Outliers

You will never be able to escape from your heart. So it is better to listen to what it has to say.

- Paulo Coehlo

“Okay, everyone out,” Harris uttered firmly, leaning back in his chair to cross his arms firmly across his chest. “I won’t be much longer deliberating; I don’t intend to stay here any longer than I have to.” Apparently while an Alpha meeting was mandatory in these situations, it was ultimately up to Harris what decision they would make.

The Alpha’s, surprisingly okay with being dismissed so easily by Harris, quickly rose to their feet and shuffled out of the room. They were probably just as eager to return to their packs after being called so abruptly to Nevada. No Alpha liked to leave their packs, even if their Betas were there to watch over the territory.

The only Alpha that did not move was the towering mountain of a wolf that was the Alaskan Alpha. His hair, jet black and un-brushed, was long enough to reach his jaw. A rough beard covered the lower half of his face, a stark contrast against his naturally pale skin.

“Is this tha’ one?” He grunted, not taking his eyes from me. It took a lot of effort on my part not to shiver beneath the weight of his scrutinizing gaze. While I felt no intimidation from his Alpha status, that did not mean I couldn’t feel intimidated by his overall presence. The Alaskan Alpha was an old wolf, the oldest amongst the packs, only rivalled by a few wolves that remained across South America, Asia, and Africa. The true extent of his power was unknown, and the many rumours that followed him only built his reputation as a wolf to be wary of.

Harris shot me a side eye stare before reluctantly admitting, “Yes.”

“The one?” I asked, looking between the two Alphas cautiously. Harris was staring so intently at the Scottish wolf, looking rather annoyed.

“The one tha’ cannae shift, but packs a hell of a punch.”

“Is that how you describe me?” I couldn’t stop the slow smirk curved across my mouth as I steadily fixed my attention on Harris. He rolled his eyes.

“Don’t let it get to your head.”

“Too late,” I joked, unable to mask my joy. A compliment from your Alpha was something for a wolf to be extremely proud of; especially if it pertained to your skills of combat or hunting. This was just further proof that I was now an official part of the Colorado pack, and my Alpha saw me as such.

“How’ve you been?” Harris asked the Alpha rather than responding to me, though I could see a barely there smile quirk upon the corner of his mouth. The minor act did well to leave my stomach in knots. Forcing myself to watch the Alaskan Alpha and not Harris, I watched the Alaska Alpha merely shrugged his shoulders. “And your pack?”

“The same as before.”

Harris grimaced. Clearly, ‘the same as before’ was not a good thing. Yet, I had heard nothing about trouble in the Alaskan pack, and certainly nothing had been said at the Alpha Meetings. Why was Alpha Harris privy to such information? And why were they speaking of it in such vague terms?

“The anniversary is next week,” the Alaskan Alpha uttered, sparing me a briefest of glances. His expression, as sombre as it had been from the start of this conversation, gave nothing away.

Harris shifted in his chair, only grunting in response.

“Do ye want me ’nd Samual to visit?”

“Don’t inconvenience yourselves.”

“Dinnae be a twat. We’re coming.”

“Okay,” Harris sighed. He rubbed his hands roughly against his face and up through his hair. I had never seen him so resigned before. “I’m sick of this room, come on,” he nodded towards me, “let’s go. I need a walk.”

When we finally left the stuffy conference room Alpha Paden was waiting for us, the female Alpha lent against the adjacent wall with her arms crossed and a fierce scowl. When her eyes met mine, a wicked smirk split across her face.

“Emily,” she greeted, stepping forward and immediately embracing me in a brief hug. “Good to see you again. I didn’t get a chance to talk to you at the Meetings last month.”

“Yeah, I was doing a lot of running around for Alpha Athan.” I grinned at the wolf, only an inch shorter than me. Her hair, usually left natural, was now pulled back from her face in thick braids, making her already high cheekbones look more prominent. As usual, she was wearing a light layer of makeup. A golden shimmer swiped across her cool brown skin that caught the light just right when she was grinning back at me.

