Night and Day: The Alpha Nomad

Distracted Alpha

Day-

I managed to get the remaining pack members to safety. Many were emotionally exhausted or had children, so we could not travel very far that night. I found a secluded cave in an area of the mountains where humans rarely traveled, so I was confident of my pack’s safety.

The family of the girl who stayed behind found me the next day. The mother could barely hold herself together to speak with me, so her mate managed to speak on her behalf. I felt ashamed that I failed in my duty to protect their child.

“I know it is dangerous, but we need to know what happened to our daughter. If nothing else we need to make sure her remains are buried under the moon of the Goddess,” Her father pleaded. “If you cannot send anyone, allow me to go back and handle this. Alpha I am begging you.”

“I cannot allow you to go, not alone,” I told him. “I would be happy to send some of the Patrol to retrieve her remains so she may get a proper burial.”

“Thank you, Alpha,” the mother whimpered. “She was all we had, our only pup.”

My heart broke for them, and it sank even deeper when I realized my own mate was never recovered. Where did Night end up? Why haven’t we found her? I tried with all my strength to avoid thinking the worst, but I couldn’t stop picturing her tied up. I felt like someone had covered my eyes with blinders. At times I felt suffocated and like my heart was being squeezed.

Delphie and Fen returned that afternoon empty handed. I could tell they had run to the point of exhaustion. Delphie wept and Fen apologized profusely, but I was too distraught to reply. Although my pack was safe, my heart was unsettled.

Maybe she ran away after hearing your proposal? My wolf tried to reason.

She gave no sign that she would run, but maybe you were too eager to mate. Maybe you’re the reason she left, I growled at my wolf.

He whimpered, but I knew it wasn’t his fault. Every wolf feels those urges around their mate, especially before their souls officially become bound to each other. Still, she gave no sign or notion that she would take off. Maybe she thought it would be easier. Maybe she rejected me and that’s why the link isn’t working.

You would have to accept the rejection in order for the link to break, and besides she has your blood pulsing through her veins, my wolf reminded me. It would be even harder for her to break such a link.

I paced the cave desperately trying to come up with a plan to find her. I still had a duty to my pack and those slain by the hunters last night. I would have to forget Night until I retrieved my people and gave them a proper burial.

I rounded up the Patrol wolves and gave them their orders to retrieve whoever they could from the m******e and return to lay their souls to rest. I wanted to go with them, but I could not afford to leave my pack without protection. Even if the hunters tracked us this far, I would have to fight them off myself if it came to it. As an Alpha I must put them first, even if it means my parents’ souls will not find peace.

I debated leaving with the pack so we would not stay in one spot too long but I did not want to lose our Patrol, and leaving clues to find us for them would be too risky as well. My people were exhausted and needed at least another night to recuperate. The young would not be able to keep up at this pace.

Tala made dinner for the pack that evening with what little resources she could find at this altitude. She was such a caring soul, she found a few stray berries when she went foraging to make a sweet treat for the pups. Tala had the sweetest voice that soothed even the foulest of moods, except for mine. Although she tried to distract me with stories and songs, I could not forget Night.

“My Alpha, I am sorry that I cannot help,” Tala looked defeated. “It pains me to see you this way.”

I could tell she had feelings for me, but my mind was preoccupied to reciprocate flirtations. I apologized then shuffled out of the cave to brood alone. I could not lead Tala on, I could not break her heart like I felt my own heart breaking.

If Night never retu— my wolf started.

“No!” I shouted out loud. “I refuse to believe she won’t come back! I will find her.”

And if she doesn’t want you to find her? My wolf prodded sullenly.

“I don’t believe she left, she wouldn’t leave without a reason,” I pushed back a tear.

How would you know? She was a rogue when you found her, maybe she would rather be a rogue than a Luna, my wolf insisted.

You just don’t want to admit you failed to protect her…AGAIN, I pointed out.

A growl pushed through my teeth. I would not accept Night’s disappearance and the hunters’ attack were merely coincidence. I felt my wolf urge us to leave if we were so sure she was kidnapped, but the thought of leaving my pack unprotected felt like an anchor weighing me down and holding me in place.

I sensed that Tala was behind me. She gently grasped my tense shoulder. Immediately I felt the tension settle. I turned to her and noticed her worried look.

“I am worried about you, my Alpha,” Tala admitted. “You cannot protect your pack-“

“What? If I cannot protect my own mate?” I snapped, then felt like a jerk when she recoiled.

“No, that’s not what I meant. I meant you cannot protect your pack if you cannot care for yourself. You need to take care of yourself,” she corrected me, her eyes softening. “You should put your worries to rest. If you worry this much about Night, how are you expected to care for your pack. She would have been one of us if she was given the chance to give you an answer.”

“So you believe she did not leave willingly? You think she would have accepted?” I asked hopefully.

“Why wouldn’t she? You clearly care deeply for her,” I noticed she looked hurt briefly then continued. “I think you should go find her. There are plenty of able bodied wolves here to protect us. You shouldn’t worry about us, Alpha Damon.”

“But the hunters-“ I began before she hushed me.

“We will keep moving, and we’ll send word to the Patrol to inform them where we’ve gone, it’s not like they couldn’t track us down anyways. If you don’t return by week’s end I’ll send Delphie and Fen after you,” she offered.

“I can’t abandon my pack,” I looked away shamed by my selfishness.

“This isn’t you abandoning us. You are going after one of your pack members, I would hope if it were me you would search for me, I mean any other pack member,” she blushed.

The sun was setting and I couldn’t help notice how beautiful she was even in the dimming light. I knew it was wrong, but I kissed her lightly and briefly. If fate had been dealt differently she may have been my mate. In a different life, I suppose. She looked shock, but hugged me around the shoulders to show she didn’t expect anything else.

“Go get our Luna, my Alpha,” she urged. “We’ll be fine.”

“I won’t be gone long,” I promised.

“Take as long as it needs, just bring her back,” Tala insisted. “We will be fine.”

I shifted and took off into the woods and didn’t look back. I was confident that Tala would take care of the pack. She was right when she said I couldn’t protect them like this. I would be too distracted and would make careless decisions.

Perhaps I should have made her my beta, I thought ruefully.

Something tells me Fen would not appreciate that, my wolf scoffed at the idea.

Still she deserves a place of honor when I return, I pointed out. Perhaps she will find a place at my council. I could use her wisdom.

Is that the only reason you want her close by? My wolf teased.

I didn’t dignify that comment with a response, although I knew there was some truth to what he said.