The Alpha's Shield

Chapter 3- SPECIAL EVENT

“You don’t understand brother. No matter what I say to her, she just won’t budge,” Leon lamented to Saxon.

“This is a peculiar case. It’s usually males that are this compelling about getting intimate with their mates and not the other way around.”

“All the more reason I’m bothered. Why would she want to sleep with me so bad? Leon asked, not expecting an answer.

“You’re probably overthinking this. I think it means she just really loves you. I mean, she’s been faithful to you in all these years and there’s no sign of her ever relapsing. What could possibly be wrong in wanting to get intimate with her mate so much?”

“I hope you’re right brother. I really do,” Leon sighed.

“It’s nothing to worry about,” Saxon assured.

“Even if you’re right and there’s truly nothing to worry about, what do I about her? She hasn’t spoken to me since yesterday evening.”

“Just let her cool off for a little while before you speak to her. She'll come around”

“Now,” said Saxon adjusting on his seat, “on to more troubling matters. Six years ago, we had an army of only four hundred soldiers and through all of those years until eight days ago, we have been under the rule of father, Alpha William. Through all of these time, we’ve had victories and losses but more importantly, we now have an army of eight hundred and fifty soldiers. That of course does not include the Royal Guard of one hundred soldiers within this manor. This means we’ve grown stronger and we can focus on defence effectively with members to spare for other roles. In addition to that, we’ve had only two captains but two years ago, two new captains were appointed. We now have four squads with two hundred werewolves under each captains and an extra of twenty-five under Captain Albrecht and Captain Alexander.”

Captain Albrecht- Squad I (225 soldiers) Captain Alexander- Squad II (225 soldiers) Captain Radolf- Squad III (200 soldiers) Captain Klaus- Squad IV (200 soldiers)

“Excellent, this is wonderful news. Surely this means we’ll be part of the Big Five at the Hunt this year, right?”

“We will be a part of the Hunt but not the Big Five. There’s no Big Five this year.”

“What do you mean?”

The Hunt is a nonlethal traditional annual event used as a yardstick to measure the growth and strength of packs. A pack needs to possess a stipulated number of soldiers to partake of it. That alone is a way of identifying the big packs and the lesser ones. As a reward for victory, the Alpha of the pack gets an indisputable right to recruit one soldier from any of the competing packs into his army. This caused packs to stop using their strongest fighters as representatives because as much as they could emerge victorious, they also stood the risk of losing them. Therefore, to obtain victory at minimum cost, packs started using their promising next generation fighters. That way, even if they lose them, it’s of little or no effect to the strength of the pack. Soldiers participating in the Hunt are called players. Currently, have to partake of the Hunt, a pack must be recognised to possess more than five hundred soldiers and for the last thirty years, all through Alpha William’s reign, only five packs have been be able to fill that spot. Thirty-six years is more than enough time for numerous packs to surpass the condition of five-hundred soldiers, but at a time where numerous packs are crushed repeatedly, only very few have been able to make it to the top. Year after year, different packs make it to the top five but for the last four years, the same set of packs have continued to participate in the Hunt. However, among them there is one pack that has been able to hold their spot for ten years. The five packs that meet the requirement and partake of the annual event have come to be known as “Big Five,” but that’ll not be so this year

“I mean exactly what I said. This year, eight packs have been recognised to possess an army of more than five hundred soldiers and so, the Big Five ceases to exist. They’ll have to think up a new name,” Saxon explained.

“In over thirty years, not more than five packs have been able to make it there.

“Not anymore.”

“Indeed. We certainly live in a competitive age, brother.”

“You can say that again. Anyway, the Hunt is a month from now, we should select our representatives and start getting them ready. After all, this is our first time.”

“Yes, you’re right. Every participating pack has to select two representatives. I’m thinking Lieutenant Caesar ought to be one of them for sure but who do you think should take the second spot?”

“Yes, Lieutenant Caesar will definitely be one of them and for the second rep, I think it ought to be Lewis,” Saxon proffered.

