A Beta Before An Alpha

Zac's Point of View

I shift back, and so do most of our warriors. “Julien, you know where the hospital is here, why don't you get the doctors ai nurses. We have people on both sides that could use some medical attention," I suggest.

“Yup,” he nods and takes off running. Jack, myself, and some of our warriors search through the bodies, looking if we hav any of our warriors on the ground killed or hurt. The medical staff arrives and starts to treat those injured. We didn't lose anyone from our packs, thankfully. We have some injured, but no one too seriously.

Jack stays to look over the injured, and 1 take Julien, Paul, and Malcolm with me to go to the packhouse, and then door to door to round up most of the adults and have them meet us where the battle was.

Most seem to be scared looking at the gory scene behind me.

“We won't hurt you,” I assure them.

“Who is next in line for Alpha?” I ask the crowd, but julien cuts in, “Nathan's father is in the group of wounded,” he points him out.

“He could take over again until his son Josh is of age,” Julien adds. I walk over to the large grey-haired man laying down, being attended to by a doctor and a nurse. I should have known by the medical attention he was receiving that he was someone important.

“Alpha,” I say, with a nod. He looks at me with anger and disgust, then sits up.

“Do you expect me to greet you with respect after what you did to my son, and our pack?”

“What would you have done?” I cut in sharply. “If someone tries to abduct and rape your mate?” I press.

“Nathan wouldn't do that!” he snaps.

“Did you not hear his outburst earlier. He all but admitted it in front of everyone. Your 3 trackers that were sent to abduc her are dead now too. What more do you need for proof? My mate was injected with a drug so she would be unconscious and couldn't fight them off. If 1 hadn't intervened in time, she'd have been sexually assaulted, and the scars of that would follow her for the rest of her life. You need to accept the truth," I explain roughly.

“Well, she's fine obviously. Was this necessary?” He growls.

“All these innocent lives," he adds, as he motions to the dead bodies.

“I warned Nathan, so he chose his fate. What should I have done? Wait for him to attack again? Lock my Luna in her pack forever so he couldn't abduct and rape my woman? f**k NO! As for all of the innocent lives lost, they had a choice. I gave everyone an out. If they agreed with his behaviour and stood with him, I have no remorse,” I admit.

“And you call him the monster?” he seethes.

“Do you have a mate or a daughter?” I ask and he shakes his head, and I look to Julien.

“His mate is dead, but he does have a daughter, Bianca.”

“You traitor,” Alpha spews, staring daggers into Julien.

“Let's say that I attempted to abduct Bianca, with the intent to rape her. You intercede in the attack. What's your next move?” I ask. I study his face, and I can see he’s not even giving it any thought.

“Bring me Bianca,” I boom. His face completely changes, anger replaced with fear.

“NO! Don't. Please. You can't...” he says panicked while trying to stand, unsuccessfully.

“I thought abduction and rape were acceptable around here?” I ask plainly.

“Please! She's innocent. She didn't do anything wrong” he gasps.

I bend down to his level, “And so is LAUREN!" I GROWL.

His face changes a little, and I think I see some understanding there. “He shouldn't have tried to abduct her, and... hurt her,” he admits.

“No, he shouldn't have. Rest assured I'd NEVER do that to your daughter,” I admit, and his body language softens a little. “You can see the error in your son's actions. You also felt the rage you had when you thought I might hurt someone you care about. So what's the verdict?” 1 ask.

He furrows his brows, “What do you mean?”

“Ym not leaving here without tying up all loose ends,” I admit.

“You have the opportunity to take over your pack until your younger son, your blood is old enough to take over, or you cz fight me now. Accept that the Matheson bloodline dies here today,” I offer.

“I know my fate if 1 fight you,” he admits honestly.

“And I can see now that your hand was forced in the matter,” he says softly. 1 nod, and then Jack starts,

“And let's be clear, if you or anyone from this pack ever thinks it's a good idea to retaliate against my brother, or his mate be aware that I am the Alpha of Black Moon, his neighbouring pack, and my pack has over 1400 members. We also have a strong alliance with Cold Moon, with a pack sized over 1000. You will find yourself of the losing end, I promise; he explair sharply.

I give an appreciative smile to Jack. He called me his brother, which he’s not biologically, but it feels good for him to say i because I feel the same way about him. No matter what I've got his back too.

“I don't want any trouble,” the old Alpha says, with his hands up in the air.

“Good!”

I walk towards the crowd of people that we gathered, “I extended an invitation to anyone who walked away from this figh earlier. If anyone wants to join my pack, the offer still stands. If anyone is still interested, come and speak with me before leave,” I announce.

