SWNOVELS Chapter Close Encounters
The next morning after breakfast, Chase and his Beta Cole weren't back yet from their run. Uncle Mark told me he usually went for his morning rounds around 4am to get updates from all the guards and made sure all his warriors reports checked out but they had encountered some issues and he wouldn't be able to give us the tour so he would be filling in for Chase. I couldn't contain my excitement because if there was one thing my uncle was good at, it was showing people a good time.
We loaded into the side by side and started down the dirt path into the woods. He kept this place so clean you could practically eat off any rock, tree or the ground itself. He ran his pack the way every Alpha should, with respect and a fair hand. Everyone, no matter how big or small, young or old, had a part to play in this community and they were never made to feel any less significant than another. He even offered to give my father some pointers but he never took them.
Driving over the rocky terrain was a bit difficult and we almost flipped several times but eventually we got to the end of the trail and the tour began. He took us through the North ridge, which was used mostly as his hunting area. We drove deeper into the woods towards the Eastern territory, which was primarily used for training because of the level of difficulty in the land. It was surrounded by mountain cliffs and deep valley's so they could build stamina with the climbs and increase agility going down the steep inclines. We stopped along the border for him to tell us about the recent attacks they've had from some prowlers or Rogue's as we know them, who had been trying to attack his pack members. They hadn't been able to catch any because someone else had beat them to it.
"You mean these prowlers are being attacked by another pack?"
"No Ember, they're being attacked by another Alpha."
"Well that's good, isn't it? Is he an ally?"
"Unfortunately he is not. He's a ruthless, deranged man who kills for fun. He isn't doing it because it helps anyone, he does it because he's evil."
I stared at my Uncle in awe, there's no way someone could be that mean that he kills Rogue's for fun, I mean they are feral creatures that attacked and destroyed what good, honest wolves had, but they didn't deserve to die unjustly. We didn't have many of them in Georgia but then again our packs were protected by the federal agency because of the peace pact my father signed years ago. It's mostly run by the retired Alphas and warriors from the surrounding packs and they have done an amazing job at keeping us safe but their politics sucked.
"So why hasn't he been punished for this? I mean isn't murder illegal?"
"I wish it worked like that but you have to remember we're part animal and if our wild side isn't tamed properly carnage will surely ensue. And he is entirely too dangerous to capture." His eyes turned midnight blue and I knew he was giving me an Alpha command to keep my distance.
Alarms were going on if my head from his look, as if he were warning me to stay away from this part of the woods to prevent me from running into the monster that was lurking just beyond the border. I shook my head at the silent agreement between us and he turned the ATV around back and drove to the South border where they used it for the school grounds. It was surrounded by a 20ft cement wall and guarded by the newly released warriors. He explained how the children were also trained once a week, mostly just basic shifting practice and self defense but it helped with their wolves aggression because the younger they are the less likely they were to have control of their wolf.
Once the tour was over, we went back to the West side of his property where his pack house was located. This part of the land was used for housing and farming, he had acres of vegetables that were grown for his members to eat and was the main source of work for the retired wolves.
We finally made it back home just in time for lunch but I still couldn't shake the feeling that there was a lot more to this devilish wolf's story and I was determined to find it out, but if my Uncle ever knew that I was even thinking of going against his orders, he would never speak to me again. I ran up to my room for a quick change of clothes and met everyone in the dining room. Lunch was delicious and once we were done we helped clean up then Kam and Mik went to meet Chase and Cole while I stayed to talk to my Aunt about something.
"Aunt Penelope, why does your pack respect women more than my pack does?"
She stopped in her tracks and let out a sigh before she turned to me and said "Being Alpha is a hard job, Em. It's not just about being a good leader but it also takes a lot of hard work in making sure everyone's best interest is at heart. You also have to be willing to give everyone a chance to prove themselves. Before your father took over his pack, and our dad took over our grandfathers pack and so forth, going all the way back to our oldest known relative, the choice had already been made to keep women out of the business side of pack roles. They believed that females shouldn't be involved in decision making because their emotions tended to take over. After I met your Uncle, one of the first things I noticed were the roles that women played in the pack.
He strengthened them, not just physically but mentally as well. If they weren't fit for warrior status he had them placed in the medical ward to help care for the mothering wolves or other roles that best fit their personality. He had an amazing way of knowing who would be good at what but he ultimately let them choose."
My Uncle was an amazing man and I only wished that my father would have seen the light years ago and taken his advice, then maybe we would be a stronger pack and I wouldn't have ran away. I kissed my Aunt's cheek and thanked her for the talk, I needed to go before Kam and Mik killed one of the men outside. Those two were a handful, hardheaded and stubborn, and I knew they wouldn't listen to a word Chase said without me being around. They were supposed to show us around town since they couldn't give us the tour.
When I walked outside the tension in the air was so thick I could have cut it with a knife and for whatever reason Cole was sporting a shiny black eye and Kam was holding Mik back from attacking him again. I ran out and situated myself between the two groups and looked back and forth from Mik to Cole.
"Is someone going to tell me what's going on here?"
"He's an ASS!" Mik shouted trying to pull herself from Kam's arms.
"And she's fucking crazy!" Cole screamed back.
I looked at Kam and Chase who were both staring back at me just as confused as I was. I don't know what got into them but if they couldn't get along it was going to be very hard staying here with these two at each other's throats.
So what do you think so far?????
Who knew Ember was going to try and find this monster wolf despite her Uncle's orders?
What the hell's gotten into Mik? They haven't been there a whole 24hrs and she's already beating peoples asses!