No Wolves Found

Chapter 4

Lincoln

Deep in the forest, I sat at the edge of the lake. Watching the ripples every time he tosses in a pebble. The calmness is disrupted when hearing the break of a twig.

"I'm not in the f*****g mood," I grumbled, laying back on the grass.

Tucking my arms under my head and closed my eyes. Still, the soft footsteps on the forest floor near me. I don't stir or make another sound.

"You have duties to tend to. You can't keep running away from responsibilities."

I opened my eyes to my mother. Sighing, I turned away from her. "I'm not running away; I'm taking a much-needed break," I claimed.

"It's all the same to me. You have things to do, if you wish to speak later, we can. But right now, I need you to get your ass in gear and get some work done." She demanded.

My mother waited around for a response but when one never came, she huffed and took a spot next to me in the grass. She looks up at the moon as it shines down on the lake, illuminating its beauty. Placing a gentle hand on my shoulder she sighed.

"I understand you're stressed, but you can't do anything about it at the moment." She said. "Every battle, there will be losses."

"There were too many, our attackers aren't normal. We can't see them; how can I protect my pack." I shook my head.

It was honestly frustrating as if fighting a ghost.

"You will figure it out, your people believe in you. I'll leave you be with your thoughts. But please, seek your father once you return." She stood soon after.

"I will," I answered quietly.

Staring at the lake, I waited until my mother was far away from earshot. I had been Alpha for only a year and things had already started to pile up. Some laws needed signing, meetings with nearby packs, and such.

With the most important task of all, protecting his pack. Then all of the recent attacks that's been going on, I truly didn't have time to relax. The furthest thing from my mind was finding my mate.

Returning from the lake, I walked into my office. It was a substantial cabin just on the outside of the entrance of the pack house. Raising my head, my father sat behind the desk.

"There you are. Didn't think you'd show up and thought I'd get some work done for you." He said.

My father was a stout but muscular man, his medium brown skin shone against the sunlight that flowed in from the window behind him. He had dark brown eyes that I inherited from him.

"Your job as Alpha is done, don't worry about me. Things will get done." I sighed, taking over my chair once he stood up.

I tensed as I felt his eyes on me, I ignored it for the moment until his presence festered annoyance within me. Turning to him fully, I relaxed my tensed shoulders as he gave a stern stare. There had always been a power struggle between us, among other things as well.

"What?" I questioned calmly.

"Not to be, that type of father, but when are you going to get off your ass and do your job?" He questioned.

"What the hell do you want me to do? I can't make any moves when I can't see my targets." I huffed.

"Then I guess it's time to let you know some things." He sighed deeply.

Leaning back in my chair, I looked at him. He sat across from me, his arms folded over his chest. Heaving a loud sigh, my father stared out the distanced window.

"There is—there was another pack..." He started. "It's no longer a pack, but a small town." He explained.

"Okay, what about—" He cut me off with a low grunt and harsh glare.

I nodded for him to continue.

"The Moon Goddess cursed the pack herself. They, meaning the occupants of the pack no longer had their wolves. Becoming human in every way." He sighed.

"So that means, they no longer shift?" I questioned.

"Exactly, you'd think that they wouldn't be a threat anymore. But as time went on, the story has gotten twisted."

I c****d my head to the side, "Twisted how?" I queried.

"With each new generation there were new shifters born, and each time they are killed. They believed that being born a beast was a curse." He rolled his eyes.

"They killed their children?"

"They did what they thought was right. Because for the last hundreds of years that's all they knew to do." My father explained.

"Alright, so what? It's not our job to—"

A heavy sigh cut me off, he dragged his large hands down his face.

"What?" I asked with confusion etched into my forehead.

"They're hunters."

"Hunters...are we being f*****g hunted by them?" I questioned.

"I'm not sure, but I don't want to put our people through anything unnecessary."

***

Tristan

Sitting in the middle of the floor, eyes closed and legs crossed while I meditated. The door creaked open and at first, I ignored it. Light footsteps crossed the floor before a small sigh met my ears. A smile crept across my face and peeping out of one eye, the face of my five-year-old daughter came into view.

"Yes, Meadow." I hummed.

She pouted, her light brown hair falling over her emerald eyes. Meadows was the only gift left behind from my mate. I cherished my child more than anything else.

"Auntie Kai said that my howl needs practice." She stated.

Smiling, I leaned back on the palm of my hands, "Well, let's hear it." I encouraged.

Meadows stood up, clenching her hands into fists as she inhaled deeply before letting it rip. Her howl came out high pitch, more like yelp to be honest.

I nodded, rubbing my beard while I gathered my thoughts.

"It was...loud," I told her.

"It was good?" Her hopeful eyes looked up at him.

"It was good but it could be better," I answered truthfully.

She pouted.

"You're still a pup and still have a lot to learn." He pulled her onto his lap. "Your fangs haven't even grown in yet." I teased lightly.

The bedroom door swung open Kai popped her head inside and smiled.

"There you are. Why did you run away from me?" Kai closed the door behind her.

"You're mean! I don't wanna play with you anymore." Meadow scrambled up, running out of the room.

Kai grinned, satisfied. "I think I'm on track to be the best aunt ever." She laughed.

"Quit it, please. You know you're a bully." I rolled my eyes.

"Am I?" Kai grinned. "So, I heard something through the grapevines."

Scoffing and lifting a curious brow, waiting for my sister to continue.

Kai had been his sister for fifteen years. She was adopted by his family when she was sent over by their sister pack. Her family was killed by rouges and she was the only survivor.

"Like what, exactly?" I urged as she grinned, picking at her nails.

Kai flipped her braids over her shoulder, "We're going to war. But I think this kind of thing is completely premeditated. We can't even see our attackers." She said whispered.

"How do you know that for sure? Maybe we're just planning just in case. Plus, I'd know if we were going to war." I explained.

Kai rolled her eyes, "Because my source is never wrong." She stated confidently.

"This will be one f****d up idea and—" I paused, feeling a pull to another direction.

After a moment I let out a loud sigh, Kai tilted her head to the side with a puzzling expression.

"Alpha Sampson is calling for me," I informed her.

"Oh, well I guess I'll be going for a run," Kai said.

"Be careful," I reminded her, "stay close to the perimeter."

I left to the Alpha's office, I walked in to see Alpha Sampson and Alpha Lincoln as well as Beta Flint and Luna Ashlee. Lincoln sat on the other side of them, there was something in the air, besides tension.

"Tristan, have a seat. We have some things to discuss." Alpha Sampson smiled sadly.

"If it's about patrols, we're doing the best that we possibly can--" I started.

He raised his hand, silencing me. "It's not that, I promise. Just have a seat." He motioned to the empty seat next to Lincoln.