“Yeah, I saw. Got to say, Acting Alpha for two different Alpha’s, that is impressive. You’re really getting around,” she teased, her gaze shifting to behind me where Harris and the Alaskan Alpha still stood. “I’m only joking,” she assured, her words directed towards the Alpha Males.

When her attention drew back to me, her expression sobered slightly. “Seriously though, sorry about in there. You know how it is, bull-shit formalities.”

“I wasn’t offended. Don’t worry. Alpha Athan, on the other hand,” I pressed, arms crossing. Her face lit back up once again. “I can’t understand your problem with him.”

“I think he’s an arrogant young pup that has no business being an Alpha with his limited experience. No matter how well he thinks his father has trained him, he’s not ready.”

“Agree to disagree.”

Alpha Paden rolled her eyes, scoffing.

“Gosh, you’re so smitten with him. Anyway, I need to go brief my pack mates on the meeting,” she explained, nodding over to the two males waiting patiently for her at the end of the hallway. “You’ll come visit Wyoming soon, yes?”

“I don’t think I’ll be travelling as much now I’m in Colorado. But next time there’s a meeting, I’ll request a trip home to see my family and we can catch up.”

“Hmmm,” she pursed her lips in feigned disapproval. “I suppose that’s good enough. See you later, then.”

When I turned to face Harris and the Alaska Alpha, both were eyeing me strangely.

“What?”

“There’s a lot I don’t know about you,” Harris mused.

***

My walk with Harris was a long one, spent in silence as we walked through the Nevada pack territory—staying clear of Benjamin Russo and the spot he had been chained to. He was clearly conflicted on what was to come next, so I didn’t pry him for conversation. I didn’t find the walk uncomfortable, though. I enjoyed the silence, taking the time to examine the Nevada pack grounds in a way I was never permitted before.

Most of my visits to Nevada—on Idaho pack business either with, or for Jack—were spent under the heavy watch of untrusting Nevada wolves. I spent most of my time in the pack house and nowhere else.

The rustle of leaves in the wind, the tree branches around us gently swaying, disrupted the silence between us. There was some sign of wildlife; birds singing in the distance, but no wolves were heard. It seemed odd to be back in a pack where training wolves were not a constant presence across the territory. The training grounds were completely empty, and I wasn’t sure whether that was a usual occurrence for Nevada, or if merely all the pack wolves were on high alert because of the current situation.

I knew the pack had not been at their best in the recent years, the Alpha’s competence had been slowly slipping. Still, it had not warranted his death. Certainly, someone should have intervened, but Benjamin Russo was not the wolf to do so. I knew if they left Nevada in the control of such a poisonous wolf, it would quickly crumble.

Our walk lasted an hour, and by the time we had arrived once again at the main house doors, the other Alpha’s were waiting and appeared understandably impatient. Harris was quick in explaining his decision, though. Benjamin Russo was to remain in Nevada, chained, until more enforcers arrived for his transferal to Colorado pack grounds. His mate—a female I had never met—would also transfer, along with Riley, to begin his training.

Harris had appointed a wolf named Samual, from the Alaska pack, to take over as Alpha until a more permanent solution could be found. The Alaskan Alpha did not seem pleased about that decision, scowling at Harris fiercely. The again it was always difficult to read the Alpha wolf’s expression. He certainly wasn’t known to smile, his expression always sombre in one way or another.

Harris dismissed the Alpha’s. No one argued with his decision, all dispersing quickly, preparing to leave. Even Harris was quick to turn on his heels, heading back across the field to where I knew the car was parked. I was eager to follow, not at all fond of staying longer than I had to in Nevada.

“You’re heading back to Colorado now?” Jack’s voice called from behind me. I couldn’t help the way my body tensed. I stopped walking, watching Harris with envy as he continued quickly towards the car without pausing. Breathing deeply, I turned to face the approaching Alpha, mouth drawn tight.

He stalked towards me with long, purposeful strides; determination set on his face.

“Don’t go,” he uttered firmly, more of an order than a request, when he was only a foot away.

“Jack...” I sighed; my heart was heavy, I couldn’t go through this again. “Please don’t.”

