Page 21 of Alpha's Fate

I glanced around at the ones hanging back, pleading silently for help. If we all fled together, we’d be able to make it so much easier. I saw uneasy alliance in their eyes and a moment of silent understanding passed over all of us. We stood a chance of making it home safely with their assistance. It would be harder for them to follow us if we all ran together. The others might be hesitant to kill their own and they might be relieved to join our Pack with all our power.

Deep in Preston’s eyes I could see the open, icy ambition he’d always held back in the presence of my father. He wanted us dead, wanted us cowering beneath his feet, desperate and brought low. It was clear that he wanted to take us down and steal everything we had. All our work would be for nothing. All our fighting for the good and righteous leadership of our new Pack would be pointless, something that I couldn’t stand for. I glanced over at Weston who was eyeing me with the same emotion in his eyes that I felt in my heart. The moment he took a step forward I shouted instinctively.

“You can join us!” I cried, targeting the group of dissenters, those on the fringe who didn’t want to follow a new Alpha. The woman, the one who Weston had so much compassion for and who was just in a state of flux and pain shifted first. In a moment she was off and Weston and I shifted while others joined us. It wasn’t a lot, but it was enough to create an air of more safety. With a few swift motions I shifted, grabbed my bag, and Weston threw Jennifer across my back before we both took off into the newly shattered woods.

We ran for forever, feeling and hearing the pounding of feet behind us. We were faster and more agile than Preston, his form larger and less able to pick through the forest as quickly as we could. The only issue was Jennifer on my back, but after a few moments, I felt her shift to straddle me weakly and grip the fur at the back of my neck so I could move even faster.

Whether we would have to run the whole way home or we would be able to stop and rest was unknown. It had taken us two or three days to reach the stone effigy in the woods we’d found so long ago, and this was even farther away. Given the strange tasks we’d had to take part in I honestly didn’t know how much further.

Eventually, Preston fell behind, but I heard him call a command and we soon found ourselves flanked by enemies. Or I thought they were enemies- some of them might just be looking for distance away from Preston so they had a chance to join us or to just escape. If I was this terrified, I couldn’t imagine how afraid they must be. They’d just gotten new bodies and it would be horrific for them to die here, now.

My heart pounded in my chest, adrenaline pushing me forward as I weaved through the trees, careful of the injured woman on my back. It was hard going but I was determined to save her. I was hopeful that Darla and Damian were somewhere in our ranks, but I didn’t know for sure. If they stayed backfrom fear or ambition, I would be heartbroken, but it wasn’t something I could consider going back for. Once we went to war - and I knew we would be going to war - we might get defectors from their side but I couldn’t count on that.

All I could count on were the firm connections we’d made throughout the county. There were those Packs I knew without a shadow of a doubt would join us when we put the call out. Others might join in thinking we were going to come out on top, and with enough help, we could. We still had the power, the money, and the alliances. We were still the big dogs in the county, and we’d benefit from that.

As we passed into new territory the enemies began to fall back, unwilling to cross into a territory we were comfortable in. Once we were far enough away we stopped for a brief break. We needed to catch our breath, to just let our muscles rest and get the blood and oxygen they needed for us to press on.

“We’re welcoming you into our Pack now,” Weston panted between breaths, looking around us as he spoke. “We’re welcoming you with open arms. You’re us now as long as you want to be. We’ll be able to regroup and protect ourselves once we get back to the estate- to protect you and your kin. I know this is a scary moment and you all don’t know what’s going to happen next but thank you for being brave and coming with us. Thank you for following your instincts and betting on us.”

“We owe you a debt of gratitude and we shall pledge loyalty to prove our worth,” she called. The woman.

“What’s your name?” I asked softly, and she smiled.

“Winnifred Browne,” she answered. We shared a moment of connection as she reached out to me. I took her hands.

“Winnifred, I promise you we’ll pay our debt to you,” I stood. “I promise all of you we’ll make this up to you. We are indebted for your help.”

“We owe you more than you could ever know. We’ll be loyal until death, fighting alongside you for victory and for peace. We stand behind you, ready and willing to move forward with our new Pack. We all must be as one now,” she answered.

“Let’s go,” Weston called out, standing with me on aching feet. “We need to put distance between us in case they decide to risk entering into the Heartclaw territory. I’ll carry Jennifer this time.” I nodded as he shifted, helping her onto his back so she could ride safely. She was exhausted and injured and we would need to help her once we got home, but until then we’d keep her safe. We’d ensure her safe passage.

When we got back to it we all walked, occasionally trotting to keep pace. This journey would be exhausting, and we’d have to camp at some point. No fires, no food, just copious amounts of water until we returned home. Luckily, we weren’t followed, the threat of a larger Pack seeming to hold the old ones at bay long enough for us to slow down and breathe.

We did finally make camp, simply sleeping naked among the stars and the nightlife. Owls hooted, frogs trilled, and birds shuffled in their nests as we lay there trying to sleep. We kept watch in rounds, taking turns so nobody had to be awake all night. It was the best thing we could do. There was nothing else we could do, really. We’d left behind everything but my pack which I spooned with the straps over my shoulders backward, my arms around it tightly to keep it safe. Everything was still in there. It needed to come home intact.

When we all woke in the morning we made haste for the compound, trotting there in our exhaustion. Without the imminent threat of the Unseen Pack behind us, we had more leisure to take our time and breathe deeply as we intermittently ran and broke for rest. We ran until we made it home, finally collapsing once we made it onto the lawn of the estate.

I vaguely heard a commotion and felt myself lifted and carried inside. I begged for them to bring us all in, but I didn’t know if it was respected. All I knew was that Weston was still walking, demanding to remain with me as I was laid down in our infirmary to be seen. Everything went dark as the doctor came in.

My eyes fluttered open the next day and I felt better, if exhausted. I turned my head to see Weston in the bed with me, and with some effort, I turned and curled up in his arms. I knew that for now, I must rest, but tomorrow I must plan. We had to be ready. War was coming.

THE END

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SNEAK PEEK:

Chapter 1 – Emma

The wind was warm and sweet like it had rolled itself in the sugar of one of those tiny doughnuts from the bakery down the street. It was noisy, sure, but the sound was different and something to experience. There was music everywhere, and all I needed to do was enjoy it.

This had been worth the wait.

Here I was, standing on the balcony of a very nice hotel, looking over a very busy cobblestone street. I had always wanted to travel but never got the chance. Between school and work, myplate had been full since before I had even left high school. While others were slacking off and skipping classes in college, I was busy taking as many courses as possible so I could finish early, and it totally paid off.

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