Big Bad Alphas

“You saw the rogue, then my father, and you decided to walk outside and follow them?”

“Well, when you say it like that it sounds bad.”

Eric takes a breath. “Because it is bad, Isabella, because you could have been killed. Why did you follow—what told you to go out in unclaimed land and make yourself vulnerable?”

I watch him pace back and forth from the bed. “I don’t know. I was intrigued, I suppose.”

“Intrigued? Intrigued by death?”

“You’re overreacting,” I tell him.

“What if the wolf wasn’t my father, what if you walked out there and he didn’t find you in time?”

“But he did, and that’s all that matters, right? Can’t we just move on? I have learned my lesson.”

Eric sighs. “I cannot understand why you would put yourself in danger like that.”

“I don’t either, but it happened, and now it’s over. I really just want to forget about it and move on.”

I do not want to forget about; I cannot. Why was a rogue so close to the pack house? Did they have a motive, a reason? I keep running scenarios in my head, ones where Eric is attacked, me, or Caroline by a rogue like the one in the forest. What if Caroline is walking over to the pack house and one suddenly pounces on her?

Eric sighs. “I’m sorry, you shouldn’t have been in the situation, and because of me, it was made possible. These rogues, they’re getting to me.”

“Well, I can help, and your father too.”

Eric gives me a look, not approving of his father.

“He was Alpha, so he must have some ideas. Just because you two don’t get along doesn’t mean the pack shoulder suffer from it. Just reach out to him, ask him what he would do.”

Eric sits down on the bed. “I can’t give him that. He would think my taking over was a mistake.”

“I’ve said this before, but you two need to resolve your issues. It would benefit the pack if you worked together, instead of treating the leadership like a competition of who can do better. Your father helped me; he fought a rogue for you—to keep me alive for you. I think you should give him a chance.”

“Alright, I’ll talk to him tomorrow,” he says and climbs into the bed. “In case anything happens and I’m not here, there is a gun in the closet downstairs.”

I quickly sit up and look down at him. “A gun?”

“I don’t want to think about you being in danger, but I would never forgive myself if something did happen and I gave you no way to protect yourself.”

I lay back down and stare up at the ceiling. “I don’t want to think about things coming to that,” I murmur.

The next morning I wake up alone, as Eric had work to do by the borders, and hopefully, he was working with his father.

I sit with Marina in the kitchen as we eat together, something that I have begun to ask her to do lately. It was nice having Caroline here yesterday, even if she was distracted by her mate. She must be missing Lucas. Last night, when he left, she went straight home to check on Olivia. Olivia has not been doing much lately, especially after hearing that Caroline found her mate.

She did not know of our plan to find him at the party, but the outcome upset her anyways.

“A lot on your mind?” Marina asks me.

“No, just tired,” I tell her. “How are things with you?”

The morning goes by slowly, and I am tempted to find Caroline. While walking to her house, I notice something out of the ordinary, a group walking from one of the border posts. It is not just any ordinary group of guards, but an Alpha, as I can feel the power as the people near.

“Isabella!”

Looking to the side, I notice Caroline hurrying towards me. “I was just coming to find you, what’s—”

“Do you know why Alpha Kenn is here?” She interrupts. “I mean, Lucas left just last night—do you see him?”

“No, I don’t see him, and I was just about to ask you why he’s here. I don’t see Eric with him either.”

Caroline frowns. “I’m going to go ask him where Lucas is, maybe why he’s here too.”

I follow her nervously as she makes her way over. “How is Olivia?”

“She’s still depressed, and my talking about Lucas didn’t cheer her up.”

I grab her arm, forcing her to stop. “Why would it?”

“Well, I just missed him, and I couldn’t stop myself,” she gushes. “I miss his scent, and his face, and his voice—”

“Okay I get it, let’s—”

Before I can collect myself, we are too close, and Alpha Kenn notices our nearing presence. Caroline gives me a look and shifts to him with a bright smile. “Alpha Kenn, what are you doing here? Is Lucas with you?” She asks impatiently.

The group and the Alphas attention turns fully to us. Alpha Kenn, a few years older than Eric, tilts his head to the side. “Caroline, I have not seen you in years, and the fantastic news that you are mated to my Beta—what a surprise. Though, I do not know why Lucas would be with me, as I came to retrieve him. We have business south.”

“Retrieve him, but he left last night?”

Alpha Kenn’s eyes wander to me for a moment then find their way back. “How odd. He hasn’t come home, nor did we run into him on the way here.”

“Caroline,” I place my hand on her shoulder, “we can send people out to look for him.”

She turns to me, a worried wreck already. “What if a rogue—what if he’s hurt?”

“I will find your brother,” Alpha Kenn tells her, “we will search for him. While I am gone, show my men where he entered the forest.”

“I’ll take you to him. He’s probably on the training grounds with Heath,” I offer, wanting to help find Lucas as soon as possible.

Alpha Kenn nods, and we split into two groups. Caroline heads off in the direction of the northern forest, where we said goodbye to Lucas, while I lead the Alpha to Eric. The pack land is peaceful before noon, as most guards are preparing for today’s primary tasks and members are with family. I always wonder what it would feel like to wake up beside Eric every day. He has the luxury, and I do not.

“You’re Caroline’s friend?” Alpha Kenn asks.

“Well yes, but I’m also Eric’s mate.”

“So you’re his Luna. I’m surprised that I have not heard.”

“It isn’t a public thing really. Not many people know, there was no announcement or anything,” I explain.

“That is strange,” he comments.

“Is it? I would not know. At my old pack, I have only been through one Alpha and Luna.”

“Well, you are beautiful, you have a head on your shoulders. I would have expected to know right away, but Eric must think differently than I do.”

I slow down. “What do you mean?”

Alpha Kenn catches himself. “Ah, with announcing personal things. He must not want to share too much.”

We continue on the path, and I cannot help but think too deeply about his words. Should Eric have announced me to the pack, to friends? “I’m guessing your Luna is at home?”

“No, I have not found my mate yet.”

I nod. “Soon, I’m sure. Maybe she is here, at the Tate Pack?”

He smiles. “Maybe.”