Some people start to disperse, and a group of people come to me, asking me questions about my pack and telling me th want to join. I get the information written down, of who wants to join, and who they are bringing along. I would like to ha their living situations figured out by the time we all make it back home.

When looking over my list, I see that I have 41 adults, and 12 children that will be joining Red River, which means I need t find accommodations for 7 families, 9 couples, and 9 singles. I'm not sure the exact numbers of what I have empty for rooms and houses, but I know I don't have that many. I'll figure it out though.

I instruct everyone that we will be leaving in an hour. Anyone wanting to travel back with us is welcome to. Anyone who can't be ready to leave in an hour was given travel instructions. Alpha Matheson, of Claw Moon, agreed no harm would come to anyone leaving. He doesn't have much of a pack left. Between losing 53 members to me, and the death of so mai He has about 150 members, including his elders, children, and non-warriors, he can't afford to piss me off again.

jack and I walk back to his truck to grab our phones, so we can call our women and give them an update, and let them know not to worry. “I really appreciate what you said back there," I tell Jack.

“Hey, it's the truth. You're the closest thing that I have ever had to a brother, and I'll always have your back,” he admits.

“I agree, that goes both ways, you know that, right?” I question.

“Of course I do. You've always had my back, and you even fought with me to protect my wife and kid. I'm glad I was able t repay the favour a little today,” he adds.

When we get to Jack's truck, I grab my bag and get dressed. I only had a pair of shorts on before that someone handed m Once 'm dressed I called Lauren,

Not even a full ring in, and Lauren answers,

Lauren: ZAC?

Me: Hey babe!

Lauren: Oh thank Moon Goddess. I was so worried. [I can hear it in her tone too, she really was.]

Me: 1 told you I would be fine.

Lauren: I know, but I couldn't help it. What happened?

Me: I took care of Nathan. You don't have to worry about him anymore.

Lauren: Took care of him? Is he dead?

Me: Yes.

Lauren: [She sighs] I thought I felt something earlier, it wasn't strong but I felt a pain in my chest. It must have been the I; of the mate bond being cut. I didn't know if that pain was because something happened to you or him though. [She soun like she’s crying]

Me: I'm sorry you were worried sweetheart. Take a deep breath and let go of all that stress and worry. You don't have to worry anymore. You're safe, and so am 1, and I'm coming home to you soon.

[I hear her take a deep breath, and then there's a moment of quiet]

Lauren: Thank you.

Me: Of course. I love you, and I'd die to protect you. You're everything to me.

Lauren: I know that, and that's why I was so scared. I love you too.

Me: We are leaving in about 45 minutes. We'll have to stop to eat a few times, 50 we won't make it home as quickly. Lauren: Okay. So how are our warriors? And Jacks?

Me: I few got hurt, but no casualties.

Lauren: I'm so glad to hear that. What about the other side? Did a lot of people get hurt?

[I tiptoe around it because I know she hates the idea of anyone even getting hurt]

Me: I gave everyone an opportunity to leave before we fought. I told everyone about what he did. A big chunk of people walked away. I stopped the fight after I took care of Nathan. Not every one that fought died. Nathan's dad is going to take over the pack until his other son is of age.

Lauren: 50 not a lot of people died then? [She's holding out for hope.]

Me: I'm not sure the exact numbers babe, but I also offered anyone who didn't want to fight the opportunity to join our pack, and a bunch took me up on it. We have 53 new members joining.

[1 try and put a positive spin on it, and redirect her thoughts.)

Lauren: Really? That's amazing!

Me: It really is. You know how much I've wanted to grow the pack. Oh, actually can you do me a favour?

Lauren: Sure. Anything.

Me: 1 am going to need you to go into my office, and go into the pack filing cabinet. Look in the bottom drawer, in the fold that says “VACANT. I need the information on what we have available. We are going to need to figure out accommodation: for seven families, nine couples, and nine singles.

Lauren: Okay, Il get on that. Leave it to me, I'll take care of it.

Me: Thank you. I think I might have seven or eight vacant houses, and I know for a fact I don't have 18 rooms in the packhouse. Worst-case scenario, I'll have to set some of them up in my apartment complex until I have more built. [suddenly that investment property is really paying off]

Lauren: That's a good idea. I'll make sure there are beds set up in the old warrior building for those that will end up stayi in the apartment buildings since you guys will be getting in late.

Me: You're the best. Luna mode already. [I feel so proud]

Lauren: Hardly, it's the least I could do. Keep me posted throughout the day.

Me: 1 will. 1 miss you, I'll talk to you soon babe.