Snow Alpha

Chapter 17

I wake up with a small headache, as wolves have a high tolerance for alcohol so it takes quite a bit to get drunk. I didn’t necessarily get drunk, but I had a fair bit to drink, just to get my mind off the danger looming over my pack. Which is gaining ever closer, unfortunately.

Thankfully this morning Ash is still in bed, as much as I love the homemade, fresh breakfast I prefer waking up to him next to me with us entangled in each other. Last night I must've just thrown a top on as all I'm in is one of Ash's blue tops and my pants, I feel him only in his boxers.

My back is pressed against his firm chest, his arms wrapped round my frame that seems petite to him, his head nestled comfortably in the crook of my neck. I try and wiggle out of his grip, but it only gets tighter, I need the toilet and he needs to let me go, soon.

"Ashton." I lightly groan while trying to pry his arms off me, he mumbles into my neck some sort of response.

"I need to go to the toilet, now let go of me." I order. He chuckles and after a minute he lets his arms loosen and I get this is his answer. I shuffle out the bed and walk into the bathroom, the cold, hard floor making me shiver a little. I do my business and then look into the mirror to see my state, god I look awful.

My hair is wild, sticking up in every direction, my mascara clinging onto the skin under my eyelashes - making it seem like I've been in a fight. I quickly stick my hair in a messy bun and use a makeup removal wipe to get rid of the dried and old makeup.

I walk back into my bedroom, loving the feel of my toes curling into the thick, deep, warm carpet. I then proceed to joining Ashton back in bed, his back now on the backboard and him watching the TV on the wall facing the king size black four poster bed. I snuggle back into his warmth, my arms naturally wrapping round his waist and my head resting on his shoulder.

I face the TV to see what he's viewing and see some ads, so I take the remote and flick to other channels, finally stopping on one of my favourite shows. He groans when he sees what it is, and I laugh at his reaction to the Teen Wolf episode. The fittest one there though is Derek Hale, nobody can disagree there, and Stiles is so funny! The only thing I don't like about it and every werewolf will tell you this, just the way they make them 'turn', it's pathetic. It's like a half turn which don't even exist.

We sit there and carry on watching the program, Ash more interested in twirling my hair than watching the channel, unlike me - squealing when Derek is there, laughing when Stiles and Scott say their usual sarcastic comments, sighing at Lydia and Allison.

We lay there and carry on watching the episode until it finishes and then he mumbles, "Right enough of that, change it."

I laugh but still do as he says, we get around ten channels down and I see Twilight, I squeal in delight, but the TV remote is soon snatched off me.

Ashton goes to a different channel and I throw my hands up and down like a little girl’s tantrum, I say in a firm voice, "What do you think you are doing, we were watching that?"

He replies, "There's no 'we' in us watching that, that was all you. I tolerated Teen Wolf but not Twilight as well, too much."

I sigh, "Yes but if I'd had known that Twilight was on then we would've watched that, let's be real Jacob e.g. Taylor Lautner, can we just appreciate his good looks and sexiness. Team Jacob all the way."

He growls at my response about how good-looking Jacob is and I chuckle, I teasingly say, "Oh don't worry, I'll be with you forever Ash but that doesn't mean Taylor isn't fit or that if I was offered a date with him that I'd decline, no way!"

This tips him over the edge and soon he's towering above me, my back now on the mattress, his two arms either side of my head to support his weight; his body lightly touching mine, his face falling above mine and his hair cutely dropping over his eyelashes. I giggle a little and he growls, obviously not wanting to cause this reaction out of me. I lie there casually, knowing he won't do anything to me, he then says, "You're mine and if you think you're going to go on a date with any other man than me, then you're sorely mistaken." His eyes slowly turning black, showing his wolf's emotions as well.

I take this as a sign to calm him down, I rub my arms up and down his and whisper soothing and calming words, such as; yes, don't worry, I was joking, you're mine as I'm yours. Within a couple minutes he's sufficiently calmed and we return to our previous positions.

The doorbell then rings, and I leave the cosy bedroom to see who's there, I walk and open the door to see nobody with no scent lingering, which is strange. I look down to see another envelope, like the one I received yesterday, and my blood runs cold.

I pick it up slowly, my eyes once again scanning the forest round my house for any suspicious movement - now wearier of the situation. I close the door and steadily open the letter, I pull it out and read it -

Do you miss me, you'll see me soon enough anyways.

I will send you several instructions in the following days unless you want something to happen to these people.

Your one and only,

Russ

I wonder what he means about 'these people' until I see another sheet in the envelope, I take it out and furrow my brows at the unfamiliar people, until realisation hits me.

I go running up the stairs and burst into the bedroom and run to the bed - Ash now fully awake and c*****g his head at my sudden change in persona.

"Who are these people?" I question Ashton, throwing the piece of paper at him. He catches it with ease and furrows his brows when he views the people.

He replies, "That's some members from my pack, who did you get this from?"

My blood runs even colder, if that's a thing, I was hoping he'd say he didn't know but unfortunately, I was wishing too much.

"Adella answer me." He speaks again, in a firm tone.

"I received this from Russ, you can read it for yourself." I say and pass him the other piece of paper, he quickly scans it and groans in anger. His fists balling up, getting redder and redder. I quickly grab him and guide him to the office, once there I pull down all the blinds and lock the door - making sure nobody can see or get in.

Once all that is done I push the couch out the way and press a secret button on the wall and a door appears and opens a little, I then push Ashton in and I follow - making sure to close the door behind us. I flick the light switch on when the tunnel ends, and we are surrounded by a plush room filled with seats of all kinds and a fridge in the corner, also at the other end of the room a small bathroom - these are emergency rooms.

