through mindlink. His eyes flickered over to her and smiled softly at her letting her know he was ok.

Why did he smile at her like that? Who is she to him? Rhett wolf growled inside him, becoming angry.

Fucking stop! Rhett growled back at his wolf. 

“Fine go.” Rhett blurted out trying his hardest as his wolf pushed forward harder trying to get out.

“Alpha Rhett, I thought we would have more of a discussion on how we could be useful. Where will we be staying? How long?  What are the expectations?” Aldric asked, confused at how quickly he was given a yes and dismissed.

The way he said his name made his wolf even crazier, his wolf trying harder and harder to escape. He was howling non-stop now.  He felt pieces of his honey blond hair scrape across his forehead. Everything was driving him nuts. Every small movement, even his own breath making his chest move was causing him pain. His hazel eyes locked with Luke’s  gunmetal blue eyes and he forced himself to speak, his throat feeling like a desert.

“Luke will handle all that. I need to go.” Rhett said not sure if he could even move from the spot he was standing in. 

“Alpha?” Luke asked, wanting to help him but not sure how.

“Luke, take him to the housing area and find them housing now. Go now.” Rhett said to Luke staring down at the desk, he couldn't look up. He couldn't look at Aldric.

“Alpha-

“Go now!” Rhett said, sending out his Alpha aura causing Luke to whimper as he immediately started walking out of  the office.

“Alpha Aldric, please come this way.” Luke said as he walked past him.

Aldric looked at Rhett who looked on the edge of losing control of himself. He wondered what could possibly be going on. He glanced at Luke who was begging him to follow him with his eyes. Aldric nodded to Rhett before following Luke out wondering if he made the right choice for his pack. What if Rhett was some out of control Alpha?

Rhett collapsed back into his desk chair, his breathing heavy as he felt his wolf collapse as well from the power struggle. He felt a deep sadness rush from his wolf. His wolf let a small whimper that Rhett felt roll through his whole self. He rubbed his face with his hand trying to slow his breathing. Why did his wolf want out so bad? It couldn't have been because Aldric was another Alpha. He had been in the presence of many Alpha’s during meetings and nothing like this had happened. 

Couldn't find his wolf. Hendrix whimpered.

Why were you looking for his wolf? Rhett asked his wolf.

Need his wolf. Hendrix whispered back before collapsing from the struggle into sleep.

Rhett gritted his teeth. Why was Hendrix looking for Aldric’s wolf? Why was Aldric suppressing his wolf from his? He groaned, clenching his hand in a fist, anger washing over him.

Priscilla I need something to drink..coffee black..Rhett mindlinked her.

Yes, Alpha. Priscilla replied back, Rhett could hear her stand quickly outside his door and rushed off.

Alpha are you ok? Luke linked him quickly.

Yes, I'm fine. How many pack members does he have? He mindlink back to Luke.

His pack is wiped out, Alpha, he has forty members left, mostly women and children. Luke responded he could feel that he felt sorry for him through the link.

Forty? That's devastating. He had one of the largest packs. Does he have a Luna? Rhett responded back.

Why did he ask that? Why did he want to know if he had a Luna? The question just fell out of his mouth. 

No he is unmated. Yes, forty total. He said he lost a large amount of his members during the last rogue attack. Luke responded like it wasn’t an odd question.

The woman that accompanied him? Rhett asked, Again another question he was unsure of why he was asking.

The woman’s name is Waverly. She is his beta now. Luke responded.

Now? Wasn't Derrick his beta? Rhett asked, confused.

Derrick was lost. Waverly was Derrick’s mate. Luke mindlinked back, even though he felt bad.

See that they are all taken care of.  Rhett ended the link.

Aldric followed Luke out to the driveway of the pack house. His pack members waited in the small handful of cars just outside the boundary line of Rhett’s pack. 

What the hell was that? Waverly mindlinked Aldric.

I don't know. Aldric answered back shortly.

Do you think we should stay? What if he is some out of control Alpha? Waverly panicked and replied back.

It’s all we got. Where would we go? Aldric answered back, he was worried about the same thing but they were all out of options.

“Alpha Aldric you can have your pack members crossover, I have some pack members waiting to escort them to their housing units.” Luke said to him walking over to a silver truck.

“You both will ride with me.” Luke motioned for them to follow to the silver truck. 

Luke watched Aldric's eyes gloss over as he assumed he was telling what was left of his pack that they were to move forward and follow the Dark Moon pack’s men. Aldric sat in the passenger seat and Waverly sat silently in the back. Luke drove down to a set of tall houses bunched together. They were three story houses. Luke nodded to the houses.

"It's what we got right now, your pack can split the four of them." Luke said quietly.

"Thank you." Aldric said to him.

Luke pulled into the driveway of the first house. Turning the car off and stepping out. Aldric and Waverly did the same. Luke walked over to the front door opening it and holding it for Aldrich and Waverly.

"So it's full stocked. Got five bedrooms and two bathrooms. The master bath has its own bathroom. I know it's not much for the rest of your pack but it's better than sleeping on a gym room floor at the school." Luke shrugged.

" No, it's great. We will figure out sleeping arrangements and everything. Tell your Alpha we are grateful." Waverly smiled brightly at him.

"I will. What's your name?" Luke asked her smile, catching his eye.

"Waverly. I am acting Beta for Alpha Aldric." Waverly said, holding out her hand.

"Luke Beta as well. Cool to see a female in the role. Looking forward to working for you, " Luke said, shaking her hand firmly.

"You as well." Waverly smiled back.

"Well I'll leave you guys to it. I'll be back by this evening to check in." Luke said with a nod heading to the door.

"Luke." Alpha Aldric said, causing him to stop.

"Yes, Alpha Aldric?" Luke asked, stepping back in.

"I would like to sit down with your Alpha at some point to go over what roles my pack members can take place in. We are few but we are useful. Waverly is an amazing fighter and I have others who are extremely talented in medicine." Aldric said not liking sitting in a weird limbo.

" I will inform my Alpha and let him know your request. I will be back around this evening." Luke said with a nod.

"Luke, one more question. Does Rhett have a Luna?" The question fell out of Aldric's mouth suddenly.

Luke raised an eyebrow. As if it was a strange question.

"No, my Alpha has not yet found his mate." Luke said, still confused.

"Ok I was going to have some of the female pack members report to her. That's all. Thank you." Aldric said, trying to cover up the question.

Luke nodded and walked out the door. As soon as the door was shut Waverly unmasked her face.

"Aldric, what was that? Why do you care if Rhett has a Luna?" Waverly asked, a little excited.

"It just fell out of my mouth." Aldric said he was confused.

"He sure is sexy looking. He looks like he has strong arms." Waverly said with a smirk on her lips.

"Waverly." Aldric warned.

"He's got a super pouty full mouth." Waverly laughed intentionally, continuing.

"That's enough." Aldric said, waving her off as his attention turned to the sound of tires.

"Oh come you deserve some fun or happiness." Waverly sighed.

Aldric shot her a look telling her he meant it was enough. A small knock came from the front door. Aldric straightened his shoulders and went to it. Opening he saw the remaining of his pack standing on the front yard. 

"Alpha Rhett has allowed us to stay for the time being. We will be residing in the four homes here. Families stay together and make the best of it. I will be by later this evening with more information. Get yourself situated and some rest." Aldric said, giving orders.