“Emily, don’t,” he breathed, stepping so close to me I could hear his heart pounding in his chest and feel the heat of his body. I wanted so desperately to lean into him, to give in, but I knew better. What I wanted wasn’t always what I needed. What I needed was the freedom to grow without restrictions, to see what kind of wolf I could truly become. I knew Jack would never allow me that.

“Stop,” I whispered, voice breaking, begging. He cupped my cheek, leaning close, and I froze. His lips brushed mine for barely a second before I found the strength to step away, a lump in my throat so large I physically couldn’t speak.

There were no more words to say, anyway.

My eyes were cast low, and I couldn’t look at him as I stepped away and turned back towards the car. Harris was already in the driver’s seat, waiting for me. I didn’t once turn back to look at Jack, did not utter another word towards him.

***

It was only an hour into our journey and yet it felt as if I had been trapped in this small car for days. Behind the wheel beside me Harris had returned to his tense nature, his forearms stiff and hands clenched tight around the wheel. He had not looked at me once, hadn’t spoken a single word. It seemed nothing had changed from our journey this morning. Still Harris was distant, and it left me wondering why the hell he had invited me to join him in the first place. He was all too aware of my attempts to avoid him since that night in the water, and now that we were once again alone, with no other wolf to buffer, the atmosphere between us was once again so uncomfortably thick.

I was content to remain in silence for now, despite the tension that only grew with every passing second. I wanted nothing more than to question his motives, to press him further on the events of that night, to confront my Alpha in a way no pack member ever should. But I observed him, observed the tick in his jaw, the scowl on his face as he kept his eyes glued to the road. Until I grew tired of his silence and turned my attention towards the scenery outside, I too becoming more agitated the longer the journey continued. His silence had not bothered me during our drive this morning. I was tired from my initiation the night before and I had slept mostly through the journey. But I was wide awake now and brutally aware of every second that passed.

Thankfully, after five agonising hours on the road, Harris turned into a motel. There was no way we could make the trip back in one day. The drive was a 26-hour round trip, and already it was growing dark on the roads. I imagined Harris must be exhausted. Punishing another wolf was a serious thing that should never be taken lightly, and without an Alpha, that job had fallen to Harris. It must be draining to go against all instincts of loyalty and protection. I had not heard of a wolf being chained in years; it was considered a punishment for only the severest of crimes. The silver in the chains would constantly burn through the re-healing flesh. It would be agony.

But Benjamin Russo had murdered his Alpha. He had crossed that line first. He had to be punished.

Harris was quick to park and get out of the car, heading inside. I slumped in my chair with a heavy side, taking a minute to compose myself before I followed him. The sooner we returned to Colorado the sooner I could distance myself once again. Perhaps I could stay in the car while he rested. The cowardly thought had me rolling my eyes. With a groan on my lips, I stepped out of the car and followed him inside, albeit dragging my feet as I did.

“You want to talk about it?” I eyed my alpha; lips pursed as he stormed into the two-bed motel room he had just paid for.

“Talk about what?” he all but grunted, heading straight towards the bed closest to the door.

“You know what.”

“Do you want to talk about it? I’m not the one that has been hiding; I’m not the one running away.”

I opened my mouth to respond, but was left speechless.

“That’s what I thought.” Wasting no time to strip to his underwear, and clearly unbothered about exposing himself to me, Harris climbed into the bed.

Okay then.

“I’m going for a run.” I needed to go for a run right now, release the frustration that was bubbling beneath my skin.

“We’re not in Colorado yet.”

“We’re also no longer in Nevada pack territory. I know my pack boundaries. I’m in no danger of crossing them.” Despite having just been at the Nevada pack, returning uninvited and running freely across their land was prohibited, as with all pack territory. A quick jog in human form would never take me far enough to cross back over pack lines anyway, though.

I just needed to get away from him, away from this room. I was desperate to clear my head.

He didn’t respond, his body perfectly still in the bed, his bare back exposed to me as he lay on his side. He wasn’t asleep yet, though. He did a hell of a job pretending to be so, but after already spending a night in a motel room with him, I knew the difference in the rhythm of his heart and breathing while he slept.

“I won’t be long.”