The alpha's last chance

Chapter six:Back to the pack

Moses felt a chill running over his back at the alpha's words. "Alpha" he said, "I understand how you must be feeling, but the pack needs you. And we both know that it is not in a state to be left alone now."

Markus looked at him as if he wanted to rip his throat out.

Moses had to physically restrain himself from taking a step back.

"You don't know how it feels, Moses." Markus said. "It feels as if, I don't know...". He sighed frustrated.

"You're right, off course. The pack can't be left alone right now. The rounds are about to start and we need to be there."

They set off in the direction of the car, each entangled in their own thoughts.

It wasn't hard to guess what Markus was thinking about, but Moses mainly felt worried.

If the Luna was weak, the alpha would weaken, and that would mean the pack would weaken as well. And besides that, the state the pack was currently in, there was a fair chance they sensed Markus' weakness and tried to throw him over.

Moses was the second in command, which meant that if the alpha would fall, he would have to take over. And although he was prepared to do that if the alpha was killed, he was not really willing to take Markus' place while he was still alive. Aside from the fact that he was his best friend, Moses loved the life he was living. He never shunned a good time, whether it concerned partying, women or good food. And the responsibilities that came with being the leader of a pack were intense.

They drove back to the pack territory in silence, much like when they drove up here yesterday evening. But so much had changed, it seems as if days had passed in those few hours.

After a while Markus spoke.

"We need to get the pack on the straight and narrow again. When we get back and checked the boundaries, I will have a talk with the Luna. We need to come up with a plan."

Although Moses full heartedly agreed, he wasn't expecting this. He thought his alpha would have his mind stuck to his new-found mate, but instead he proved he was worthy of his bloodline. Maybe there was hope after all.

Markus had always been a good leader. But the circumstances didn't work in his favour.

After Joseph, the former alpha and Markus' father, was killed, the rogue attacks became more frequent and more violent. Rumour had it, the rogues formed their own alliance and took in territory wherever they could. If Moses had to believe what he heard, they even started to form their very own pack, with a complete town to go with it.

He just couldn't figure out where it was. The land surrounding their packland was rough and poor in supplies. It mainly consisted of rocks and canyons, so he couldn't figure out how they could ever support themselves.

As the night slowly turned into day, they approached their pack territory.

Markus looked upon their borders with a full heart. This was his home, he knew every tree, every lake and every cave as he had explored them all in his wolf form since the day he became eighteen.

He would talk to the Luna. Even if she wasn't herself anymore, he was confident she had information that could help him figure this mess out.

Suddenly, Moses stopped the car and turned down the lights. Working together for many years, Markus knew better than to speak out loud.

"Rogue" Moses mind-linked.

Markus followed his look and didn't only see one, but at least three rogues gliding through the forest on pack land.

"at least three, maybe more" He linked to Moses. "We must shift".

Silently they left the car, almost gliding, and without a sound, they shifted in their wolf forms. Without as much as breaking a branch, they approached the place where they saw the rogues last.

Walking quietly between the trees, they caught the sent of their enemies. "Why don't they stink as usual" Napoleon asked. "Who cares" Zack replied, "They might smell different, but I bet they bleed the same as before".

The rogues were sitting quietly, staring over the land. "Why are they doing that" Napoleon asked. "Easy pray" Zack said. And with that, he leaped forward and threw himself on the closest rogue.

The fight was short, but bloody. And although they had every right to do what they did, Markus felt a little sting every time a rogue yelped in pain. "What is wrong with me" He thought, "Why do I feel their pain almost as if they were pack members"?

As they shifted back to their human forms, Markus said: "Take me to Robert".

"What about the Luna?" Moses asked.

"That will have to wait" Markus replied in a tone that would take no argument.

Upon arriving in their town, Markus spotted Robert, just returning from the forest.

As he approached him, he could see the dark circles under his eyes and the beginning of a beard forming.

"How was the night?" Markus informed.

Robert gave immediate full report.

"Hello alpha, the North and East side were calm last night. No reports of intrusions. In the south there was a bit of trouble, but nothing we couldn't handle. I'm still waiting for an update from the West side."

"Who was in on duty this night?" Markus asked.

"North and East, Jordan and Mike. I covered the South." He hesitated.

"The west was covered by Richard."

"I see" Markus replied. "Moses and I just fought off 3 rogues at the West border. Please have Richard report to me immediately".

"Yes alpha", Robert said and set off to find Richard.

He eventually found him at his own kitchen table, and by the look of him, he didn't lose that much sleep last night.

Robert sighed, always Richard. What was he going to do with him?

"You're expected at the alpha's office, Richard. Please follow me."

Richard looked at him with an arrogant smile. "Off course" he said. And Robert knew he was planning on causing trouble.