“Lewis?!” Leon said, almost jumping off his seat, “why would we pick Lewis? Isn’t he the incorrigible brat? I’ve been Alpha for only a week and a day that isn’t even over, yet I’ve heard countless reports of his past behaviours.”

Saxon chuckled, “Yes, Yes, I know all about that brother...”

“Then why?” Leon cut in.

“Yes, Lewis is incorrigible. He’s always disobeying orders and doing things himself but he gets the job done and he is merciless. Even though the Hunt is not a lethal competition, someone like that is what we need right now.”

“I’m not sure about this Saxon. I mean, his partner is going to be Caesar and they are direct opposites,” Leon argued frowning.

“All the more reason it’ll work. They’ll both complement themselves and make up for what’s lacking in each other. Besides, they say opposite attracts,” Saxon retorted, determined not to back down.

“I’ll take your word on this one.”

Saxon bowed his head shortly. “Thank you. I also have a suggestion as to how their training should be conducted.”

“Go ahead.”

“We have only a month before the Hunt. I suggest a transfer of captains for both our representatives. Caesar goes to Captain Albrecht’s base and Lewis to Captain Alexander’s base then both of them will receive training there for one week.”

“What good will this be to them?”

“Captain Alexander and Captain Albrecht are polar opposites and their attitudes will most likely be reflected on their subordinates. If Caesar trains under a new captain and Lewis does, they’re bound to learn new things and expand their horizons. Afterwards, a joint training for both soldiers should be conducted by both captains throughout the remainder of the month.”

Alpha Leon snapped his fingers. “Excellent idea! I approve. You always think up the best things Saxon.”

Leon's compliment was met with light laughter from Saxon.

“By the way, will Nightfall be participating in the Hunt this year too?” Leon inquired.

“They certainly will.”

“Goodness! They don’t let up, do they? For the past ten years, they’ve participated consecutively in the Hunt. In fact, Nightfall is the first and only pack to partake in the Hunt for more than five consecutive years, not to mention they won the last three contests and have an army of one thousand, five-hundred soldiers. They’re undoubtedly the biggest pack. Do we even have a chance?”

Saxon cleared his throat. “Well, Connor almost died in battle earlier this year and retired. Rumours has it that he was so afraid he ran away from the battlefield with his tails between his legs, literally. ”

“What?! You mean Connor the fearless, commander of five hundred, slayer of women and children and star player of Nightfall?” Leon asked, alarmed and excited at the same time.

“Yes, that Connor.”

“Who did he face that got him so shaken up? In all the battles he has faced, surely he has come close to death numerous times. Why now?” Leon probed further, still on his feet.

“I haven’t been able to find that out. The information is most likely classified and under strict regulation,” Saxon said and emptied his cup of tea hat had now gone cold.

Leon took a deep breath and sat back down. With a single gulp, he emptied his cup and they both went quiet for a little while.

“I want you to send messengers to the Hexagon. Relay this training process you suggested to me to both captains. We’ll adopt it. Also, have Lewis and Caesar see me at the Plague. I’d like to see and speak with my representatives first-hand,” he said finally breaking the silence.

“As you wish, my lord,” Saxon playfully replied.

Leon burst into laughter and Saxon followed. For a few seconds, they both laughed heartily until Saxon stood up still somewhat laughing, “I’ll have your message delivered now.”

“Thank you and oh, have them come to the Plague,” Leon added.

“Yes, you already said that,” Saxon chuckled.

For why the room was called the Plague, many answers had been given. The most reasonable one however, is that it’s because almost nothing positive was ever discussed in the room. When the monthly council was held with contents such as war matters, irregularities and disturbances in pack affairs, it was at the room. Trials and court-martial were also held at the room. Conspiracies took place in that room. In that room, words that claimed many lives were spoken. With the destruction, calamity and affliction brought forth from it, no name describes it better than “Plague.”