I then turn to Ashton and put my hand out to sit down; he sits on a black leather one seater while I seat myself on the long, grey velvet couch.

"We're in here because nobody can see or hear us, if somebody is able to take those photos then we have a problem. I haven't had anything like this since I've started the pack and I plan to shut it down immediately. My priority is getting your pack here all safe, as they are my pack as well now. We need to find a way of getting them here without any casualties, I don't know what Russell is planning. I have a burner phone in here if you want to contact your Beta and let him know the situation and to tell him to discreetly make the pack gather their needed gear as they can get clothes and other bits here, and to be very careful of the surrounding, they need to be here asap." Ashton nods along to the whole speech, he doesn't say anything - pondering ideas in his head, whilst he does this I receive the burner phone and hand it to him. He swiftly types in a number and then places the phone and speaker and we both wait, the monotone ringing increasing the tense atmosphere.

After the third ring, a man answers with, "Hello?" his voice questioning but unwavering.

"Nick, it's me Ashton. You need to get somewhere very private to answer this call - now." Ashton replies in an authoritative voice.

We hear shuffling for a couple minutes and then the man answers, "What's up boss?"

"We have a major problem. I found my mate - she's the Alpha of White Forest Pack, e.g. Snow Alpha. That isn't the problem, she has been receiving threatening letters since yesterday - maybe because of my arrival. In the letter from today there is a picture from our pack, containing Mardy, Evie, Cole and those people; I don't know how they got photos, but everyone needs to be on top guard. No venturing into the woods without at least 3 others, curfew for 8.30pm and, they need to pack necessities - all ready for two days’ time; Tuesday. On Tuesday you will all go into the coaches we usually hire, the 60-seater ones. Everyone will leave that day, okay.

You need to make sure you are being very discreet with all this, no pack meeting but send a mindlink and be very serious - we can't afford any more problems. Send a letter to Alpha Dylan about our departure and that our pack land is his temporarily until or if we move back. Have you got all that written down?" Ashton says.

There is a moment silence until he responds, "Yes, I will make sure all of that is done. I know you probably don't want to hear this considering the situation but congrats on meeting her; about time. Any other requests?"

"Thanks Nick, in those buses we will have at least 10 warriors in each - in case anything does go wrong in the travel. Also, Adella will be sending some of her men down to us to drive you here, as they know the roads well and will be able to get you here quicker." Ashton returns.

"Okay, I will have all that sorted. Make sure with the men you send something that I can assure that it's from Adella - I don't want any foolery." He replies - smart thinking. Ashton raises a brow at me and I quickly think of a trait.

"They'll be in black gear, they will have a white wolf necklace round their necks. Will that be okay?" I say into the phone.

"Yes, thank you Alpha. See you in a couple days." Nick answers, with that Ashton finishes the call. I huff and lean back into my chair, hating the fact that we're being threatened, I detest the feeling of vulnerability. I feel Ashton's piercing gaze on me and I raise my eyes to his silver ones and tilt my head - showing him that I'm wondering what he's thinking, as he has a mind block.

"Why was this built? Is this in every house?" He asks.

"I had this in any case of emergency or in this type where I need privacy and security. One of these is also in every house but not as grand as this, this is much bigger as if people came to my house I'd be able to fit lots in; I also have a bunker underneath the house." On the thought of houses, I mindlink the Construction Head, Tony, and order him to start making me another 50 houses - starting today.

I have around 15 spare houses, these are regularly cleaned so would be able to fit in a good amount of people; even if some had to join up for a small period. Some of those houses could be built within the next week; we have bungalows, apartments, houses, all sorts. If there were any elders or orphans we have tons of space in the Pack House for them, on that side of things we have nothing to worry about. I mindlink Blake, James and Ella (head warrior) to come to my house asap, I then leave the private room and my office and meet them all at my door - just in time and guide them back into the bunker.

They all are in a serious mood, knowing I wouldn't have called them here for no reason. I explain the story to them and order them not to spread anything until we have a firm plan on our side of things.

"So what soldiers do you think we should send, or how many?" I ask all of them, mostly Ella as she knows her men and women the best.

"My pack contains around 700 as well, most of them warriors or able to fight well - obviously except elders and youngsters. There will be 12 buses - I suggest around 30 to 35 men. Two per bus and then around 10 men outside the buses, in the woods following so they will be able to sense any intruders in the forest." We all agree with his idea, seeing the logic.

"Okay so those ten can be the scouters, we need good legs for that journey. The warriors in the buses should be a mix; some of the best but not all as we still need to be prepared here." I advise Ella and she nods, her eyes glazing over - telling the rest of us that she is mindlinking others.

"I've just notified 35 warriors, 15 women and 20 men. They all know what they are doing, no extra information and aren't going to ask or say anything." Ella utters, and I nod thankfully.

I then turn my attention to Blake and James who both seem deep in thought, James then says, " We must have someone betraying us or they are getting past our border control for these photos to be taken." Blake hums in approval, agreeing with this theory.

"We should contact Anna and ask her to put up the boarder shield; we haven't tested it out yet so might as well try now." Blake suggests, and I nod, also thinking of that.

"Okay, once all of this is over, I promise I will be more involved in the pack - just so much is going on. I feel like I haven't seen you guys like I used to, but right now both of you go and pretend like this never happened. We can't have the outsiders suspecting anything, or the pack - I will inform them again if anything happens. I'll also set curfew or the law about not going into the woods alone."

With that, we all leave the secret room and go back into the office, walk out and chat generally like nothing ever happened. Our eyes always darting to the surroundings, not knowing what could be hidden in those woods.